...are brimming. New characters are starting to make themselves known inside my head...a new novel has started its process of moving from a vague idea and title, to solid people and solid situations. It's rather exciting!
But first, I have to finish editing a manuscript for a fellow Authonomite (under 100 pages now!) and then edit/re-write bits of Hospital Corners and get it ready for submission. I hope Angela, David, Ryan and Melissa can keep themselves busy at the back of my mind until I reach that point!
Hospital Corners is slowly climbing up the ranks again, and sits at 207 this afternoon. Mostly thanks to a couple of fabulous backers whose support means everything to me. I'm not fussed about reaching the editor's desk (although, of course that would be wonderful!), but the fact these two people believe in my book means the world to me. Thanks Richard and Bev.
Outside of writing and editing, my life has been ticking over quite nicely. I'm over the horrible bug Big Toots passed on, and I've been doing my sessions at the gym with vim and vigour. I've even broken out into spontaneous jogging on the treadmill, something I'd never have dreamed would ever happen! Tomorrow is "dress shopping" day with the real Esme. Not a wedding dress (definitely not!), but hopefully a size 12 kick-ass foxy dress to impress a certain lovely bloke. Said lovely bloke gets home tomorrow, after 2 weeks offshore, and I can't wait for my promised "world's longest cuddle".
My NaNoWriMo Word Count Widgets!
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Bleah...
...although I'm glad Big Toots is turning into such a caring, sharing wee girl, I'd rather she kept her germs to herself! Day 4 of feeling under the weather...
I'd hoped to make great inroads into editing my friend's manuscript, but I'm not even a hundred pages in yet. And Hospital Corners has gone back onto the backburner until that's out the way! Sigh...
I had a very strange dream a couple of nights ago, that I'm half tempted to shape into something, although it's not my usual genre at all (reading or writing!). A dystopian thriller/sci-fi that I think would work really well as a storyline in Torchwood....set either at the London 2012 Olympics, or a hundred years in the future. If my brain wasn't stuffed with cotton wool, I'd be able to rough something out....but as it stands, I'll be spending the rest of today on the sofa, dozing along to a DVD and waiting for my nightly pick-me-up call from a certain someone.
I'd hoped to make great inroads into editing my friend's manuscript, but I'm not even a hundred pages in yet. And Hospital Corners has gone back onto the backburner until that's out the way! Sigh...
I had a very strange dream a couple of nights ago, that I'm half tempted to shape into something, although it's not my usual genre at all (reading or writing!). A dystopian thriller/sci-fi that I think would work really well as a storyline in Torchwood....set either at the London 2012 Olympics, or a hundred years in the future. If my brain wasn't stuffed with cotton wool, I'd be able to rough something out....but as it stands, I'll be spending the rest of today on the sofa, dozing along to a DVD and waiting for my nightly pick-me-up call from a certain someone.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
The diet continues....
...and the gym sessions too! So far this week I've done 2 circuit classes and gone hill-walking. The view was fabulous but my ears nearly froze.
I've finished reading through the manuscript for my friend and have made a few suggestions to her on how I feel the pace could be tightened up. I've loved the challenge and can't wait to see the revised draft.
I'm about to print out the 2nd draft of Hospital Corners and make a start on the next edit. I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself from getting stuck in earlier than intended! I've had some good reviews and suggestions, so now it's up to me to really get it whipped into shape. I'll also be working on my synopsis and pitches (shudder!) and will hopefully be sending it out to agents in the Spring. We'll see how that goes....
Right - time to load up the printer with fresh paper and ink while I prepare my Slimfast lunch....then it's the hairdressers and a quiet night in.
I've finished reading through the manuscript for my friend and have made a few suggestions to her on how I feel the pace could be tightened up. I've loved the challenge and can't wait to see the revised draft.
I'm about to print out the 2nd draft of Hospital Corners and make a start on the next edit. I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself from getting stuck in earlier than intended! I've had some good reviews and suggestions, so now it's up to me to really get it whipped into shape. I'll also be working on my synopsis and pitches (shudder!) and will hopefully be sending it out to agents in the Spring. We'll see how that goes....
Right - time to load up the printer with fresh paper and ink while I prepare my Slimfast lunch....then it's the hairdressers and a quiet night in.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Squiggle-eyed New Year greetings...
...no, I'm not hung-over from New Year partying, I'm editing a 300+ page manuscript and I need a break for 5 minutes. I'm clearly out of practise - I could read reports and protocols all day long, once upon a time. It'll come back to me, I'm sure. And I'm loving it.
A fellow Authonomite has taken up my offer to review her MS and I'm loving the challenge. It gives me something to fill my time whilst giving me a break from Hospital Corners for a few weeks. That way, when I take another look at it, it'll be with fresher eyes (and ones attuned to editing). My next edit of HC will involve splitting the book up by character and reading each one separately, making sure I capture a consistent voice and don't suddenly have them knowing something they shouldn't. I'll be tigthening up the opening, with much thanks to another Authonomite for his clear and utterly brilliant advice. It's nice when a published author and experienced editor tells you the right words are there, just not necessarily in the right order. Well, after this editing for a friend, I'll be putting HC's words in order!
That's all for today. Other than to say that the diet has started (slipped today as editing and chocolate go hand-in-hand - no thanks to my neighbour who dropped round a pile of unwanted Xmas chocolates!) and I had my first session back at the gym yesterday. Back again tomorrow before lunch with a new friend. And then picking up the Tootsie's from nursery and school and hoping they've got over the present-fuelled buzz of Xmas.
Happy 2012 everyone.
A fellow Authonomite has taken up my offer to review her MS and I'm loving the challenge. It gives me something to fill my time whilst giving me a break from Hospital Corners for a few weeks. That way, when I take another look at it, it'll be with fresher eyes (and ones attuned to editing). My next edit of HC will involve splitting the book up by character and reading each one separately, making sure I capture a consistent voice and don't suddenly have them knowing something they shouldn't. I'll be tigthening up the opening, with much thanks to another Authonomite for his clear and utterly brilliant advice. It's nice when a published author and experienced editor tells you the right words are there, just not necessarily in the right order. Well, after this editing for a friend, I'll be putting HC's words in order!
That's all for today. Other than to say that the diet has started (slipped today as editing and chocolate go hand-in-hand - no thanks to my neighbour who dropped round a pile of unwanted Xmas chocolates!) and I had my first session back at the gym yesterday. Back again tomorrow before lunch with a new friend. And then picking up the Tootsie's from nursery and school and hoping they've got over the present-fuelled buzz of Xmas.
Happy 2012 everyone.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Happy Christmas!
It's Christmas Eve and my house is smelling rather lovely. The Day will be spent at my Dad and Step-mum's and I'm taking my own main course, being the only vegetarian. I've roasted some butternut squash, sweet potato, red onion, garlic and baby plum tomatoes, sauteed some chestnut mushrooms and spinach in mustard and white wine, and now I'm waiting for it all to cool so I can wrap it in puff pastry and set it aside for tomorrow.
My plans for the rest of the day involve cups of tea, chocolate biscuits and the TV - Muppets Christmas Carol! And then a book (a real, proper printed one - not an Authonomy one) until the girls arrive, hyped up for the night. I fully expect tears before, during, and after bed-time! Presents are all wrapped, cards are all written and all I have to do tonight is leave out some chocolates for Santa (lucky Santa), carrots for the reindeer (to help them see where they're going - according to Big Toots. Little Tootsie thinks they help Rudolph's nose glow) and pop a couple of Santa presents under the tree for the morning. The majority of pressies are already waiting at Granny and Grandad's for after church, but I figured they'd need something in the morning if they're not to burst from excitement.
It's strange to think we're only a week away from next year. 2011 has been a good year for me, certainly compared to previous years! One book written that I plan to shape up even more and submit to agents, and a NaNovel that needs completely re-written, but it's a start. I've learnt a heck of a lot, even since starting this blog, and I hope next year goes even better.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and I'll see you all in the New Year.
My plans for the rest of the day involve cups of tea, chocolate biscuits and the TV - Muppets Christmas Carol! And then a book (a real, proper printed one - not an Authonomy one) until the girls arrive, hyped up for the night. I fully expect tears before, during, and after bed-time! Presents are all wrapped, cards are all written and all I have to do tonight is leave out some chocolates for Santa (lucky Santa), carrots for the reindeer (to help them see where they're going - according to Big Toots. Little Tootsie thinks they help Rudolph's nose glow) and pop a couple of Santa presents under the tree for the morning. The majority of pressies are already waiting at Granny and Grandad's for after church, but I figured they'd need something in the morning if they're not to burst from excitement.
It's strange to think we're only a week away from next year. 2011 has been a good year for me, certainly compared to previous years! One book written that I plan to shape up even more and submit to agents, and a NaNovel that needs completely re-written, but it's a start. I've learnt a heck of a lot, even since starting this blog, and I hope next year goes even better.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and I'll see you all in the New Year.
Monday, 19 December 2011
Drum roll please....
...the second draft of Hospital Corners is complete!
My plan now is to catch up on my Authonomy watch-list and research queries/pitches/synopses etc over the Christmas period. Mind you, my original plan was to leave the first major edit until after Christmas....
My plan now is to catch up on my Authonomy watch-list and research queries/pitches/synopses etc over the Christmas period. Mind you, my original plan was to leave the first major edit until after Christmas....
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
5...
Five chapters of Hospital Corners left to edit, and I hope to whizz through one of those this morning. I am, however, singing all the songs for my Xmas Cabaret at the same time, so the results could be interesting! Hopefully, www.prowritingaid.com will pick up any doozies.
My main reason for posting today is pure excitement at the fact that I've been a guest blogger for the first time ever! One of my NaNoWriMo writing buddies has a blog and asked me to do a spot for him. I did it with much pleasure and I'm sure to be asking for a return blog at some point. Here's the place to find it: http://my100goals.blogspot.com/2011/12/guest-post-staceym.html
Right - I'm off to practise my solo. We had a rehearsal last night with the band, and the drummer was a tad on the loud side, meaning I couldn't hear the piano and came in well off-key!
My main reason for posting today is pure excitement at the fact that I've been a guest blogger for the first time ever! One of my NaNoWriMo writing buddies has a blog and asked me to do a spot for him. I did it with much pleasure and I'm sure to be asking for a return blog at some point. Here's the place to find it: http://my100goals.blogspot.com/2011/12/guest-post-staceym.html
Right - I'm off to practise my solo. We had a rehearsal last night with the band, and the drummer was a tad on the loud side, meaning I couldn't hear the piano and came in well off-key!
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