November 18, 2007

Back from our movie weekend, which was great, although we didn’t get to see Dan In Real Life because we misread the time. Bummer. What we did see was Martian Child and Gone Baby Gone.

Martian Child was good, not great. John Cusack is always wonderful to hang out with for a couple of hours, and the kid was terrific, but it didn’t quite make it story-wise.

Gone Baby Gone, on the other hand, was fantastic. I loved everything about it. Acting, directing, the story. It’s really lingered. I’m irrationally pleased for Ben Affleck, too. Seriously, what is it with that? I don’t know him. His life has zip to do with mine. And I feel as if my cousin won the science fair. So odd, this celebrity thing.

On the work front there’s revisions on the table at the moment, followed by a new synopsis, then finishing my single title partial, then a Blaze due end of Jan. Then I need to do a proposal for a 3 book Blaze series for the 2009 60th anniversary. Okay, I need another vacation. :)

So far our plans for Thanksgiving are: eat some turkey at some point. Sound thrilling? You betcha!

What about you?

November 12, 2007

Boy, we’re having a mild Nov. (Okay, now that I’ve jinxed it, I’m sure we’ll get 12 feet of snow by tomorrow). The problem is the dwindling snow pack, which everyone needs. Want to make yourself depressed? Read or watch anything about the environment. I did, yesterday, and holy cow.

On a brighter note, hubby and I are taking a couple of days to go to movies and have a bit of R&R. I know we’re going to see Dan In Real Life. I’d like to see Gone Baby Gone. I would love to catch Beuwolf, but I want to see it in 3D, which would only happen if I had a teleporter. Oh, and then there’s The Martian Child. I know there are more, but those are at the top of my list. Anything else? What am I missing?

Once we’re back home it’s work and more work. I’ve had a bit of a break for the last week or so, but that’s screeching to an end. It was good to recharge my batteries.

I’m also jumping back into the Sven challenge. I fear it won’t be simple in the beginning. If I take off any time at all, I completely forget how to write a book. You may think I’m kidding, but I’m not. It’s as if I’ve never written one before, and my poor brain goes into some kind of shock amnesia. It’s only through diligence and being willing to put anything on the page that the tools come back to me.

November 8, 2007

Not only am I back, but I’m finally coherent enough to blog. The Forensic University conference was very good. Even the flight to St. Louis wasn’t totally nightmarish. There were two very full days of hearing workshops from crime professionals such as the medical examiner, forensic anthropologist, forensic entomologist, death examiner, judge, crime lab chief, detective, ATF agent, and more. Lots of useful information and lots of excellent contacts. It was tiring - the day started at around 7 and ended at 9:30. The only bad part was not being able to attend all the workshops, and they didn’t tape any, so if you missed it, too bad. I hope they find a way to work around that for the next one.

I also went internet-free for the 6 days I was gone. I thought it would drive me nuts, but instead it was a very good thing to do. I came home to a gazillion emails, but it was worth it. I read TWILIGHT, which I thought was terrific, and another book that wasn’t terrific. I got a couple of research books at the con, so that was good, too.

Now I’m gearing up for the next Blaze, and after that, it’s back to the single title. And of course all those holidays lined up.

Anyway, it’s nice to be back, nice to be in my little office/cave. I hope the last week has been good for all.

October 30, 2007

Well, the book, she is done. yay

I’m out of town, off to the forensics conference in St. Louis. Man, I used to love to fly. Now, it’s torture. I have to go through all kinds of machinations with my medication to get it on the flight, which, I’m sorry, but WTF? How is having my blood pressure medicine in the original bottle keeping America safe? I don’t get it. All I know is that flying will be screwed up for all of us for the foreseeable future and that is so depressing.

Anyway, the conference should be fun and inspiring and I’m really looking forward to it. Speaking of conferences, I’m going to be speaking at the Murder in the Grove conference in Boise next June. That’s one for everyone who writes rs or mystery or suspense or thrillers should check out. Great small conference in a beautiful city.

Also finished the online workshop on the Core Decision. I think it went well. I’m not at all sure when, but I think I’ll do it again. I just have to make sure everyone understands it’s pretty intense.

Okay, I’m outa here. Be good, and I’ll report in when I get back on the 6th.

October 23, 2007

I’m screeching toward my deadline, typing and worrying in equal amounts. Why can’t I ever feel good about my books as I’m writing them? I used to. Now, I just sigh and keep writing. It’s depressing, though, cause it really feels like dreck. My friend tells me the book is totally fine and I should just slap me and tell me to shut up. I’ve tried her suggestion, but it only works for a little while.

I hope you’re all doing boffo with your work, and that you’re not as freaked out as I am that it’s OCTOBER freakin’ 23RD! How did this happen? It’s going to be 2008 in about 20 seconds, and I’m not ready.

In fact, I’m barely ready for 1998, so uh, I guess I have some catching up to do.

We aren’t living up the mountain any more so we bought some Halloween candy. It’s very loud candy, and keeps calling me from the other room. Bad candy.

Oh, looking forward to the Forensic fun in St. Louis - everything except the airport. If only they weren’t mostly focused on giving us the illusion of safety instead of actually doing the things that would make us safer, it would be so, so much better. As it is, I have to go through all kinds of nonsense with my medication. It’s depressing.

Boy, aren’t I just perky and optimistic today?

Here’s a cheerful note - no, wait. That’s not cheerful at all. Sorry.

October 18, 2007

How are all you Challengers doing?

I’ve been on target, until yesterday, so today I have to make up 5 pages. Bummer. But I have to keep to the schedule or the book won’t be turned in on time. So there you go.

We’re also doggy sitting Jessie’s sister, so that’s always entertaining. Especially because neither of them is small, and everyone likes to sleep on the bed plastered to Mom. Yeah. Good times.

Did anyone else see the Oprah show with Dr. Chirstiane Northrup? She subscribed romance novels (which she called Cliterature!) to all the women out there! It was awesome!

Okay, it’s almost 8:00 and I have to work. Go Me!

October 16, 2007

Yesterday’s word count: 3098

I’m at Romancing The Blog. Go. Read. Smile.

October 15, 2007

Okay, kids! Start your engines!

We’re off once more to test our mettle with the new 70 Days of Sweat Challenge.
It’s all about goal setting, showing up, putting the writing at the top of the list, and learning about how we work.

Here are my goals:

Finish my current WIP - 40,000
Finish my next book - 65,000
Total words = 110,000

I’m tired already. :)

During that time, I’m going to plot group, plotting the next book, plus a general outline of a new 3 book series, going to a conference in St. Louis, having a mostly stay-at-home holiday season, and doing my damndest to take some breaks where I get completely away from the work. I’m okay with working 7 days a week, but not for several months at a time. Truthfully, I end up taking days off anyway, but usually as a result of burnout, when it’s the least practical. Making myself sick doesn’t support my goals.

I’m also doing some other goal setting tasks. I used to believe that I shouldn’t try to do everything at once. That one new habit at a time was the way to go. But current research is suggesting that tackling several new habits at once is more likely to work. So, I’m incorporating:

walking 3 times per week, 1/2 hour each time
writing down my daily meals, word pages and exercise in my journal
quitting smoking (again)

Strangely, I’m completely optimistic about all of it. Mostly because of something I learned in the last challenge - for me, everything depends on how I begin the day. If I start out on task, I tend to complete my goals. If I give myself an inch, I blow it all off.

It’s up to me, then, to start off each day with determination and commitment. To not sleep in too late. (8 am is the goal) To make my coffee, take my pills, read my email, then write 5 pages. After that, I can have breakfast and do online things, like blog posting, surfing, etc.

The rest of the day is planned out pretty well, with another 5 pages in the mix.

So what about you? Have you set your word count goals? Are they unique to you, not just what other people are doing? Are you committed to your success? A recommendation here - make your goal achievable. Committing to selling a book isn’t productive because that’s not in your control. Committing to finish your book is achievable and measurable, something only you can do. Are you going to journal your progress? Writing it down seems to be one of the keys to establishing new habits.

Also, for those of you who participated in the last challenge, you’ll notice we have a number of new sponsors this time. Take advantage of that by checking out their blogs, in addition to checking into the Sven site. And use your fellow Challengers. By supporting them you’re supporting your own goals.

Let’s make this a challenge like no other. Look forward to the day you can say you committed, you kept your word, you kicked ass!

Be sure and visit the rest of the Sven sponsors blogs! Alison Kent, HelenKay Dimon, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Tyler, Shiloh Walker, Lauren Dane, Diana Peterfreund, Jaci Burton, and Portia Da Costa.

October 11, 2007

It’s very busy at Casa Leigh at the moment. Book due soon, copy edits due sooner, workshop lectures and posts, plot group zooming up, trip to St. Louis for the Forensic workshop just around the corner, bulbs that need planting…okay I’m tired from typing it all.

Here’s a conundrum - I can’t wait to get to bed at night. Sleep calls to me throughout the day like a Siren. And yet when I’m finally in bed, I just can’t seem to get to sleep until after 11:30. Why, why? That just seems cruel.

On Forbes.com they reported that Sara Jessica Parker’s fragrance LOVELY earned 74 million dollars in 2006. I think I need to create a fragrance. I’m working on a name…maybe Pseudonym…nah, it would smell fake. Or how about Eau de Writer…no, that would smell like sweat pants and panic. Hmmm…I’m open to suggestions.

October 7, 2007

Have you signed up for the new Sweat Challenge? We’re starting soon, so go here and declare your intentions!

It’s something to note how many published authors did the last Sweat, and how so many of them surpassed their goals. If you’re planning to do NaNo, this is also a great time to sign up for the Sweat. Challenge yourself and establish great work habits that will last through your whole career! Seriously, even (especially) if this is scary - do it.