A Time For Everything

Yep, I'm definitely looking forward to this weekend. Partly because it's been a hell of a week and partly because I get to spend AAAALLLL day tomorrow with some of my favorite people in the whole wide world--my critique group. Right, we rarely critique anymore, but it's more like our little writer sisterhood. We gather monthly to talk and talk and talk and talk. We support one another in all things; family and jobs and personal issues as well as writing. And they are all such wonderful, beautiful women. I don't know what my life would be without them.

Only TWO days to go. I don't have access to my number icon/graphic today, though, so it's just all words.

Today's countdown tradition is baking. I used to bake up a storm. Mainly sugar cookies with colored sugar sprinkles and mini-loaves of banana bread to hand out as gifts to close friends. I'd start in September and October and put it in the freezer for safe-keeping until December. I've gotten far away from that, sad to say. These days, I make pumpkin cake and probably only because I love it so much.

Yesterday, I spent the day with four wonderful women. My critique partners. Each of us unique and brings something special to the group. We assembled at one's home and spent the afternoon talking and laughing and sharing and having fun. In addition, we did a few little Christmas crafts and exchanged ornaments. I wish I had a picture. We were going to take one, but then we all decided it was time to head home and we just plain forgot. :(

The important part there was to take some time to spend with those you truly treasure and enjoy being with. It was a nice break from the craziness of the holiday season. No malls and no crowds to fight with or traffic to navigate. Just a day for friends.

My Christmas song for today--in anticipation of snow on Tuesday afternoon here in northern Texas--is I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas by the one and only Frank Sinatra.


Are you a baker? If so, what are your favorite treats to make at the holidays? If not, is there a favorite treat someone else always made/makes for you?

My lovely CP and dear friend, Lavender Daye's book is almost out.

Publication date is May 1--just around the corner!

Here's the cover:

...to the weekend. It's not just any weekend for me. It's conference weekend. My writing chapter is sponsoring a conference for writers. As president of my group, I feel like I have to be there, though I'm not officially attending the conference itself. I did go buy some new clothes, something business casual and nice and more professional looking than I anything I owned. I'm quite pleased.

But I'm spending the weekend with other writers and specifically my critique partners, sharing a room with one of them in particular. I can't wait. I have wine and snakcks and treats, though there's not going to be a whole lotta time for socializing. I'm packed as much as I can be at this point. Friday morning after I get up, I'll pack up the rest of the stuff (toiletries and electronics) I need and my CP will pick me up and off we'll go.

In other news...

The blue bonnets are blooming here in Texas. Spring is official I guess. The weather's been perfect for sleeping. I can sleep with the windows open and enjoy the coolness that happens only for a few weeks each year in the spring and fall.

Most importantly, one of my other CPs was offered a contract for her book. I don't want to go into more details right now, only because I don't the status at the moment. But it was very exciting and she was thrilled. Congrats, girl!

I really wish I didn't have to work today...I had the day off yesterday and now I'm looking at a holiday weekend. But the first of the month brings necessary tasks at work and I will attempt to get some of them done.

Yesterday, I met with two of my critique partners. They came to my house to get something accomplished, which they both claim to have done. Now me...it's my house and I work differently at home. I didn't get as much accomplished as I might have had my CPs not been around. But that's not to say I didn't get anything done. I got a little done.

Similar to my friend Regina, I work on a timed basis. Usually in 45 minute cycles. :) I write while (say) the washing machine runs. Then I get up switch out loads, use the restroom, refill my beverage if needed and get back to work. Or I sweep and dust or do dishes or clean the bathroom, etc. I could *so* be a stay-at-home mom/wife/housekeeper/writer if only I a) I didn't have to work and b) could come up with decent plots to keep me in story ideas.

Unfortunately I do have to work and I struggle with plotting.

I'm in the middle of revising a short story, working to get it long enough to be classified as a novelette, at least 7500 words. That won't be a problem. I'm at 6300 words and (only) through the second chapter out of five. I think I'll surpass my goal quite easily.

I'm alternating that with revising my young adult novel, of which the first chapter has been made available to my CPs. Unfortunately I'm not sure when I'll get any critiques back.

I'm incredibly lucky in that I am usually a fast worker (in my writing endeavors). My day job allows me a lot of free time to write or revise or critique. Unfortunately the members of my critique group are not similarly blessed and I usually have to wait for them to write something for me to read or to critique something for me. Someday I may be able to find someone who can keep up with me. :)

Anyway...I made no progress on my writing room yesterday. The day before however, though I really didn't feel like doing anything, I did accomplish most of what I planned to do. The door molding received its second coat and looks much less streaky. I think a third coat will take care of the rest. The seams around the wall have been DAPped and all looks quite tidy and lovely. I didn't make it to The Home Depot for outlets but seeing as how I don't do electricity they wouldn't be switched out till after the holiday anyway, and I did get part of a third coat on my brackets and peg rack. Oh, and Sonshine installed the door knob so I can keep the dogs out.

Next up will be the floor. I'll have to scrub it good and clean, down on my hands a knees. Scrape up all the paint I've dribbled and then I think the first coat will be a clear coat.

So now let me get on with my day.

See you Tuesday with some fireworks video.

Again. :)

My critique group is up to five members now. We enlisted two new recruits this weekend. One gal is e-published and not new to writing, the other is the newbie. Both are lovely and fun women.

Now that we've got these two new writers, there can be no more lackadaisical behavior by the rest of us. It's back to the grindstone, back to writing. Or at least back to editing/revising for me. I have a handful of stories that are almost done. My goal is to get these suckers complete. Some are short stories, some are full-length novels, though on the lighter end of the word count requirements. We'll see how it goes.

My college plans will have to wait until the spring semester of 2012. Not because I'm not flip flopping, but after really thinking about what I've got going on this fall--mostly band/band booster related stuff for Sonshine, there's just no good time for me to attend class and complete homework. Plus with being unable to sell fireworks, that means DD's fall tuition will be out of pocket. And she's more important than me at the moment.

The weather has eased slightly with temps only in the low to mid-nineties today and probably for the rest of the week.

Speaking of selling fireworks...the Venus VFD finally called hubby back. They are doing the pop & shoot as long as no order is issued in their county banning the sale/use of fireworks there. Also, they moved, so there'll be a new location. As a side note, it's possible, though unlikely we actually could sell fireworks. Apparently the original order issued by the McLennan County judge had to be ratified by the governor within 48 hours for it to remain in effect. Well, that didn't happen and the judge had to issue a new order. The wording on this one however might just have a loophole. It says no sales in unincorporated areas of the county. And while the store is indeed in an unincorporated town, the old fireworks stand is not. The city of Leroy is incorporated!! Unfortunately, there's no longer electricity or phone service there and it would take a lot of time and effort to get everything in place to be able to sell from the stand. And the money we might make would barely cover the expenses hubby has incurred already this season and that doesn't include the cost of the inventory we bought. I'd much rather cut our losses and do a show. I miss doing shows.

There's not a whole lot to report. It's too hot to do anything 'round here, but let's see...

I have a clothesline now. Again. Finally. I love to smell my sheets with the scent of outdoors and fabric softener in them. Plus with as much as the A/C is running these days, less use of electricity is always a good thing.

Speaking of A/C and the heat, it's been over 100* for many days in a row. Ugh! Though I do drive home with windows down. After sitting in A/C all day I actually do get cold so I get to thaw out. Plus it's only a ten-minute commute.

Um, started watching a new TV show. It's nothing to write home about, but it's entertaining so with the men gone...

I--we--have added a new writer to our critique group. She's a newer member of my writing chapter and she's a lot of fun. So now we are four! And we also need to get back on track with bi-monthly critique sessions. Which means I need to write or edit one of my many WIPs. Ugh...but another chapter-mate made in interesting comment about self-publishing which piqued my interest and got me to thinking about my YA that's still languishing, almost complete, on my hard drive.

I've decided (again) to check into going back to school and getting a two-year English degree. Nothing major, but I've come to the conclusion over the past two years that I prefer editing to writing. And a basic degree would be beneficial. So I'm going to have DD take me to the counselors office at the community college and see what it's going to take.

No word on the fireworks show yet. Hubby has been trying to get in touch with the Venus VFD, but no one has called him back yet. I went to their website and sent an e-mail.

Thunderstorms are in our forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday and that should break our heat wave. After that our temps should drop down to the low-to-mid nineties. Whew! And down at the store yesterday, it was supposed to be 106*!!! Yikes.

Well, that's my ramble for the day. Back to work--I'm feeling productive, so I'm hoping to complete my to-do list for today.

KEEP COOL!!

...and that I could afford it. :)

So what was so great about this weekend?

Lots of things, actually.

For one, my men were gone. So the house was quiet and easy to clean and keep clean. And, for whatever reason, I get more accomplished without hubby underfoot. :)

The men left Friday at 4pm to go visit hubby's mom and attend the annual Shootout put on by the wholesaler of the fireworks we buy for our store. Only the Shootout was cancelled because of the burn bans in approximately 217 of the 254 counties in Texas. Argh! But anyway, hubby decided to stay all weekend and do some work in the store, getting it prepped and ready for the selling season--should we have one. If the county the store is in institutes a fireworks ban on top of the burn ban we won't be able to open at all. That would be bad, but it is a very real possibility.

But I digress. The men were gone. So I left work early (shh, don't tell) and started cleaning. Not heavy duty cleaning, but just general tidying in my bedroom and came across a picture of my dad. And I had the desire right then and there to go to Target and get a picture frame (finally!) for it.

So DD and I hied off to Target. Then she asked if I wanted to go to Famous Footwear, which is right next door to Target. I said no. But by the time we were done at Target, I was feeling good and I changed my mind. Three pair of shoes and $130 later! I was planning on buying three pairs of shoes (online) anyway and had a slightly higher budget, so it was all well and good. Plus I didn't have to wait for them to be shipped. My new shoes:




Back home and more cleaning, nothing heavy duty, but I did make a list. You see, my critique partner was coming over Saturday afternoon so there had to be a minimal amount of cleaning. Then on Friday evening once I was pooped out, DD and I watched 2/3 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

By the time CP arrived, the bathroom had been cleaned and a cabinet shelf had been thoroughly cleaned out by DD. Laundry had been sorted, the front and side lawns mowed (by DD), dishes had been washed, a grocery list made. The living room cleaned up, swept, dusted. Ice tea and Kool Aid made. DD and I also finished watching HP/HBP.

CP arrived on time and we chatted and brainstormed a bit and then we decided to go to Barnes & Noble. Nothing really jumped out and bit me book-wise, but I did make a purchase:


I remember Gumby and Pokey well. As a little girl, I had Gumby/Pokey figures and played with them in my metal doll house with my Little People.

On Saturday evening, I brainstormed with an online friend for a chapter of a Robin Hood fan fic I'm supposed to be writing. I was at a total loss--I'm in Harry Potter mode now so fic for RH is tough. After that, DD and I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.

Sunday dawned cool and rainy. I started laundry, worked on some fic, went to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth with DD (who has school projects), hit the Home Depot--

--here begins the second half of my great weekend--

I bought new seats for both my toilets. One was broken, one was just old and ugly.

I finally found a chair for my spare room. It's white plastic wicker, but it was only $63, so I am very happy.

DD wanted a shelf for her books and the Home Depot didn't have much in the way of decorative shelving, so I decided we should go to Lowe's...

So we did. And I ended up buying the shelf I've been eying for almost two years. DD put it together for me. My new bookshelf:



DD left to go to the church picnic and I was left blessedly alone. I alternately did laundry, worked on fic (finished one that had been sitting for weeks), put stuff on my new shelf, and cleaned and tidied some more.

I didn't exercise/walk this weekend since I did so much walking at the museum, shopping and cleaning. But I stuck with my eating plan. It's been over a week now, but I can't tell if I've made any progress as I started my period and am now enjoying bloating and water weight from that. :) Give me a few days and we'll see.

So how was YOUR weekend??

My critique partner has turned into a critique group and now we are three.

This is good, of course; the more eyes on your work, the better, right?

I've been working on some guidelines for out little group, eliciting input from other writers I know who are in groups. One answer was pretty useless: "Well, every group is different and it depends on what you're looking for."

This, I know.

So I e-mailed another friend, asked some specific questions and got back a 13-point dissertation.

That was helpful.

I sent another e-mail to yet another friend and am currently waiting a reply.

But I have concerns.

One major concern and one minor concern.

I'm afraid one of my new CPs isn't going to be handle it--the critiques or the commitment. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong. That's the major one.

The minor one is that I'm afraid I'm really not going to get what I need from this group, at least from the above mentioned CP. I swear I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but in recently reading chapters from both these women, I appear to be the more advanced writer. It's a tough job, but someone--okay, just kidding.

I know one of them is a beginner. She's only been in our writing chapter maybe a year and has said she's new to romance writing. I knew that going in, but she's writing what I'm writing *and* she's read a ton of what we want to write, so my advantage was that she could help me meet the criteria of our new genre.

Now, the newest member I've known for, oh...four years now. I think. Something like that. But she's gone through a lot of personal upheaval in the last few years and as you would expect, her writing, while important to her, had to take a back seat as she dealt with real life. So basically she hasn't grown much as a writer. Not that I fault her, but will she be able to help my writing as I'm pretty sure I can help hers?

So what do I get out of this relationship I'm now committed to?

I've read and heard that critique groups should be made up of writers at a variety of levels. That's really great for those writers at the lower levels, but what about the writer at the highest level? Maybe if they struggle with spelling and punctuation or...

But as I'm writing, things are coming to me...if the advanced writer struggles with shallow descritions...yes, she gets feedback; if the advanced writer struggles with...well, name your issue...she gets feedback. If the other writers grasp those concepts already. If they don't, then...what?

I'm afraid I'm going to be cheated.

I'm whining. Sorry. Let me go find some cheese and we'll see how Saturday's critique meeting goes.

I now have a critique partner. As I mentioned in my last post, I met with a chapter mate & friend to brainstorm for both our newest story idea. I suggested we become official CPs and she loved the idea. We agreed to meet the first and third Saturdays of the month. We met on a Saturday morning and agreed to send the other something by Sunday evening. We agreed a max would be approximately 2500 words.

What we didn't discuss was what being critique partners entailed so now I think we have to have a conversation and lay out some ground rules. Perhaps mine were set too high and hers were ... I don't know.

Granted she was leaving for the RWA conference that Monday and did not have a whole lot of time, but she took the time to read it, critique it (and I use that term loosely for the moment), and send it back.

Just FYI, I'm trying my hand at an erotic romance. And I'm excited because my new CP seems to have read a lot of those, and I'm thinking she'll be able to point out my weakness as I dip my toes.

So... I find my chapter returned and open it eagerly, hoping, expecting lots of red pen (metaphorically speaking). But no...

She's marked spelling, missing words, capital letters, etc. She's given me a basic edit. And had I been able to run my chapter through MS Word at the office before sending it to her, I would have caught probably all those mistakes myself. *sigh*

Not that I don't occasionally miss a missing word or a misspelling, and a second and even third pair of eyes for those are always welcome, but I need a critique. A nit picker, a question asker, hole poker... Someone to rip it to shreds if that's what's needed. Not a spell checker.

I didn't get a critique.

So, this Saturday when we meet I'll hand her the critique of her chapter and hopefully she won't cry. (kidding)

And then we'll have to work on what we each expect from the other in this critique relationship.

Any suggestions?