24
Sep
Sep
How Old Frankie broke down and Isabel got back on track
Elizbo, thanks a million for coming back to RI (((hugs))). We hope to have you back again in the future. I’d also like to thank you for encouraging us to take a closer look at our writing priorities. You couldn’t have blogged at RI at a better time, I personally needed you to ask “What are you doing right now to get published.” You rock, Elizbo!
To answer that question, I’m embarrassed to say I have done very little of late. It’s even more embarrassing considering I have everything I need to write my book: Valuable advice from published and unpub authors, research books for the Regency era, my inspirational coffee mug, dictionaries and style manuals, the idea for my story, character charts and notes, and the support of so many of you and an old pc.
As some of you may know, my old pc, Frankie (short for Frankentein, after we’ve replaced just about everything and is pieced together with everything but chewing gum), has been giving me problems at home. For months now, we’ve known Frankie was going, but we were not ready to shell out money for a new one. So Frankie crapped out a couple of weeks ago, leaving me upset and disoriented. The good news is this time I managed to save and back up my work and some very important pictures. I even managed to save my I.E. favorite links some of them vital to researching my story. So there it is, my excuse for not being around and not answering emails.
As the saying goes “Every cloud has a silver lining”. Frankie breaking down was probably the best thing that has happened to my writing life recently. It forced me sit down and write (yes, in my horrible handwriting) my story longhand. I’ve done more work without my pc than I’ve done in the last three months put together. I figured out the best time to write my story is in the evenings, after I come home from work and do my chores. So I’ve been at the same desk pouring my little heart out into my story. When things are a little less hectic at work I will give writing in the mornings before going to work a shot. Right now I find myself hitting the snooze buttons one too many times at 5:30am. If you’re wondering what is it about not having a computer that has gotten me back on track? Well, it’s mostly the internet, keeping up with so many blogs, bbs, adding pictures of my *girls* to photobucket, sharing pictures of said *girls* with others, sfgate, online “window shopping”, updating my shopping list at amazon, reading excerpts at favorite authors websites. Now all these things (and much more) are not bad at all, like anything in life most things are good in moderation. It’s when things I enjoy take over my life and derail my writing priorities, that’s when these good things are bad.
To answer that question, I’m embarrassed to say I have done very little of late. It’s even more embarrassing considering I have everything I need to write my book: Valuable advice from published and unpub authors, research books for the Regency era, my inspirational coffee mug, dictionaries and style manuals, the idea for my story, character charts and notes, and the support of so many of you and an old pc.
As some of you may know, my old pc, Frankie (short for Frankentein, after we’ve replaced just about everything and is pieced together with everything but chewing gum), has been giving me problems at home. For months now, we’ve known Frankie was going, but we were not ready to shell out money for a new one. So Frankie crapped out a couple of weeks ago, leaving me upset and disoriented. The good news is this time I managed to save and back up my work and some very important pictures. I even managed to save my I.E. favorite links some of them vital to researching my story. So there it is, my excuse for not being around and not answering emails.
As the saying goes “Every cloud has a silver lining”. Frankie breaking down was probably the best thing that has happened to my writing life recently. It forced me sit down and write (yes, in my horrible handwriting) my story longhand. I’ve done more work without my pc than I’ve done in the last three months put together. I figured out the best time to write my story is in the evenings, after I come home from work and do my chores. So I’ve been at the same desk pouring my little heart out into my story. When things are a little less hectic at work I will give writing in the mornings before going to work a shot. Right now I find myself hitting the snooze buttons one too many times at 5:30am. If you’re wondering what is it about not having a computer that has gotten me back on track? Well, it’s mostly the internet, keeping up with so many blogs, bbs, adding pictures of my *girls* to photobucket, sharing pictures of said *girls* with others, sfgate, online “window shopping”, updating my shopping list at amazon, reading excerpts at favorite authors websites. Now all these things (and much more) are not bad at all, like anything in life most things are good in moderation. It’s when things I enjoy take over my life and derail my writing priorities, that’s when these good things are bad.
So what’s the best thing that’s happened to your writing life recently? Or if it hasn’t happened, what’s the best thing that can happen to you to get back on track?
Happy Sunday! Happy Reading! Happy Writting!
Well, what I have (and need) are two very special people (other than my hubby) that help and encourage me to keep going along with brainstorming with me. Sometimes I need that extra little push to stay on track and I appreciate them very much.
September 24th, 2006 at 7:47 pmWell, truthfully, Jenna’s blog helped me a ton. Getting organized again, making lists that give me a goal each week. Plus writing for Avon’s FanLit has helped. I write a few pages (their max word count) and I feel guilty for not working on my current WIP. So I’ve made a deal with myself for every few pages I write for FanLit, I write at the very least that many for my novel.
September 25th, 2006 at 3:42 amThanks for having me over! It’s always fun to chat with all of you and I hope my rants weren’t total drags. Sorry about the computer woes. When mine upchucked the week before my book was due, I cut out a Dell ad in the paper for a new system for around $400 and batted my eyes at the DH. He rolled his back at me and told me to get back in my office and fix mine. He was right–and really it forced me to redo my system without a lot of extra programs that can be distracting. So there is good that comes with that sinking feeling as the blue screen of death arrives when you least want it to.
September 25th, 2006 at 11:51 amGood luck to all of you!
Thanks for the computer advice, Elizbo. Passed on to the DH who is in charge of make it work so I can get online and work on my book. *G*
But things are looking up now, I’m so excited about my current story I can hardly sleep at night. *Does the happy dance*
Elizbo, I’ll email you about “Mistress”, totally surprised (in a good way) me with that one!
Isabel
September 25th, 2006 at 1:30 pmHmm, I’m feeling a bit stuck at the moment actually. I’ve started to work a bit on the first chapter of my next MS, and nothing seems to work out. I swear I’ve re-written the first 4-6 pages about 5 times now *lol* And it still doesn’t seem right.
After some serious thought I’ve come to the conclusion that I might simply have to change the opening scene entirely, and skip ahead in the story to start it there, skipping this bit entirely, since I can’t make it work. It hurts, since it had some really neat things… But I’m hoping it’ll get things going at a more decent pace and that the writing won’t seem so abysmal *lol*
Going to try that new approach tonight (since my writing time is the hour or so before going to bed *lol*)
I’m glad you’re getting along nicely with your book though. I’m really happy for you
(sorry about the computer troubles though!)
Emily
September 25th, 2006 at 4:08 pmProgress is progress, one sentence at a time my friend!
Funny how things happen, isn’t it? We may not understand why, or in some cases how…but I’m a believer that everything happens for a reason. So I’m SO glad to herar you’re getting back on track. Hugs!
Michelle
September 25th, 2006 at 4:11 pm