Category: Writing

Weekly writing check-in: the one where I miss National Coffee Day

coffee1Did you know there was such a thing as National Coffee Day? And did you know it was on September 29th? Neither did I.

Well, clearly I blew it this year. But next year? I’m all over that. There will be a celebration.

Making progress this week with the Coffee & Ghosts revisions. Lots of reading and thinking, but I have a plan, and I really hope to start publishing the season on October 31st (Halloween, of course!).

In other writing news, my daughter’s Girl Scout troop is starting work on the Novelist badge. Did you know there was such a thing? Well, there is. We’ve picked our book to read “as an editor” and I’ve found some great online classes to get us started writing stories.

Writing Work:

  • Reading/revising Coffee & Ghosts

Submissions:

  • The Life Expectancy of Fireflies

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one where I drink too much coffee

coffeeheartThe problem with both writing a story that involves coffee (and ghosts) and then rereading the entire series? The overwhelming urge to drink coffee–and lots of it.

I was part way through The Ghost Whisperer when I thought to myself: I really need another cup of coffee.

If this keeps up, I’ll need to splurge and buy some Kona blend.

In other, non-caffeine related news, I sent out three more stories, making a total of five for the month, three of those brand new ones. My submission tracker is looking a bit more robust these days.

As for this coming week, I expect to be drinking even more coffee.

Writing Work:

  • Reading Coffee & Ghosts
  • Photoshop and design
  • Revision work/short stories
  • Craft work: Truby class

Submissions:

  • Like Bread Loves Salt
  • Paper Trail
  • Fire and Ivy

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one where I finally (finally!) reach the end

Well, it took me more than a day. Of course it did. But at long last, I finished the third and final season of Coffee & Ghosts! It looks something like this:

toddler-book

The plan is to let it percolate for a bit (ha, a coffee pun), and then I will read the entire series from season one all the way through season three. I want to make sure I haven’t violated my world building, forgotten an important plot point or character, and add everyone’s coffee preference to the series bible (vitally important when the series revolves around coffee), and so on.

Then I’ll start in on revising and editing, proofing and publishing season three.

In the meantime, I have some stories I’d like to revise and send out. In fact, I sent a new one out the door this week. I have lots of reading planned and some craft work. In other words, I won’t be bored.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~ 4,500 words
  • Photoshop and Vellum
  • Revision work

Submissions:

  • In a Manner of Speaking
  • Lucky

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one where I will reach the end (I think)

Just a quick update today–I’m saving my words for Coffee & Ghosts. I am nearly there, and with a little luck, I’ll finish episode three today.

Although really, I should be done already. Blame the Vellum. I’ve been reformatting my entire back list, and enjoying it. Seriously. This is one fantastic program.

But! I’m off to finish that manuscript. I’m telling you, today’s the day.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~ 6,000 words
  • Photoshop and Vellum, lots and lots of Vellum

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one where I don’t quite reach the end

dogsWell, I thought I would reach the end of Coffee & Ghosts, but I’m not quite there yet. It was the big birthday weekend for my daughter, which meant a big birthday weekend sleepover party at the lake. The dogs wore themselves out keeping an eye on things.

But, I’m almost there and I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made. Also, I did a bunch of formatting and uploading work, and I’m really pleased with how easy it is to go from Vellum to iTunes Producer. I’m sold.

So … this coming week: definitely Coffee & Ghosts. This time, I mean it.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~ 4,500 words
  • Photoshop and Vellum, lots and lots of Vellum

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • Like Bread Loves Salt

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with a new book (to read)

WomenHeroesWWIIA new book! To read!

Women Heroes of World War II—the Pacific Theater landed in my mailbox yesterday. And I can’t wait to read it. Review forthcoming.

I also have a new book of my own (well, technically a novella). I’m closing in on the end of the very last episode of Coffee & Ghosts. I’m thinking I’ll finish it up this week.

I’ve been working through Vellum as well, and as it says below, lots and lots of Vellum (because I have lots and lots of books to format).

I even sent out a couple of submissions.

Not bad for the last week of summer.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~ 7,500 words
  • Photoshop and Vellum, lots and lots of Vellum

Submissions:

  • Knight in the Royal Arms
  • Like Bread Loves Salt

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with Deep Magic

deepmagicSo, I’m not exactly sure what happened to summer. One more week, and then it’s back to school time. (Well, not for me, at least.)

I finally went ahead and bought Vellum. Holy cats, people, is this program great! But now, I have a mountain of reformatting to do. On the positive side, this program is so freaking fabulous that it won’t be that difficult. Still, it takes time to reformat, check for any glitches, and upload all the files.

To paraphrase  Anne Lamott, I’m going to take it book by book.

Got lots of writing in this week on episode three of Coffee & Ghosts–almost halfway done. (I think; that can always change.)

And last, but not least, the August issue of Deep Magic is in the wild and ready to be caught. Head on over and pick up a copy on Amazon, or if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can read for free.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~ 7,000 words
  • Photoshop and Vellum, lots and lots of Vellum

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

Gretel and Hansel in the August issue of Deep Magic! 

Weekly writing check-in: the one with dog days of August

OscarAs everyone knows, the best place to hide from thunderstorms and firecrackers is in the faux fur blanket, as Oscar is demonstrating.

This is what our dogs do during the dog days of August.

In other news, I started the draft for the third episode of season three of Coffee & Ghosts and came up with 6,000 words, which isn’t a bad way to start off. I have layers to pull back and story threads to tie together. If nothing else, I’ve learned that writing a series is rewarding, fun, and challenging.

I also started formatting my e-books with Vellum. Oh, how I love this program. True, I haven’t clicked on Purchase. Not yet. But I plan to. In the meantime, I can get a feel for the program and learn all its options–a true try-before-you-buy opportunity. I’m pretty much sold already.

Additionally, Chicago Review Press contacted me and offered up an ARC of Women Heroes of World War II—the Pacific Theater: 15 Stories of Resistance, Rescue, Sabotage, and Survival, which I can’t wait to read. I loved the other two in the series (and reviewed them on my blog as well).

So, writing, formatting, books to read. It’s been a good week.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~ 6,000 words
  • Photoshop and Vellum

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • Like Bread Loves Salt

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

None, but get ready for the August issue of Deep Magic on August 16th! Or you can simply pre-order now.

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the beginning of the end

Not as dramatic as it sounds, but I started the third (and final) episode of Coffee & Ghosts this week. Now mind you, if I think up something for a season four, I’ll totally write it. But for now, I’m wrapping up most (if not all) of the story threads.

It’s a bittersweet sort of thing. I’ve been writing about Katy, and Malcolm, and all the ghosts for more than a year now. I’ve been writing a little bit slower because I’m going to miss them.

It’s also the beginning of the end of the 99 cent launch price for The Shapeshifter Chronicles. So you might want to get yourself a copy.

Otherwise, just some tutorials and some reading.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~brainstorming, outlining
  • Photoshop and Vellum

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

Shapeshifter coverLast few days to get the The Shapeshifter Chronicles for 99 cents! The price will go up mid-week, so grab your copy now!

Weekly writing check-in: the one with all the shapeshifting

Shapeshifter coverIt’s here! It’s here! The Shapeshifter Chronicles is live over on Amazon, with a print version coming very soon!

The anthology includes my short story With Hair of Teeth and Claw, which is a retelling of Rapunzel. There are some nice, early reviews on Amazon, including this:

A refreshing and original take on a classic fairy tale, flipping traditional conventions on their ear while remaining an enchanting and mesmerizing story about unconditional love.

I’m so thrilled to be part of this fabulous anthology. And it’s only 99 cents for the time being, so go grab a copy!

In other news, I finished episode 2 in the third season of Coffee & Ghosts and started brainstorming the third. Plus! I sold a short story this week as well.

It was one of those weeks where I have something in every category. I like those weeks, even the rejections–it’s all part of the process.

Writing Work:

  • Writing: Coffee & Ghosts ~3,000 words, brainstorming, outlining
  • Learning Vellum

Submissions:

  • Like Bread Loves Salt

Rejections:

  • Like Bread Loves Salt

Acceptances:

  • The Bargain

Publications:

With Hair of Teeth and Claw in The Shapeshifter Chronicles.