Coming Home

It's been three long weeks without Internet and thanks to moving there was little chance to get to the library and do anything, but I'm back now. We managed to get moved into our new house. It's in the same neighborhood that I've lived in twice before. The neighborhood where many of my friends from my school days lived. I love it here and I'm glad we found this house. I have a huge office. (I need to get a big comfy reading chair!) And a whole room for my sale books. There's also a closed in porch for me to write outside but be free from the rain and mosquitoes. It's in a great neighborhood to walk so that I can think things through and there's a park nearby to sit and write at. Plus, there's a huge basement and garage that leaves lots of room for Slipstream Graphics to paint. And the garage leads to the possibility of some very big paint jobs.
This house is a writer and artist's dream come true. We're very happy here. I'm so excited.
And we're finally unpacked for the most part. There's still a few books in boxes but everything is set up and I'm ready to start cranking out some stuff.
The thing I love most about this house is that there's no tension or drama among roommates. There's no one bothering me every second. It's peaceful. And despite having a wonky work schedule, I'm pretty content right now and I feel that if I could just find a routine, that I could really make some progress with writing.

Moving and movies

I'm going to be moving soon. Hopefully, this next place will last more than a year. So right now I barely have time to get anything finished for writing group. But by the time the move is over it will be right on time for fall submissions, which is when most of the literary magazines come off summer hiatus. In theory, it will be perfect timing. We'll see how that goes.

I did go to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I was a little disappointed with how much extra snogging there was and how much of Voldemort's past there wasn't. They also butchered the final fight scene at Hogwarts and no funeral, which could have been a really good scene.
However, the scenes with Harry on Felix Fix and Ron on love potion were pretty funny. I also thought the young kid that played child Tom Riddle was really good. And I think they did a really good job with Malfoy's character.
Hopefully, the next one has less teen romance and more of the battle with evil wizards!

Change

I'm almost done with the last of moving. Once Tuesday comes around and I turn over the keys, it will be done.
And today, I type this post at the shoe store I would have worked at for four years in September. Sadly, today may be my last shift. I might work a day or two more if my new work schedule permits it.
On Tuesday, I sign over the keys to my old house and then start my new job. Oh and it's the start of autumn, my absolute favorite time of year. I hope this means good things to come. Like more time to write.

After this week I should get back on track to some extent or it could be crazier than ever.

Status update: The major part of the move is done. I still have trash to get out and cleaning to do. Then there's unpacking at the new place.
Oh and did I mention while all of this was going on I managed to get a new job? That's right, a full-time with benefits job.
How ironic that I get the job, that would have prevented me from having to move, the same week that I move. Well, at least now I'll have a year to save up. Hurray!

It should be over soon

I'm at the library doing a quick e-mail check. Sorry I haven't gotten around to posting sooner. Things have been so hectic. I move on Saturday. Sunday we're suppose to have writing group. Tomorrow I'll be working at the store with Internet so maybe I'll have a minute to post something better than this. Once August is over I should be back posting more often. I'll be at the store with Internet more often. Also I should make it to the library more since I won't be spending every second cleaning and packing. And maybe this move will save me enough money to get my computer fixed.

Getting organized

Over the last week I’ve been attempting to pack or toss everything I own. One of the things that I started going through was my writing stuff.
I’m not sure how other writer’s function but here is my set up. I have a two-drawer filing cabinet that’s filled with files and notebooks. Most of my short stories have their own file. All of the novels have a notebook and a few files. Then there are other files with story ideas and other writing like old articles and reviews. I also have a few folders full of research. Oh and I can’t forge the folder full of rejection notices.
On my desk is my “current” pile, which is stuff I’m supposedly working on.
That’s my system. The other day I figured it would be easier to move if it was organized. So I started off attempting to file away my current pile only to realize that the two drawers had become terribly unorganized. I decided it would be best to pull everything out and do something with it.
I have to say after all the computer crashes and file losses, seeing all of these print copies and hand-written stories gave me the feeling of not being completely lost. It was nice to be able to hold my work in my hands. Although, I still had the worry that it would suddenly burst into flames.
As I sorted through everything, I found quite a few things I had started long ago and forgotten about. When I first started seriously writing, I had started a short story about a journalist who is trying to get a story about the mafia and somehow ends up in the mafia.
There was a nother story that I started a while ago about a mysterious hotel that seems like it’s paradise but is the exact opposite.
Obviuosly, the notes and thoughts I had about each of these stories are much more detailed and hopefully more interesting. I was really excited about both of these stories when I first came up with the ideas for them. I have started both of the stories just never finished them for some reason or another. I’m going to put them on my to do list not that I’ve really been making a dent in that lately.

Quick Update

I had a relaxing weekend, despite sunburn. Ouch! Now I'm back to working, packing, selling, cleaning and dealing with companies that put a charge to my account twice.
I missed writing group this week because I didn't make it back in town on time. Everyone else in the group will be out of town for the next two weeks so we won't meet again until the 24th, which is the day after I move.
Other than that, I've been trying to do some reading and writing during my long, empty hours at work. When I'm there today I'll try to write a really good entry and post it the next time I'm near a computer. Until then...

Finally moved in!

I am back! I am finally moved into my new house and while I haven't even come close to having everything unpacked, I do have my computer and most of my office up and running (pictures to come soon I promise).
I have also started back into my writing!

In way cooler news....Jenni and I have a near finished query letter. So it might not be long before were sending out proposals for a novel!

Fan letters

I was reading a book about getting into comic writing. One of the writer's giving advice, who's name escapes me right now (I can't look it up because the book is packed and waiting for transport), said that he had never written any comics before getting his first job writing Green Lantern for DC. They gave him the job because they had come to know him through the 100 or so letters he had published in the back of their comics. I haven't seen any readers letters in the back of DC lately but I have seen they are in Marvel. So once I get through this crazy, hectic thing called relocation, maybe I should start my letter writing.

Out of old, into new, starting my...space!

I'm still in the process of packing and the big move will begin on Monday. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, and just ready to get it over with.
I haven't really been working much on writing, mostly because my office is a room full of boxes. It's a little hard to find the room or the time. I'm hoping to get unpacked and set up as soon as possible. I don't want to waste anytime.
I did apply for a comic writing job today. Since I have no experience with an actual published comic book, I probably won't get it. Trying never hurt though.
My new house also has a pretty nice garage that I plan on using more for a creative space. My office will still be in the extra bedroom but the garage will be excellent for my giant project. So I plan on decking it out.

In hopes of networking with more writers, artist, editors, and cool people in general, I have started a myspace page. I know it's horrible but it might be beneficial.
Ashley's myspace page . I haven't decided on a URL yet so right now it's just the generic one. I'll link to it on my side bar too. Right now it's not too exciting but I hope to add to it little by little.

On a complete non-writing note, I'm participating in the Race for the Cure, to help the fight against breast cancer, on Sunday. My family and I will be walking in memory of my Aunt Jackie. If anyone would like to sponsor me or join me in the walk please visit my page on the fundraising website. Don't worry if you can't donate, I'll still love you. Thanks!
BTW sorry to everyone who has already read this message from me.

Bye

Well since I will soon be leaving my house I thought I would post pictures of my first office. This is where most of my writing has been done for the last three years. Sorry, Batman fell down:(

On the move.

I've slacked off on the blogging lately for one good reason. I'm moving.
Last week my slumlord called and told me to get out because he wants his house back. So I spent last week in a panicked search. Thankfully I found a new place in a timely fashion. I'm moving in on May 1st. Now I'm on to packing, which if you've ever been to my house, you know I have a lot of stuff. I'm a collector of many things. Action figures, comic books, books, statues, comic art, shot glasses, DVD's, CD's. Each of the categories I named means I own well over a hundred of each category. I'm certain the comics go into the thousands. I also have an office with about four file drawers full of writing in some state of completion.

The funny thing is I never realized how much moving affects my writing. First off I have have submissions out that will be coming to this address. Yes I know there is forwarding but I've noticed things can slip through the postal service cracks. And we all know if there is one person that wants to publish me, it will be the one whose response letter doesn't get forwarded. Second, I couldn't start my big project because it's just too huge to move mid-project. So it's on delay. Also I'll need to make new business cards. Plus moving all my junk and the time that I waste packing, moving and unpacking in which I could be writing. Hopefully things go well and the transition is smooth and fast. We'll see.