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Post by bill on Feb 13, 2017 16:15:33 GMT
I want to start posting in this thread on a weekly basis, to track my progress and focus my goals for the week. I meant to do this last night but I swept away in my story (a very good and productive thing) and time got away.
Mystery (I need a name for this story!): I got more accomplished on my revision than I planned, which I think is more of lower expectations than over achievement. I could have gotten more done with better time management earlier in the week. But I'm pleased. I think Sydney and Blake are going to Texas with their mom next weekend so I'll get a lot done. I have a complete subplot I need to add to the story. If I finish planning it I could have it complete by the end of next weekend. That will be my second priority this week.
Vetrix: Blake and I retook our back page photo and I sent it to Debbie. As soon as she send me the updated cover (any day) I will focus on uploading my book to Createspace and getting it published. Vetrix and Flipper's flash fiction will be my priorities as long as I have some work I can do on them.
Flipper's Flash Fiction: With Blake leaving next weekend it delays me getting the cover photo taken. After next week that becomes my priority. It's the only thing holding me back from publishing the book.
Legend of the Aneeka: Susan finally sent me the manuscript. She had read our document and compared it to the book, making changes so we now have a document that matches the book. I want to proofread it then it will be ready for publishing.
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Post by Admin on Feb 14, 2017 0:38:38 GMT
Nice goals. 1. I mailed the bank statements and your check.
2. I'm almost done painting illustration #1. Need to get Illustration #2 sketched out. I'm waiting on an art order. It has more illustration board in it and tubes of fresh paint.
3. I sketched out two more large paintings. I'm trying to get in as much painting practice as I can. I won't get better without practice so I'm doing a lot more art than I ever have before. Only problem is, it distracts me from the writing.
4. I need to lay out Kay's story but the living room is so messy, I have no idea where to lay it out. I really need a day of heavy house cleaning. I have decided to start requesting money every year to hire help for Josh. He needs to get more comfortable with help that isn't me and I need to free up time so I can get more of my projects done. I can't take time for me at the expense of Joshua doing without. Hiring help would help solve the problem. I would give my eye teeth to have Kathy closer. He needs her and she's lonely. She's not used to being by herself so much.
5. I need the editing done on Knock Knock. I don't know why I'm procrastinating on it. It should be published by now. Heck, it should have been out last October.
I like the idea of a weekly accountability.
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Post by bill on Feb 19, 2017 19:40:44 GMT
Last week did not turn out as I expected. First, I got sick (missed a couple of days of work) then Blake decided not to go to Texas with his mom so he's been hanging out with me for the last few days. I didn't get a lot of work done on my mystery, though for what little time and energy I had I think I did enough. I was able to get Legend of the Aneeka proof read so it's one step closer to being published.
This week I want to finish revising the last few scenes of the book then tackle my biggest task - Writing in a subplot to the story. I have it mostly thought through. I need to finish an outline and scene sentences and I hope to get the scenes written next weekend.
The mystery is my priority except for Vetrix. I'm waiting on my cover from Debbie then I'll focus on publishing it. I'm also working on getting a picture taken for the cover of the flash fiction. This was delayed due to my illness.
If I can achieve any two of the three above goals this week (Mystery, Vetrix, FFF) I will be thrilled.
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Post by Admin on Feb 19, 2017 20:54:50 GMT
My week didn't go as planned either. I had to say goodbye to a little white dog that I dearly loved so I'm in a fairly large bit of grief. I need to pull taxes together and get some business done that should have been done last month. I don't want to face it so I'll spend this week putting myself in a mind set to get it done. I'd rather just curl up in the recliner and sleep.
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Post by bill on Feb 20, 2017 1:34:06 GMT
Oh shoot, sorry to hear about your dog! That's always hard.
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Post by bill on Feb 27, 2017 4:37:20 GMT
Weekly accountabilyt/update:
Mystery: I got my ending scenes written but I didn't make it to the subplot. Tammy's Mom went into hospice and she drove down to New Mexico earlier in the week, which means I've had Blake since Wednesday. It's been great having him around but I didn't have the writing time I expected this weekend. It just means I'll probably have next weekend free instead of this one. I feel good about the amount of writing I've accomplished under the circumstances. My goal this week is to get the subplot written.
Vetrix: It didn't take me long to realize I didn't have time to figure out the formatting. I contacted Cat and hired her to format it after she attends a conference. She told me she would have the files to me by March 8. I'll then submit then, examine the proof, and publish!
Flipper's Flash Fiction: We are schedule to take pictures for the cover Tuesday. I'll get it to Debbie to do the cover then to Cat for the format. Both books should be published by late March. I have a book signing at the Halstead library April 8.
Aneeka: Will get back to this when things settle down.
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Post by Admin on Feb 27, 2017 11:00:25 GMT
You're doing great. Life happens and we need to learn to roll with it.
I woke up at 4am and Knock Knock was 'knocking' in my head. I'd gotten into a mess trying to pull all the chapters into one ms. I now use Scrivener to write in but before Scrivener, it was chapters spread all over the place. I had trouble finding some of them and I'm still not sure they are all in place, or in the right order. But, they are in one ms. and I can start a final read through.
I am going to lay out Kay's book today. I don't care if I have time for it, or not. I need to see it visually and try to organize it into a time-line. Once I have them in the proper order, I will read the story she wrote so I can hear her voice and try to glimpse her vision. I'm not sure yet where the viewpoint will be but I have an internal concept for it and I think, once I read her version, that I can pull something together fairly fast. I have people who will help.
I am going to hit Joshua's picture book hard this month. I need 24 pages. Only 300-500 words and he has half of those written. but I need to get the illustrations done and that means I will have to work faster than I ever have in my life. I've been practicing all winter so I think I can do a competent job. We have to have a finished book dummy by April 1st. That means March is going to be a mad house. - I think the only way I'm going to get everything done is break it down into time. Treat it like a job. 5-8 writing. 9-12 art (or housework or whatever is most pressing at that time. Joshua works with Kathy 1:30 -2:30. We can work on his book after that. It feels good to get actual work done today. Life has been chaotic the last few weeks with a trip to the ER and several doctor visits. Joshua is feeling much better and I know what needs done to prevent such an issue in the future.
He went shopping with his home health aide and she helped him buy a suit for the conference. He won't have to attend the banquet wearing borrowed clothes. His birthday is the 3rd of April. I'll take him shopping for a new wardrobe that will represent his new persona as an aspiring author and artist. He is so excited.
Was in a conference call with Rhonda, Nyla, and Kathy last weekend. Joshua was using his tobii to talk to them. Rhonda was helping to brainstorm his presentation boards. Rhonda said we might get to sneak away from the conference some evening and do a locked room mystery. It should be a blast. I've never done one before.
Glad you're still focused and moving forward. On my end, I need to stop scattering and put some blinders on so I can stay on target.
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Post by bill on Feb 27, 2017 13:21:40 GMT
Sounds like you have a good plan...and a lot of work ahead! You got this!
You'll love the escape room if we do it. So much fun!
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Post by Admin on Mar 5, 2017 13:06:43 GMT
Last week I worked on illustrations. I have 3 painted and 1 ready to transfer to illustration board and paint. I need to lay out the next 2 pages. I bought Photoshop for Dummies so I would have a way to look up the commands I will need to manipulate the digital images and add text.
I have added the remaining chapter to Knock Knock and will print out a new copy today so I can read through and make sure I get all the changes in place before going back in and finalizing the copy. Then I really do need it sent to an editor. I'm so behind on this project.
Lucky Donovan is bugging me again. She is feeding me scenes for her short story anthology. I am resisting working on this because it will be a major distraction and I cannot allow distractions until after the conference.
I need the taxes ready to go by tomorrow so I'll be dealing with numbers today. Numbers make me very irritable so I'll be glad when today is over.
Joshua and I donated auction items to a charity event that is taking place today. We might take an hour or so and go over to take a look at them. I'm sort of hoping we don't, but it might end up being necessary. Joshua's home health aide asked if we'd go with her. If she calls, I will feel obligated to meet her there although we won't have to stay very long.
I need to do massive house cleaning. Again, I don't want to but it's becoming absolutely necessary. I wish there was more me. Joshua and Kathy are doing really good getting ready for the conference. His presentation boards are almost in place. He just needs lots of practice now.
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Post by bill on Mar 6, 2017 4:17:25 GMT
You have so many things going on - I'm amazed you keep up with it all!
Vetrix: Cat has agreed to format it and my flash fiction for me and that she would be done by next weekend. Nothing for me to do until I get it back from her. Then it's print it in Createspace and order a proof copy. This will be my priority whenever I have something I can do.
Flipper's Flash Fiction. I got the cover photo taken, sent it to Debbie, and she finished the cover for me. Yea! I sent the files for Cat to work on later this week. I should be able to mirror it's release with Vetrix.
Aneeka: On hold until I finish Vetrix. If it works out with Cat I hope I can hire her to format Aneeka. I just don't have time to learn new stuff right now. I have more money than time.
Mystery. I got my subplot outlined but not written. I'm okay with how much I got done considering how little time I had. This week I hope to get the subplot written, though as work ramps up and I'm out of town more I don't know how much time I'll have to work on it. I'll just take it week by week and do the best I can.
My original plan was to have the Mystery done and to beta readers in time to get it back and make changes before the conference. I realize now I'm not going to make it. I'm accepting that and trying to adjust my goals accordingly. I still hope to have it complete enough I can use it for my query letter and opening page readings. We'll see.
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Post by Admin on Mar 6, 2017 12:23:11 GMT
Its tax season and your busiest time of the year. Just something to factor in. You're doing way better than I am. I'm too scattered but I don't have any way to fix it yet. So I'll work scattered and hope for the best. I'm really wanting something published. Knock Knock should have been out six months ago. It frustrates me.
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Post by bill on Mar 13, 2017 1:28:45 GMT
Vetrix/Before Vetrix: Lots of back and forth with Cat and Debbie trying to get the fromatting done. I think I'll have it tomorrow, then need to upload it to Createspace and get my proof copy ordered.
Mystery: I got a little writing done but not as much as I wanted. Still need to finish my subplot (got about 1/3 of it writte). As much as I want to work on another story (I have several in mind and am ready for a change) I'm going to stick with this one until after the conference. I need to get the manuscript in as best shape as I can have it and need to produce a query.
Aneeka: On hold until after Vetrix is released.
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2017 2:39:06 GMT
My week was pretty much a bust. I did get Illustration 4 painted. but I needed more sketched out ready to go. I'm falling behind. The house is a mess and I'm physically tired. Its a struggle. Joshua's book has to take priority this month. and I still want Kay's book lined out.
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Post by bill on Mar 20, 2017 1:43:36 GMT
Vetrix & Before Vetrix - I got the formats back, uploaded to CreateSpace, and ordered my proof copies. I should receive them by Wednesday, then analyze and get my final copies ordered. I have my first book signing at the Halstead library April 8 so I need the this to go smoothly.
Mystery - I got all my scenes written and in order. I have a lot of cleaning up and rewriting of the rough draft scenes. I'll get what I can done before I get the proofs of Vetrix then spend all my time reading those books searching for mistakes until I'm done. Then back to the mystery.
At this point I wish I could move on to another project. I'm tired of this story and not convinced it will be anything worth sharing. But I know I have to finish so I'll keep at it. This is my priority until the after the PPWC. For better or worse.
Aneeka - On hold. Once I get Vetrix and Before Vetrix done I'll work toward getting Aneeka done. If I like what Cat did with my books I'll ask if she's interested in doing Aneeka. I think it's ready to be formatted and published.
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2017 3:28:16 GMT
I'm smiling right now. There is a time, toward the end, when you wish you never had to look at your manuscript again. You lose all faith in it. Then, after all the hard work, you hold a copy in your hand and you read through it. Then you wonder, where did these words come from? Who wrote them? The feeling you will get is unlike anything I can describe. Keep the faith. You're doing awesome.
For the next few weeks everything I have is on hold except for Joshua's picture book. I printed out the first two pages today and I can't wait to see the complete book. I know it will be rough. I know nothing is written in stone. This is just a visual representation of a dream. And seeing Joshua's face as he watches it grow is one of the most joyful experiences I've ever had.
I'm going to have to put my nose to the grindstone and just plug away. I cannot stop until his project is tamed into submission. Then it will be back to Knock Knock and Kay's story. or rather, Kay's story, then Knock Knock. The jobs lined up are never ending. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
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