Thursday, November 20, 2008

I'm Lazy, I Know

It's been over a week since my last blog post. Yeah, I know, I have no excuse, especially since I come here every day to check all the blogs I follow. But there hasn't really been much to say. I'm working on yet ANOTHER story....this one's a little ambitious because I'm hoping I can get up to 60K. I've never set a word count goal before and this one isn't set into any type of stone, but I'd just like to see me write a story that long. Though The Ultimate Evil has come close at 53K. So, a few details about this story:

It's a unicorn MG fantasy.

Yep, that's all you're going to get. Don't feel like sharing much more since all the details aren't worked out yet.

Hey, is there anyone out there besides me who is PSYCHED about Christmas even though we haven't yet gotten through Thanksgiving?

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Would You Like A Compliment Within A Compliment That's Not Really A Compliment?

If you are confused by the above question, so was I when a guy asked me that in the grocery store this morning. This post has nothing to do with writing, but I hope you guys get a kick out of it.

OK, this guy was the one who was pulling the HUGE cart full of Edy's ice cream, ready to load them in the freezer for greedy consumers to buy. I was in his way, so I moved out of it. You know, I live in the South and that's the proper thing to do. Anyway, he looked at me and asked, "Would you like a compliment within a compliment that's not really a compliment?"

As stated above, I was confused. I laughed and said, "Sure," even though I was COMPLETELY unsure. I continued my nervous laughter like the geek I am.

"Well," he said, chuckling himself. "As you went down the aisle, a guy was looking at you---I'll just say he was admiring the view. Well, I was watching him and he saw me and tripped over his buggie! I would have lost it completely if he'd actually fallen!"

We were both laughing. I thanked him and told him to have a good day and walked off. And as I did I thanked God for keeping an eye on me. I know He's extrememly busy with other things, but it's nice to know that He has time for me. Whenever I doubt that His hand is really in my life, He pulls something like this. It's nice to know He cares.

Monday, November 10, 2008

53K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Ultimate Evil is now 53,000 words! Who'd have thought this would happen? Certainly not me! My friend who had my manuscript for over a year (some of you know he has health problems, but he is now doing much better!) gave it back to me yesterday with his corrections and I finished adding them this morning. I found out that my grammar has gotten MUCH better over the past three years. No, I can't explain the fundamentals of the English language, but at least I'm learning what it should look like in print!

With the story back from that friend and my query letter and synopsis finished, I now only have one more person to finish reading it before I send it out. It's getting close!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

I'm BAAAAAACK!

So, I have now left sunny Florida and have now returned to chilly NC. My trip was great... wonderful, actually, since it sparked so many new story ideas and I was writing like crazy. In an earlier post I mentioned that I had submitted a work to Highlights magazine. They sent me a very nice rejection letter, saying that the only reason they did not accept was because the story did not suit their current needs. That's fine. I filed my rejection letter away with all the others.

A lot of authors and writers look at rejection letters as being depressing, but I don't. With every single one I get closer and closer to receiving that "Yes, we want YOU!" letter. So I'll keep typing away and pressing forward!

About rejection letters. Are you like me with them or do you simply despise them and think that whoever read your work couldn't see talent if it jumped up and bit them on the nose?

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

America Has Spoken

Yep, you all know the results of yesterday's election. America's President Elect, soon to be the President of the United States, is Barack Obama. History was going to be made yesterday, whether it was with the first black president or the first woman vice president and with the first black president soon to be sitting in the oval office, history has indeed been made.

I know not everyone voted for Obama....there were some big McCain supporters out there. Since the election is over, I'm going to say that I was one of them. However, I said a prayer for Obama, asking God to help him be the best president he can. Whether you voted for him or not, I hope everyone will join me in this prayer, because it is one thing our country desperately needs.

It was a long run and I am so glad that elections are OVER! Whew, now we can get back to watching car commercials on TV. :-) At any rate, we have a new president. America has spoken and proven that ALL dreams can come true. That's the magic of this country and I hope we never lose it.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You?

I'm talking about new story ideas. My mind is bustling with them right now....I have at least six WiPs! (For my blog buddies who don't write, that's slang for "work in progress", in case you don't know.)

And it's REALLY bad when all these ideas just seem to fall into place and you're spending more time on your laptop just typing away, lost in the different realms and levels of your imagination. You don't feel completely devoted to one story because you're not. You have to pick and choose which one you are going to devote your time to. It's like going to get ice cream and not being able to choose any flavor except for one when this particular parlor has every single flavor that you love. Decisions, decisions!

So, what I want to know is this....when you have too many ideas, what do you do? Personally, I work on all of them till I establish that connection with one and then devote all my time into completing it. So, what do you do? I wanna know!

(Story update: I have started a YA fantasy/sci-fi genre twist, something I thought I'd never do. Hope it works! Cross your fingers for me!)