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March 26, 2006
Supposed to be writing…
It doesn't look like I will make my March writing goal. I would need to add 12,640 words to Water-Born by Friday midnight. That’s not likely to happen.
Where did the time go? (And why is it still so cold outside? Hello, it's spring, people!)
Well, at least I got a column written, revised and submitted.
That’s progress.
Posted by Selena at 08:10 PM | Comments (0)
Proofing Party
I have spent nearly all my free time the last few days proofing a 200+ page document chock-full of luscious stories and poems. It was exhausting but also really fun. I can hardly wait to see it in print.
I’ll let you know when.
Because you will want to read it too.
Posted by Selena at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
Diet Woes
I am trying to lose a little bit of weight. People look at me funny when I say that because people generally don't think of me as overweight. And the truth is that I am not overweight. I am however edging ever closer to the top end of what is healthy for my height and age. I only want to lose 5-10 pounds. Basically I just my clothes to fit again.
But even that modest goal is proving difficult. One problem is my lack of willpower where food is concerned. Present me with fries from McDonald’s and I can't say no. Same thing with that Hershey’s with Almonds that crossed my path today. I knew I shouldn't eat it, but I did it anyway.
My other problem is hypoglycemia. It runs in my family and I have dealt with this tendency towards low blood sugar all my life. I have learned the hard way that if I don't eat at regular intervals, I will get sick. Lately whenever I try to cut back my calorie intake a little too much, I end up with the all-too-familiar symptoms of hypoglycemia: headache, shakiness, nausea, trouble concentrating. I woke up this way a couple times before I realized that the salad and toast I was having for dinner didn't have enough protein in it to get me from dinner to breakfast.
This morning I had a light breakfast in an effort to cut calories. It backfired. I was so sick by 10:30 that I had to eat my lunch early. Then, I was so hungry that I ended up eating extra food that I hadn’t even planned on. Aargh. I have to figure out how to make this work.
I guess I need to
1) find some low-cal, low-fat, high-protein foods,
2) focus on protein and some complex carbs, and cut back on everything else,
3) let breakfast be the biggest meal, because clearly cutting back on breakfast is not working, and finally
4) find some willpower.
I’ll do better tomorrow. I promise
Posted by Selena at 08:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2006
“Brierly’s Lilies” by Angie Lofthouse
DKA’s March issue continues with a story by Angie Lofthouse that has both science fiction and fantasy elements.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Tease: “Lilies," Brierly had said with a wistful smile, so Tiann went out for lilies. She jogged home in the warm spring sunshine instead of porting, and saw by chance the old woman standing in the path.
Posted by Selena at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2006
Column Up: "Ask Me How I Know"
My latest column is up, check it out here
And feel free to post about it in the forums if you want.
Posted by Selena at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2006
Quotes of the Day/Elizabethtown
Today’s quotes are both from the movie “Elizabethtown” (which is very good, by the way).
“This loss will be met by a hurricane of love.”
“Those who risk, win.”
Posted by Selena at 07:21 PM | Comments (0)
Today’s Tally
I really need a break, like a few weeks off or something. Time to just de-stress and write.
Luckily I may have that coming at the end of April. But I have to get through until then. And I still have to get writing done in the meantime. I can’t afford to slack on that.
It wasn’t as productive a day as I had hoped. But at least I got some writing done.
Here’s what today looked like.
Words today = 891
So far this month = 7,376
Water-Born so far = 66,360
Posted by Selena at 07:16 PM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2006
Good Pictures/Good Reading
I am not normally drawn to images. (I am definitely more of a word person and am actually somewhat image-impaired.) But here are two illustrations that got to me.
"Lone Boat" by Teresa Tunaley, now featured at The Sword Review along with the poem it inspired, “The Lonely Place” by Elizabeth C. Zipay.
Both are definitely worth a look/read.
Also, check out the illustration that Rachel A. Marks did to go with her story “Sorrow’s Shroud” at DKA.
I have no talent for visual art at all, so I am very impressed with people who can make this kind of art.
Posted by Selena at 08:21 PM | Comments (0)
Today’s Tally
I have totally been slacking off!
On writing at least.
But I am getting back on track. I wrote over a thousand words before breakfast today, and more after that. I hope to get a lot done tomorrow as well.
Words today = 2,568
So far this month = 6,485
Water-Born so far = 66,508
Posted by Selena at 07:44 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2006
New at DKA: “Sorrow’s Shroud” by Rachel A. Marks (w/ illus.)
March’s issue continues with “Sorrow’s Shroud” by Rachel A. Marks, complete with original artwork (also by Ms. Marks).
Tease:
Eli has never known what it is to be free. He was born to the chain and so he will die. A boy of two worlds belonging in neither. But on the turn of Eli's sixteenth summer, his master brands him for use in the Queen's mines. And now he will travel to where the greatest terror in the land resides. Is this where he will find death or freedom? And where is the line for these two futures drawn?
Posted by Selena at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2006
Today’s Tally
I finally got back to work on the book. I am several days behind, but at least I was able to get a good amount done today.
Words today = 1,757
So far this month = 3,679
Water-Born so far = 63,702
The quality of today’s writing leaves a little to be desired I think, but that is to be expected.
“If you take one day off writing, your muse will take the next three.”
- “Page After Page” by Heather Sellers
I have to remember that and make sure I write at least a little bit everyday.
Posted by Selena at 07:22 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2006
Just got a YES!
I just got a yes from Alien Skin Magazine on a bit of flash fiction I sent them.
They want to use it for their April/May issue.
I am so excited!
Also, I think that may be the same issue in which Keesa’s story is appearing. How cool would that be to share a Table of Contents with Keesa?!
So awesome! What a good day.
Posted by Selena at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)
New at DKA: “Children of the Falling Stars” by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz
DKA’s March issue continues with a beautiful story by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz.
"Children of the Falling Stars"
Tease:Here on B543, we know we’re connected to each other. Each of us is here to fulfill a purpose. -Gemima, one of B543's top techno-scientist.
Myth, superstition or truth. Eranta Magalinda discovers for herself that the difference between B543 and Earth is more than what the eye can see.
Posted by Selena at 08:25 AM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2006
Fallen Behind
I’ve fallen behind in my writing again. I was so sick Monday that I left work early and slept most of the afternoon. Then Tuesday I had a long, stressful day at work and barely dragged myself home in time to collapse in bed before sleep overtook me.
At least I managed to write, revise and submit a new column. That’s good because I am definitely behind on columns as well.
Fortunately, I have tomorrow off so hopefully I will be able to get caught up on my writing and editing To Do’s.
I get to publish a new story at DKA in the morning. That’s always a good time.
It’s a good story too, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see what it is.
Posted by Selena at 08:29 PM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2006
Today’s Tally
Words today = 891
So far this month = 1,922
Water-Born so far = 61,945
I had to get the writing in early since the rest of the day is set aside for moneymaking.
Posted by Selena at 08:19 AM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2006
Today’s Tally
Words today = 1031
So far this month = 1031
Water-Born so far = 61,054
That’s all I could manage between doing the taxes and working on DKA stuff. But at least I made goal.
Truth is, today’s 1000 words came easily; I dreamed ideas for it last night. Tomorrow won’t be as easy, but I hope to at least get 700 words down.
I spent so much time at my computer today that my husband commented:
“Well, you certainly do have the ability to sit at your computer and type for long periods of time.”
“That’s a pretty good skill for a writer to have,” I replied.
“My point, exactly.” He said.
Posted by Selena at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)
March Madness
I have fallen behind in my writing so I decided to bring some NaNo into the month of March.
My goal is to get my NaNo novel (Water-Born) up to a more publishable 80,000 words by the end of this month.
Right now it’s at 60,023 words. So I need to write another 19,977 words.
I’m already behind since I haven't worked on it at all in the last few days. Currently I need to average about 740 words/day to make my goal. That’s not too bad. Of course, every day I put it off, that number goes higher.
I guess I better get to work.
Posted by Selena at 07:59 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2006
New at DKA: “Raven” by Mike Duran
DKA’s March issue begins with a cautionary tale by Mike Duran.
Tease:
His assignment is top secret -- but who's the real enemy here? The military has many weapons. But blades and bullets can't stop this thing. And if he doesn't keep his guard up, something's bound to get under his skin.
Posted by Selena at 09:58 AM | Comments (0)
Leaving Las Vegas
I heard the song "Leaving Las Vegas" yesterday and it struck me that it is the perfect theme song for my life right now.
For quite some time I have been considering a career change. Last week, I made a leap of faith. I gave my two months notice to the company that has employed me for nine years.
The move shocked people more than I expected. Even my mom was taken aback and said it just wasn't like me, that resigning from one job before I had another one lined up was just not my style.
I guess my decision is shocking given my reputation as a responsible, un-impulsive person. However my decision was not impulsive in the least. It was carefully weighed and considered in a process that spanned years. But the decision-making was not something I shared with many people, so the move must look impulsive to all the people who weren’t privy to the process. I have to keep reminding myself of that. People only know what you show them. They can’t be faulted for not knowing what you didn’t share.
"What are you going to do?" people keep asking me. Sometimes I respond with an enigmatic "something else," sometimes I actually go into the detail of how I plan to focus on writing and editing.
I know my decision is shocking to many and upsetting to some, but I also know this: Life is too short to spend most of your time on something you don't enjoy.
I want to focus my time and attention on things that are important to me, on work that interests me and feeds my soul. Writing and editing fit the bill. Therefore I am moving those interests from the fringes to the center of my work life. I am going to give them my full attention and see what happens.
"I'm Leaving Las Vegas
Lights so bright
Palm sweat, blackjack
On a Saturday night
Leaving Las Vegas
Leaving for good, for good
I'm leaving for good
I'm leaving for good.”
Posted by Selena at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)