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...

On the move

What's going on in my world? More things, other than having no computer, to district me from blogging and writing.
First off, it's hot. And we all know how I despise hot. I've been lucky this year, so far. There have been years where this heat has started in May and continued through September. This year it didn't really get hot until mid-July. I'm anticipating heat through August, but September better cool off.
Other news. I'm moving. Again? I know. It seems like just 2 years ago since I moved and that's pretty close to correct. But I'm broke and I can't afford my lavish life style anymore. One housemate wasn't enough. I need two. And my current house is too small for that. So I'm out.
On the bright side hopefully the money I save on rent will allow me to get my computer fixed. I'm not counting on it, just wishing.

The Weekend

I have the weekend off from work. So today is my last chance to post without going a whole week without posting. Unless of course I made it to the library this weekend, which could happen.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything deep and meaningful to write. Just a few updates.

Writing group went well on Monday. Sadly, we're starting to fade out again. August is filled with vacations and weddings. Before you know it, school will be back in again. We're going to try to have a few more meetings in August and make an attempt at meet once a month during the school year. Hopefully, we can hold it together.

My summer reading list is getting longer. I started reading the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz, as well as continuing with my werewolf series by Patricia Briggs. I'm not sure what the series is called but I just read the second book, which was Blood Bound.

And I've given into peer pressure. Thanks to my co-worker, I'm now on the third book with of the Twilight series. Those young adult romance novels about a girl who falls in love with a vampire. Apparently, they're huge. There's a movie coming out in December and the fourth book comes out next week and they're having midnight book parties for it. I have some thoughts about these books but I'll share later when I'm done.


Also, I miss my Internet friends. I hardly ever get a chance to e-mail Jenni anymore. I haven't had a IM chat with DBEcho in forever. I've tried my best to keep up with every one's blogs. Hang in there with me. I'm trying to fix this.

And I've added another link to the sidebar. Chad is another writer who stumbled into this blog. I've checked out his blog and I think the links worth sharing.

Unsorted and unnamed

Last year my computer crashed, thankfully I had everything on a flash drive. The flash drive that eventually erased itself somehow. Then I was left with nothing. All my work gone, except for anything I had hand written or had sent to someone.
It wasn't the first time I had lost work but it was the most work I had ever lost. Someone was able to recover big chunks, but not everything. The minute the recovery happened, I spent my day saving everything to an e-mail account. I figured I'd always be able to access my work from anywhere.
Don't worry I'm not about to say that something devastating happened to said e-mail account. Everything is fine *Knock on wood*.
What did happen was that I quickly saved everything not bothering to label any of it. So now that I'm considering showing some of my work to others, I wanted to find some of my really early stuff, or at least stuff that I'm not currently submitting. That means that I had to open every single e-mail I sent to myself and figure out what the heck was in it. Thank goodness it's been slow here at work.
It's really sad to realize how much I lost. The thought of retyping everything that I have printed or handwritten makes my head hurt. Not to mention my recent computer malfunction that did take a few une-mailed documents with it. Whether or not I'll get those back remains to be seen.

I don't want to share

Sometimes I have these weird moments when I tell somebody I'm a writer and they tell me they would love to read something that I wrote. Most of the time I don't stress it because I might never see them again or at least not often enough to have it be a huge deal that I keep "forgetting" to bring my work.
There are other times when people I see everyday, finally ask to see some of my stories. That's when I seriously panic. There's no way of getting out of it other than to say "no," which of course they'll take personal offense to when really it's not them, it's me. Seriously.
I'm paranoid that they are going to think my work is a joke and I can't just not ever see them again, like when I send my writing to editors. I never have to see them. No problem. But if it's someone I have to see because I work with them or just like their company, then that's stressful to me. If my story is not good enough to be published then I can't convince myself that it's good enough to let others read.
What if these people I see everyday, think my story is ridiculous? They would never tell me that to my face, so I would spend every minute thinking that they think I'm a bad writer.
Anyway, this all started when my boss decided he was going to write a novel and decided to chat with me about writing. Now he wants to read my work. How can I get out of that? I can only put it off for so long.
Then the other night, Slipstream decided he wanted to read what I've written. And to me that is even worse. He's very accomplished in his creative work. Lots of people pay him money to share his creative genius. It's hard standards to live up to.
Sure, I give my work to my writing group but they're putting themselves out there as much as I am so I feel like it evens out. Of course, I can always share work that the writing group has already read. I know that it can't be too incredibly terrible if my writing group had positive things to say, right?

Give it up?

With my computer down, I've been hard at work on other stuff. Thankfully, I had a full printed out version of Going It Alone.
However, the more I edit it the more I think it's an insane mess. It might be time to just let it go. There's just too many bits and pieces. Too many different formats. Too many different perspectives. Too many different stories, which means too many different characters. I just think it's too hard to follow.
There are a few scenes that are good, but I could always use those later in other works or perhaps I could add a little to make them into short stories. And then there are the short stories themselves. I still have the five short stories that can definitely stand alone without the whole novel. So it wouldn't all be a loss.
I'm just having a really difficult time with the connecting story. I feel it's too boring. And part of it was suppose to be journal entries and the other part third-person narration. I tried changing it all to third-person narration because it all seemed a bit much, but I'm still not sure.
I'm not sold on the idea of being done with it. Perhaps I'll pass it around to the writing group and get their thoughts.

Summer reading

Not having a functioning computer has given me lots of time for reading. I was hoping to have 25 by the end of June to have me on track for 50 books in a year. I have 26 books read and am working on 27. YAY!

I finished the Thirteenth Tale and it was pretty good. There was a crazy twist at the ending. And the author wrote it so that the clues were there all along but they weren’t obvious clues. I enjoyed it.

After that I didn’t really have anything on hand to read so I started reading an Ann Rice book I had on hand but had never read, The Mummy. I haven’t read all of her stuff, just a few things. For the most part I like her work, but I wasn’t really getting into this book. I had been reading it for three days and only had 50 pages done. For me that’s not normal.

So I went to the library looking for Dean Koontz, James Patterson and Patricia Briggs books, all which have been recommended to me, and I promised I would give a try. I went to a smaller branch that didn’t have much in stock, except for books that seemed to be in the middle of series and I can’t dive in like that.
Then I remembered a movie preview I had seen when I went to see Get Smart, which was hysterical, go see it. Anyway, the trailer for this movie looks funny so I thought I would check for the book, He’s Just Not That Into You.
It was a short book that I read in a day. Not funny at all. In fact it was non-fiction but I can see how they would get the idea for the movie from it. It got me thinking about situations that myself and my friends have been in or are in and it bummed me out. Of course, this book is just one guy’s opinion but if he’s right, which seems logical, then I must say ‘boys are stupid, throw rocks at them’.

Then I finished up my Ann Rice book, because I really can’t start reading something then stop. It got better the more I read it, but the ending was a bit boring. And overall it just moved too slow.

After that I did find the first of a Patricia Briggs series, Moon Called, and the book was really good. It revolves around the lives of werewolves, which I thought was interesting. Usually, they rarely show the human side of werewolves, it's more a "they're scary and will eat you" kind of thing. This book really went into how they live normal lives and how they control themselves, so that they can blend in with society. It seems like this is pretty common with modern vampire fiction, but this was the first time I found it with werewolves. Maybe I just don't read enough werewolf fiction.

Now I'm reading Atonement, another book about a writer writing. I saw the movie, which, I really liked and was worried I wouldn't. I thought it was going to be a cheesy romance and I was happy to be wrong, even though the story was tragic.
I find it really interesting how the movie stuck so strongly to the book, even with what the characters were wearing. At least as far as I can remember. Maybe I'll have to watch it again once I'm done with the book.

Just saw: Hancock

Good news for a change

I realize my last post was a bit depressing. Well all my post of late have been a bit depressing. So here’s a post filled with nothing but goodness.

The first news is that I wrote a short story. Well, a very short story. Flash fiction. I think I mentioned the idea before. It’s kind of a Romeo and Juliet of one-night stands. That’s mostly why I kept it very short, and didn’t give any of the characters names. I wanted it to be short and anonymous, just like a one-night stand. I think it worked well.

And so did the people in my writing group. Yeah, that’s right, I said writing group. It’s not a new one. It’s the old one. I took a chance once the school year was over, and assumed that maybe my writing group members might be less busy now that they weren’t teaching for the summer. And they weren’t. We met last Monday and we all had work.
It felt very productive and I was excited to show my new story.
I think I’m going to edit my holiday story, Christmas Bells, for our next meeting, or at least part of it.
We’re trying to meet every other week. Hopefully, all goes well.

Not again...

Okay, I have a really good excuse for not having posted. My computer is down and out. It’s not recognizing its software. I don’t know when I’ll ever have money to get it fixed so it could be a while.
Isn’t it funny how I always seem to have major computer problems in the summer? Of course, maybe it’s better this way. I always notice that less people visit my blog in the summer and people seem to post less often during the summer. Probably because they’re out in the nice weather, where as in the winter there’s nothing but cold outside so what better to waste away time than being on the Internet.
My computer being down is just as well. I don’t usually get much typed in the summer months when I’m not in air condition. And my house is not air conditioned.
Besides I actually seem to get more written when I don’t have the Internet to get caught up on. Sure, I have to write by hand and type it in later but I actually prefer that. I feel more connected to my work when writing by hand. Plus, typing it in later is a chance to edit.
And aside from getting more written, I’ve actually spent time walking Kreeg, cleaning, organizing, riding my bike, working out and other kinds of productive stuff. I will make it. I think.
On the bright side, there is always the library and I can use the computer at work when I get a few spare minutes. So I will try to keep posting and checking everyone’s blogs. How often I’ll get to it, I’m not sure. Just know I miss you.

Sunday night, someone I really cared about said somethings that hurt me more than I ever thought possible. In the middle of the night, while I couldn't sleep, I wrote the best piece I think I will ever write.

Another book about a writer writing

My friend, Ray, just lent me a book. She thought of it when I was on my search for books about authors writing for my Going It Alone query letter.
The book is called The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It was #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list. And it has a wicked cool cover of old books piled up, which is actual what interested Ray about. Yes, she judged a book by it's cover but she says it's because she's an artist, thus she judges everything visually to some extent, and therefore is excused. Or something like that.
Anyway, I'm only a few chapters in but I'm intruiged already. I'm excited that it's not only about stories an author wrote but it's main character helps run a used/antique book store. There's lots of talk about selling old books, which definitely interest me since owning a successful book store is right up there with becoming a successful writer.
I'm curious to see if this book will be something to mention in my query letter. I'm not sure that the Golden Notebook is the right thing, seeing as how it's older and gives very high standards to live up to since it was written by a Nobel Prize winner. So maybe this book will be a better reference.

'Hey, did you know your work was in a magazine?'

I was hanging out with my RC Car painting friend today. I feel I've mentioned him enough that he needs a better blogname so from here on I'll call him Slipstream, since that's the name of his airbrushing business. The term has something to do with RC cars but I don't really remember what.
So I'm hanging out with him today and he hands me a national RC magazine and turns it to a full page photo of a car. I stare at it trying to figure out what the heck I'm suppose to be looking at. Perhaps some sweet paint job that he wants to attempt or something he thinks looks like crap and can't believe it got into a magazine. I'm not an artist so sometimes I don't exactly notice the little technical things that really make a difference, one way or the other.
Then I realize 'hey, that's your logo!' How totally awesome for him that he got a full page picture of his work in a national magazine! The issue was from April and he didn't even know the picture was in there until one of his customers mentioned it to him. He didn't send it in for consideration, someone just took a picture of a car he painted for a pro RC racer and it was a sweet enough paint job to end up in a magazine. Needless to say, I'm super happy for Slipstream and he was pretty excited. Now I'm trying to find a back issue of it because I totally want one.

It got me thinking how cool it would be to have someone just walk up and say 'oh I read your story,' and have it be a total surprise. Of course, that doesn't exactly happen in writing because it has to be submitted, it's not something that just gets stumbled upon. Although, it always seems that way in the movies doesn't it. The incredibly talented person, who thinks they're not talented at all, somehow or another finds out they really are talented when their work happens to fall into the right hands. They make it look so easy.

Anyway, I just wanted to write about how awesome it is for Slipstream to have such a cool thing happen, because he's super talented and really deserved it.

Simultaneous submissions. Go for it. There's nothing to lose and lots to gain.

My absence was too long. Don't worry I have excuses. I'm busy. And I'm having computer issues. I think. I'm not really sure what's going on with me anymore.

Now onto a subject I've been meaning to write about for a while. Submissions. A few weeks ago someone came to this blog searching for advice on whether or not to obey the rule when certain publishers say "no simultaneous submissions". And it was just a few days ago that I got a submission back in the mail that got me really motivated to finally write about it.
Just to clear things up for anyone who has no clue as to what I'm talking about, with magazines, agents and book publishers, some will look at work only if it's been sent to them exclusively, others don't care.
Obviously, most writers prefer places that accept simultaneous submissions. Rejection rates are high and it takes most publishers/agents a while to respond. On average a few months but sometimes up to a year. So if a piece of work is not sent out to more than one potential at a time, it could take years before it finds the right place to be published.
Part of me thinks that it seems unreal that publishers would actually expect a writer to not send submissions simultaneously. Of course, I can understand their point-of-view. They spend LOTS of time going through LOTS of submissions. So no simultaneous submissions would cut down on that pile. Also, how frustrating would it be to spend so much time reading subs, finally find that perfect story, then find out it had been sold to another publisher while it had been lost in the pile. I can see how that would be annoying.
Some publishers get around this problem by requesting that a writer tell them in a query letter if the work has been sent to more than one publisher and to let them know if the piece they submitted is accepted elsewhere. Fair enough, I think.
So the question comes down to, does a writer listen to the publishers who say "no simultaneous submissions"? Honestly, how would they ever know that you had sent it elsewhere? Besides, in a subjective world full of rejection, what are the odds that two publishers would both accept the same story? And what could they do to a writer if they did send a simultaneous one to a publisher that didn't accept them?

My thoughts on the whole thing is that I have been respectful and always mentioned in my cover letters that my submissions are sent out simultaneously. And I don't send them to magazines that request not to get simultaneous subs. However, I do get frustrated with publishers that don't list their policy either way, then when you send them a submission that you labeled simultaneous, they send it back without a glance because they don't accept simultaneous submissions.
Postage, supplies and time wasted for the writer for being honest and the company would have looked at it if the writer had just failed to mention it had been sent elsewhere.
So my new policy has become that I will send simultaneous subs to anyone that accepts them. If they don't accept them, I guess I'll continue to respect that. But if they don't say one way or the other, I'm sending them anyway, but not telling them so because life is too short to wait for your dreams to come true.

Follow the links and pass it on. Please. And thank you.

I know there aren't many people reading this that don't read Supertiff's blog and have already read all about Daniel and Leanne but there may be someone out there who hasn't seen this. Also maybe for those who already read it on Tiffany's blog but have yet to take action, perhaps this will motivate you somehow.
A while back I was reading a post at Supertiff's and followed a link to a blog called Following Lingling As She Gives Lymphoma a beat down. That is where I read the overwhelming story of this amazing family. (Thank you Tiffany for the link.) Anyway, I've checked back from time to time to see how things are going and I'm happy to report they are going well.
Leanne is healthy now but their family is still trying to help others with lymphoma. So once again Daniel is going to go on a hundred mile bike ride to raise money and he needs everyone to cheer him on by making a donation.
I don't think I can tell their story anywhere near as well as they can so I ask everyone to follow this link to read their story. Then go here and donate.
Got all that? I can't imagine reading their story and not wanting to help even if it's just a small amount.
So please read it and even if you can't afford to donate, just give a link on your blog.
I thank everyone for taking the time to read this and hope you'll consider helping.

Nobody...is ever gonna bring me down

Okay, I'm done complaining. I had a great weekend that I got to spend with the most important people in my life. They all exceeded expectations in making my days. I am no longer giving up on all of humanity.

I spent too much time enjoying my companions and time off to get anything written this weekend, but I'm okay with that.

Now I figure I better mention my thoughts on Wicked before I forget what it was about.
I'm a huge Wizard of Oz fan. In fact, when I was little, my grandma, Dorothy, told me the movie was about her. I cried for days feeling so bad that she had gotten carried away by flying monkey's. I really thought it was about her and that's probably why I love it so.
Anyway, Wicked, obviously, didn't have the light-heartedness and childhood optimism the Wizard of Oz movie had. I've never read that book so I can't say how Wicked compares on that level.
Overall, I thought the book was good. It was an interesting take on the story of the wicked witch, who wasn't really wicked at all. It just depended on who's point-of-view you were looking from. And according to this book even Dorothy didn't think she was wicked, no one really did.
I questioned some of the freaky sexual behavior that was thrown in. It didn't really seem to be relevant to the story most times.
I have to say I liked the first part of the book, way better. The characters' growing up and at school were the best parts. After that it seemed a lonesome road that spanned way too many years with not much going on.

I hear the musical is quite different and it seems it would have to be. I think a few friends and myself are going to attempt to see it when it's here in August.

Now I continue with my Lord of the Rings trilogy. And I have another book lined up to go after that.

Burst Into Flames

This has been in the works for a while but today has set me off beyond belief. I have another excellent reason why I want to become a successful writer. I want to be able to move out in the middle of nowhere with no one around and no one to deal with except an occasional editor and a few choice people. Why, you ask? Because I am sick of humanity. I can no longer stand the selfishness and distrust of everyone I come in contact with.

I am tired of listening to people whine about the fact that no one bothered to waste their time making the absolute perfect shoe for one single person's feet and only charge $10 for it. I just want to say to them, 'yes it sucks that you can't find a shoe that is the exact size, price, comfort, look, color, heel, toe, back, front, top, bottom, side that you want but get over it. You're too friggin' picky. Stop acting like the whole world is out to get you. You're just lucky that you can afford shoes and they are available for you to buy. Their are people all of the world that would take two shoes that were falling apart, two different styles, two different sizes and just be grateful that they didn't have to walk miles everyday barefoot.'
I don't know if I'll be able to hold my tongue for the next person that jumps out of their luxury sedan and gets attitude with me because the store I work at doesn't have a white sandal for them to take on their cruise, then asks me "well what am I suppose to do," as if I should drop everything in the world to solve this problem.

And I'm tired of the people who e-mail me because they did not receive their $10 item exactly five days after they paid for it. I'm sorry, sometimes there are way more important things in my life than driving to the post office everyday to get every package out on time. Look I have to sell my stuff because my hours got cut and work and I can't pay my rent. I have to wait for your money to transfer from paypal before I can afford to pay the shipping. I don't want to have to post my possesions on eBay everyday. I'm sorry that I try to save time and money by only going to the post office 2-3 times a week. I'm sorry that my Internet got shut off and I couldn't answer your e-mail the minute you sent it. I'm sorry that I need to work, help out my family and take care of my own problems, thus not giving me time to drop everything for you. I'm trying really hard here but I'm not perfect. Your package got out late, it's not the end of the world. If that was the worst thing that happened to me I'd be filled with joy.
And before you act all big and bad behind your harsh words typed on your keyboard hundreds of miles away, check my excellent feedback and realize that I am not, in fact, trying to rip you off of your $10 and perhaps, just maybe, you could think about all the reasons that the package might be late other than me stealing from you. For instance, something bad happened to me or someone I care about, there was an error somewhere along the way or perhaps the seller has a life outside of selling stuff on eBay and had a lot going on that was extremely important to her, and thus your package got in the mail a few days late.

But if all of the shoe shoppers and eBay buyers took a few minutes to realize that the world is not perfect and that it doesn't revolve around them, what would I write about? Freedom, Love, Beauty, Peace, Truth, Joy, Love, Compassion, Understanding, Kindness, Courtesy, Sharing, Harmony? I don't suppose anyone would want to read about those. The concepts would be to foreign. They wouldn't relate to my work and they'd go online and bash it under the title of 'anonymous'.

Okay, I'm sorry but I just really needed to say that. And speaking of flaws into humanity and the wanting of the perfect shoes, I have finished Wicked and will write my thoughts on it shortly but right now I need to do something, I'm just not sure what.

*I have written this in a not-so-happy state. Forgive me for run on sentences or spelling and grammar flaws. I just needed to get it out asap.

Beginnings, Middles and Ends

My access to the Internet is no longer restricted. Yay.

Thank you to everyone for their concern about my family's bad news. I don't really want to go into it much, I'll just say that we knew that it was going to happen and we figured it would be soon. And even though we still don't know much, the news is still hard to take. If any of that makes sense.

It's been a crazy week and weekend. Lots going on. Work, baby showers, promotion parties, match making, quality time with loved ones. Just tons of stuff really.
I know that I still need to write my post about Wicked, as well as the post about submissions. I promise I'll get one or more done this week. Right now I just have a lot going on. Stuff to ship, bills to figure out, people that I need to spend time with. And did I mention I started a new job this week.
I wish I could sing a joyous song about my exit from the shoe store but that won't happen for at least three months. My news job is at an elementary school. Their school year is about to end so in three weeks I'll be on summer break, which they don't pay me for. So I need to sell shoes until then and maybe longer. I'll have to wait and see.
I'm super excited about working with kids. I think they're fun. They imaginations are full of wonder. I'll have some good experiences to write about, which may come in handy if I ever do write a children's book. That idea has definitely crossed my mind more than once.

Excuse me

I didn't finish reading Wicked. I didn't write the post about submissions. I didn't write the post about research on painting lessons.
My plan was to write or read while at work tonight but we were actually busy. And to be honest I'm not really have the best of days. I'm restricted to Internet access at work only, which is bummerish . My car is broken, which is frustrating. And we got some bad news in our family to day, which is devastating.
So I haven't gotten much of anything done and my mind is so out of it right now that I probably couldn't get much done even if I had time.
I might not get to post for the next few days but I'll try. .

Before Dorothy and Toto went over the rainbow

My mind was pretty much made up but after the swaying of Missy and Whim, I decided to definitely go with Wicked. And so I'm in the middle. I probably could have finished it in one work shift but I did other stuff too. I'll post a little more about that in a minute.
While reading Wicked there are some interesting points about good and evil and how they are different for everyone because of how each individual perceives things. This was interesting to me because I've been pondering an idea for a short story about whether or not taking money is wrong if you don't actually value money or if money has no value to you.
These two things intertwine a little bit and so I'm curious to see where this goes. Because so far in Wicked, Elaphaba ,the future wicked witch, is actually a good person and Glinda, the future good witch, is not so nice. Not to mention that the lovely wizard that attempts to help Dorothy get home is a bit similar to Hitler. So needless to say I wonder if there will be a turn of events or if it's all going to be about perception. Did each writer have different values that made certain characters good and others bad? Curious to find out.

On another note, I did do other things at work. Some work on my novella, which is what I'm now calling it since it's longer than a short story but potentially shorter than a novel. I know I could just name it but that would be to unconfusing.
And I did some submissions. No, I didn't write my long post. No, this is not that post. But I will say it's about submissions. I also have another post about my novella research and the answer another artist gave me about the first lesson in painting. Not to mention I will have another Wicked post once I'm done.
All to come this week. Stayed tuned!

How to fill the time at work

My plans had been for a longer post on an actual topic, but I have a ton of books to put on half.com. Also I work at the incredibly slow store tomorrow so I'll have plenty of time to write a longer post.
I'll also have time to write and edit other stories. Not to mention I might get some reading done. I finally started on the Tolkien collection. Last week I reread the Hobbit and I must really not have payed attention the first time around because I didn't remember much particularly the ending. Now I feel I should read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but I'm not sure I will.
It seems most logical but we've been talking a lot about Wicked the book because Wicked the musical is coming back to town after it sold out in record numbers here last year. Most of the discussion has been about how different the book is. So I might read Wicked next. And thanks to a really crazy story, I do happen to own a copy of Wicked so I can read it any time. The only reason I'm thinking now is a good time is because others want to borrow it when I'm done and because it's not like the Hobbit is part of the LOTR trilogy, so it seems like a good time to take a break.
Is it just me or do I seriously over think which book to read next?

What to do

It's true. Be careful what you wish for, you might get it. I wished for one thing and got two. Now I have to make a choice. Both have pros, both have cons and the decision will affect my immediate and my long term plans. I'm pondering a lot right now. Neither has much to do with writing, but I still needed to share.

In writing news, I chatted with an artist friend today, Ray, the artist I formerly referred to as R. I felt the name Ray was a bit more characterful, plus her vibrant outfit choices are like a ray of sun.
Anyway, she gave me extensive notes on what the first lesson in painting would be, which is what I wanted to talk to an artist about. Apparently, color charts are the way to go. I learned a lot about colors. Although, it's a hue, a tint or a shade. See I'm listening. So now I can write my next scene in my short story that is now a novel. I think Ray is going to be very helpful. I'll have to have her read it for accuracy when I'm done. Yay for a degree in Fine Art!

Also, I worked on subs today. Nothing huge, just a few here and there.
Postage has or will go up soon. I'm too lazy to check on the date. Another $.01 increase. At least this time I won't have to buy extra postage because of the forever stamps. I wish I had extra cash so I could stock up.

Clearly!

Ugh. I'm starting to feel like even attempting to have a relationship with someone is just more trouble than it will ever be worth. Although, when it goes bad it makes for great story material.

I didn't really have much to say other than that. I did have a long and boring day at work which left time to edit Going It Alone, work on submissions and on my current story. Before I can carry on with the new story I need to hunt down one of my artist friends and pick their brain.

I also thought of a really interesting story idea about right and wrong and how they are defined by what we value. For instance, is stealing money wrong if it doesn't have a value to you? Something for a character to ponder.

I had to get up super early today to get some stuff done before work so I have still not caught up on my sleep. Early to bed for me tonight.

I'm sleepy, I smell like taco meat and I want to go home.

Okay, I didn't really have anything important to say but I felt I must post because I haven't in a while. Also, the title of this post was seriously my slogan at work today and I felt that it was so awesome that I needed to share it with others.
I stayed up way too late the other night reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was a good book, a tear jerker really. I know many debate about whether her writing style is the best but for me I couldn't put the book down because I was so anxious to find out what happened to the characters. And I felt a bit personally connected to them in ways. Anyway, in short, I stayed up way too late. I have yet to recover from all this because I haven't had a chance to properly sleep.
So I'm tired and then in my hurried state I somehow thought Taco Bell sounded good for lunch. I hadn't been drinking, which is about the only time I really crave Taco Bell, so I'm not sure what brought this on. My stomach, my breath, the after taste and the grease I drizzled all over my sweater, all made me regret this lunch decision before I even got to work. That's why I smell like taco meat. And it's pretty cold here today so going without the sweater was not an option.
Plus we're in the middle of our SAS sale, which brings out all the wackos and they are not wackos that can help themselves. Well, they won't help themselves. They need EVERYTHING done for them regardless of how many people you are trying to wait on at once.
All of this is why I wanted to go home. And here I am. I'm getting ready to edit a short story and send it to a contest that's deadline is tomorrow. Then I'm sleeping. I'm not even going to read before bed tonight because I'm so tired, plus I have no book to read.

Just watched: The Mist
Just read: Batman: The Long Halloween
Currently listening to: Refuge-Tom Petty

A Long Day

Yesterday I spent over eleven hours at work. I spent most of that time finishing the Golden Notebook and working on my short story-turned novel.

The Golden Notebook was definitely not what I was expecting. There was a lot of communism and a lot of women sleeping with married men. And there were quite a few characters with similar names as characters in Going It Alone such as Anna, Richard, and Tommy. Odd, I know. Also, there were a few similar things that happened to certain characters.
The book did cover an author and the stories she was writing and how her everyday life inspired those, which is what I wrote about. I definitely think it would be a good reference for a query letter but I almost wonder if it's too good of a reference.

As for the short story-turned novel. I'm not sure it's going to be a full novel but we'll see. Part of me thinks I could shorten it and part of me doesn't want to. Also, this is the first time that I've written a story out of order. I know what most of the scenes will be and every now and then I get inspired for something that will happen much later in the story than where I am currently working so I jump ahead. Yesterday, I actually wrote what should be one of the last few scenes.
Of course, this could end up being a big pain if I decide to change something.

Another day of work tomorrow and then I'm off for two days. Although, it never feels like that.

We have a winner...sort of.

Okay it looks like the results are in and according to Jenni and D.B.Echo it can go either way pairs or pair. So I wasn't wrong and my boss wasn't right, which makes me happy. Not to mention that Missy, Jenni, myself, two fellow employees and a customer all thought that pairs sounded better so in theory I'm more right. Yay me!
Thanks to everyone for their research and opinions!