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Post by Admin on Feb 1, 2021 17:00:03 GMT
I had Sharon for a week so that was fun. Kara was off sick with viral bronchitis so my house isn't as orderly as it should be. I got a lot done on the basement but very little done on my goals. I did give some mental planning on future paintings and I did get quite a bit of drawing done.
I'm starting to think about Pikes Peak Writers conference. If they have it, I'd like to go. But I'm going to Texas the third week of April and I will be bringing back a young puppy so Colorado might be a bit soon for me to get away. I'll have to see how it goes.
I also need to get Hank's ashes back to Illinois. I don't want to wait much longer but the virus worries me. I'm in waiting mode to see how the vaccinations affect the spread. I really would like to see the virus disappearing. Really hope the vaccination works.
I've been watching your momentum. Its fun to see things moving. Keep it going.
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Post by bill on Feb 3, 2021 3:22:00 GMT
The conference is being held virtually this year. I need to check the dates but am leaning toward doing it. It's cheaper ($195), and includes the read and critique and the query appointments, which I value as part of the package. April 23-25. It won't be near the value as an in-person. The website says the plan for 2022 is a hybrid conference.
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Post by Admin on Feb 4, 2021 5:12:12 GMT
I could do online. Easier than getting away to attend although I'd love to visit with Rhonda. I'll have to look into it.
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Post by bill on Feb 7, 2021 22:36:37 GMT
Snowy Mountain Dream - I finished the query letter and synopsis and had a beta reader approve. I finished my revision and sent it to my beta reader for a second look.
Mystery 3 - I read through to get an idea of where I'm at. I'm at 28,000 words and need to brainstorm plot ideas and do some writing. I would like to get a lot of the writing done in the next couple of weeks. We'll see.
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Post by Admin on Feb 9, 2021 4:45:01 GMT
I got very little done this week. I got the drywaller paid so he's done until the plumber does his job. the big room is getting painted but way slower than I'd like. Kara is back at work so life should ease up a bit. I received bad news last night. Nyla called me and told me that my best friend that I've had since Jr. High passed away Friday. She had early onset Alzheimer's and I know she would prefer this to the life she led but its hitting me hard. Just when I was starting to have some happy days, I got knocked down again.
I get my vaccination tomorrow. It's a start. This pandemic has to be controlled so life can get back to normal. I think of lot of our country's tension would ease if work was back and people would stop being so worried about paying rent and buying food.
I found some fun stuff Saturday for the house. Got some work done on Saturday that will move me toward having a usable space. I just wish everything would happen faster. I'm losing patience. I'm planning a trip to Texas in March. It will be a caravan, I think. Nyla and Mark will take their camper. Kara and the kids will go with us. Seth and Jessica will house sit for me. And I'll most likely be coming home with a puppy. Macy is getting old and declining. I want to get a new puppy in place and trained before I have to say goodbye to her. I'm thinking a puppy will run some of Dixie's energy off her. That is my hope anyway. And puppies make my heart happy. I need some happy.
I've finally decided that Hank's kitchen will become an all-purpose room. I'm putting a library wall in it. a daybed for guests. my desk will go there and, sit down, A four drawer file cabinet that I can lock. I'm determined to start controlling the paper clutter. I might need help organizing it. I'm starting to get all the tax info coming in. I put it in the envelope from the accountant and when I think its all here I might yell for help in checking things off so I don't miss anything. I'm hoping you're up for it. As always, I'll feed you.
Its late and I need to think about going to bed. Don't want to. My sleep patterns are going to be disrupted for awhile. I love seeing your momentum. I'm thinking your book trailer is a win. and you're doing a really good job of getting your books in front of the reader. I think I remember the promoter telling me a person has to see something ten times before it registers on them. Some day I'm going to find all the pages I printed off from him and hand them over to you. He had a lot of good info.
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Post by bill on Feb 10, 2021 4:20:49 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend! You have had a super hard year and need to make sure to give yourself grace. What you have accomplished in the midst of your trials these last 15+ months is extraordinary. Please don't focus on what you haven't done or how you feel. Keep grinding. In time, the pain will ease, the grief will fade, you'll start anew the plans you've laid.
Yes, I will help any way I can. I want to come for another visit - it's been toooooo long. I think we might have to pick a time and make it happen because somehow my schedule is full, especially with Blake finishing his senior year. I can't believe it!
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Post by bill on Feb 15, 2021 2:26:23 GMT
Sevitan - I sent this to Dad for proofreading. I told him no hurry but would guess he'll get it back to me in the next week or so. It's getting close.
Vetrix - I wrote the words for the book trailer. I'd like to have this complete when Sevitan publishes.
Snowy Mountain Dream - I finished editing and submitted to the publisher. I have no indication how long before I know if they will accept.
HTTS - I completed lesson 6 this week.
Devotional - I submitted a devotional for an anthology devotional book to be released on the anniversary of the pandemic, proceeds go to the Salvation Army.
Blog Hop - Published a story today in the quarterly blog hop.
EPIC - Participated in the online event, including a reading. I didn't sell any books, but maybe got some exposure. Who knows?
A World Amongst - I found a beta reader and sent it to her. This has been complete for a couple of years, but I don't know what I want to do with it. I keep feeling like it isn't ready for publication but I don't know why.
Mystery 3 - I tried to work on this but am struggling, which is probably why I got so much other work done. I kept wandering away from this manuscript. I like what I have so far, but it isn't enough yet for a full novel. I haven't figured out what more I need, and it's frustrating me. I really need to block out distractions and focus, but haven't been able to do it. I really need to make some progress this week, so I need to push through.
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Post by Admin on Feb 15, 2021 5:14:33 GMT
You made more progress than I did. I got the tiles picked up and brought home. I got my first covid shot. But the second one is scheduled the day I want to leave for Texas.
I worked on my song. Trying to get a clean copy recorded so I can start working it toward the next step. What that next step is, I have no clue. But I want to complete it.
I drew out some plans for the bookcase that will be the focal point of Hank's kitchen. Not sure what I'm going to call that room. Its going to be an all purpose room. A reading/office/guest room. I will be buying a four drawer file cabinet that locks so I can begin to start taking charge of my paper clutter.
I'm mostly tired, frustrated, and excited all at the same time. I'm beginning to feel like myself again. I got both eyes done. Need new glasses. Hoping to get a prescription on Tuesday.
I am really impressed with your momentum and your productivity. You're doing good.
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Post by bill on Feb 22, 2021 0:38:49 GMT
Mystery 3 - I finally made some progress this weekend. I hope I can add another 10,000+ words this week, but it will take some effort. I need to have it done by Thursday, as I'm picking Sydney up at the Kansas City airport Friday morning and we are hanging out at Susan's all weekend.
Vetrix book trailer - I selected my music and a gob of pictures. I'd like to put it together some time this next week or next. The sooner I can have it ready for viewing, the sooner I can start drumming up interest in Sevitan.
Sevitan - My dad is working on proofreading. I told him no hurry, but I know he's been working on it. As soon as he finishes I will make adjustments and get documents to Cat. It shouldn't be long.
Devotional - My devotion was accepted and will be included in a fundraising devotional book. I get nothing from it except exposure, which I hope happens.
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Post by Admin on Feb 22, 2021 16:57:37 GMT
You should get exposure from it. Your visit with Sydney and Susan and family sounds wonderful. Enjoy every minute of it. I accomplished very little this week. Nothing worth mentioning, anyway. I'm tired of construction and tired of personalities. I'm trying not to fire everybody and become a hermit. I'm joking, sort of.
Have fun. Your momentum is awesome. I'll post more when I have something to post about.
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Post by bill on Mar 1, 2021 5:03:04 GMT
Three Blind Mice - Received comments back this weekend from my two beta readers. Plan to read through them this week and make notes for revision.
Mystery 3 - Worked some; wrote about 5,000 words; brainstormed a few ideas. Still have a lot to do. I don't think I will finish by the end of March, but will still try.
A World Amongst - I received a response from my beta reader. Will read through her comments this week and consider what I want to revise with it.
Sevitan - Will get proofreading comments tomorrow from proofreader. I need to look at what I have and hopefully send this to Cat by next weekend for formatting (she already has the cover designed.
Vetrix - I got some work done on the trailer. I definitely want to finish this weekend.
When the Time is Right - Sydney, Zach, and I were at Barnes & Nobel in KC, Missouri and an employee was talking to me about books/writing, so I asked her what it would take to get my book in the store. She got her manager and they looked it up in their system. The manager said she would order three copies to carry in the store because it looked like the ones they carry and they sell a lot of that genre.
Had a great time at Susan's with her and family and Sydney. Didn't get much done as far as writing, but had fun playing games, going to an escape room, watching shows, and just hanging out. So much needed!
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Post by bill on Mar 8, 2021 1:42:09 GMT
Sevitan - got my proofreading back and made changes. I finished the blurb then sent the files to Cat yesterday to be formatted. She's busy and I told her whenever, so not sure how long it will be, but I am done until she sends me the files to publish.
Vetrix - I finished the book trailer and uploaded onto Youtube yesterday. I want to make one for Earth next, I think.
Three Blind Mice - I received comments back from my two beta readers. I read through them and made notes. It isn't a long list and I think I can have the manuscript ready for proofreaders in the next 2-3 weeks.
A World Amongst - I received feedback from one beta reader and am waiting for another. I read through the comments and made notes of a few minor changes. I'm not exactly sure what I will do with the story, but at this point I'm leaning toward publishing myself, maybe in October if I get to do a book signing at the hospital again. I think a paranormal book launch would be nice at an abandoned hospital.
Sydney is in town this week and Dad and Delores are talking about coming up next week, so my productivity may be down for a couple of weeks, we'll see. Mystery 3 sat this week and I hope the time away will help me make good progress when I return. Not sure if that will be this week though.
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Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2021 3:43:56 GMT
Joshua has been sick for about a week. Not Covid but lots of vomit which never makes me happy. He's perking up. Jody will be here tomorrow and we're taking off for Texas on Thursday. We'll be back home by next Tuesday. I have a motel suite for five nights. I'm thinking I might be able to get some work done in the evening. I'll take my work with me just in case. I'm still trying to get into some sort of routine. Life is not cooperating.
I'll be bringing a puppy home with me so life for the next few months will be busy housebreaking and training. I have a ton of plants, trees, and shrubs ordered so I'll be doing a lot of garden design and planting this summer. I have two raised beds built. two more to go. I'm excited about that but also apprehensive. I'm not known for keeping plants alive but maybe I'll get lucky.
I love your productivity. I'm still gathering my tax stuff. I need to make an appointment with the lawyer to figure out how to take, there is a name for it, but it determines how capital gains are figured. I hope I don't get socked too bad. almost everything I took money for went into the house. I don't know if that makes a difference, or not.
I'm tired tonight. Josh being sick has taken a toll on me. I'll catch up with you later in the week. I'll take my computer with me.
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Post by bill on Mar 10, 2021 0:38:00 GMT
I hope you have a wonderful time in Texas! Let me know if you want me to come help get your paperwork ready for taxes. It's high time I got over to visit anyhow!
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Post by bill on Mar 14, 2021 22:12:59 GMT
Three Blind Mice - Working my way through revision. Started on the blurb. Sydney's been here all week and Dad and Delores have been since Thursday, so I haven't gotten a lot done. I hope to finish this week. Everyone leaves tomorrow so I should have plenty of time later in the week. Then I need to start working on a book trailer for it.
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