Tuesday Tally – Halfway through year

EotF Status

# of queries out: 6

# of fulls out: 1

 

T.C. Status

word count: 8,272

no change

 

FwM Status

word count: 3,028

progress

 

Color Poems

complete: 13

min needed for chapbook: 20

 

Previous goals:

• brainstorm wizard story for anthology – have a few ideas which I’ll let simmer for a while
• write rest of Alexa letters for FwM – wrote needed ones for story, going to write a few more for backstory that won’t be in book
• house project – organize scrap book supplies

Goals for this week:

• finish fleshing out chapters 1 and 2 of FwM
• poetry submission
• write new poem
• house project – weed flower garden out front

 

Six months left in 2009, so I thought I would revisit my goals for the year. As usual, I seem to have way over estimated my abilities. My goals were all in increments of 50. If I was super awesome, my numbers would be 25/50 for each. Here’s the actual totals to date:

 

Books read  10/50

Poems written 17/50

Poems submitted 28/50

Chapters written 5/50

 

Okay, that’s painfully behind. But I must remember what I have accomplished. I’ve queried twenty-one agents, purchased and moved into a house, babysat two kids full time for one month, and gotten into a regular exercise routine with my husband which is actually showing success (my arms have muscles after all!).

 

What I’ve learned so far:

1. I’m not in a place where I can read one book a week. Maybe if I only read Young Adult books, and/or didn’t have so many other hobbies. Of course, a five year old also interferes with long reading sessions.
2. Mystery books slow me down. I’m just not into them like I used to be, and find myself reading only a few pages at a time.
3. I second guess myself a lot when writing, which interferes with getting chapters done. I keep telling myself to allow first draft messes, but my pep talks are easier said than applied. So much easier to write a page, then say I’ve accomplished something and allow myself to go browse the web, or play a game.
4. It’s even easier not to write when I’m tired, hot, and/or have a headache. I need to stop making excuses, and stop beating myself up. A good writing session is energizing, and will help me forget the heat and aches.

 

I don’t have to be perfect, as long as I’m moving forward. How are your goals for the year coming along?

6/23 Tuesday Tally

EotF Status

# of queries out: 8

# of fulls out: 1

 

T.C. Status

word count: 8,272

no change

 

FwM Status

word count: 2,873

additions, deletions. lots of notes and fiddling

 

Color Poems

complete: 13

min needed for chapbook: 20

one new

 

Previous goals:

• query agents researched last week
• finish another color poem
• house project – put items collecting on top of the Hope Chest into the Hope Chest
• borrow my son’s camera to see if I can take a few decent pictures to share with you – not enough working batteries. I will return to this one.

Goals for this week:

• brainstorm wizard story for anthology
• write rest of Alexa letters for FwM
• house project – organize scrap book supplies

 

I wish I had a picture from when we first got Rayna. She was so tiny. I swear she’s grown twice as big in just a month.

 

I have joined Twitter. Don’t know how active I’ll be. Still learning. I joined so I can participate in Twitch Week, where you tweet your pitch to BookEnds agents. Check out the rules.

 

My color poems are venturing into metallics… copper, silver, steel, gold. I may reach my goal of 20 yet.

Movies and Religion (5k Qs)

Which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle are You? (pics)

Leonardo



You're mature and get the job done. You are a natural born leader, and normally want to be the better of the group. You take your job seriously. You must! It may NOT be a game. When you select a sport, or something you want to do, you train continuously, constantly trying to perfect it. You're always prepared for a challenge, and are normally found one step ahead of your enemies. Loving family more than life itself, you are a good friend, and can be depended on at all times.

 

5,000 Questions... My answers so far...

 

656. Which animated movies have you seen and what did you think of them:
A Charlie Brown Christmas: classic. love it!
A Garfield Halloween: as a kid, I thought it was scary (particularly Binky the Clown). haven't seen it since.
The Secret of Nimh: I liked it enough to read the books later.
The Last Unicorn: haven't seen it.
The original Lord of the Rings cartoons: I remember The Hobbit. Enjoyed it.

657. Are you ambidextrous (equally good at using both hands)? no

658. Do you always say; “bless you” after someone sneezes, or do you hesitate? I usually say it immediately, but sometimes there's hesitation when I'm not paying attention.

659. If you and your friends could go away for 2 days over Halloween weekend where would you go? to a haunted B&B, like the Mason House Inn.

 
660. Which of these animated movies have you seen and what did you think of them:
Watership Down: I don't recall seeing the movie, but the book was good (and sad). I remember sitting in the living room with my siblings while my mom read the book to us.
As the Wind Blows: Never heard of it.
Grave of the Fireflies: We didn't get through this one. Was too slow.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Not bad. Always felt so sorry for the dog.
Spirited Away: This was okay. Not one of my favorite Studio Ghibli films. Very strange movie.

661. Do you feel that society is male dominated, female dominated, or neutral? the work force is male dominated, the consumer force is female dominated

662. What words offend you? racial or religious slurs, as well as gender put downs. Don't ever call me "Doll".

663. They’re just words. Can you get over it? words have power. put them in certain context or emotion and they can pack quite a punch, for good or bad.

664. Have you ever looked into different religions? I've questioned my own religion, but never really looked into other ones.

665. Which ones have you looked into? N/A

666. What do you think of Satanism as a religion? It's a valid religion, a being to worship. It's scary that people would turn to that though. Can you imagine what they are inviting into their lives? *shudder*

667. Do you like it better when your classes are taught sitting in rows or sitting in a circle? rows. I like to sit in the back.

668. Have you ever read your own tarot cards? no. I've done the amateur fortune telling with face cards back in grade school though. you know the one, don't you? four kings for four guys, hearts for love, diamonds for money, clubs for kids, spades for bad luck (I think??). The different kings had meanings as well, but it's been so long I don't remember. Not that I need to predict my future husband anymore. I already got one, and I'm quite happy with him. ;-)

669. Which ones do you like better, the three old star wars movies or the 2 new ones? the old ones. Love the ewoks, and Han Solo.

670. If you scream in outer space does it make a sound? nope. not that you could scream, without any air to do so.

Tuesday Tally on the rise

EotF Status

# of queries out: 5

# of fulls out: 1 (my first!)

 

T.C. Status

word count: 8,272

no change

 

FwM Status

word count: 2,760

progress! making some changes to split chapter one into two chapters, taking more time on each section

 

Color Poems

complete: 12

min needed for chapbook: 20

no new

 

Previous goals:

• research/personalize for 4 more queries - done
• write something every day – only missed one day
• house project – organize space under sinks – I don’t know about the organized yet, but everything is under there now
• polish and submit a poem - sent 5 in to one magazine

 

Goals for this week:

• query agents researched last week
• finish another color poem
• house project – put items collecting on top of the Hope Chest into the Hope Chest (which I suppose is more appropriately a Memory Chest, now that I am married, have a child, and a house)
• borrow my son’s camera to see if I can take a few decent pictures to share with you

 

As a house yard warming gift, our Realtor and friend gave us a tree! It’s a 20-ft red maple. We got it planted between rainstorms on Saturday. Very exciting. The ground, once bare dirt, has been covered in morning glories. It may not be a lawn, but it’s green, and quite pretty. We’ve cut down the forest of weeds along the wall (including a few sticklers as thick as our new tree, and taller than my husband), and it’s actually looking respectable back there. In the front, there’s a little flower garden area. It’s mostly weeds, with a few unknown flowers. We’re considering filling it with Emerald Gaiety Wintercreepers.

 

I wrote a new poem this week. Felt good. Most of my other writing has been freewriting about story problems for my two WIPs. But it was writing! So I’m happy. :-)

Good News

Yesterday I got my first request from a query! An agent said she was interested in taking a look at the entire manuscript. I took some deep breaths, did some research to make sure I formatted everything in an acceptable manner, and sent it out this morning. Now I’m on pins and needles with the wait. So exciting!

Tuesday Tally - Jumpstart

EotF Status

# of queries out: 6

 

T.C. Status

word count: 8,272

minor increase

 

FwM Status

word count: 2,388

no change

 

Color Poems

complete: 12

min needed for chapbook: 20

no new, been editing

 

Goals for this week:

• research/personalize for 4 more queries
• write something every day
• house project – organize space under sinks
• polish and submit a poem

 

No hard numbers on the writing as I ease my muse back to work. Yesterday I actually sent out nine queries! That’s the end of my list for agents that represent both fantasy and romance. Now on to those who just rep fantasy. Out of the nine, I’ve already received rejections from three. Must keep busy so I don’t think about the rest.

David Eddings

David Eddings, Fantasy author, died yesterday. I remember being prompted by many friends over a couple years for me to read his books. I think it was my senior year in high school that I finally gave in and read The Belgariad. What a great storyteller. He will be missed.

Tuesday Tally (of a different sort)

Boxes of Books unpacked yesterday: 14

Bookshelves currently filled: 1

Bookshelves still needed: 1 (hopefully)

Books donated to Deseret Industries today: 450

Books remaining: not quite that many, but still alot.

 

It’s amazing how many books we had that were bought from library sales, and never read. Most had been in storage 2-7 years. Time made it easier to part with our collection. We seriously sat down and looked at each book.

 

If one of us had read it, we’d ask: “Is it worth re-reading, or recommending?” “Is it part of a series, and do we have the rest?”

 

If neither of us had read it, we’d ask: “Is the author/cover enough to make this a must read?” “Is it part of a series, and do we have the rest?” “Have we heard anything about this book?”

 

We really culled our books down. We still have a lot. One bookshelf entirely filled with all of our remaining hardbacks. One more bookshelf (going to be purchased at Ikea later this week) should be enough for our remaining paperbacks. We could have given some away online, or tried selling sell to some of the few places still buying used books. Donating them was the simpler option, and cleared a lot of room space.

 

Now we have room to expand our collection again. With more judgment about what books we buy.

*Waves Hello*

Hi everyone! Miss me? I’m feeling much better today. Ready to get writing and blogging again. I need to get a camera again so I can show off Rayna, our kitty.

 

How come every time we buy something for the house, I discover two more things that we either need or want for it? House = Never-ending project. Enjoying the space though. :-)

 

P.S. Thanks to Little Scribbler for the blog award while I was gone. I’ll pass it on later this week.