It's been two weeks since I last wrote. A lot has happened.
As you know from the last post, we bought a house. Last week we finalized the purchase after the home inspection (which was nerve wracking).
The other thing is work (day job) related. Alberta held a general election which resulted in a cabinet shuffle and a new break down of the ministries. Boring stuff to you outside folk, right? Well to us who have to work inside, it's cause for confusion. The end result being that my unit is being moved to another ministry. Joyful Stress!
So why the blog post title? Well the Ides of March is the Roman term for the 15th of March (or thereabouts since it was according to the Roman calendar). The house purchase was finalized on the 13th, the confirmation of our ministry move was on March14th, and...
Word Count:
Saturday (March 15) - 1,496 words on Ice Debt (in 2 1/2 hours)
Ice Debt is coming along really good. I'm really enjoying not having to follow a previously developed plot line. It's taking longer than I thought it would, if only because I'm not writing as much as I should, but I like what's coming together. I broke the 10,000 word barrier, which means a lot for someone who has a hard time getting past chapter 2 or 3 (I'm on chapter 4).
All in all, the Ides of March or the middle of March has been good to me. It's thrown a lot of changes my way, but they say that this time of year is good for that.
Maybe I should aim for next years Ides of March to try and get my novel published. It's always worth a shot, right?
I hope the winter months haven't been too hard on you, but you can be glad they're over. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring.
Tina
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Feb 4 -10 Word Count
If last week was a write off... this week is abysmal....
Word Count:
Wednesday - 641 words on a new short story
That's it. I didn't work on Ice Debt (my No-Plot-Project). I didn't do much of anything really.
It's all because we are starting to look at houses again. The market in Edmonton seems to have slowed down a bit in the last couple of months. Enough at least to have a few more homes in our price range. I'll keep you posted if anything interesting happens.
One last update; I am registered to attend the World Fantasy Convention 2008, which is coming to Calgary Alberta from October 30 - November 2. I'm really excited. If you're interested in going you should book your hotel room soon. When we (my writing friend Rox and I) booked last week, Wednesday was already booked up.
That's all I've got right now. Hope you had a fantastic writing week.
Tina
Word Count:
Wednesday - 641 words on a new short story
That's it. I didn't work on Ice Debt (my No-Plot-Project). I didn't do much of anything really.
It's all because we are starting to look at houses again. The market in Edmonton seems to have slowed down a bit in the last couple of months. Enough at least to have a few more homes in our price range. I'll keep you posted if anything interesting happens.
One last update; I am registered to attend the World Fantasy Convention 2008, which is coming to Calgary Alberta from October 30 - November 2. I'm really excited. If you're interested in going you should book your hotel room soon. When we (my writing friend Rox and I) booked last week, Wednesday was already booked up.
That's all I've got right now. Hope you had a fantastic writing week.
Tina
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
J K Rowling and What People Want
On Monday the Passionate Eye aired a documentary called "A Year in the Life of J K Rowling".
Of course, I watched it. What writer doesn't wish for the success that she has had? However, she said something during the show that kind of shocked me. When asked about being famous and if she enjoyed it (or something to that effect) she mentioned that old school friends of her were contacted and offered money to tell stories about her when she was young.
Is the media that desperate for material? Or have we reached an age where people want writers to expand the pool of Hollywood stars, to have new faces with a completely different flavour?
Do people want to know writers today on the in-depth yet superficial media level, or is J K Rowling the exception?
If the answer to the last one is 'Yes they do', it changes the game for a writer quite a bit. We'd have to learn to have more "Ta Da" personalities, and how to deal with the public scrutiny of our private lives.
Writers becoming celebrities? Is it possible?
Tina
Of course, I watched it. What writer doesn't wish for the success that she has had? However, she said something during the show that kind of shocked me. When asked about being famous and if she enjoyed it (or something to that effect) she mentioned that old school friends of her were contacted and offered money to tell stories about her when she was young.
Is the media that desperate for material? Or have we reached an age where people want writers to expand the pool of Hollywood stars, to have new faces with a completely different flavour?
Do people want to know writers today on the in-depth yet superficial media level, or is J K Rowling the exception?
If the answer to the last one is 'Yes they do', it changes the game for a writer quite a bit. We'd have to learn to have more "Ta Da" personalities, and how to deal with the public scrutiny of our private lives.
Writers becoming celebrities? Is it possible?
Tina
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Mondays
Did I mention that I hate Mondays?
I know today is Tuesday, but I have news from yesterday.
Got home from work and there was a form rejection letter from Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, waiting for me in the mail. I guess they didn't like "Broadcasting Live" (that's the short story that was once called "Pain and Blood"). This is its second rejection so I think I will have a few of my writer friends look at it and tell me what they think. I had a few people read through it before, but maybe it needs a little more work before I send it out a third time.
After reading the paper mail, I checked my email. There was a lovely email from the 3 Day Novel contest, announcing the winners. I wasn't one of them. I didn't even make the short list, or get an honorable mention. Oh well. I was thinking about turning my submission "Beloved Child" into a comic book script to see what happens. Now, I can go ahead and give it a try.
I had dinner after checking my emails, and then locked myself in my office (aka the spare bedroom) to write. It was one of my new writing days, so I tried to forget all the other stuff and just wrote.
Word Count:
Monday - 1,329 words
Not bad for 1.5 hours on a Monday night. It's actually really good.
Ok, so it wasn't the best Monday in the world but at least I got a good bit of writing done and I know what I'm going to do with the rejected stories that have come home.
Tuesday should be better.
Tina
I know today is Tuesday, but I have news from yesterday.
Got home from work and there was a form rejection letter from Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, waiting for me in the mail. I guess they didn't like "Broadcasting Live" (that's the short story that was once called "Pain and Blood"). This is its second rejection so I think I will have a few of my writer friends look at it and tell me what they think. I had a few people read through it before, but maybe it needs a little more work before I send it out a third time.
After reading the paper mail, I checked my email. There was a lovely email from the 3 Day Novel contest, announcing the winners. I wasn't one of them. I didn't even make the short list, or get an honorable mention. Oh well. I was thinking about turning my submission "Beloved Child" into a comic book script to see what happens. Now, I can go ahead and give it a try.
I had dinner after checking my emails, and then locked myself in my office (aka the spare bedroom) to write. It was one of my new writing days, so I tried to forget all the other stuff and just wrote.
Word Count:
Monday - 1,329 words
Not bad for 1.5 hours on a Monday night. It's actually really good.
Ok, so it wasn't the best Monday in the world but at least I got a good bit of writing done and I know what I'm going to do with the rejected stories that have come home.
Tuesday should be better.
Tina
Monday, August 27, 2007
3-Day Count Down
5 more sleeps until it's time to play the 'lets-write-a-novel-in-3-days' game.
I'm excited... and nervous... and wondering what I was thinking when I signed up for this, but I'll be fine. This is a great experience, and have a great idea, and all I have to do now is sit down and write.
So way does it seem so hard?
Update: In the past week, I have created an entire species history for the Vinlue (my alien race in 'White Cats and Suicide'). I have also plotted out the first 7 chapters of 'Love Light Rising', but the rest of it will have to wait until after the weekend. For the rest of this week, I plan on plotting out my 3-day fantasy novel idea 'Beloved Child', and preparing for the 3-day. Busy, Busy, Busy.
On a side note, check out this website http://live.zeros2heroes.com/. This Canadian site lets people vote on comic book ideas that they would like to see developed. I'm not normally a comic book fan, but this looks like a pretty cool interactive site.
Have a great writing day,
C
I'm excited... and nervous... and wondering what I was thinking when I signed up for this, but I'll be fine. This is a great experience, and have a great idea, and all I have to do now is sit down and write.
So way does it seem so hard?
Update: In the past week, I have created an entire species history for the Vinlue (my alien race in 'White Cats and Suicide'). I have also plotted out the first 7 chapters of 'Love Light Rising', but the rest of it will have to wait until after the weekend. For the rest of this week, I plan on plotting out my 3-day fantasy novel idea 'Beloved Child', and preparing for the 3-day. Busy, Busy, Busy.
On a side note, check out this website http://live.zeros2heroes.com/. This Canadian site lets people vote on comic book ideas that they would like to see developed. I'm not normally a comic book fan, but this looks like a pretty cool interactive site.
Have a great writing day,
C
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
An Update...
Well I certainly let this slip a bit didn't I? Thanks Capt'n for the nudge.
A month has gone by. WOW. Well, what have I done...
I moved, that one should be obvious. We haven't finished unpacking yet but it's starting to feel like home.
I finished 2 short stories. The 1st one, a fantasy, was sent out to a magazine. I should hear back from them in a week or two (they are in New Jersey). The second one is out to my readers, and once I have it back I'll send this one out too. Time to get my name out there.
I've been working on my novel edits as well, but not enough to send chapter 2 to my tutor. Sigh, I'll get on that.
I've also been working on my novella. I'm going to rework the angle a bit and send it to the Writers of the Future contest. Should be interesting. The first place winners (and some times 2nd and 3rd place depending on size) get published in an anthology and all finalists win money. Can't go wrong.
Last, I became a board member for the newly formed Edmonton Writers Centre. I won't write too much about this on here since this is supposed to be about my writing, but I'll direct you the Centre's website once it's up and running.
I think that's all I've done over the last month, writing related. I did go to two weddings, and enjoyed a pig roast weekend with the small community at my step-dad's cabin on the lake, but that's about it.
This month I'm going to the Calgary science fiction and fantasy convention "Con-Version 23". My first Con. I'm very excited. It's only a little over a week away. I'm going to be surrounded by science fiction geeks, H. Potter lovers, fantasy obsessors, and costumed fans. It's going to be great.
I'm also taking part in the 3 day novel contest. It's a crazy event that starts at midnight on August 31st (September 1st really) and lasts until midnight on Monday. The whole labor day long weekend is spent writing a novel. Granted it's a short novel (novella), but it's should be a really neat experience. I already have an idea in place.
Things are really heating up. I get my "Author" picture taken soon, and I'll post it on my website as soon as I have it. I just can't believe how productive I was this past while, even with the stresses of moving. Things are looking up.
I hope you are having a fantastic day.
C
A month has gone by. WOW. Well, what have I done...
I moved, that one should be obvious. We haven't finished unpacking yet but it's starting to feel like home.
I finished 2 short stories. The 1st one, a fantasy, was sent out to a magazine. I should hear back from them in a week or two (they are in New Jersey). The second one is out to my readers, and once I have it back I'll send this one out too. Time to get my name out there.
I've been working on my novel edits as well, but not enough to send chapter 2 to my tutor. Sigh, I'll get on that.
I've also been working on my novella. I'm going to rework the angle a bit and send it to the Writers of the Future contest. Should be interesting. The first place winners (and some times 2nd and 3rd place depending on size) get published in an anthology and all finalists win money. Can't go wrong.
Last, I became a board member for the newly formed Edmonton Writers Centre. I won't write too much about this on here since this is supposed to be about my writing, but I'll direct you the Centre's website once it's up and running.
I think that's all I've done over the last month, writing related. I did go to two weddings, and enjoyed a pig roast weekend with the small community at my step-dad's cabin on the lake, but that's about it.
This month I'm going to the Calgary science fiction and fantasy convention "Con-Version 23". My first Con. I'm very excited. It's only a little over a week away. I'm going to be surrounded by science fiction geeks, H. Potter lovers, fantasy obsessors, and costumed fans. It's going to be great.
I'm also taking part in the 3 day novel contest. It's a crazy event that starts at midnight on August 31st (September 1st really) and lasts until midnight on Monday. The whole labor day long weekend is spent writing a novel. Granted it's a short novel (novella), but it's should be a really neat experience. I already have an idea in place.
Things are really heating up. I get my "Author" picture taken soon, and I'll post it on my website as soon as I have it. I just can't believe how productive I was this past while, even with the stresses of moving. Things are looking up.
I hope you are having a fantastic day.
C
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Using a Journal
So it took me a while, but I think I'm out of my slump.
I'm not saying that I have no more doubts about my novel, cause I do, but I can write again. Sort of.
I'm been asking people for advise. My writing group friend/ mentor. My tutor with my course. Even my boyfriend has been subjected to my questioning about "What do I do?"
One of the pieces of advise that I got was about using a journal. I did't know if it would help but I figured it was worth a shot. I found an old scribbler, ripped out the 2 pages that had been used and started fresh. I wrote about 750 words, just about how I was feeling, why I was writing in a journal again, that kind of thing. (I say again because in high school I kept a journal, but when I came home from traveling I hated how stupid I had been back then so I torn it up and burnt it. It was actually very therapeutic.)
(You can see the article that I read here: Use your Journal Article)
It seemed to work. After I finished in my journal, I wrote 1203 words on my short story, one whole section. I only have two more left until the break point (the point were my story goes from part 1 to part 2). I still have the tiny little problem of not knowing what happens in part 2, or how this whole thing ends, but that is not my task for today. Today was just my, "get back into writing day". And it was.
Before I started writing in the journal today, I thought I didn't really need one. I have a blog, isn't that what a blog is for? To let loose the ideas floating in your head? But it's kind of nice to have a place to write down some of my more crazy ideas, my fears and doubts, and not have to worry about everyone in the world (or at least those with Internet access) reading them.
I'm going to try the journal thing. I'll let you know how it turns out, but it can't be all bad if it helped me get through 1203 words in my short story. (about 2 pages single spaced)
Cheers,
Dust
I'm not saying that I have no more doubts about my novel, cause I do, but I can write again. Sort of.
I'm been asking people for advise. My writing group friend/ mentor. My tutor with my course. Even my boyfriend has been subjected to my questioning about "What do I do?"
One of the pieces of advise that I got was about using a journal. I did't know if it would help but I figured it was worth a shot. I found an old scribbler, ripped out the 2 pages that had been used and started fresh. I wrote about 750 words, just about how I was feeling, why I was writing in a journal again, that kind of thing. (I say again because in high school I kept a journal, but when I came home from traveling I hated how stupid I had been back then so I torn it up and burnt it. It was actually very therapeutic.)
(You can see the article that I read here: Use your Journal Article)
It seemed to work. After I finished in my journal, I wrote 1203 words on my short story, one whole section. I only have two more left until the break point (the point were my story goes from part 1 to part 2). I still have the tiny little problem of not knowing what happens in part 2, or how this whole thing ends, but that is not my task for today. Today was just my, "get back into writing day". And it was.
Before I started writing in the journal today, I thought I didn't really need one. I have a blog, isn't that what a blog is for? To let loose the ideas floating in your head? But it's kind of nice to have a place to write down some of my more crazy ideas, my fears and doubts, and not have to worry about everyone in the world (or at least those with Internet access) reading them.
I'm going to try the journal thing. I'll let you know how it turns out, but it can't be all bad if it helped me get through 1203 words in my short story. (about 2 pages single spaced)
Cheers,
Dust
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Fun Things
Hurray for me!
I managed to find time to write this weekend. I'm almost finished chapter 5, just one scene left, and I still have 2 days and 4 hours until I leave for the retreat. I might just have it finished in time.
Not that I wrote as much as one of the ladies in my writing group. Woman of Words. (see link in sidebar)
This weekend was the 3-day novel weekend. I don't know enough about it to explain it very well, so you can check out Woman of Words blog or the website http://www.3daynovel.com/
I might enter it next year... we'll see.
I also went for the interview today. Funny thing. The lady knows my mom. So we had a few laughs, shared a joke or two, and the interview went very smoothly. I think I did ok. I'll know for sure on Thursday or Friday. She also told me that the department I'm in really wants me. i.e.- my boss. That's a good thing. I like it here.
Best get back to work before they decide they don't want me that much anymore.
Cheers,
Dust.
I managed to find time to write this weekend. I'm almost finished chapter 5, just one scene left, and I still have 2 days and 4 hours until I leave for the retreat. I might just have it finished in time.
Not that I wrote as much as one of the ladies in my writing group. Woman of Words. (see link in sidebar)
This weekend was the 3-day novel weekend. I don't know enough about it to explain it very well, so you can check out Woman of Words blog or the website http://www.3daynovel.com/
I might enter it next year... we'll see.
I also went for the interview today. Funny thing. The lady knows my mom. So we had a few laughs, shared a joke or two, and the interview went very smoothly. I think I did ok. I'll know for sure on Thursday or Friday. She also told me that the department I'm in really wants me. i.e.- my boss. That's a good thing. I like it here.
Best get back to work before they decide they don't want me that much anymore.
Cheers,
Dust.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)