Cherie Priest's Blog: It's awards season, so here comes the shameless self-promotion, page 3
April 16, 2016
I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen
Right, so...it's been a bit since I posted, but I did warn you that it might go that way. In brief, as soon as I left town for ConGlomeration the edits for The Family Plot landed in my inbox - so that's been eating up most of my attention since my return. Well, that, and unpacking/housekeeping/laundry/catching up on all the crap that's piled up while I was out of town for nearly a week.
You know how it goes.
ConGlomeration was an easy event for me, because I got to stop at my dad and stepmom's place both on the way there - and on the way back. Bookend highlights include party-time with the 'rents and their Great Danes; highlights of the event itself included party-time with the Apex Magazine crew - notably editor (and old friend) Jason Sizemore, and author Maurice Broaddus, who is everything awesome that I always imagined he'd be - and then some ... plus party-time with new friends Jenna Busch and her sister, Christy.
We um...we may have closed down the bar a couple of times.
Look, these things happen.
In other news, here are a couple of dogs who very badly need to have that leftover gravy poured over their kibble, thanks. If you could be so kind.
On the way home, I caught up on my missing Night Vale episodes and tried to keep my car from exploding - for the "service engine light" and some real funky noises started up as I was leaving the hotel. So to speak. I limped it back to Dad's place and we ran the codes at Auto Zone; it looks like I've got a bad ignition coil (maybe) and some spark plug problems (probably) ... but with a little fiddling, I made it home unscathed. Still the car needs servicing - not that I have the time to spare for it. (And my husband has even less time than I do. One way or another, though. We'll get around to it.)
Anyway, everything in Tennessee was just as I'd left it.
Hm...what else?
Oh yeah, I also went and got that CT scan of my head, so we can maybe find out what the deal is with my sinuses and ears. Long story short, I have a lifetime of allergy and sinus problems, and for the last couple of months my right ear (and sometimes my left, too) is refusing to pop for days at a time. I run around sounding (to myself, when I talk) like I'm underwater - and it's been driving me crazy. The cause could be any number of things, but a CT scan will narrow those causes down.
I don't have the results yet, but I've got a followup scheduled with the ENT for early next month. So I guess I'll get a better idea of what's going on at that time. I hope.
I don't have any pictures of my sinuses to share, and that's just as well. Here. Have a shot of Greyson instead.
In other news, I will try to wrap up these edits before tomorrow night, and slide them onto my editor's desk first thing Monday morning - and then I will get to work on my next project (a piece for one of the upcoming Wild Cards books). I still have that project, and the YA rewrites, and a finished draft of The Toll to cough up before autumn rolls around, and summer is never as long as you think it is ... so I'd better get back to work.
So in closing ... thanks for reading, everyone.
P.S: Dog party.
You know how it goes.
ConGlomeration was an easy event for me, because I got to stop at my dad and stepmom's place both on the way there - and on the way back. Bookend highlights include party-time with the 'rents and their Great Danes; highlights of the event itself included party-time with the Apex Magazine crew - notably editor (and old friend) Jason Sizemore, and author Maurice Broaddus, who is everything awesome that I always imagined he'd be - and then some ... plus party-time with new friends Jenna Busch and her sister, Christy.
We um...we may have closed down the bar a couple of times.
Look, these things happen.
In other news, here are a couple of dogs who very badly need to have that leftover gravy poured over their kibble, thanks. If you could be so kind.
On the way home, I caught up on my missing Night Vale episodes and tried to keep my car from exploding - for the "service engine light" and some real funky noises started up as I was leaving the hotel. So to speak. I limped it back to Dad's place and we ran the codes at Auto Zone; it looks like I've got a bad ignition coil (maybe) and some spark plug problems (probably) ... but with a little fiddling, I made it home unscathed. Still the car needs servicing - not that I have the time to spare for it. (And my husband has even less time than I do. One way or another, though. We'll get around to it.)
Anyway, everything in Tennessee was just as I'd left it.
Hm...what else?
Oh yeah, I also went and got that CT scan of my head, so we can maybe find out what the deal is with my sinuses and ears. Long story short, I have a lifetime of allergy and sinus problems, and for the last couple of months my right ear (and sometimes my left, too) is refusing to pop for days at a time. I run around sounding (to myself, when I talk) like I'm underwater - and it's been driving me crazy. The cause could be any number of things, but a CT scan will narrow those causes down.
I don't have the results yet, but I've got a followup scheduled with the ENT for early next month. So I guess I'll get a better idea of what's going on at that time. I hope.
I don't have any pictures of my sinuses to share, and that's just as well. Here. Have a shot of Greyson instead.
In other news, I will try to wrap up these edits before tomorrow night, and slide them onto my editor's desk first thing Monday morning - and then I will get to work on my next project (a piece for one of the upcoming Wild Cards books). I still have that project, and the YA rewrites, and a finished draft of The Toll to cough up before autumn rolls around, and summer is never as long as you think it is ... so I'd better get back to work.
So in closing ... thanks for reading, everyone.
P.S: Dog party.
April 4, 2016
Updates, Predictions, and Whatnot
So spring has sprung, and I've been largely off the internet for a week or so. I needed a break after the death march of the Brimstone draft, and I've been playing catch-up on other writing and/or writing business miscellany...and beginning the seasonal yard work. I hired a little help to get things underway, and now the place is looking pretty keen: everything is mowed and trimmed; perennials have been tended to, and are growing in nicely; and annuals have been added in the usual pots and positions.
I swear, the yard went from dead-of-winter to full-on-spring in just a few days. It's gorgeous, and I'm thrilled - and I'll be even more thrilled in another few weeks(?) or so, when we finally get to install a new fence. Or so I cross my fingers.
At present, we have a four-foot ribbon of chain link that's decades old, warped like crazy, and growing through one tree/two shrubs/one privet hedge/the remains of another privet hedge, long deceased. God, I wish I was kidding.
We overpaid on our taxes two years in a row and this year, we're cashing in - thus the high hopes for six feet of wood in a semi-privacy perimeter. It won't be cheap and it won't be easy, but maybe we can finally swing it.
We intend to save one imperiled mulberry tree, but we need to take down an overgrown hackberry that's menacing our neighbors and throwing black fungus/dust all over one corner of our yard. And the privets. Those have got to go. (Probably with the fence they've grown through - all in one weird bundle of wood, leaves, and twisted chain link.) So I say all that to say this: It will be a far more involved process than a mere fence-building. It's more like removing an art installation that's been sitting in a jungle for fifty years. Then building a fence.
I really do hope we can pull it off.
* * *
Hmm...what else, since last I posted?
Well, let's see - I went and saw an Ear/Nose/Throat specialist because I've been having some trouble with my sinuses. It was a frustrating, tedious visit ... but I could use the CAT scan, so I stuck it out for the sake of the referral. No word from them on the CAT appointment yet, but I assume word is coming.
Or maybe not. I didn't leave that office with a great deal of faith in it, TBH.
* * *
I also went to lunch with my aunt and cousin, who were passing through town. After noshing, we went out for pedis. I chose a disco sparkle orange, then changed my mind a couple of days later. Now they're grape-jelly purple.
Let the record reflect, I kept my promise to only post this picture - in which my aunt does not look like a serial killer ... like she does in the other picture I took. Which I am absolutely not sharing here.
* * *
Dog party.
* * *
In other news, posting will continue to be light for a little bit - as I'm heading up to Kentucky on Wednesday. That's right, I'm leaving the husband behind to care for the "kids" and driving up for ConGlomeration , in Louisville. (I'm stopping at my dad/stepmom's place on the way there, and on the way back. Thus the Wednesday departure.)
I'm really looking forward to it! My very first sci-fi convention EVER was RiverCon in Louisville, back in ... 1999, maybe? 2000? It's been awhile. (And that event closed down a number of years ago, I believe.) So besides the convenient parental stopover, I'm wound up for the sheer nostalgia of it all.
But I won't be on the internet much, except (no doubt) to post to Twitter as I'm able. So until I get back home next Monday, feel free to join me over there. Or don't! Whatever makes you happy. I'm cool either way.
Thanks for reading, and I'll be back on the wordcount hobbyhorse next week...
I swear, the yard went from dead-of-winter to full-on-spring in just a few days. It's gorgeous, and I'm thrilled - and I'll be even more thrilled in another few weeks(?) or so, when we finally get to install a new fence. Or so I cross my fingers.
At present, we have a four-foot ribbon of chain link that's decades old, warped like crazy, and growing through one tree/two shrubs/one privet hedge/the remains of another privet hedge, long deceased. God, I wish I was kidding.
We overpaid on our taxes two years in a row and this year, we're cashing in - thus the high hopes for six feet of wood in a semi-privacy perimeter. It won't be cheap and it won't be easy, but maybe we can finally swing it.
We intend to save one imperiled mulberry tree, but we need to take down an overgrown hackberry that's menacing our neighbors and throwing black fungus/dust all over one corner of our yard. And the privets. Those have got to go. (Probably with the fence they've grown through - all in one weird bundle of wood, leaves, and twisted chain link.) So I say all that to say this: It will be a far more involved process than a mere fence-building. It's more like removing an art installation that's been sitting in a jungle for fifty years. Then building a fence.
I really do hope we can pull it off.
* * *
Hmm...what else, since last I posted?
Well, let's see - I went and saw an Ear/Nose/Throat specialist because I've been having some trouble with my sinuses. It was a frustrating, tedious visit ... but I could use the CAT scan, so I stuck it out for the sake of the referral. No word from them on the CAT appointment yet, but I assume word is coming.
Or maybe not. I didn't leave that office with a great deal of faith in it, TBH.
* * *
I also went to lunch with my aunt and cousin, who were passing through town. After noshing, we went out for pedis. I chose a disco sparkle orange, then changed my mind a couple of days later. Now they're grape-jelly purple.
Let the record reflect, I kept my promise to only post this picture - in which my aunt does not look like a serial killer ... like she does in the other picture I took. Which I am absolutely not sharing here.
* * *
Dog party.
* * *
In other news, posting will continue to be light for a little bit - as I'm heading up to Kentucky on Wednesday. That's right, I'm leaving the husband behind to care for the "kids" and driving up for ConGlomeration , in Louisville. (I'm stopping at my dad/stepmom's place on the way there, and on the way back. Thus the Wednesday departure.)
I'm really looking forward to it! My very first sci-fi convention EVER was RiverCon in Louisville, back in ... 1999, maybe? 2000? It's been awhile. (And that event closed down a number of years ago, I believe.) So besides the convenient parental stopover, I'm wound up for the sheer nostalgia of it all.
But I won't be on the internet much, except (no doubt) to post to Twitter as I'm able. So until I get back home next Monday, feel free to join me over there. Or don't! Whatever makes you happy. I'm cool either way.
Thanks for reading, and I'll be back on the wordcount hobbyhorse next week...
March 25, 2016
We make a little history, baby, every time you come around
Here's today's progress on my rural gothic monster story about small-town secrets, old family lies, accidental legend-tripping, and a missing newlywed in the Okefenokee swamp - where you can drive SR 177 from west to east and cross six bridges...or take it from east to west, and you might hit seven. (But you’d better hope not.)
Project: The Toll
Deadline: November 1, 2016
New words written: 1611
Present total word count: 20,612
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Checked into a hotel; followed the music to the bar; showed a picture around; got a really weird vibe.
Other: Took yesterday "off" to clean the house and run some errands. This is all I've gotten done today - and I might do more this afternoon/evening, but it's the end of a chapter, so... yeah.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with dog; yesterday's aforementioned house cleaning; laundry; grabbed lunch; sent some important emails; waited impatiently on another important email; not much else.
Dog Other: Earlier this week, it was allegedly "National Dog Day." I had no idea that was a thing, but here's our beloved shelter mutt, dogging for all he's worth.
Cat Other: Quinnie is now nine months old and roughly the size of a leopard. A squeaky, demanding, fluffy-toed leopard.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 93,807
Project: The Toll
Deadline: November 1, 2016
New words written: 1611
Present total word count: 20,612
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Checked into a hotel; followed the music to the bar; showed a picture around; got a really weird vibe.
Other: Took yesterday "off" to clean the house and run some errands. This is all I've gotten done today - and I might do more this afternoon/evening, but it's the end of a chapter, so... yeah.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with dog; yesterday's aforementioned house cleaning; laundry; grabbed lunch; sent some important emails; waited impatiently on another important email; not much else.
Dog Other: Earlier this week, it was allegedly "National Dog Day." I had no idea that was a thing, but here's our beloved shelter mutt, dogging for all he's worth.
Cat Other: Quinnie is now nine months old and roughly the size of a leopard. A squeaky, demanding, fluffy-toed leopard.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 93,807
March 23, 2016
I bought you drinks, I brought you flowers
Here's today's progress on my rural gothic monster story about small-town secrets, old family lies, accidental legend-tripping, and a missing newlywed in the Okefenokee swamp - where you can drive SR 177 from west to east and cross six bridges...or take it from east to west, and you might hit seven. (But you’d better hope not.)
Project: The Toll
Deadline: November 1, 2016
New words written: 1490
Present total word count: 19,001
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Reread everything yet again - now that I've swapped sections around, so I could get a feel for the new order - and began composing new material in earnest. It's always a gear-grind when I shift from one project to another (especially when the projects are so very different as my last one, and this one), so it's typically slow-going at the start. Still, 1500 words is better than nothing, and I've finally gotten this one back underway.
Other: Of course, at literally any moment a higher-priority project may land in my lap - and I'll have to put this down again. But I've got some momentum from the big Brimstone push, and I may as well take advantage of it.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with dog; went to liquor store to restock sadly depleted cabinet; went to Walgreens to pick up prescription; picked up milk; went to lunch.
Dog Other: Yesterday, Greyson and Luna had a play-date. It was adorable, as always.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 92,196
Project: The Toll
Deadline: November 1, 2016
New words written: 1490
Present total word count: 19,001
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Reread everything yet again - now that I've swapped sections around, so I could get a feel for the new order - and began composing new material in earnest. It's always a gear-grind when I shift from one project to another (especially when the projects are so very different as my last one, and this one), so it's typically slow-going at the start. Still, 1500 words is better than nothing, and I've finally gotten this one back underway.
Other: Of course, at literally any moment a higher-priority project may land in my lap - and I'll have to put this down again. But I've got some momentum from the big Brimstone push, and I may as well take advantage of it.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with dog; went to liquor store to restock sadly depleted cabinet; went to Walgreens to pick up prescription; picked up milk; went to lunch.
Dog Other: Yesterday, Greyson and Luna had a play-date. It was adorable, as always.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 92,196
March 22, 2016
I reached the wrong ends by the wrong means
As it turns out...I made that Brimstone deadline the other day, but then a million little things swept into its wake - thus the general radio silence for the last week or so. But I was very productive, and knocked it all out in a timely fashion. I even squeezed in a few days of yard work, getting everything cleaned up from winter and ready for spring.
Greyson "helped."
Right.
So.
While I wait for production/editorial news for The Agony House and The Family Plot to come down the pike, I've dug out The Toll ... for the first time in almost a year. No shit, last time I posted about it was April 9, 2015. Well, this one got pushed back, and other things filled that gap, etc. etc. etc. But now the draft is due in November, and since I'm in "hurry up and wait" mode on everything else...I thought I'd take a look at it, and do some noodling.
Because every bit of progress I can squirrel away during these "downtime" weeks is progress I won't have to marathon later this fall. That's why.
With that in mind: Here's recent progress on my rural gothic monster story about small-town secrets, old family lies, accidental legend-tripping, and a missing newlywed in the Okefenokee swamp - where you can drive SR 177 from west to east and cross six bridges...or take it from east to west, and you might hit seven. (But you’d better hope not.)
Project: The Toll
Deadline: November 1, 2016
New words written: 529 (a result of rejiggering/cleaning up)
Present total word count: 17,511
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Changed up the order of the existing chapters, splitting one of them into two bits - and adjusting some of the pacing. But I think I'm ready to start work on this thing again in earnest.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunts with dog; lunches with husband; trips to the post office; trips to the bank; trips to Walgreens and grocery stores; and so forth; and so on.
Other: Quinnie also "helps." But not with yard work.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 90,706
Greyson "helped."
Right.
So.
While I wait for production/editorial news for The Agony House and The Family Plot to come down the pike, I've dug out The Toll ... for the first time in almost a year. No shit, last time I posted about it was April 9, 2015. Well, this one got pushed back, and other things filled that gap, etc. etc. etc. But now the draft is due in November, and since I'm in "hurry up and wait" mode on everything else...I thought I'd take a look at it, and do some noodling.
Because every bit of progress I can squirrel away during these "downtime" weeks is progress I won't have to marathon later this fall. That's why.
With that in mind: Here's recent progress on my rural gothic monster story about small-town secrets, old family lies, accidental legend-tripping, and a missing newlywed in the Okefenokee swamp - where you can drive SR 177 from west to east and cross six bridges...or take it from east to west, and you might hit seven. (But you’d better hope not.)
Project: The Toll
Deadline: November 1, 2016
New words written: 529 (a result of rejiggering/cleaning up)
Present total word count: 17,511
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Changed up the order of the existing chapters, splitting one of them into two bits - and adjusting some of the pacing. But I think I'm ready to start work on this thing again in earnest.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunts with dog; lunches with husband; trips to the post office; trips to the bank; trips to Walgreens and grocery stores; and so forth; and so on.
Other: Quinnie also "helps." But not with yard work.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 90,706
March 9, 2016
We bitches tear our magazines [DRAFT ZERO AHOY]
Here's recent progress on my subtropical (art)deco mystery about a young medium in a historic spiritualist community teaming up with a shell-shocked haberdasher who's receiving love notes from hell ... as inspired by a real place and a real set of bizarre (otherworldly?) incidents:
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 9051
Present total word count: 99,551 [Draft Zero
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Big spooky climax; wind-down; some fiddling.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunts with Greyson; took eldercat to vet; performed the IV fluids on the cat in question in the presence of a professional, and now I know we can do it at home; went and got my hair trimmed up ahead of my trip to Dahlonega this weekend; answered a crap-ton of emails.
Deadline Other: Yes, the draft is a little shorter than I expected - but it's WHOLE. I'll let it sit over the weekend, clean it up Monday and Tuesday, and send it off Tuesday night. When rewrites come around it'll probably plump up somewhat.
Bonus Other: If you scroll down to the bottom of this post, you'll see that I've written over 90,000 words since January 1. That's not quite a record for me, but that's a lot for me to handle in 9 weeks. I kind of want to sleep for a month, but HAHAHAHAHAHA that is not going to happen. So. Yeah.
Next Up Other: I have a number of things coming down the pike - some are production things (edits/etc. on The Family Plot, rewrite things (The Agony House - beginning any day now), proposal things (something on deck I can't talk about yet, but will eat a lot of time), group projects in process of which I'm not supposed to speak yet, a short story that will require some research but is very important to me, and oh yeah, I have to finish writing The Toll before November. So don't worry. I'll stay busy. I have no choice.
Dog Other: Playdate with Luna!
Cat Other: Remember when this? Now this.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 90,177
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 9051
Present total word count: 99,551 [Draft Zero
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Big spooky climax; wind-down; some fiddling.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunts with Greyson; took eldercat to vet; performed the IV fluids on the cat in question in the presence of a professional, and now I know we can do it at home; went and got my hair trimmed up ahead of my trip to Dahlonega this weekend; answered a crap-ton of emails.
Deadline Other: Yes, the draft is a little shorter than I expected - but it's WHOLE. I'll let it sit over the weekend, clean it up Monday and Tuesday, and send it off Tuesday night. When rewrites come around it'll probably plump up somewhat.
Bonus Other: If you scroll down to the bottom of this post, you'll see that I've written over 90,000 words since January 1. That's not quite a record for me, but that's a lot for me to handle in 9 weeks. I kind of want to sleep for a month, but HAHAHAHAHAHA that is not going to happen. So. Yeah.
Next Up Other: I have a number of things coming down the pike - some are production things (edits/etc. on The Family Plot, rewrite things (The Agony House - beginning any day now), proposal things (something on deck I can't talk about yet, but will eat a lot of time), group projects in process of which I'm not supposed to speak yet, a short story that will require some research but is very important to me, and oh yeah, I have to finish writing The Toll before November. So don't worry. I'll stay busy. I have no choice.
Dog Other: Playdate with Luna!
Cat Other: Remember when this? Now this.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 90,177
March 7, 2016
Endless faith in hopeless deeds
Here's recent progress on my subtropical (art)deco mystery about a young medium in a historic spiritualist community teaming up with a shell-shocked haberdasher who's receiving love notes from hell ... as inspired by a real place and a real set of bizarre (otherworldly?) incidents:
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 9941 (cumulative)
Present total word count: 90,500
Things Accomplished in Fiction: An assault; an inferno; a botched plan; a new plan; a bullet on the bone.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunts with Greyson; took Saturday "off" and spent the day with my husband for our 10-year anniversary; did some necessary shopping; did some laundry; went to post office; I forget what else.
Deadline Other: One big scene and a half left to go. I can do this.
House Pet Other: Kittygram.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 81,126
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 9941 (cumulative)
Present total word count: 90,500
Things Accomplished in Fiction: An assault; an inferno; a botched plan; a new plan; a bullet on the bone.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunts with Greyson; took Saturday "off" and spent the day with my husband for our 10-year anniversary; did some necessary shopping; did some laundry; went to post office; I forget what else.
Deadline Other: One big scene and a half left to go. I can do this.
House Pet Other: Kittygram.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 81,126
March 3, 2016
I want eagles in my daydreams, diamonds in my eyes
Here's recent progress on my subtropical (art)deco mystery about a young medium in a historic spiritualist community teaming up with a shell-shocked haberdasher who's receiving love notes from hell ... as inspired by a real place and a real set of bizarre (otherworldly?) incidents:
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 2535
Present total word count: 80,559
Things Accomplished in Fiction: A hard conversation; fleeing the scene; a warning.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with Greyson; did laundry; cleaned house (lightly - not a full scour); went to Walgreens for a prescription refill; went to the grocery store; answered a crap-ton of emails.
Deadline Other: To be honest, I wrote most of that word count last night. Today, I went back and removed some of last night's progress, and only made a little bit more in its place. (I slept in too late, and got a late start - never did catch up. Didn't mean to, but I was very tired and I'm still a bit sick.) Now I'll try to get a little more done before I settle in for the evening.
House Pet Other: We got some ice today. It melted and turned to rain almost immediately, but...
Number of fiction words so far this year: 71,185
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 2535
Present total word count: 80,559
Things Accomplished in Fiction: A hard conversation; fleeing the scene; a warning.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with Greyson; did laundry; cleaned house (lightly - not a full scour); went to Walgreens for a prescription refill; went to the grocery store; answered a crap-ton of emails.
Deadline Other: To be honest, I wrote most of that word count last night. Today, I went back and removed some of last night's progress, and only made a little bit more in its place. (I slept in too late, and got a late start - never did catch up. Didn't mean to, but I was very tired and I'm still a bit sick.) Now I'll try to get a little more done before I settle in for the evening.
House Pet Other: We got some ice today. It melted and turned to rain almost immediately, but...
Number of fiction words so far this year: 71,185
March 2, 2016
Call the police, there's a madman around
Here's recent progress on my subtropical (art)deco mystery about a young medium in a historic spiritualist community teaming up with a shell-shocked haberdasher who's receiving love notes from hell ... as inspired by a real place and a real set of bizarre (otherworldly?) incidents:
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 4820
Present total word count: 78,024
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Another fire - this one, tragic; a pre-dawn panic; a heroic act, all for naught; just imagine the insurance premiums in this poor little town.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with Greyson; got myself some lunch; paid some bills; answered some emails; not much else, to be honest.
Deadline Other: Today's word count is pretty swank - but it includes about a thousand words from last night. Holy crap you guys, I might actually make the deadline for this draft. Maybe. It won't be a great draft, but it'll be a whole draft - and that's what subsequent drafts are for: fixing the shitty first drafts. Draft draft draft. Weeeeee....
Personal Other: I feel less like hell than I have previously, but still a little bit like hell.
House Pet Other: This magnificent beast is only 8-1/2 months old. Not too shabby for a scraggly one-pound foundling retrieved from the hood of a car, eh?
Number of fiction words so far this year: 68,650
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 4820
Present total word count: 78,024
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Another fire - this one, tragic; a pre-dawn panic; a heroic act, all for naught; just imagine the insurance premiums in this poor little town.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with Greyson; got myself some lunch; paid some bills; answered some emails; not much else, to be honest.
Deadline Other: Today's word count is pretty swank - but it includes about a thousand words from last night. Holy crap you guys, I might actually make the deadline for this draft. Maybe. It won't be a great draft, but it'll be a whole draft - and that's what subsequent drafts are for: fixing the shitty first drafts. Draft draft draft. Weeeeee....
Personal Other: I feel less like hell than I have previously, but still a little bit like hell.
House Pet Other: This magnificent beast is only 8-1/2 months old. Not too shabby for a scraggly one-pound foundling retrieved from the hood of a car, eh?
Number of fiction words so far this year: 68,650
March 1, 2016
But the monsters turned out to be just trees
Here's recent progress on my subtropical (art)deco mystery about a young medium in a historic spiritualist community teaming up with a shell-shocked haberdasher who's receiving love notes from hell ... as inspired by a real place and a real set of bizarre (otherworldly?) incidents:
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 3276
Present total word count: 73,204
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Another ambulance; another police visit; a little disagreement that wasn't a fight, but felt like a fight; a quiet consultation.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with Greyson; went out and voted; took the little old lady cat in for fluids and got a tutorial on that so we can soon do these things at home; rescheduled a doctor's appointment; went to lunch with the husband.
Personal Other: I had a referral to an ENT, but the appointment was for Thursday - and I am frankly too eyeballs deep in everything to take a couple of hours out of my day to make that happen just now. (Office is about 20 miles away.) The nice receptionist let me put the appointment off until the end of this month, thank God.
Cat Other: Beware the bed monster.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 63,830
Project: Brimstone
Deadline: March 15, 2016
New words written: 3276
Present total word count: 73,204
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Another ambulance; another police visit; a little disagreement that wasn't a fight, but felt like a fight; a quiet consultation.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Neighborhood jaunt with Greyson; went out and voted; took the little old lady cat in for fluids and got a tutorial on that so we can soon do these things at home; rescheduled a doctor's appointment; went to lunch with the husband.
Personal Other: I had a referral to an ENT, but the appointment was for Thursday - and I am frankly too eyeballs deep in everything to take a couple of hours out of my day to make that happen just now. (Office is about 20 miles away.) The nice receptionist let me put the appointment off until the end of this month, thank God.
Cat Other: Beware the bed monster.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 63,830
It's awards season, so here comes the shameless self-promotion
Hello everyone! It's awards season and this is my job, so please click through and take a peek if you are so inclined. Don't worry - it's short! I only published a couple of things this year, and I in
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