Sunday, September 5, 2010.

It is the third in a four day weekend, much to my sorrow. I have been productive, in a very non-writerly way. Perhaps a useful productivity - I have been culling (madly, insanely) all the materials, documents, papers, and "stuff" that has been accumulating over the last months (OK, I'll admit it, YEARS) while I was serving on RWA boards, trying to finish a novel and submit it, judging RWA contests and on and on. The result of 3 days is a good feeling of being unburdened, and the side discovery of all sorts of stories, ideas, and writings that I had "put away" and forgotten about.

There's nothing more thrilling than reading several pages and then recognizing that, holy smokes, I WROTE THAT! A nice little boost of confidence that, I hope, will see me through tomorrow as I wrap up this effort, and get started on the yard!

Despite the 4 days I have not addressed the short that I wanted to write for an anthology submission, nor did I read my novel again for any last, yes, again, tweaks before querying my "first choice" agent (who was not accepting queries until 9/7, so I WILL have my query ready to go at 12:01 Am on 9/7. Wish me luck!

September 3, 2010, Hey There, Earl

It's Friday before Labor Day. Ironically, my office closed for Friday as well, so I'm lounging about preparing to get up and at my day, whatever it may bring. Hurricane Earl is coming up the Eastern Seaboard, though at the moment the sun is out at 8:05 AM. It is humid, but unlike last night when the wind was quite whippy, it is still and quiet, with the sound of cicadas humming outside. I'm a bit nudgy today - I feel frustrated that I haven't stuck with my writing. After my big push to submit (and the subsequent rejection), I'm re-reading the MS again, tweaking, again, and then I'm going to be submitting to an agent (I'm thinking Trident Media will be my first target, but I've got Book Cents in my sights, too.). But I've got 4 days for lots of writing, and one real goal is a submission to Rachel Kramer Bussel for her upcoming anthology. I've even got the whole story plotted out. I've got motivation and the perfect fantasy - I'm calling it "Sanctuary". You'll see why! If she doesn't take it, there'll be some other places I'll try. Perhaps EC? Ah, well. I need a cup of tea. The first one went cold. Ta for now!