Weekly writing check-in: the one with the glimmer

So this week I learned that my (very) short story Lucky received an honorable mention in Glimmer Train’s Very Short Fiction Contest. I so seldom submit to places like Glimmer Train because I so seldom commit an act of literary fiction. I wasn’t expecting anything from this submission. I suspect my fellow writers “get” this more than readers might. It’s like glancing out the window and glimpsing a unicorn.

And I sent the story back out to another one of those unicorn markets this week. Hey, you never know when you might catch one.

In other news, lots of story and story journal work this week along with some research. Plus I started my fairy tale class.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Story planning and notes
  • Story Journal
  • Fairy Tale class

Submissions:

  • Lucky

Rejections:

  • Lucky
  • Fire and Ivy

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the dance recital

It was the week of the dance recital. And we are tired. Amazingly, I got a little work in. I made it through the first section of the story journal, and I’m gearing up to start the next. I made some progress on the new series, notes and some draft writing.

One very nice rejection on With Hair of Teeth and Claw–two exclamation points and an invitation to submit something else. That’s almost as good as an acceptance. I’ve run out of reprint markets for it at the moment so I may turn it into a free story for my newsletter. Wait, you didn’t know about the free stories? You can get them when you sign up for my newsletter here.

Next week: more story work, plus I start a course on fairy tales!

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Story planning and notes
  • Story Journal

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • With Hair of Teeth and Claw

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the thunderstorm

I’m going to be quick this week. I hear the rumble of thunder out there. And it’s dark. So. Very. Dark.

I did a lot of behind-the-scenes work this week. I updated some back matter and other whatnot in my e-book files. I worked on my story journal. Some world building for my series. Sort of a grab bag of tasks. As soon as I get more content in my story development bullet journal, I’ll post some examples.

And now it’s like midnight outside. I may just head to the basement.

Ah, summer in Minnesota.

Edited to add: Hail! Thunder! Green skies! And of course, it isn’t Minnesota if you’re not taking a photo of the weather.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Story planning and notes
  • Story Journal

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the story journal

I mentioned a while back that I’ve been using a bullet journal to organize my life, more or less. And I like it. I joined this bullet journal group on Facebook where everyone (other than me) is an artist and does these incredible layouts for their weeks and months. Me? Not so much. I use a pen, and that’s it.

But I had a brainstorm the other day for creating a story development bullet journal. So, in my very best handwriting, I’ve been writing out all the various story development exercises I do before I begin working on a story. In the end, I’ll have something I can take with me anywhere, all indexed and handy.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Story planning and notes
  • Story Journal

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • An Army of Toads

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the brainstorm

Sometimes not being able to do a lot of writing can be a good thing. I had a brainstorm idea this week, one of those: why on earth didn’t I think of that before? 

In terms of writing/series planning, it doesn’t change too much. It’s more like shifting gears and finding the right road to take.

Other good news this week: my neck/arm are getting better. The physical therapy really seems to be working. Things hurt less and less each day, and I should be back to feeling fine shortly.

And with that, I’m off to rest my neck/arm and do a little more research.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Story planning and notes

Submissions:

  • An Army of Toads

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with neck x-rays and red riding hood

Ouch. This will be short because I have a pinched nerve in my right shoulder (and, of course, I’m right-handed). Fortunately, I finished the writing I needed to before this happened (or maybe it’s why it happened–I don’t know). I submitted a reprint this week. And now, I’m going to do a little research and […]

Another short post this week. There is something wrong with my neck/shoulder. Neck x-rays have ruled out anything really terrible, and for now, I’m visiting the physical therapist twice a week in hopes of relieving the pain/tingling/numbness in my right arm and hand.

As you can imagine, this makes it difficult to write or do a lot of other things as well. I spent this week doing more research and scribbling some notes.

On the bright side, I managed a submission, a rejection, an acceptance, and a publication. So. There’s that.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series

Submissions:

  • Fire and Ivy

Rejections:

  • Fire and Ivy

Acceptances:

Publications:

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the pinched nerve

Ouch. This will be short because I have a pinched nerve in my right shoulder (and, of course, I’m right-handed). Fortunately, I finished the writing I needed to before this happened (or maybe it’s why it happened–I don’t know). I submitted a reprint this week. And now, I’m going to do a little research and reading and ice my shoulder.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Noodle project
  • Writing ~ 3,400 words

Submissions:

  • Keeping Time (reprint market)

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with allergies and the writing vortex

Do you feel that? It feels like … pollen in the air. But everything is so green and lovely and hive-inducing. Still. I’ll take spring.

So, I pulled on my writing cap this week (well, in my case, it’s a Doctor Who T-shirt) and I’m in a bit of a writing vortex, where I hope to stay for a while. I’m still planning and researching and reading, but it’s nice to add in some actual writing to the mix.

Otherwise, a quiet week. Two rejections, and I need to send those back out again. But for now, I’m going to put on my scribbling suit, lock myself in a room somewhere (or just sit at the kitchen table), and write.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Noodle project
  • Writing ~ 3,000 words

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • An Army of Toads
  • Fire and Ivy

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with another dance competition

Yet another dance competition this weekend. I’m not sure why I end up so tired when I’m not the one who’s dancing. But there it is. I am. And I’m thinking that Oscar (to the left) has the right idea.

Also? He’s got the Chihuahua whale eye thing going on, so there’s that, too.

Still planning and working on the “noodle” project. Nice thing about both of these is that the one informs the other. I realize that’s vague. I hope to elaborate later.

And because I’m tired, I’m going to leave you with Oscar.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Noodle project

Submissions:

  • None

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None

Weekly writing check-in: the one with the flu

Jr. High Rainbow

So I thought I dodged getting my daughter’s “flu-like virus” (as her doctor described it). No such luck. It hit me hard on Sunday afternoon. So hard that I’m afraid to go look at what I wrote in my blog last week.

I pretty much gave up on being productive for the rest of the day and into the week. Instead, I binge-watched The Expanse, which was surprisingly therapeutic.

But … I did feel better as the week went on. I did the final listening proof on An Army of Toads and sent it on its way. I did some research on the new series, attended the monthly Truby class, and noodled about with a new project, which may not turn into anything. So, I’ll refer to it as the noodle project for now. At some point I will be more specific than that.

Also! I’ll be going to the Iowa Summer Writing Festival! I received my confirmation letter and one from my instructor. I’m only attending a weekend workshop, but I’m very excited.

Bullet Journal update: I’m liking it. I’m cautiously optimistic about it as well.

Writing Work:

  • Planning/researching new series
  • Noodle project
  • Truby class

Submissions:

  • An Army of Toads

Rejections:

  • None

Acceptances:

  • None

Publications:

  • None