It's been over a month since I posted. And the last thing I posted was that my dog, Darlington, passed away. Two days later my grandmother went into the hospital for the third time in two months. After three weeks there was nothing more they could do for her. Last week I said goodbye to the woman that raised me, and my best friend.

It's hard not seeing her or talking to her everyday. There have been a lot of good things and bad things in my life lately. I'd give anything to talk to her about it. She always seemed to know the right thing to do.

So I'm a little lost right now. I can't really promise that I'll try to write more now that I'm not spending all my spare time in the hospital. But I am here and thank you to all of you who have been sticking with me.

Darlington

Darlington

April 17, 1996 - January 28,2009

Unfortunately, not yet

I was ten minutes away from sitting down and telling you all the good news. My grandma was out of the hospital and on the road to recovery. Not to mention that the huge project that I needed to get done before the 31st was finished today. So there would be nothing stopping me from blogging all the time.
Sadly, right before I sat in my computer chair and booted up, the phone rang. Back to the hospital I went. And as if our family didn't have enough to deal with, Darlington, my childhood dog, is not doing so well. I think we're getting into the final hours. Between it all I am drained but still here. And I will be back on a regular basis soon.

We interrupt this blog...

Okay, I know I'm suppose to be posting more and I know I've had a lot of excuses but I swear I have good reason.
I've had a family member in the hospital. There was a simple surgery that wasn't necessarily simple, but everything turned out okay. Hopefully, they'll be out of the hospital soon and start working on their long and difficult recovery. Until then, I've been at, and will be at, the hospital.

Another thing going on is that I'm making a pretty big change in my personal life. It's an exciting change, that among many positive results, should allow me to spend more time at home, thus giving me more time to write blog posts and fiction.
This isn't something I can fall behind on either. It has to be done by the 31st. No excuses. And I had this whole schedule on how to get it all done by then. That plan went out the window the minute I headed out to the emergency room. So I'm trying to balance both things right now.
It's not leaving me any free time but by the end of January, I should have things together.
If that's possible.

What I should have sent to writer's group.

Yesterday, I realized that I had writing group this weekend and I had nothing to send. I took a section of my super long story because it was basically all I had. Of course, it was a chunk right from the middle so it didn't really make a lot of sense. And I hadn't written anything new so I hurried to type up another section that I had originally written long hand due to the lack of computer.
Everyone seemed to like my extremely passive and indecisive character. There weren't really a lot of notes about the story it's self since I've only sent two sections of a very long story and they were out of order.
Hopefully, I'll have something better for the next meeting. I'm not really sure that I was ready to have that story read by others. It's still incomplete. Although, it is nice to know that it's not off to a bad start.
I just now realized that I could have sent Worth Something, since it's practically done. The rear view mirror is always cleaner than the windshield, I guess.

50 in '08!

I did it! I finally did it. I read 50 books in a year! Here are the books I read in 2008.



1. Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

2. The Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind

3. The Blood of the Fold by Terry Goodkind

4. Temple of the Winds by Terry Goodkind

5. Soul of Fire by Terry Goodkind

6. Faith of the Fallen by Terry Goodkind

7. Pillars of Creation by Terry Goodkind

8. Naked Empire by Terry Goodkind

9. Chainfire by Terry Goodkind

10. Phantom by Terry Goodkind

11. Confessor by Terry Goodkind

12. The 36 Hour Day by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins

13. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

14. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

15. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder

16. The Golden Notebook by Doris Letting

17. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult

18. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

19. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien

20. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien

21. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien

22. Wicked by Geoffrey Maguire

23. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

24. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behren

25. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

26. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

27. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

28. Blood Is the New Black by Valerie Stivers

29. Atonement by Ian McEwan

30. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

31. Forever Odd by Dean Koontz

32. Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

33. The Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

34. Twilight by Stephenie Meyerr

35. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

36. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

37. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

38. Cravings by Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks and Rebecca York

39. Four Past Midnight by Stephen King

40. Everything's Eventual by Stephen King

41. Gates of Eden by Ethan Cohen

42. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

43. 20th Century Ghost Story by Joe Hill

44. Storm Front by Jim Butcher

45. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

46. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

47. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

48. Death Masks by Jim Butcher

49. Holidays on Ice by Dave Sedaris

50. The Tales of Beetle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

It's gonna be a Happy New Year!

Yes, it's really been over a month since I've posted. I'm sorry about that. I don't have the lack of computer as an excuse anymore. There were the hectic holidays keeping me busy. The shopping, planning, cooking, cleaning, etc..., but really that still no excuse.
Honestly, my absence has been for a lot of reasons. I became unaddicted when I had to live without my computer, so I didn't have that need to post. Another thing is that a lot of my regular readers, who are also blog writers, haven't been posting on their own blogs as much or reading this blog as much. And sometimes it's just discouraging to write when it feels like no one is reading.
Honestly, though, the biggest reason I haven't written so much is because for the last year or so I've been working on something. Not a writing something but a personal something. And I don't regret the sacrifices I've made because I feel they've been worth it, but I think I've been putting it before myself and I've been down that road before. It's not a good one. So my New Year's resolution is to not give up so much. It's very vague but there's no way to define it in terms.
Last night, I think I made some head way in getting something I want that will help with my goals. I'm hoping that works out.
My goals for this blog are simple. Blog more, read more blogs and try to get some new readers.
Happy New Year!

Get back to work

Yes, I have a new computer. So why haven't I posted more? Well I have a job that takes up too much time. And I'm not at home much (it just recently occurred to me that a laptop is mobile). Plus, the holidays are hectic for me. In my family, I always host the holidays. I do the planning, the shopping, the cleaning, the cooking, the cleaning and it's time consuming.
Enough excuses, I need to get back to it. Writing group will be meeting a week from today, which means I need something to send by Fridayish.
What to send? My last story was such a success that I'm worried nothing will live up to Secret Identity Crisis. I have no new funny stuff. So I might have to go back to drama.
I have a short story, Worth Something, that examines the value of money and what it means to different people. It's basically done. I wrote it in long hand and planned to put the finishing touches on it as I typed it up, which I'm about half way done with.
I could take a section of my short story turned novella that I still have no title for. No one dies in either story but they are both a bit depressing.
There's also the option of scrounging up something super old or writing something completely new.

Aside from writing group I need to get reading. I need to finish four more books by the end of the year to finally accomplish my goal of reading 50 books a year.

The Bestest Friend Ever!

Jenni is the bestest friend ever because she gave me this new awesome computer that I'm now using. It's much faster and has many more great attributes than the last one I had. The best part is that Jenni gave it to me out of love, not because she wanted free Internet.

And since I'm using terms like "bestest friend ever", let me tell you what I did last night. I went to see Twilight. I know, why, when I didn't really care for the book? I had some weird hope that the screenplay would add more action and cut out a lot of inner-dialogue, which is usually what movies do to ruin stories that I loved in book format. This movie left in all that whiny, selfish inner-dialogue and had about five minutes of decent action. No good. I wanted to leave in the first fifteen minutes. Slow moving and completely unsuspenseful. Of course, the giggling and applauding teen girls in the crowd apparently thought differently.
I dragged Slipstream with me and he says it doesn't matter if he "looks" 17, he's still over a hundred and dating a 16 year old. And that's just not right.

Reading update

Since I've been away from blogger world, I haven't had a chance to update on what I've been reading. I haven't even been able to add to goodreads.com.
While my new job doesn't allow much extra time for writing. I also haven't had a lot of time for reading. I miss those eight hour shifts with nothing to do but read.
I'm still on track to read fifty novels this year. I'm up to forty-three. So that means a novel a week for the rest of the year.
Right now, I'm finishing "Odd Hours," the most recent book in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series. I go back and forth with these books. I really liked the first one. Odd is funny, even though he's not trying to be, so his interaction with others is what I like most. Unfortunately, in book two he was solo most of the time, which I didn't really enjoy. Book three brought back some of that great interaction, which I enjoyed. Book four he's mostly solo again. And it's too bad because a lot of characters, that help Odd, are real fantastic. Not to mention, the book has a very vague ending, which does set up a sequel, but left me feeling really lost.

Back in time.

When I first started I didn't have a lot of readers. Of course, I don't have that many now either. I feel like my first posts have never been read by anyone but myself, so I thought I'd repost a few. What was on my mind three years ago ? Here's a post from November 13, 2008.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Sharing your imagination
Another comic book show today and I couldn't stand to be there. No, I'm not getting tired of comic book shows or comic books. I'm getting tired of not being there to promote my own comic book. All I do is sell and by other stuff and it makes me feel gloomy. It's not that I want to make money, I have no expectation of making the big bucks or the small bucks for that matter, I just want to see my work done. I want to see my accomplishment. I want to see other people enjoying my work.I've been thinking about my writing a lot this week. With the new Harry Potter movie drawing near it makes me think. This happens often when something I really enjoy comes into the spotlight. I get envious. Not because J.K. Rowling is rolling in piles of cash or bombarded with fan mail. I'm sure those things are great but I think about how much I love her books. When I come home from work or have stressful moments I jump into these things and I feel better. I leave the world and life I am tired of and enter these amazing places and become these amazing people. I have always had the imagination to create these places for myself but it's wonderful seeing others. Sometimes you get bored or in a mental block and you can't carry yourself away. That is when you engross yourself in someone else's imagination and you experience things and learn things. It's when you get the chance to experience happy times that you don't have in your own life right now, you get to see horrible things that make you realize your life isn't that bad, or you get to see that their are other people who face the same things you do. That is how I feel about the things I read and watch. I don't know if it is the same for everyone, maybe I over think things or don't think enough. Perhaps I am even bordering on insanity. All I know is that if there is one person or everyone in the world that feels the same way I do, I want to share my imagination with them for the times when they need help breaking away.It's not that I write only for other people, I write for myself. If you told me no one would ever read my work, I'd still write everyday. I have so many thoughts in my head and I'm so afraid one day I'll forget them. I have to put them down. I don't need to be rich or famous, I've never had either and I have had a great life this far. Yet when I did have tough times I always had somewhere to go. Whether it was in my own head or in a book, when my parents yelled, the kids teased, or my heart was broken I didn't sit around and focus on how much I hated things. I ran away to a place that let me be free from troubles. Then things were good. It's those good things that give you the strength to face the bad things, because you know the good things will come again eventually. I want to give the good things.That is why I write. I'm just getting anxious because I really want to share it with as many people as possible, if they want to read it. I think about how much I enjoy diving into worlds created by others when I need a break from my imagination as well as my life. If no one else wants to see it that's okay because I have it for myself. That is how it started and I still love it.

Pass it on

Normally, I'm not down with chain mail. If you send me an e-mail saying I'll have good fortune if I forward it, I won't do it. If someone sends me a myspace message that says I'll die if I don't repost it, I'll take my chances. However, today I got a cool chain letter that I actually think could be fun. I'm asked to send a book, just one, that I've enjoyed to another person, that is named on my letter. Then I send out six of my own letters that will have the person that sent the letter to me listed on it. The people I send the letters to should in turn send a book to my sender and then send out letters with my name. So if each person sends one book and six letters they will receive 36 books.
I know it seems like most chain letters are a scam, and some are, particularly those that involve money, but I have to get behind this one. First off, it's one book. It can be used and I'm sure everyone has one book sitting around somewhere that they don't plan on reading again. Second, books are cheap to send. Ask for media mail at the post office. It's less than $3.00 for books. Third, it's basically just a book exchange, which I do with lots of people already. The number one thing I give to and lend to people is books. I like to encourage reading. It's becoming a lost art, in a world of t.v. and video games.
So I'm going for it. I'm going to do it. I already know what book I'm going to send and I plan on listing any books I may receive. I hope it works out and that the people I select keep it going because it seems like a super cool idea.

Moving On

With the new job, new apartment and a few other things in life, I've really been putting a lot of things behind me for good. And for once I can honestly say I'm happy. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't miserable before now. I've been content for a while, but right now I'm happy. Life's not perfect but it's pretty good.
Of course, during the bad times, I wrote a lot of stories. And I'm starting to think that my writing was a little too personal. Now I look back on those stories and I don't even want to touch them. That part of my life is over. No need to go back.
When I was with my writing group, talking about the last piece of the Christmas Bells, I realized I just didn't like the story anymore. And a lot of me wondered if it was because I wrote this story for a person that I had to leave behind. A person who isn't in my life anymore because it was them or me and I chose me. Who wants to look back and dwell on that?
So I'm left with the question of how much of my own life should I put into a story? And if I chose any at all, how do I push forward with my work, when that part of my life is over?
If I choose to keep my personal experiences out of it, then where do I find the ideas and the emotions to write?

Things to do

Now that I'm back online, I have a ton of stuff to do. I've missed out on so much, which means there is too much to catch up on. So I'm making a little list to keep track of what I need to do.
First, I need to get my blog in shape. I need to update my side bar and, of course, post on a regular basis. Second, I need to go around to all the blogs I use to read frequently and let everyone know I'm alive. I've actually already commented on a fair few so that one should be done soon.
Third, I need to catch up on blog and live journal reading. I'm not sure how far back I should go. I did catch a post here and there at the library, but I feel lost when reading some of them.
Fourth, MySpace and Facebook need updates. This again is mostly so people know I still exist.
Fifth, I need to get cracking on submissions, this goes for snail mail as well.
Sixth, list tons of books on half.com
Seventh, just to be on the safe side, I should keep up on the job hunt. Just in case.
Last but most important, is to catch up with my friends. I did get an e-mail out to Jenni, but it's no where near the length it should have been. I haven't IMed with D.B. Echo in a long time. Not to mention my other friends that have moved away and I kept in touch with through e-mail.

That's not funny. Is it?

Last night our writing group met and I took Secret Identity Crisis, my script turned prose story. It’s a bit of a parody and meant to be comical. It’s not something I normally write. In fact, as I’ve mentioned before, my writing group was actually making fun of how tragic my stories usually are. So I guess I thought of myself more as a dramatic writer rather than a comedy writer.
Although, I must admit I love comedy. I think comedy writer’s have to be incredibly intelligent to know what will make a person laugh. Tina Fey is one of my writing role models, and it was actually Mean Girls that inspired me to write Secret Identity Crisis. And for the record, I am not a fair weathered fan. I was admiring Tina Fey long before she was doing an almost scary impression of Sarah Palin.
Anyway, I never really thought of myself as a comedy writer, but I do like to write comedy, I attempt to be funny and sometimes it does make people laugh. I just don’t really think that I’m funny. But I took my comedy story to writing group mostly because I didn’t have anything else finished and I thought I would take a silly story to show them I wasn’t a completely depressing writer. I didn’t really go with high expectations.
What shocked me is the writing group’s love of the story. They thought it was funny and they liked it. One of them said they thought it was my best work thus far. Another said I should seriously look into submitting it because it was so unique.
To be honest I was shocked. I got really excited and started thinking off all the possibilities for it. Maybe I could make it longer. Or maybe it could be a comic book or movie.
Then I realized something. The first story that I got published in a literary magazine was Sweaty Palms, which was humorous, not a serious story. My most favorite thing that I’ve ever written and the story I thought had the most promise of anything I’ve ever worked on was Behind the Naugahyde, a comedy. There were agents who actually wanted to read more after a query.
So maybe comedy is my thing. Maybe I’m not as bad at it as I thought. It’s definitely something to think about.

Alive and well!

Guess who's back on the Internet in the comforts of her own home? If anyone guessed me, they're right! I'm so excited. I can't wait to get back to blogging regularly, IM chatting, checking out all my favorite blogs, and finally listing the hundreds of books that I have sitting in my room. Did I mention I'm totally excited?

Today I hope to get around to a few of my favorite blogs and say "hi". So I'm off but I'll be back tomorrow with an awesome post. I'm going to post everyday this week in celebration. Let the joyous news be spread!

Two in a row!

Over the past week, I made my first attempt at converting a script into prose. It was actually a mini-movie that I wrote. There were never any plans to make it but I always thought it would work better as a movie. If I were forced to describe by using other movies as examples I would say that it’s kind of a cross of Clueless and Clerks.
I was worried that it wouldn’t work in prose but the transition seemed to work out okay. I was able to use inner monologue for the main character and I think that definitely added something. Although, I think visuals would add to the humor.
The plan is to take it to writing group tonight and see what they think about it. I’m sure they’ll just be excited that I finally sent a story that is upbeat and funny (I think).

I'm still alive.

It’s November 1st. The start of NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo. It’s probably no surprise that I don’t plan on committing to either of these this year. Without Internet access, NaBloPoMo would be a difficult task. And while I really should do NaNoWriMo, I just don’t feel like I can.
I have started adjusting to the new job and finding more time for writing. But I still have a lot of unfinished projects to catch up on. There is one significant change that I would like to make in my life that would give me more time to get things done but that change isn’t possible at the moment so I have to make the best of what I have.
The past two Novembers I got slammed with serious family problems. I hope that doesn’t happen again this year but I’m always worried about the possibility. While September through December is my favorite time of the year, it’s not always the kindest to our family.
So no commitment to either NaMo but I do want to at least post more than the few times I managed to post in October, which was twice. So that shouldn't be hard to do.

It seems like nothing but updates

Sorry it's been so long. I didn't mean to neglect my blog. I miss it dearly and really wish I had the chance to write and read blogs more often. I know it seems like all I do lately is give updates. That's mostly because by the time I get back around to writing it's time for another update. So here's the news.

First off, my roommate is lending me a computer that she was going to recycle after getting a new Mac. So providing that it's willing and able, I might have regular Internet access by next paycheck. *fingers crossed*

Second, writing group met again and I got a chance to give them the last half of Christmas Bells. I'm pretty sure that if I do anything with that story, I'm going to need to lengthen it. It goes too fast and really has a lot of room for more.
Anyway, now I'm left wondering what story I should take when we meet next month. My writing group thinks I'm notorious for unhappy endings and they're right. I haven't shared one story with a happy ending. I think someone dies in almost every story I've given them. So I promised a happy story this time.
I have a few old short stories written, but they're nothing I really wanted to fuss with. I'm almost finished with my short story about the money and whether stealing is wrong if money has no value, which I've tentatively titled Worth Something. No one dies but it is a bit pessimistic. I could always write something new but I think I might attempt to turn a script into a prose. I have on in mind that's a fun parody of sorts. If not, I might take the first part of my super long short story/novella. Once again, it's a bit pessimistic but no one dies.

Behind the Naugahyde is back

MySite, is the website company that Jenni and I went through for BehindtheNaugahyde.com. Originally, they said "if you don't want pop-ups, you have to pay." Jenni paid, but over the last few years we hadn't been using the site much (I know, shame on us!) so we figured a few pop-ups were okay. Well, to be truthful we didn't even really think about it. That is until Jenni had a mysterious charge on her card. She fought with the MySite people and they said they'd reverse the charge... as well as shut our site down.
That's when the awesome Jenni, decided Blogspot is way more popular than MySite and it's FREE! So she started us a snazzy blog that you can see here behindthenaugahyde.blogspot.com. It has all the old material, just formatted a little different. And hopefully, the new change will motivate Jenni and I to start working hard.

Getting back to business

The job at Goodwill is going well. My schedule has been a bit crazy since I'm training, but next week I go to my permanent home and hopefully, I'll get settled in.
It's quite different to have a job where I can't read, write and be on the Internet. Although, I have managed to write on my lunch breaks, since it doesn't take me a full half hour to eat.
I'm really excited to get back to writing more regularly. I have an itch I need to scratch. There's a lot of built up ideas waiting to get out. Some of them are new, others are working on rewriting, revising, editing and submitting my other works. I feel like I could burst with everything going through my head.
Slipstream has been giving me heck about not writing. He's taking no excuses. He's done everything from offering to buy me paper and pencils, giving story suggestions and just telling me I need to go home and work on a novel. He knows I hate to let people down so I guess I better get to work.

Another idea for the to do list.

While I was organizing my writing folders a few weeks ago I had another thought. There were unfinished stories that I had forgotten about long ago but what about the finished ones that have never had a chance.
Sure, I actively submit my short stories but what about the other stuff? Well none of the novels are really ready for queries, and I’m not sure if they ever will be but what I’m talking about is the scripts.
I don’t think it’s any secret that what I really wanted to write is comic books, but I started writing short stories because it’s hard to get anyone to look at comics without an artist. And after a long, frustrating search for an artist, I thought I might have more luck if I was a published writer. So I ventured into short stories, which I actually like writing.
But I still have a few comic scripts and I also have a short film script. I’m pretty fond of most of these stories and I’m really sad that they are just sitting there.
The other day I got to thinking that maybe changing them into short story format, or even novella or novel for one of them, might not be the worst idea. At least then I would know how to go about getting them published. And even though I make them into prose doesn’t mean that one day they can’t go back to their original format of comic book. Look at how many books and short stories are turned into comic books or movies.
That means I have yet another thing to add to my to do list. It seems I keep adding stuff but how many times do I write to say that I can finally scratch something off the to do list.
Hopefully, I'll adjust to my new schedule and get my computer problems fixed soon.

Back on track

The new job is so far so good. Today is my day off so I'm trying to get some stuff done. Like submissions, posting some books and catching up on blogs. And we have writer's group tonight. Due to weddings and vacations we didn't get a chance to meet in August. I was worried once school started in September that we'd be done again, but it looks like we'll get at least one more meeting in tonight.
I'm taking part 3 of 4 of my short story, Christmas Bells. I'm a little worried about what I'll do if we end up not having another group meeting now that that school's back in session. I'll be left with a quarter of my story unreviewed. One of the hazards of working with English teachers, I guess. Although, they are the best people to have critiquing your work.
Well, I'm going to try getting around to blogs now. I'll try to comment so everyone will know I've been by to see them. Hopefully, I'll get back to posting at least twice a week.

A little info on the new job

Hello! Wow things are so crazy for me as if I haven't said that before. Thanks for all the nice comments. I hope to get back to writing on a more frequent basis now that my schedule will be straightening out.
In case anyone was curious, my new job is at Goodwill. Not only is it full time with benefits but Goodwill has an amazing mission. All of their store profits go to helping people with barriers find employment. So I'm really exciting that my new job includes helping so many people.
Well, I'm not quite sure what my new schedule will be but I'll try to post soon.

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.

Books are my new blogs

I want you all to know that I feel very lonely not having regular Internet access. I miss my daily blog readings. If your blog is in my sidebar I most likely checked it daily, if not twice daily because I have no life. Now I only get to check them once a week.

I'm trying to get over my loneliness and utilize my time without the Internet. I'm happy to report that I'm up to 32 novels this year, which has me well on my way to this being the year I finally read 50 novels.

I finished Iron Kissed from the Mercedes Thompson series, the werewolf books, by Patricia Briggs. I was seriously surprised by the end of the last book. Usually nothing bad ever happens to the main characters. Something almost always prevents it just in time. This book did not end up like that. I was amazed the writer had the nerve to do that. And from what I read she's writing another book in the series. I'm curious to see how that turns out.

Today, my co-worker and future roommate lent me the last book of the Twilight series. I find the main character to be selfish and whiny, and I can't understand why two immortal and supernatural beings are fighting over her. Yet, I can't seem to go without ever knowing how it ends. My co-worker dropped me some hints about why I'll like the main character, Bella, even less.
After that I'm not sure what I'm going to read.

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...