I've been quiet lately. There's so much to say that I don't want to say anything. I've done very little writing. Still recovering from Christmas (how long can I milk that excuse?). Still recovering from NaNo (quite a while, if November's still fair game). Not through dealing with life.
The funny thing is, there's not much happening in our lives right now. But it's that "not much" that's the problem. There are quite a few things up in the air. Job situations (my husband's mainly), schools for our daughter, my son's continuing health. Everything is status quo. But nothing will stay there. Come September, I expect the world to be spinning a different direction.
I guess the most immediate thing is my daughter's education. She's a very, very bright 4-year old who's taking a pre-k class at her daycare. Therein lies the problem. Her 5th birthday falls 25 days after the state cut-off for Kindergarden, so we're looking at private schools. And paying application fees and hearing a whole lot of non-promises about whether they'll accept her or not. So I'm finding backup plans, each more drastic than the next (repeating pre-k? rent an apartment in Illinois--only 15 miles away where she's old enough for public school? homeschooling? mostly kidding on that last suggestion).
The question of private schools brings up the question of money, which brings up jobs. Mainly, whether my husband will change jobs, and how that possibility will affect my own job. Too many possibilities. Too little data. Too dangerous of an area to blog about in public.
In an odd (and rambling) way, this reminds me of how I feel when starting a new novel. I have a general idea of what its about, and who the players are. But I can't plan for the ending, because the ending hinges on exactly what all the intermediate details are. And I can't plan more than one step ahead because I don't know where I'll be till I go there.
In writing, it's called being a pantser. In life, its called going with the flow. But darnit, I'm ready to know just where this thing is flowing.
Maybe then I can quit worrying about it and get back to semi-driving aliens falling in love with hot male nurses.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Fun with the internet
You know I'm writing a sci fi/paranormal romance, right? Space aliens. So, when you think research, you probably picture the cosmos, energy theories, space travel, etc, right?
So what did I spend nearly 30 minutes researching yesterday?
What the inside of a semi cab looks like. Yes, as in those giant trucks on the highway. Big rigs. Specifically what the backseat/bunk are might have for size and amenities.
It was surprisingly difficult to word a query that would produce photos of the inside of one of those. I did find some, though, including many shots of the rear bunk (bed) part, and one that had a built-in fridge, closet, flat screen tv/computer monitor, etc. How very luxurious! (If I get around to it, I might post a link in the comments later)
So now that you know about my Thursday afternoon research, you're thinking "romance novel" + "bed", right? You know exactly where this is going....
..2 truckers, a nurse, a former pilot, and two space aliens driving a semi through the Ozarks, clearly. What else could it be?
Oh yeah, and I have a working title. Leap. It'll probably change again, but at least now I have a way to tie all my (copious) posts together :)
So what did I spend nearly 30 minutes researching yesterday?
What the inside of a semi cab looks like. Yes, as in those giant trucks on the highway. Big rigs. Specifically what the backseat/bunk are might have for size and amenities.
It was surprisingly difficult to word a query that would produce photos of the inside of one of those. I did find some, though, including many shots of the rear bunk (bed) part, and one that had a built-in fridge, closet, flat screen tv/computer monitor, etc. How very luxurious! (If I get around to it, I might post a link in the comments later)
So now that you know about my Thursday afternoon research, you're thinking "romance novel" + "bed", right? You know exactly where this is going....
..2 truckers, a nurse, a former pilot, and two space aliens driving a semi through the Ozarks, clearly. What else could it be?
Oh yeah, and I have a working title. Leap. It'll probably change again, but at least now I have a way to tie all my (copious) posts together :)
Friday, January 2, 2009
A little New Years present for the ladies
I'm doing a little research this evening. Still trying to come up with some good photos of someone who could be my hero, Dominic. I caught a movie this week called This Christmas that was a very fun, fast-moving family drama. And filled with yummy black men :)
And I saw a quick photo on the cover of one of the gossip rags recently about A Rod. He was shirtless. That got me thinking--he's from the Dominican Republic, I think. My fictional character, Dominic, is born in the midwest, but he's black/hispanic...which describes a fair percentage of the population of various Carribbean islands. Think I might use that to narrow my search a bit :)
Also, just for the fun of it, I found a useful blog called Fit Sports Men. I may not be the target demographic (not being a gay man), but I'm OK with that.
Here's a couple of the pics I saved for later. I don't think any of them are exactly my fictional hero, but I have definitely found inspiration.
(Hmm...I might have to watch my blog traffic after this post. I have a feeling that I might get a few extra hits....)
And I saw a quick photo on the cover of one of the gossip rags recently about A Rod. He was shirtless. That got me thinking--he's from the Dominican Republic, I think. My fictional character, Dominic, is born in the midwest, but he's black/hispanic...which describes a fair percentage of the population of various Carribbean islands. Think I might use that to narrow my search a bit :)
Also, just for the fun of it, I found a useful blog called Fit Sports Men. I may not be the target demographic (not being a gay man), but I'm OK with that.
Here's a couple of the pics I saved for later. I don't think any of them are exactly my fictional hero, but I have definitely found inspiration.
(Hmm...I might have to watch my blog traffic after this post. I have a feeling that I might get a few extra hits....)
Resolve
I've been a little absent lately. And a little busy :) Kiddos, opening presents 5 times, explaining to the 4 year old that Santa won't come back until next year (and then explaining it again the next day)...
I don't remember if I wrote down resolutions last year or not. I'll check later. I have a few for this year, but nothing outlandish. Measurable, achievable goals. Just like we have to make for work every year :P
1. Finish my current WIP and revise it about once. It's about half written, word-count wise. I had thought to finish it by the end of January, but it ain't happening. And when I say I'm going to revise it "about once" I mean ~1 time through every section of hte book. There is no good way to measure a revision--I might re-write half the book, or just correct a few misspellings. Who knows.
2. Name the book. I have no clue as of yet, beyond "unnamed paranormal". Or "unnamed sci fi/romance".
2. Keep up with my local RWA chapter and the monthly critique group meetings. This is an easy one because they're fun. I am enjoying meeting the other members. And I get to go out to eat twice a month with a group of women with similar interests (and no diaper bag). Talk about an achievable goal :)
Um, that's it.
Really.
Ok, there are a few other things that I'd *like* to do, but no beating myself up about them.
1. Enter a contest or two with the new work. Not simultaneously, either, or I woulnd't get a chance to rebound from the first thrashing before signing up for the second :) I'd love to set a goal of winning, but that's dependent on everyone else's entries.
2. Query the book. I got one request for a partial with Chivalrous, which I count as a success. Success as in: first query letter ever + first novel ever = one person mildy interested for 5 minutes. I'd love to improve upon that this time around. We'll see.
3. Go to the RWA national convention. This isn't so much a goal as a wish. I shall have to wait until the convention sign-up is published in late January to even know what the cost of a room will be. I've talked with a friend about potentially sharing a room, but I also have to consider vacation time and cost of the flight. My friend's wanting to drive, but I'd have to take off even more vacation for that.
4. Begin another book. Maybe a sequel or prequel to the current WIP. Maybe one of the other dozen ideas I have sketched out. No promises about finishing. Just beginning.
5. Find a dedicated time to write every week. I'm thinking 2 2+ hour sessions a week. Its not much. But I have jobs and 2 kids under 5. And I need to exercise too :)
Happy New Year everyone!
I don't remember if I wrote down resolutions last year or not. I'll check later. I have a few for this year, but nothing outlandish. Measurable, achievable goals. Just like we have to make for work every year :P
1. Finish my current WIP and revise it about once. It's about half written, word-count wise. I had thought to finish it by the end of January, but it ain't happening. And when I say I'm going to revise it "about once" I mean ~1 time through every section of hte book. There is no good way to measure a revision--I might re-write half the book, or just correct a few misspellings. Who knows.
2. Name the book. I have no clue as of yet, beyond "unnamed paranormal". Or "unnamed sci fi/romance".
2. Keep up with my local RWA chapter and the monthly critique group meetings. This is an easy one because they're fun. I am enjoying meeting the other members. And I get to go out to eat twice a month with a group of women with similar interests (and no diaper bag). Talk about an achievable goal :)
Um, that's it.
Really.
Ok, there are a few other things that I'd *like* to do, but no beating myself up about them.
1. Enter a contest or two with the new work. Not simultaneously, either, or I woulnd't get a chance to rebound from the first thrashing before signing up for the second :) I'd love to set a goal of winning, but that's dependent on everyone else's entries.
2. Query the book. I got one request for a partial with Chivalrous, which I count as a success. Success as in: first query letter ever + first novel ever = one person mildy interested for 5 minutes. I'd love to improve upon that this time around. We'll see.
3. Go to the RWA national convention. This isn't so much a goal as a wish. I shall have to wait until the convention sign-up is published in late January to even know what the cost of a room will be. I've talked with a friend about potentially sharing a room, but I also have to consider vacation time and cost of the flight. My friend's wanting to drive, but I'd have to take off even more vacation for that.
4. Begin another book. Maybe a sequel or prequel to the current WIP. Maybe one of the other dozen ideas I have sketched out. No promises about finishing. Just beginning.
5. Find a dedicated time to write every week. I'm thinking 2 2+ hour sessions a week. Its not much. But I have jobs and 2 kids under 5. And I need to exercise too :)
Happy New Year everyone!
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