Friday, December 2nd, 2016
Friday Five
Let’s play Friday Five. I’m talking about random stuff in my week. I’ve been working a lot so the first three are about writing 
- I forgot how to write a book. I do this on almost every book I write and it’s ridiculous. And Wizard laughing at me doesn’t help. Okay I sort of deserved the laughter since I was standing in the family room and banging my head on a wall. What? I’m a Leo people, we are dramatic when we want to make a point and get a little sympathy Also I was kind of hoping I’d knock myself out so I could stop thinking about how I’m in over my head, I don’t know what I’m doing…yada, yada, yada. Which by the way, is FEAR TALKING and total B.S. Fear is a roadblock to the first draft and I know better. But fear can be a sneaky little bitch who gets in our head and it takes an army to get rid of her. FYI, banging your head on the wall doesn’t get rid of fear, it just gives you a headache. But I Refuse to Let Fear Win. Ever.
- I was just ready to send everything off to my cover designer for the novella that I’m re-releasing in January 2017. My AAA (Awesome Assistant Anna) found the perfect image for my cover and I had everything I needed Monday night. But for some reason I resisted sending it off. Tuesday morning, I woke up with total clarity. I couldn’t re-publish the novella with the original title. Here’s the truth folks, I kind of hated the old title of You Give Love A Good Name. But I didn’t argue because the novella was in an anthology with a really strong title so the individual titles didn’t matter. And one thing I learned when I was with NY publishers was to pick my battles. But now I’m indie and so I spent days agonizing before deciding to go with the title of, Good, Bad & Sexy. But I still wasn’t sure until… (see #3)
- OMG! I just saw the mockup of the new cover with the title of Good, Bad & Sexy and I LOVE IT! It creates the exact “brand” of sexy fun I wanted for this book. A title is part of the three-pronged brand created from the cover, title and back cover copy that tells the reader what to expect from the book, and the original title wasn’t doing that. But Good, Bad & Sexy does ( I hope!).
- Now moving off the subject of writing. Six weeks ago I hired a house cleaner to help Wizard and me through this rough patch with his back and my work schedule. They come every two weeks and I think I’m going to start baking them cookies out of sheer gratitude. They are fast, efficient, nice and reasonably priced. I’m surprised how well it’s working out so far. And I’m going to hate to give them up down the road (unless we win lotto), but right now, they are a huge help.
- No he’s not mine! This is Tube Sock Steve. He’s a tiny dog that came into the veterinarian’s office where Youngest Son’s fiance works. He was homeless and badly injured. But that didn’t stop these heroes–they performed surgery and saved his life. Because he was so tiny, they had to make clothes for him out of socks to help keep him warm, and that’s how he earned the name Tube Sock Steve. But this story gets even better–they found Tube Sock Steve a new home where he’s a much loved part of the family (and he has a new name, LOL!). I just wanted to leave you guys with that story of real and loving heroes.
So do you guys have a Friday Five you want to share? Or any Friday thoughts? Hope everyone has a great weekend!
December 2nd, 2016 at 5:49 am · Link
Dang girl, I thought that whole ‘I forgot how to write’ thing was just me. That one’s a crippler. It’s like one of those really vivid dreams where you wake up and you’re not sure what’s real and what’s not. I’m glad you know it’s not real. :hugs: Yay for awesome cover art! And for a new title. You’re so right. That original title really didn’t go with that story. Yay for awesome house cleaners, too! Definitely deserving of cookies. Aww, poor TS Steve. I’m so happy they saved him and found him a home.
Friday Five…
1) I caught my first walleye on Tuesday. A 22″, 4lb fish that made really nice fillets. Yum.
2) It’s been such a weirdly mild late fall so far that it shocked me to see snow in the forecast for Sunday night. Then I realized it’s December. LOL
3) I did my first Christmas shopping this week. I found the cutest gifts for two of best writer friends.
4) I just looked up and my work calendar is still on November.
5) It’s been so dry here and they’ve been letting so much water out of the lake that where I stood to fish yesterday is normally under 6 feet of water. It was under 20+ feet of water during last year’s flood. It’s kind of bizarre when I think about it. Or maybe that’s just me. ;o)
Have a great weekend!
December 2nd, 2016 at 10:12 am · Link
I hate that feeling. A lot. It goes hand-in-hand with the “I’m not good enough/I suck at this” feeling. Had that lately.
So…Friday Five:
I have lots of books on the Kindle but none of them are calling to me. I’m listening to old favorites on audio. Not helping.
1. I finished the 1st draft of CLAIMING THE COWGIRL’S BABY. It sucks. I’m editing and revising. Hopefully, it won’t suck too bad when it goes back to NY and Charles works his magic.
2. I’m in a reading slump.
3. I never got around to taking down the Christmas tree last year. I’m that much ahead on decorating this year. Except I need to get the hairdryer out to “dust” it.
4. I’ve been fighting my old computer for a month now. As soon as I pay off one credit card, I’m putting more on it and ordering a new machine. Well, a “newer.” It’s a refurbished but it’s like four times the power of what I have (which was built for me in 2007). I feel like Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. I’m also dreading migrating everything. Seriously considering laying out the bigger bucks to Carbonite to back up programs so I can just download to the new critter. Not sure how that works. I’m probably better off hiring a geek.
5. I’m picking up Stormageddon from day care this afternoon for dinner and playtime. Baseball Boy is in Texas for a 2-day history teacher symposium his school sent him to and Only is on the road until tonight with her job. Fun times.
Have a great weekend, everyone! Oh, and Jen? I’ve read that novella and yes, LOVE the new title!
December 2nd, 2016 at 12:24 pm · Link
B.E., I’m guess all writers struggle with our insecurities, but some just make it look easier than others. Thanks for the hug, though, it helps. So does just keeping my butt in the chair and staying off line
1) You finally caught your fish!
2) Weather seems to be unusual everywhere.
3) Don’t you love finding the perfect gift? Those are the rare moments that I love shopping!
4) It’s only Dec. 2nd so that’s not so bad.
5) I’m confused on this one. So they’re letting the water out, but you’re standing in deeper water than usual?
Happy Friday!
December 2nd, 2016 at 12:32 pm · Link
Silver, you are good enough!! Keep writing!
1) That’s awesome that you completed the first draft. Contrats! Editing will get it into shape and it’ll be great!
See now you can call yourself a genius who thinks ahead, LOL!
2) OMG I’ve been in that slump. I just read Marriage Games by CD Reiss and really enjoyed that one.
3) You’re ahead of the game on Christmas
4) I’m with you on dreading moving stuff to a new computer. And there’s always a learning curve which is why I haven’t gotten a new phone. Hope you figure out the best and easiest solution.
5) Hope you have a great time with Stormagedden!
Thanks on the novella, and Happy Friday!
December 2nd, 2016 at 5:01 pm · Link
LOL, no. Sorry. I was being long-winded. Regular pool is 915′ above sea level. Right now, it’s 909′. The flood was 935′. It just kinda blows me away to walk places that ought to be underwater.
December 2nd, 2016 at 6:14 pm · Link
B.E., it’s not you, it’s me! I started my day at 5:30 and it’s been nonstop. I just read it wrong, but now I get it! Our lake here is really low too, so I know what you mean about that surreal feeling when you’re standing where water should be.
Have a great weekend!