Tag Archives: writing

rainy days and sundays…

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never get me down. Except that I have to go back to work tomorrow…and really, who wants to do that?

Yesterday was a great day. I almost finished Chapter 6 of new manuscript. I’m going to finish it today and hopefully get Chapter 7 done as well. Then I’m going to upload it to my CPs for their perusal. Then it’s off to Deidre for her opinion. Hopefully it will be love at first sight and all will be well.

We spent yesterday evening with Birdrunner and her family. A thunderboomer came out of nowhere, forcing the kids out of the pool for a while. Then it cleared up and the swimming resumed. We ordered pizza and almost 2 hours later, it arrived. Free of charge. I swear, I hate it when they say 45 minutes but they really meant 1 hour and 45 mins.

Today I’ll be writing and watching the weather. I think it’s supposed to be rainy all day, which is fine with me. I’m in the mood for a good rainy day.

Anything on the agenda for you guys?

my friday night.

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The boys are at an outdoor concert

My Awesome Pink iPod is shuffling away (seems to be leaning toward Cake today) and my favorite Sauvignon Blanc is sitting by my side.

My laptop is on my lap and my manuscript is open. It is going to be the best Friday night ever because I’m going to write and drink and enjoy my music.

iPod shuffle now playing Flyleaf. Awesome

blog drought

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I’m just feeling a bit dry this morning. Anyone wanna water my blog?

No? Fine. I’ll do it myself.

I’m in a weird spot in my life right now. Two mortgages and a part-time job I had hoped I wouldn’t have to take—(if the house in Oxford would just sell….) The employer has asked me to extend my hours, which I really don’t want to do and I was very up front with them when I took this position that it was part-time. I have kids to fight with parent and books daydream about write at home.

I am waiting on copy-edits for BITE ME and working on LOVE SUX and also have another YA proposal (that I love, love, love) in the wings, ready to be shopped as soon as BITE ME is accepted. I am also writing a new adult proposal that I have high hopes for. It’s strictly chick-lit, kinda like Sophie Kinsella’s stand alone books (God, who wouldn’t wanna be like Sophie Kinsella???) It’s funny and I’m really enjoying writing it…but I’m stuck in a scene. So yesterday I did something I hate doing. I deleted 10 pages.

Yup. D-E-L-E-T-E

I had to do it because the scene wasn’t right. It was Boring. No conflict. Nothing there but a hot dude and some wine. So, it went bye-bye and today I’m going to move forward. Not sure exactly how, but I am.

It’s been hard fitting my writing back into my life after taking this job. I struggle in the afternoon with concentration. This didn’t used to be a problem when I worked full-time before. But things have changed. Expectations have changed. I’m the one who runs the kids around and cooks dinner, etc. It’s hard to do all that and sit down to write. But I’ll figure it out—I always do.

What’s going on in your world? Anything new, fun, or exciting?

weekend recap

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First of all, I’m over at Fictionistas today talking about dreams…

This weekend was a big bag of fun. Saturday, we went to the lake with another family and it was The. Perfect. Day. Honestly. The only way it could’ve possibly been any better would be if would’ve remembered to reapply my face sunscreen.

Here are some pics.

look ma, no hands! (Mel: putting the girls to work)

Um. What do I do now?

King and Queen Dork.

Hang on boys!

The girls at rest.
Too cool for school.

Nerd talk on a lake.

Captain Mom and her first mate.

Fishdog and Rader.

Captain Mom and the boat jester.

Sunday was a very productive day. I brainstormed another book with Maria and wrote the synopsis. And today I’ve written 7 more pages on it! I’m totally into my new characters. This is such a fun story. Of course, all my stories are fun…I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Did you have a good weekend? What did you do?

The Toe Report (like the Colbert Report only about the toe)

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Today we are better. The swelling has really gone down…but the color is really ugly. Dr. Weed (the most awesome doc ever. I’ve known him since 7th grade, he RAWKS) said that Rader shouldn’t lose his toenail, but after looking at it this morning, I’m not so sure.

He might be able to wear shoes by the weekend. I guess since he can’t play basketball, this means we can go to the lake… LOL

The Mel Report
I’m having a hard time with this back to work thing. I haven’t written anything since I started the job. I haven’t exercised either. I can’t seem to work that stuff into the new schedule because when I get off work, I swear all I do is run the kids around. You would think that leaving work at 1:00 would give me plenty of time to workout, write, and clean my stinky house. But no. I leave at 1:00, run home, pick up Ian, run him somewhere. Come back, to the house, take Rader somewhere else. Buy groceries or run other important errands. Cook dinner. Bitch about the state of my house. Pick up the boys and collapse in the couch to watch one of the reality shows I’m obsessed with. (don’t judge me.)

I made progress last night by opening my latest proposal and reading through it. So maybe I’ll be able to find my groove again. I think part of the problem is the family has adjusted to me being around all the time whereas before, when I got off work and sat at the computer, they would leave me alone. Now…not so much. Plus, the kids have to be driven places here, not like in Oxford where I could just give them $20 and say “Go to the square.” Or I could kick them out and say, “Find some friends and go to the park. Come back before dark.” We do have a park within walking distance here, but their friends are spread out…so it’s like coordinating a military coup. I don’t really miss Oxford, but I miss some aspects of it…like the kid thing and my friends (Hey guys! I know you’re reading this!)

Speaking of friends:
Seven of us are going to see Sex and the City again tomorrow night. Jealous? You totally should be. I can’t wait to see it again!!!

listmania

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  1. Finish revising proposal, send to DK.
  2. Start plotting new book idea.
  3. Clean off disgusting desk
  4. Hang anniversary present over desk.
  5. Vacuum and dust.

Wanna take bets on which of these things will be on tomorrow’s list?

In good news, Ian’s mid-term grades were fantastic. He has an A in algebra. At mid-term in February, he had an F. Call me dumbfounded. I am so proud. I think that Sylvan thing has really worked out in our favor.

Hey, if any of you out there are good with sending out positive thoughts, could you send them to Oxford and the house-selling faeries? I know the market is shite right now, but surely our house will sell soon? I don’t wanna have to go to work at Wal-Mart!

Rhonda is talking about bad dates over at Fictionistas. I’m sure you’ve NEVER had a bad date. Ever. Pop over and read about ours…
Fictionistas

hella storms

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I did NOT wake in a better mood today. Sometime between midnight and the rising of the Grim Reaper, an intergalactic battle was fought over my house.

Worse. Curse. Ever.
(watch the video when you get a chance. It will make you laugh. There is some cursing so it may not be work safe…use headphones. Totally worth watching though. Promise.)

Lightning struck somewhere nearby and it lit up the sky like the Vegas Strip. My entire room was blue/white for multiple seconds. It was like someone flicked on a fluorescent light then flipped it back off. That was freaky. But the thunderboom following it–WORSE. CURSE. EVER. Seriously, I came off the bed screaming and my 14 year old boy came running into our room in a panic. It was louder than a sonic boom.

And that’s when the battle began. I have no other way of describing it. I thought the storms we had a few weeks ago were bad, but I was wrong. The freaky weird cone of silence we had last week was bad, but at least it was quiet. (okay, deathly quiet. But the key word here is QUIET)

The storm carried on for about an hour and a half. I would get to sleep just to be awakened by another clap of thunder or another flash of fluorescent. Finally we thought the storm was dulling some. The lightning and thunder were still persistent, but not as loud or bright. That’s when the firetrucks came.

All 5 million of them.

Sigh.

Right up the street, they blared and parked two houses down from me. At this point, I thought maybe I had died and that my eternal punishment was the land of no sleep. Honestly–that would be a very good punishment for me. Nothing is more frustrating to me. I just don’t exist well without some rest. (like at least 8 hours–though I can get by on 6 a few days a week)

Anyway, Fishdog came to my rescue this morning. (as always. That man is a dream hubby) When my alarm went off, I begged him to please take the kids this morning, even though I know he didn’t sleep much after 3:00 a.m. either. I should’ve sucked it up, but he manages better on fewer hours of wink time than I do.

I slept til 9:45. I mean. WOW is that late for me.

I still have a headache, but it’s nothing that 3 advil and some coffee won’t cure. Obviously, I did get some sleep finally because I feel better today than I did yesterday. This is a very good thing.

Today I start working on LOVE SUX! I have the first chapter mostly written. I’m going to Michael Hauge my plot so that I know the story makes sense. My goal is to have the first draft finished by Summer. I am stoked about the story. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and I am now ready to take AJ’s issues to the next level. It’s not going to be fun for our vampy little heroine. Poor girl.

I totally enjoyed all y’all’s lists yesterday. (like my southern pluralism of y’all?) Fishdog said he felt left out (hence the Chad Lowe comment) but he was wrong. There are three songs on my happy list that are reserved only for him. And he should’ve known that. When you get three songs on my happy list, obviously, you make me happy. Duh.

How did y’all sleep last night and what do you do when you don’t get enough? Or do you exist just fine, like my hubby does?

Don’t forget to swing by Fictionistas today to check out Rhonda’s post on guy-o-mancy…

Fictionistas

still working

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BITE ME is going well. Thanks for asking.

Fishdog posted a few pics from our weekend on his blog. It hurts to remember.

Ian has his first track meet today. I have to find out what time his events are so we can go. The meet is supposed to last from 5:30 til 9:00. Unfortunately for my son, I’m just not that dedicated. Don’t judge me.

I’m about to start week 3 of my diet and things are going well. Oh? I didn’t tell you about my diet? Well, I joined The Diet Center and so far, it’s been fairly easy. I weigh in tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted.

I also made Fishdog join. I figure I shouldn’t have to suffer alone. He’s only going to do it for 4 weeks through the center and then keep it up on his own. He’ll be more than halfway to his goal by the end of the 4 weeks anyway. I won’t reach my goal until the end of August…and that’s IF I stick to it the entire time. I’m going on vacation twice this year…to Boston in a month and then to San Francisco. So, I’m not sure I’ll meet my goal by end of Aug. Maybe end of September.

Rhonda is blogging about what she didn’t do on Spring Break over at Fictionistas.

Topic of chatter today: Do you often find the 2nd book of a series to be disappointing? Like maybe it’s less about the characters and more about set up for the next story? I have noticed that a lot lately…it’s becoming a bit frustrating, especially when the books are 500+ pages. (*koff* NEW MOON *koff*)

april fool’s day

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Have never understood the appeal of April Fool’s Day. Guess I’m not a prankster at heart.

So, I’ve been working away these past few weeks. I’ve finished my proposal for my new YA Paranormal. The CPs seemed to really like it a lot. Which is good–they can be a tough audience. 😉 My lovely agent will be reading next week. Hopefully she’ll love it just as much and we’ll be good to go.

Still not ready to share with you what it is about. But I will. I promise.

I’ve also been working on another (and hopefully a final)(not so subtle hint hint to my lovely editor LOL Just kidding. I love you! I promise!) round of revisions on BITE ME. Chapter 1 of LOVE SUX is almost done as well. That book’s not due until next year sometime, so I’ve got time to let it brew. And I have a 3rd story idea for this series that is also brewing. Once I’m further into LOVE SUX, I’m going to start plotting out WHAT THE FANG. Yes. The title is awesome. Go ahead, praise it.

I have two other ideas brewing. One is another adult novel. It’s a great concept with fun characters and I’m going to hammer out a proposal before summer if things work out. Another is a top secret YA group effort. But…I have no idea when I’m going to work on it. LOL I have a character and a story…probably I need to get working on it soon.

I remember being afraid that I would run out of story ideas. I guess I had nothing to worry about.

Don’t forget to pop over to the Fictionistas blog today and check out Kristen Painter’s post on Guyliner…And be sure to pop over to Kristen’s blog and offer her some get well wishes. She’s a sick bunny right now. Poor baby.

Are y’all working hard on anything right now or hardly working?

more later

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I have completed my new proposal and submitted it to my most awesome critique partners, Maria and Louisa. They will now devour my proposal, chew it up, spit it out, and tell me to try again. And I will. Rinse. Repeat.

I hope to have this to Deidre by end of next week. I think it’s a really strong story and I hope I’m not kidding myself. (been known to happen before…) This is only the 2nd proposal I’ve written since I sold last year. It is also only the 2nd YA I’ve ever written. I’m excited. Very excited. I’ll tell you what my story is about after it’s being submitted. Until then, you just have to trust me that it’s good. 🙂 Probably one of the most marketable and fun stories I’ve ever thought of.

I’m off to walk the Big Dam Bridge while my kids are at soccer. Ruby is very excited.