All work and no play....

Has it really been so long since I've updated? Well, it makes sense. There's been a lot going on in my personal life these days, and the writing I do for work has been taking priority over other writing.

Image: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I love my job. I really, really do. I'm using my degree every day, getting paid well for it, and I even get to be at home with Bean all day!

I just wish I had an extra hour a day to work on non-work writing. I know, I know. I need to make time. And I'm working on that. But with work and the other things going on my life (which you can read about here and here), I've simply had to take a brief break from writing.

I'm going to get back to it just as soon as I can, believe me. I don't like not writing. And I feel it if it's been too long. I'm a writer. I have to write. When I don't, I feel incomplete, no matter what else is going on in my life.

I'm still not planning on participating in NaNoWriMo this year (especially if Hubby and I are moving in December rather than October), but I am going to try and make a little time here and there for writing. I have an idea that's keeping me up at night (and invading my dreams when I do sleep), so I know I need to at least brainstorm or outline or something.

I suppose wanting to write and not having time is better than having time to write and not knowing what to say. At least, that's what I'm telling myself.

November approaches....

I know some of us don't really want to think about it yet, but I can't help but notice that November is a few short months away.

And on November 1st, many of us will be undertaking that crazy, fun, scary, big adventure: NaNoWriMo.

I'm afraid I will not be participating in NaNo this year. I've been working a lot, and will be working even more for the rest of the year. Not only that, Hubby and I will be spending November trying to get everything organized in order to move into our new apartment.

However, I will be standing on the sidelines, cheering everyone along. I'll try to post at least one motivational post a week during November, as well as tips between now and then to help ensure your big, scary adventure is as fun and smooth as possible.

But I'm very curious: have you started thinking about NaNo yet? What are you planning to write? How's your preparation going?

Why?

Well, I'm trying to make a deadline, and my work website is down. Ragh! Hopefully it comes back up soon, or I'll have to be up very, very early in the morning scribbling away.

When do you become an author?

What makes an "author"? Most people will say an author is someone who writes fiction professionally, which implies publication. But with all the changes in the publishing industry these days, is that changing?

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Have I been neglecting you, my darlings?

I'm sorry.

Since starting my fancy full-time writing gig, things have been a little crazy in both my work and home lives. But I'll be better, I promise. I'm spending this weekend getting caught up with everything, and starting Monday I'll be posting with more regularity here.

Incidentally, I've figured out why I've been having trouble with the coffee house book (again). I won't be changing the layout or point of view or anything like that this time, though. Don't worry. I know how curious you are, so I'll be explaining sometime this weekend in another post. Do you think you can wait until then?

Happy Friday, dear readers. Have a nice iced mocha and enjoy your weekend!

Mr. Old Spice on Libraries

Waiting by the door....

I ordered a copy of Exercises in Style by Raymond Queneau (translated by Barbara Wright) last week. According to the handy-dandy UPS tracker, the package is on its way from Altamonte Springs to my front door.

Where I am waiting. Refreshing the UPS tracker every few minutes, and watching the dog for her reaction to hearing a truck driving down the street.

The Writer's Calendar

Freelance writers write on a very different schedule than people read. Since many publications request that writers send submissions as far as six months' in advance, what's on my desk at any given time is very different from the mindset of "regular people."


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Write to the Point

According to Essentials of Writing to the Point by Allan Metcalf and William Kerrigan, the first step in writing effectively is to develop a strong thesis statement. A thesis is a one-sentence summary of your piece that requires further explanation.


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BIC and me

Have you ever heard the term "BIC" in regards to writing? It stands for "butt in chair." I picked it up from Natalie Goodman, author of The Anti 9-to-5 Guide. BIC time means time you're actually sitting at your computer or paper or whatever and writing. Not emailing or tweeting or updating your Facebook page as you wait for your next free episode of Family Feud, but actually writing.