Because Period Films rock.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
You've been a good year, 2010
On the radio this morning they were talking about 2010 being "the year of the tiger" and that it had been a ferocious year.
I started to think about this past year and where I was last year this time.
Yep, I could go with "ferocious."
At this time in 2009 I'd just been laid off. My two entries for the Golden Heart had been disqualified for reasons beyond my control. I was having trouble finding work. I was getting lots of bites on my manuscripts, but no takers.
Then April 2010 happened. That was really when the action started. In April 2010, I:
1) Sold Innocent Darkness and it's sequel to Flux
2) Landed my super-de-duper agent
3) Found a job
Yes, this was the actual order in which things happened. Things have been nonstop since.
It's been a year of firsts -- first sale, first time speaking on a panel at a national conference, first time teaching an online class.
Yeah, 2010 has been an incredible year and I have a lot to be greatful for -- especially my tot and hubby who are very supportive of me.
2011 is "the year of the rabbit" and according to the radio supposed to be "slow but steady." Okay, I'll take that.
I don't have any new year's resolutions, per say, but since Innocent Darkness dosen't come out until 8/12, it would be kind of fun to sell another project and have it beat ID to the shelves.
Nevertheless, I can't wait to see what 2011 brings and I wish all the best to each and every one of you.
What was the best thing for you in 2010? What are you looking forward to in 2011?
I started to think about this past year and where I was last year this time.
Yep, I could go with "ferocious."
At this time in 2009 I'd just been laid off. My two entries for the Golden Heart had been disqualified for reasons beyond my control. I was having trouble finding work. I was getting lots of bites on my manuscripts, but no takers.
Then April 2010 happened. That was really when the action started. In April 2010, I:
1) Sold Innocent Darkness and it's sequel to Flux
2) Landed my super-de-duper agent
3) Found a job
Yes, this was the actual order in which things happened. Things have been nonstop since.
It's been a year of firsts -- first sale, first time speaking on a panel at a national conference, first time teaching an online class.
Yeah, 2010 has been an incredible year and I have a lot to be greatful for -- especially my tot and hubby who are very supportive of me.
2011 is "the year of the rabbit" and according to the radio supposed to be "slow but steady." Okay, I'll take that.
I don't have any new year's resolutions, per say, but since Innocent Darkness dosen't come out until 8/12, it would be kind of fun to sell another project and have it beat ID to the shelves.
Nevertheless, I can't wait to see what 2011 brings and I wish all the best to each and every one of you.
What was the best thing for you in 2010? What are you looking forward to in 2011?
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wait--I'm a writer
The Internet is a wonderful thing. It enables us to quickly access information.
That includes very strange information.
I have to admit, I've asked some very strange questions on twitter, questions that would take on a whole new context without the #amwriting, #amediting, or #amplotting hashtags.
These hashtags make it permissible to ask where in Seattle would be a good place to kidnap teenage girls or how to commit highway robbery.
Without these hashtags you might just be a terrorist. But with them, it gives you the leeway to ask pretty much any question you want.
At a girl scout party I got people to share all their catholic school horror stories -- why? Because I was a writer and needed fodder. I've gone on forms and asked where in Seattle I'd find the Werewolf bar and gotten thoughtful answers and links -- all because it was for a book.
Other writers have admitted to strings of incriminating google searches. Again, most normal people don't need to research deadly poisons, decapitation, or weapons of mass destruction.
But we're writers, so it's okay.
We're using this information for good--not evil-- to create strange new worlds and captivating tales.
I shudder to think what it was like to find this sort of odd information out before the Internet.
Still, we're all probably on some watch list somewhere, just to make sure we're actually writers and not crazy people pretending to be writers to get information.
Now, if you excuse me, I have to figure out how exactly a gas truck needs to crash to explode in the middle of the freeway.
By the way, does anyone know how long it would take an entire gated community to burn to the ground?
That includes very strange information.
I have to admit, I've asked some very strange questions on twitter, questions that would take on a whole new context without the #amwriting, #amediting, or #amplotting hashtags.
These hashtags make it permissible to ask where in Seattle would be a good place to kidnap teenage girls or how to commit highway robbery.
Without these hashtags you might just be a terrorist. But with them, it gives you the leeway to ask pretty much any question you want.
At a girl scout party I got people to share all their catholic school horror stories -- why? Because I was a writer and needed fodder. I've gone on forms and asked where in Seattle I'd find the Werewolf bar and gotten thoughtful answers and links -- all because it was for a book.
Other writers have admitted to strings of incriminating google searches. Again, most normal people don't need to research deadly poisons, decapitation, or weapons of mass destruction.
But we're writers, so it's okay.
We're using this information for good--not evil-- to create strange new worlds and captivating tales.
I shudder to think what it was like to find this sort of odd information out before the Internet.
Still, we're all probably on some watch list somewhere, just to make sure we're actually writers and not crazy people pretending to be writers to get information.
Now, if you excuse me, I have to figure out how exactly a gas truck needs to crash to explode in the middle of the freeway.
By the way, does anyone know how long it would take an entire gated community to burn to the ground?
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday Fun: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
The tot doesn't understand why you'd go to Boston in the fall, but then she's never been to the east coast at all...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
And I just might have a release day...
I know I haven't had any book news lately, and let's just say that I never quite believed exactly how slow the publishing industry can be.
However, I just might have a release day. It looks like Innocent Darkness will be released in August 2012.
Yes, you read that right. August 2012. Like 18 months from now. Like it's be an eternity until I have cover art, or ARCs, or can book a blog tour.
I feel sometimes like I'm stuck in author limbo. I've sold, but I'm technically not published. My face is pressed against the glass. I can see it but I can't go in yet.
Over the weekend I had the opportunity to be part of the "First Sales" panel at a meeting of the Los Angeles Romance Writers.
Six of us in the chapter who'd made our first sale this year. I was the only YA, and the only Steampunk. Each of us had a very different tale to tell, every one of them full of hardship, perseverance, and women who didn't give up.
I was also the only one with an 2012 release day. As someone put it, "it's like being pregnant forever."
But I have a release day. It means I've beaten the odds and proved all those naysayers wrong, the ones (like my high school guidance counselor, cough, cough) who said I'd never sell a book.
August 2012.
It seems so far away.
But, hey, I have a release day. That means I actually have a book to release.
However, I just might have a release day. It looks like Innocent Darkness will be released in August 2012.
Yes, you read that right. August 2012. Like 18 months from now. Like it's be an eternity until I have cover art, or ARCs, or can book a blog tour.
I feel sometimes like I'm stuck in author limbo. I've sold, but I'm technically not published. My face is pressed against the glass. I can see it but I can't go in yet.
Over the weekend I had the opportunity to be part of the "First Sales" panel at a meeting of the Los Angeles Romance Writers.
Six of us in the chapter who'd made our first sale this year. I was the only YA, and the only Steampunk. Each of us had a very different tale to tell, every one of them full of hardship, perseverance, and women who didn't give up.
I was also the only one with an 2012 release day. As someone put it, "it's like being pregnant forever."
But I have a release day. It means I've beaten the odds and proved all those naysayers wrong, the ones (like my high school guidance counselor, cough, cough) who said I'd never sell a book.
August 2012.
It seems so far away.
But, hey, I have a release day. That means I actually have a book to release.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Being Supermom, Part 4--Creative Time Management
Being Supermom, or just getting what you want out of life, can be daunting. It can be hard to balance work, family, and doing what you love. Sometimes it’s all too easy to edge out our families while pursuing our dreams.
But you don’t have to do that (and you shouldn’t.)
You just have to get very creative about your time.
First figure out the things you have to make time for – for example, work and communing to work.
Then, factor in the things that are most important to you – family, writing, etc.
Add in anything else means a lot, but you may be willing to miss if need be – dance class, writers meetings.
If having a sparkling house, or going to church, or once a week dinners with grandma is important to you, it should be on those lists.
Everything not on that list is expendable – TV, twitter, reading, blogging, etc. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever do these things. We all have our favorite TV show, the trash needs taken out, and it’s fun to connect with people online. However, like desert, we should watch how much time we spend on these things – especially things that suck up our time.
We all have things that happen and take up our time, things we have to do. Do them, but don’t let them derail your focus.
It takes willpower to peel yourself off the couch or away from the computer. It’s so easy to go, “but I need to spend all this time on social networking to promote myself.” You shouldn’t abandon it completely, but try setting a timer. Go, “do I really need to watch this/do this/right now? What else could I be doing? How many pages could I have written instead of watching this show I don’t care about? Could I be playing with my kids?”
Make time for your writing, but try to take that time from the “expendable” list, not from the list of important things. Time for you, whether it’s an exercise class or a bubble bath, (or even a date with the hubby or friends) is important too (remember, if mommy’s not happy no one is happy.”)
Choose obligations carefully and learn to say no. Keep sight of what’s important to you. If it’s something that you don’t “have” to do and it’ll take away from writing, or spending time with the fam, etc, think really hard about doing it – even if everyone else it. If it’s not fun and not mandatory, then why do it?
May prioritized lists (if lists work for you). What do you have to do What do you have to do today or the world will explode. Keep things in perspecitve and don't beat yourself up if you don't get everything done or make time for everyone, that day. Just try again tomorrow. Maybe start with what went to the wayside the day before. (Rewards work too, for pages written, to do lists, etc. Cookies work well for me.)
Don’t forget your kids and family. Even when you’re on deadline, try to make time for them too. They love and support what you’re doing, don’t make them feel like supporting you means sitting on the sidelines.
The timer works for this, too. “Mommy writes for an hour, then when the timer dings we’ll play a game.” Or get creative, sit outside and watch them play while you write, use your laptop while you watch a movie together.
Maybe you have a day that’s just for chores and family. The tot knows that one day is “sleep in fun day” the other is “mommy writes in her PJs until noon then does chores day.” We all have days
After the kiddos go to bed, twitter or write or whatever for a certain amount of time, then stop and spend a little time with your hubby, even if it’s watching a TV show together. Hubbies need love too.
Dinner doesn’t have to mean PB&J even when you’re working all day or on deadline. Use your crock pot. Keep your freezer stocked with easy things to make your family loves. This doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be as simple as a pound of cubed meat and a bag of frozen veggies for stir fry, a package of kielbasa and a bag of frozen sliced peppers. Pick things up on sale and freeze them if you can.
There are tons of little strategies for making time for everyone and everything. Think of your time as a closet, go though each thing and decide if you “need” it or not. Set times. Make gridded schedule if that works for you. Post a picture of your family on your computer as a reminder. Figure out what works for you and stick to it, but don’t be afraid to try new methods and re-evaluate what you’re doing.
Use “dead time” wisely. When you’re driving the kids to and from school is a great way to spend a little extra time with them. Drill spelling words, sing silly songs, let them give you plot suggestions. When they’re not in the car you can use this time to plot, figure out what you’re making for dinner. I’ve even heard of people using Dragon in the car and dictating stories onto their laptops while they drive, but I’m not brave enough to try it.
What do you do during lunch hour (if you get one)? Use it to run errands, go for a walk, or even write on your laptop instead of being social. I can get a lot of work done in that hour while eating if I focus and have a plan for what I’m going to do that day. Don’t let the internet distract you!
Do you have favorite time management tricks to share?
You can do it! You can be a happy mom with everything she wants out of life. Be supermom. I dare you. Now, what’s your plan?
But you don’t have to do that (and you shouldn’t.)
You just have to get very creative about your time.
First figure out the things you have to make time for – for example, work and communing to work.
Then, factor in the things that are most important to you – family, writing, etc.
Add in anything else means a lot, but you may be willing to miss if need be – dance class, writers meetings.
If having a sparkling house, or going to church, or once a week dinners with grandma is important to you, it should be on those lists.
Everything not on that list is expendable – TV, twitter, reading, blogging, etc. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever do these things. We all have our favorite TV show, the trash needs taken out, and it’s fun to connect with people online. However, like desert, we should watch how much time we spend on these things – especially things that suck up our time.
We all have things that happen and take up our time, things we have to do. Do them, but don’t let them derail your focus.
It takes willpower to peel yourself off the couch or away from the computer. It’s so easy to go, “but I need to spend all this time on social networking to promote myself.” You shouldn’t abandon it completely, but try setting a timer. Go, “do I really need to watch this/do this/right now? What else could I be doing? How many pages could I have written instead of watching this show I don’t care about? Could I be playing with my kids?”
Make time for your writing, but try to take that time from the “expendable” list, not from the list of important things. Time for you, whether it’s an exercise class or a bubble bath, (or even a date with the hubby or friends) is important too (remember, if mommy’s not happy no one is happy.”)
Choose obligations carefully and learn to say no. Keep sight of what’s important to you. If it’s something that you don’t “have” to do and it’ll take away from writing, or spending time with the fam, etc, think really hard about doing it – even if everyone else it. If it’s not fun and not mandatory, then why do it?
May prioritized lists (if lists work for you). What do you have to do What do you have to do today or the world will explode. Keep things in perspecitve and don't beat yourself up if you don't get everything done or make time for everyone, that day. Just try again tomorrow. Maybe start with what went to the wayside the day before. (Rewards work too, for pages written, to do lists, etc. Cookies work well for me.)
Don’t forget your kids and family. Even when you’re on deadline, try to make time for them too. They love and support what you’re doing, don’t make them feel like supporting you means sitting on the sidelines.
The timer works for this, too. “Mommy writes for an hour, then when the timer dings we’ll play a game.” Or get creative, sit outside and watch them play while you write, use your laptop while you watch a movie together.
Maybe you have a day that’s just for chores and family. The tot knows that one day is “sleep in fun day” the other is “mommy writes in her PJs until noon then does chores day.” We all have days
After the kiddos go to bed, twitter or write or whatever for a certain amount of time, then stop and spend a little time with your hubby, even if it’s watching a TV show together. Hubbies need love too.
Dinner doesn’t have to mean PB&J even when you’re working all day or on deadline. Use your crock pot. Keep your freezer stocked with easy things to make your family loves. This doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be as simple as a pound of cubed meat and a bag of frozen veggies for stir fry, a package of kielbasa and a bag of frozen sliced peppers. Pick things up on sale and freeze them if you can.
There are tons of little strategies for making time for everyone and everything. Think of your time as a closet, go though each thing and decide if you “need” it or not. Set times. Make gridded schedule if that works for you. Post a picture of your family on your computer as a reminder. Figure out what works for you and stick to it, but don’t be afraid to try new methods and re-evaluate what you’re doing.
Use “dead time” wisely. When you’re driving the kids to and from school is a great way to spend a little extra time with them. Drill spelling words, sing silly songs, let them give you plot suggestions. When they’re not in the car you can use this time to plot, figure out what you’re making for dinner. I’ve even heard of people using Dragon in the car and dictating stories onto their laptops while they drive, but I’m not brave enough to try it.
What do you do during lunch hour (if you get one)? Use it to run errands, go for a walk, or even write on your laptop instead of being social. I can get a lot of work done in that hour while eating if I focus and have a plan for what I’m going to do that day. Don’t let the internet distract you!
Do you have favorite time management tricks to share?
You can do it! You can be a happy mom with everything she wants out of life. Be supermom. I dare you. Now, what’s your plan?
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