The Kidlit Gang's Support and Accountability Thread

[Britwriter]

Juggling lots of projects and business stuff here. It's all fun, exciting, and necessary, but I'm looking forward to getting some of it out the way so I can focus on more 'real' writing.

Started a rewrite of the start of ISAAC NEWTON AND THE PINK TUTU this week, and so far, I really, really like where it's heading. (Thanks Joy!!)

Organizing book-signings takes up so much time, but it's really exciting and fun. Like, the other side of this writing rainbow! With schools about to finish for the summer, I'm hoping I will get some more time soon to get back to other projects, and finish the work on Isaac Newton.

I never have a problem with self-discipline for writing, so I don't need systems to make me focus and spend time working. What I need is more hours in the day! There is always something going on that steals away time. I love all those 'extra curriculars', like kids theater, but it means I'm constantly spinning plates to get everything done.

Now, if I could have someone take over the house cleaning, yard work and laundry, I'd have much more time for fun stuff...............

[heza]

This is mostly just a vent.

I had this big plan to start writing in the evenings more. I broke up my Word document into individual chapters in preparation. This was necessary because I transfer it to my tablet a lot to write in the car or whatever, and the long file is too cumbersome.

The second step was getting a good office chair. I had to take my chair to work-work because I couldn't get them to provide me one that fit. So at home, I was using a kitchen chair, and that didn't work out. I have severe back problems (getting a steroid injection tomorrow, actually).

So Saturday, we went special to Office Depot and I sat in all the chairs and the SO was all, "Whichever one is going to make you the most productive with the least amount of pain. Don't even look at the price." So I picked out a really nice one, and it was awesome, and I was very excited....

And then Sunday night, I sliced my hand open trying to cut up a stupid avocado. SO took me to the ER and got me stitched up. But now my hand hurts, and it's really difficult to type. (I've been hunting and pecking out this post, and it's taken forever.)

I'm just bummed I can't use my new chair....

[Laura J]

So sorry Heza. That stinks. I hope you heal soon.

I'm revising, still.

[heza]

Thanks, Laura. Good luck with the revision!

[Laura J]

I'm doing an overview read and I've found that most of the middle needs to be cut. It is blah and boring and I can do better. Glad I can recognize it now. It's eh. Back to work!

[SheilaJG]

I went out for a bike ride this morning, came back an hour and a half later and found that my house had been robbed. Computers, jewelry, etc, all gone. I am beyond distraught. I'm typing on my phone as I try to figure out when I last backed up my work. My photos, etc. arg.

Back up your work, people. And don't exercise, it's not as good for you as people say.

[JoyMC]

Sheila, nooooooo!!!! I am so sorry. Growing up, our house was robbed three times. It is just the most awful, icky feeling. I am so, so, so incredibly sorry it happened to you.

Heza, so sorry about the the hand! But you'll still get to use the chair. Good for you for making a commitment to your writing. I hope you feel better soon.

Laura, good for you for recognizing the necessary revisions! Have at it.

I haven't been posting because I haven't wanted to whine, but it's all I've wanted to do. The Phone Call Agent is taking forever and a day to read the requested revision I sent her, so I'm just beyond cranky. I'm continuing to work on the other revision, though, AND I did complete a first draft of a new MG contemp which will now sit and simmer while I muddle through revision-land.

Sheila, again, I'm so sorry. I hope you didn't lose too much of your work and that your kids and everyone are not too deeply affected by the ickiness of the situation. Hugs to you.

[Laura J]

So sorry Shelia. Glad you are safe. Being robbed is really hard. I hope you get back to a good place soon.

My hard drive crashed. I panicked and then relaxed because I have auto back up. Carbonite. So worth the $60. I'm writing on a net book, that isn't backed up, but I send it to myself daily. Auto back up with auto pay= peace of mind.

[RuthD]

OMG, Sheila, how horrible. Good luck with recovering everything. And Heza, ouch... sorry about your injury.

So proud of my son! We attended his graduation at Washington University today. He needs a few more elective credits to get his diploma, but he has fulfilled all his requirements in his major (electrical engineering) so he got to be in the ceremony, and he received the David Levy award for Engineering Design Excellence.

The graduates looked unbelievably young. It's hard to believe they have finished school and are launching their adult lives. As the commencement speaker, Newark mayor Cory Booker, said, "Behind every successful child is an astonished parent."

[SheilaJG]

Thanks Joy, Laura and Ruth. It is an icky feeling. Plus, i had cookies cooling on the counter and they didn't touch them. that hurt my feelings.

Joy, the waiting in this business is the worst, it's great that you are keeping yourself productive with new projects. I hope you hear something soon!

Heza, I'm sorry I didn't wish you a speedy recovery from your injury.

Ruth- congrats to your son! And to you, too.

[Smish]

Sheila! I'm so sorry, but I'm glad you and the family are all safe. Don't be upset about the cookies; I'm sure the burglars only have eyes for meth or crack or heroin.

{{{Heza}}}

Hooray, Ruth! Congrats to both you and your son!

[heza]

Thanks for all the well wishes, guys. I really appreciate it. I would have said so sooner, but they put me out for my steroid shot, and I was loopy and lethargic all weekend. My hand made some significant improvement over the weekend. It was all just kind of the same and then suddenly got better (as did the tennis ball-sized welt where they gave me the tetnus shot). Now, the stitches are hurting more than anything else, and it's all itchy. We're thinking about getting them taken out tomorrow. *crosses fingers*

Has anyone ever taken stitches out at home?

Sheila, ((hugs)). I am so sorry to hear about you being robbed. That's awful. I hope you guys recover quickly and can still feel safe. I totally would have eaten your cookies.

Congratulate your son for me Ruth! What an accomplishment!

Joy, I hope you've heard something from the agent! If not, hang in there. Congrats on getting that next contemp. draft down in the meantime. Very productive!

Laura, I'm glad you found a place to improve. I know you'll make the new version kick butt.

[Spiral]

Heza, I have taken out my husband's stitches on more than one occasion. It's not that hard, just important that the tools are sterile. Hope that you are feeling even more improved today.

Sheila, so sorry to hear about the robbery! Scary. Glad you are safe.



I came back to this thread because I actually wrote stuff today. 1200 words of a new first chapter for my wip. This is a very big deal for me, because it's the first I've really written in a long, long time. Most of those words will have to be fixed, but hey, it's a start.