One More Dance . . .

NOTE TO SELF

2008-07-03T04:54:42Z

Just because people at your day job lie to you and disrespect you,
does not mean you deserve to be treated that way.

Besides, it isn't personal. Look at all the other people they're lying to.

Supportive Quote of the Day:
In the Long Run, Nice Guys Finish First, Even Though it Doesn't Always Look That Way in the Short Term.

SIDE WORK

2008-06-26T02:54:53Z

I've been hard at work on several side projects.

I even took vacation this week in order to focus in on the side work.

Not what I'd call a real vacation. However, I am planning to take myself for a nice mani/pedicure on Friday. So, not an entire loss. Besides, right now any day away from the regular day job is a good day.

As for writing, I am still on the polishing round of the WIP and will still be working on it as I begin the next round of Ni90 on July 1st, which is right around the corner. So, I guess I'd better hurry up and decide which project I plan to work on this round.

Eeny, meeny, miney, moe . . .

YET, ANOTHER ONE

2008-06-12T01:37:27Z

Sent out another major grant this week.
This one for $3.8 mil.

Currently exhausted.

Will be extremely happy not to work another 13.5-hour day for a while.
Actually, I'd be happy if I never had to pull another day like that again, ever.

Note to self: When telling the universe you want to write for a living, be more specific.

ANOTHER ROUND OVER!

2008-06-03T03:57:39Z

Writing is rewriting.

Yesterday, I finished another round of revisions on the MG WIP.

This revision focused on tightening the language and enhancing the protag's voice. I also did some minor cleanup along the way. The book is really coming along and I'm excited to see it take shape.

Now on to sharpening the first fifteen pages just a touch more before sending them in for the manuscript consultation at the upcoming SCBWI summer conference.

Writing IS rewriting.

WEIRD WEATHER

2008-05-23T23:43:47Z

I just love this strange weather we're getting!

Rain and wind and cool temperatures in late May! In the twenty some years I have lived in Arizona, I can't remember ever seeing weather like this at this time of the year.

It almost makes me believe I don't actually live in an oven.

TEENS

2008-05-05T01:20:42Z

Can't eat 'em, can't lock 'em in a closet till they're eighteen!

PAGE 123 MEME

2008-04-21T00:34:31Z

Okay, I got tagged for this meme by azang.

But I have a small problem: You are supposed to pick up the closest book and open it to page 123, look for sentence number five and then type in the next three sentences and comment on them.

Sounds easy, right?

Um, the closest books to me are two of my own manuscripts, both of which I am currently editing (And while they are still unpublished I clearly regard them as books!), and a synonym finder, then the MS Office for MAC, and after that a book on writing fundraising materials and a stack of research materials on Ancient Egypt. Beyond that is an entire bookshelf, mostly filled with books on writing, etc. (I just realized that I am always surrounded by books.)

So, I'm going to go grab the novel I'm currently reading, WARLORD by Jennifer Fallon.

"Heads I take Highcastle, tails, the Widowmaker." The coin spun in midair before Adham caught it and held it out for the others to see. "Tails," he told them.

These lines provide the reader with insight into the character's nature. It's obvious he doesn't take things too seriously.

BTW--Tag, you're all it.

VOICES OF YOUTH

2008-04-12T18:12:55Z

Hey! It's National Poetry month. Come on out and support the next generation of poets!

I will be hosting Anthology's Mesa Voices of Youth Poetry Festival Event today.

When: 1pm

Where: Main Library
64 E. First St.
Mesa, AZ 85201

Teen poets will compete for slots in the main event that will take place at Bookmans in Phoenix on April 28th.

Today's winner will receive a $25 gift certificate for Bookmans and a chance to compete for the grand prize of $100 in Bookmans credit!

And, of course, bragging rights as this year's Voices of Youth Champion.

WORLD, MEET KIRA AND HER COMPANIONS

2008-03-31T20:30:29Z

Today was a "free" day on Ni90 and the gauntlet was thrown down to write something in the world of our stories that would introduce others to our characters and 'verse.

I aimed for something light and silly, but, as usual, my characters decided on another course.

Here is my offering (in 750 words).

Trails of lambs-wool clouds washed across the sky above the meadow where Kira drowsed. Kelmir snoozed nearby, whiskers twitching with the excitement of feline dreams. Perched on the heap of supplies and horse tack, Vaith tucked his scaly head beneath one wing, while Trad cropped at pale grass, chewing with the idle thoughtfulness of equine content. A fly buzzed near and Kira lazily raised a hand to send it on its away.

The Uldast Gnomes had been congenial and their hospitality gracious, but the busy clatter and tumult of the hold and the way the younglings had dashed and darted about had infused her with longing for the tranquility of nature. After only three days, she bade the Gnomes farewell and resumed her journey.

As she traveled, the weather remained clear, the late summer heat nuzzling each leaf and grass-blade like a warm kiss. When she and her companions reached the open glade, it lured her into its embrace with a quiet but irresistible urgency. The thoughts of both Kelmir and Vaith had brushed against hers, shades of calm mixed with a desire to spend time in the enchanting vale. It seemed they, too, were in need of a rest from the clamor of gnome society.

A sudden rush of wings brought Kira fully alert, her senses attuned to an unknown danger. Every dram of calm had vanished from the glade and Vaith no longer perched on the pile of supplies. She sent her mind in search of him. Vaith? A wash of excitement from the little wyvern sent a ripple through her, but his mind was closed to her mental prodding.

Kelmir’s tail lashed at the tall grass. Furry head raised in alarm, he pricked his ears toward the far edge of the meadow. In a rush, he was up on his haunches, then just as quickly he ducked back down and crept forward in a low crouch. Kira followed his line of sight, but saw nothing. Reaching for his mind, she found herself once more closed off from one of her companions.

The rare sensation of being locked out of their thoughts slithered inside her belly like a coiled river eel. Without the ability to see through their eyes, explore with their animal-sharp senses, she felt more than blind. She was cut off. Isolated. Alone.

A glitter of sunlight drew her attention to the edge of the meadow. Something hovered there, suspended on a pair of fluttering diaphanous wings, just outside the tree line. A flash of light streaked from the top of a tall oak, diving toward the glimmering creature, and Kira gasped, choking back a warning that would alert both predator and prey.

She gaped as Vaith checked his swift descent just before the point of impact and swooped back up to land on a branch that jutted from the treetop. At the same instant, Kelmir slouched onto his belly and yawned as if nothing had happened. Kira probed outward, but their minds were still closed to her. She watched in fascination as the shining creature flitted toward her across the wide meadow flying just above the tips of the tall grass.

A humming sound filled her head, growing louder as the creature drew nearer. Kira knew there was something she should do to protect herself, something she needed, but her head was filled with the vibrating sound and her thoughts buzzed around her skull like a swarm of gnats. The creature drew nearer, slowing only long enough to circle Trad, who had continued to crop the meadow grass, as if nothing untoward were happening. When the shimmering entity landed a few feet in front of her, Kira felt the gnats in her head begin to settle and realized she should have armed herself, but the instant her hand jerked toward her knife hilt, the buzzing began anew and she suddenly forgot what she’d been planning to do.

The figure approached. Thin, twig-like, with long limbs and fingers, it stepped forward, iridescent wings furled behind and flapping like the colorful guidons of a princely retinue. A few feet away, it stopped and bowed low, sweeping one arm across its narrow waist and throwing the other backward with a dramatic flourish.

Again, the buzzing in Kira’s head receded. This time she remained still, afraid that any movement would cause the swarming to return. She must stay alert. She had no idea what sort of danger this creature posed.

“I see you like my meadow,” it crooned.

FIRST DRAFT COMPLETION

2008-03-30T02:33:33Z

That's right!

I finally completed the first draft of my MG novel, The Forgetful Ghost (working title).

WC tally before beginning revisions: 46,888.

How did I finally get enough BIC time to complete the first draft of my current WIP?

By joining the amazingly supportive LJ group: novel_in_90.

Requirements: Write 750 words every day and report your total WC daily for 90 days.

Consequences for not hitting the daily WC goal: Unbridled Mockery

I like the community so much, Ill be hanging out there again for the next round beginning April 1st. Instead of a daily WC goal, I'll be reporting my revision progress each day.

For writers who need a little motivation to get that BIC time, it's the perfect place.

So, my writerly friends, will I see you at novel_in_90 on Tuesday?

EVERYBODY'S IRISH ON ST. PADDY'S DAY!

2008-03-18T02:51:40Z

The Irish Dancing Sea Lion | Funny Jokes at JibJab

DANNY BOY-OH-BOY

2008-03-16T17:57:31Z

In honor of St. Patrick's Day and to celebrate my awesome ancestry, I give you a classic ballad sung by some of my favorite performers. Enjoy.

WOOHOO! GO HARMONY!

2008-03-07T05:36:46Z

Whose wicked stepdaughter is the 2008 East Valley Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year?

Yep. Mine!

The dinner was actually really good. I expected the usual rubber chicken, but I got a delicious filet cooked medium rare as if I'd ordered it special, and a couple of lovely prawns. We had to move because they had sat us at the wrong table to begin with, but no big.

The evening moved along at a good speed. With plenty of thank yous and recognition, but no long droning speeches.

There were pictures and videos of the participants, and the four top finalists got up to give their speeches.

Then Harmony gave the most incredible speech and took the room by storm. People were standing, people were turning to one another saying, "Wow!" Some people were even crying. (More than just her dad and me.)

But the judging had taken place ahead of time, so we still didn't know if she had won. (Though, of course, we knew she deserved to.)

Then they announced her as the 2008 East Valley Youth of the Year and the room erupted.

She has worked hard to get to this level and she earned every award and every bit of the applause and recognition she received tonight.

She'll be interviewed on radio and television next week. And then she'll be going on to the State level competition.

I am a very proud Wicked StepMother. ::sniff::

(Photos tomorrow. Going to bed now.)

BUSY-NESS

2008-02-27T04:12:02Z

Been busy moving from the back room to my new office space. I have been sorting out my TON OF CRAP, which included such critically important things like documents and thank you notes from customers and bosses in 1982. Right, because I still might need to prove how good I was at Biomedical Field Service Engineering.

We also made the trek to IKEA this past weekend to buy beds and other such furnishings. After much some-assembly-required time, the Nelsonnettes now have their own rooms and are very excited. But it has been a huge amount of work.

Oh, and we're almost finished with our taxes. Gak!

I have written a grand total of about 813 words on my current WIP. But I am almost finished with my new office digs. Now, there is just that little matter of the sewing/craft room to deal with. ::sigh::

Does the pack-rat label offend me? Nope. 'Cause if the shoe fits, I'm sure as hell not going to throw it away!

I JUST COULDN'T RESIST

2008-02-09T20:36:47Z

Which God or Goddess are you like? Your Result: God Zeus You are Zeus. You are fierce and stong, and you like to throw lightning bolts at people who deserve it. You are fearless when it comes to fear, and harmless to nothing. You have the guts to take on anything and never look back. Congratulations!! You are God!!
You are your own God or Goddess
Satan
Goddess Sekhemet
Budha
Goddess Bast
The Christian God
Jesus
Which God or Goddess are you like? Make Your Own Quiz

TODAY

2008-02-03T02:54:58Z

Attended Anthology Nonprofit Volunteers' Meeting.

Went to Home Depot and picked up new ceiling fan, fresh mud, and paint.

Removed old track lighting from kitchen and installed in laundry room.

Repaired large area in ceiling under where track lighting had been and where an old vent used to be.

Installed new fan in laundry room (with help from hubby).

Wrote 813 words on current WIP.

32896 / 77207 words. 43% done!

CURRENT WIP

2008-01-21T00:21:31Z

MG Fantasy Novel: A young girl moves into a haunted house and becomes determined to help a forgetful ghost.

25578 / 77207 words. 33% done!

MY NEW TITLE

2008-01-13T21:14:17Z

Thanks to unforth, you may now address me by

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title, which is:
Venerable Lady Sharon the Ineffable of Mellow under Trollness
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Pretty much suits me, don't you think?
:-P

TEEN-HERDER

2008-01-13T19:14:22Z

I have coined a new phrase for the parenting of teens.

Teen-herder.

Yep.

Teen-herding: (v.) the act of herding, or rather attempting to herd, teenagers in a positive direction.

More challenging than cat-herding, more frustrating than taxes, more entertaining than silly string, more gratifying than a two-dollar winning lottery ticket.

The End of the World

2008-01-02T03:47:32Z

I found this on Lit Soup and just had to share it.

Amazing editing.

TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN . . . .

2008-01-01T00:47:38Z

Top ten things I like about New Year's Eve.

10)It's a good excuse to make a top ten list.

9) It means the xmas season is finally over and I can go back to shopping in the stores without being run down by someone whose current objective is obviously much more important than mine.

8) Traffic will begin to return to some semblance of normalcy.

7) School will be starting again soon and I will have some at-home time to myself again.

6) It's a reminder to reconnect with folks I may not have emailed or spoken with since earlier in the year.

5) It's one last chance to procrastinate on the current writing project, because tomorrow I resolve to write daily. Again.

4) My inner child gets to say, "See you next year," a whole lot.

3) It gives me a sense of closure and the feeling, however false, that I get to make a fresh start.

2) Lots of well-wishing takes place.

1) It's the only time of year that dropping the ball is a good thing.

2007 READING LIST

2007-12-31T05:02:37Z

I am now trying to track my reading/audio book listening each year. Here is the list for 2007 (to the best of my abilities to have remembered to keep adding books as I finish reading/listening to them).

Some of these were books I read long ago and reread this year for various reasons. Several I just could not make myself finish. And a few are definitely rated NC-17.

My tastes are pretty eclectic. So this year, I may try to track genre and intended reader (i.e. YA, MG, adult).

 

Anderson, M.T.  Whales on Stilts(*DNF)

Anthony, Piers    On a Pale Horse

Atwood, Margaret    Oryx and Crake**

Avi    Wolf Rider

Beddor, Frank    The Looking Glass Wars 

Bell, Hilari    The Goblin Wood**
                The Wizard Test
                A Matter of Profit

Black, Holly    Ironside

Bray, Libba    Rebel Angels

Capote, Truman    In Cold Blood

Conroy, Pat    The Lords Of Discipline

Cornwell, Bernard    The Last Kingdom

Coulter, Catherine    The Penwyth curse

Colfer, Eoin    Artemis Fowl

Creech, Sharon    Walk Two Moons**

Davidson, MaryJanice    Undead and Unappreciated
                        Undead and Unreturnable

DiTerlizzi, Tony & Holly Black    The spiderwick chronicles, 
                                  books 1-5

Estes, Clarissa Pinkola    Women who run with wolves (DNF)

Fallon, Jennifer    Medalon
                    Treason Keep
                    Harshini
                    Wolfblade

Funke,  Cornelia    The Dragon Rider**

Gaiman, Neil    Anansi Boys**
                Stardust

Hahn, Mary Downing    The Old Willis Place

Halse Anderson, Laurie    Fever, 1793

Halstead, Lauro S.    Managing Post Polio Syndrome

Hamilton, Laurell K.    Seduced by Moonlight
                        A Stroke of Midnight
                        Mistral’s Kiss
                        Danse Macabre

Harris, Charlaine    Dead Until Dark

Hart, Erin    Haunted Ground

Hartwood, John    The Ghost Writer (*DNF)

Haydon, Elizabeth    Rhapsody: Child of Blood 
                    (Almost DNF)

Hill, Napoleon    Think and Grow Rich

Koen, Karleen    Dark Angels
                T hrough a Glass Darkly

Le Guin, Ursula K.    Wizard of Earthsea
                      Tombs of Atuan
                      The Farthest Shore
                      Tehanu: The Last Book of Earthsea
                      The Other Wind

Love, Kathy    Fangs for the Memories

Lukeman, Noah    The first five pages

MacGregor, Kinley    Sword of Darkness**
 
Maisel, Eric     Deep Writing

Maltz, Maxwell     The New Psycho-cybernetics

Marr, Melissa    Wicked Lovely**

Martel, Yann    Life of Pi

Meyer, Stephanie    New Moon**
                    Eclipse

Mlynowski, Sarah    Bras and Broomsticks (Almost DNF)

Munsat, Theodore l.    Post Polio Syndrome

Napoli, Donna Jo    Breath**
                    Zel

Nix, Garth    Sabriel

Oshinsky, David M.    Polio: An American Story

Pattison, Darcy    The River Dragon
                   Nineteen Girls and Me
                   The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman

Patron, Susan Coleman    The Higher Power of Lucky

Rees, Celia    Pirates!**

Rhodes, Jenna    The Four Forges

Rowling, J.K.    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Silva, Joseph    The Silva Mind Control  Method

Stott, Rebecca    Ghostwalk

Whittemore, Jo     The Silverskin Legacy: Book One

Winkler, Henry & Lin Oliver    Hank Zipzer: Holy Enchiladas!

Yep, Lawrence    The Tiger’s Apprentice

Yolen, Jane  &  Robert Harris    The Queen’s Own Fool

Zinel, Paul    The Pigman

Zusak, Markus    The Book Thief**

(And a whole slew of Grant Writing and Fundraising Books.)




*DNF=Did not finish.
** Top picks of the year.

THE NIGHT BEFORE A WRITER'S CHRISTMAS

2007-12-24T17:50:09Z

This was sent to me by a writing friend, who found it on a writers loop, and I just had to share it.

THE NIGHT BEFORE A WRITER'S CHRISTMAS
By Petrina Aubol
(With the usual apologies, especially to the poets out there.)

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, only me and my mouse.
The family snuggled, all ready to dream.
Me, I just struggled with my electronic machine.
"Should I use tockety tick or tickety tock?
Now which goes better stocking or sock?"

My thoughts got knocked out by noise on the roof.
Those pigeon pests sounded like each had a hoof.
Shaking my fist, I inserted ear plugs,
Picked up my beer and chugged a few lugs.
And with a resoluteness hardly ever seen,
I returned my attention to that dratted blank screen.

When all of a sudden banging on the door,
Penetrated my earplugs which I threw on the floor.
"Go to hell," I shouted to the intruder outside.
"I'm writing an opus in which I take pride.
My hero's heroic, my heroine's a dream,
The villain is the worst rascal ever seen.
My conflict's conflicting, it's all in my head,
But 'twill be in the computer before I hit the bed."

"Open up!" hollered a jolly voice in the hall.
"I've brought you some presents, both big and both small."
"Don't want any, go 'way," I told him with a roar.
But at his insistence, I opened the door.
There stood a fat clown dressed in fur and in red
With a white beard and pointy hat on his head.

A sack full of packages flung over his shoulder,
He stared me down, couldn't have been bolder.
I remembered my subplot that needed a boot.
What a great hook, an old joker in a red suit.
"Come in sir," I said flinging open the door.
"Sit down and please tell me what you're here for."

"No time to sit, writer, I've a long way to go,
But you sit down, I've goodies to show."
Speechless I sat in my desk chair pushed back,
And watched the old guy go through is sack.
He flipped me a card, "An appointment in New York City,
With a literary agent who'll read your new ditty.

Here's a Random House contract for you to sign,
Six-figure advance, put your x on that line.
Next is the route of your book tour with paid fare,
And your own eager publicist, who'll accompany you there.
Here's a brand new printer, thirty pages a minute,
With a lifetime supply of top grade paper in it.

Here are some cartridges and if you need more,
Staples will send them, pre-paid from the store.
His sack was lighter but more goodies he did find,
"A brand new thesaurus and dictionary combined.
A tape recorder so you can write and then jaw,
And a word processor program that works without flaw.

And last but not least from the Times of New York,
A book review claiming that you are no dork,
But a literary genius of the greatest acclaim,
Whose work will be bought out as your rise up in fame.
I'm taking your first draft which I will critique,
And leaving my life story which is most unique.

Then you can ghost write it, I'll finish it quick.
But we must use my by-line which of course is Saint Nick."
"I believe in you Santa," and in spite of myself.
I hugged the geezer, "You're the greatest old elf."
"Merry Christmas, Writer," he exclaimed as he left my sights.
"I'll be back next year to discuss Movie Rights!"

SOLSTICE BABY

2007-12-22T23:32:27Z

Yep.

As of yesterday, I am one year older. A big thanks to all of my LJ well-wishers for thinking of me on my special day.

In honor of this auspicious occasion, here is my new tag line:

There are many days when I feel my age, but I try never to act it!

AS IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH . . .

2007-12-10T01:18:17Z

How about a snowball fight?

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab