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Post by bill on Jan 27, 2020 2:25:29 GMT
I can't believe this is the first time I've posted in 2020. I thought I had. Oops!
Sevitan - I continue to make good progress on this. My hope was to get a complete manuscript by the end of January and I'm not going to make it. But, hopefully in the week or two afterwards. Then I'll do another read through and make any adjustments before sending off to a beta reader.
TMT - I've been doing the ten minute timers, but only for new writing. So even though I spent 6-8 hours on writing yesterday, I only had one TMT because most of my work was on revision. But I hit day 25 in a row and have 103 TMTs during the month of January. I love how the tool is helping me focus and produce more.
Blog Hop - I finished my story for blog hop and wrote another in my flash fiction series. It's about the Grim Reaper, and I now have 6 flash fictions in the story. That means I'm set for the next few blog hops.
Queries - I sent more queries out today. Received several rejections during the week. Maybe one of these days...
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Post by Admin on Jan 27, 2020 2:42:19 GMT
receiving a rejection is better than never hearing at all. I need to sit down and think out my goals. I need to really be realistic about what I want to accomplish and if I have the skill level to do them. I think I'm going to have to pare back because I might be spreading myself too thin again. I just don't know what I want to concentrate on.
I know that I need Joshua to have a part time aide. The aide is crucial to me having dedicated work time. I also need to make sure Joshua's goals are understood and worked toward. Whether that is me helping him or somebody else remains to be seen.
So much of my life hinges on the house. I cannot function in one room. I wish I could but I don't see it happening. I'm stressed, tired, worried, and not anchored. I hate floating. Its so hard to maintain focus when life is structured. It's impossible when life is chaotic.
I don't have any answers right now. I do need to get those missing statements to you. That would only take me a few minutes. I'll try to tie myself into the chair tomorrow and get it done.
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Post by bill on Feb 2, 2020 4:02:54 GMT
Yeah, I'm okay with the rejections. None of them feel personal, which makes it easier.
Sevitan - I had hoped to finish by the end of January, but have known for a bit I wasn't going to make it. I've worked hard on it in January, I just had more new writing to add and the story is SO complex it's challenged me. I have the manuscript complete by next weekend, and think that's an attainable, though lofty, goal. Then hopefully another week of reading through to fix any glaring issues. Then off to the beta readers.
TMT - I ran my ten minute timer streak to 32 days. That's another 25 TMTs this week. I only use the TMTs for new writing and not for other revision or writing work. I spent much more time on those things but want to make sure I get new words each day. This has helped tremendously.
Blog Hop - I posted a grim reaper story for my blog hop. I got a couple of new stories written and think I have 5-6 flash stories for this series. That means I'm set for the blog hops this year, already! That's pretty cool. I may package them and submit to an anthology that a group of local writers is putting together. I may also put out my own e-book with them eventually. We'll see, but I really like them a lot.
I won't get any writing done tomorrow. After church I'm driving to Susan's to watch the Super Bowl with them and Sydney will be there (she already is, actually). It will be a lot of driving, but a fun day and a memory that I will cherish the rest of my life. Especially if Kansas City wins! Go Chiefs!!!
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Post by Admin on Feb 3, 2020 3:12:51 GMT
I think you'll get your wish. Looks like they will win. I'll try to get the statements to you tomorrow. I need to get them out of my hair. I have no idea what will happen now that we are no longer living in Illinois. I've been working on the family website with Jody. We finally received the program so I'm not as upset as I originally was. I have a lot of running to do tomorrow. Bills to pay and stop at the bank so they can help me get online. I'm glad you had a nice day with your family.
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Post by bill on Feb 10, 2020 3:51:11 GMT
Yay!! I finally finished my draft of Sevitan. It took so much more work than I anticipated. My goal is to read it through this week and look for any glaring holes. I have a beta reader waiting and hope to have it to her in the next week or two. My goal is to have it published before I go to Roswell in early July.
The Most Important Thing - I read through what I have today. I'll take some time this week to make a plan to finish writing. I have 23,000 words, so still quite a bit of work to do. But I don't have my opening scenes and the final two scenes written. My goal is to get this done by the end of March.
Grim reaper - This is my collection of flash fiction stories. I've used a couple of them for blog hops and am thinking about submitting them for a local project some writers locally I know are doing. There is no exclusivity to it, so I could eventually put the stories into an e-book. I want to do one final read through to make sure they look good.
How long of an extension were you able to get on the reports? It won't be long before we have to think about this year's report.
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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2020 21:14:31 GMT
I'm going to send whatever we have this afternoon. We need to get these to her asap. I'm sorry for being so distracted. Hank isn't eating and he's barely getting out of bed so every thing is landing on me. The house is still not delivered and I've been given no delivery date yet. I'm going up Friday to see it for myself. If its done, I'm very much afraid I'm going to become someone they won't like.
We need to send whatever we've got to the lawyer. Just send it. We'll fill it in as fast as we can but I am going to try and send you the missing statements today.
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Post by bill on Feb 16, 2020 2:56:59 GMT
Sevitan - I spent six hours on my revision today and finished. I sent it to my beta reader a few hours ago! Woohoo! Now I wait...
The Most Important Thing - I made a plan to finish. I'm at around 23,000 words so I have a lot to add and I'm not sure if my ideas will bring enough words. But I'll dive in and see how much I can get written. I don't know what word count I should be aiming for. My hope is to get the majority of the words compete in the next two weeks. That will give me March to do revision. My goal is to have it done by the end of March, then I'll decide what I want to do next with it - beta reader, editor, query, etc.
Blog - I have a blog page on my churches website. I wrote a handful of blogs last year (toward the end). I decided I want to try to post twice a month this year.
Query - This is the only thing I haven't done yet this week. All my other goals are complete. I plan to spend a couple of hours sending some queries tomorrow.
Zebulun - I checked the website and they said they'll announce winners in March. But it didn't say early, middle, or later. It would be nice to win something, but I don't expect to. I most anxious to get the feedback from editors who reviewed my beginnings and synopsis. I guess I'll be patient a few more weeks.
My managing editor told me that a story I wrote last October won the Kansas Press Association Investigative story of the year, for our paper's category, whatever that is. I haven't seen it in writing so I'm not sure exactly what the award means, but it's kind of cool. I need to find out more so I can include it on my query letters. That's the biggest reason I would like to at least place in Zebulun - so I can include on query letter.
Any news on the house?
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Post by Admin on Feb 17, 2020 3:56:36 GMT
Yes. I went through it on Friday. They are waiting for the coffee bar and the sink and counter for Hank's kitchen. But those are so minor. I hope it doesn't hold up the move. I came away with the invoice and a tentative move date of the week of March 2nd. Weather will be the issue. I'm praying we have a beautiful week. Once its in place it takes about two weeks for them to finish it. They have to finish putting the roof on and any little things that might come loose in the move.
I loved what I saw. I will have to pick out flooring and get it ordered and buy appliances. I'll get flooring samples this week and send them to the contractor. He thinks he might be able to get me a whole sale price on it.
I love the house. It's everything I dreamed of and more. Getting Hank and Joshua out of one room can't happen fast enough. I'm handling it okay because I get out and about to run errands and take care of business. Josh goes with me but he's having issues with his chair so he can't sit it very long. Hank is simply not trying. I think physically he's doing pretty good but emotionally he's just a lump. Not trying at all.
Goals, I finally figured out what I want in the basement. And it wasn't what I originally planned but I think I'm going to like it better.
I got both websites active. I've posted on my author page. I got some more apps updated with new addresses and payment info. I didn't realize how many places I need passwords for. I've been moving them over into a new notebook and crossing through each one I update so I can see at a glance what I've got left to do.
Do you have a Kansas tax number for the writing business? I'm thinking about our artwork. I know that I want to get in on shows and I'll probably need a tax number to do that. Not anything I'm pushing for asap but filing it away for later when I get more organized.
I want to switch my kdp info to Cottonwood Falls and I hate to change things until I have a tax number to put in place of the Illinois one.
I think winning an award for Kansas Press Association is awesome. Shows that you are in the right field. All the bylines you are racking up. And the credentials of being in journalism because you are a journalist. Have you thought about trying some magazine articles? They pay faster than books do. and the exposure is good publicity for your books if you write your bio right.
I have no idea when I'll have enough free time to attend workshops again. I've been eyeing the one in Nashville. Joshua and I have been wanting to spend a week in Nashville. If I timed it right, maybe I could work it in. Depends on how Hank does. Right now, he can't be left alone for very long. He'd starve. He's not eating enough as it is. He's lost 100 pounds since June. I'm really worried about him. I think he could beat the cancer for a few years but not if he doesn't try.
Keep up what you're doing. You're making progress.
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Post by bill on Feb 20, 2020 4:15:51 GMT
You've made good progress this week! Deciding on the basement, the websites, etc. I think any week you make a major decision is a success because I hate making decisions and will procrastinate, if possible. Yes, I have a tax number. I got a few years ago before I started doing the cons and festivals. Technically, it's required to be displayed at your booth, but I usually forget it. Oops! Don't repeat that. LOL! It may not seem like it, but March is so close and I'll bet you're in your house soon! I hope!
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Post by Admin on Feb 22, 2020 13:47:08 GMT
I picked out flooring and will go back today and finalize the order. I bought appliances yesterday. The house is supposed to be moved the first week of March. I'm so praying for dry weather and no wind. I need to get a port-a-potty on site. Not sure where to get that.
No goals made yet. I need to be in the new space and get a feel for it. But I have decided to get some counseling to help me cope with grief and anger. And perhaps figure out why I'm feeling so defeated. I know I'm doing all I can do and I know that I can't control others but it stresses me and I need better coping skills.
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Post by bill on Feb 24, 2020 1:25:03 GMT
I saw your thread on Holly's website and glad you're looking into counseling. I think if you find a good one, it is so invaluable. I'm sure I would be stuck in many ways had it not been for a super counselor years ago. I'll pray that the house is ready soon! I can't imagine living so closely for so long.
The Most Important Thing - I'm up to 35,000 words. I'd like to get it around 50,000, but at this point I don't really have a word count goal. I have a big chunk in the latter part of the story not written and that is my goal this week. I would like to have the rough draft complete by the end of next weekend, and I should at least come close. My focus this week is new words so it will feel like NaNo without the daily word count. I have roughly seven chapters to write, so that's my goal.
Grim Reaper - I wrote a couple of more FF to round this out. I'll spend a little time cleaning them up and deciding if they need to be one ore two stories. I really like this world and have ideas of how to keep going in it, so I'm sure from time to time I'll write a FF or two.
Queries - I sent a few more queries out today. I hadn't done that in a few weeks. This will likely be the last time I do it until I get the Zebulun results back (they said in March, though not which part of the month). I'll use whatever feedback I get to polish my query materials and prepare for PPWC. I haven't decided which of my stories I will pitch. I could even potentially pitch The Most Important Thing if I get it where I expect to by then. I'll decide once I get the feedback.
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Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2020 2:37:54 GMT
It sounds like you're doing well hitting your goals. That excites me and I so wish I could go to PPWC but I'll be in the middle of settling in and Hank cannot be left alone any more.
I'm starting to look ahead and not feel like ooze on the floor. That's a good sign, I think. I'm still going to ask the doctor to refer me to a counselor. Just because I'm not feeling crushed and helpless doesn't mean I've solved my issues. It means I'm working around them when I'd rather work through them. The sneaky little issues are ankle biters and potential back biters. I need them gone.
I'm looking at work options and goals. This tells me I'm not ready to withdraw and quit. I just need to find a way to grow. The want-to is still alive and kicking.
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Post by bill on Mar 2, 2020 2:53:16 GMT
The Most Important Thing - I added about 6,000 new words this week and came up with a couple of major plot issues. I didn't quite finish the manuscript, but I can see the end. I don't think I'll have as many words as I thought, but I'll see how it looks in revision and decide if/how to add more. This week I want to finish and make a revision plan. Still shooting to complete it by the end of March
GRIT (Grim Reaper In Training) - I cleaned up my stories, put them together, and sent them in to the Kansas Author's Pavilion for consideration with an anthology. All proceeds will go toward the pavilion, which I've been a part of a couple of times, so I won't see any money. But hoping for a little exposure if I get included.
I saw that PPW are putting together an anthology that will pay royalties if included. My goal this week is to read through the submission guidelines and consider what I could submit to it. That would be another great opportunity for exposure. Submissions are open until the end of April so I have some time.
Zebulun - We are supposed to hear results in March, though I never saw if it would be early or late. I'll be anxious all month, I'm sure. I want to get the feedback in time to make some changes before PPWC, if possible. I haven't decided which story to pitch. My newest one isn't out of the question if I finish like I hope.
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Post by Admin on Mar 2, 2020 3:45:49 GMT
All good and worthy goals. I'm still in limbo waiting for house to be set. It should be on the basement by the end of the week. If it isn't, it won't be the fault of the weather. God is providing beautiful weather. I've been trying to catch up on the Udemy courses I've been signed up for. Mostly on digital art, cartooning and character art. A couple of song writing tutorials. I'm still turning to music when I'm stressed. I have writing ideas hitting me but simply no quiet space to work. A lot of what is coming to me is non-fiction but non-fiction pays fairly fast and I've had good luck selling what I wrote. I still don't know what my future holds. Right now, I'm sitting in one room with a husband who's fading away and a son who is throwing up at the drop of a hat. I'm so sick of puke and poop I could scream. I just want to be settled. In my own space. And with someone who can help me. I'm tired, and weary, and sad. And as I type that I've shown all the blessings I have so I shouldn't complain at all. I'll go to bed and get as much rest as I can. Life looks better when I'm not tired.
I got the report back from the lawyer. I will get her paid this week. and then I need to hire a lawyer to get Kansas guardianship. Just ask me how that sits with me but I am older and I need to make sure Joshua has a back up when Hank and I can no longer help him. More heavy stuff. I really wish I could just putter and write, and paint, and sing and the world would leave me alone for awhile.
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Post by bill on Mar 9, 2020 2:55:50 GMT
The Most Important Thing - I finished my first draft yesterday. I now have a complete story! I'm just over 40,000 words so as I read through and make notes for revision, I hope to find ways to add words. I'd love to have it up around 50,000+ if possible.
I signed up for PPWC today!
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