Dude, Where's My Muse?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Odd
I'm currently listening to Late Medieval to Early Renaissance on xm radio... and I've written 3500 words. Just how weird is that?? lol
Book Talk
As I sit here taking my dinner break from a possible WIP (shhh, don't tell my characters they may actually be cooperating, they might take off for parts unknown again) and surrounded by a rather tall pile of books I figured its been awhile since I talked books.
So what all have you read this month?
I managed to make a fairly decent dent in my piles. Enough so that I need to rearrange the bookshelf again, and contemplate finding another spot to put some books. I have an old dresser type thing my dad made me as a kid that if I can get near it might work well :o)
In no particular order (and I so need to update my ehq reading blog), the ones I can remember off the top of my head:
* Strokes of Midnight (harlequin blaze) by Hope Tarr
* Halfway to the Grave - Jeanine Frost
* Tombs of Endearment - Casey Daniels
* Notes from The Backseat by Jody Gehrman
So what all have you read this month?
I managed to make a fairly decent dent in my piles. Enough so that I need to rearrange the bookshelf again, and contemplate finding another spot to put some books. I have an old dresser type thing my dad made me as a kid that if I can get near it might work well :o)
In no particular order (and I so need to update my ehq reading blog), the ones I can remember off the top of my head:
* Strokes of Midnight (harlequin blaze) by Hope Tarr
* Halfway to the Grave - Jeanine Frost
* Tombs of Endearment - Casey Daniels
* Notes from The Backseat by Jody Gehrman
Labels: Books
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Zap
My creativity at the moment is zapped, gone, gonzo, poof, vanished. I'm not sure if its the weather (gray and freezing); or I'm burnt out (possibly) or I'm just not working on the right idea (ditto) -- or all three combined. But sitting in front of the comp with a blank word document is torture at the moment. Even worse when I'm using my binder and gel pens, when I start thinking to myself "I'm wasting this pretty purple metallic ink on this?" This is usually my scrawly signature and date in the corner of each page before I write.
I'm considering taking the day off and reading through the rest of CS one last time before I print it off then go through all my story notes scattered on the hard drive and put them together in my writing folder where they all should be anyway. Organizing can be my procrastination tool of choice :o)
I'm considering taking the day off and reading through the rest of CS one last time before I print it off then go through all my story notes scattered on the hard drive and put them together in my writing folder where they all should be anyway. Organizing can be my procrastination tool of choice :o)
Labels: Writing
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Too Cold
I think it is now officially too cold. When your temperature needle refuses to move outside, I think that's a hint its just not wise to go out. So I am staying indoors today where I'm semi warm and can look out at the cold air through very frosty windows while emailing partials out into cyber space. The one that requires me to go to the post office can wait till they won't have to chisel the envelope out of my hands. *g*
The DHL guy showed up around noon with a few review books. The first thing he did was apologize because the plastic shipping bag was open because the glue let go in the cold when he left the truck. "Nothing works right in this cold" I agree :o)
My mind doesn't seem to work either. When emailing one requested partial a couple minutes ago, I hit send...without attaching said requested partial. *eeks* But I resent, with attachment so hopefully agent won't mind a double email lol
The DHL guy showed up around noon with a few review books. The first thing he did was apologize because the plastic shipping bag was open because the glue let go in the cold when he left the truck. "Nothing works right in this cold" I agree :o)
My mind doesn't seem to work either. When emailing one requested partial a couple minutes ago, I hit send...without attaching said requested partial. *eeks* But I resent, with attachment so hopefully agent won't mind a double email lol
Monday, January 28, 2008
Today's post brought to you by...
the letter...
F - for FREEZING
and the numbers 4 and 6, as in feels like -46 C with the windchill (actual temp is in the delightful as always -30s)
So as you can tell its beyond freezing here today and its likely to stay this cold for the next day or two. And to think I just bought my first pack of seeds on the weekend :)
F - for FREEZING
and the numbers 4 and 6, as in feels like -46 C with the windchill (actual temp is in the delightful as always -30s)
So as you can tell its beyond freezing here today and its likely to stay this cold for the next day or two. And to think I just bought my first pack of seeds on the weekend :)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The Story
Apparently people want to know how to make 20+ guys in hockey uniforms laugh. K and I have managed this not just once, but possibly 3x. The first one happened at a hockey game about six or seven years ago. K and I are big hockey fans and never miss watching the guys warm up. So we're down in the club, getting our drinks and pizza when we hear the music start, which obviously means the hockey players are on in the ice. In a panic, we run up the nearest set of stairs, not caring at that moment, they're a good three sections away from our seats in 136 (not too mention juggling cokes, slices of pizza, me and my bulky purse that K could tell you stories about and tickets in hand). So we come up the stairs, pause long enough to show the usher that yes these two crazy looking blondes in hockey jerseys belong in this area and go running down the aisle towards the seats. We made the captain at the time lean on his stick laughing as we rushed by. Several stopped and stared at us as we raced across three sections to our seats and pretty well everyone on the ice in white at that moment was laughing, we're guessing even the goalie but he had his mask pulled down.
Yup.
So that's the first way we made the entire team laugh.
The second one was far more humiliating for K & I, but I'll leave that one for another blog post. Let's just say it involved a crowded arena; the words Oh my god and what felt like an eternity. :o)
Yup.
So that's the first way we made the entire team laugh.
The second one was far more humiliating for K & I, but I'll leave that one for another blog post. Let's just say it involved a crowded arena; the words Oh my god and what felt like an eternity. :o)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tagged
Nell, http://nelldixonrw.blogspot.com/ tagged me with this the other day.
Rules
Link to the person that tagged you
Post the rules on your blog
Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website
Six random things/quirks - hmm
1. The most googled part of my blog seems to be the topless picture of Sidney Crosby that I used as inspiration for JT. :o)
2. I'm not a good skater
3. If you play the six degrees of separation game, I can connect to Elvis; Nick Carter; Aaron Carter; and Hilary Duff in under 5 moves lol
4. My best friend and I once made an entire NHL team laugh at us (not exactly our shining moment...)
5. I can do a pretty good Ace Ventura impression
6. I didn't realize that half of my story titles are titles of songs too -- If Tomorrow Never Comes; Something To Talk About; Cruel Summer
So now I have to tag people which is always the worst part of these things lol Uhm, whoever wants to do this, feel free :o)
Rules
Link to the person that tagged you
Post the rules on your blog
Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website
Six random things/quirks - hmm
1. The most googled part of my blog seems to be the topless picture of Sidney Crosby that I used as inspiration for JT. :o)
2. I'm not a good skater
3. If you play the six degrees of separation game, I can connect to Elvis; Nick Carter; Aaron Carter; and Hilary Duff in under 5 moves lol
4. My best friend and I once made an entire NHL team laugh at us (not exactly our shining moment...)
5. I can do a pretty good Ace Ventura impression
6. I didn't realize that half of my story titles are titles of songs too -- If Tomorrow Never Comes; Something To Talk About; Cruel Summer
So now I have to tag people which is always the worst part of these things lol Uhm, whoever wants to do this, feel free :o)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Heath
I'm still stunned about the death of Heath Ledger this afternoon. He's one of my favorite actors. A Knight's Tale is one of my all time favorite movies. I blared Golden Years when I finished STTA at 4 in the morning. My best friend gave me his poster for my office, its just waiting for a frame to hang in to go lean against the shelving and keep me company.
So sad. My heart goes out to his little girl.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Neglectful
I didn't realize how long its been since I wrote on the blog. Yikes! The last week has been pretty busy (or so I think). Tinkering with the blog layout taught me a lesson, I don't think I'm webpage minded lol I lost links, I lost the statcounter code about 3x and I'm still not overly happy with the way the page looks at the moment. But its blue and its working and its probably going to stay that way for awhile. :o)
Last week brought a pass on a manuscript, and then another request for the full. I'm taking another look at a few chapters before I print it out (yes, this one needs to be snail mailed...*sigh*) before I send it off to NYC. I was trying to price out the postage online but canadapost decided my postal code didn't exist. (Hmmm...yet I still got mail today, how interesting) Its the one thing I hate about having to snail mail a manuscript. I have to have delivery confirmation (no telling how many partials went into the abyss between here and NYC the last 5 yrs) and I'd like it to get it there say before spring, which probably puts it anywhere between 18-30 bucks. For one manuscript. Course, it can be worse. I paid $50 to expresspost something to talk about a few years ago to London. Don't even want to think what that would cost now!!
I did get my pictures back on the wknd from the hockey game -- well, 2 out of 3 rolls since the last one is still in the camera -- I'll probably post some of the good pics of DiPietro, since they turned out amazingly well :o)
What's your week been like?
Last week brought a pass on a manuscript, and then another request for the full. I'm taking another look at a few chapters before I print it out (yes, this one needs to be snail mailed...*sigh*) before I send it off to NYC. I was trying to price out the postage online but canadapost decided my postal code didn't exist. (Hmmm...yet I still got mail today, how interesting) Its the one thing I hate about having to snail mail a manuscript. I have to have delivery confirmation (no telling how many partials went into the abyss between here and NYC the last 5 yrs) and I'd like it to get it there say before spring, which probably puts it anywhere between 18-30 bucks. For one manuscript. Course, it can be worse. I paid $50 to expresspost something to talk about a few years ago to London. Don't even want to think what that would cost now!!
I did get my pictures back on the wknd from the hockey game -- well, 2 out of 3 rolls since the last one is still in the camera -- I'll probably post some of the good pics of DiPietro, since they turned out amazingly well :o)
What's your week been like?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Ideas and other things
Its that time again, new idea time. When characters are nothing more than fuzzy images lurking around the corners of my mind, debating on whether or not to introduce themselves. At this point, most of my notes have my fill in the blank names. I'm partial to Rachel or Abby at this stage, until they finally push those names aside and the real one emerges. Only once in awhile do the characters come up and introduce themselves before I start writing. Chey was one, although she was without a last name till the second draft. Sabrina was Rachel until the end of the original chapter one of VW.
This is also the stage where I try and figure out what music I'm writing to. I can't write in silence. Just doesn't happen. I end up sitting there, staring off into space... so its not really productive. Usually I'll stick to one CD for an entire draft or start to piece together a soundtrack and write to that. VW I wrote to Diana Krall's Xmas CD. Chey had a soundtrack, though I played a lot of Justin Timberlake's last CD for the second draft.
But since I have 2 possible ideas tugging at me, its hard to decide which music works with which idea. One idea seems to be darker then the other. The other is a revised, updated spin on one of my old, old stories. Soundtrack for that one would be almost built right in.D
Decisions, decisions...
This is also the stage where I try and figure out what music I'm writing to. I can't write in silence. Just doesn't happen. I end up sitting there, staring off into space... so its not really productive. Usually I'll stick to one CD for an entire draft or start to piece together a soundtrack and write to that. VW I wrote to Diana Krall's Xmas CD. Chey had a soundtrack, though I played a lot of Justin Timberlake's last CD for the second draft.
But since I have 2 possible ideas tugging at me, its hard to decide which music works with which idea. One idea seems to be darker then the other. The other is a revised, updated spin on one of my old, old stories. Soundtrack for that one would be almost built right in.D
Decisions, decisions...
Monday, January 14, 2008
Glass Half Full
Between Friday and this morning, the 2 agents who had the full passed (my first thought was wow, they're quick readers! But they passed with very nice comments. One said CS has a 'juicy, cinematic plot' and the other said it had great commericial appeal.
So I guess its a glass half full day.
*sigh*
I still have a partial floating around at the moment, though with the way the week's going they could email back with a pass to.
Oh well, guess I'm spending the week toying with the new idea and doing more research.
So I guess its a glass half full day.
*sigh*
I still have a partial floating around at the moment, though with the way the week's going they could email back with a pass to.
Oh well, guess I'm spending the week toying with the new idea and doing more research.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thoughts
I've been trying to do at least one of the things on my 13 goal list I posted yesterday. Spent awhile this afternoon looking at blogger templates, the free ones :o) Can't afford a customized one at the moment and I think I found a couple I really liked. Tried to implement one and when I hit preview, it totally didn't take, the writing was way off to the side and too hard to read to make it worth hitting save. The second one had this weird About Me repeated 3x on the left side and I couldn't figure out how to edit it, so I reverted back to the old stand by for the moment.
I'll keep trying this weekend, see if I can get something to take. Though most of them are formatted for 'old blogger' which means I'll need to readd my links. So if you come by and there's a new look and your link is no longer there, let me know and I'll try to figure things out :o)
I'll keep trying this weekend, see if I can get something to take. Though most of them are formatted for 'old blogger' which means I'll need to readd my links. So if you come by and there's a new look and your link is no longer there, let me know and I'll try to figure things out :o)
Labels: blogs
Tagged
My first tagged of 2008. Didn't take long lol
Debbie Mumford tagged me for a game of tell-us-stuff-we-didn't-know...
The rules are:
1. I'm more comfortable in heels then flats
2. I love blankets with satin edging
3. my favorite food is Italian
4. When I get a new CD, I play it over and over again till I'm sick of it
5. I love music from the 1940s
6. According to my book database, I got almost 200 books last year *runs from tbr pile*
7. I collect my own seeds year after year, I have some that are the 8th generation or more :o)
Who do I tag?? That's tough. How about anyone who comes to the blog today who hasn't been tagged yet :o)
Debbie Mumford tagged me for a game of tell-us-stuff-we-didn't-know...
The rules are:
- List seven things about yourself
- Link to the person who tagged you (see above)
- Tag seven others
1. I'm more comfortable in heels then flats
2. I love blankets with satin edging
3. my favorite food is Italian
4. When I get a new CD, I play it over and over again till I'm sick of it
5. I love music from the 1940s
6. According to my book database, I got almost 200 books last year *runs from tbr pile*
7. I collect my own seeds year after year, I have some that are the 8th generation or more :o)
Who do I tag?? That's tough. How about anyone who comes to the blog today who hasn't been tagged yet :o)
Labels: meme
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Thursday Thirteen
First one of 2008
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
 |
1. Revamp and makeover blog (so if you know of any great free template sites, send them my way!) 2. Break out of my shell - be more talkative on the loops; boards; whatever 3. Start and finish 3 new projects 4. Catch up on my pile of review books 5. Get to at least one more game this hockey season 6. Go to at least one concert 7. Be more confidant 8. Spend more time outside this summer 9. Relax more 10. Learn to stop worrying as much 11. Bowflex my new BFF 12. Take a vacation 13. Learn something new Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Labels: Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
What else, but HOCKEY?
Wanted to share a little about the hockey game Monday night. Can I just say I loved my seat? Absolutely loved it. Out of all the places I've sat in Rexall, this could be one of the best seats. Sec 112. Just to the left of the goalie, a total complete view of the ice... and in warm ups its like they're charging right at you and aiming pucks right at your head lol It took a few minutes to get used to the loud bang every time a puck hit the glass or the boards.
And where I sat, I had no one in front of me which gave me a rather up close view of the players. I'd like to thank Trent Hunter for smushing numerous Oilers in front of me during the first period *g* DiP for taking long water breaks and turning to face my camera in the second and one of my fave ex-Oilers for the last two minutes of the 3rd period when he finally looked at me *g* and I managed some half decent photos (I hope.)
So some of the guys don't look much different in person, some are a little smaller than I remembered (Okay, so last time I was at an Oiler game half these guys weren't Oilers, but I digress...) finally got to see 2 of my fave Oilers up close (34 and 16 and not to mention the goalies, who I really wanted to see and those Islander guys...)
Garon was really impressive. Made a lot of great saves. And DiP's save in the third was amazing!
The Zack fight... I think he could do with some boxing lessons, but that's just me.
Enjoyed seeing Mikey again. Did not enjoy the idiots booing every 5 seconds.
But I totally enjoyed the game, had a lovely time despite the mile long trek from the car to will call on the icy sidewalk and the bridge. And I think I want to try and squeeze one more game in this season. Might even try to go to autograph day this weekend if I can make it, two or three oilers I wouldn't mind standing in line for.
And where I sat, I had no one in front of me which gave me a rather up close view of the players. I'd like to thank Trent Hunter for smushing numerous Oilers in front of me during the first period *g* DiP for taking long water breaks and turning to face my camera in the second and one of my fave ex-Oilers for the last two minutes of the 3rd period when he finally looked at me *g* and I managed some half decent photos (I hope.)
So some of the guys don't look much different in person, some are a little smaller than I remembered (Okay, so last time I was at an Oiler game half these guys weren't Oilers, but I digress...) finally got to see 2 of my fave Oilers up close (34 and 16 and not to mention the goalies, who I really wanted to see and those Islander guys...)
Garon was really impressive. Made a lot of great saves. And DiP's save in the third was amazing!
The Zack fight... I think he could do with some boxing lessons, but that's just me.
Enjoyed seeing Mikey again. Did not enjoy the idiots booing every 5 seconds.
But I totally enjoyed the game, had a lovely time despite the mile long trek from the car to will call on the icy sidewalk and the bridge. And I think I want to try and squeeze one more game in this season. Might even try to go to autograph day this weekend if I can make it, two or three oilers I wouldn't mind standing in line for.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Oh the best game you can name
is a good ol' hockey game!
Sing it with me :o)
Well anyways, I am off to the Oilers-Islanders game tonight *happy dance* Scored some tickets this morning and Dad and I are sitting only 4 rows apart (I'm taking the row 2 seat of course *g*)
Should be good, can't wait to see DiP in person and ex-Oilers Guerin; Mikey and Bergeron.
Sing it with me :o)
Well anyways, I am off to the Oilers-Islanders game tonight *happy dance* Scored some tickets this morning and Dad and I are sitting only 4 rows apart (I'm taking the row 2 seat of course *g*)
Should be good, can't wait to see DiP in person and ex-Oilers Guerin; Mikey and Bergeron.
Labels: hockey
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Bit of Promo
Not totally for me lol
Enchanting Reviews is hosting a chat with Lori Wilde this Tuesday at 8 ET.
www.enchantingreviews.com
Enchanting Reviews is hosting a chat with Lori Wilde this Tuesday at 8 ET.
www.enchantingreviews.com
Friday, January 04, 2008
Happy Belated Birthday To Me
Thanks for all the comments and e-cards, loved them! :o)
Well so far 28 does not feel much different than 27.
Went out to dinner last night, watched some Oilers hockey on TV, got a chocolate ice cream cake with blue roses on it. Not a lot of presents lol CD from my best friend (well got that last month when she came up to visit); the movie Practical Magic and a book from 2 of my good friends in Philly. Mom and Dad bought me the garnet and smoky quartz necklace I'd been wanting to get when I sold. So I guess that came ahead of the sale lol
Other then that, was a pretty quiet day. :o)
Once I get the film developed I'll post a few pics
Well so far 28 does not feel much different than 27.
Went out to dinner last night, watched some Oilers hockey on TV, got a chocolate ice cream cake with blue roses on it. Not a lot of presents lol CD from my best friend (well got that last month when she came up to visit); the movie Practical Magic and a book from 2 of my good friends in Philly. Mom and Dad bought me the garnet and smoky quartz necklace I'd been wanting to get when I sold. So I guess that came ahead of the sale lol
Other then that, was a pretty quiet day. :o)
Once I get the film developed I'll post a few pics
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Out of it
I've been on some weird insomnia kick the last week or so. I think it started Christmas Eve and continues to today. Yesterday was my own personal best of waking up at 3 in the afternoon. And I didn't even go out on NYE so yeah, couldn't figure that one out.
Watched a lot of movies this week though. Shooter with Mark Wahlberg. Live Free or Die Hard. Shrek 3. The Condemned. Scrooge (the original) and a couple other oldies. All were better than I thought they'd be, especially Shooter and Live Free, which I thought might not be that great, but I liked it. Always liked the Die Hard movies, so glad the 4th didn't disappoint.
Tackled the read and review pile. Remains of The Dead. A bunch of YA books, including the Arc of Audrey, Wait! which comes out uhm April? or May? Which if you like YA, definitely pick up when it comes out. Think its my fave YA so far. Another paranormal mystery, Tombs of Endearment (almost done that one). I get to tackle the tower of ARCs next which should be oh so fun. :o) I could definitely use the floor space they're taking up lol
Tomorrow as always should be a day of excitement (erm, not really) as its my birthday and my birthday has this strange tradition of being a complete and utter letdown. I think I'll spend it curled up with some WWE DVDs then watch the Oilers game at 7. At least that should be somewhat enjoyable. Dad took it off, so at least I should get a meal out of it if nothing else good.
Watched a lot of movies this week though. Shooter with Mark Wahlberg. Live Free or Die Hard. Shrek 3. The Condemned. Scrooge (the original) and a couple other oldies. All were better than I thought they'd be, especially Shooter and Live Free, which I thought might not be that great, but I liked it. Always liked the Die Hard movies, so glad the 4th didn't disappoint.
Tackled the read and review pile. Remains of The Dead. A bunch of YA books, including the Arc of Audrey, Wait! which comes out uhm April? or May? Which if you like YA, definitely pick up when it comes out. Think its my fave YA so far. Another paranormal mystery, Tombs of Endearment (almost done that one). I get to tackle the tower of ARCs next which should be oh so fun. :o) I could definitely use the floor space they're taking up lol
Tomorrow as always should be a day of excitement (erm, not really) as its my birthday and my birthday has this strange tradition of being a complete and utter letdown. I think I'll spend it curled up with some WWE DVDs then watch the Oilers game at 7. At least that should be somewhat enjoyable. Dad took it off, so at least I should get a meal out of it if nothing else good.
