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May 28, 2006
New Column: "Lane Bumpers"
My latest column is up at Sword Review.
Check it out if you have a chance. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:30 AM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2006
Out of Africa
I just watched “Out of Africa.” It is quite possibly my favorite movie of all time. I have long since lost count of how many times I have seen it. At this point, I can nearly recite the dialogue along with the characters.
I have a first edition copy of the book. It’s a good bit older than I am.
The best part is that I ended up with the book completely by accident. It was handed to me as a prop when I was doing a community theatre production of “The Music Man.” I was so excited that I asked if I could keep the book.
“It’s just an old book,” they said.
To which I replied, “Is that a yes?”
It was a yes.
The book is still one of my most treasured belongings.
Posted by Selena at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)
May 23, 2006
Unconscious Bias-Part 2
Here’s that article I was telling you about a few posts ago:
Really interesting stuff!
Posted by Selena at 07:57 PM | Comments (0)
DKA: “Alone at the Edge of the Day” by J. Albert Bell
Next up is a bit of flash fiction by J. Albert Bell:
“Alone at the Edge of the Day”
Tease:
"Sometimes, even the best job in the universe can seem tedious. Even the angels need a little help at such times."
Posted by Selena at 07:36 AM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2006
Distant Passages-now through Amazon.com
Hey, check it out! My book is now available through Amazon.com.
Of course, by “my book” I mean the book that has one of my stories in it, plus a ton of other great stuff by other authors.
But still, it’s mighty cool.
For more on the book, including the ability to preview the book, i.e. look at the table of contents to see a listing of stories and authors, visit Lulu.com.
Posted by Selena at 06:25 PM | Comments (0)
Speaking of Finishing Projects…
Continuing a theme from yesterday, here is the scripture that turned up in my email this morning:
"Be confident in this: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you." (Philippians 1:6)
How’s that for a coincidence? Do churches work off of some kind of theme calendar and I didn’t know?
Believe it or not, the above scripture arrived courtesy of a completely different pastor/ministry than yesterday’s sermon.
Although perhaps not from a different source.
Posted by Selena at 07:02 AM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2006
Today’s Tally, plus Today’s Sermon
I got a lot of work done today, which is good.
Last night, I got a couple very helpful critiques of the revision I’m working on. So, today I spent a good bit of time making changes to fix those (and other) issues, and just generally improve the story.
Again, I think it’s done. But again, I am going to wait a day or so, then look at it and see what problems have surfaced in the interim. I’m sure there will be some.
I also managed to get in some writing practice, which turned into a couple new scenes for the book. (Much to my delight.) Then I worked on the book a little longer.
I think I’m done for the day now, though. I’m going to watch a movie and see what happens after that.
Sometimes, like last night for example, I think I’m done writing for the day, but the muse has other ideas. She’s a demanding one, that muse! Waking me up and dragging me out of bed at all hours so I can sit at the computer and do her bidding. Truth is, I don’t really mind. I figure you gotta go with the flow.
Also, I have to share this amusing note from the day:
Today’s sermon in church was on unfinished projects, and how we shouldn’t let the fact that something is difficult deter us from finishing what we set out to do.
The preacher was talking about our spiritual walk, of course. But I kept hearing “Finish the book, finish the revision, finish…” this writing project and that one. Everything he said somehow got applied in my head to my writing struggle and its various projects.
Is that wrong, you think? Or is God trying to tell me something?
Anyway, it was kind of an odd church moment.
Posted by Selena at 08:21 PM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2006
New at DKA: “Galaxy Gems” by George L. Duncan
The latest addition to DKA’s May issue is a science fiction story by George L. Duncan:
Tease:
"Many things will change in the future and humans may face many dangerous enemies. But a few things will remain - duty, loyalty, faith and the value of friendship."
It’s got fascinating alien worlds. I love that in a story!
Posted by Selena at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2006
Today’s Tally & Writing Prompt
I focused on writing columns today and managed to finish off two that had been in the works.
I also got in some writing practice. Today’s prompt is from the same source as yesterday, A Writer’s Book of Days. I think I am going to use that book for a little while.
Anyway the prompt is:
“One day, …”
It just lends itself to a fairy tale, doesn’t it?
It turned into this crazy fairy tale about celebrity, of all things.
I don’t know whether or not it’s worth trying to turn into something submit-able. That decision is for another day. But today it cracked me up as I was writing it. So, I guess that’s a good sign.
Either way, it was good practice and it put me in a good mood.
Posted by Selena at 07:02 PM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2006
Today’s Tally
I worked a lot on the rewrite again today. I think it’s ready. It’s certainly much improved.
But I am not sending it out yet. I’m gonna do the smart thing this time – let it sit a few days and look at it again before sending it anywhere.
Also, I think I am actually caught up on reading subs. Oops, no. One more just came in. I’ll read it tomorrow. That’ll be something to look forward to.
I even managed to do a writing practice today. If you’re into writing prompts like I am, here’s the one I used for practice today:
“Write about a place you know, but not well.”
-from A Writer’s Book of Days by Judy Reeves
Happy writing, everyone!
Posted by Selena at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
Unconscious Bias
Yesterday I was reading Scientific American – both for fun and for story ideas :) – and found a great article called “The Implicit Prejudice.” It’s about the biases and prejudices we hold even when we don’t realize it. Or to quote the article: “underneath our awareness, our minds automatically make connections and ignore contradictory information.” The article is also about how we acquire these biases by what we are exposed to.
(I kind of wish I’d read this before I submitted “Osmosis” to Haruah. It would have fit in perfectly with my essay.)
I would like to point you to the article online but it’s in the June issue, which doesn’t seem to be on their website yet. But maybe later it will be there. It would be under the “Insight” section of the current issue (once the current issue is June 2006).
Actually if you can’t wait, it looks like you can buy an electronic issue online now here.
Something that is currently available online for free is this related website, mentioned in the article, where you can test your biases:
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
It’s called an implicit association test (IAT). The site lists several. I’ve already done two. The Gender-Science test showed that I have a slight association of female with science and male with liberal arts, which is perhaps unusual but in my case not all that surprising since I’m a woman who loves science.
Posted by Selena at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2006
Vacation is Over
I decided last night that vacation time was over. I won’t be able to get very far in my writing career if I only work 5-6 hours a day. Especially if more than half of that is spent on editorial duties, not my own writing.
So, I have vowed to spend more time on writing. I have got to quit slacking off and get serious.
Today was mostly spent on revising the story I sent to Ray Gun Revival. They were kind enough to request revisions and send a mountain of valuable feedback. Sadly, most of what they mentioned were things I should have caught before submitting it. :oops:
Let’s take a look at the tally, shall we?
# of embarrassing proofing mistakes = four
# of glaring logical errors = at least one, maybe two
Pretty humiliating. But they were very nice about it. Most markets wouldn’t be.
It’s clear I sent the story off too soon. I’m realizing that I am prone to that particular mistake. Maybe I need to institute a cooling off period.
I’m starting to think that often when I think a sub is done, it really just means I am sick of looking at it. The sensible thing would be to set it aside for a little while. Then look at it again when I can bear to do so. Fix the problems that will certainly appear during this second go ‘round. And only then, submit it somewhere.
Actually, I probably need to join a writers critique group and add that step in there.
Today I spent about five hours total on the rewrite. I think I’ve made progress, but we’ll see what it looks like when I read it again tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 07:27 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2006
New at DKA: “Angel Without Wings”
As promised, DKA’s May issue continues with this haunting poem by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz…
Tease:
"Lucifer fell from grace, and with him all they who rebelled against Yahweh."
Posted by Selena at 07:14 AM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2006
Today’s Tally
I’ve been getting a lot done as far as reading submissions goes. (Read four today.)
But I haven’t been writing much. I just haven’t come up with my next project yet, and I am strangely reluctant to work on the book. (Don’t know where to go with it next.) I have managed to work on it a little everyday though. That’s something.
Pretty soon, I’m going to have to break out one of my writing prompt books and see what happens. I tend to resort to writing prompts when I’m stuck for an idea. Anyone else do that? Or is it just me?
I’m looking forward to publishing Rochita’s poem tomorrow at DKA. Look for it, Tuesday, May 16th.
Posted by Selena at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2006
Joke of the Day
My mom forwarded this to me this today:
My New DietAfter starting a new diet I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery. I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed . "Lord, it's up to you, if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery." And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block, there it was! God is so Good!"
Ha ha. Too true.
Happy Mother's Day, everyone.
Posted by Selena at 08:26 PM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2006
New at DKA: “Syllen” by Nadia Williams
Continuing DKA’s May line up is “Syllen” by Nadia Williams.
Tease:
"Syllen is on the run from justice. He killed his master, and if he's caught, he'll be hanged. As if that's not enough trouble, a mysterious horseman is on his heels."
Don’t miss this beautifully written, powerful story.
Posted by Selena at 07:58 AM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2006
Today’s Tally/Story Submitted
I worked a lot on the new story today. Actually, I managed to finish and submit it.
I hadn’t planned to, but I couldn’t focus on anything else. Sometimes when I get close to finishing a story, the momentum just takes hold of me and I can’t stop working on the story until it is done and gone.
Man, I just hope it’s not embarrassingly bad.
But if it is, it will get rejected, then I will work on it some more and eventually I'll send it somewhere else.
Submitting work can be so nerve-racking. Then, there’s the waiting. I’ve got seven subs pending right now. Aargh! I need a distraction. Maybe I’ll go for a walk.
Posted by Selena at 02:33 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2006
Today’s Tally
I worked several hours today on the new story and it’s getting better. (Whew!)
I plan to work on it more this weekend. Maybe I can even have it ready to be submitted by next week. That would be cool.
Also, I managed to read a few SR subs today.
Now if only I could fall asleep. It’s way past my bedtime.
Posted by Selena at 11:47 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2006
Finished First Draft
I finished the first draft of that story this morning. But man, it’s awful!
I have to keep reminding myself that the first draft of anything is bound to be dreadful. That’s just the way it goes. You have to get the basics of the story down first, then worry about making it good.
The story is currently at just over 5,000 words. I’m sure that will change in editing.
I just hope I can turn the cruddy first draft into something worth reading.
Posted by Selena at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2006
New Verid Story
Well, I still haven’t finished it, but I am making progress on that new Verid story. It’s now at about 3,700 words. Plus, I finally came up with a decent name for it. I couldn’t just call it “New Verid Story” forever. ;)
I have been meaning to work on it for a while, but it wasn’t until Saturday night that I had an idea for the storyline. I went to bed early that night because my head was killing me. But the idea came to me just as I was falling asleep. So I got out of bed, got my laptop and jotted down as much as I could.
Then I worked a couple hours on it on Sunday. And a little bit yesterday.
Today I avoided the story like it was someone I had wronged. In a way it was, because I barely worked on it Monday morning and had neglected it ever since.
It was evening before I could convince myself to work on the story. But I’m glad I did.
I’m going to try to work on it more tomorrow. I hope to get the first draft finished this week. Then spend a week or two editing and polishing it. Then I’ll probably send it to RGR in the hopes that they like it.
Posted by Selena at 09:36 PM | Comments (4)
New at DKA: “The Crutch” by John Kuhn
Next up for DKA’s May issue is an imaginative poem by John Kuhn.
Tease:
“Sometimes a hero's strength is found in his greatest need.”
Pop on by and check it out.
Posted by Selena at 07:29 AM | Comments (0)
New Column Up
My latest column is up.
It’s called “Daily Dose.”
Feel free to stop by The Sword Review and check it out.
Posted by Selena at 07:26 AM | Comments (0)
May 08, 2006
“Osmosis” up at Haruah
My editorial/essay is now up at Haruah.
(Is it still called an editorial if I’m not an editor there? I don’t know.)
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:11 AM | Comments (0)
May 07, 2006
Went to Church
Since I no longer work Sundays (well, at least not at a job where I have to be there certain hours), I decided to try going to church again.
Today I went to one of the many in my neighborhood. In an odd coincidence, the pastor has the same last name as me. Plus I saw a familiar face in the congregation, someone I used to work with. Those twists of fate, along with a few other things, gave me a very positive feeling about the place.
I may even go back next Sunday.
Posted by Selena at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2006
Today’s Tally
Sadly, I still haven’t been able to beat down that headache. So, it wasn’t a very productive day.
I just:
Published and promoted Rent-An-Angel (Don’t miss it! It’s really good.)
Read 2 DKA contest subs and 3 regular DKA subs. (Actually I am nearly caught up with DKA subs, only one contest sub left to read. SR subs—well that’s a different story.)
Sent a revision request and two declines.
My favorite song of the moment: “Never Mind Me” by Big & Rich.
Posted by Selena at 08:22 PM | Comments (0)
New at DKA: “Rent-An-Angel” by Jane Lebak
DKA’s May issue continues with a short, fun story by Jane Lebak.
Tease:
"Rent an angel. Ten minutes, variable fee. No job too small."
I am thrilled by the number of good angel-related stories we are getting these days.
Posted by Selena at 07:43 AM | Comments (0)
May 05, 2006
Today’s Tally
I’m sitting here eating carrots, but what I really want is that chocolate candy I’ve got stashed away. ;) We’ll see how long I can stick with the carrots. Maybe I’ll distract myself with a little writing.
I didn’t get much done today. I’ve felt tired and headachy all day. But still I managed to
Proof two stories for SR,
Finish and submit a new column,
Proof a poem for DKA,
And read a couple DKA subs.
I signed a copy of the Distant Passages anthology for my dad yesterday, and thinking back on it I’m pretty sure I misspelled grateful. I’m pretty sure I put two ‘l’s at the end. :lol: I guess I’ll tell people it was meant to be a flourish. I suppose that sort of mishap is God’s way of keeping my ego in check.
It reminds me of the time when I was a kid and I made a plate in Brownies. They had us each make a design, then made them into plates somehow. I don’t remember. It was years and years before someone pointed out that I had left the ‘r’ out of Brownies. I just remember my mother hushing whoever it was in an effort to protect my feelings. (Mom’s sweet that way.)
I’ve still got seven (7) subs pending, including the one I sent to a major print market.
Here’s hoping.
Well, I better get back to reading subs. I have this little fantasy that I’ll be able to get caught up and start reading them as they come in.
Posted by Selena at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2006
Story Done and Gone!
Well, I finally finished polishing, editing and proofing that story I’ve been working on. I sent it off to its first market today.
It’s such a great feeling! Every time I send off a sub, I practically skip my way home from the post office.
Now I have to start on a story to submit to Ray Gun Revival. It’s such a cool market; I’d love to have a story of mine published there. Problem is…all of my space opera stories have already been published. So I will have to write them something new, and hope they like it.
I’ve been thinking of writing another Kedru story, a sequel to “Verid.” So, that’s probably what I’ll do. I have already started a third Kedru story but since it takes place on an alien world that hasn’t yet developed space travel, I don’t think it can be considered space opera. It’s got aliens sure, but no spaceships, no technology, and definitely no ray guns. It’s really more of a fantasy story, I guess.
So, that’s my next project I think. After I read a few more DKA contest subs, that is.
At least being so busy doesn’t leave me any time to obsess over my pending subs.
Posted by Selena at 12:21 PM | Comments (0)
Walk the Line
I just watched “Walk the Line.” It’s a great movie.
One of the things that got to me about the movie was the portrayal of June Carter Cash. I don’t mean Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal of June, although that was very good. (Joaquin Phoenix was brilliant as Johnny Cash, BTW.) I mean how you could tell the movie was based on Johnny Cash’s autobiographies, how you could tell that the portrayal of June was through his eyes.
The character of June is perfect in every way – always the kindest, most talented, best person. And while Johnny Cash is shown often in a not-favorable light, June never is. She is always shown through the lens of Johnny’s love and admiration for her.
I guess we all want that--to be perfect, even if only in the eyes of one person.
I found that part of the movie very touching.
Posted by Selena at 12:21 AM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2006
New at DKA: “Weapons of War” by Stephen Mackey
At DKA, we are beginning our May issue with an innovative story about angels and weapons.
“Weapons of War”
by Stephen Mackey
Tease:
"As servants of the Almighty, angels are beings in a unique position to influence the universe and its inhabitants. Many believe them to be strictly bound to their Creator's will... but what if He allowed them some leeway for decisions, and therefore, mistakes? And what if some angels in His service started thinking that in matters of warfare they should be acting less angelic and more... human? Are the agents of change the innovative heralds of a new age, or just recklessly self-destructive? Are those who stick to the old ways dooming their race to archaic extinction, or merely being content with what they are? This story poses all of these questions, but leaves the answers to the reader."
I particularly like this story for its angelic perspective on what makes a weapon good or bad, i.e. appropriate for use by God’s forces, or not.
Give it a read! You’ll be glad you did.
Posted by Selena at 08:06 AM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2006
Too Busy to Blog
I’ve got so many stories to read that I am afraid to add them up. It’s gotta be at least twenty, could be thirty. And that’s just including DKA contest subs, not regular DKA subs or SR subs.
I am so far behind on reading SR submissions that I’m surprised they haven’t fired me yet! I did manage to read a few SR subs yesterday, though. Hopefully that will keep the hatchet man at bay a little longer. ;)
I also sent off a submission yesterday.
But today, it’s been all DKA contest subs, all the time.
I actually did add up the number of contest subs because someone asked. It’s twenty-seven (27). !!!
That’s a whole lot of reading. Fortunately, it’s also a whole lot of fun.
I’ve read six (6) contest subs so far today.
I’ve gotta take a break now though, and work on that latest story of mine. I’m hoping to submit it soon and it still needs a lot of work.
In the great news column, DKA’s traffic continues to grow. April showed an average of 291 visits a day, with a total of nearly 9,000 visits for the month. Click here to check out the numbers for yourself!
Posted by Selena at 04:28 PM | Comments (0)