I just passed the 75K mark in my latest wip, Jump Zone. A very small part of me is pleased because I've never written anything this long before. *yay*
But I'm groaning because I should be typing 'the end', except it's no where in sight :( therefore, I am a terrible judge of plot and/or pacing, take your pick. And I may eventually have to chop very large chunks of it out because if I continue to ramble along at my current pace, I've easily got another 10-15 K before finishing.
And people... it's just not THAT kind of book. It's not supposed to be all introspective and deep. It's supposed to be a futuristic adventure with bit of fun and action.
But... I don't feel like I should hurry it along at this point or it will seem just that... hurried along. Don't you hate books like that? Where you sense that the author just wanted it DONE ALREADY?
*looks to heaven* Please don't let that be me. sigh.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
500th post - I give you... eye candy
I got nuthin' people. NUTHIN!!
I planned on doing something special for this, my 500th blogpost... wracked my brains all night, but all I could think of was trees -- or the lack thereof in my latest WIP. No, I don't expect you to follow that...
So in lieu of a writing update, inspirational words, a rant or a meme, I leave you with this:
Enjoy ;)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Anti Resolution Meme
Julia tagged me for an Anti Resolution Meme, so I thought, 'Sure, I'll play along!!' Here are the rules:
The rules:
• List ten things you resolve not to do in the upcoming year.
• Be as creative as possible.
• Post them on your blog and leave a link to your blog in your comments to this post.
1. I do solomnly swear not to see the latest SAW movie. Or any of them, for that matter.
2. I will not send in the application to Procrastinator's Anonymous that has been sitting in my desk drawer since 1982.
3. I will not, no matter how he begs, run away with Brad Pitt.
4. I shall not, this year nor any, turn down free chocolate.
5. My bed shall not get made in 2009.
6. As hard as it'll be, you won't see me being snarky on the book review and/or gossip sites. Bad for the creative soul...
7. I won't pass up a book just because I'm anti 'buzz'. I almost missed out on Twilight and that historical that was set in India (the name has escaped me... sorry) because I felt I was being manipulated by 'buzz'.
8. I won't get into the habit of blogging every day again. :)
9. I'll try-try not to drop everything when the next JR Ward book comes out (but let's be honest... this will be the one anti-resolution I probably break)
10. When I get 'the call' (because it IS coming in 2009 - I feel it) I resolutely SWEAR not jump more than two feet in the air OR scream for more than thirty seconds without taking a break.
I'm tagging anyone who wants to play along!
The rules:
• List ten things you resolve not to do in the upcoming year.
• Be as creative as possible.
• Post them on your blog and leave a link to your blog in your comments to this post.
1. I do solomnly swear not to see the latest SAW movie. Or any of them, for that matter.
2. I will not send in the application to Procrastinator's Anonymous that has been sitting in my desk drawer since 1982.
3. I will not, no matter how he begs, run away with Brad Pitt.
4. I shall not, this year nor any, turn down free chocolate.
5. My bed shall not get made in 2009.
6. As hard as it'll be, you won't see me being snarky on the book review and/or gossip sites. Bad for the creative soul...
7. I won't pass up a book just because I'm anti 'buzz'. I almost missed out on Twilight and that historical that was set in India (the name has escaped me... sorry) because I felt I was being manipulated by 'buzz'.
8. I won't get into the habit of blogging every day again. :)
9. I'll try-try not to drop everything when the next JR Ward book comes out (but let's be honest... this will be the one anti-resolution I probably break)
10. When I get 'the call' (because it IS coming in 2009 - I feel it) I resolutely SWEAR not jump more than two feet in the air OR scream for more than thirty seconds without taking a break.
I'm tagging anyone who wants to play along!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
There's No One as Irish as Barack O'bama!
My friend Chris sent this YouTube clip of a song written about President-Elect Barack Obama and it is just brilliant. In fact, I almost assure you that you'll be singing along by the time they get to the last chorus!!
No wonder the entire world is excited about Obama's Presidency... it seems his ancestry touches all corners.
Here's the words so you can follow along:
No one as Irish as Barack OBama
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
You don't believe me, I hear you say
But Barack's as Irish, as was JFK
His granddaddy's daddy came from Moneygall
A small Irish village, well known to you all
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish As Barack O'Bama
He's as Irish as bacon and cabbage and stew
He's Hawaiian he's Kenyan American too
He’s in the white house, He took his chance
Now let’s see Barack do Riverdance
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish As Barack O'Bama
From Kerry and cork to old Donegal
Let’s hear it for Barack from old moneygall
From the lakes if Killarney to old Connemara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
From the old blarney stone to the great hill of Tara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
2008 the white house is green,
their cheering in Mayo and in Skibereen.
The Irish in Kenya, and in Yokahama,
Are cheering for President Barack O’Bama
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
The Hockey Moms gone, and so is McCain
They are cheering in Texas and in Borrisokane,
In Moneygall town, the greatest of drama,
for our Famous president Barack o Bama
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish As Barack O'Bama
The great Stephen Neill, a great man of God,
He proved that Barack was from the Auld Sod
They came by bus and they came by car,
to celebrate Barack in Ollie Hayes’s Bar
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
By
Hardy Drew
No wonder the entire world is excited about Obama's Presidency... it seems his ancestry touches all corners.
Here's the words so you can follow along:
No one as Irish as Barack OBama
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
You don't believe me, I hear you say
But Barack's as Irish, as was JFK
His granddaddy's daddy came from Moneygall
A small Irish village, well known to you all
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish As Barack O'Bama
He's as Irish as bacon and cabbage and stew
He's Hawaiian he's Kenyan American too
He’s in the white house, He took his chance
Now let’s see Barack do Riverdance
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish As Barack O'Bama
From Kerry and cork to old Donegal
Let’s hear it for Barack from old moneygall
From the lakes if Killarney to old Connemara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
From the old blarney stone to the great hill of Tara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
2008 the white house is green,
their cheering in Mayo and in Skibereen.
The Irish in Kenya, and in Yokahama,
Are cheering for President Barack O’Bama
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
The Hockey Moms gone, and so is McCain
They are cheering in Texas and in Borrisokane,
In Moneygall town, the greatest of drama,
for our Famous president Barack o Bama
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There's no one as Irish As Barack O'Bama
The great Stephen Neill, a great man of God,
He proved that Barack was from the Auld Sod
They came by bus and they came by car,
to celebrate Barack in Ollie Hayes’s Bar
O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara
There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama
By
Hardy Drew
Friday, January 16, 2009
From Typewriter to Bookstore
Ever wonder how a book goes from a writer's brain to the bookstore shelves? Check this hilarious version of reality out:
Thanks to author Margaret Moore, for bringing this to the attention of the Toronto Romance Writers.
Thanks to author Margaret Moore, for bringing this to the attention of the Toronto Romance Writers.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
RantFest: The Library
Buckle in kids. Auntie Wylie is sounding off.
I write at the library because I need quiet - no distractions. I chose the research department because it's in the basement (furthest spot away from the kids who are up on the top floor) and even chose a spot around the corner from the main stairs for fewest distractions.
Most days, this works. People come and go, some talk in hushed whispers, most simply get on with their library business without uttering a peep. I pop my earbuds in, tune in to some soft classical pieces - and voila, word count goes up. Usually...
So,... today this dude (not one of the regulars) sits down at a study carroll, hauls out his cell phone and starts yapping away in a normal street-volume voice! FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES!
Dude... not cool.
Yes, other library users have had quick and quiet conversations that usually consist of a whispered "I'm in the library. Call you back, kay?", which is the polite way to handle the situation, imo, but this guy clearly didn't understand the whole "shhh!" concept.
Quite a few people (including moi) tried 'the look', the throat clear, but nothing seemed to phase this guy.
And... AND... he further vexed me because was babbling in a foreign language which meant I was cheated out of a perfectly good eavesdrop!!
The nerve *huff*
On my way out, I said to the woman at the main librarian desk, that perhaps they could put a sign in the research dept politely asking patrons to refrain from cell phone usage.
But srsly... why? WHY should a sign have to go up??
WHAT happened to good old fashioned manners? Respect for others? A little decorum??
Your thoughts: Sign, manners, oh-Wylie-quit-bitching-and-write-the-damn-book-already. Take your pick!
I write at the library because I need quiet - no distractions. I chose the research department because it's in the basement (furthest spot away from the kids who are up on the top floor) and even chose a spot around the corner from the main stairs for fewest distractions.
Most days, this works. People come and go, some talk in hushed whispers, most simply get on with their library business without uttering a peep. I pop my earbuds in, tune in to some soft classical pieces - and voila, word count goes up. Usually...
So,... today this dude (not one of the regulars) sits down at a study carroll, hauls out his cell phone and starts yapping away in a normal street-volume voice! FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES!
Dude... not cool.
Yes, other library users have had quick and quiet conversations that usually consist of a whispered "I'm in the library. Call you back, kay?", which is the polite way to handle the situation, imo, but this guy clearly didn't understand the whole "shhh!" concept.
Quite a few people (including moi) tried 'the look', the throat clear, but nothing seemed to phase this guy.
And... AND... he further vexed me because was babbling in a foreign language which meant I was cheated out of a perfectly good eavesdrop!!
The nerve *huff*
On my way out, I said to the woman at the main librarian desk, that perhaps they could put a sign in the research dept politely asking patrons to refrain from cell phone usage.
But srsly... why? WHY should a sign have to go up??
WHAT happened to good old fashioned manners? Respect for others? A little decorum??
Your thoughts: Sign, manners, oh-Wylie-quit-bitching-and-write-the-damn-book-already. Take your pick!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Golden Globe Recap
Love the Golden Globes.... 2008 just didn't feel right without them. And this years telecast was lovely -- the gowns were stunning, everyone looked well-behaved (even you, Colin Ferrell!), but if I had the opportunity to say a few words to the participants, here's what I'd say:
Heath Ledger - (Best Supporting Actor -drama): Wish you could have been there dude. You are missed.
Kate Winslet - (Best Supporting Actor - drama and Best Actor - drama): You're delightful, but please, next time jot a few notes down so you needn't 'gather' so much.
Sally Hawkins - Best Actor (comedy or musical): eat a sandwich. Please. You're a grown woman with the arms of a six year old.
Demi Moore: I saw your nipples. That was more of you than I ever needed to see.
Gerard Butler: try moving your whole mouth when you talk.
Ricky Gervais: I enjoyed the entire telecast, but you, sir, are da man. Made the night, imo.
Robert Downey: they should have found an excuse - any excuse - to get you on stage.
Paul Giamatti: I don't care how good of an actor you are, the bald on top-curly and longish around the sides doesn't work on anyone.
Meryl: You were robbed. I never even saw Mamma Mia, but you were forced to sing with Pierce Brosnan so that has to be worth something... at least a medal.
Brad & Angelina - it's okay that you didn't win your respective categories, you get to go home with each other.
Mr. Cruise: You know the rumors about you, don't you? For heaven's sake man, your wife is an actress. You should have brought her and left your mom home to babysit.
Drew: the Angie Dickinson c. 1968 look worked for you, somehow.
Seth Rogan: you got too skinny. Now people take you too seriously. Seriously. That's why they didn't laugh at your lame jokes.
Tina Fey: best speech of the night. Thanks for not boring us.
Did you see the Globes? Thoughts??
Heath Ledger - (Best Supporting Actor -drama): Wish you could have been there dude. You are missed.
Kate Winslet - (Best Supporting Actor - drama and Best Actor - drama): You're delightful, but please, next time jot a few notes down so you needn't 'gather' so much.
Sally Hawkins - Best Actor (comedy or musical): eat a sandwich. Please. You're a grown woman with the arms of a six year old.
Demi Moore: I saw your nipples. That was more of you than I ever needed to see.
Gerard Butler: try moving your whole mouth when you talk.
Ricky Gervais: I enjoyed the entire telecast, but you, sir, are da man. Made the night, imo.
Robert Downey: they should have found an excuse - any excuse - to get you on stage.
Paul Giamatti: I don't care how good of an actor you are, the bald on top-curly and longish around the sides doesn't work on anyone.
Meryl: You were robbed. I never even saw Mamma Mia, but you were forced to sing with Pierce Brosnan so that has to be worth something... at least a medal.
Brad & Angelina - it's okay that you didn't win your respective categories, you get to go home with each other.
Mr. Cruise: You know the rumors about you, don't you? For heaven's sake man, your wife is an actress. You should have brought her and left your mom home to babysit.
Drew: the Angie Dickinson c. 1968 look worked for you, somehow.
Seth Rogan: you got too skinny. Now people take you too seriously. Seriously. That's why they didn't laugh at your lame jokes.
Tina Fey: best speech of the night. Thanks for not boring us.
Did you see the Globes? Thoughts??
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Viruses... GRRRRRRRR
My computer was struck by a virus earlier this week (OH NOES!) but I didn't know it, so spent most of Friday on the phone with my isp trying to figure out why my internet wasn't working. Not only wasn't working, but not recognizing my passwords (panic much?) and eventually kicking me out of everthing. The kindly man on the other end of the phone (who could get into my account just fine on his end) suggested I try another browser as mine had obviously been corrupted, but no matter what I tried - Mozilla Firefox, Safari - I had the same result.
Cruel nothingness.
Long story short (I know, too late) I got my computer back from the computer doctors yesterday (my love for them knows no bounds!!) and voila - I'm all fixed up and not terribly poorer.
But man, did I realize how dependant I am on my laptop. Like Winehouse-on-crack dependant!
And because of the computer drama, I missed my monthly RWA chapter meeting. Bummer since I can't make Feb's meeting due to a Bermuda-family visit.
But in writing news, I'm ticking along on my futuristic novel, currently titled JUMP ZONE. The inner editor in me made me go back to the beginning to start revising, even though I'm not finished the first draft yet - because the plot was beginning to get too complicated to remember everything I needed to go back and change. In the process, 5,000 new words have been added and getting everything in the right order will give me the drive I need to continue. I'm at 65 K now and I figure I'll end someplace between 75,000 and 80,000. YAY - the end is in sight!!
And now, dear blogworld, I'm going to lose myself in Red Garnier's latest novella... but OOPS, it's not in bookstores yet (look for it in late 2009!), so without further ado...
neerer, neerer, neerer
;)
Cruel nothingness.
Long story short (I know, too late) I got my computer back from the computer doctors yesterday (my love for them knows no bounds!!) and voila - I'm all fixed up and not terribly poorer.
But man, did I realize how dependant I am on my laptop. Like Winehouse-on-crack dependant!
And because of the computer drama, I missed my monthly RWA chapter meeting. Bummer since I can't make Feb's meeting due to a Bermuda-family visit.
But in writing news, I'm ticking along on my futuristic novel, currently titled JUMP ZONE. The inner editor in me made me go back to the beginning to start revising, even though I'm not finished the first draft yet - because the plot was beginning to get too complicated to remember everything I needed to go back and change. In the process, 5,000 new words have been added and getting everything in the right order will give me the drive I need to continue. I'm at 65 K now and I figure I'll end someplace between 75,000 and 80,000. YAY - the end is in sight!!
And now, dear blogworld, I'm going to lose myself in Red Garnier's latest novella... but OOPS, it's not in bookstores yet (look for it in late 2009!), so without further ado...
neerer, neerer, neerer
;)
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Informal Poll: Do you like them LONG or SHORT?
Oh for heaven's sake... remove your mind from the gutter.
I'm talking about Chapter Length. I'm struggling with this issue in my latest wip and would love some feedback...
I broke the sections into logical places, but now am worried that they're much too long. In terms of word count - they go from 2000 to just over 4000 - which puts some well over 12 pages (and writers: I'm still in Times dbl space -- haven't converted to NY standards yet so you know they'll be longer).
So tell me, readers and writers -- what do you prefer?
A) Long meaty chapters that let you fully escape into the writer's world
B) Short - couple-of-pages-only, so that staying up to read 'just one more chapter' doesn't take you a year
C) a combination of the two because you like the variety, or...
D) I've never paid attention / I just don't care
I appreciate any and all opinions :)
I'm talking about Chapter Length. I'm struggling with this issue in my latest wip and would love some feedback...
I broke the sections into logical places, but now am worried that they're much too long. In terms of word count - they go from 2000 to just over 4000 - which puts some well over 12 pages (and writers: I'm still in Times dbl space -- haven't converted to NY standards yet so you know they'll be longer).
So tell me, readers and writers -- what do you prefer?
A) Long meaty chapters that let you fully escape into the writer's world
B) Short - couple-of-pages-only, so that staying up to read 'just one more chapter' doesn't take you a year
C) a combination of the two because you like the variety, or...
D) I've never paid attention / I just don't care
I appreciate any and all opinions :)
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Weekly Update - January 4, 2008 (for lack of a more exciting title)
One more day until the kidlets are back in school. Can I hear an "Oh yeah!"? I've enjoyed our holiday time together, but quite honestly have exhausted every means of entertainment at my disposal and am more than ready to get back to some routine.
We played board games, did puzzles, crafts (it'll take me all of January to get the dried glue off the kitchen table) and went bowling.
Saw two movies -- Bedtime Stories (highly recommend!!) and The Tale of Desperaux (meh - visually lovely but the story was all over the place), went to Chuck E Cheese, and played hours of Wii -- in fact, yours truly won the 2nd Annual Wii Olympics, I'll have you know, which is a total joke if you could possibly fathom how unathletic I truly am!!
In terms of my resolutions, I've made positive steps on # 5 & #6, which were, respectively, to shed some weight and exercise more. I joined Weight Watchers *little groan at the thought of chocolate depravation* and bought an exercise bike.
I enjoyed the WW meeting -- sort of like going to my monthly RWA chapter meeting in terms of boosting confidence and motivation, but my bike clicks when I ride, which means I need to take it back. But hey - if you're savvy, you've realized that I must have USED my bike to know it clicks, so that's good, eh??? ;)
Writing has been placed gently but firmly on the back burner during the holidays - aside from the contest entry - and will hopefully get back to a boil come Tuesday. I look forward to those few hours in the afternoons when I can hide away in the library with my laptop and iPod...
I leave you with...
Overheard at the Kinsons:
Sweetness (aka 4 year old): Mom, who's cuter... me or you?
Me (surprised by question): You are, buddy.
Sweetness: I knew you'd know the right answer!
We played board games, did puzzles, crafts (it'll take me all of January to get the dried glue off the kitchen table) and went bowling.
Saw two movies -- Bedtime Stories (highly recommend!!) and The Tale of Desperaux (meh - visually lovely but the story was all over the place), went to Chuck E Cheese, and played hours of Wii -- in fact, yours truly won the 2nd Annual Wii Olympics, I'll have you know, which is a total joke if you could possibly fathom how unathletic I truly am!!
In terms of my resolutions, I've made positive steps on # 5 & #6, which were, respectively, to shed some weight and exercise more. I joined Weight Watchers *little groan at the thought of chocolate depravation* and bought an exercise bike.
I enjoyed the WW meeting -- sort of like going to my monthly RWA chapter meeting in terms of boosting confidence and motivation, but my bike clicks when I ride, which means I need to take it back. But hey - if you're savvy, you've realized that I must have USED my bike to know it clicks, so that's good, eh??? ;)
Writing has been placed gently but firmly on the back burner during the holidays - aside from the contest entry - and will hopefully get back to a boil come Tuesday. I look forward to those few hours in the afternoons when I can hide away in the library with my laptop and iPod...
I leave you with...
Overheard at the Kinsons:
Sweetness (aka 4 year old): Mom, who's cuter... me or you?
Me (surprised by question): You are, buddy.
Sweetness: I knew you'd know the right answer!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy New Year!!
My FIRST post of 2009!
I'm a big believer in New Year's Resolutions - and for you cynics... yeah, I normally break them all, but heck, if you don't have something to reach for, you'll never take a step. That's my philosophy anyway... And what better day to start anew than January 1st.
Not many this year, but this is what I'm aiming for:
- Finish Jump Zone by Feb. Revisions by April.
- Try to get agent representation. In terms of end date, this one is out of my hands, but I can say that I'll start querying no later than March.
- Continue and finish either Elements of Attraction or Caught in Possession... we'll see which is calling me after Feb -- by October.
- Get another short story or novella out with Ellora's Cave. I've been concentrating on my non-erotic novels for some time now, at the expense of the fun short stuff.
- Get rid of 10% of me. Yes, the inevitable weight loss goal, the one I always seem to blow by Jan 2nd. But I gotta try!
- Exercise regularly. Yup, another one that'll last a week, maybe two ;) Srsly... I go in spits and spurts and I stay consistent if I want results!
- Read more. My TBR grew and grew but I just didn't have much time to devote this year (even gave up listing them on my sidebar months ago...) I won't try for the 65 books I managed in 2007 -- in fact I hesitate to put a number on it, but I'm hoping for more than 30.
Do you share any of these? If so maybe we can support each other :)
Happy, Healthy & Successful New Year to all of you!
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