THE WEEKEND PROGRESS REPORT 2005

[Betty W01]

One party coming up...

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[aka eraser]

Congrats Barb!

[ChunkyC]

Way to go, Barb!!! That deserves a great big....

http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/kiss1.gif

[batyler65]

Thanks guys!

You all rock!

Barb

[MacAl Stone]

http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage06/14.gifhttp://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/yea2.gifHurray for BARB!!!!!! Hurray for BUD!!!http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage23/20.gif

We'll be watching for the Katie Couric interview, Barb!

[sugarmuffin]

Barb, you are our hero, and so damn cool. :D

[batyler65]

Lisa, you should come and play more often!

[macalicious731]

BARB, congratulations! That's absolutely fantastic.

[Ed Williams 3]

...written last week, and I did two! Do I get any loose women to take to Vegas with me or anything? :D

Seriously, y'all keep your fingers crossed. Last month, I finished my first novel (Christmas novel set in Juliette, the tiny Georgia community I grew up in, it's one claim to fame is that it's where the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" was filmed), and sent a query to two pretty big lit agencies, one in New York and one in LA. Both have asked for the manuscript, which amazes me no end. I feel like the Forrest Gump of Literature these days.

[Betty W01]

Ed, VERY COOL! Congrats!!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_1_204.gif

[triceretops]

Dang, Ed! Congrats on the agents.

I'm sending my non-fiction proposal and chapters to one of four agents who want that damn thing. Unbelievable...

Now I don't know what to do with myself. Wait a minute. Write the rest of the book you ceratopsian moron!

Doh!

Tri

[Kida Adelyn]

http://www.koolpages.com/smilies/smajliji/party/party-smiley-037.gif

Yah Barb!!

[Kida Adelyn]

Then take your handy-dandy writing implements and head for the nearest library.

I know you were talking to the newbies but I happen to find the library the most distracting place in the world.:b


Okieday---

I had an exam major project due on Tuesday, a theory test on Wednesday then an exam on Thursday.

Then I played computer games all weekend. It's not my fault, my mother took me out and bought me three new computer games (well an expansion pack and two games) and I felt obligated to play them since she was kind enough to buy them for me.


... I have absolutely nothing to do this week. I'll write, I swear!!!!!!!

[Ed Williams 3]

...and I am saying this to make a point - I've been fortunate enough to have two books published thus far, both by southern regional presses. I think having those is what is giving me the chance with the agents, when I was first trying to get published I couldn't get an agent to give me the time of day. Even with that, they both could turn me down flat.

The main point - publication is possible, work hard and don't give up. Ever.

[Yeshanu]

I have absolutely nothing to do this week. I'll write, I swear!!!!!!!

She's lying!!! (I told you I'd tattle!)

Ruth has been under a lot of stress lately, but I'll have to admit that last week I didn't report here in an obviously futile attempt to avoid Barb's taser. But what the heck! Other folks seem to be enjoying it...

This past week (for which I am now reporting) I did manage to grab two hours while Ally was slaving away over a hot cello and write seven pages in my notebook. KatieMac, I've got to say that it was your request for more pages more than anything that got me moving again. Thanks!

The next couple of weeks at work are going to be off the scale as far as stress is concerned, but hopefully I'll last till reading week and also be able to take a little time for myself and my writing.

As for Ally's new computer games, it's a plot by yours truly (Bwahahaha) to make her look bad. Besides, it's hilarious to watch her jump when Barb has a go with the taser.

Barb:

Way to go!!!!

Betty:

About the office cleaning thing: having just completed said project and sorted about a year's worth of papers, I can tell you that five or ten minutes a day will get it done eventually. If you get too buried, send out a smoke signal and we'll come and rescue you. :p

[ChunkyC]

Good luck with the novel, Ed!

[Lori Basiewicz]

Ruth, don't you have a tsunami relief fundraiser coming up?

[batyler65]

Way cooooool!

I've got my fingers, toes, eyes and legs crossed for ya.

But it's makin' it kinda hard to type...

Barb

[batyler65]

Okay... I'm really tired today, and I don't have the energy to chase you down. Could you please stand still and hold hands so I can Zap you both at the same time?

ZZZZZzzzzzztt!!


Thank you.

Take a deep breath, gals. Once you stop twitching I expect you to start writing again. (I know Ruth, you DID write some in the notebook, but you BOUGHT the computer games.)

Barb

[ritinrider]

Go Barb, go. Congrats to you. Sorry, I'm not too good with those smilie things. Have to let Betty and CC throw the smiley parties.

Also congrats to Tricer and Ed, ya'll give me hope that I may get my nonfiction published. Of course, I'll have to finish it first. But ya'll are helping there too. I have a reason to finish the darn thing now.

Okay, now I'm reporting in. Either late for last week or early for this weeks. I'm not really sure which it is. Don't have ANY idea how many words I wrote. I completely revamped the synopsis and first two chapters of a romance that's been sitting on my computer for, ah, awhile okay? I put it away because my hero started the book doing something wimpy. And really, romance heroes (how do you spell that word?) aren't wimps. Thought if I just fixed the first chapter the second would be okay. But nooooo, it wouldn't work. So had to revamp it too. Then of course I had to redo the synopsis. But I did it, it's done. Well that part. And..... I sent it in to a contest.

Also, I revamped a short thing I'd written and submitted it also. So, I wrote, I submitted. They were to a contest, but they were submitted.

Now, I think I hear E calling me. If ya'll will excuse me. I'll go check on her.

Nita

[batyler65]

Thanks for the congrats.

Wrote and submitted? Wow. That sounds like gold star work to me!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/17/17_1_17.gif

Early? Late? eh, I take what I can get.

Keep the faith.

Barb

[macalicious731]

KatieMac, I've got to say that it was your request for more pages more than anything that got me moving again. Thanks!

Fabulous! Now how about some more? (:

[MrAngelwithnowings]

I'd like to give a Big congrats to Barb and everyone else that has progressed in the last few weeks. Its nice to read progress

Big thumbs up!

As for me, I'm about 6 chaps away from being done..or is it re-done?

LOL

God bless

[Kida Adelyn]

" I have absolutely nothing to do this week. I'll write, I swear!!!!!!!"

She's lying!!! (I told you I'd tattle!)

Ummmmmmmmmm... mum. That was a comment to reiterate that I should be hung by my ankles if I didn't write this week. I don't get your point in saying that I have stuff to do...

[batyler65]

Thanks! Trust me, you'll be getting your own congrats soon. Way to go on your project. 6 chapters left? Keep going, you are almost there!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/17/17_1_17.gif

Barb







Edited because I had to go find my gold stars!

[Yeshanu]

Ruth, don't you have a tsunami relief fundraiser coming up?

Yep. Saturday. If any of you are in the Cambridge, Ontario area and want to go, drop me a line at ruthcooke@hotmail.com and I'll send you directions.

(BTW, that's a big part of my work-related stress, since it's for my church. The other part is three annual meetings coming up which will include votes to pursue amalgamation.)

And Katie, I'll try and get some of the first few chapters rewritten to send to you...

[msQTpi]

Congrats Barb!!

You are my hero :)



I just added my signature...

hope it works right :\



Renee'

[batyler65]

Thanks Renee!

And good luck with the new blog... but don't let it get in the way of your other writing. ;)

Barb

[Melina]

Barb!

Congratulations, you must feel incredible!

:rollin

Melina

***

[Natalia]

Okies...

I got my last two critiques on "Butterfly, Interrupted" this week and worked on the edits. I let it rest for two days because it was emotionally draining. I picked it up again today and by Sunday I will have the final version and will be making copies to submit.

I have also moved along quite nicely on another short story called "Ordinary," which I plan to submit by Feb 15th.

I have also written two new poems that I am tweaking but plan to send out in the next few weeks.

Once all of those are on their way, I will turn back to my short story "Severed," which is next up in line.

That's my week in a nutshell :)

Love, peace and all of that stuff...

xoxox

Natalia

[batyler65]

Welcome to another edition of the Weekend Progress Report.

Let me start by saying that as far as progress goes, mine has been on the short side. I have intentionally been avoiding writing this week in an effort to switch gears from the novel I just finished rewriting to the new one I am starting. This has not been a complete success. Novel #3 keeps rearing its ugly head and whispering in my ear. I have tried explaining that it will have to wait its turn, but it doesn't seem inclined to listen. So as of yesterday I gave in and wrote the first 500 words or so longhand and tucked them away in a file folder reserved for just such things.

I have also been working on my humor essay for the week, which is due to go out today (and still has no good ending). *sigh*

So, how goes it out there in your world? I know you have great things you want to tell us all about. So, let's get to that.

Stand up and be counted!


MELINA: Report in from the sleep deprived trenches. Are you ever going to get out of zombie land?

NATALIA: You're so good, I don't even have to remind you to report in. Keep up the good work!

DENISE: All right, dear heart, you promised that you were going to have great things to report this weekend. I'm all ears. How much progress on Maddy? Oh, and be sure to post us a link when your essay runs so we can all go out and read it!

KATIEMAC: So, how is the new schedule working out? Are you taking advantage of the time between classes like you said you would? How's Beast?

RENEE: Good job with the new blog. What's shakin' in other news? Any progress on TPQ? More poetry? Although someone (Ally, I think) suggested that writing at the library was not easy to do, I find it easier than trying to write with a houseful of people. If you're still cramped for space and writing time, hunt around until you find an outside-the-house writing environment that works.

RAY: Have you started that second round of edits yet? Ugh. What a chore. I hope the next set goes fast for you. What's up in other news? Progress on CTN? CTN-2? Columns? What have you been writing this week?

CINDY: How's the focus this week? Did you generate another 1,500 words? 2k?

BETTY: *standing at the ready with taser* Is the office clean yet? Hmm? I have to ask, because it is likely to be the only reason I EVER get to zap you. ;) How are your other writing projects going?

MAC: Have you settled into a more goal-oriented routine? You know, one where you write more words, and possibly eat and sleep? I want to know about Weird. Are you back on track?

LISA: Speaking of back on track… You haven't had a lot to say here lately. What is going on there, girl?

CC: I'm guessing that you've started incorporating those copious notes into FATL. Right? Right? Having just completed that ugly rewrite on Monster, I do not envy you your task. But that doesn't mean I won't ask about it. <bg>. Speak to me. (Oh, and how's the weight loss?)

FRANK: So how's that busy schedule of yours? Did you finally get the urchins out of the house and get back on track? Still working on the "New Thing"?

TRICERATOPS: So, stop by and tell us how your project is going. Did you get everything mailed out yet? Are agents knocking down your door with offers? Is the book finished yet? ;)

LORRIE: I'm hoping that things are somewhat back to normal for you and that you have your CDs all ripped again. How's the outline for Shadows coming? Did you sub your story yet?

CATE: So, any word on the regional editor position? Hmm? Can we start addressing you as Editor Cate yet? What else is going on with your writing?

LORI: TBWN? Is it done yet? You had so many things on your bulleted list last week, I don't know where to start. So, you tell me. Are you happy with what you've accomplished this week?

ED: Still cranking out the columns? I keep trying to stick to my plan of writing one a week, and I'm barely squeaking out one every two weeks. Now you're doing two in a week? Great! How did this week go? Any more publishers ask to see that novel? As for loose women… I'll have to check and see if Bud has left any lying around. Of course, you'll have to provide your own bicycle pump… *ducking and running*

ALLY: okay, I zapped you last week. Am I going to have a repeat this week? Spirit Door is not going to write itself, you know. What happened to the friend who was pushing you forward? Hmm? Maybe I should loan him/her the taser.

RUTH: Breathe. Too much stress is not conducive to creativity. Plus, it just plain old makes you feel like crap. I hope you've found time to send Katiemac those pages.

NITA: You did so well last week. What's new this week? More subs? Huh? Huh?

MR. A.: Okay, when last we heard, you were approaching the homestretch. Have you made it to the finish line?


Okay, Gang. That covers (I hope) everyone who poked their head in since the last report. That means it is your turn.

[wurdwise]

Reporting in, Ma am!

Monday: Sent out one submission of 6 poems

Tuesday: cleaned up my computer files, nice and neat now.

Wed and Thursday: Edited chapter 20 of Maddy.

Now, wait. that might not sound like a lot, but thanks to you guys, it's more work than I've done on my manuscript in months. :eek

I am changing viewpoints in the editing while improving it, I hope. The bad part is, I had stayed away from it so long, when I started editing chapter 21 last night, I found I had left one of the main characters, Katie the dog, completely out of Chapter 20! So, in actuality, I guess I really didn't edit a whole chapter. 8o

Barbara, you had suggested I work on Maddy some everyday. That doesn't seem like it's going to work for me. The pull the get my freelance career off the ground is just as strong as the one to finish the novel. So, I have decided that I will work on Maddy a few days a week and freelancing the rest. I found that when I tried to do the daily thing, once I had the file open, I couldn't stop at one paragraph or even one page.

Tell me what you think. (I have a feeling I didn't need to say that.) >D

I had to come back and report that I spent 4 hours tonight, Saturday night, mind you, finishing that dang chapter! Yippee, I'm bbbad, bad to the bone! :rollin

[maestrowork]

Not a good week for CTN this week. I have the second round of edits on TPB, so I've been busy with that. Column's out on Monday. Nothing on the other stuff. Basically I can't just switch between these projects once I focus on TPB -- that takes top priority. My mind doesn't work that way. I did manage to squeeze in a few hundred words on CTN, but they're really crappy, not suitable for any kind of viewing.

Good news is I'm getting TPB closer to closer to production...

[triceretops]

Tri reporting for duty, sah!

Everything's mailed out. Goofed off for two days, then remembered I'd have to report here! Last two days, did the obligatory 10 pages each, now just about ready to knock out today's 10 if I can ever get away from playing hooky and reading the PA thread. Deep in the middle of chapter three--have four more very large chapters to go. Waiting on the first agent.

Triceratops

[drgnlvrljh]

I'm not really here. I'm working!:D

[ChunkyC]

Checking in with the crew....

Chapter one of FATL has been plumped and fluffed, looks quite nice in the sunlight.

Chapter two looks like a kitchen remodel right around the time you start thinking that perhaps calling in a professional might be a good idea. Actually, it's going well, but I keep getting nifty keen ideas that force me to backtrack a few pages to incorporate.

I can tell the ms is gonna need another coat of paint after this one.

Going to see The Aviator either tonight or tomorrow, then write and file my column Sunday morning. Reviewed Finding Neverland last week: GREAT movie.

I've lost six pounds so far, I'm about to go over to Office Party and check in to the healthy thread there.

[macalicious731]

Since I usually check in on Fridays, I figure I can't cheat and get in a higher wordcount.

On Monday I used a 2 hour break between classes to hit the library and finally get my hands on The Writer's Market. I copied down about 10 different agencies which looked promising, and I've done just a little bit more research on three of them.

On Wednesday I used that same block of time to write, and was able to add a little more to that on Thursday. So, not 11,000 words, but not 0 either. I clocked in somewhere just below 2,000. I'm not necessarily happy about that; that's about one day's normal work.

I still have some schedule adjusting to work on. At home, I always write at night right before I go to bed. Here, I'm still doing school work. I'm not sure if the dorm room is the problem (the library wasn't that helpful, either) or if it's just the particular place in my draft where I left off that's difficult. Either way, that week off is not helpful.

Oh well. So, I still have to tweak the schedule, apparently. I'm not sure what to do yet. Between classes, homework, and making sure I hit the gym every day (why did I decide to drop a couple pounds AND finish this novel at the same time?) this is going to be interesting.

[sugarmuffin]

Well, I spent several hours starting to organize and rework my manuscript/notes/draft thing, and I think I actually had a mini-breakthrough yesterday. Somewhere in the middle was a little chunk --one of those asides that didn't fit --and during my reread I realized that it was how my beginning should read!
It was one of those lightbulb moments.

Aftr cutting some stuff, I am still at about 12,000 words, which was where I was at last fall, but it's starting to have a tad of structure. So that's something.

I wrote about 300 new words today, so far. Writing now.

[Betty W01]

Let's see - well, I revised a poem I started about 9 years ago, workshopped it (along with two other poems) on Monday, and then submitted it to a local writing contest. I worked on a book review I've been working on off and on for several weeks. I read two more books in the pile of I-need-to-read-these books near my desk. I worked on cataloging some of the books at my day job (K-8 school librarian), only to decide I'm waaaaay over my head and will need to get some advice from others more qualified than I. I did some market research for several ideas I'd like to write about. I worked out a deal to get a scholarship to a local writing conference in exchange for doing some publicity for it, and then went around town placing brochures.

Oh, cleaning? Did someone ask about cleaning my office? Ummmm... well, I did some. Not enough. Not nearly enough.

Noooooo... Barb, don't taze me. I'll do better this week, I promise. Although I do have a couple of book reviews I need to work on and a list of ideas I need to send to one editor who's begging for my input...ouch!! Ok, yes, I'll clean, too. Really. I will. Get that thing away from me...

[Melina]

Still in Zombie Land...the baby was sick for 5 days, and clinging to me constantly. When she feels this way, she doesn't want anything to do with anyone but me. So--I got no writing done, and no sleep. I have done some market research, though. Picked up a copy of a magazine I'd like to pitch, I'll be sending out a query to them on Monday. Looks like I'm gonna be stuck on graveyards for a long time. I may have to start looking for another job. It's just too tough, and it's really taking a toll on my family life.

[rtilryarms]

Goal: 20,000 words this w/e.

got 2,300 up to now.

Approximately 11,000 are re-write as I adapt the first 6 chapters to my current edition.

The balance is just expanding a completed outline.

Let you know on Monday how I did.

[rtilryarms]

LOL, I need to revise that to 5 or 6,000. I have to quit for today and get ready to go out and I am only up 3,800 words. Tomorrow is a little busy and Super Bowl at night so I over promised and way under performed.

My words today, though, are my best quality yet.

By jove I think I am getting it!!!

rt

[ChunkyC]

I over promised and way under performed
Careful yarmy, that sounds like you're a politician....

[aka eraser]

Column and 30-some hours of editing.

<sigh>

[Al1801]

Hi, I'm Al and a retread to this website. I'm currently co-moderator in a humor forum in another place and enjoy the challenge of geeing up the new writers and of course, contributing myself. :)

As a newbie to this forum, I'll tread carefully here - but my goal is to write at least 2K per day (at least) - at this stage I have a children's novel (10-14) Kelly The Dreamer a humorous look at an 11 year old boy with a big Walter Mitty imagination.

Then there is a YA (14-17) high school story Sunset and Friends (well.that's the title, at this stage.

I'm also seeking out publishers to send a short story to....whoever is still taking them, as I mentioned in the Newbies forum, everyone I've tried has gone out of business or no longer exist.

This looks like a fun forum and one I'll be proud to be part of.

[Ed Williams 3]

"ED: Still cranking out the columns? I keep trying to stick to my plan of writing one a week, and I'm barely squeaking out one every two weeks. Now you're doing two in a week? Great! How did this week go? Any more publishers ask to see that novel? As for loose women… I'll have to check and see if Bud has left any lying around. Of course, you'll have to provide your own bicycle pump… *ducking and running*"

Two more columns completed this past week. Re the novel, I have two literary agencies, one in LA and one in NY, that are looking. Had two other agents ask, but after checking them out on P&E I was less than impressed, so I didn't query them. I think I need to see what comes back from these two agencies before I go any further. And re inflatable women, hey, a bicycle pump is a lot cheaper than fancy meals at nice restaurants...

Pervertedly yours,

E3

[ritinrider]

Yes ma'am, reporting in (yeah, I know, already been said). Again. Well, let's see, I got two entries fixed (I hope) and in the mail. Oh, already told ya that huh? Well, uh, I did write on E. Problem was, about every other sentence reminded me of something else I need to research. So, I'd type, stop and write question down, type, write question - you get the idea. Finally stopped at a little over 500 words, and several questions. But, it is moving that's the good thing.

Also spent some time researching markets. Hey, I'm never gonna make any money at this if I don't market my nonfiction. That's one of the goals for this month, find and actually query some markets.

That's it for me for this week.

Oh, welcome Al1801. Someone will be along soon to through you a welcome smilie - I don't do smilies.

Betty, CC. Oh Betty, CC, you're needed in wpr.

Nita

[CindyBidar]

Started strong, Sunday and Monday were productive. Downhill from there. Total Mind Games words: 1010. Total other (blog, etc.) words: 1700. Think I need to get my priorities in order. :(

Gotta get to work now.

[TashaGoddard]

I've been pointed over here by CindyBidar and maestrowork so that I can gratify my desire to post word counts and be congratulated on them (or not, as the case may be).

I don't want to talk about the WIP itself, just feel good about getting those words on the screen.

So, my goal is to write at least 5000 words a week (on this specific novel) and finish my 1st draft by the end of July.

As I understand it, you report in every weekend, so I shall be back next weekend to report whether or not I have managed to reach this weekly target.

[msQTpi]

Barb,

I am now, officially, in a position to "suffer" from empty house syndrome. I couldn't be happier!!

The kids moved out yesterday and I went on a writing binge last night.

I think that settles any question I may have had about whether or not my block was caused by a lack of privacy.

This weeks I have written several shorts (2 last night) and two poems. None have been TPQ related. That's OK...my brain is filling to the bursting point with trailer trash gems. I wouldn't be surprised if I wrote in a state of Beige Garbage Nirvana all night.

Renee'

[batyler65]

Well, today marks the official start of the new novel project. Cross your fingers for me. I'm going to be plotting out scenes on index cards for this week and then writing like a maniac for the next five weeks. I need to generate 40k before the end of March. Time will tell.



Denise: Way to go! It sounds like you continue to make tons of progress. And I'm pleased to hear that you put in an extra 4 hours on Saturday. Keep going!

Ray: Well, you DO have to do the edits. So they must take priority. Don't fret too much, though. Soon the edits will be done and you can focus your energy on CTN again.

Triceratops: Goofing off for two days? Two whole days? Well, since you mailed everything out and saw the error of your ways�c I guess we'll let it slide this time. Keep plugging along at those remaining chapters. You'll get there (and quick if you keep up the ten pages a day pace)!

Lorrie: Um... What kind of report was THAT?? I think we need a little more input. :)

Charlie: Congrats on the progress, dude! And condolences on needing another coat. Believe me, I completely relate. I know Monster is going to need a third pass, but I'm trying not to think about it yet. Keep writing and worry about the next coat when this current one is dry. ;) Also, a big CONGRATS on the weight loss. Hang tough!

KatieMac: Don't let the scheduling mess get you down. It'll work out. it's hard to write when so much in your routine has just changed. 2k under the circumstances is still good progress. Just keep putting the sentences together. Maybe 11k next week? ;) Hang in there. All novels get written the same way: One word at a time. (Did you hear everyone chanting in the background? I think that should be my personal mantra.)


Lisa: (See above Mantra) ;) Congrats on the lightbulb moment. I Love it when those happen. And don't knock 300 words. They are more than what you had before. Keep the faith.

Betty: *firing up Taser* You told me to zap you if you didn't have the mess cleaned up. ZZZZzztt! As for all your other accomplishments, sounds like you've had another busy week. Good luck with the contest! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Melina: *pats Melina on the back* There, there, you poor thing. Market research may not be writing, but it is necessary. As is sleep. Ugh. I hope you have a better week this week. And good luck with the query. I wish you the best with whatever you decide to do about the work situation.

Mike: What you lack in words, you make up for with enthusiasm. LOL. Almost 4k is still a pretty good haul for the weekend. I can't wait to hear the final tally.

Frank: *sigh* Gosh, I hope that editing job gets done soon. I'm glad the columns are still going out regularly. I really need to get cracking on mine. Keep plugging along, pal, keep plugging along. And look on the bright side, at least there was no urchin invasion this week.

AL: WELCOME!!!! Good to have you. Looks like you have your goals clearly in mind. Keep us posted on the progress you are making. I look forward to cheering you on!

Ed: You are a madman! I'm still in awe of the two columns per week. I'm still waiting patiently to hear what those agents say�c but it never hurts to keep looking. (plus it passes the idle moment). Re: Loose women. Bud says you can "borry" Rubber Becky, but she has a leak.

Nita: Good to see you are still with us. 500 words is forward progress. And questions are good! Just keep telling yourself that. You can tackle the research as you go. And you are absolutely right, market research is a big part of the freelance gig. More words. More words. More words!

Cindy: More words in the blog than the novel. Hmmm. Yep, I'd say you need to do a little prioritizing. You don't have to beg too hard for leniency. You DID write in Mind Games. You could have done more, but at least you did SOME. Try setting a daily goal. 500 words per day, or 250. They all add up. Save the blog until after you meet your goal. You'll get there.

Tasha: WELCOME!! Another new face! Yay! You also have clear cut goals. My kind of writer. Keep bringing your progress reports here. And at 5k per week, I'm expecting we'll get to party quite a bit with you around (we tend to celebrate 10k increments). Happy writing!

Renee: Woo-hoo! Celebration time! Glad to see you are getting your groove back! You go, girl! Time to get those shorts and poems polished up and sent out! Then back to TPQ. I'll be waiting to hear how it goes this week.


IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO REPORT IN FOLKS! I'm still waiting for reports from those of you among the missing (And you know who you are!)

until we meet again -- Keep the words flowing!

Barb

[drgnlvrljh]

Lorrie: Um�c What kind of report was THAT?? I think we need a little more input. :)

Okay, okay. I've got about 2,000 words on the rewrite of Helen's Eyes, and about 1,000 on Shadows.

And while it was slow at work, I made a few rough notes on an idea I had about an Elfin Ranger with a really bad sense of direction (Blame Sam for that one).

Lame Excuse Alert: I've been having a hell of a time adjusting to my new schedule. I had a time period that was working for me to write, and now I'm at work during that period, and they kinda frown down on me not doing what they're paying me for. :lol

But I think I'm finding my groove again. Between the hours of 1-3am, I seem to be doing pretty good.

[msQTpi]

OK...I am about to bust here.

I had to come tell everyone what I just did.

I have just sent my very first ever query!!!

Alright...I know it doesn't sound like much to you, but to me...it's HUGE!!

Barb, I can already hear you saying, "now send another". I will, I will. I promise. But, right now I just want to giggle and act like a total fool...hey I am good at that!

Renee'

[Lori Basiewicz]

WooHoo!!!! Way to go Renee'!!!!

[ChunkyC]

Way to go, Renee!!! We're rootin' fer you!

http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/fireworks1.GIF http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/firewrk3.gif

[msQTpi]

Thanks Guys!!

I know it is ridiculous, but I simply can't wipe the smile off my face.

Man...if it feels like this every time I query, yahoo may start branding me a spammer.

Renee'

[wurdwise]

http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/the%20wave.GIF

Way to go, Renee' !

Giant milestone, IMO.

[Betty W01]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_1_107v.gif

Yay, Renee! And just think, if you get cheerleaders and fireworks for submitting, only imagine what we'll give you for selling something! (Yep, you guessed it, instructions to go write and send out something else... :lol )


Ignore rejection - it builds character!

http://www.emotipad.com/artists/fool/emoticons/out.gif

[batyler65]

Excellent news! I make that to be in the neighborhood of 3k words for you this week. And if you're only writing between 1 and 3 am, that's pretty darn good.

Keep it up! (And drop the lame excuses... you're a writer, invent something creative!)

Barb

[batyler65]

Okay.

Wait for it.

W a i t.



Good job! Get out there and send another!

You knew I was gonna say it. I didn't want you to be disappointed.


YIIIIPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE!

Go, girl!

[drgnlvrljh]

QTpi! Congrats!

*applauds, cheers, holds a lighter up*

[ritinrider]

Whoo-Hoooo Renee' !!!!
Way to GO!!!!

Dare we ask where and what you queried?

[msQTpi]

Nita,

I wrote an article about how the marriage of "Cathy" (the newspaper funnies cartoon) may cause depression among those single women who had followed her strip and had seen their lives mirrored by her own.

I titled it:

Cathy's Marriage May Cause Prozac Shortage

I queried it to our local newspaper. (is that correct phrasing?)

I am now wondering if I should also send queries to other papers and go on a first bite first serve rule. I am so green here I don't even know if that is what people do, or if it is frowned upon.

Renee'

[batyler65]

Renee,
Generally, I'd say first bite, first served... especially if you didn't say otherwise in your query. In most cases, though, if you are querying newspapers, you could query other papers outside the readership area (in other words, a non-competing newspaper in another city).

Others may have more to add. I'll open the floor and let them chime in.

Barb

[msQTpi]

Thanks Barb.

It does make sense, but somewhere in the back of my mind was something telling me that it would be naughty, so I wanted to hear from others about what they do.


Renee'

[wurdwise]

The only way I wouldn't send a simultaneous submission is if they specify they don't accept them.

[rtilryarms]

Actually the afformentioned 4K was what I did on Saturday. My final tally for the w/e was 7,300 +/-. I was counting on a boring Superbowl and might sneek in an extra 1700 to make my new word goal of 9K but alas. As it were, I stayed up till midnight.

Forget about the 11K re-write, ain't gonna happen in one w/e. I thought I would run out of story but didn't happen.

So I had a great w/e.

Thanks for being there everyone

Mike

[batyler65]

Way to go! That's a lot of words to cram into a weekend. Especially with a superbowl going on and all.

Glad you had such a great weekend!

Barb

[rtilryarms]

closing in on finishing my first book.

Maybe June?

[aka eraser]

Renee, with humour pieces, especially to newspapers (and most mags) I'd send the finished piece rather than just a query. Most editors understand that humour is subjective and tough to query so they'll take a look at the finished product.

You go girl!

[Kida Adelyn]

I was busy over the weekend, and then I started Semester two yesterday, so I'm really sorry for reporting in late.

Ok. Words writting: Not many. I have come to realise just how hard rewritting is. I did get about 500 words of rewrite in.
I still havn't clicked onto a new project. I am having trouble with spirit door because although I want to rewrite it instead of just abandoning, it has gotten to close to me to just rip up the pages I have and start over.

On the bright side, I am now in english class and the first assignment is a 3 page short story. Rough copy due tomorow, and I have to go off now and write it. I just hope my idea fits on three pages...


(PS. Mum was dead after the weekend so that's why she's late.)

[ChunkyC]

Mum was dead after the weekend so that's why she's late

:lol Trust Ruth to expire in order to avoid Barb's tazer. That reminds me of a Monty Python sketch where a character has died and John Cleese says, "He came over all dead, so we've given 'im the afternoon off."

[msQTpi]

Thanks Frank, that never occurred to me.

[Yeshanu]

Or another Monty Python skit...

"I'm not dead yet!"

I'm here. In one piece, mostly. The concert went very well, but first I had to get to it. My "mental patter" last week went something like this:

-- Gotta contact violin player. Is he going to play?

-- Will anyone show up?????

-- Gotta write something. Yeshanu. Right.

-- Will anyone show up????

-- It's Saturday morning and Ally's got a cello lesson and I still haven't written the program.

-- Will anyone show up????

<Ruth and Ally drive to cello lesson, with similar patter filling Ruth's brain for the whole drive.>

<Ruth drops Ally off at cello lesson and heads for writer-friendly restaraunt. She starts writing down the Saturday night program. (Please note: This is late Saturday morning in a city far, far away from the actual concert venue.>

-- Okay, program's done. No. wait. Forgot someone. There. Now the order's all wrong. Let's try this again. Ahhh. Finally, it's done. Now I can write about Yeshanu.

-- Will anyone show up????

And so on...

The church was about three-quarters full, which counts as a huge success (my Sunday morning services only fill perhaps one-quarter of the sanctuary.) Don't know yet how much money we raised, but...

It's over. And I'm back.

But I got less than a page done on my novel, and it's all crap. Hopefully, this week I'll have something better to report.

[Cate]

Late Cate here--don't know what happened--lost track of time.
Ok.
Touched base on the regional editor position and it is looking good--should know by next report--phone interview Friday.:D
Sent out 2 submissions. Checked on 4 queries. Sent in an outline to an editor who assigned me a project. Sent out another fiction submission! (Why not)
Thats it--was pretty good considering how busy I have been w/ my day job!!
Cate
(sorry I'm late!):p

[maestrowork]

WTG, Ruth. You need a big pat on the back and a huge hug for all you did. It was for a great cause and we're so proud of you.

Now, about the writing... ;)

[batyler65]

It began with a death.

The seance circle gathered around a table in a candlelit room. They had hoped to be a square or possibly a rectangle, but the table was round. An uncomfortable silence fell.

Ally, dressed in a turban (which if you think about it, is somewhat restricting, especially since turbans do not have arm holes or neck openings for that matter) faced Denise, Natalia, Nita and Katiemac. "Mum was dead after the weekend. That's why she's late," she said in an effort to divert attention from her poor writing performance. "Join hands and we will try to contact her so she can report to Barb. We wouldn't want her to be left out this week. Besides, if this works, maybe Barb will forget to ask me about Spirit Door."

"Maybe she won't ask me about my subs," Nita said.

"She might forget about Maddy," Denise chimed in.

Natalia whispered, "Do you think something as trifling as speaking with the dead will keep her from asking me about Butterfly and Ordinary? But she's probably already forgotten about Severed. You think?"

Before Ally could answer, a rumble of thunder vibrated the room startling the group. Lighting flashed.

"I thought we wuz gonna talk to Elvis," Bud said because he couldn't stand to be left out of this report.

Meanwhile, in the attic. . .

Lisa hovered over a sheet-draped shape on a gurney.
"I'm not dead yet," Ruth insisted. "Really, you don't have to reanimate me. I was just really busy. . ."

"Shh," Lisa responded. "Now where did Barb leave that Taser? I'm sure that with the right amount of juice, we can have you back up to speed in no time. Plus, I find that this sort of thing helps me count. And I need to get an accurate word count for Barb."

As Lisa pulled on her rubber gloves, Mac lurched into the attic, did three back handsprings and finished with a perfect back tuck.

"You've been into the Sobe Energy again, haven't you?" Lisa observed.

"What makes you say that?" Mac asked as she jittered over to the table.

"Um, never mind," said Lisa. "Are you ready to report on Weird?"

"Boing!" said Mac like it was a perfectly normal part of conversation. She pointed to the table. "Hey, that looks a lot like Ruth."

"I'm not dead yet," insisted Ruth.

"Good to know," answered Mac.

"No, you don't understand," Ruth said. "You've got to help me."

Mac wasn't listening. She bounded across the room and gulped down the contents of a bubbling beaker.

"No!" shouted Lisa. "Not that beaker! That's my patented Jeckyl/Hide Me formula."

But it was too late. Mac stood vibrating with her eyes rolled back in her head. In true Hollywood fashion, she began to transform before Lisa's eyes (and the rest of Lisa's face, too). Seconds later, Mac vanished to be replaced by Frank. He looked a little out of place with the manuscript under one arm and an "I'd rather be fishing" bumper sticker pasted to his forehead. "I've got to finish this editing job," he moaned, then brightened. "But I now have the HAT!" he said in the feverish way of people spouting nonsense. He ran cackling from the room.

"What was that all about?" Ruth asked.

"Beats me," said Lisa. "Now where were we?"

"I'm not dead yet."

"I'll keep it in mind."

Up in the bell tower things were not going much better.
From this vantage, Betty could see creatures of the night creeping across the lawn.

"You guys coming to report to Barb?" she asked.

Melina and Lorrie looked up and up again (it was a tall tower). The streaming moonlight poured over them (yes, I know. It is raining on the OTHER side of the house but not here, okay?) They looked tired from their long night hours.

"Is that why we're here?" Lorrie asked Melina.

Melina shrugged. "I thought we were sleep walking."

Betty listened to this exchange and then observed, "Well, you better have something to tell her. You know how she gets when there's a full moon. I've gone out of my way to be extra productive this week."

Lorrie and Melina made their way into the house. Once inside they encountered a very confused Triceratops, Renee' Ed, Tasha, and Al.

"Have we come to the wrong place?" Triceratops asked. "I thought this was where the weekend reporting was posted."

"Yeah," said Ed. "What's with the spooky mansion and the zombies?"

"Hey!" said Melina and Lorrie. "We prefer to be called daylight challenged."

"Does this happen often?" Tasha and Al wanted to know.

Lori poked her head out from her hiding place under the table. "we think Barb occasionally stops taking her meds. It's best just to pretend everything is normal. Make your report and get out quick. And whatever you do, don't go in the basement."

"The basement?" said Triceratops. "What a good idea!"

"I think you're feverish," said Renee'. "Let's go."

Down the darkened stairs they crept.

"Why didn't you turn on the light?" Ed asked.

"Ruins the atmosphere," Al answered.

At the bottom of the steps they found Cate crawling around on her hands and knees (because to crawl around on somebody else's hands and knees would have required a trip to Lisa's lab.)

"Drat it all," she said (because she was in a G-rated mood). "I've got to do better at keeping track of time. Where does it go? Barb will want to know about my progress. . ." She let the sentence trail away as she realized where she was. "Oh, no. We're in another of those stories, aren't we?"

"We just don't know," answered Renee'.

"Well, we do," said Charlie, stepping from the shadows. Ray and Mr. A. trailed behind him.

"We've been through all this before," said Ray.

"Yes," said Mr. A. "Trust me, it's better to hide until it's over."

"Yep," said Charlie. "We're all going to dash upstairs en masse, report our progress and get the heck out of Dodge. There's safety in numbers you know."

The group thundered up the stairs.

"Shhh!" said KatieMac. "Can't you see I'm trying to write between my classes? What’s with all the thundering, anyway?"

"We're going to report to Barb," Charlie answered. "she's in one of THOSE moods again."

"What moods?"

"Haven't you noticed anything unusual about this weekend's report?" Ray asked.

"We'll it does seem longer than usual," Katiemac mused. "And I don't think Ruth has ever been dead before."

"I'm not dead yet!" Ruth insisted.

Nobody paid her any attention because at that moment Mike swept into the room wearing a dashing black cape.

"Mike, I thought your cape was red," observed Nita.

"It's reversible," he answered. "I just came to tell everyone about the book and what I've accomp--" He stopped and took a long look around. "We're in another of those stories, aren't we?"

"Afraid so," Nita answered.

"Shhh!" said Ally. "I think we have contacted Mum!"

"I'm NOT dead yet," Ruth said.

"Yeah, but Mum," Ally said, "it's time to report in again. Are you ready?"

A long silence followed. The kind of silence that stretched like soft taffy in the sun, only not as sticky. Or sweet.

"Um," Ruth said, "Maybe being dead isn't such a bad excuse after all. Do you think Barb will buy it two weeks in a row?"

A disembodied voice boomed throughout the mansion. (Booming is much easier to do with a disembodied voice than with a bodied one.)

RUTH, YOU ARE NOT DEAD YET! STOP GIVING THE GROUP IDEAS. NOW EVERYONE, LINE UP AND MAKE AN ORDERLY RESPONSE.

I'M WAITING!

(Barb will probably be back to normal next week. Maybe. Yeah. Right. Whatever.)

I had to carry this over from the old site. Those of you who want to move your responses, cut and paste them from the old thread. ~barb

[MacAllister]

I wrote stuff. Thank you for including me.

Where the heck IS everyone? I either must find more SoBe, or go to bed.

[maestrowork]

Eh, uh... hmmm...

Column: about 560 words.

CTN: about 735, but they're good words. And I also did research.

TPB: more editing. My eyes are bleeding. I can't stand to read that thing one more time. *aren't you sick of being sick of your own writing?*

[Ed Williams]

....but I did get one column posted on useless-knowledge.com, and they took five or six at Article City. I'm going to read through the thread and catch up on what everyone else is doing.

:Guitar:

[Betty W01]

Hey, Barb, where are the steps to this thing?

Oh, well, if I can't get down, she can't come up. I hope.

Which would be a good thing, since I didn't get hardly any office cleaning done this week. I did spend several hours at my day job on both Tu. & Th. making phone calls about some new software and equipment we're looking at buying and writing up a purchase order that will now need to be rewritten on Tu. Again. GRRR!!!

I received several new review copies and read several books off the stack by my desk. I also wrote two book reviews, sent off several new queries, and entered a writing contest. I received two requests from editors to send them some ideas for upcoming issues. I spent several hours using Jenna's technique to figure out marketing information for a magazine I really want to break into.

And I spent several could-have-been-working hours this week driving DS#2 and DD#2 around to various job interviews, the DMV, and their grandparents' house. Then, Thursday and Friday, I celebrated my birthday. DH & I went to Chili's for dinner and I had their grilled salmon. Yum yum!! Then, we went to see Elektra. It was pretty good, but I don't think it deserved the clapping that broke out as it ended. I did decide that a new goal for 2005 is to get in good eough shape that I can
1) wear a red leather outfit like Jennifer Garner's
2) learn to kick-box.

Now, excuse me while I get back to knotting sheets together. I'm going to need them to get out of here, in case Barb figures out where the steps are.

Oh oh... I hear footsteps <knotting faster> Later, y'all.

[katiemac]

Betty, Garner's bustier is on auction at Ebay. Why don't you throw down a couple million?

And Barb, great job! It did seem a big longer than usual. (;

Ok, did better again this week. I clocked in a little above 4,600 words. That was about three days worth of work, but I can't remember which days they were to make it a permanent schedule adjustment. Did a school assignment, too, that clocked in somewhere around 2,000 words, but I don't think that counts. It was hardly 'creative.'

I did, however, come up with a new novel idea. On the one hand, I'm really excited because I think it could be really fantastic, and on the other hand I want to kick myself because I'm spending too much time thinking about this new idea rather than focusing on Beast.

I did a little quick math. I'm at 41,000 words now. I figure the first draft is going to run about 80,000. A solid 1500 words for the next 28 days and I'll reach my goal of finishing this thing by March 5, which isn't bad because when I do write I can usually get in just below 2,000 in on my writing hour.

I'm ready for this thing to be done.

[rtilryarms]

I will be happy to make 1,500 words this weekend. I got maybe 200 done today plus lawn +plus clean house for party +fire alarm at work +brought stuff home from work.

Tomorrow is Church, breakfast with the wife (make her pay), family photos, daughter vollyball and my days to cook today and tomorow.

1,500 may be a bit much.

good writey luck

[Natalia]

My post got deleted??? What happened? The new forums just washed my stuff away?

:confused:

[Birol]

The threads were actually moved over on the 9th or the 10th (I'd have to check with Jenna to find out exactly when they were copied), so any posts made on the old board between the time they were copied here and the time the new board was opened to the public were lost. It wasn't many of them and it wasn't anything against your post. I swear.

Barb actually copied and pasted her story over when the mods were let in here yesterday or else it wouldn't be here either. Everyone else is free to copy and paste their posts over from the other board, too.

[Natalia]

Since my post was deleted.. reporting again

Butterfly Interrupted was mailed to 3 Publications

I sent out 4 other stories to different publications.

Worked on Ordinary and Severed. The former needs to be postmarked by the 15th, so I am trying to get it done over the weekend. The latter can wait a few more weeks.

Once I am done with those, I need to focus on an academic essay for school and then there are a few stories that I have intros for that need attention.

Okies.. over and out

Phew!

-N

[Cate]

Well, Barb--after crawling around on my hands and knees, I managed to find my way over here! Heh-you are hillarious!

OK-
So . . .
I got the regional editor position I was going for! WOO HOO!! So excited about it . . .
Also
Sent out 2 submissions, 2 queries and did ten tons of market research this week, not to mention some rough drafts of stuff I want to get out next week.
Feeling pretty good, and still have Sunday!
Liking the new digs here!
Cate

[batyler65]

CONGRATULATIONS, CATE!!

That is such wonderful news! WOO-HOO! :Clap:


:Sun:Best of luck with your new job!

Barb

[batyler65]

Thanks for posting over here! It will make Monday's compilation so much easier.

:Thumbs:

[Cate]

Thanks! Hope I can do the position proud!!!
Cate

[Birol]

CONGRATULATIONS, CATE!


:PartySmil

[maestrowork]

Congrats, Cate! We're so proud of you. Tell us more.

[Fractured_Chaos]

Okay, got Helen's Eyes finished. *collapses in relief*

Since I had originally written it several years ago, and I have more edumacation in certain subjects, it had to go through quite a rewrite. Now, I'll do the Holly Lisle "One Pass Edit" thing, and I promise, I'll kick it out of the nest!

Problem is, Sam had most of this week and all next week off. So getting my dirty little paws on the computer is going to be a hit-and-miss kinda thing (Damn me for buying him Evercrack!). So I don't think much will get done over the next week. At least I can email myself an attachment of whatever project I'm working on. And work on it during the slow periods at work.

[Kida Adelyne]

*hops over in the turban*
I thought these things went on your head. Oh Well!

Now to report:
Well 2nd semester has started. I have english and drama this semester. So I have writing, and script writing type work to do.
Yay! Funfun. <-Not sarcastic, believe it or not.
So this week I wrote a short story for english class. I'm acctually happy with the result. I think I may rewrite it without the page limit because it is kind of jumpy. (came out 1250w)
Next I started work on a story that will come out at about 10k. That's 'cus I'm still in that major block on spirit door. (did nother 1250w or so)

Total: 2500w. *whee*

This week I hope to do more work on new story, and in drama were going to be writing scripts for childrens theater. *clap* I will try to schlog out more for spirit door and editing Picat's Rebellion (I just realised that I have never refered to this by it's name. It is not just the Nano Novel anymore!)

-Ally



Ps. :Thumbs:Yah Cate!

[TashaGoddard]

(Though I'd rather hide in the corner instead.)

I've been stuck in bed with the flu (or something like it) all week. All I managed was a measly 107 words. I also got stuck in a research rut - felt I couldn't continue until I found out more. I'm ready and raring (sp?) to get back to it now, but instead have to work extra long hours to make up for doing hardly any work last week. Which may well mean that next week will also fall short of my 5000 wpw goal (maybe I was too optimistic there?). {Now if those lottery numbers would just come up - I wouldn't have these time conflicts!}

[Melina]

*sleep-walking in, yawning and confused*

Well, I posted before we moved, and now it's all gone. Also, I noticed, I've somehow been demoted, and am not on the Mod Squad anymore :( . Very disturbing...

This last week, I landed a monthly copywriting assignment, wrote one query and sent another, decided to pursue writing full-time (though still holding on to crappy old job, just in case), started work on another project, and signed up for a class through AW University.

Barb, the story was hilarious. I needed a good giggle to wake me up--thanks!

Congratulations, Cate! You're awesome! :Clap: :snoopy: :TheWave:

[Cate]

Thanks so much for everyone's sweet comments! The position will involve some writing, some marketing and some editing--I am excited!
Best to all on their projects!
Cate

[aka eraser]

Congrats Cate! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteThumbs.gif

Pretty much a lost week for me except for my column and another humour piece I'm about 600 words into. Much of the week was spent back-and-forthing to lawyer's with an offer on my Dad's house, then I went away for most of the weekend. No, not done the editing gig yet either, but he's pretty satisfied with the progress thus far.

[ChunkyC]

Congrats, Cate!

And to you too, drgnlvr, for reaching the finish line!

:partyguy:

This smiley is sure getting used a lot in these first few days here!

Um ... filed my weekly column, still adding material to FATL. I don't have a word count at my fingertips, but it's a thou or two more this past week.

[batyler65]

Sorry so late, folks!

I'd like to say that I've been mega productive today, but it just hasn't happened.


I did mail out a FC piece last week and will keep you posted on how that goes.

This move has made it hard to keep up with some of the posts. So forgive me if I leave anybody out.

Also, I haven't figured out how to do smiley parties here yet. Don't know if it is even possible. But several people deserve them this week. You guys rock!







MAC: Stuff?? I'm afraid stuff isn't very specific.
I'm hoping you mean stuff beyond the grocery list and such. You do, don't you?

RAY: Still sounds like progress to me. How are those edits coming? ED: WOOHOO! Congrats on placing all those columns! That is fantastic!



Betty: Try the trapdoor in the middle of the floor. I'm sure you'll get everything caught up eventually. Is that stack of books getting any smaller?



KATIEMAC: Much improved! Sounds like the routine is starting to gel. Hope it continues to go well.

CONGRATS ON REACHING THE HALFWAY MARK! WAY TO GO!!



MIKE: Your weekends seem to be filling up lately. Have you considered giving up sleep? Just kidding. Hang in there Mikey. I know you'll get that novel done.



NATALIA: CONGRATS ON GETTING THOSE SUBS OUT! Keep us posted on how they do. I'm hoping you are getting your contest sub finished up today and in the mail tomorrow.



CATE: Hope you are still reveling in that just-got-a-fantastic-new-job feeling!



LORRIE: WOOHOO! WAY TO GO! Helen's Eyes is finished? Most excellent news! I strongly recommend the Holly Lisle one-pass revision. It's an excellent process for evaluating your story.



ALLY: Sounds like your writing life is about to get very busy. Don't give up on Picat's Rebellion, and definitely don't shelve Spirit Door. Sometimes you have to force your way through those blockages. Get stubborn. You can do it!



TASHA: Oh, so sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. There seems to be quite a bit of that going around. Cut yourself some slack. You can't very well expect to be a superwriter when you are ill. This week will be better.



MELINA: CONGRATS ON THE COPYWRITING JOB! I'm so happy for you. Maybe you can get out of Zombieland yet! Keep us posted. We all want to know how things are going.



FRANK: Ugh. What a time you are having. Take care of yourself, big guy. And keep the columns coming!


CHARLIE: You seem to work pretty steadily no matter what. here's hoping FATL accomplishes everything you desire. I'm sure it is going to be great.

We seem to have lost a few folks in the move. I certainly hope that they catch up. If you run across any of our stragglers, point them this direction.

[Betty W01]

I haven't written anything decent since we moved. I'm afraid I'll never get out of here. Too many shiny new toys to play with.

MMMMMPH!! ERGGG...

The trap door appears to be stuck.

HELPPP!!!


The heck with it. Where's my shovel?

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/3/3_2_104.gif

[msQTpi]

Reporting...a little late :o

As I mentioned when it happened, I queried for the first time this past week. I have not heard anything back from the editor on that, but I don't even care :D the education I got just doing it that one time was all the reward I need to be happy.

On the even brighter side, I have been asked if I would allow the article to be posted for free on an on-line comic review site. At this point in my career I am thrilled with the request. It will get my name out, along with a short BIO and the url to my blog.

I have been writing an average of one short a night. I keep the best of them for later sales, throw away the worst and post the rest to my blog.

I am looking for a publisher for TPQ. The book is not ready yet, but I see no sense in waiting for that. Besides, if I know who I am going to send it to once it is done, I figure that will add to my inspiration to work on it. :Thumbs:

:snoopy: I'm dancing for/with those of you who have done well this week.
:Trophy: Barb, you deserve this for that story!!

Renee'

http://reneebarnes.blogspot.com/
http://www.livejournal.com/users/msqtpi/

[Yeshanu]

Thanks for the compliment, Ray.

Um, writing? I was supposed to do writing?

Okay, okay. This week, I deserve the taser. Took a week off and didn't write anything. However, this morning, I decided to finally do a papier mache project that I'd been thinking about doing forever, and as I was applying little strips of newsprint to a form liberally covered with flour and water paste, my muse came out of hibernation. As a result, I have a 250-word meditation almost ready to send out to the Upper Room. The title: "Be doers of the word." It's about how important it is to act on what we read.

Can anyone say, "Irony?"

[batyler65]

Quit tearing up the floor and go write something, would ya?

~B

[batyler65]

ZZZZZzztt!

Tell me truly, you just get a rush from being zapped, don't you?

Good for the papier mache. maybe I should suggest that as a way to get the muse moving?

Take a deep breath and pull Ally out of that turban, will ya?

;)

~b

[batyler65]

Better late than never! Besides, you had great news to report. And we take good news any old time.

Keep up the good work and good luck finding a likely publisher. I think knowing where you want to send the book sounds like excellent motivation. When you find them, send off for their writer's guidelines and pin them up on the wall over your writing area so you can "see" what you are aiming for.

Way To Go on writing one short a night. Sounds like you are on the right track.

~b

[katiemac]

Cate, I have to continue with the congratulations! That's fantastic news.

[Cate]

Thanks so much! Good to see you m'dear!
;)

[Good Word]

Ok, the truth.

I have done little writing since we moved, but am ready for another push.

I have a short to complete for a place that has expressed interest, provided I make it longer and expand on a few things. But now I have to finish it! I haven't yet. This needs to become the ultimate priority, along with everything else.

I have been doing more stuff related to to the biz side of writing, which is important and yet another priority, but does nothing for my WIP.

I'm really allergic to tazers, which is why I've been hesitant to post.

Plus I've been fighting a 2 1/2 year old for computer time. It's been Elmo vs. AW lately.

Now, I've got to go track down my writing buddy. She usually whips me into shape.

[triceretops]

Still recovering from this flu but just about over it. And I'll admit I've been over at the old place trying to tear up the spellcheck machine from the foundation. And swatting at ghosts too. And playing with all the new toys here. And...

Now wait a minute. Did only about 3,000 words in the past five days. But put four partials together for three agents and one publisher which took two days (and postage $ I don't have) standing at the printer, begging for mailers, stealing my roomate's stamps and envelopes, and pleading for a ride to Mail Boxes Etc. Took nearly a ream of paper and a full ink cartridge. Talk about multiple submissions to hell...

Wrote flash fiction piece for a contest from a solicitor right here at the Paying
Markets, and wrote another one for a give-away Mischief blog site.

What in the heck is this noise where I don't even want to keep writing my book until I land an agent or contract? It's non-fic, you know? Is this "somebody better want it before I finish the book" blues? Man, I'm petty!

I DEMAND TO BE TAZZZZZERED!

Tri...excuse...a...lot

[batyler65]

i
I DEMAND TO BE TAZZZZZERED!


ZZZZzztt!!
and another for good measure:

ZZZZzztt!!

Get your buns in gear and get back to work on that book! It won't write itself... and what are you gonna do when one of those agents asks you to overnight the rest of the MS? Hmm? ;)

[maestrowork]

Oooo, ooo, can I have the taser too? I've been so good these few weeks, I never got the taser. I feel left out.

[Maestro lowering his pants... http://www.medialunchbox.com/emoticons/offensive/001.gif]

[Fractured_Chaos]

I'm begining to think some of y'all have hidden masochistic tendancies. :ROFL:


...


Wait a minute! We're all writers. Of course we have masochistic tendancies! :Smack:

[MacAllister]

I wrote, I wrote, I wroteIwroteIwrote....

oh....Barb isn't even here, yet?

oops. I'll check back later.

[batyler65]

Welcome back, Weekenders!

Everyone loves a good story. And in here, it looks like everyone loves a BAD story, too. LOL. So this weekend, let's try something a little different. I'll start the story with my weekend report, and everybody can chime in with their own continuation of the story.

Rules? Oh, yeah, we should probably have some of those.

1: Your segment of the story must be about you and A: your writing accomplishments.
or
B: a Really Creative Excuse (RCE).

2: You may use me as a character in your segment if you like. But you can't kill me off. (And even if you do, I'll just come back from the dead next week, and Zombies are SOOOOOO much harder to get rid of.)

3: No setting the place on fire.

4: No prank phone calls to emergency services.

5: Have fun. (As long as it doesn't involve items 3 & 4 above.)

All righty then. Let's see...

Where to begin?

[batyler65]

It was the best of times.
It was the worst of times.
Mostly, it was Friday.

Barb glanced at the calendar. Yes, definitely a Friday. Time to make the report. She shrugged into her trenchcoat, doused the lights and slunk with catlike grace from the room. Except she didn't. Her super dark sunglasses rendered her nearly blind and she missed the door, walking head-on into the wall.

"****!" she said. (And trust me, it 's hard to say "asterisk" four times fast without getting tongue-tied.)

So much for catlike grace, she thought.

Once safely out of the office and on the main floor, Barb took up her position behind a honking big houseplant and whispered her report through the leaves.

Agent 7 3/4? Agent 7 3/4? I'm here to make my report...

She paused for dramatic effect, then continued.

This week, I entered the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition. I also put together some humorous greeting cards, plotted the entire storyline for the new book project, did tons of market research and have begun finding homes for pieces that have been lost in the shuffe. I have a new deadline for greeting cards and must tackle that soon. My cover as an industrious freelance writer is intact. No one suspects my plot to take over the Written World. Bwaahahahahaaa!

She couldn't help it. The evil laugh bubbled up from nowhere. Slapping a palm over her mouth, she said, "mpphhhhtphh!"

Worried that she may have been spotted (it was SO hard to see in these stupid sunglasses) Barb hunched her shoulders, flipped up the collar of her trenchcoat and headed out into the night.

Little did she know... she was being followed.

[maestrowork]

(Barb this is really tough, man! Not only do we have to come up with something funn -- this is, after all, the Humor board -- we have to read everyone's story before us... ARRRRRR! So, to save me time and headaches, I'll go next)


Lurking in the shadow under a huge neon sign that blinked: NUDE GIRLS LIVE, Captain Skylark "RWO" Claritin locked his eyes on the svelt, intrepid red-head.

"****," he muttered. "What a fine example of womanhood. But better be careful, she might have a taser with her."

As the red-head continued down the dark street, Skylark followed, not too closely of course. He remembered his mission, and he told himself: I'm not going to fail.

The red-head made a left turn, then disappeared through a side door. The door slammed shut behind her. Captain Skylark peered around, and saw no one. He whispered into a button in his black shirt:

WPR, this is RWO reporting. We have a positive identification. It's her, all right. Mission CTN is still ongoing, status 1500 and counting.

He listened carefully through his earpiece, nodded a few times, then continued:

Affirmative. Project "Review Column" was a go this week. Nothing to report. Same old, same old. However, the Spanish ladies were very hot, but something was odd about them (see my blogs for details). Project TPB? Mission accomplished -- proceeding to stage 3. Close to target. But there might be a slight but significant complication, speaking with Spike later. We'll see.

The side door creaked open. Skylark whispered one last time: target on the move, communication terminated.

Quickly he slid behind a dumpster. The smell of fish made him nauseated, so he held his breath and watched...

"It can't be," he said under his breath.

Under the faint light...

[ChunkyC]

...appeared Chunky the C.

Odd, thought Captain Skylark (not to be confused with Sky Captain of movie fame), Chunky the C's shadow seems strangely diminished.

CC began to follow the redhead, muttering "I have to find an agent, I have to find an agent. But I have to finish FATL first! At least I added another 1K to it this past week, and my Oscar preview column should be a slam dunk--"

A blinding light caught the redhead, Chunky the C, and Captain Skylark (who had just resumed stalking the others) in its dazzling glare....

[WordSoup]

"A blinding light caught the redhead, Chunky the C, and Captain Skylark (who had just resumed stalking the others) in its dazzling glare...."


It was WordSoup's headlights. She was once again driving home in the dark from her mind-sapping job.

She was trying to remember the card verse she'd come up with earlier, but seeing three trenchcoat-clad writers frozen in the middle of the road made her forget.

As she idled past the trio, she rolled down her window and hollered, "Whatcha doin' out here in the middle of the night? Even Mac's asleep by now!"

WordSoup sped off, hoping to write this event down in her new journal, on page 39.

She looked into the readview mirror and saw...

[Good Word]

...saw Lisa, the lice-free, but mildy deranged freelance editor known as Sugarmuffin in a previous life, running after her (or so she thought), singing at the top of her lungs, "I've been working on my website, all the live-long day! I've been working on my website, just to waste my freakin' WIP time away..." Suddenly Lisa was in mid-air, and WordSoup realized the woman hadn't been chasing her at all, she was simply getting a running start to activate her jet-pack. As she moved through the air, quickly fading to a speck in the distance, WordSoup could hear Lisa faintly calling for someone. She thought it sounded like, well, like Lola.

And suddenly someone screamed. It was

[ritinrider]

:roll: no way am I gonna follow that! I'm too busy laughing.

nita

[triceretops]

Triceratops. He awoke, aching in every part of his hide. He suddenly realized he'd been Tazered! He didn't think she would do it.

He jumped on his trike and peddaled as fast as he could. He arrived at his writing den, sat down, and began to finish the script he'd started.

[MacAllister]

Meanwhile, Mac skulked around the corner, (fore)shadowing Captain Skylark and CC closely.

"Pssst! Fellas!" she whispered from the shadows.

"Oh CRAP, don't DO that! You scared me half to death!" said CC.

"Not me. I knew she was there, all along," Captain Skylark sneered, "I was about to execute a perfect backflip across the alley, land panther-like behind her, and demand an explanation for her continued skulking..."

"I can't let Barb SEE me--I haven't done a damn thing but blog and daydream and archive a museum piece...Where did she go, anyway?" Mac said.

"She ducked into that doorway."

"That doorway right there?" Mac met CC's eyes, her face a study of dismay.

"Yes, why the obvious dismay written all over your face?"

Captain Skylark watched the interaction between the two, his eyes narrowed with suspicion at their obvious familiarity.

"CC--there can only be one explanation. She's going to rendezvous with..."

[Birol]

"CC--there can only be one explanation. She's going to rendezvous with Birol."

"Shh. Not so loud," Birol whispered from behind a garbage dumpster in the adjoining alley.

CC jumped and clutched at his chest. "Would you people STOP doing that?"

Birol eased out of the alley, all the while looking over her shoulder and clutching an oversized black binder and stack of index cards.

"What are you doing back there?" Captain Skylark asked.

"Hiding. From Barb. I saw her enter the front of the building, so I climbed out the window and came down the fire escape. I've successfully avoided reporting in for two weeks in a row now. I think she's getting suspicious."

"Why?" Mac indicated the oversized black binder and stack of index cards Birol clutched to her chest. "It looks like you've got plenty to report."

"I do, but..."

Before Birol could explain further, Mac snagged the index cards from her hand. She fanned them open in front of her. "Hey, these are all blank!"

"I know. That's what I was trying to explain. I've done plenty of writing since the last time I reported in. I've polished one short story, written the rough draft of another, finished reworking a website, did some market research, wrote a resume, wrote over 7700 words in Something New, and...."

"Whoa!" Captain Skylark held up his hand, interrupting her. "Why on earth are you hiding from Barb? With all that, you could distract her for the rest of us."

"Because," Mac held the pristine index cards out as if they were significant, "she's supposed to be plotting TBWN so she can finish it."

"Oh." Captain Skylark fell silent as CC snapped his fingers in the air.

"That gives me an idea."

"What does? Blank index cards?"

"No. Getting someone else to distract Barb." He glanced over his shoulder to make certain Barb had not reemerged from the building and signaled everyone to step closer. Dropping his voice, he said, "We could pull it off if we can just find..."

[ritinrider]

"Nita."

"Huh?" They looked around to find the source of the sound.

Nita stepped out of the shadows dressed in black, a dark hat hiding her blonde hair. A black gloved hand covered her mouth as she coughed.

What are you doing? Trying to give us all a heart attack?" Capt. Skylark asked

"No, hiding from Barb. She hardly ever comes in here, it's too spooky." She eyed them warily (cause she couldn't spell the word she wanted to use and there's no spell check in the ally) "Why are ya'll hiding. You always have something to report."

"What we have to report isn't what she wants to hear." Mac explained quietly.

"I see" she nodded sagely, before sneezing into her hand, "so, why were you looking for me?"

"Because you sent some stuff off, and we figure if you give your report she'll forget about us." CC wheezed.

"Or at least go easier on us, what with having a good report from you and all." Birol finished.

"Well, we need to find someone else to distract her. I sent that stuff off two weeks ago, and don't think I even reported in last week. She's sure to be gunning for me." Nita coughed again.

"So, tell" Mac said, "what have you done in the last two weeks?"

"Besides, sneezing, coughing, and sleeping you mean? Not a darn thing. Sent that stuff off and promptly came down with the flu."

"Great. Now what do we do?" Mac asked the group.

"Well, Captain here", Nita nodded toward Captain Skylark, "has a pretty good report, and I have definite goals for next week, if we can find Lori, maybe between the three of us we can detain THAT woman long enough for the rest of you to escape."

"Sounds good" Birol nodded before pushing everyone back against the wall. "Uh-oh, here she comes again."

The group stretched to see, sure enough the red-headed sunglass wearing woman had left the building. Luckily for them she went the opposite direction.

"Quick, Nita, what's your goal for this week?" Mac asked

"Oh, I have to put an 18 page livestock program together, by Friday."

Captain Skylark nodded. "That should help slow her down. You all run, Nita and I will see if we can find Lori and distract THAT woman."

"We're gone," Birol said turning away with the others, "Oh," CC turning back to the two distractors, "if you can't find Lori, maybe....

[Kida Adelyne]

"Hey, is this where we hide from the taser lady?"

Everyone turned to see Ally, dressed in a neon pink cat suit, with shinny new purple glasses.

"What’s with the cat suit?" CC asked.

"Camouflage"

"Camouflage-?" Mac asked incredulously.

"Yes. I don't want to report. I only wrote about a paragraph on the new story, and it was rather crummy, and did some editing on the first part.I was really busy with my cello recital and all."

"Well do you have any idea's on how to distract Barb?" Birol asked.

Ally thought for a moment, then pulled her shinny new purple glasses of and held them up to the light that had suddenly appeared. A pile of leaves began to smolder when Ally's hand was knocked down.

"Hey! Barb said not to light the place on fire!" Everyone turned to see the newcomer...

[Cate]

. . . . Cate with her blazing red hair streaming behind her. She lifted her sunglasses, blinking her eyes hard. "Have you seen Barb?" She said, coughing gently behind her gloved hand. "I have been looking everywhere for her. I wanted to tell her that I got a go-ahead on a really fun article this week! The only problem is it is supposed to be 2000-2500 words--much more than I ever write!"
Everyone stared at Cate.
"Anyone want a cheeseburger?" She said.
A voice from behind them rang out . . .

[Fractured_Chaos]

"How did I get here?!" asked a very dazed, and bedraggled Lorrie when the bright light faded. "Last thing I remember, I was sitting at my computer, polishing up my WIP, and next thing I know, I'm here."

Everyone just stared at her like she had three heads. Lorrie felt around her head and shoulders just to make sure, and was relieved to find only one there. "So? What are you all doing skulking around in the shadows?"

"It's Friday," CC said. "We're trying to avoid Barb and her Tazer o'Death."

"Nu-UH!" Lorrie erupted. "It can't be! It's only Monday!"

MacAl said, "I think you lost track of time. And why are you standing around in your nightgown?"

Lorrie pondered. "Really, guys! Last thing I remember, is that it was Monday, and Sam was hounding me to let him on the computer, since he's on vacation, and...and..." Suddenly, her eyes went as big as saucers. "****! I was abducted by... ALIENS!"

At that very moment, overly dramatic music started playing, and everyone looked around to find the source.

And at the same time, somewhere across town...

[Melina]

And at the same time, somewhere across town...

The people of The Bureau of Useless Information and Statistics (commonly referred to as "They") pondered the disproportionate number of redheads congregating in a dark alleyway on the other side of town. "Must be an encore performance of Riverdance," Agent Smith surmised.

Meanwhile, back in the redhead-infested alley, our intrepid gang of Barb-avoiders were startled by overly dramatic music. "What could that be?" wondered Captain Skylark, "HOLY UNDEAD, CC! Everybody, RUN!"

A creature ambled stiffly toward them, arms outstretched, moaning dolefully, eyes bloodshot and bulging from their sockets. It spoke. "Hey, you guys, where ya goin'?" Birol stopped short. "Wait a minute," she said, "Melina, is that you?"

"Yep. What's wrong? I know I haven't been sleeping much lately, but I don't look that bad, do I?"

"Well," Chunky the C hesitated, "we didn't want to say anything, but..."

"Oh. Sorry I scared you. Are you guys headed in to report?"

"No," Mac said, "as a matter of fact, we were looking for someone to distract Barb so she wouldn't notice us. You got anything good?"

"Not this week. I was just hoping she'd take pity on me and let me slide without zapping me. Do ya think there's a chance?"

"Oh, yeah," Nita answered, "looking like that, you shouldn't have any problem convincing her to cut you some slack."

"Thanks loads."

[Birol]

:ROFL: Can we do this again next week?

[Kida Adelyne]

Yah! AGAIN!!!!!!! *hehe* this is fun

[Natalia]

Natalia fumbled in her purse, looking for her sunglasses. The glare from the neon suit was hurting her eyes. And maybe if she hid behind the huge movie star channels, no one would question her about her word count.

"OK, OK!" She finally said as Barb approached, taser in hand. "I did finish Ordinary and send it out to The Florida Review."

Barb seemd pleased and put the taser down. "And..." She prodded.

"And I said that after I was done with that I had to devote some time to my school stuff. The Ph.D. doesn't earn itself, you know?" Natalia said defensively.

"Writing is writing." Barb said. "We expect to hear how that paper you are going to present in England in two weeks is coming along."

"Fairy Snuff." Natalia sighed. "Now I have to get back to grading essays." She sat in the corner, sulking, and took out her purple pen.

********

[katiemac]

[sorry to skiv on the story, lacking time to be creative]

Less than 4,000. Another couple thousand on coursework, but again that doesn't really count.

Gotta run!

[WordSoup]

"... pondered the disproportionate number of redheads congregating in a dark alleyway on the other side of town. "Must be an encore performance of Riverdance," Agent Smith surmised."

:ROFL: :ROFL:

[batyler65]

Barb, certain she smelled smoke coming from the alley, and reasonably certain that she had read somewhere that it was against the RULES, peeked around the corner of the building. She was startled to see a band of oddly mismatched cheerleaders busily building a victory pyramid in the alley.

http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage25/14.gif

At least, she thought they were cheerleaders. It was hard to tell. One of the cheerleaders wore a neon pink catsuit and the glare from her shiny glasses made it difficult to see.

"I really need more coffee," Barb muttered shaking her head. "I could have sworn I heard familiar voices."

"No familiar voices here," squeaked a falsetto voice.

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain," rumbled a fake baritone voice.

"Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!" said the neon pink catsuit.

"We represent the lollipop guild, the lollipop guild..."

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Someone shushed.

Barb froze. The overly dramatic music swelled.
"Did somebody say something?" she asked the members of the victory pyramid.

They all shook their heads.

"All this sneaking around must be getting to me," Barb said as she retreated from the alley.

Once certain Barb was gone, the pyramid let out a collective sigh.

"Think she bought it?" asked CC.

"For now," said Mac. "But we'd better put our plan into action soon."

[Yeshanu]

Suddenly, the pavement under the feet of our intrepid heroes began to heave. They leapt back, astonished, as Ruth popped up from the ground like a mole surfacing. She blinked twice and wiped the dirt from her eyes.

"Is she gone?" She asked the others? "I haven't done any writing since my last report on Monday. I've been too busy trying to find a pianist for somebody's recital, and then driving to and fro getting somebody to rehearsals, and lessons, and recitals... It's kind of hard to write when you're driving, you know?"

A number of heads nodded knowingly.

Ruth sighed. "Look, guys," she said, "I need your help. Not only have I not been doing any writing on ATTS, which is bad, but I haven't been doing much writing for school, either. I've been stressed out and busy up to my wazoo..."

"What's a wazoo?" Ally asked.

"Never mind," Ruth said in her best don't-ask-until-you're-all-grown-up voice.

"But I am grown up!" Ally insisted. "I could get my driver's license if I wanted!"

"Don't even think about it!" Ruth said sternly. She thought back to Ally's SimCity experience of driving a school bus over a bridge and shuddered. "And you know you're not grown up yet. No dating or kissing boys until you're thirty-five!"

"Thirty-five!" Ally exclaimed. "But you and dad..."

"Shut up! Now where was I? Oh, yes. I was going to ask all of our friends on this board for some help. I need to write between sixty and eighty pages of material between now and the end of March. Because I'm so busy with both school and work (we have an amalgamation vote coming up, and nine of the next twelve services are joint services with another church) I'm not going to be able to work on ATTS or my other fiction. Can you help by keeping me accountable for my schoolwork?"

Ruth sighed. There it is, she thought. I'm almost done school. I can't choke now. Help me...

[MacAllister]

"Holding you accountable for schoolwork? Heck, Ruth--I wanna write sermons for you!!!" Mac said, then began to chuckle. Her laughter quickly got quite out of control. "BWahAHAAaaaaaaaaaa...BWAHAHAHHHAAAAAAA!!!!!"

"Mac, get ahold of yourself," Birol admonished, sternly. "CC, slap her or something."

"Me? What are you, nuts?" CC squeaked in a manly fashion.

"Everone, just get ahold of yourselves," Captain Skylark raised a hand, commanding silence. Everyone ignored him.

"Setting the place on fire didn't work out," observed one of the infesting redheads, "I'm afraid there's only one option left. We need..."

[maestrowork]

We need... SoBe!"

"Yes," Mac exclaimed. "Only SoBe can save us now. Let's hit the nearest 7/11."

The intrepid gang of posters marched in the dark, away from the building where Barb could be heard torturing another poor soul. Shudders. CC got weak in the knees just thinking of how that taser was going to sear his newly slimmed down rear end.

Birol lagged behind, started to pace back and forth. Captain Skylark stopped and turned, eyeing her closely. Smoke started to come out of Birol's ears...

[msQTpi]

We need SoBe....

Running amok through rural GA's answer to the 7/11, the "Quick Mart", Trish and her trusty sidekick and husband/cousin Booney, knocked a can of Spam onto the floor.

"Sorry Jim-Bob, where do ya'll keep the SoBe?"

"Trish, are you drunk? We don't keep none of that hippy crap here...just grap a PBR and get outta here 'fore ya start thinking we got a fancy cap-o-cheen-o machine behind the tub-o-soda set up."

Trish, leaning heavily against the gut buster chili dog counter, moaned and said, "Booney...you must go on...tell them all that I did my best... I tried to keep up. Make sure they all know that I wrote a short every night even if I did have to trash half of them."

"What the hell is stuck in yer drawers girl....just grab the dang beer and come on."

"Oh...ok...grab a bag of them bacos too."

[Betty W01]

As Trish and Booney leave, a quietly dressed brunette peers around the SoBe display, looking for familiar faces. Not seeing any, she sneaks out the back door into the alley.

"Ah ha!"

"Eeek!! Darn it, CC, don't do that! I thought you were Barb for a minute!"

"Nope, I think we lost her."

"It's a good thing. I don't want to get tazered! I mean, I did get an assignment on the 15th to read and review a book for a Washington magazine and I finally got it done and sent off tonight (a day early - aren't you proud of me?), and I sent out three essays to a writing contest, and I worked on a couple of poems for my workshop on Monday, and I read a couple of other books I need to review and worked on a review I'm going to offer to Jenna and..."

"Geez, Betty, Barb should be thrilled with you!"

"No! You don't understand! I told her to tazer me each time I report until I get my office cleaned out, and it's still not done. I've been writing and hanging around in here too much!"

"Ah. Well, you'd better run. Here she comes!"

"EEEEK!" http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage13/3.gif

[batyler65]

Earlier, the same evening… (This is the flashback part)

Barb exited the building in the usual way: clumsily. Intent on her secret decoder ring, she rammed the glass door with the top of her head.

"Oof!" she said. (It WAS an Oof kind of event. Would I lie to you? I didn't think so.)

"My secret decoder ring seems to be malfunctioning," she said in a loud, hard to miss voice. If only a big, strong, handsome (if somewhat diminished) man could come to my rescue. *batting eyelashes*

CC could take it no more. A damsel in distress needed his assistance! "Here, let me take a look at that for you, little lady."

"I knew it!" shouted Barb. "You've been hiding in the alley all this time! And who is that pretending to be Skylark Claritin? Ray? Step away from that dumpster. I don't know why you guys are hiding. The progress may be slow, but you ARE making it. Get out of this alley and get back to work!"

The two cast suspicious glances at the dumpster then scurried away.

Curious, Barb turned her steely glare on the dumpster. She remained quiet, listening.

Minutes passed.
More minutes.
Yet more… (well, you get the idea.)


"Do you think she's gone?" said the dumpster.

"Can't see a thing from here," said the dumpster in a different voice.

"Aliens," said another of the dumpster's voices.

"Don't ask me. Barb usually just sticks me under a table," said the dumpster in yet ANOTHER voice.


This, Barb thought, is a very talented dumpster. It does impressions of Mac, a girl in a neon pink cat suit, Lorrie, and Birol. Barb crept closer and flipped the lid to the dumpster open.

"****!" exclaimed the four.

"Very good," Barb answered. "You managed to say asterisk four times fast in unison! That must be a record or something. A pity it won't save you from the Taser."


"Wait," Mac said. "We can explain."
"Aliens!" shouted Lorrie.
"See my shiny sunglasses?" said neon cat suit girl.
"No Fair!" shouted Birol. "I worked."

"Yet you hide in this dumpster," Barb observed coolly. "Looks guilty to me." Blue sparks filled the alley. The smell of electrical discharge hung in the air. The dumpster glowed.

ZZZZzzzztttt!! When the light faded, Barb noticed Cate, standing at the mouth of the alley with her blazing red hair streaming behind her. Barb wondered how she could have missed her.

"Um… Cate? Are you aware that your hair is on fire? All that blazing isn't good for your scalp."

Cate shrugged. "I was just so EXCITED," she said. "I forgot."

"I'm glad you got that assignment. I can't wait to hear all about it in your next report. You'll get a new secret decoder ring out of this! Now, douse the hair. You're attracting too much attention."

Cate complied. Then she went for a cheeseburger. Barb stood alone in the alley. Or was she?

No.

There was a body. A body slumped against the building. It appeared to be trying to look inconspicuous.

"Melina? That IS you! What do you think you are doing?" Barb asked.

"Playing dead?" Melina said hopefully.

"No good. You're still breathing."

"Oh. Please," Melina said, "Give me another week. Just one more week. I'm sure I'll show progress. I'll do the ten minutes a day thing. I'll scribble horrible words in a notebook. They may not make sense, but I'll scribble them. I swear!"

Barb considered this. "Well…" she began. "All right. One more week. But I mean business."

Grateful for yet another reprieve, Melina shambled off.

"No fair," Birol moaned from the dumpster. "I worked. You didn't give me a reprieve."

"Shh! Listen," said Barb. "I smell something." (Which was a blatant rip-off from Ghostbusters, but it was EARLY, ok?)

But try as she might, Barb couldn't quite nail down the odor. It sort of smelled like burning rubber from tricycle tires as Triceratops hurried off to do his writing. Barb reminded herself to check in with him later. Maybe give him a little something "special" for being so dutiful. Yes. Yes, indeed.

"Ahem," said a voice from the shadows. "Could you move? You are blocking my light."

Barb looked over to find Natalia sitting in the corner scribbling things with a purple pen.

"Oh, sorry," Barb said, moving so that a single shaft of moonlight found its way into the murky corner. "Better now?"

"Much," said Natalia.

"I'm glad I bumped into you," Barb said. "I wanted to congratulate you again on subbing Ordinary. I hope next weekend you will tell us about the presentation."



"Yeah, yeah, whatever," said Natalia. "Do you mind? I'm a little busy."

Barb retreated from the somewhat sulky Natalia. As she backed away she tripped over KatieMac. [sorry, I don't have time to be creative. Keep working KatieMac. You are still moving forward. Gold Star for you!]

Or maybe not.

At that moment, she was distracted as Wordsoup, Driving fast with no headlights on, nearly ran her over.

"You must be in a hurry to get home and write," Barb said, diving out of her path. "Good for you!"

Before Wordsoup had a chance to answer, a figure swooped down from the sky (via jetpack) and lifted Barb to safety. Lisa, lice-free, but mildly deranged, carried Barb to the rooftop.

"Um, Lisa?" Barb said as her feet once again touched something solid. "I wasn't in any REAL danger, Soup wouldn't have run me down, you know. And I was willing to let you slide with the whole website… but really!"

"shh!" said Lisa. "There is someone here, you need to see."


"Ratfink!" cried Nita. "Ratfink, ratfink, ratfink!"

"Sticks and stones," said Lisa as she jetted away.

"Barb," Nita said. "don't taser me! I've got goals, see? Big ones."

"Sorry," Barb said with regret. "Must make an example. Believe me, this is gonna hurt me more than it hurts you."

"Really?"
"No."

ZZZZzztt!

Nita dropped like a sack of electrocuted potatoes. (Yeah? Like YOU know how electrocuted potatoes behave? Shh. You're interrupting.)

"Is she gone?" called a voice from the shadows. "Oh good! I was afraid I missed you." Ruth lurched forward. "Tase me! Tase me! I have to get these 80 pages done. Please! I beg of you. Don't let me off the hook."


"Okay."

ZZZZzztt!
*Fizzle*
*pop*

"****!" Barb exclaimed.

"Mimble mimble?" Ruth asked as she fell beside Nita, twitching.

"My Taser needs a recharge," groaned Barb. "Don't just lie there twitching. You two, go get me an extension cord. Oh, that's no good," Barb said when neither Ruth nor Nita showed signs of going to fetch the requested cord. "I have to do EVERYTHING myself."

Barb crawled down the side of the building. At street level, she saw a glowing sign: "7-11 & Quick Mart" That's just the ticket, she thought.

(and now we've caught up to Betty)

"Well, you'd better run. Here she comes!" said Betty.

But it was too late. Once again, Barb found herself standing in the alley, face to face with fellow agents.

"I've read your reports," Barb said. "I'm pleased with the nightly shorts," she told Trish. "And as long as you are keeping half, it's progress. I'll be telling headquarters good things about you."

Trish nodded her thanks and bobbed away, Booney in tow. She cast a nervous glance over her shoulder as if she feared Barb might zap her when her back was turned. Barb pretended not to notice.

"CC?"

"Yes, Barb?"

"Go home. Work. Snuggle the Missus."

"Will do." CC beat feet out of the alley, leaving Barb and Betty facing each other. Betty looked dejected.


"I couldn't do it," she said. "The office still isn't clean. Go ahead. Do your worst."

"Betty, Betty, Betty," Barb said. And then, because it had such a nice ring to it, she said it again. "Betty, Betty, Betty."

"What? What? What?" said Betty, hysteria rising.

Betty was clearly expecting punishment.

What to do? Barb thought. The taser was dead. Yet, Barb couldn't let Betty down. Suddenly, she had an idea.

"Let's go inside and get one of those gutbuster chili dogs. And maybe a SoBe High Energy," Barb said.

Betty looked distraught. "Um… Barb? I've heard you're a bit… um, how do I say this? A bit psychotic when you have caffeine(and I mean that nicely, you understand.)"

"Yes, Betty. Sadly, it is true." Barb gently led Betty back inside the 7-11/Quick Mart. "Now let's go get us that drink."

"Couldn't you just Taser me instead?" Betty whimpered.


Barb didn't answer.

"Please? Pretty please?"

Barb's laughter rang through the night (and on into the morning, and well past noon).

"Bwaaahahahahaaaaaaa!"

THE END

[maestrowork]

Epilogue:

HEADLINE in the following day's newspaper:


MAD WIMYN ON THE LOOSE WITH DANGEROUS DRINKS, TERRORIZING ALTANTA NIGHT

[Birol]

:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:

[batyler65]

Hey folks, don't forget to vote in the poll (if you haven't done so already). Your responses can affect the way Weekend Progress Report appears in the future.

A link to the poll had been added in the post below.

Barb

[Good Word]

What poll where huh?

[Birol]

And here is the poll

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8229

[batyler65]

Thanks, Lori. Some of us are sleeping at the wheel.:o

Where's that SoBe High Energy Drink? Bwaahahahaaaa!

[batyler65]

Hello, Weekenders!

I'm running a bit behind this morning and I don't have a lot of time to work on this. (My apologies.)

This week I did manage to send out a couple of queries, sub a batch of greeting cards and gather a few ideas for next week's batch of queries. I also sent out some reprints in the hopes of making some sales to new markets. Plus -- Still working on the YA novel which now has a working title of "Between". No word count to speak of... I'm still fleshing out the story in notebook form. Had hoped to be ready to rock by the end of this week, but it just didn't happen. Oh well, there's always next week.

I also added to the rejection collection twice this week.

So? Tell me about your writing world? What's going on out there gang? New sales? New Slumps? Did Betty get that office clean? Is Cindy going to come and play after missing two weeks worth of humorous stories?

I know you are out there. Let's hear it. Don't make me call the roll.

Barb

P.S. Ruth. This means you, too.

[Betty W01]

No, I did not get my office cleaned. I had the mother of all headaches off and on all week, along with a foul backache. I'm fortunate I was able to get anything done at all. I managed to work both days I was scheduled, finish the Bible study I've been in (our last meeting was Wed.), get some laundry and a few dishes done, and work on the book reviews that are due today (and still need a little work before I send them off.) Other than that, I pretty much spent the whole dad-gum week in bed drugged up to the eyebrows.

Please, Barb, don't hurt me. I'm just starting to feel normal. (OK, what passes for normal around here...) I promise I'll do better this week. :flag:

[Natalia]

Okies.. this is the report.

I finished all my grading and got caught up on lesson plans.

I am planning to start writing the paper for my presentation in London tomorrow. I am leaving in less than two weeks, so it has to be my priority.

I have written about 5,000 words or so. Started two new short stories and worked on Severed. I also edited 2 poems and worked on a novel MS, editing some bits.

Also, happy to report that I got a new job as a full time instructor at another university!!! :snoopy: yaay me... and I will keep my current appointment at the uni where I am doing my PhD... so I will be teaching full time at one place and part time at the other.

That's me in a nutshell... next few weeks will be all about school stuff...

Love and peace and all that good stuff...

Natalia

[msQTpi]

Barb,

I now have two stories that are scheduled to be published!

The first will be at http://www.comicwidows.com (http://www.comicwidows.com/staff/index.php?link=staff) after the first of the month.

The second is a story that I wrote for a prompt "...Your Most Embarrassing Moment". The editor is having a page added to their website ( http://www.thepromptwriter.com (http://www.thepromptwriter.com/) ) for my writings, including this one. It blew me out of the water when she told me that. She also said that she will be "announcing" my story in the next issue! Now, before you think I have lost my mind, let me just say, I know that the "Issue" will only be going to a few thousand, probably even less, but I don't care, I'm Jazzed anyway.

:snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy:

I have kept to my usual one short per night schedule all week, with the exceptions of Sun. and Wed. nights, when we had electrical storms that caused me to unplug my computer and remain glued to the weather channel.

I have the nagging feeling that I am forgetting to mention "something". If I remember what it is I will update.

Renee'

[WordSoup]

I subbed. They rejected. I journaled. The End.

[Kida Adelyne]

Hullo.
Normally when I havn't written anything I report late to see If I can squeez in a few words by the end of the weekend. But I know I wont be able to do that, so why bother.
I do have an explaination so I ask you hear me out, then deal punishment as you see fit.
1st, I have been thinking and trying on the new story, but I can't think how to convey my idea in words. So I wrote a few sentances, then deleted them. stared at a blank screen, ect. Nothing. I may borrow mums copy of Jenna's book, and read that.
2nd, I had a killer cold. Breathing became a luxary, and I would wake up early every mornign due to dehydration. funfun.:faint:
3rd, I had two extra rehersals this week, plus a concert tonight and tomorow. I also have a birthday party to go to.
4th, My teachers decided it was time I had homework. I managed to churn out a craptacular essay and pressentation in one night.

So, there. Do what you must. *imagine a smily with hands held out in front, waiting to be hand cufffed.*

[ChunkyC]

I'll be writing my column this week as I watch the Oscars. Every year I try to predict the winners in 7 categories. Last year I was 7-for-7, thanks to the Lord of the Rings juggernaut. This year ... I haven't got a clue, but made my predictions in last week's column anyway. Could look like a fool come Monday.

FATL progresses, albeit slowly. I've added about 8,000 words now to the original draft, it's sitting at just under 40,000. Only one problem: at this rate, I'll be lucky to crack 55,000 by the time I'm done. I really want it to be at least 80K. Mind you, there are a couple of spots I haven't made it to yet where I plan to add whole new scenes, even chapters.

Finally got some more feedback on novel #2. Very positive. I always end my beta-reader interview with: "So, if you had purchased this at a bookstore, would you feel you got your money's worth?" The answer was "yes." (I'm always too afraid to ask if the answer would still be yes if it was a hardcover, not a paperback)

Now I have to decide if it is complete as is and use it for agent-bait, or do I wait until this round on FATL is complete, then move back to N#2 for another run-through?

Decisions, decisions....

[maestrowork]

Finally, I'm so ready for the taser this week. Tase me, tase me. http://www.medialunchbox.com/emoticons/offensive/001.gif

Except for the column, didn't write a word on anything project. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Nah-uh. Not on CTN. No TPB. No CTN-2. Nothing.

I'm taking a mental break from it all this week. However, I have done a lot of thinking and some research for CTN. So at least my brain was working... just no words on the page.

[batyler65]

Please, Barb, don't hurt me. I'm just starting to feel normal. (OK, what passes for normal around here...) I promise I'll do better this week. :flag:

I'm holding you to that, Betty. I'm sorry you've been ailing. Probably those gutbuster chili dogs we had last weekend. ;) I'm glad you are starting to feel normal. Can you tell the rest of us what it is like so we can live vicariously through you?

Peace,
Barb

[batyler65]

I have written about 5,000 words or so. Started two new short stories and worked on Severed. I also edited 2 poems and worked on a novel MS, editing some bits.

Also, happy to report that I got a new job as a full time instructor at another university!!! :snoopy: yaay me... and I will keep my current appointment at the uni where I am doing my PhD... so I will be teaching full time at one place and part time at the other.



WOW! Congratulations on the new job!

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-052.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-052.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-052.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-052.gifhttp://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-052.gif

And great work on your writing this week, too!

[batyler65]

Barb,

I now have two stories that are scheduled to be published!


Renee' That is excellent news!

Way to Go!

Thanks for posting the links for us!

[batyler65]

I subbed. They rejected. I journaled. The End.

Dear, dear Jen. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off. Sub, sub again. ;)

Hope next week is better.

[batyler65]

ALLY
I know I have been tough on you in the past and nagged quite a bit about your writing. But, honestly girl. Take a break. Read Jenna's book. Read lots of books. It sounds like you need to recharge the batteries.

Also, and this is a lesson that my non-writing Hubby points out on a frequent basis. The words just won't come if you are trying TOO HARD. Relax a little. Scribble down craptacular stuff to your heart's content.

Feel better.

Barb

[Melina]

This week, I landed another copywriting job. I wrote a sales letter and some website copy for a security consulting company. The client was pleased with my work, and the speed with which I completed it, so I'm sure I'll get more work from him. I'm just stoked I now can actually call myself a professional writer! It's not high art, by any means, but it's a paying gig! Yahoo! And, it's progress on the road to quitting this crappy job, and sleeping at night like humans do!:banana: :banana: :banana:

Melina

[batyler65]

and sleeping at night like humans do!:banana: :banana: :banana:



Oh. Is that what you humans do at night? I always wondered.

Seriously, though, a big CONGRATULATIONS
on landing the new gig!

Hope it continues to go well for you and that the day (er, night) job is soon a thing of the past.

*hugs*

Barb

[batyler65]

Progress is progress, CC no mater how slow it goes. Sounds like if you want to stretch FATL out to a full novel, you are gonna need to add more characters or subplots. 55k - 80k is quite a stretch. Best of luck. I'm sure you'll come up with a creative solution.



Finally got some more feedback on novel #2. Very positive. I always end my beta-reader interview with: "So, if you had purchased this at a bookstore, would you feel you got your money's worth?" The answer was "yes." (I'm always too afraid to ask if the answer would still be yes if it was a hardcover, not a paperback)

Now I have to decide if it is complete as is and use it for agent-bait, or do I wait until this round on FATL is complete, then move back to N#2 for another run-through?

Decisions, decisions....

Great news on Novel #2. You are right, it is a tough call to make on which work will make good agent bait. I'm just so jealous that you have two works to choose from. I may never get my first one ready. *sigh* Hang in there CC! Your day is coming!

[batyler65]

Finally, I'm so ready for the taser this week. Tase me, tase me. http://www.medialunchbox.com/emoticons/offensive/001.gif

You are just too eager to get zapped.

ZZZZzztt!

But that was only a half-hearted taser shot, Ray. Believe it or not, I DO consider research to be writing work. And sometimes you MUST take a mental break. Especially when you've been working so hard through an editing process. Don't be too tough on yourself. I'm sure next week will be more productive.

*hugs*
Barb

[batyler65]

Hey, has anybody seen WORDWISE?

I don't think she's posted since the move. Or at least not here.

I think we may have lost her. (Somebody did tell her the whole Hotel California thing, right? Bwaaahahahaaaa!)

[TashaGoddard]

I've been dragged out of the ether to be tasered (or is it tazered?).
Over the last 2 weeks I have written a grand total of zero words. Actually, I think I may have manged 90 words, but that might have been while I was still sick.

I've been working like crazy (average 12 hours a day - a couple of almost all-nighters) to get back on schedule after being laid up with the flu. And people keep booking in new jobs (which is, of course, great for the bank balance, but not so much for my sanity, I fear). Unfortunately, the work I'm doing at the moment (editing rather than software development) uses too much of the writing part of my brain, which has led me to feel unable to sit down and get some writing down.

I have been doing a fair bit of reading, though, including a very good autobiography by a female detective, which has given me lots of insight in police procedures and also in the psychological toll being a police officer can take. (Research - see?)

In addition to which I have been writing a lot in my head - I know, it doesn't really count. I bought some magazines that run short stories (and accept unsolicited short stories) to do a bit of market research. Which essentially reconfirmed that I'm probably not a short story writer. I don't really enjoy reading short stories - even those writeen by some of my favourites novelists - so it's not a huge surprise.

Today, I bought myself some cheap exercise books, some index cards and some new pens. The index cards for the WIP. I intend to lock myself in the spare room this evening, with chocolate cheesecake, a couple of cans of beer and plot out the WIP in more depth. The exercise books are for future work (i.e. ideas and scenes that keep appearing in my head that aren't to do with the WIP, but that I still need to get down on paper). I have also been promised a computer swap by my husband, provided I free up enough space on mine for him to install the game he's into at the moment. So, I will have the laptop instead of being stuck at my desk, which is so associated with work that it makes it difficult to switch to 'writing mode' at it. And, in theory, I should be able to have the laptop in the evenings from now on, providing he's not needing to work in the evening (and I'm not needing to work in the evening). I am confident that all of the above will bear fruit - or, at the very least a few thousand words!

OK. Taze/tase away!

[Natalia]

Barb and Gang-

Denise and I keep in touch daily and she asked me to let you guys know that she has decided that she needs to concentrate and devote all her time to her WIP. Therefore, she really won't be spending time on forums anymore.

She's doing really well as far as working on her MS and don't worry, we keep each other going :)

Cheers

Natalia

[katiemac]

I have no idea how much I wrote this week. Since I don't write every day anymore, like I did over winter break, I can't remember where I left off originally and what words were last week's, etc etc. I'm pretty sure I clocked in somewhere around 4,000 because I remember writing for three days. I think.

I finished "Part Two." There's only one part left, but the ending to Part Two was so wrong, out of place, I think I have to rework that before I even think about continuing to Part Three. I had this problem before, when I finished Part One.

Anyway, since I got stuck, I started revising and editing the beginning of the WIP. I don't have specific chapters yet, but I divided up the first two chapters and padded an extra 400 words or so. The first draft is going to round out to be shorter than I initially expected, probably between 60k and 70k, but in revisions it'll probably break my anticipated mark.

As with everything else, my personal deadline of finishing the draft by March 5th (my birthday) is up in exactly one week. We'll see if I can make it, but I've also got three exams this week and an upcoming project, so...

:Shrug: I should probably stop hanging around here so much!

[triceretops]

This past week it's been 4-5 pages every single day--that's down from my 10 a day, but I'd set my goals to high back then, so I've readjusted cause the research is a nightmare and I'm not counting that.

I have a problem like C.C. I'm startled to discover that this book will play hell just pushing 200 pages and this is really bugging me. I'll know I'll pad it with 70 photos or so, but it's showing itself as a very lean manuscript. Must figure something out...somehow

Triceratops

[Cate]

Well . . . I had a pretty good week overall . . .

Finished an article that is due Monday. Started on my next assignment for which I sent out interview requests and banged out both an outline and rough draft. Chased down my deadbeat mag and actually got an answer back! They claim that the "check must have been lost in the mail" and are going to re-issue one for me. We'll see!
Also--Did some follow-ups and heard absolutely not a single word back from anyone. Discouraging. Did some minor re-vamping to a couple of pieces I had laying around and shopped them out too.

Lots of great news on the boards this week--congrats to everyone who is movin' on up!!!!
:banana:

[aka eraser]

I've been MIA for a couple of weeks and will for a couple more. RL has been darned demanding. The only time you have to worry though is if my column doesn't show up.

And it will. :)

[CindyBidar]

Haven't been here in a couple of weeks, just thought I would check in and tell everyone how unproductive I am. :( I think in the last two weeks I've maybe put 1000 words on (virtual) paper. None of those were in the current WIP, just random notes and ramblings that might someday turn into something useful. Right now, though, they're just taking up space in my hard drive. My hubby's going home for a month (a month!) so my life is consumed with travel arrangements, lists of things that he must take with him, and of course just hanging out together. A month! Sheesh!

Anyway, looks like you all had fun here while I was gone. Sorry I missed the party, but I hope to get back in the swing soon.

[batyler65]

Good to see you back!
Sounds like RL has been kicking your butt.

ZZZZzztt! (Okay, another half-hearted Zap. Man, this Taser thing is getting a workout lately.)

Reading is good. Researching is good. But make an appointment with yourself to get some words on paper. if nothing else, try ten minute, timed writing exercises. Even if they don't generate anything you can keep, they will help you to keep the WIP fresh in your head.

Here's hoping the plan for the laptop works out and that next weekend you will be reporting loads of progress!

Keep the faith,
Barb

[batyler65]

Natalia, thanks for the update on Denise. Tell her we miss her and if she ever changes her mind, she is more than welcome to come back.

I'm glad you guys have buddied up and are helping each other.

Barb

[batyler65]

It's okay that you don't keep a running word count. I forgive you. I'm glad that your routine is settling down enough where you are getting your writing in. Good luck with your self-imposed deadline. I'll be waiting with much anticipation to hear how it turns out.

Hope you get "unstuck" this week.

Good luck with the exams.

Peace,
Barb

[batyler65]

Ugh. There's nothing like getting to the end of something and realizing it just isn't long enough.
I wish you the best with expanding your MS. I'm sure something will occur to you. Are there other illustration possibilities in addition to what you have planned?

4-5 pages per day is still excellent progress. Research takes time. (Unfortunately)

Keep going!
Barb

[batyler65]

Well . . . I had a pretty good week overall . . .

I'd say you DID have a pretty good week. Congrats on getting a response from the deadbeat mag. Hope your money comes through soon.

Ugh. Hate follow ups that don't get responses. Here's hoping that the people you contacted were just busy, or out with the flu last week (doesn't that sound CHARITABLE of me? hee-hee)

Good work as usual. :Sun:

Barb

[batyler65]

FRANK,
Hope things slow down a bit for you. Keep sending the columns. It keeps the taser happy. ;)

Just don't forget to slow down and take a REALLY deep breath once in awhile.

Barb

[batyler65]

There, there, dear. It sounds like you are having a rough time. Don't worry about missing out on the fun, there's always next time.

We all go through nonproductive patches. It's okay. Just don't stop writing. Nobody said you had to write anything PRODUCTIVE. scribble notes to yourself. Do timed exercises. Journal. Just write something to keep the writing muscles limber.

Your hubby is going home for a MONTH? Wow. I'm assuming from your post that you aren't going with him. That'll be tough, I'm sure. *hugs*.

Don't be a stranger.

Barb

[ritinrider]

Ok, since Barb was so concerned here's the drastically shortened version of my week:

Finished "The Book"
wrote rough draft of query - it needs help.
wrote rough draft of article for query - ditto
think I wrote a couple of pages on E., not sure.

Alrighty then, tazer me if you must. Maybe it'll put me outta my misery.

Nita

[Good Word]

I did some work on my website last week, and a little on my short, and did some writing-related work, including editing.

I'm in a bit of a bottleneck, and am trying to work right now, hence the brevity of this post.

:Coffee:

[batyler65]

Nita:

Why would I taser you? You wrote! Whee!

Don't worry about things being rough. That's why they are called drafts. After all, you can't fix a blank page.

Good luck this week!

Barb

[batyler65]

Lisa,
Get out of that bottleneck, right now! You don't know where it has been.

Take a deep breath. Let it out. There.

Now, get back to work!

Barb

[ChunkyC]

I'll know I'll pad it with 70 photos or so
Hey, maybe I can pad FATL with pictures, make it a graphic novel ... oh, right, I can't draw, except to draw breath. *sigh*

To make matters worse ... not worse, actually. It's pretty cool, but you'll know what I mean ... a collaborator just contacted me about revisiting a stagnated project, so now it looks like I'll have three separate works-in-progress.

Maybe if I got myself fired I could get these things done. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[maestrowork]

CC, you mean Travis Tea just called you?

:D :tongue

[batyler65]

Hey, guys. Just a quick note to let you know I'll be reporting in late today. I have had about an hour of sleep, and am going to crash for awhile.

Feel free to report your little hearts out.

Pooped,
Barb

[batyler65]

Welcome, Weekenders!

Where is everybody? I'm getting a super late start today (and I have a column due in just under three hours -- EEK!) due to an outbreak of plague at my house. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but trust me, it isn't pretty here. On top of that, I started a weight training program. Oy! My body hates me. On the upside, what with all the moaning and groaning and stiff movements, my family finds me very entertaining.

This week, I managed to sub humorous greeting cards to two markets, and requested guidelines from a third. I submitted a humorous filler to Reader's Digest, sent a query to Scholastic Parent & Child, completed the outline for "Between" and actually started WRITING the blasted thing. I managed 749 whole words.

Now I have a humor column deadline, and I must get moving on that.

How about it guys? Tell me the news. It's far too quiet. Don't make me come looking for you.

Happy Writing,
BaRb

[triceretops]

Hulloooo. Got real tired of the non-fiction drag, 3-5 pages a day and nightmarish research. Decided to take a break and start a novel so I wasn't (forcing) my writing. In two days, knocked out 28 pages, and I just love this new project--it's writing itself in one of those white hot bolts of lightening tangents.

The non-fiction book is half way done, got three huge partials out there yet. I still go back and pick at it--haven't tossed it aside. I wonder if this switch-hitting is normal?

Got two rejects from agents on the non-fic project.

Triceratops

[maestrowork]

650 words on the column.

TPB - final round of edits. It's no big deal, just a little tedious, that's all.

CTN - another 2000 words or so this week.

Started back on an abandoned, collaborative project with two other very talented writers. That should be fun.

[katiemac]

Again, just getting it over with. This week: zero. zilch. nada.

I just don't know.




Anyway, that means the goal was not reached (unless I can knock out 25,000 words tonight - not happening). So the new goal is three more weeks. Three Saturdays (excluding tomorrow) will mark the end of my Spring break. That basically means an entire week of alone time, as my break isn't the same as all my other pals back home. So! There will definitely be cause to work.

As for tomorrow, what's the big deal about finishing your first novel before you're 19? Pssh. Overrated. Twenty's the way to go.

[maestrowork]

What do you mean, Katie? You've got time. I didn't finish my first novel until a year ago. And I think it's a good thing.

[Betty W01]

Hi, Barb and everyone.

Let's see - had creative writing class Mon., so spent day preparing for that.

Had jewelry-making class, work, and gym on Tuesday. Had about 40 minutes to myself all day.

Spent most of Wed. doing laundry and dishes and paying bills and cleaning in my office (yay! but it's still not done...)

Spent Thursday at work again, then at prayer group, and then at home moping around because it was my granddaughter's fifth birthday and I'm not allowed to see or talk to her or even send her a card, because her mother (my son's ex-GF, She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named) hates me and our whole family. I haven't seen her since the day she turned one. <sigh>

Friday - oh, yeah, that was today, huh? Well, I went shopping at the crack of dawn (queen-sized sheet sets on sale for $17.00!!), then spent three hours picking out books and putting together a book fair for school, then some more shopping (supplies to finish bracelet I started in class on Tu.), then more dishes and laundry. This weekend, all I will get done is the book fair catalog on Saturday, which has to be ready for duplicating, collating, stapling, and sorting into class groups on Monday, and church/worship team on Sun. and maybe a little work on bracelet.

Next week will be completely absorbed by the book fair, a one-woman show which goes on all week at school and culminates in the actual sale during Friday night's carnival. No Mon. class, thank God, since the college is on break next week, which also means DH will be home all week (which also will take up my time...) Then, I'll spend the weekend inventorying and packing the fair up, and to be returned to the store on the next Monday.

So - writing is going to be down at the bottom of the list this coming week. I will keep working on my office, though. Somewhere in this landfill is a library book for which I am being charged 10 cents a day and it is already 4 wks. overdue. It's in here. Somewhere. And if I don't find it soon, I will owe a small fortune on it and may even be forced to pay for the dratted thing. And meanwhile, I won't be allowed to check out anything else!! Tragedy!!

[Good Word]

Miss Lisa had a story
she named it Tiny Tim
she put it in the bathtub
to see if it could swim

Oops, sorry, need to switch gears. (Lisa snorts some Splenda, shakes head violently, foams at mouth, and spits into science-project coffee mug on desk).


Aaaaalrighty, then!

I did some editing on an interesting new project, and polished the 4600 word short I've been tinkering with and sent it off. :Jump:

[MacAllister]

The paint fumes are going to my head. I need to haul hay. I've worked 60 hours at the "day" job....haven't written a confoundedfrack-a-bastich thing, this week. Haven't even blogged.

Maybe I should go into drywall. I could do that.

[TashaGoddard]

I'm still horribly, horribly busy with the day job (which at the moment is a day, night and weekend job).

I decided that the novel starts in the wrong place, so rejigged the outline considerably, so that it would start in the right place. However, now I'm having doubts and wondering if perhaps it did start in the right place after all. But I think that decision can be left until revisions - I'm going with new beginning for the moment at least, but can always just bin those extra few chapters if it feels wrong when it's finished.

I wrote some index cards with fairly detailed chapter plotting.

However, probably the best thing was Wednesday night. I was going out to a local comedy night with my dad and had arranged to meet him there just after 7pm. Only he had forgotten that he'd arranged to meet me so early and wasn't there. While I waited for him - sat on my own in a bar with a glass of wine in front of me - I got out a pad of post-its from my bag (that's all I had - stupid little handbag that's not big enough for a decent-sized notebook) and decided to do a bit of writing. On post-it notes (the larger ones, fortunately, not the tiny little ones that can fit about 2 words on). With an ink pen whose ink doesn't dry very quickly. It could only have been about 15 minutes, but by the time my dad arrived, the arm of my chair was covered in post-it notes. It just kept flowing and, to be honest, I would have been happy to stay sat there writing all evening, but had to talk to my dad and listen to the comedy.

I have no idea how many words it was. Probably not a huge number. It was only really the first scene of the (new) first chapter. But it felt great. I know for sure that it wasn't anywhere near the 5000 words I was wanting to get written every week. But what it did do was reinforce in me the fact that when I do manage to sit down to write, I can write like the beejeezes (I have absolutely no idea how to spell that word, if it even is a word). I just have to make sure I do so more often.

So, to summarise... While, in terms of word count I have not done well this week, I still feel that it has been a good week for my writing. I have probably taken a step back by changing the outline so much, but it feels more like a step forward.

[Melina]

This week I ghost-wrote an article for my fiance, did lots of market research (there are so many excellent local publications here in San Fran), wrote a filler article which I'll be sending off today, and revamped my resume (which scored me an interview for a day job I'm really excited about). Not a huge word count, but highly productive. The juices are starting to flow more freely lately--Chloe is in a manic phase. I hope she stays up for a while, this is starting to feel pretty good...


Melina

[Kida Adelyne]

Hullo.
I had a really hectic week. After last week, I realised I had a lot of homework to catch up on. Then I realised that I'm no good at catching up on homework, and I managed to procrastinate like never before. Made me very out of it and grumpy.
Fortunatly, the make-musicians-run-in-circles time is almost over. Now I'm going to be slightly saner till may, when everyone has final concerts.

On the bright side, while I was busy avoiding real life, I decided to write 1000 words a day. Not really important words, just musings and stuff. But until thursday, I kept this regime diligently. I got out 5000 words. Some of it was story to! I think about 1500 words of it was story. Some of it was musings about how to improve the story, and I got some really great ideas. I'm going to try keeping this up as much as possible.

-Ally

[Cate]

ARG! Frustrating week all the way round! I did write some, but spent too much time trying to figure out why I am not hearing back from anyone!!!!! I am so in the dumps--I hate it when editors don't even give you the courtesy of saying no.

No word on the follow-up that I sent to the big mag either.
Annoyed.
Finished an article that was due and sent it in w/ pictures. Sent of inquiries to 3 mags for writer's guidelines.
Don't feel much like writing, but I have an article due on the 1st of April that is a mess and needs to be outlined soon.
Ug.

[Natalia]

Okies, so I was all moody in the past few weeks because I have to start shaping up stuff for school...but my muse is awake....

I took one of my WIPs from 17K words to 26K words this week.
I also worked on Severed and a few other short stories...maybe a total of 2000 words on those.
I am also two pages into the paper that I will presenting in England in a little over a week.

:box:you want a piece of me?
I am a writing maniac :crazy:


lol

Love,

Natalia

[Yeshanu]

... and will be until about April 24, at 1 p.m., when the final vote on amalgamation of my two little churches with another bigger church is done. I managed to get one assignment done in the last two weeks, but one final assignment is going to be summarizing my Sunday services between now and April 3, so at least I'm doing that one on an ongoing basis.

Ugh! I have lots of ideas for my WIP, but reality is keeping me from actually doing the work I need, and the ten minutes a day thing doesn't work well for me -- I work best with large blocks of uninterrupted time.

Anyhow, I probably won't be producing much of note other than school work for the next two months, and I'm even going to have to ask for an extension on three of my four courses. I just can't do it all. <big sigh>

I think I need good thoughts, or prayers if that's more your style, and hugs for the next little while. The thought of the taser's only making me feel more depressed, like those rats in the psych experiments I read about during undergrad...

[ChunkyC]

Gonna write my column tomorrow AM -- 500 words there.

Have written about 200-300 new words a day on FATL in the ongoing "fattening" process. It's easier getting a beef cow ready for market, they eat on their own. However, while slowly growing the thing, I have also been revising and (hopefully) improving what's already there.

[Melina]

(((Ruth)))

:Hug2:
Melina

[maestrowork]

What's to review?

A smug sequel to a story about selfish people?
A creepy, depressing psychological thriller?
A family-oriented "kindergarten cop" remake?

Decision, decision, decision. (Winter movies suck)

[katiemac]

((Ruth)) :heart:


And Ray, my comment earlier is actually a good thing. During winter break when I started over, my goal was to have it finished by spring. So I figured, heck, make my goal my birthday, and how cool would it be to say I completed the thing when I was 18? But numbers are numbers, and life didn't work out that way. I used to feel like I was wasting a lot of time (computer, tv, silly things like that) when I could be doing something much more productive (like writing). The 18 aspect wasn't so much "I have to get this done when I'm young" it was more "I really want to do something worthwhile in this span of time." But the 20 aspect will work just as well, and it's a great clean slate. I have one other full year to get things straightened. If I'm still in the same place next year, that's fine too.

[batyler65]

... start a novel so I wasn't (forcing) my writing. In two days, knocked out 28 pages, and I just love this new project--it's writing itself in one of those white hot bolts of lightening tangents.

The non-fiction book is half way done, got three huge partials out there yet. I still go back and pick at it--haven't tossed it aside. I wonder if this switch-hitting is normal?

Got two rejects from agents on the non-fic project.

Triceratops

Wow. 28 pages? No taser for you this week!

Actually, I think a bit of switch hitting is normal. I know my muse always starts spitting new projects at me as soon as I'm firmly entrenched in something I need to finish. Just don't let the new project become fodder for procrastination. Down that road lay many unfinished manuscripts.

Sorry about the rejects. Keep the proposals circulating.

:Sun:
Barb

[batyler65]

650 words on the column.

TPB - final round of edits. It's no big deal, just a little tedious, that's all.

CTN - another 2000 words or so this week.

Started back on an abandoned, collaborative project with two other very writers. That should be fun.

Glad to hear that you cranked out 2k on CTN. It'll get there. I know those edits are probably making you want to gouge your eyes out, but hang in there. You are almost done.

Excellent news about the collaboration!

Keep the faith.

:Hug2:
Barb

[batyler65]

ZZZZzztt!

I know you are busy and you have real concrete goals. And I'm sure that you will pick up the slack. You will, right? RIGHT?

Try to make a little time for your project. Keep it on the front burner.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and spring break. Maybe you can knock it out. ;)

Barb

[batyler65]

Ah, my favorite overachiever!

You really know how to cram too many things into a week my dear. Perhaps you should think about writing time-management articles? Oh. Wait. You don't have time to write anything, do you?

Gee Whiz. Don't forget to breathe!

Barb

[batyler65]

I did some editing on an interesting new project, and polished the 4600 word short I've been tinkering with and sent it off. :Jump:


YAY! Good for you, Lisa! Let us know how it fares. We'll be watching.

Now, go start something new. And I don't mean science experiments. :)

Barb

[batyler65]

...haven't written a confoundedfrack-a-bastich thing, this week. Haven't even blogged.


ZZZZzztt!! Wrong answer. Try again.

Goodness. You need to take a step back and a deep breath. There are only so many hours in a day. Dedicate one or two of them to your writing.


Barb

[batyler65]

Writing in ununsual places usually makes the words flow for me, too. It has something to do with tapping into the creative part of the brain, I think.

Sounds like progress to me. (Despite the day, night and weekend job.) ;)

Good work!

:Sun:

Barb

[batyler65]

Wow! Are you still in Zombieland? *Suspects Melina of SoBe Energy abuse*

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for the new day job!
Let us know how that goes.

Sounds like a very productive week to me!

Barb:Sun:

[batyler65]

Good for you and your journaling endeavor! Amazing what you can accomplish when you just start dumping words out on paper. Keep it up! As a daily exercise I think this will be great for you.


:Sun::Sun:
Barb

[batyler65]

There, there. I know you are frustrated. I'm crossing my fingers that you hear something soon from all editors who have left you hanging.

I'm glad you still sent out queries and kept moving forward.

Don't get too down. You still have that article to get together.

Keep the faith.

:Sun:
Barb

[msQTpi]

I have managed to write a few shorts this past week, but not as many as I would have liked. Research has eaten up more of my time that I had expected it to. On the up side, I now have several new markets for subs. On the down side, I wasn't writing something to sub.


Oh well....back to work.



Renee'

[batyler65]

Wow! You are a writing maniac!

You win the "achiever of the week award".:Trophy:

Way to go!

Here's hoping next week goes as well.

Barb

[batyler65]

Don't be a stranger, okay? Come back when things settle down. We'll still be here.

:Hug2::Hug2:
Barb

[batyler65]

Gonna write my column tomorrow AM -- 500 words there.

Have written about 200-300 new words a day on FATL in the ongoing "fattening" process. It's easier getting a beef cow ready for market, they eat on their own. However, while slowly growing the thing, I have also been revising and (hopefully) improving what's already there.

I'm sure it is getting better, even if the process is slow. Keep plugging along. You'll get there.

:Hug2:
Barb

[batyler65]

I have managed to write a few shorts this past week, but not as many as I would have liked. Research has eaten up more of my time that I had expected it to. On the up side, I now have several new markets for subs. On the down side, I wasn't writing something to sub.


Yep, market research does eat up the time. And whether we like it or not, there are only so many hours in a day (27, right?).

Now that you have new markets, you can focus on the subs. And keep going with the shorts. You'll have a MS worth in no time.

:Sun:
Barb

[Betty W01]

Brief check-in before I head off to work to finish up book fair catalog (it's taken wwaaaaaaayy more time than usual, since the store changed the way they make out the inventory sheet :Headbang: ).

Good news from weekend? I found the lost library book! On the shelf where it was supposed to be. <sigh> After looking there at least a half-dozen times. :Headbang:

Bad news (besides not finishing the ricken-spracken catalog?) I ended up with a fine charge of $18.00!!!

Oh, well, at least I HAD the money (and am now broke until payday next week...) and I found the darned thing. Now I can check out books again!! Yay!!

Off to work now... then to gym. And once I'm done with them both, I'm treating myself to a read and a coffee and roll at Panara Bread. A bear claw, I think. Later, y'all...

[Natalia]

Hiya gang...

I am leaving for London today, so I am reporting early cause I don't know if I'll get to a PC in the next few days.

Wanted to say I finished a 12-page paper (for the conference) and I also started two new short stories.

All in all, somewhere around 8K words this week and a finished website. Here is the URL... I'd love some feedback and if you have a site, I'd love to add you to my links.

http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~na551352/

Love,

Natalia

[batyler65]

Wocka-wocka-wocka!
(Okay, that's it for my Fozzie Bear impersonation.)

Welcome back, gang!

Another week has slipped by. This week, I've been cranking on several projects. Sent out a query, subbed a flash fiction story, subbed a travel capsule and sent out three batches of greeting cards (counting the one I will mail today). I have another piece of flash to edit and sub today as well. Whee!

In the land of Novel #2: The new book is just not taking off like I thought it would, and I can't for the life of me figure out why. Well, that's not entirely true. I have some ideas as to why, but I need to remedy that. I did manage to bring the total word count up to 2,774 which is about 2k more than I had last week at this time. I still seem to be in the mode of write 500 words, delete 700. *sigh* I'll be putting in some weekend work for sure -- keep your fingers crossed for me, I really need to break 5k this week.

What's new out there? Natalia already reported in. (If you're reading this, Natalia, good luck on your presentation!) Has everybody else had a productive week? Hmm?

Who scored new assignments? Who garnered the next set of rejections for the collection?

SOUND OFF!

BaRb

[Melina]

Not much tangible progress this week. I'm still in Zombieland, but I've had interviews for 2 different jobs. Hopefully, one of them will materialize. Got an idea for a great story, but have to secure an interview. This kid attempted suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate. He's lobbying for a suicide barrier on the bridge and wants to get his story heard. Hopefully I can convince him that I'm the writer who can do that for him. It's gonna be a tough sell, and a touchy interview. I hope I'm up to it. Wish me luck!

[WordSoup]

"we got cabin fe-ver
It's burning in our brain
we got cabin fe-ver
I think we've gone insane"

(Just adding to the muppets theme Barb started this week)

Cranked out short stuff this week. Subbed one-liners to one company, working on card copy for another. Spit-shined a few that older ideas that were laying around, and brainstormed some new ones. Wrote in my journal when I had a break at work.
And the sun is shining! :Sun: And I have the day off! :hooray:
I may have to get offline and go talk to my flowers! :thankyou:

Have a great weekend everybody.... Luv, Jen

[WordSoup]

GOOD LUCK, MELINA!

[Good Word]

I did get a contract on a short I subbed!

:hooray:

Oh goody.

[MacAllister]

I'm supposed to be driving, instead of playing around here. Heh.

Managed a little over 1000 words on Weird. Subbed a short. I'll be sure and post the rejection when it comes back. :D

[ritinrider]

okay, I'm back. Not much to report. Last week the bed and I were close companions all week long. However, I did think about E and since I couldn't use the computer, or write very long in a notebook I took to writing snippets on index cards. The plan was to incorporate those snippets this week into the work already done. Didn't happen. After three weeks of no attention this whole house looked like a candidate for Clean Sweep, and we were scrounging for clean clothes. So, much as I hated it, cleaning the house moved to the top of my list.

I did manage to write, almost every day in my journal type thing. I have a problem with journals and hardly ever write in them. But I'm trying this one for a project I'll work on later this year. I don't know how many words I wrote, but wrote for at least 10 min. most days. Does that count?

Melina, good luck on the interview.

Word, congrats on the contract, and do your flowers answer you or just listen?

Nita

[Melina]

Thanks, Jen and Nita. :Hug2: I'll let you know what happens.


Melina

[Kida Adelyne]

Hullo people.

I (sort of) continued with my Journaling adventure. I only managed to do two of them, one only 750 words. The other one was complete blah though. Sowever, I think about 500 words or so must have been usefull.

The reason I didn't manage so much work was becase I had a major essay due for english. How people managed to think lord of the Flies was a good novel is beyond me.

Next week is spring brake, so no school. If I write less than 5k I will ask to be tazered.


-Ally

[katiemac]

Tazer me now, please.

Thanks.

[Natalia]

It is Sunday night in Brighton England and I am checking email at an Internet cafe, so I thought I'd pop in...

Presentation went great and I woulf like to add another 2000 words to my count. I have been journaling and I also wrote a scene.

Woohoo... I will be in London for a week and a few days more, so I will try to report next Friday :)

Cheers,

Natalia :hooray:

[batyler65]

*poking head into WPR*

Where the heck IS everybody?

*Plugs Taser into charger to prepare for rounding up wayward WPR members*

[Cate]

(Skating in under the wire . . . )

No tazer, please--I'm here!!

Well,
Worked on my regional editor info packet for a while.
Got my package together for a contributing editor online deal and sent it all in--was glad to have that done!
Got an acceptance for an article I sent in a month ago.
No word from ANY of the editors I followed up with. (Gonna lose it!)
Re-vamped 2 articles for the trade mag I write for regularly at the editor's request.
Updated my website info.

I am tired and I have a cold.
Ick.:(

[batyler65]

Good luck on the new day jobs and on the story! I'm sorry you're still zombiefied... hopefully that changes soon!

Keep writing!

Barb

[batyler65]

YAY! Jen. Another muppet fan!

Sounds like a productive week for you. Excellent!

Hope the flowers aren't talking back. ;)

:Sun:
barb

[Birol]

I'm here. I'm awake. No taser necessary.

From The Great Muppet Caper:
Kermit: We're going to catch those crooks red-handed.
Beauregard: What color are their hands now?

Let's see, it's been awhile since I checked in. This week, I:

Completed a 4500-word nonfic assignment.
Completed the rough draft of a 2600+ short story.
Additionally:


Something New is now over 15K. (Only wrote about 600 words this week, I think, but it's been awhile since I reported in.)
Have the current events of TBWN charted in Excel as part of the detangling process. (Not this week, but I don't think it has been reported before.)
Probably won't write much this week. Am taking advantage of Spring Break to get the house into some much needed order, to catch up on some school work I'm behind on, and to recharge the creative batteries.

[TashaGoddard]

Taser away - but gently please.

Have got about 5 hours sleep a night this week (usually get and need 8 hours) and have been working for pretty much all the other hours. Even so, am behind with work (mostly because everything seems to be taking about 5 times as long as my estimate, for some reason). So... a total of nil words written. And I honestly don't know when I am physically going to be capable of writing any. I have Thursday and fortunately the job is e-mailable, so will no doubt be working up to 4.30pm on Thursday to get it finished. But the next big editing job has already arrived and needs to be done by 30 March. And, in amongst that time, I also have to do a sample design and prototype for a new CD-ROM. I had been hoping to take a day, or maybe even two off at the end of this week, but I don't think I can do that and be able to finish the other things on time. Perhaps I'll manage to write something in April!

[triceretops]

Whoops, sorry I slipped. New novel is writing itself. About 55 pages into it as of today. It's a good thing I have it to fall back on--the non-fiction book is a complete dump and that's very sad since it took me five months to complete half of it. 90% of books can be salvaged and stirred back to life--this one can't and it's a heavy blow.

Triceratops

[MacAllister]

New novel is writing itself.

Let's kill him and eat him.

[batyler65]

I did get a contract on a short I subbed!

WOO-HOO!

:Clap::Clap::Clap::Clap::Clap:

A big round of applause for you.

Way to go! Now write another and get it out in the mail. ;)

Barb

[batyler65]

I'll be sure and post the rejection when it comes back. :D

You can tell us if it gets accepted, too, you know. We're adults. We can handle it. ;)

Keep writing! I'm expecting that word count on Weird to go UP. Don't disappoint me.

Barb

[batyler65]

I did manage to write, almost every day in my journal type thing. I have a problem with journals and hardly ever write in them. But I'm trying this one for a project I'll work on later this year. I don't know how many words I wrote, but wrote for at least 10 min. most days. Does that count?



It was writing, wasn't it? You weren't just drawing little doodles in the margins, right? (Don't laugh, my journals are full or little creatures who live in the margins.)
Ten minutes a day is the minimum I ask. I think you are safe this week. Just take care of yourself, okay?

Barb:Sun:

Take care of yourself.

[batyler65]

The other one was complete blah though. Sowever, I think about 500 words or so must have been usefull...

Next week is spring brake, so no school. If I write less than 5k I will ask to be tazered.


All writing is GOOD writing, whether you think it is blah or not. It gets the gears turning in your head and makes it easier to get to the good stuff. That's why I keep telling folks to write for at least ten minutes EVERY day.

RE: Spring Break
Oh, Goody! A request to use the Taser for next week. I'll be keeping it charged. 5k or pay! Whee! :D

Barb

[batyler65]

Tazer me now, please.

Thanks.

Your wish is my command.

ZZZZzztt!!

and another for good measure,

ZZZZzztt!!

Now, for the lecture part of our program.

Katie dear, I can't help but notice from all the details in your report that life is, well... um... perhaps overwhelming is a good word? I mean, the elephant stampede in the dorm and the Lion taking over your bed... No. Wait. That was Jumanji. *headsmack* Sorry. What I meant to say is I can understand how your writing could be derailed what with you taking that ill-fated cruise and meeting up with that vicious iceberg... No. Wait. That wasn't your report either. Come to think of it, there was NO report in your report. Ack! Does that mean you wrote NOTHING?:Headbang:

Ten minutes, just give me ten minutes a day. It doesn't have to be the novel. Just words. Keep the words flowing. Write while you eat. (Doesn't everybody?)

I hope things are better next week.

Barb

[batyler65]

Presentation went great and I woulf like to add another 2000 words to my count. I have been journaling and I also wrote a scene.


You are SO devoted!

Congratulations on the presentation! I'm glad it went well. Excellent progress, esp. since you are traveling.

Very impressed. Can't wait to see what happens next week.

Happy Writing!

Barb:Sun::Sun:

[batyler65]

*dubiously watching Cate skating under wire*

You really should watch that. You could clothesline yourself.

So sorry that those editors still aren't responding. Want I should send Guido and Nunzio over to take care of them?

Congrats on the acceptance! (Wow, you really have gotten a lot of those this year. Way to go!) Um... don't forget, we need help collecting 1,500 rejections... so, um... could you not try so hard? ;)


Feel better.

Barb:Sun:

[batyler65]

MORE MUPPETS! :D

You're just trying to get on my good side for disappearing for weeks on end, aren't you?

I take it back. You really have worked hard. And on multiple projects, no less. Good work!

Enjoy spring break (but I hope your characters mutter at you in odd quiet moments). ;)

Barb:Sun:

[batyler65]

Hmm. Taser gently? *studies settings on Taser*
We have "stun", "jitterbug" and "flash fry". No gently.

ZZZZzztt!

Was that close?

Sorry that you are sleep-deprived and swamped. Ugh. What a week. Btw: Things just naturally take longer when you are tired. It's a cosmic law or something. Hang in there, this too shall pass.

*presses rewind button to repeat lecture*
Ten minutes, just give me ten minutes a day.Keep the words flowing.

Now, take a deep breath. Schedule a nap. Running on adrenaline is not good for you.

Barb

[batyler65]

New novel is writing itself. About 55 pages into it as of today. It's a good thing I have it to fall back on--the non-fiction book is a complete dump and that's very sad since it took me five months to complete half of it. 90% of books can be salvaged and stirred back to life--this one can't and it's a heavy blow.


WHOA! Take a deep breath, set the nonfiction aside for a couple of weeks and let it rest. Don't pronounce it dead, yet. Maybe with a fresh perspective you'll find a different approach. Maybe it isn't meant to be a book, but a series of articles? Just let it simmer a bit and rethink it. You might find a way to salvage it. If not, you have my sympathies. :(

On the other hand, the fiction sounds like it is rocking right along for you. Keep going on that! 55 pages is excellent progress.

Onward! Into the writing fray!

Barb:Sun: