July 31, 2010
Story Accepted by Static Movement
Been so busy that I forgot to mention I had a story accepted. "Waking the Betans" has been accepted by Static Movement for their Cosmic Catastrophes anthology. (Thanks, Rick, for the helpful crit.) I'll post a link when the book's available for purchase.
Posted by Selena at 07:03 AM | Comments (0)
June 06, 2010
Still High on the “Yes”
I’m still high off Thursday’s “yes.” :)
(For those you aren’t following me on Facebook, on Thursday I got an acceptance from The Lorelei Signal re: my story “Moon Ransom.” The story was previously published a couple years ago, but it’s one of my favorites stories so I’m excited that it’s going be back out there and available to be read again.)
I managed to put that positive writing energy to good use. I finished the story I’ve been working and sent it off.
It’s a good thing too, ‘cause I was down to only one sub pending, and that’s not a good place to be. Had to up the potential of another “yes” coming my way.
Now I just have to decide what story to work on next...
Posted by Selena at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2010
A Grab Bag: Catching Up on Writing, Movies, Etc.
I’ve been too busy to blog. So here is some of what’s been going on.
I had a good writing session at Panera this morning. (I'm bummed though that they took my favorite egg soufflé off the menu. Grrr.) The story I’m working on is getting better. Thanks, in part, to a crit from Rick. Thanks, Rick!
I guess improvement is really all I can ask for. I am trying to reinforce and reward trying and progress instead of only perfection. ‘Cause if only perfection counted then we’d all be in big trouble. ;)
In other news...
I have a new favorite restaurant. Hubby and I went out to dinner for our anniversary. We decided to try Sinigual, a new Mexican place in the neighborhood. We had a great experience. I can't wait to go back. The Fire-Roasted Tomato Soup is exceptional.
Also, we've instituted "movie night" on Fridays. Recently we've watched:
"The Men Who Stare at Goats" – surprisingly good. I was leery at first, but was quickly won over.
"Avatar" – very good. Why didn't the buzz and advertising clue me into how much I would like the movie? After watching it, I suddenly didn't mind the blatant "Avatar" pimping on that episode of "Bones." (I still hope "Bones" got paid a fortune for it though.)
Speaking of "Bones," I continue to love, love, LOVE that show!
Posted by Selena at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2010
Column Reprinted: "Regret"
One of my Everyday Faith columns has been reprinted at Fear & Trembling. Stop by and check it out.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:38 PM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2010
Motivational Posters from Firefly
So many cool Firefly-related videos on YouTube!
Here's one I like, it's Firefly-themed motivational posters. I'd be hard-pressed to pick a favorite but here are a few that would make the short list:
POLITENESS
is no substitute for kindness.
GENEROSITY
Nothin' buys bygones quicker than cash.
FAITH
You don't fix it. It fixes you.
RESPECT
Is earned, not bought and paid for.
DETERMINATION
Keeps you flyin'.
Posted by Selena at 07:43 AM | Comments (0)
December 29, 2009
"The Secret Shaman" now in print form
My story "The Secret Shaman" is now available in print form in the magazine Mystic Signals (by The Lorelei Signal, where the story appeared online).
You can buy a copy of the magazine via CreateSpace, Lulu, or Amazon.
Posted by Selena at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
December 26, 2009
Column Reprinted: "Saying Yes"
One of my old Everyday Faith columns has been reprinted at Fear & Trembling.
Please stop by and check it out if you have a chance:
"Saying Yes"
Posted by Selena at 09:19 AM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2009
Pain Mgmt at Static Movement
My scifi story "Pain Management" is now available at Static Movement. Stop by and check it out if you're interested. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2009
Story Accepted!
My story "Pain Management" was just accepted by Static Movement. Look for it in their November issue. (YEAH!)
Posted by Selena at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2009
"Aidan's Cat" Published at All Things Girl
My story "Aidan's Cat" is now available at All Things Girl.
This story is not scifi or fantasy. It's mainstream fiction.
Posted by Selena at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2009
"The Secret Shaman" Published at The Lorelei Signal
My story "The Secret Shaman" is now available at The Lorelei Signal.
This is one of my favorite stories so please stop by and give it a read if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)
September 30, 2009
Contributor Copy of The Lorelei Signal Anthology
Just got my contributor copy of The Lorelei Signal's "best of" anthology for 2008. It's gorgeous. Plus it contains my story "The Thoughts of Cats."
You can buy a copy of your very own by clicking here.
Posted by Selena at 07:52 AM | Comments (0)
September 28, 2009
Story Accepted!
I just had a story accepted by All Things Girl. The story is called "Aidan's Cat." I think it will be published sometime in October.
(This story is not scifi or fantasy; it's mainstream fiction.)
Posted by Selena at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2009
Malapropism
Malapropism is Dictionary.com's word of the day.
Which got me thinking...I wonder what other words are derived from character names. I can't think of any. Faustian maybe, but that's capitalized so it's kind of cheating.
(In case you didn't know: "A malapropism is so called after Mrs. Malaprop, a character noted for her amusing misuse of words in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's comedy The Rivals.")
Posted by Selena at 03:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2009
Column Reprinted: "Sitting Still"
One of my columns has been reprinted at Fear & Trembling.
Please stop by and check it out if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2009
Interviewed at ResAliens Blog
I've been interviewed at the Residential Aliens Blog as part of their "Two Questions For..." series. Please stop by and check it out. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2009
Story Accepted! ("The Secret Shaman")
The Lorelei Signal has just accepted my fantasy story "The Secret Shaman" for their Oct-Dec 09 issue (online), as well as the July 09 issue of Mystic Signals, their quarterly print magazine.
I am so excited! That one email just made my whole day.
Posted by Selena at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2009
Story Published in Anthology
This anthology from The Lorelei Signal contains my story "The Thoughts of Cats:"
A TIME TO... Volume 3
The Best of the Lorelei Signal 2008
I can't wait to get my copy in the mail. :)
You can buy your own copy here.
Posted by Selena at 08:14 PM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2009
Story Published: "Walking the Rim"
My scifi story "Walking the Rim" is now available at Chaos Theory: Tales Askew. Please stop by and check it out if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2009
Story Accepted!
My scifi story "Walking the Rim" has just been accepted by Chaos Theory: Tales Askew. Look for it to appear in their new issue in a couple weeks. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 08:36 AM | Comments (1)
May 02, 2009
Story Published: "Cafe Encounter"
My mainstream flash fiction story is now available at All Things Girl (under Writings). It's called "Cafe Encounter."
Posted by Selena at 11:55 AM | Comments (0)
Story Published: "No Birthdays"
My scifi story, "No Birthdays," is now available at Static Movement.
Posted by Selena at 08:37 AM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2009
Why a day job can be good for your writing.
This is just my opinion and "your mileage may vary," as they say. But I think having a non-writing day job can actually be good for your writing. I grant you that it's counter-intuitive, but if you think about it, it kind of makes sense.
Having a day job makes writing more mistress than "old lady." (I should point out here that the people in this metaphor are archetypes and not intended to represent any actual, real people.) That lends added excitement to writing as you "sneak around" to find time for your writing/mistress, avoiding the responsibilities of home and job in favor of spending just a little more time with the ever-seductive words-on-page. Having writing as your "job" can make it mundane, something you have to do rather than something you want/need to do, and that can take some of the fire out of it.
Thinking of the issue another way, you can't light a fire by laying the piece of flint on a soft down comforter, patting it gently, and making sure it's always comfortable. No, you get the damn thing to spark by banging it repeatedly against a rock (or other hard surface). It’s painful for the flint, sure, but before you know it there is a flash of fire springing out of that nexus of flint and rock.
And that, my friends, is my minority opinion on this topic. ;)
(Thanks to Kevin Lucia for prompting this rumination with his very innocent comment at FaceBook about writing a bestseller so he can quit his day job and write full-time.)
Posted by Selena at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
April 14, 2009
Two Stories Accepted
I had two stories accepted today. (Yeah!)
You can look for them in May at All Things Girl and Static Movement. The stories are "Café Encounter" and "No Birthdays," respectively.
It feels great to get a "yes." With two in one day, I am over the moon!
Posted by Selena at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)
What's Been Going On
I haven't been blogging much. I guess messing around on FaceBook has taken up some of my blogging time.
So here's what's been going on...
Easter was good. The pepperoni and mozzarella bread was a big hit. I made three loaves and they were still all gone before dinner. On the other hand, coloring Easter eggs with Lily, who is just shy of her second birthday, probably wasn't the smartest thing I have ever attempted.
I watched "Proof of Life" again recently. (I was so excited when I turned on the TV and caught a glimpse of it. I immediately commanded the DVR to tape it since I had seen the movie before and love it.) I still can't get that last scene and the accompanying song out of my head. Not that I'd want to. Sigh. Who knew a "kidnap and ransom" movie could be so romantic?
I didn't get much done last week—what with Easter and all. But I am trying to get back into it. I got a lot of MindFlights stuff done yesterday. But today I’ve focused on the writing stuff. I worked on and sent off two stories, and have another ready to go tomorrow.
I've been watching a lot of "Studio 60." (Thanks to iTunes and Apple TV.) It has had the effect Aaron Sorkin's work always does on me: it makes me want to do better, be better, achieve more. But it's also making me a little depressed because coupled with the news that two of my favorite shows ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Dollhouse") aren’t likely to be back next season, I keep thinking, "Why aren't there any real-life Jordan McDeeres?" I watch "Studio 60" and see Jordan reject a wildly profitable but morally repugnant reality-TV series, while desperately trying to get a smart, well-written series about the United Nations, and I think to myself: "This woman is a total fiction. Nobody like this exists in the television business. And that is why good shows can't make it on broadcast TV." It's so depressing.
Add to that, more disappointing episodes of "Heroes" and a "General Hospital" that I don't even watch anymore unless the gals at Serial Drama say there is something worth tuning in for, and what you get is: me really down on broadcast TV right now.
The bright spot is that YouTube has a bunch of "Studio 60" clips like these two that highlight the relationship between Danny and Jordan:
Part 1 (never mind that the dialogue at the beginning is muted in favor of the music, eventually you can hear what they are saying.)
Part 2
Posted by Selena at 07:18 PM | Comments (2)
April 09, 2009
Story Published at Sonar4 Mag
My story "The Power of Suggestion" has been published by Sonar4 Mag. You can buy a copy of the issue it's in, which is Spring 2009, at their website.
Here's a brief blurb:
A scifi story about an alien who, while not telepathic like the rest of her species, can transmit emotional states to other people. She is enlisted by her government to sabotage negotiations between two warring factions by manipulating the human diplomats seeking peace.
As you might be able to tell from that, it's kind of a dark story.
Posted by Selena at 08:04 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2009
Column Reprinted: "Failure and Faith"
One of my columns has been reprinted at BillSnodgrass.com.
Posted by Selena at 01:16 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2009
Story Chosen for "Best of" Anthology
I found out today that my story 'The Thoughts of Cats" has been chosen for The Lorelei Signal's upcoming "Best of 2008" anthology.
Yeah!!!!!
Posted by Selena at 04:55 PM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2009
Starting A New...
I started a new story today. (I can't even remember the last time that happened.) I'm 1019 words into the first draft and feeling pretty good about it so far.
Posted by Selena at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2009
Lessons from the Lost Week
When I wrote this yesterday:
"I would be devastated if someone...tried to ban me from writing for life."
I realized that I didn't want to give up on writing no matter how discouraged I am with it right now.
It was one of several lessons life taught me this week.
Lesson #1: The wheel turns. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but it always turns. So, if I can go from perfectly fine to suddenly-very-sick-with-the-flu in a matter of hours, I should be able to get back on track with writing too.
Lesson #2: All writers do bad work sometimes. Okay, I knew that already. But the review I read yesterday reminded me of it in a dramatic way. And I don't even know that the playwright-in-question's work was actually bad, just that one reviewer hated it. I do know that the reviewer wrote and published some words he shouldn't have. We all make mistakes. If Big Successful Writers like those two guys can mess up, then maybe there is hope for me after all.
Lesson #3: Perseverance is key. Again, I kind of knew this but I'd forgotten it somehow. So, when I saw this quote on a friend's Facebook page, it really hit home:
Tiruvalluvar's Kural 611: "Never say in weakness, 'This task is too difficult.' Perseverance will confer the ability to accomplish it."
Which brings me to...
Lesson #4: Perseverance is linked to religious faith. Really. My laptop's dictionary informs me that perseverance has these two alternate definitions that I'd never heard of: Calvinist concept of divine grace, and Roman Catholic belief in God's grace. Huh. When I read the Facebook quote I thought: "hey that's great but where can I buy some perseverance, 'cause I am all out." And now my dictionary is telling me I don't have to buy perseverance, that I can just ask God for it. Admittedly, I should have known that already. I guess sometimes I just need to be told that kind of thing directly.
Losing a week to the flu isn't so bad if the trade-off is learning some vital life-lessons.
Actually there is probably a Lesson #5 in there. Something about tough times usually including a gift for us—some lesson we need. That helps make the tough times easier to bear.
Posted by Selena at 12:25 PM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2009
Damn, That's Harsh!
Today as I scanned the online news I came across a review that started like this:
"Would somebody please take playwright [name removed]'s typewriter away from him before he writes again?"
Whoa.
Coincidently, just last night I watched the "Gilmore Girls" episode where Rory writes a scathing review and catches all kinds of hell from the object of her criticism. I felt for Rory. But I also agree with her editor's exhortation to write about her opinions.
On the other hand, I think the guy in today's paper went too far. As a writer I don't think it's okay to tell someone that they should stop writing. And it's certainly not okay to actively encourage people to forcibly prevent a writer from writing.
We all do work that is less-than-good. If we're lucky, we fall under the "good" line only occasionally. But all writers miss the mark sometimes, so it seems woefully unfair to throw someone out of the writer ranks just because one person didn't like one piece of the writer's work.
I would be devastated if someone wrote such a thing about me or tried to ban me from writing for life. So, I don't think I could ever do such a thing, no matter how much I hated what the person had written. I can hardly imagine a fellow writer treating another writer that way.
Yet there it was in black and white.
Posted by Selena at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2009
Giving Up
I feel like giving up.
So, I searched online for quotes about giving up. Funny how all the quotes I found were about not giving up.
Here are a few of my favorites:
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up."
- Thomas Alva Edison
"Energy and persistence conquer all things."
-
Benjamin Franklin
"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop."
- Confucius
Posted by Selena at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2009
Today's Tally
Well, at least it's more than the last couple days. That's progress, right?
 | 717 |
 | |
17  | |
 | |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
Posted by Selena at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2009
Today's Tally
| 637 |
| |
| 18 | |
| |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
Posted by Selena at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2009
Getting Back to Writing
I am trying to get back in the habit of writing every day. I figure it's the only way to make progress—i.e., improve my writing, sell more stories, etc.
Today I used Dr. Wicked's Write or Die. It helps me stay motivated.
Here's today's tally:
| 581 |
| |
| 17 | |
| |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
The stats are lame, I know. But it's better than nothing. And lately my writing life has been a whole lot of nothing.
Posted by Selena at 09:45 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2009
Column Reprinted: "Choosing a Softer Answer"
One of my columns has been reprinted in Haruah. Please stop by and check it out. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 02:40 PM | Comments (0)
December 31, 2008
A Few Good Movies
I've had a chance to see several good movies recently. I've already mentioned "Terminator 2," but here are a few more worth seeing:
Mama Mia – so insanely fun! The actors look like they are having such a great time that the joy turns out to be contagious. It's a star-studded cast, too. Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan are especially delightful. One caveat: this movie is not for people who don't like musicals. (You know it's a musical, right?) But for everyone else, it's so fun and hum-able.
Secondhand Lions – You can't go wrong with a pair of heavy-hitters like Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. But even the smaller roles in this movie are peopled with celebrities like Kyra Sedgwick and the now-famous-from-"Heroes" Adrian Pasdar, who plays a really brave and tenacious salesman. Plus the "Sixth Sense" kid, Haley Joel Osment, is great as the shy nephew who gets left with his wacky uncles for the summer.
Juno – Wow. I finally get what all the Oscar fuss was about. The girl who plays Juno is fantastic. (Her name is Ellen Page.) The movie also boasts stellar performances from two of my favorite actresses: Allison Janney and Jennifer Garner. But what really stands out is the writing. Can it really be true that this was Diablo Cody's first screenplay? Talk about being brilliant right out of the gate! Wow. Just...wow. I am completely jealous of her talent.
I even saw a documentary: Expelled. It's a fascinating and disturbing look at the backlash against Intelligent Design.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Posted by Selena at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2008
Column Reprinted: "Punishments from God"
One of my Everyday Faith columns has been reprinted in Fear and Trembling. Please stop by and check it out if you have a chance. While you're there check out the very cool "Dragon Claus" cover by Hisart. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:59 AM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2008
Watching "The West Wing"
Hubby and I have started watching "The West Wing" again from the beginning. (We own the first few seasons on DVD.) It's one of our favorite shows and certainly stands up to repeated viewings. (I've watched my favorite episode, "Two Cathedrals" many, many times. I even blogged about it.)
I enjoy the show, but I've noticed an odd side effect: watching "The West Wing" makes me feel like I need to do better. Seriously, not only does the extremely high quality of Aaron Sorkin's writing remind me what a total hack I am in comparison. But watching President Bartlett and his staff go about their days makes me feel like a stupid slacker who really ought to get off my lazy butt and do something important with my life.
The show inspires me to step up my game and do something worthwhile.
As President Bartlett says in one episode: "Break's over."
Posted by Selena at 11:05 PM | Comments (0)
November 25, 2008
Finally, 50,000!
Well, I got a late start (less than 2000 words before Nov 13th) but I finally made it across the finish line yesterday. YEAH!
Here is my winner's badge:
Pretty cool, huh?
Posted by Selena at 08:04 AM | Comments (0)
November 24, 2008
Today's Dr. Wicked NaNo Stats
I used Dr. Wicked's Write or Die for my morning NaNo session and here are the results:
| 1417 |
| |
| 31 | |
| |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
Gotta go do some MindFlights stuff now.
Posted by Selena at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2008
NaNo & Dr. Wicked's Write or Die
I found this cool site via a thread on the NaNo website:
Dr. Wicked's Write or Die Web Application
It allows you to set a writing goal (by words and minutes) and then it gives you consequences if you stop writing for more than a few seconds. Consequences range from flashing red borders to annoying music to having your text start to delete itself. (That last one is part of the Kamikaze Mode. Pretty hardcore, huh?)
Here is the demo from YouTube.
I tested it out and got this:
| 101 |
| |
| 6 | |
| |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
Very cool.
Now, I'm off to work some more on my NaNo project. I got a very late start but I'm finally catching up. Right now, I'm at just over 45,000 words. Only 5,000 to go but most of that will have to wait until tomorrow because I am exhausted and my fingers feel like they are going to fall off.
You can track my progress via this handy widget.
Posted by Selena at 08:59 PM | Comments (0)
November 13, 2008
Failing NaNo
Between being sick and my mother's visit and various family dramas, I am failing miserably at NaNo this year.
The month is almost half over and my word count is a paltry 1816.
That puts me about TWENTY THOUSAND words behind where I should be right now!
It's enough to make a girl want to give up.
Posted by Selena at 07:12 PM | Comments (0)
"The Rival" at ATG
My story "The Rival" is now available at All Things Girl. Please stop by and give it a read. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2008
Surprise Accept and Publication
I just found out that I had a story published back in October. Funny thing is—I didn't even know it had been accepted. Last I heard from the market, the submission had been received and was being considered for their October issue.
Huh. The accept email must have gotten lost in the ether, as emails sometimes do. I don't mind. I'm just glad the story got accepted and published.
You can check out the story over at bending spoons.
Here's the direct link to the story:
Accomplishment Oriented
It's about a society that only values people (and provides for them) if they make "important contributions" in terms of work-related accomplishments. So, really it's not too far away from where we are now.
Posted by Selena at 07:57 AM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2008
Too Sick to NaNo
I’ve been sick for the last few days with a bad cold. Which means it’s day three of NaNo already and I have logged a grand total of 106 words. So sad.
That puts me about 5,000 words behind where I should be right now.
I guess I better quit blogging about it and get to work on closing the gap.
Posted by Selena at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2008
Two Stories Pub'd Today
Wow, it's a "red letter day!"
I have TWO stories that were published today:
"The Thoughts of Cats" in The Lorelei Signal
and
"To Be King" in Static Movement
Please stop by and check them out if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 06:19 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2008
Story Accepted!
I just got a "yes" from Static Movement. They accepted my story "To Be King" for their October issue.
They even managed to respond within two days. That's a very impressive response time! I love that.
Posted by Selena at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2008
Good News, Bad News
Well, the bad news is that I had to cancel my trip to DC at the last minute. And by "last minute," I mean literally at the airport, suitcase in hand. The reason why is the...
Even badder news: My mother-in-law passed away.
All that makes today's good news seem very pale, but here it is anyway: I just got an acceptance from a new print magazine called Sonar 4. My story “The Power of Suggestion” is scheduled for their April 09 issue. Yeah, good news, but pale indeed compared to the bad.
Posted by Selena at 02:22 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2008
"The Cat..." now at EDF
My story "The Cat Won't Stop Playing" is now available at Every Day Fiction. Please stop by and check it out if you can. Thanks.
Wow! There are three nice comments posted about the story already. :D
Posted by Selena at 11:14 AM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2008
To NaNo or Not to NaNo?
It seems that is a common question for this time of year. (For an explanation of my sense of déjà vu, check out this similar post from last year.)
I was thinking of skipping NaNo this year because I feel like I have neither the time nor the energy. (Oh, there's that déjà vu again.) But then I got my NaNo newsletter today and realized this is NaNo's tenth anniversary. There's even a cool commemorative T-shirt. I know, I shouldn't be swayed by that sort of thing.
But then there's this tidbit for the "pro" column: at least two of my recent short story publications grew out of last year's NaNo. Actually I suspect there were more, but I'd have to go back and scan the document to be sure. Anyway, the two I remember are actually two of my favorite stories ("Moon Ransom" and "The Word") and they probably wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been committed to writing every day as part of the NaNo challenge.
For the "con" column though, here's the big problem: I have no idea what to write about this year. I don't even have the slimmest idea for a book! It might be kind of fun to write a romance though. Maybe one in a restaurant since I like that setting so much. But really that's all I got. Not much to build 50,000 words on, is it?
Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
Posted by Selena at 04:58 PM | Comments (0)
September 02, 2008
Story Scheduled for September 20th
The September schedule for Every Day Fiction has been posted and my story is scheduled for September 20th.
I also notice some familiar names on the list. It’s always cool to share a Table of Contents with friends. :)
Posted by Selena at 08:53 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2008
"The Cat Won't Stop Playing" accepted at EDF
My story "The Cat Won't Stop Playing" has just been accepted at Every Day Fiction. I don't know yet when it will be published, but I'll let you know.
I have to thank the EDF editors for their help with this one. They responded to the original version of the story with a rewrite request and helpful feedback, which greatly improved the story.
Posted by Selena at 06:01 PM | Comments (0)
July 06, 2008
"Text Messages" now at LSS
"Text Messages" is now available at Long Story Short. (Click on "Fiction" in the menu on the left.)
Oddly, neither this nor my other recent acceptance ("The Rival") are scifi or fantasy. That's rare for me. How'd that happen? ;)
Posted by Selena at 06:08 PM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2008
What's the Tally?
Well, the tally is pretty good. Here are my current writing numbers:
Subs pending = 10
Subs sent this month = 4
Total publications = 24
(22 stories, 1 essay, 1 poem)
# of stories accepted but not yet published = 3
Total submissions (cumulative, since I started tracking in 1996) = 199
Interestingly, my first yes was submission #25 back in 2003.
Duotrope says my accept rate is currently 22% and happily notes that my rate is greater than the average rate of their users. That's cool. :)
Good luck to all my fellow writers out there. I hope everyone has a good weekend.
Posted by Selena at 08:12 PM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2008
"The Rival" Accepted by All Things Girl
The e-zine All Things Girl just accepted my flash story "The Rival." Look for it in their November issue.
Yeah, I love a "yes!"
Posted by Selena at 07:48 PM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2008
Tough Week (but Two Good Books)
It's been a tough week. First, Lily was sick. (Who knew so much vomit could come out of such a small child?!) Then Sharon was sick. Then yesterday I was sick, although not as badly. In truth, I think my "illness" wasn't a stomach virus so much as it was my stomach throwing a tantrum over all the junk food I've been feeding it lately. "Okay, Grumpy Tummy, message received."
One of the downsides to all the sickness going around this week is that I hardly got anything on my to-do list done. But there was an upside: I did a lot of non-work reading, i.e. not submissions or critiques but actual books that I have been meaning to read.
Yesterday I finally finished Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. Such a great book. So enlightening, so vital, so helpful. The weird thing is that the book is ten years old. The copy I have is a "tenth anniversary edition." So, what I want to know is: why didn't anyone in all my years of education make me read this sooner?
I have two more books on Emotional Intelligence sitting on my to-read stack. It's such a fascinating topic.
Instead of reading one of those, I chose to go with The Writing Diet by Julia Cameron. I like the idea of turning to writing instead of food when in distress. It's a skill I need to learn. Hopefully it will help with two of my problems: my seriously lacking productivity in regards to my writing, and my tendency to eat too much and all the wrong things. So far, the book has been very interesting and helpful. I think I am going to have to get that other book of hers, The Artist's Way. I've been coveting it for a while now. Maybe someone will give it to me for my birthday. ;)
Posted by Selena at 06:59 AM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2008
Column Reprinted: "Tithing My Time"
One of my columns has been reprinted at Haruah. Please stop by and check it out if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2008
"Moon Ransom" Pub'd @ Alien Skin
My story "Moon Ransom" is now available at Alien Skin. Please stop by and check it out if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:59 AM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2008
Story Accepted!
My story "The Thoughts of Cats" was just accepted by The Lorelei Signal. Look for it in their Oct-Dec 2008 issue.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2008
New Column Pub'd: "God Day"
I just had a new column published at Haruah. Please stop by and check it out if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2008
Fridge Art?
I finally got one of those cool magnetic poetry kits. I always wanted one.
I’m not a poet; I have no talent whatsoever at it. (That one poem I had published years ago was a fluke. Trust me.) But I do like the idea of playing with words in this way.
Here’s what’s on my fridge right now:
Here's the text if you can't make it out in the graphic:
question weight
sustain health
inspire transformation
nourish spirit
encourage challenge
Not so much fridge art as fridge affirmations. But that’s what I need right now.
Posted by Selena at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2008
Got a Yes
My story "Text Messages" was just accepted by Long Story Short. Look for it in their July issue.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2008
Column Reprinted: "The Source"
One of my columns has been reprinted in Fear and Trembling. Stop by and check it out if you can. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2008
Column Reprinted: "Letting God Drive"
One of my columns has been reprinted in Haruah:
Stop by and check it out. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:17 AM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2008
Good Day
It's been a good day. I worked on, finalized, and sent two stories. That's always a good feeling. I've got a third story that is almost ready; I'm just waiting to hear back from one crit partner.
Plus I finally bought the mass of songs in my iTunes shopping cart—a full 31 songs, nearly two hours of music. Yeah! I'm having a great time listening to them. It's an eclectic collection, everything from old school favorites like "Rapper's Delight" and "Boogie Shoes" to more recent offerings like Marc Cohn's "Live Out the String" and Sugarland's "Stay." There's even the Jerry Lee Lewis classic "Great Balls of Fire." That's fun music!
To cap things off, I made beer cheese soup and it turned out perfect. Yum.
It didn't turn out so great last time because I tried to simplify the steps. In my defense the recipe is ridiculously complicated (cook these ingredients, then blend them, then add this, then whisk these two, etc., etc.). Don't believe me? Check out the recipe for yourself. I'm much more of a "throw all the ingredients in the pot and simmer" kind of cook. But on this one, the effort is worth it.
I did change the recipe a little: tortilla chips instead of croutons, red pepper instead of garlic, a little less flour. But all those wacky cooking, blending steps—trust me, you gotta stick to the recipe.
Now, if I can just manage to not eat the whole batch in one sitting... ;)
Posted by Selena at 01:42 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2008
The Big Two-Oh
I just realized that I’ve had TWENTY stories published!
I had to count them twice to be sure, but yep, there are twenty listed there on my main page.
So cool.
That's a big milestone for me. I guess the next big one is thirty stories. Or maybe one novel, just one. That would be huge.
But for today I'm just enjoying the accomplishment of twenty. :)
Posted by Selena at 08:08 AM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2008
Story Published: "The Word"
I just had a story published. It's called "The Word" and is at Anathema, an online anthology that publishes stories written sympathetically from a contrary point of view. Being a Christian, I chose to write from a non-Christian point of view. I hope Christians won't find the story offensive; it's not meant to be.
This story is science fiction and short (under 2000 words). I think it's a humorous story about misunderstandings.
I'll hope you'll stop by and give it a read. I'd be interested to hear your reaction.
Here is the link to the story:
"The Word"
Here is the link to the magazine:
Anathema
A bit of trivia: I originally called the story "Visitors." The editor changed the title, with my consent.
Posted by Selena at 07:58 AM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2008
A Good Day
I have already spent over four hours on writing today. (I've been working on fixing the un-fixable novel, the one I've been avoiding for a year or more.) It feels great to be writing and getting things done.
You know what I realized? That when I am really engaged in a task, I don't get tired as easily. Or resort to stress-induced snacking as much.
I breezed through the day with no nap at all, not even feeling like I needed a nap. That's a rare thing for me. Plus I managed to eat healthy all day, which is really rare, and walk 45 minutes on the treadmill.
That's a good day. That's being "in the zone." That's where I hope to spend more time.
Posted by Selena at 06:12 PM | Comments (0)
February 29, 2008
Got a Yes from AlienSkin
I just got an acceptance from AlienSkin on my story "Moon Ransom." Look for it in their June/July issue.
Woo-Hoo! There is nothing quite like the rush of a "Yes."
Posted by Selena at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2008
Column Reprinted: "Writing as Calling"
One of my Everyday Faith columns has been reprinted in Fear & Trembling. Stop by and check it out:
Posted by Selena at 05:52 PM | Comments (0)
MindFlights Interview with Bill and Me
Bill Snodgrass and I were recently interviewed by Ivy Reisner at The WritingCast. In addition to chatting about MindFlights and writing in general, we reveal some of our editorial pet peeves, plus offer advice on cover letters and talk about the types of submissions we want more of.
So, if you want some inside information and an editor's eye view, now's your chance. Just stop by and give it a listen. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2008
Column Reprinted: "The Source"
One of my Everyday Faith columns has been reprinted at TeenAge. Plus it now has a very cool illustration accompanying it.
Please stop by and check it out:
"The Source"
Posted by Selena at 09:11 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2008
Miscellaneous
I haven't been blogging much lately. It's not that I don't have anything to say. It's more like I don't have much to say that is suitable for a public forum and/or of interest to others.
Winter has always been a quiet, introspective time for me. So, please bear with me.
Here is a miscellany of what's been going on:
Mom came to visit, which was great. As usual, the sand hill cranes refused to come by the house while she was here. (I honestly can't fathom what that is about, except maybe it's just bad luck.) We did see the birds in the mall parking lot though. (Go figure.) True to form, the birds stopped by the backyard just a couple days after Mom had gone home.
We did get a visitor of another sort while Mom was here. We were in the living room one afternoon when we heard a scratching, banging noise at the front door. I opened it to find a big turtle (about a foot wide) knocking on the door like he was on his way to the lake and wanted to take a short cut through the house. We reoriented him and shortly after saw him making his way along the side of the house, down to the lake.
With the writers strike lingering on, there isn't much to watch on TV. So, I've been watching movies instead. Here are a few I watched recently and liked: The Illusionist, The Lake House (which I'd seen before and loved), Mission Impossible III, and Stranger Than Fiction.
I have been keeping up with my "one submission a week" goal, but otherwise not doing much writing. This is the reward I am motivating myself with: a mad genius T-shirt. (You know you want one.) Now if I could just stick to my diet and exercise goals, I'd be set.
I started watching the new Terminator series, which is okay so far. It's cool to see Summer Glau get more work. (I thought she was great in Firefly and Serenity.) She makes a good Terminator. I just wish her character had more personality, but I guess Terminators don't generally have a lot of personality. Favorite moment so far: Cameron (played by Summer Glau) saying "please remain calm" to the people in the car whose windshield her head is smashed through. LOL. I loved that.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2008
Good Day
It was a good day. I managed to spend several hours writing, in spite of a full day of baby-watching. Plus I took a short walk and did a little DEP work. I even finished and sent off the submission I've been working on.
It wasn't all good though. I didn't stick to my diet. I had more chocolate than good health would dictate. I didn't exercise nearly enough. But no day is perfect.
All in all, it was a very good day.
I hope yours was good too.
Posted by Selena at 09:43 PM | Comments (0)
Podcast Interview and Story
My story "Young Ones" is part of the latest episode of Ray Gun Radio. (The story was originally published in Ray Gun Revival as part of their Issue #3.) The story is book-ended by an interview with yours truly.
You can give it a listen here.
It's such a kick to hear one of my stories read out loud! That hardly ever happens.
Posted by Selena at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2008
Failing Already
I had such high hopes for today, yet I am failing already.
I worked for a couple hours. It was going so well. But then my plans got hijacked, as so often happens.
I guess by now I should have learned how to take that in stride. But I haven't. It sets me back. Even once my time is (mostly) my own again, it's hard to get back into the groove of getting things done.
I need a reset button, a way to get back in the zone after I have been sidetracked.
I am going to try a cup of tea. Maybe the caffeine will help. Maybe then I can get back to the to-do list that has been taunting me: the 30+ submissions I have yet to read, the submission I promised myself I would finish and send off this week, the novel chapters I am supposed to be critiquing, etc., etc.
This is me pressing “Restart Game.” Wish me luck. ;)
Posted by Selena at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)
December 31, 2007
2007 Year End Tally
As 2007 draws to a close, here is my year by the numbers.
# of deaths among my friends and family = 2
# of births = 1
# of engagements = 2
# of people added to my household = 2
# of square feet added to my house = 0
# subs sent = 36
# subs accepted = 6
(That a 16% accept rate, which isn’t bad.)
# stories published = 7
(compared with 5 in 2006, 4 in 2005, 3 in 2004, and 1 poem in 2003)
# of novels drafted = 1
# of novels edited, revised, proofed and sent to crit partners for critique = 1
# of novels almost completely neglected = 2
# of days at Disney World = 2
# of new jobs = 1
# of resignation letters = 1
# of blood pressure medications tried before finally getting one that works for me = 3
# of trips to my beloved hometown Washington, DC = 4
Happy New Year!
Posted by Selena at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)
December 07, 2007
A "Yes" from The Courier
I just got an acceptance from a new market called The Courier.
They publish "mundane science fiction." (I admit it, I had to look up the term.) If you write such stuff, you might want to check them out.
The magazine's first issue is due in February, but the guidelines are available on their website now.
Posted by Selena at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)
A Tale of Three Stories
I've been working on three short stories, two of which came out of the NaNo experience. Today I finished all three and sent them off.
That's when I realized that all three stories have protagonists who are unlikable men. I've read that writers should occasionally try to write from a perspective different than their own. I just hadn't realized I was doing so much of that lately.
What do you think that is about?!
Posted by Selena at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2007
Post-NaNo Writing
Now that NaNo is done, I am getting back to other writing projects. I've been working on two short stories that came out of this year's NaNo. I think they are both very promising. I hope to finish editing and proofing them in the next few days, and send them off by the end of the week.
I am also continuing work on my first novel. My crit partners have been very helpful and provided great feedback, but I have to put all that to use by actually revising the book. Novel writing is a long process, but the more I work on this book the more I love it and the more I believe it will ultimately be successful.
One thing I learned doing NaNo is that if I write a lot and write everyday, then eventually the words and ideas will flow. Sometimes I am even surprised by what comes out on the page. It's a great feeling when I'm in the zone, really interested in a story, and just typing as fast as I can in an effort to keep up with the story as it unfolds. You can't buy that high. Seeking that feeling is one of the things that keeps me writing.
Posted by Selena at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2007
The Writers' Strike Blues
While I am completely on the side of the writers, I just have this to say to both sides:
"Y'all better get this settled soon because I am on the verge of giving up on TV for good."
Seriously. And I can't be the only one.
There is so little good stuff on TV that I was on the edge of quitting even before the writers' strike. Now, episodes of my favorite shows are being rationed out. I turned on the TV to watch last night's "Grey's Anatomy" and it was a REPEAT! (A repeat during November sweeps! And when just last week they were promo-ing a "3-part Grey's event!" And last week's cliffhanger! Aargh!! Such frustration can't be good for my blood pressure.)
I recently started watching "Pushing Daisies" based on Mir's glowing recommendation, and it is every bit as wonderful as Mir says. But a lot of the joy is taken out when I know I've only got one episode left before the show disappears for who knows how long.
I enjoyed the recent "Battlestar Galatica: Razor" but—AGAIN, knowing that it will be MONTHS before I see a new BG episode (if then), I almost don't want to bother getting back into the show.
Plus, honestly, I still haven't forgiven NBC for canceling "Studio 60."
I keep thinking of all the time that will reappear in my schedule if I just stop watching TV. Hmmm. More time for reading, writing, and editing. Maybe it's for the best.
I just hope TV writers can easily turn their talents to other media.
Posted by Selena at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2007
NaNo Day 17
Added some more today. I love that this novel let's me go in whatever crazy direction my muse takes me. I'm not sure that it will work as a novel in the end, but there are several promising short stories in there.
Today's Tally = 2093
Cumulative = 54,216
Posted by Selena at 09:43 PM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2007
NaNo Day 16
I hadn't intended to write anymore for NaNo. When I got to 50K on Wednesday night, I was so DONE! I didn't want to do any more NaNo; it had stopped being fun days ago. But then I found myself writing new scenes for the novel, and adding to my word count again.
I still think the book is 95% junk, but 95% junk is 5% not junk. And that's something.
Plus, it's good to stay in practice.
Today's Tally = 2051
Cumulative = 52,123
Today's scenes are actually very promising, so maybe this draft is only 90% junk. :)
Posted by Selena at 09:37 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2007
NaNo Day 14 - DONE
It started as another tough NaNo day, but a writing prompt (about overheard conversations) got me to my daily goal in the morning.
And then in the evening, I had an extended writing session that took me from 40K to the finish line.
Man, I am exhausted!
I feel like I have to post this quickly before my fingers seize up and cease to function. ;)
Today's Tally = 11,794
Cumulative = 50,072
% done = 100%
Posted by Selena at 11:03 PM | Comments (0)
November 13, 2007
NaNo Day 13
It was a really tough NaNo day. I was so busy with baby-watching and work that I didn't even start writing until the evening. And by then I was too exhausted to do much of anything.
So I just barely made my daily goal.
Today's Tally = 1682
Cumulative = 38,278
% done = 76.6%
Posted by Selena at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2007
NaNo Day 12
Well, I am back to not knowing what to write about. (Grrr.) It seems my muse is exhausted from the last few days and has taken the day off. So I made my daily goal plus a little extra, but it was a struggle.
Today's Tally = 3039
Cumulative = 36,596
% done = 73.2%
I really need to do some pre-NaNo planning next year. Maybe that will help.
Posted by Selena at 09:54 PM | Comments (0)
Story Published: "Designed Development"
My story "Designed Development" is now available at Chaos Theory: Tales Askew."
I love the tease they put at the top of the story:
"In the future your child may never leave their room…"
The story is about virtual childhoods and an AI caretaker who befriends one of her charges. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2007
NaNo Day 11
I had the day off, so I got a lot done. Yeah!
Today's Tally = 3085
Cumulative = 33,557
% done = 67.1%
Posted by Selena at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2007
NaNo Day 10
I had a really great writing session this morning—2439 words. I made my daily goal before 10 a.m. That is a very good sign.
Then I had another good writing session this evening. Finally the book is starting to flow a little. Yeah!
Today's Tally = 5407
Cumulative = 30,472
% done = 60.9%
Posted by Selena at 09:58 PM | Comments (0)
November 09, 2007
NaNo Day 9
Maybe a good scene or two in today's writing. I'm not sure. But it feels like maybe the writing is improving a little. Only time will tell.
I was feeling so hopeful that I even posted a brief excerpt of today's work in my author profile at NaNo. Stop by and check it out, if you want. Just remember that it is only a first draft; it is by no means a finished product.
Today's Tally = 2109
Cumulative = 25,065
% done = 50.1%
And I'm halfway done. That's cool!
Posted by Selena at 09:33 PM | Comments (0)
My Column "Failure and Faith" Reprinted
My Everyday Faith column entitled "Failure and Faith" has been reprinted at Haruah. Please stop by and have a look. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 06:23 PM | Comments (0)
Trying out some NaNo widgets..
I'm testing out some NaNo widgets...
participant icon with current words so far:
This looks really cool, click the link to
Check out my progress report!
My month:
"My Month is a simple display showing overall progress and how you did on any given day. Light green and red show where you were above or below the goal for the day, bold green and red are reserved for days where you did exceptionally well or monumentally badly."
So cool! Plus they update automatically!
Now I better get back to adding to my word count. Gotta go.
edited to add: actually I guess they don't update automatically. Bummer.
Posted by Selena at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2007
NaNo Day 8
The writing flowed a little easier today but I was so busy with other things that I only got the bare minimum done:
Today's Tally = 1722
Cumulative = 22,956
% done = 45.9%
Posted by Selena at 06:55 PM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2007
NaNo Day 7
I just barely managed to get in the requisite 1667 words today. Uggh.
Today's Tally = 1759
Cumulative = 21,234
% done = 42.5%
This time last year I was nearly finished with the 50,000 word goal. What a difference a year makes.
Posted by Selena at 06:00 PM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2007
NaNo Day 6
Another tough NaNo day. I'm thinking about giving up. The book isn't any good. It's a rambling, mundane mess. And I feel like there are so many other things that I should be doing, things that are more important.
But I managed to meet my daily goal at least. And hopefully I'll feel more inspired tomorrow.
Today's Tally = 1722
Cumulative = 19,475
% done = 39.0%
Posted by Selena at 09:21 PM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2007
NaNo Day 5
A tough NaNo day. Too much other stuff going on. Too much fatigue.
The time change has me messed up. By 7pm, I can hardly stay awake.
Still, I managed to make my daily goal of 1667, plus a little extra.
Today's Tally = 2057
Cumulative = 17,753
% done = 35.5%
Hopefully I can do better tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 08:21 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2007
NaNo Day 4 + a Quote from Psalms
I had the day off from both baby-watching and editing, so I was able to get a lot of NaNo done.
The servers have been down on all the Double-Edged Publishing sites so I literally couldn't get any DEP work done today. I took it as a sign to spend more time on NaNo instead.
Today's Tally = 5428
Cumulative = 15,696
% done = 31.4%
Not bad at all.
Plus, I managed to work part of Psalms 31 into the story today. Here's a snippet from the psalm:
"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
Tears blur my eyes.
My body and soul are withering away.
I am dying from grief;
My years are shortened by sadness.
…
But I am trusting you, O Lord,
Saying 'You are my God!'
My future is in your hands.
Rescue me…
Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, rescue me."
It worked perfectly because my main character is going through a difficult time at this particular part of the book. Things are going to get better though. Don't you worry. I am all about the happy ending. Don't know what it will be yet, but it will be happy.
Posted by Selena at 06:34 PM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2007
NaNo Day 3
I had forgotten how much fun NaNo is! Once I get going, it's hard to stop. It’s addictive like that.
At some point today, I got it into my head that it would be cool to break the ten thousand mark by the end of the day. So I wrote 344 words, then 1434, then 721, and then after another 770 I was so close (over the 9000 mark) that I just couldn't stop until I was there. (It was also a race with my dying laptop battery since I didn't want to stop to plug in and recharge.)
Today's Tally = 4439
Cumulative = 10,268 (!!!!)
% done = 20.5%
They say "write what you know," and that you should use your personal experiences and daily life in your writing. And I do, sometimes. But mostly in random, not-too-terribly-personal ways.
Every now and then I surprise myself with the little bits of my life that end up in a story. Like this line from today's NaNo:
"Mabel's cell phone made the sound of a ray gun firing. She picked it up."
Every time I see that on the screen I laugh a little. "Am I reading too much Ray Gun Revival?" I ask myself. "No, of course not. It's cool. If anything, I'm not reading enough Ray Gun Revival."
Hahahaha. Sometimes I crack myself up. (Could be the sleep deprivation getting to me, who knows?) ;)
Posted by Selena at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2007
NaNo Day 2
A pretty good NaNo day:
Today's Tally = 2787
Cumulative = 5829
% done = 11.7%
You can track my progress at my NaNo Author Profile.
Posted by Selena at 09:39 PM | Comments (0)
November 01, 2007
NaNo Day 1 - Part 2
Actually, I did get a little more NaNo done. Another 1267 words, in fact.
New Today's Tally = 3042
Cumulative = 3042
% done = 6.1%
Now, I've got to try to get some sleep. Maybe I'll even dream up something to write about tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 10:03 PM | Comments (0)
NaNo Day 1
With all that's going on in my life right now, I can't believe I'm even attempting this. But here goes.
I have begun NaNo with only the barest idea of what to write about.
Here are today's stats so far: (They are probably also today's final stats since I doubt I'll be able to get back to this until tomorrow.)
Today's Tally = 1775
Cumulative = 1775
% done = 3.6%
I'm just trying to meet the necessary daily goal of 1667 words per day. And I'm trying to do that each day before I do anything else. We'll see how it goes.
Good luck to all my fellow NaNo-ers out there.
Posted by Selena at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)
October 31, 2007
A Cautionary Tale for Writers
I came across this in my morning surfing, and it was so great I had to blog about it. It's a forum post at Ray Gun Revival that contains a cautionary tale for writers. Seriously, if you're a writer (or an editor), stop by and give it a read. It’s funny yet so true.
While you're at RGR, you might also want to check out their interview with Firefly's Kaylee, Jewel Staite. Very cool.
Posted by Selena at 08:22 AM | Comments (0)
October 26, 2007
"Gifted" Published
My story "Gifted" is now available at Residential Aliens.
Stop by and check it out.
Posted by Selena at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2007
Another Yes
I just had another story accepted. This one is called "Gifted" and is scheduled to appear in Residential Aliens in November.
Residential Aliens is a market that I recommend submitting to. The response time is quick. (I love that!) And the editor has been great to work with. He requested revision, gave great feedback, and even made helpful suggestions. His feedback and editing definitely improved the story. (Thanks, Lyn!)
Stop by Residential Aliens and check it out. They've also got a new anthology out. I already added to my "buy" list. You should too.
Posted by Selena at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2007
Good Writing Day
It's been a good writing day. I worked on two stories and sent them out. That brings my total subs pending to an improved, but still lame, three. I even worked on revising a chapter of "Vatral" before forwarding it to my crit group to see what they say.
That's a good day.
Posted by Selena at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2007
NaNo or Not
I had been going back and forth about whether to sign up for this year's NaNo, and in a moment of hopefulness I signed up. I regretted it almost immediately.
Don't get me wrong, I loved participating in National Novel Writing Month both times I've done it (2005 and 2006) and I think it is great writing practice. All things being equal, I would do it again. But all things aren't equal. The irony is that my schedule is more crowded with responsibilities now than when I was working a full-time, paid job.
I just don't think I have the time and energy to complete NaNo this year, which is why I had been thinking of not participating. But then I went and signed up anyway. I'm such a dope.
So, now I have to decide whether to attempt it or just accept my failure now.
If only I could learn to function without sleep…
Posted by Selena at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2007
"Diversity" Reprinted at Haruah
My Everyday Faith column entitled "Diversity" has been reprinted at Haruah.
Posted by Selena at 04:58 PM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2007
Story Accepted
Yesterday I got a "yes" in my email. That's always a great moment. ;)
Look for my story "Designed Development" in the next issue of "Chaos Theory: Tales Askew."
It should be available in a couple weeks or so.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
October 09, 2007
Rejection Arrives with Muse In Tow
A funny thing happened today: I had a submission declined but I am thrilled because the rejection notice arrived with my long-absent muse in tow. Huh. Go figure.
The rejection included some feedback. (It's always nice when that happens. A big "Thank you" to all the editors who take the time to provide comments with their declines.) One editor noted the info-dump at the beginning on the story. I agreed with his criticisms. In fact, I had struggled with the opening before submitting. I had improved it, but I kind of knew it still wasn't right. I just couldn't figure out how to fix it. But then today's decline showed up in my mail and within minutes I knew what to do.
I can't remember the last time I raced to my laptop to work on a story. It's been a while. It feels great to be back in the zone.
Posted by Selena at 07:57 PM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2007
New Story Published: "Anonymous"
My latest story is now available at Every Day Fiction:
Please check it out. You can even leave a comment, if you want.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2007
New Music, a Writing Revelation, plus Quote of the Day: "Hold On…"
Yesterday I got my birthday present to myself: several CDs I had ordered. I actually let out a whoop of joy as I took it from the mailbox. (I hope none of the neighbors saw that crazy display. Oops.)
The first CD I listened to was kind of a bust. I only liked one song and it was one I already had via iTunes. Bummer.
But it gave me a weird sense of hope. You see, the CD is an early one from a group whose later work I enjoy a lot. And that one song is a true gem. I don't know if it was popular back when this CD was released, but it's wildly popular now. Finding this stroke of genius in an otherwise lame album gave me hope for the sad state of my early work. Maybe, just maybe, years from now people will read the stuff I've published up to this point and think: "Yeah, it's mostly lame, but this one piece – WOW, that's brilliant." And maybe, just maybe, the fact that most of my early work isn't great doesn't preclude my later work from being fantastic. Here's hoping.
Thankfully, the second CD doesn't suffer from any lameness at all! It’s John Mayer's "Continuum" and it's just one great song after another.
My current favorite is "I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)."
Here's a sample lyric:
"Hold on to whatever you find, baby
Hold on to whatever will get you through
Hold on to whatever you find, baby
I don't trust myself with loving you"
That's some really good stuff.
Posted by Selena at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2007
Every Day Fiction
September snuck up on me. I completely forgot to blog about a new online/email magazine called "Every Day Fiction."
I subscribed. You should too. It's free.
Every day I get a shot of flash fiction in my email. How cool is that?!
Also, they have accepted one of my stories. It's scheduled for September 22. You can check out the full list of September's offerings here.
Enjoy!
Posted by Selena at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2007
Caught Up!
Can it be? Yes, it seems that I really am caught up on reading submissions. Woo-Hoo!
Of course, I know that as soon as I post this, another sub will appear in my inbox. And that's okay. I just like to be able to read them as they come in.
Until then I guess I should deal with some of those writing projects I've been avoiding. ;)
Posted by Selena at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2007
Column Reprinted: "Wrestling with Envy"
One of my "Everyday Faith" columns has been reprinted at Haruah.
Please stop by and check it out. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2007
"The Colors Story" Reprinted
One of my Flashshots, "The Colors Story," has been reprinted at Residential Aliens as a sample for their current micro-fiction contest.
Stop by and check it out.
Thanks.
Maybe you'll even want to enter a micro-fic of your own.
Posted by Selena at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2007
Today's Tally = Life is Good
Well, it's my birthday month so things can't be all bad. In fact, things are actually pretty good. I had a long talk with an old friend, which was easily the highlight of my day. Plus, I think I actually have a handle now on how to fix my novel query. That's good, because clearly that query needed work.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Posted by Selena at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2007
Joffrey's
I finished the book and sent off the query. So, naturally I had to go out for breakfast to celebrate. I chose my new favorite dining out (and/or working off-site) spot: Joffrey's café.
I have been there a few times and had a great experience every time. The place was recommended to me by a receptionist in a doctor's office. I had gone in for a cholesterol check. So, of course, I was starving afterwards. (Bleh. I hate fasting, even if it is only overnight.) I asked the lady if she knew of a good place for breakfast. Score one for the medical receptionist! She was so right. I loved Joffrey's so much, I've been meaning to blog about the place ever since.
My favorite breakfast item: ham, egg and cheese on ciabatta roll. Yum. Also, today I had their vanilla chai latte. Also very delicious. If they started serving hash browns with breakfast, I would be in heaven.
In addition to the tastiness of the food and bevs, the service is always great and the atmosphere is lovely, quiet, and comfortable.
Plus they have free wireless internet, which makes it the perfect "I just have to work away from home today!" spot.
Now all I have to do is accomplish some other big goal so that I can justify going back. I'm already craving more of their vanilla chai. Dang, I should have taken them up on their offer of a refill before I left! Ah, well, live and learn.
Posted by Selena at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2007
Book Done (again) + a fun gif
I finally finished the latest editing pass on my book. I got all eight of the remaining chapters done today.
Tomorrow I plan to send off another query. Here’s hoping.
Also, my husband made this gif for me:
How cool is that?!
Posted by Selena at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)
July 27, 2007
Got A Yes
I just had a story accepted by a new market called Every Day Fiction.
Woo-Hoo!
The story is called "Anonymous." Look for it after Every Day Fiction begins publication in September.
Posted by Selena at 10:46 PM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2007
Today's Tally
Well, after two days of hardly getting anything done, I am finally getting back on track.
I sent off a new submission this morning so I am up to five subs pending. Woo-hoo!
Plus I got eight chapters done today. That’s chapters 13-20. Only another eight chapters to go.
At first I was discouraged by all the problems I was finding as I re-read the book. Now I’m taking them as signs of how much I have grown as a writer. That, I think, is a much more useful explanatory style. ;)
Posted by Selena at 09:58 PM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2007
Today's Tally
It has been a long day of baby watching. (Still not done with that.) But I managed to meet my goal of proofing and editing four more chapters.
Man, novel writing is hard! Still, I'm enjoying it because there is so much I love about this story. I enjoy spending time with the characters.
I'm really disturbed by all the proofing errors I keep noticing though. Grrr.
I got a little other work done too, but not much since Baby Lily has needed a lot of my attention today. On the plus side, I am learning to type one-handed. That's a handy skill for moms and grandmas. I just wish I was better at it. Right now, one-handed typing is slow and error-prine.
(Haha. That typo was a joke.)
Posted by Selena at 11:33 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2007
Today's Tally
Well, I didn't get as much accomplished today as I had hoped. I was tired and headachy, and that's not good for my productivity.
But at least I got those four chapters done. That's the main thing. And I walked for one hour. Gotta keep that blood pressure down.
Tomorrow, it's chapters 9-12.
But for now, there is just more baby-watching and then sleep. Gotta sleep.
Posted by Selena at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2007
Goals, Goals, Goals
I did a lot of goal setting today.
My big goal right now is to send my novel out again. It's been a while.
Problem is: I think it needs another editing pass. I thought it was done, but the last time I took it out (to read it for pleasure, not to work on it) I noticed a few things that could be better. Grrr. Don't you hate that?
My plan is to read through it again and fix those little problems that I can now see. I hope to finish that in a week. At twenty-eight chapters, I'll have to do four chapters a day.
I just finished chapter #4. So, mark today's goal DONE. I'm headed to sleep, but will continue the saga tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 10:46 PM | Comments (0)
July 15, 2007
Getting Back to Writing
I only have four submissions pending. That's kind of lame. (At least for me. I'm not judging anyone else here. Honest.)
Sure, I've been busy but I've also been avoiding the muse like crazy. This weekend I spent several hours reading and critiquing another writer's work, providing feedback and suggestions, and I spent exactly no time on my own writing. That's not okay.
But it is so hard to get out of the "not writing" hole once I've fallen into it. Not writing quickly becomes a habit, and the longer I let it go, the harder it is to get started again.
I keep thinking that if one of my pending submissions comes back as a "yes" then I'll be invigorated about writing again. But I can't count on that. I gotta find that "vigor" somewhere on the inside.
So, this is me off to seek my misplaced writing vigor. ;) I keep thinking of that chapter in some writing book about writing as lover. What book was that? A Heather Sellers one, I think. Maybe I'll go look for it on the bookshelf.
NO! WAIT! I am supposed to be writing, not looking through writing books.
See how easily I get sidetracked? Aargh!
Must write now. Seriously.
Posted by Selena at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2007
Missing Posts Added
I added in the posts from when this blog interface was down. It's June 9 - 16, if you want to have a look in the June archives.
Posted by Selena at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
July 09, 2007
Today's Tally
It's been a good day. I got a lot done, which always makes me feel good.
I read a couple submissions, walked one hour, and did a few other things on my to-do list. I'm especially excited that I finished and submitted a new column for Everyday Faith. (Don't know when it will appear though.)
That's progress. I've been getting so little writing done lately that accomplishing any writing at all is worthy of celebration.
It's not been my usual avoiding of the muse. Honest. It's just that my new granddaughter has been keeping me hopping. Seriously, anyone who tells you that taking care of an infant isn't a full-time job is either lying or clueless.
Here's wishing everyone a productive and happy week!
Posted by Selena at 04:54 PM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2007
Testing, Testing...is this thing on?
I have finally been able to get into this blog interface. Just had to go through the comments management page. Whatever works, I always say. ;)
But I'm not sure why it isn't showing any entries on the main page. Maybe because I haven't posted in a while. ?? (edited to add: fixed that, BTW.)
To quote a "Farscape" episode: "Why so difficult?!?"
Anyway, to see what you missed while I couldn't post here, visit one of my other blogs:
DKA Blog
SR Blog
ShoutLife Profile and Blog
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2007
Latest Column Now at TeenAge
My latest column ("Letting God Drive") is now also available at the brand new TeenAge magazine.
How cool is that?!!!
It's got me feeling all young and hip. And it's been awhile since I felt that way. Because, let's face it, I'm kinda old.
Check me out, I'm hanging with the young folk!
At least until they kick me out. ;)
Thanks TeenAge!
Posted by Selena at 04:25 PM | Comments (2)
May 27, 2007
New Column: "Letting God Drive"
My latest column was published today, so pop on over to The Sword Review and check it out:
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2007
Distant Passages 2 Now Available!
The "best of" anthology I edited is now available. Yippee!
You can buy it at the DEP store or at Amazon.com.
I'm still trying to get over the fact that if you go to Amazon.com and search on my name, it actually brings up a book I had a hand in. Not one I wrote. But still, it's wild!
Posted by Selena at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)
Sword Review on Blog Tour
The Sword Review is being featured on this week's Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour. For May 21, 22, and 23 blogs on the tour will be blogging about The Sword Review.
I'm not an official member of the tour, but I figured I would join in the fun anyway since I love The Sword Review.
SR was one of the first venues to publish my work. (This was before I joined their editorial team, just in case you were wondering.) The first story I sent them ("Verid") wasn't accepted its first time around. Truth is the original version of the story had a lot of problems. But one of the editors saw something in it and was very enthusiastic about the story. I think that's why SR opted to give me the chance to revise. I am very grateful they gave me that opportunity. I'm also grateful for all the valuable feedback they gave me. Their feedback greatly improved the story.
SR eventually accepted and published "Verid" along with a companion story ("The Choosing"). Shortly after, I was asked to join the Sword Review team and I jumped at the chance. It's been a blast ever since.
Stay tuned tomorrow when I will reveal some of my favorite stories to appear in The Sword Review.
Posted by Selena at 05:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2007
Call for Submissions: TeenAge Magazine
Double-Edged Publishing's newest magazine is now open for submissions:
This is a magazine for teens, by teens.
Which means you won't be seeing any of my work there. 'Cause I'm…you know… old. ;)
If you're a teen writer, check out the guidelines. Maybe your work will end up in the inaugural issue.
Posted by Selena at 06:48 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2007
My ShoutLife Page
I just started my own ShoutLife page. Pop over and check it out.
Bill also recently started one for DKA. I'm trying to administer the DKA page, but I'm still learning how ShoutLife works.
If you have a page over at ShoutLife, send me a friend request. I'd love to add you as a friend. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 08:27 AM | Comments (0)
April 09, 2007
Writing: My Will or God's?
Yesterday in Sunday School we listened to a sermon about Gethsemane. Several things struck me, but the one that I have been thinking about most this morning is the part about how our will has to be set aside in favor of God's will. The sermon put it even more strongly: our will must be torn out like a cancer, that it won't go quietly. At one point the preacher even used the term "dreams," that our dreams for ourselves have to die in order for God's dreams for us to become manifest in our lives.
That hit me hard. My mind immediately went to my one remaining dream: seeing myself as a successful, professional, published author. I have given up on and set aside all of my other big dreams. It is only this one that I am still clinging to. I'm holding onto it with desperation and passion. Does God really want me to let this dream go too? It seems like such a cruel thing for a loving God to ask.
Of course, there is also the parable of the talents. Maybe God wants me to use the meager writing talent He has given me in ways that glorify Him. I have tried to do that for the most part, but not everything I've written can be said to glorify God. Maybe that's the problem.
Anyway, it's a quandary, and bears thinking and praying about. At this point I have no answers, only questions.
Posted by Selena at 11:16 AM | Comments (0)
April 07, 2007
April Challenge Week #1
Well, I made the 20-hour goal on editing this week, but not the 20-hour-on-writing goal. I've only gotten 10 hours of writing done this week. I may include tomorrow as part of week 1 since it's Sunday. Even then I don't think I'll make it.
But maybe I can make goal 3 out of 4 weeks.
Posted by Selena at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
Sword Review: a new cover and a couple articles
Oops, I'm behind on my Sword Review updates. (And a lot else. But I'm trying to get caught up today.)
So, here's the latest from SR: a new cover, an article about SR and DEP's other ventures, and an article on getting out of the slush pile.
Enjoy!
-----------------
The Sword Review: Apr. 04 Update
A long-time supporter shares her talent for this month's new cover. With this, we begin Issue 25, marking the end of two full years of publication and beginning our third.
"Black Sheep Dragon - The dragon who wanted to be a knight" by Melinda S Reynolds
To begin this issue, we start off with an interview of Bill Snodgrass, co-founder of Double-Edged Publishing. Bill shares his views of where DEP has been and where it's heading.
"Third Year Begins - What's in store for DEP?" by Staff
Find out what's in the works for Double-Edged Publishing.
The Sword Review: Apr. 05 Update
Writers often ask and fans often wonder what it takes to get a story or novel published. Nancy Fulda, writer and editor, shares her insight into what happens on the editor's desk.
"Beyond the First Two Pages - A Three-Step Guide to Getting Out of the Slush Pile" by Nancy Fulda
“Hook your reader in the first paragraph,” the advice goes. And it’s good advice. The logistics of slush piles demand ruthlessness, and stories that don’t intrigue the reader early on won’t get a second chance later.
So, you’ve got your hook. It’s dramatic, it’s ingenious, and it’s free of typos. Your first two pages have been polished to near oblivion. Now what?
Now you must face an agonizing truth.
Getting the slusher to read your story is not the same thing as getting your story out of the slush pile.
Posted by Selena at 07:54 AM | Comments (0)
April 03, 2007
April Challenge Update
I am failing miserably at my April Challenge. I just can't seem to get much of anything done this week. There is always something getting in the way – the cold I woke up with Monday morning, the unplanned errands that keep popping up, the new phone service that still doesn't work….And I was going to work on writing at least 20 hours a week? What was I thinking?!
Posted by Selena at 08:17 PM | Comments (0)
Artist Attitude
A few times lately I've caught myself displaying a stereotypical "artist" attitude: the crazy idea that as a creative person I shouldn't have to concern myself with mundane things like making money and holding down a job. That I actually had these thoughts simultaneously amuses and frightens me. After all, who do I think I am? Seriously.
Sure, sometimes I feel like my minimum wage job is a waste of my time, that I've got more important things to do. But that's so arrogant, a quality I don't like to see in myself.
Most people have to work a full-time job. Most people have to make a living. Who am I to complain about a measly 20 hours a week?
Besides it's all really about the writing anyway. Even the job. Everything I do is fodder for writing.
Posted by Selena at 07:53 PM | Comments (0)
April 01, 2007
April Challenge: 20/20/20
This month I decided to challenge myself to devote as much time to writing and editing as I do to my new "day job." It seems only fair since writing and editing are the tasks closest to my heart.
So, that's 20 hours a week on the J-O-B, 20 hours on writing, and 20 hours on DKA and SR editorial duties. A total of 60 hours a week.
Pretty ambitious, I think. I may have to give up watching TV in order to make time. ;)
For the writing part, I've decided to focus on improving my craft. 'Cause it seriously needs improving if I hope to ever be able to make a living at this writing thing. Or even minimum wage, or even "McDonald's money." (By "McDonald's money," I mean enough cash to keep me in French fries and cheeseburgers, i.e. little more than pocket change.)
I'm not doing so great on my goal though. I've only logged a couple hours of writing and a couple of editing so far today. I better get to it.
I guess it's time to crack open that "Portable MFA in Creative Writing" again.
Posted by Selena at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2007
What People Think-Part 2, Some Answers
Okay, here is what Google had to say on the topic of how not to care about what people think of you.
WikiHow
Some good advice in there.
My agapic life
This blog post is great for its Dairy Queen story.
But my favorite so far is this quote from steelhamster at answerbag:
If people think of me, Im flattered, wether it be for good or ill... although lets face it, how could anyone say a bad word about me, I'm so wonderful ;-) Oscar Wilde said it best, "there is only one thing worse than people talking about you, its people not talking about you.
Steelhamster clearly has a handle on this thing! ;)
Posted by Selena at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)
What People Think
There is so much on my mind today that I don't know where to start or which one to blog about first. So, I guess I'll just pick one at random and go from there.
Topic #1: I have been thinking that I am entirely too concerned with what other people think of me.
Seriously, for the last week or so I have been noticing how much "what will people think" comes into play as I go about my daily life. A case in point: One of my cats has to take antibiotics twice a day for a little while. He is not keen on the idea and struggles like the dickens when I try to give him the medicine. I have to (try to) wrap him in a towel, pin him down with both of my legs while I pry open his mouth with one hand and squirt in the meds with the other. It's a real drama. Before I realized that I should throw on a heavy second layer of clothes before attempting the med-giving, the process resulted in a good many scratches on my legs and arms.
No big deal, right? Except that the next day I had an appointment with the dermatologist for a much overdue skin check. So, instead of being worried that one of my many moles, bumps, etc. may be skin cancer, what I obsessed about was what the doctor would think about all my scratches. How dumb is that? What? Am I afraid he's not going to believe the cat story? Why do I care? Looking back I hate to think of all the energy I spent worrying about a stranger's first impression of me.
As I thought about the topic I remembered how sometimes I won't tell certain people about a story I've had published because I am afraid something in the story will offend them. I'm afraid they will see me differently and not want to be around me anymore.
Occassionaly the censorship begins even before a story is published. Sometimes it prevents me from submitting it at all. Some stories never leave my hands because I am afraid of how people will react, afraid that someone somewhere will be offended or think badly of me.
It even comes into play on my blog. Recently I got a comment from someone at a business I had blogged about. They said they loved my comments about their business, but I was suspicious. After all, I didn't consider my musings about their business to be complimentary. So, I figured they were being sarcastic, that they were really angry and would demand I remove the post. It was a weird conversation because they were actually sincere in their interest and approval of my comments, while I just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I don’t know why or how I ended up so obsessed with other people's opinions of me, but I'm starting to think it is hampering my growth as a writer and person, and perhaps even damaging my health. (Don't get me started on the most recent tests of my blood pressure! That's a whole 'nother topic.)
Perhaps the most frustrating part is that I don't know how to fix it. How do you stop caring what people think of you? I don't know. (Well, maybe actually posting this is a step in the right direction.) I'm open to ideas and suggestions. Anyone know a good "cure" for my "condition?"
It's not that I want to be completely uncaring. I still agree with the value of reputation. I still want to keep my "good name." I just want to be a little less driven by what other people think of me.
I guess I need to start researching potential "cures." I'm off to Google for internet wisdom on this topic. (Love the Google.)
Posted by Selena at 08:23 PM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2007
Worn Keys
I use my laptop so much that several of the keys are noticeably worn. A couple are worn beyond recognition. If my fingers didn't know what letters were in those places, it would be a real problem.
Yesterday I was looking at the worn keys and realized that they are all letters in my name. I thought, "I don't write my own name that much do I?" Well, I guess the bylines add up. Plus "Selena Thomason" has a lot of commonly used letters in it. For instance, I don't think the same thing would happen if my name was "Xavier Zelvig." ;)
Posted by Selena at 09:20 AM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2007
New story: "Robbie's Repair"
My latest story to be published is now available at 365 tomorrows.
It's a very short piece of science fiction called "Robbie's Repair."
Posted by Selena at 12:53 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2007
New Column Up: "Diversity"
My latest column is now available at The Sword Review. Pop on by and check it out.
Posted by Selena at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)
Another Acceptance!
I just got another acceptance from 365 tomorrows.
YEAH!
This time they have accepted my story "Robbie's Repair."
Last time they published the story within days, so look for it soon.
I'd highly recommend this market for anyone who writes flash fiction under 500 words. It's tough to write fiction that short, and 365 tomorrows isn't a paying market. But they respond fast and publish fast, which is really nice since as writers we are used to waiting a while for that sort of thing.
Posted by Selena at 08:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2007
New Story Published - "Ian Gets Involved"
My most recent acceptance is already my most recent publication. Wow, those people at 365 tomorrows work fast!
Stop by and check it out:
"Ian Gets Involved"
Right now it's on the main page, but I think tomorrow it will move into the archives.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2007
Quote of the Day
"To whom much is given, much is expected."
That's the quote that's been hovering in my head all afternoon. It's from the Bible, right? I don't remember the exact quote. Guess I should look it up. I've also been thinking a lot about the parable of the talents.
I recently realized that I have been neglecting a lot of my editing responsibilities and writing projects in favor of my new part-time job. It wasn't a conscious choice I made. It's just that time devoted to a new thing means less time and energy available for the old things. In keeping up with the one, I've fallen behind on the others. And I don't think that's a good thing for me to do. I don’t want to neglect my DEP duties or my writing. They are important to me.
Maybe I just don't have the amount of energy I used to. I'm certainly not as young as I once was. It seems I can't accomplish as much in a day as I did when I was younger.
So, I've been thinking about what I should do, what I am willing to scale back on and what I'm not willing to let go of.
Posted by Selena at 08:25 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2007
Twenty in March: Done
Well, I did it. I worked on and sent out twenty submissions in March.
Actually, I did twenty subs in ten days.
Woo-HOO!
But now, I'm really tired. So, I'm taking a little break to celebrate. Maybe watch some Spike. Er, sorry, I mean Buffy. Well, Buffy and Spike highlights, if you must know.
:)
Posted by Selena at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)
Three To Go
I managed to get another couple submissions out today, despite still feeling under the weather.
I only have three to go to reach my goal of twenty for the month.
Woo-Hoo!
More numbers from my March challenge:
So far the month has yielded one YES and four NOs. Current number of subs pending is twelve.
Not too shabby.
:)
Posted by Selena at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
Accept from 365 tomorrows
This morning I got an acceptance from 365 tomorrows. Yeah!
I had to read it several times before it really sank in that they had accepted my story for publication. This was all before my first cup of tea, you see. I wasn't completely awake at the time.
I don’t know when the story will be published, but I'll let you know.
Posted by Selena at 07:40 AM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2007
Twenty is Tough
I was doing so well with my March challenge (of twenty submissions sent in March.) I worked on and sent out fifteen submissions between March 7th and 13th. But the last five are proving to be a lot tougher.
I'm now at the point where I'm writing new stories from scratch. That always takes longer than revising something I've already drafted.
But I did start a new story today. I think it's got promise but it’s really too soon to tell.
Complicating things is the fact that I've felt really tired and run-down the last couple days. It's been a struggle to get much of anything done. Maybe I'm fighting a cold or something.
Posted by Selena at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2007
Distant Passages #1 Reissued
The Distant Passages "best of" anthology that has my story in it has been reissued with a fancy new cover. (Author bios included this time around too.)
Also, it's now available from Amazon!
This book has tons of good stuff. Here are the works (fiction and poetry) you will find in its pages:
"And on the Seventh Day" by Marsheila Rockwell
"Beautiful Dreamer" by Edward McKeown
"The Last Hurrah" by L. S. King
"The Traveler's Tale" by Marcie Lynn Tentchoff
"All That Glitters" by Pam L. Wallace
"Captain Jack Bowie and the Steel Wolf Renegades" by Sean T. M. Stiennon
"Rosemary" by Jaime Lee Moyer
"The Choosing" by Selena Thomason
"Moonstone" by Joseph Thomas Mahoney
"City of Deliverance" by Robert Barlow
"Treecutter" by Scott M. Sandridge
"Welcoming Armageddon With Open Arms" by Mikal Trimm
"Old Soul" by Mike Wever
"Presence" Domyelle Rhyse
"Racing the Gap," by Byron Leavitt
"A Picture's Worth" by Wade Ogletree
"The Anointed" by Rosemary McMillen
"No Greater Love" by Wesley Lambert
"Dark Angel, Benigno" by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz
"The Ship" by Terry Weide
Go and buy one now! You know you want to. ;)
Posted by Selena at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2007
Good Day and Studio 60
It's been a good day. I worked on and sent out four more subs, which brings me to a total of 12 so far for the month. (I'm shooting for 20 in March.) Plus I got in a one-hour walk. Exercise is important.
So, what am I doing? I'm celebrating by watching Studio 60 highlights on TiVo. (By which I mean I am using the remote control to watch all my favorite scenes. Most of them involve Jordan and Danny, but not all. Like that scene where Matt explains to a beautiful but not so bright girl what he does as head writer on the show. "I write the show." LOL. )
I just wish I had all the episodes. I'd love to see the pilot again.
I can't believe they removed this great show from the schedule. I just hope they don't cancel it outright. The last episode that aired was good but it was no series finale.
Why is it that good TV can't make it on TV?
Posted by Selena at 09:04 PM | Comments (0)
Today
It's been a good day. I managed to get up in time for church despite the time change, which always messes me up a little. Really, I can't be expected to get out of bed when it's still dark outside, right? It's not natural.
Plus, between working on and subbing a couple more stories I had a truly great nap. Man, I haven't slept that well in ages! (See, I even have trouble getting out of bed when it's light outside.)
The bad news is that I haven't been exercising at all except for the light standing, pacing, reaching, etc. of my new part-time job. That's not good. I'm going to try to go for a walk after this next story sub. It's important to exercise your heart on a regular basis. I got an all too dramatic reminder of that this weekend.
That's it for now. I gotta get back to work on submission #10 for March. (I'm trying for 20 subs sent by the end of the month.) Wish me luck. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 03:29 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2007
150th Submission Sent!
I've just reached a milestone as a writer. Today I sent off my 150th submission.
Woo-HOO!
Of course, it sounds less impressive when I tell you that I sent my first submission on July 1st of 1996. So, that's 150 submissions in about 11 years, an average of 13 submissions per year.
Still, 150 total is something to be excited about.
A fun fact from my total submission spreadsheet: My first acceptance was on submission #25. It was "The Sea," my one and only poem to be sold & published (excluding a couple in my high school's literary magazine). I submitted it in July of 2003 but I wrote it ages before, somewhere in the 1988-1990 timeframe.
Reading Keesa's blog inspired me to try to write and sub more. She's trying to write (and, I think, sub) 100 stories in 100 days. That's awfully ambitious. Go, Keesa!
I'm just trying for 20 submissions in March. That's a little less than one a day. So far, I'm at 6 subs for March. That's pretty good. Hopefully, I can keep it going.
Posted by Selena at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2007
What's Going On: Headache, Writing, and "Shrew"
Ugh! I have such a headache today. It's really impairing my ability to get things done.
The good news though is that I've been very productive the last few days. I've worked on and sent out two submissions so far this week. I had hoped to send out another one tonight, but right now I can hardly do laundry so I think polishing and submitting a story is out of the question.
Also in the good news column – I found out yesterday that a theatre back home is doing "The Taming of the Shrew" in the fall. It is my favorite Shakespeare play! Hard to believe, I know. Sure, "Shrew" is strongly patriarchal and misogynist. George Bernard Shaw even had these harsh words for the play:
"No man with any decency of feeling can sit it out in the company of a woman without being extremely ashamed of the lord-of-creation moral implied in the wager and the speech put into the woman's own mouth."
(I found that in the Cambridge University Press 1984 edition of "The Taming of the Shrew.")
But I learned to love the play when I was doing a project on it in college. I came to believe that it is possible to produce a feminist, even romantic, "Shrew." I haven't seen it done yet, but I'll still hoping.
That trip to DC that I was planning for August may have to be moved to September in order to make room for "The Taming of the Shrew."
:)
Posted by Selena at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2007
Too Busy to Blog
I've been too busy to blog. Sorry about that.
Here's what's been going on.
I took a part-time job, which is proving to be both fun and challenging. It's always good to learn new skills, as well as stay in practice with the ones you've got. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my editing jobs at DKA and SR, as well as my writing work. But all of that is very solitary and sedentary. I just wanted to add something more active and social back into the mix. It's actually been quite energizing. Plus, it's gotten me writing again. So, already this new job is a very good thing.
I've also gotten involved in a couple writing projects at church. Writing devotionals and that kind of thing. It’s been a lot of fun. I've met some great people. It's nice to hang out "live and in person" with fellow writers and editors.
Plus, there's finishing up the anthology, along with the usual DKA and SR duties.
I've only got one submission out right now. I better do something about that.
Posted by Selena at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2007
Winners All Around!
Many of the results from the Preditors and Editors poll have been announced. DKA did VERY well. So did other Double-Edged publications like The Sword Review and Ray Gun Revival.
Here are the winners from the DEP family:
Fiction Publication
1. The Sword Review
9. Ray Gun Revival
13. Dragons, Knights & Angels
Best Artwork
3. 'Repairman!' - A man wailed in panic and pain, E.J. Mickels, II
13. Gwyndowr, Rachel A. Marks
Publication Cover Art
1. The Sword Review, Rachel A. Marks
Short Story - Science Fiction
3. Tethered in Purgatory, Terry W. Ervin II, The Sword Review
4. Damage, Jane Lebak, Dragons, Knights and Angels
5. Servant of the Manthycore, Michael Ehart, The Sword Review
9. The Smoking Man, S.T. Forstner, Dragons, Knights & Angels
14. Voices from the Void, Mirta Ana Schultz, The Sword Review
17. Justice, L. S. King, The Sword Review
21. Shan’tir’ri, Scott M. Sandridge, Ray Gun Revival
23. '. . .in the waste howling wildenness...', John M. Whalen, Ray Gun Revival
24. Chariots, Matt Mikalatos, The Sword Review
24. The Short Bus, Marsheila Rockwell, The Sword Review
26. A Song of the Aelves, David R. Downing, The Sword Review
Poems
9. Into the Heart, Mirta Ana Schultz, The Sword Review
10. The Wishing Star, Marsheila Rockwell, The Sword Review
11. Monument, Mirta Ana Schultz, Dragons, Knights, & Angels
Magazine Editors
2. Bill Snodgrass, http://www.theswordreview.com/
19. The RGR Overlords, http://raygunrevival.com
20. Selena Thomason, http://www.dkamagazine.com
Fiction Magazine
1. The Sword Review
9. Ray Gun Revival
13. Dragons, Knights & Angels
Poetry Magazines
4. The Sword Review
6. Dragons, Knights, & Angels
Congratulations to all the winners!
And thanks to everyone who voted for DKA and its authors, artists and works!
I'd like to send a special shout-out to DKA editor Mirta Ana Schultz who won TWICE for best poem, as well as made the top 20 for Best Story. Way to go, Mir!!!!
Posted by Selena at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2007
Double Decline Day
Well, the good news is that I got a lot done on the anthology today.
The bad news is that I got two declines. Two in one day. Uggh.
Posted by Selena at 06:25 PM | Comments (0)
February 11, 2007
On Revival and Not Giving Up
I've been a bit discouraged lately. I've been thinking about setting writing aside and dialing down my other responsibilities so that I can get a job waiting tables.
Seriously.
It should be noted that I worked in a restaurant for more than six years and loved it. So the waiting tables thing doesn't completely come out of nowhere. But what I really think it's about is that with most jobs, like waiting tables, you know at the end of the day if you have done what you came to do. You get a paycheck. You complete the tasks set before you. You get feedback from your boss and/or customers. There is concrete evidence of your daily accomplishments, both little and big.
Writing doesn’t usually give you that. It's hard to know at the end of the day if the work you did was good. You rarely, if ever, get paid. Often there is no one setting tasks before you, no one encouraging you to keep going, no one showing you how and letting you know you're on the right track. No one, that is, except for you. And that can be hard. Being your own boss has its benefits but some days I long for someone to give me a list of easily defined tasks with measurable results. I don't even care if the tasks are difficult, as long as the tasks and results are quantifiable.
So, I prayed on it. And here is what I think God had to say.
When I went to church today, first, it was pointed out to me that there was a note in the bulletin calling for writers to work on a church project. That was sign one. Then the pastor spoke on revival. "Revive thy work in me." That spoke to me. I need to be revived.
Then I was watching "Heroes," which I have recently gotten hooked on. In one episode, they repeatedly showed a computer screen with the message: "Are you sure you want to quit? [Yes] or [No]." I kept willing the character to click "No."
I don't know what it all means. But there it is. I think deep down, I am not ready to give up. I think maybe that instead of quitting, I am to be revived.
Posted by Selena at 05:05 PM | Comments (2)
February 08, 2007
Too Busy to Blog: Houseguests, the Anthology, and More
I've been much too busy to blog, so here's what's been going on.
My mom and one of my aunts came to visit for a few days. Mom won at cards so often that we were convinced she was cheating. We just couldn't figure out how she was doing it.
We went to the beach one day, but it was so cold that we ended up sitting on the balcony under blankets.
After my houseguests left, I turned my attention to the upcoming DEP anthology, which I am editing. I've spent the last couple days pulling that together and sending out contracts. I love sending authors good news! It's a thrill because I know how exciting it is to get that sort of good news.
The anthology will cover fiction and poetry from DKA and SR. I'm really excited about the great work we're planning to include. Maybe once all the authors had responded I will post a list so you can know what you have to look forward to.
I also got my contributor's copy from The Literary Bone. It is a gorgeous, large-format, glossy-type magazine. Go ahead and buy one, you know you want to.
Plus, it's a great day because Entenmann's chocolate chip mini muffins are on sale at the store. Yippee! Just don't ask me how many of them I have eaten today 'cause I lost count hours ago.
Happy day, everyone!
Posted by Selena at 06:40 PM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2007
"Flowers for My Beloved" published!
My latest story to be published is now available.
It's called "Flowers for My Beloved" and is in the debut issue of The Literary Bone.
Sadly, the magazine is not free.
However, you can purchase it through Lulu.
Just $2.06 for a pdf download version
9.99 for a print version
This is another story about the Kedru, a species I have written about before. Don't worry though, it's a stand-alone story. You don't have to read the others to understand this one.
This story is a little different in that it has a fantasy feel, instead of a scifi one, because it takes place on a world that doesn't have space travel and isn't aware of other sentient species.
"Flowers for My Beloved" tells the story of Isabeau who is mentioned in "The Choosing."
Previous Kedru stories.
"The Choosing" which was published in The Sword Review
"Verid" also published in The Sword Review
"Young Ones" which was published in Ray Gun Revival
Posted by Selena at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2007
I'm Rich!
Well, not really. But I did just receive my first royalty check, which is WAY cool.
It makes me feel like a "real writer." I don’t even mind that the check will barely buy me lunch.
Want to make sure my royalty check is bigger next year?
Go buy a copy (or two or more) of Distant Passages…
$13.99 + S/H – Click here to buy!
It's chockfull of great speculative fiction and poetry.
Don't believe me?
Here's what you'll get:
"And on the Seventh Day" by Marsheila Rockwell,
"Beautiful Dreamer" by Edward McKeown,
"The Last Hurrah" by L. S. King,
"The Traveler's Tale" by Marcie Lynn Tentchoff,
"All That Glitters" by Pam L. Wallace,
"Captain Jack Bowie and the Steel Wolf Renegades" by Sean T. M. Stiennon,
"Rosemary" by Jaime Lee Moyer,
"The Choosing" by Selena Thomason,
"Moonstone" by Joseph Thomas Mahoney,
"City of Deliverance" by Robert Barlow,
"Treecutter" by Scott M. Sandridge,
"Welcoming Armageddon With Open Arms" by Mikal Trimm,
"Old Soul" by Mike Wever,
"Presence" Domyelle Rhyse,
"Racing the Gap," by Byron Leavitt,
"A Picture's Worth" by Wade Ogletree,
"The Anointed" by Rosemary McMillen,
"No Greater Love" by Wesley Lambert,
"Dark Angel, Benigno" by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz, and
"The Ship" by Terry Weide
That's lots of good stuff.
Posted by Selena at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2007
New Column: "Stewardship"
My latest column is up. Pop on over and check it out.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 08:47 AM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2007
New Story Published - "The Author"
My latest publication "The Author" is now available at Long Story Short.
I hope you can pop over and take a look. It's short, under 1000 words, and kind of written for us writers. ;)
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2007
Contest Win
I've been too busy to blog but I have to take a moment to share a bit of good news.
Just before the new year I got word that I won John Kuhn's Twist Ending Contest.
Yeah me! What a great way to start the new year.
For the announcement of my win go to John's new blog.
The link for the entries and original contest announcement seems to be broken but I will post it if I can find it.
Happy new year everyone.
Posted by Selena at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2006
The "One Year to Live" Mindset
I've been re-watching old "Studio 60" episodes and I've been thinking a lot about one moment: Jordan admitting that when she took the job she decided she would approach it as if she only had one year to live.
Maybe that's what I need to do. Maybe that is the kick in the butt my work life needs.
I know however that I can't apply the "one year to live" mindset to the rest of my life, because then I would just eat whatever sweets and junk food I wanted, with wanton disregard for my long-term health.
But it might be a useful approach to my writing life. It might keep me working when I feel discouraged, keep me focused when I really just want to lay around and watch TV. It might help me shake off the inevitable setbacks.
And writing has a lot of setbacks. Just this month, I have received three declines so far. I got them all in the first week of the month even. Three declines in eight days – that can't be good.
But my husband reminded me that this time last month I had just finished writing 50,000 words in one week. So that's something.
Also on today's plus side:
1) I tried out Sunday School at the new church I've been attending. (They call it Bible Fellowship, but whatever.) It went okay. I think I'll go back next week.
2) We had pizza for dinner and I managed to stop at two slices and one breadstick. That's impressive for me.
I keep trying to focus on this scripture from today's lesson:
"…God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6)
God has begun something good in my life; I just need to get out of His way and let Him get on with it.
Posted by Selena at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2006
Newer Isn't Always Better
I have subscribed to WritersMarket.com for years. Recently they "upgraded" the site. Problem is…it's not better, it's worse.
Probably my favorite thing about WritersMarket.com was the submissions tracker. The new version of the subs tracker is annoying and nearly useless. In fact, I don't bother with it anymore. It's a big waste of time. Instead I track my subs in an Excel spreadsheet.
With the old submission tracker you could get a "quick list" of all your submissions, the markets they had been sent to, and their current status. Not so with the new version. You can get a list of your manuscripts, but you can't see their statuses unless you click on the "view submissions" button next to the manuscript. Then you can see where just that one manuscript has been sent. It shows the status at each place it has been subbed, but of course you still can't get the dates of those statuses without clicking on another screen.
Arrgh. It's so annoying.
Sadly it's not the first time I have experienced an "upgrade" taking away basic functionality I had come to depend on.
One thing's for sure, I won't be renewing my WritersMarket.com subscription this year. I've started using Duotrope instead. It's free. The market search is easier to use and they have a submissions tracker that will give me a list of my subs and their statuses. Go figure.
Posted by Selena at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2006
SR & DKA Blogs Back Up
I think the blog spam at SR and DKA is now under control, so I have restored those blogs if you want to take a look.
(It's pretty much the same content as here, except they have cool emoticons that I don't have here in Movable Type land.)
A girl can never have too many blogs. ;)
Posted by Selena at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)
November 25, 2006
Latest Column: "The Trinity is Not So Tough"
My latest column is up if you want to check it out:
"The Trinity Is Not That Tough"
It's about understanding the concept of the Trinity.
Posted by Selena at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2006
Today's Nano Cartoon
Today's Nano cartoon is particularly good:
LOL.
Posted by Selena at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2006
Nano Day 17
It was tough, but I managed to make my "2,000 words per day" goal. I just have no idea where to go with the story at this point.
Today's Tally = 2,199 words
Total So Far = 62,914 words
Posted by Selena at 09:24 PM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2006
A Yes from Literary Bone!
Even though my internet was out most of the day, it was still a good day because I got a YES!
This one is from a print magazine called "The Literary Bone."
The story is called "Flowers for My Beloved." It's another Kedru* story. It tells the story of Isabeau who is mentioned in "The Choosing." Since this story takes place on a world that doesn't have space travel or know about other species, it is more of a fantasy tale than a scifi one. But I hope you'll like it anyway.
I don't know yet whether it will appear in Issue #1 (Spring/Summer 2007) or Issue #2 (Winter 2007-2008). Be assured that I will let you know when it is available though!
*The Kedru are a species that I have written several stories about:
"The Choosing" which was published in The Sword Review
"Verid" also published in The Sword Review
"Young Ones" which was published in Ray Gun Revival
Don't worry. They are all stand-alone stories. You don't have to read one to understand the others.
Posted by Selena at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)
Nano Day 16
Well, I woke up this morning to find my internet, phone and cable service all down. I don't really care about the cable, or even the phone – but no internet! That's crazy! I kept bumping up against all the work I couldn't do without internet access.
But that did leave Nano – at least the writing part, if not the posting about it part. I tried to make as good a use as possible of my web-free time.
Today's Tally = 3,643 words
Total So Far = 60,715 words
Posted by Selena at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2006
Nano Day 15
I didn't get as much done today. No new scenes, just expanded existing scenes and tried to improve the very rough first parts of the book.
Today's Tally = 772 words
Total So Far = 57,072 words
Posted by Selena at 07:25 PM | Comments (0)
A Fun Nano Cartoon
I especially like today's Nano cartoon.
Haha. I can relate. My muse won't work without chocolate.
You can see all of the cartoons here.
Posted by Selena at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2006
Nano Day 14
Huh. It appears that I forgot to blog about yesterday's Nano. Oh, I remember what happened. I worked in the morning, but then I got a decline and got discouraged about the whole writing thing. Uggh. I need to stop being so affected by that sort of thing.
Anyway, I did better today so here is the latest:
Yesterday's Tally = 2,760 words
Today's Tally = 2,427 words
Total So Far = 56,300 words
I love how on the progress graph in my author's profile, the bar is starting to bump into the words above the graph. Tee-hee. That makes me so happy.
Posted by Selena at 07:57 PM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2006
Nano Article
Check out this cool article about Nano from The Washington Post:
Posted by Selena at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2006
Today's Non-Nano Tally
I didn’t get back to Nano today, but I did manage to get a little writing done. I drafted a new column and jotted down ideas for another one. It seems like I have been putting those tasks off forever.
Speaking of putting tasks off forever, I finally unpacked the last two boxes that I had stashed in my closet. It's a good feeling to finally have everything unpacked from the move.
Posted by Selena at 08:47 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2006
Nano Day 10
After taking a couple days off, I am finally getting back to Nano. I went back to the beginning and am trying to expand and improve the novel. It's still very, very rough.
But I have posted an excerpt in my author profile. Just remember that it is part of a first draft that I wrote in one week so it is by no means my best work.
I didn't get much writing done today. I'm still feeling kind of sick and run down. But I got a little done, so that is something.
Today's Tally = 443 words
Total So Far = 50,539 words
Posted by Selena at 07:13 PM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2006
Nano Day 7 – Done in a week! Really.
I am exhausted but exhilarated. I have finished the Nano challenge in one week! Yes, that's 50,000 words in one week. Not one month, one week!
That's crazy, I know. I don't recommend it for everyone. But if you can manage to take a week off from all your responsibilities, and you like to write, and you're a little bit crazy – well, then sure, this is the Nano approach for you!
I hadn't intended to finish today. I had been aiming for 10 days. But something happens when you hit that 40,000 word mark. You just can't stop yourself. All I could think is, "Oh, man, I am SO close! I can't stop now."
Seriously I wrote over eight hours today. And that last writing session was three hours and nearly 6,000 words long. I just couldn't stop until I had rolled the word counter over the 50,000 mark.
Here is today's super wacky tally:
Today's Tally = 14,000 words
That, in and of itself, is insane. And how about that freakily round number? That was totally an accident or a coincidence or maybe fate.
Total So Far = 50,096 words
It's always good to have a few words to spare, just in case the Nano word counter doesn't count exactly the same way as your computer's word counter.
% done = 100%
Well, obviously. ;)
Happy writing everyone! You can do it. Just keep going.
And when you're done, you'll have this amazing accomplishment you can point to whenever you doubt yourself. You will forever be able to tell yourself, "Hey, I wrote 50,000 words in one month, I can do this!"
That in a nutshell is why I recommend Nano. You can't buy that sense of accomplishment, but it sure is a good thing to have.
Posted by Selena at 11:27 PM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2006
Nano Day 6
I am still refusing to give up. (Although I have been tempted more than once.)
Today's Tally = 6,744 words
Total So Far = 36,096 words
% done = 72.2%
Wow! I am more than 70% done. That's amazing.
Posted by Selena at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2006
Nano Day 5
It was a little bit of a struggle today. I had to get a writing prompt book out towards the end because I had no idea what to write next.
Still, I managed 5,000 words today. So at least I made my daily goal.
Today's Tally = 5,017 words
Total So Far = 29,352 words
% done = 58.7%
Here is something I posted in one of the Nano forums earlier today:
It's been good for me to throw myself into Nano full-throttle. (I have barely done anything else since it started.) I'd been feeling unproductive and lazy the last few months, so it's good to know that I can still put in a solid 8+ hours of hard work in a day.That's one of the things Nano does for you. It gives you proof that you can accomplish what seems impossible.
Since Nano started, I have been writing 4-6 hours everyday. I needed that. I needed to know I could still do that.
Posted by Selena at 06:20 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2006
Nano Day 4
It was tough today, but at least I managed to keep to my 5,000 words a day goal.
Today's Tally = 5,104 words
Total So Far = 24,335 words
% done = 48.7%
Posted by Selena at 07:02 PM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2006
Nano Day 3
Another productive day. I even went to a Nano write-in and got 1669 words done there.
Today's Tally = 6,615 words
Total So Far = 19,231 words
% done = 38.5%
For anyone who is impressed by my word count, I just have this to say: "They may be many, but they're not good."
Posted by Selena at 10:20 PM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2006
Nano Day 2
Wow! I had a really productive writing day.
I still think the quality is bad. (Truth is I've been a little worried I would never write anything good again.) But I think maybe there were some glimmers of possible good stuff in today's work. Just glimmers. Just maybe. But that's something. A little ray of hope for my writer self.
Today's Tally = 7,378 words
Seriously, that is NOT a typo. I made my 5,000 word goal before lunch. (The key is to not allow yourself to do anything else until you make your goal.)
Total So Far = 12,616 words
Again, really NOT a typo. Wow.
% done = 25.2%
Goodness, that's quarter of the way done! I'm so happy. :)
Posted by Selena at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)
November 01, 2006
Nano Day 1: Evening Status
I logged 5,238 words today on my NaNo novel!
The quality is still bad. The ideas I had just haven't seemed to fit and the story keeps veering off in strange directions. Plus there is a whole lot of talk and not much action.
But to be fair, I am out of practice. I haven't been writing much at all lately. So I hope that all this NaNo writing will get me back into practice and that at some point I will start producing stuff that is at least kind of good. ;)
In the meantime, I have this wild idea that it would be cool to finish the 50K in 10 days. That's 5,000 words a day. I managed it today. But tomorrow…who knows?
It's complete madness. I don't know what I am thinking. Maybe it's a side effect of too much Halloween candy.
Today's Tally = 5,238 words
Total So Far = 5,238 words
% done = 10.5%
Posted by Selena at 07:25 PM | Comments (0)
Nano Day 1: Morning Status
It was tough getting started, but I used the old "no breakfast until you've gotten some work done" bribe. It worked, even though I got so hungry I had to get some cereal right around word 1,500.
Current word count = 2010
I hope to add on more words later today. It's key to get as far ahead as possible right off the bat.
I thought briefly about posting an excerpt but I just can't. The work so far is truly bad. The opening is beyond dreadful. But I just made a note to fix the opening (and other things) later, and kept going.
All that fixing stuff is for later. I don't even have proper names for things yet. I've got placeholder names for both alien species so far. (Things like XYZ and ZIN.) Once I figure out what to call them, I'll do a search and replace. But that too is for another day.
Good luck to all my fellow NaNo-ers.
Now, get back to work. ;) I'm taking a short break, then I will be getting back to the word count generating myself.
Posted by Selena at 09:09 AM | Comments (0)
Nano Begins
Well, it's November. Time for Nano. So I guess I better get to work.
:insert panic icon here:
I am NOT READY!
Oh, well, sometimes you just gotta roll with it. ;)
Posted by Selena at 07:14 AM | Comments (0)
October 26, 2006
Disturbing Dream
I dreamed last night that airlines started requiring you to list what church you attended regularly before they would let you fly. Presumably it also had to be a church they approved of.
Creepy.
On the plus side, I think there is a story in there. As long as it's a fictional one, not a prescient one.
Posted by Selena at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
Good Reading: Another grammar-related article
Found this article via a topic at Ray Gun Revival:
Check it out.
Posted by Selena at 07:54 AM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2006
Good Reading: "Clauses and Commas Make a Comeback"
For today's good reading, check out this article in The Washington Post:
"Clauses and Commas Make a Comeback"
My favorite part:
"Grammarians are regarded as a rather grumpy lot. They decorate their classrooms with quotation marks rather than quotations, brood for hours over the staff memo that misuses the contraction "it's" and ply students with unpardonable puns."
That its/it's thing – that is totally me! It is my biggest pet peeve. Come on people, you only use "It's" if you mean the contraction for "It is." How hard is that?!
Posted by Selena at 08:01 AM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2006
Today's Tally-Writing Again
Well, I managed to not only get a writing practice done, but I started revising a story of mine that has been rejected…oh, let's just say "a few times" and leave it at that.
Plus, I still have seven subs pending. That's not nothing.
I need to get novel#1 back out to its next potential publisher. That's on the pre-NaNo task list.
It feels so good to be writing again. :)
More tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 08:47 PM | Comments (0)
Quote of the day: "Wait for the Wheel"
That's from an episode of "Farscape," one of my favorite episodes actually. I happened across the latter half of the episode today as I was flipping channels.
I've been thinking that I'm almost ready to start writing again in earnest. (Which is a good thing because NaNo is only a couple weeks away!)
As if that wasn't a clear enough message, when I picked up my Writer's Book of Days to get a writing prompt for practice it opened to the article called "Writing Cycles – To Every Thing There Is a Season."
I think I just need to stop feeling guilty for all I haven't been getting done lately, and move on. Maybe it's that crazy old law of inertia -- something about an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Maybe that applies to writers too because the longer I don't write, the more I feel like a loser and hack, and the harder it is to convince myself to start writing again.
Actually, I think I read something similar today. Oh, yeah, it was an entry in PamL's blog at SR. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.
So, the wheel has turned. It's time to get back to work, to break the cycle of lethargy and doubt, and start getting words down on paper again. Wish me luck.
Posted by Selena at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2006
New Column: Why Go to Church?
My latest column is now available at The Sword Review.
I was asking myself that same question again last Sunday as I tried out a new church (in my new neighborhood). I almost left several times.
The experience, especially the beginning, was so stressful that I was in tears. The church is much bigger than I am used to. Just getting in the parking lot and finding the appropriate place to park was a nerve-wracking traffic jam. Even once inside, the church and service were so loud and crowded and busy that it was overwhelming.
But there among the flash and the noise and the crush of many strangers was the still, small voice of God. So, it was okay.
Posted by Selena at 08:59 AM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2006
Today's Tally
I didn't get much done today. But I did manage to accomplish a writing practice and go to church, so the day wasn't a total waste. Also, I did some work I had been putting off.
I am slowly learning to do rather than avoid. So often when I hear that still, small voice prompting me to do something I know I should do, I just ignore it. I tell myself that I'm too tired or I don't feel like doing that right now. But it's all excuses. I'm starting to realize that life will go so much better for me if when I hear that voice, I just go ahead and do what I know I should do.
Today also held a nice surprise for me. A perpetually busy friend suddenly had a little bit of time available. So we went to brunch. It was wonderful.
All in all, a very good day.
:)
Posted by Selena at 09:50 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2006
Today's Tally
I have been trying to do a writing practice everyday. So far this month, I have managed it on only nine days. But some days I have done more than one to try to make up for it.
Total practices so far this month = 16. I guess 16 out of 18 isn't bad. I'd like to get that up to an average of 1/day though.
Today I did three writing practice sessions of 30 minutes each. The writing isn't very good. I'm not even sure any of them are worth going back to. But hey, it's practice, right?
What surprises me is that every time I sit down to do a writing practice the prompt turns into some sort of a story, or at least a story fragment. It’s not always good. But something always comes out, and that is kind of amazing to me. And reassuring somehow.
Posted by Selena at 09:03 PM | Comments (0)
Column Up: "Freedom"
My latest column is up.
Check it out if you're interested. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:13 AM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2006
Losing the Spam War
Well, even with Friends Only settings, my blogs at SR and DKA are getting trackback spam. So I am not using them anymore. I have changed the settings so that only I have access to view or reply to posts. We'll see if that works.
Honestly I don't think it will. I will probably end up having to delete those blogs. That would be a shame. I hate to lose all the old, valid comments from the nice people at SR and DKA.
Posted by Selena at 07:33 AM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2006
Still Getting Spam
I am still getting spam posted to my SR and DKA blogs, despite my best efforts. So I am now restricting access to those blogs to Friends only. If you'd like to be added to my Friends list, just PM me from SR or DKA. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2006
NaNo is Coming
I got an email yesterday reminding me that NaNoWriMo is a mere seven weeks away. Gotta get my subconscious to work on an idea for a new novel.
I'm thinking maybe I'll go the fantasy route this time, or maybe a romance. Hmm, we'll see.
I had so much fun with National Novel Writing Month last year that I'm looking forward to doing it again this year.
Better start planning though, and clearing my schedule for November.
For more info on NaNoWriMo, visit their website. I encourage everyone to sign up and participate.
Posted by Selena at 10:30 AM | Comments (1)
September 10, 2006
Got another YES from Long Story Short
My email brought me happy news today…
…another YES from Long Story Short.
(They recently published a story of mine called "Autofill".)
This new story, "The Author," is scheduled for their January 2007 issue. I think all you writers out there will really enjoy it. I'm just sorry it's such a long wait.
I'll let you know when it is up.
Nothing like a little external validation to keep you going.
Posted by Selena at 05:29 PM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2006
Writing, but not much
I haven't been writing much lately. Just a short (30 minute) writing practice everyday, just to keep my hand in it a little. And even that has been a struggle.
My writing lately has been a little strange. It keeps turning out very different from what I usually write. I find myself writing about darker topics, unlikable characters, and points of view I don't usually write in.
It seems lately that I start with a writing prompt but the story quickly veers in another direction, as if it had something else entirely to say. By the end, the prompt's topic is usually incidental, just some odd phrase or detail that started things off but didn't really have any importance to the story itself.
I don't know quite what to make of it. Writing and I are in a strange place right now. The fun seems to have gone out of it. I don't seem to have anything to say. Fresh ideas seem impossible to find.
One thing is for sure—I have been terribly unproductive lately.
I keep hoping that will change.
Posted by Selena at 07:38 PM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2006
Twist Ending Contest
I like twist endings. I like reading/viewing them (most of the time). I also enjoy writing them.
If you do too, check out this entry on John Kuhn’s blog.
John is hosting a contest for stories with twist endings. There’s even a cash prize for the winner.
The entry also has a fun link to a Wikipedia article on twist endings. But watch out for the spoilers.
Posted by Selena at 08:21 AM | Comments (1)
August 27, 2006
Good Reading-On Writing Edition
Check out this great column by Johne (Phy) Cook:
The Hidden Benefits of The Valley
Being in The Valley is certainly something I can relate to. I’m there now actually and it feels like I’ve been in the lowlands forever.
Phy’s column is a good reminder that The Valley is temporary and that it has gifts for us amid the turmoil. I have a feeling I'll be referring back to this column often in the future.
Posted by Selena at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2006
Today’s Tally
Much like yesterday’s.
Worked on another couple stories today and sent them off. Also, finished and submitted a column.
That’s a good day.
Posted by Selena at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2006
A Good Writing Day
It’s been a good writing day. I worked on a couple stories, finished them off, and submitted them. Same with a new column.
That’s progress. It feels good.
Posted by Selena at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2006
New Column Published: "Come As You Are"
My latest column is up. It’s called “Come As You Are.”
I hope you like it.
Posted by Selena at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2006
“Play Through the Pain”
I just watched the movie “Wimbledon” for the second time. I don’t even like tennis. But I love this movie. I’m a sucker for stories where people accomplish the impossible.
This time around what struck me most was the line: “Play through the pain.” Our hero has injured his back but has to continue the match. It’s standard athlete stuff. But in my head, it was about writing.
Being a writer is full of pain. There is frequent rejection. (I got another decline just today. That’s four so far this month.) There is also doubt, criticism, fear, and discouragement.
I have to learn to play through the pain or, in my case, write through the pain. Otherwise, I’ll never get back to the good stuff writing has to offer—the rush of a new idea, the exhilaration of hitting upon just the right string of words, the thrill of a yes, and of course the joy of seeing my work in print.
So, play through the pain. That’s the plan.
Posted by Selena at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2006
New Story Published: “Autofill”
My latest story to be published is now available at Long Story Short. It’s a flash fiction story called “Autofill”. If you’re looking for it from the main page it’s under the Humor section.
I hope you enjoy it.
Posted by Selena at 10:53 AM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2006
Feeling So Rejected
I just got the third decline in as many days. One story was declined in a matter of hours. How crazy is that? I submitted it late one night and it was rejected by the next morning. Another was from a major market who held onto the sub for nearly three months, causing me to have wild hopes, then rejected it right at the point where I could have assumed it was lost in the mail and resubmit it.
My thoughts right now are very much along the lines of “Who am I kidding? I should just get a job.” But maybe all writers go through that. It’s probably at least the hundredth time I have felt like giving up on writing.
I’m sitting here trying to come up with a way to drown my sorrows that doesn’t involve spending a lot of money or consuming tons of excess calories. While it seems in the moment that a very large hot fudge sundae would make me feel oh so much better, I think I am going to try a swim instead. I just hope the pool isn’t too crowded.
Posted by Selena at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2006
“Young Ones” now in print
My latest story, “Young Ones,” is now in print at Ray Gun Revival.
To check it out, go to Ray Gun Revival, click on the cover image, and scroll down to page 4. You can also download the pdf file of the issue for future reading.
Posted by Selena at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)
August 01, 2006
Home Again
I got back today from a several day trip to Memphis for a family reunion. I had a great time. It’s always nice to visit with family, especially those you don’t see very often.
It was a restful vacation. I hardly did any work, except catching up on some reading. I read Writing to Change the World from cover to cover. It was really good.
I enjoyed my trip but I am very glad to be home now. When I was younger I loved to travel, but now I don’t like to be away from home for more than a few days. When I’m away I miss my husband, my cats, my own bed, my usual routine. That’s boring perhaps, but there it is.
Part of being home is getting back to work, and I’m doing that slowly. I hope to be able to get back into the thick of things tomorrow and start being productive again—writing a lot, getting things done, sending out submissions. I’ve really been slacking off and that must stop.
I’m nearly forty. It’s not like I have all that much time left in which to accomplish my dreams. I better get to it.
Posted by Selena at 09:40 PM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2006
Today’s Tally
Well, I’m still a slacker but at least I got a writing practice done today. WOO-HOO! That’s a step in the right direction. I think I am going to just focus on writing practice for a little while and not try to make it into anything publishable right away.
I also accomplished a little other work – some author correspondence, some planning for DKA, some research reading. It was not too bad a day, productivity-wise.
In other news, I got a decline today. That’s never fun, but I’m not too upset about it since I still have eleven other submissions pending. Maybe one of them will come back as a yes. Here’s hoping.
Posted by Selena at 09:36 PM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2006
What's Going On
What’s going on? Sadly, not much.
I’ve been a bit under the weather lately, so my productivity has plummeted, especially where writing is concerned. I have managed to get caught up on reading submissions though, in a couple bursts of energy today and Saturday. But that’s pretty much all I’ve accomplished work-wise.
However, I have gotten other stuff done. I took one of my cats to the vet and found that she had conjunctivitis in both eyes like I thought she did. (She’s had it before. I still have no idea how she gets these things since all she does is lay around the house all day.) So, it’s antibiotic goo in both eyes twice a day. Giving cats medication is always a good time. (Not.)
I’ve been avoiding the muse; I’ve hardly written anything in the last few days. Bad, I know.
I’m also eating all kinds of wrong. Lately it’s been anything with caramel in it. And if it has chocolate too, that’s even better.
On the plus side, I’ve started swimming again. That’s partly due to my dad who keeps saying things like, “I sure wish you’d start swimming again. It’s such good exercise.” Yes, I know. It really is; it works the heart without straining the joints. Turns out that there is a YMCA just a fifteen-minute walk from my house, AND it turns out that they have a pool! I am ashamed to tell you how many years I lived here before I figured that out. Despite my slacker slump, I’ve managed to swim everyday since I joined. That’s three days and counting for anyone who’s keeping score.
More on the plus side: I watched the pilot of “Eureka.” It was pretty good. And I’ve been reading a lot of Traveling Mercies, which is just one great moment after another.
Tomorrow I may attempt a writing practice. But I don’t want to rush into anything. ;) And right now, I'm tired. I think it's gotta be bedtime.
Posted by Selena at 09:14 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2006
New Column: "Staying in Practice"
My latest column is up at The Sword Review. You can check it out here.
Some people have already posted comments about it, which is nice.
Posted by Selena at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2006
Podcast Interview
I did my first podcast interview last night. It was so much fun! We talked mostly about DKA, and a little bit about Sword Review, Ray Gun Revival, and my own writing.
You can give it a listen at Interview by Snarky Avenger.
Hope you enjoy it.
Posted by Selena at 08:48 AM | Comments (1)
July 11, 2006
"Questing Without Caution" at Flashshots
I have a new story up at Flashshots. It’s called “Questing Without Caution.” For the next few days you can see it here. But don’t put it off too long, the website only lists the 10 most recent Flashshots.
This is the story that features a dragon, a knight, and an angel. Wonder where I got that idea, don’t ya? ;) Believe me, it was tough to get all three of them in a 100-word story.
Posted by Selena at 11:11 AM | Comments (0)
July 08, 2006
Novel now at 80K! Yippee!
Well, I finally got the novel I’ve been working on up to the 80,000 words it needs to be.
YEAH!
I sat down for a writing practice today and with a prompt as simple as “Write about a gate,” a nearly 2,000-word scene unfolded that is not only pivotal to the story but actually turned out pretty well. Looking back, the scene is inevitable. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.
Also, the scene gave me an idea for another scene. Which is good because I really need the draft to be over 80,000 words since I’m sure they will be a good bit of cutting involved in the “making it good” phase of this project.
But for now I’m reveling in the accomplishment on this one goal that has seemed so insurmountable for so long. It gives me hope that I may be able to accomplish other things I don’t feel capable of.
Posted by Selena at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2006
Today’s Tally
I’ve had a very productive day so far, which is good because I haven’t had many of those lately. (I’m such a slacker!)
I spent several hours this morning proofing the next print edition of The Sword Review. It was fun, especially because I missed most of the submissions while they were under consideration. (Guess I was really busy or something.)
I also managed to get in a writing practice that thankfully turned into something for the book I’ve been struggling with. My goal for the week is to FINALLY get that stupid novel up to 80,000 words. I’ve only got a couple thousand to go, so it’s technically do-able. (Then of course the next, much harder, goal is to make it good.)
Now, if only I could get caught up on reading DKA subs. I should read one today but after all that proofing I don’t think my eyes can take any more reading.
I’m been doing really well with the whole diet and exercise thing lately. I hope that when I have my cholesterol checked next week, the numbers will be especially good and Doc will say “Wow, you’re doing great. Have you been doing anything different?” Well, yes, actually I have.
All that eating right must be getting to me though because today all I really want out of life is a bag of Pepper Jack Doritoes. Ah, the yummy badness. The spicy kick. The delightful crunch. It’s so clear in my memory.
I keep telling myself that I can’t have any Doritoes because I don’t have the cash and there is no store in the area that sells them anyway. Of course the truth is I have a couple bucks and there’s a 7-11 just up the street. But no! Doritoes are extinct! I am sure of it! They don’t even make them anymore!
Clearly, I need help.
In the meantime, I am trying to focus on the spaghetti with peas and parmesan that I am planning to have for dinner. It’s also quite delicious. And not nearly as bad for me.
Posted by Selena at 05:38 PM | Comments (0)
July 04, 2006
Osmosis – Now in Print Edition
The print edition of Haruah’s first issue is now available at Lulu.com.
That issue includes my essay “Osmosis.”
Click here to order your copy.
Posted by Selena at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2006
Latest Column: "Calm Mind"
My latest column, “Calm Mind,” is up at Sword Review.
Pop on over and check it out.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2006
A “YES” from Ray Gun Revival!
This morning I got a “yes” from "Ray Gun Revival.” They have accepted the revised version of my story “Young Ones.” (For those of you who read and liked “Verid,” this is a sequel of sorts.)
I am thrilled. But I was so sleepy when I read it this morning that I didn’t recognize what it was at first. I just kept staring at it. And even after I knew what it was, I didn’t do anything about it for a while because I thought maybe I was still dreaming.
Well, at this point it seems safe to say it’s true. They really have accepted the story.
So many people helped with this story. When I submitted it to RGR the first time, it was (in retrospect) embarrassingly bad. But the kind folks at RGR offered me the chance to revise, as well as gave me plenty of valuable feedback. (Thanks, Ray Gun Staff!)
Then a couple fellow editors agreed to take a look at the revision before I sent it back in. They too were a big help in improving the story. (Thanks, guys! I would give your names but I’m afraid you will be besieged by crit requests. ;) Besides, you know who you are.)
I don’t know when it will be published. But I’ll let you know.
That’s two acceptances in two weeks! I’m over the moon!
Posted by Selena at 07:36 PM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2006
New Column Up: "Negative Talk"
My latest column, “Negative Talk,” is up at The Sword Review.
Posted by Selena at 07:03 PM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2006
Really Good Day
It was a particularly great day!
I heard from a friend I hadn’t heard from in a while. That’s always nice. We even made a lunch date for next week so we can do some more catching up.
I also got a yes from Long Story Short. They accepted a flash story of mine called “Autofill” for their August issue. The story should be up on their site on August 7th. But it looks like you can also sign up for their newsletter to get each month’s issue in your email box.
Of course, I will also let you know when it is published.
Plus, I went out to dinner and watched some Farscape. That's two of my favorite things.
All in all, a very good day.
Posted by Selena at 06:55 PM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2006
Dry Spell
I’ve been having a little bit of a dry spell, writing-wise. Fortunately I seem to be coming out of it.
Yesterday I drafted a couple new items. Today I was able to finalize a little something and send it off. I’ve also managed to do a little writing practice both yesterday and today. One of them even morphed into something for the book, which is always nice.
I think part of the problem is that I have over ten submissions out and haven’t heard anything about any of them for what seems like ages. I always did hate the wait, but now that I have several submissions out to major markets, it is so much worse. Also, I feel a little hopeful about some of the subs, so that probably makes the wait even harder to bear. Of course, there’s always that voice in the back of my head reminding me that the rejections may have already been sent, that they were just lost in the mail, so I am waiting and hoping for nothing.
I also realized recently that without some life in my life I don’t have much of anything to write about. If all I do is sit at my computer and try to work, then I will quickly run out of material. Writers have to be fed by more than time to write.
So, I’m trying to make room in my day for reading, exploring, and experiencing. You never know where the next great story idea will come from.
Posted by Selena at 04:03 PM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2006
Downtime
I haven’t been very productive the last few days. Just can’t seem to summon the energy to get very much done. At least, I’ve been able to work a little bit every day. I can’t afford to fall completely out of the habit.
I don’t feel too bad about taking a few half-days off since when I totaled up May’s work hours they came out to an average of 45 hours a week. I was kind of surprised by that. A little more than half of that was on writing and related activities (like market research). The rest was on editorial duties at DKA and SR.
I think what I need is a new writing project. I’ve been working on the book off and on. But mostly I’m in “waiting for subs to come back” mode.
I’ve got ten subs out right now. One is to a major market. That’s the one dominating my thoughts these days. It’s been out four weeks already. Their stated response time is five weeks. So, I think it’s a hopeful sign that they haven’t rejected it yet. Maybe that means the story survived the slush pile.
Or maybe it means that they rejected it weeks ago but my mailman delivered it to the next street over. Sadly that’s a distinct possibility. Mail gets misdelivered so much around here that I think it’s a secret plot to get the neighbors to know each other.
Maybe I’ll try a walk to boost my energy level. If nothing else it will burn off some of those extra calories I had today. Ah, that Dulce de Leche shake from Haagen Dazs was heaven. A caramel shake! Who thinks of such things? It was fantastic. But I don’t even want to think about how many calories were in that thing. Probably a whole week’s worth. Plus they only serve it in one size – large. Oh dear, I’m not allowed to go by that place ever again.
Posted by Selena at 06:15 PM | Comments (0)
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 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 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)
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 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 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 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 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)
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)
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)
April 29, 2006
Today’s Tally
I had the day almost completely to myself, so I got a lot done even though my afternoon nap went on much longer than I intended. (I reset the alarm but forgot to switch the a.m. to p.m. Grrr.)
This morning I published a new story at DKA, “The Baptism of Johnny Ferocious.” It’s one of my favorites. You should check it out, if you haven’t already.
I also made an editing pass through the new story, which took 2-1/2 hours. The story is currently clocking in at 12,600. I did notice though that I had accidentally changed the name of one of the species towards the end of the story. Haha. Ooops. I wondered why Word thought it was misspelled. :rolling my eyes:
In addition, I proofed my upcoming essay at Haruah.
I have to say…I recommend Haruah as a market to submit to. The staff is lovely. They very graciously agreed to make the last minute fix I had been agonizing over. I mean, how embarrassing is that? To have to say, “oh you know that essay you’ve accepted, there’s a little problem.” It was dreadful, but they were very kind about it and I am very grateful. I don’t know when the essay will appear but I will let you know when it is up.
I got a decline in the mail today. So, I plan to take another look at the story. (The editor took the time to make notes on the manuscript, which is nice.) Then see if I can find another market it might be suitable for.
Now, if only I can get the cat in my lap to stop putting his paws on the table, then on the keyboard of my laptop—I swear he must think writing looks like so much fun he wants to try it too—then I will be able to get some more work done. Maybe if I go ahead and give him his dinner, he will forget about that shiny, silver keyboard and just settle down for a nap. Here’s hoping.
Posted by Selena at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2006
Today’s Tally, plus a Yes!
Today has been more productive. Thankfully.
So far, I have…
proofed the next story for DKA (look for it on Tuesday, May 2),
drafted a new column (it still needs work though), and
read a couple DKA subs (always a good time).
But today’s real excitement was receiving a “yes” from Haruah.
Yippee! Oh, how I love a yes.
Posted by Selena at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
April 27, 2006
Today’s Tally
Sadly, it was another unproductive day – too full of drama to get much of anything done.
At least I finally finished the first draft of that story. It’s clocking in at 12,501 words right now. I am sure that will change in editing. I need to let it sit for a day, then I can start fixing it.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. (Pray for me if you’re the sort. If not, good thoughts help too.) I plan to get up extra early in the hopes that I can get a few hours work done before my day slides off the rails.
And maybe, just maybe, if I am very, very careful I can get through the day without doing anything wrong. Then maybe I can have a peaceful, productive day.
Maybe.
For now I will just hold on as best I can until the tide shifts in my favor.
Posted by Selena at 06:45 PM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2006
Today’s Tally
It was a busy, crazy day and I didn’t get as much done as I wanted.
Still, I managed to…
spend an hour on the new story (which STILL isn’t finished!)
proof the next story to be published in DKA (Look for it on Saturday, if all goes well)
and
write and submit a new column for SR.
That’s not too bad I guess. 4 hours so far.
I’ll try to make it up tomorrow or maybe later tonight. But right now, I’m fried and need a break.
Posted by Selena at 06:43 PM | Comments (0)
“It came to me in a dream…”
Well, I did dream up an ending to the story last night as I was falling asleep. (See previous post) Can’t say yet whether or not it’s particularly good. Gotta get it typed in first, then assess it.
I better get to it.
More later...
Posted by Selena at 07:47 AM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2006
In Today’s News…
Today was a good day.
I got the copies of “Distant Passages” that I ordered. They look great. And I can’t tell you how cool it is to hold in your hands a book that includes one of your stories. It is fabulous beyond words.
You can buy your own copy at Lulu.com.
(You know you want one. Don’t try to play it off like you don’t want one.)
And I’m not just encouraging you to buy one because I get royalties. The book really is jam-packed with good stuff, including a certain favorite story of mine called “The Choosing.” ;)
Also making it a good day is the fact that I worked on my latest story for nearly four hours. That, in truth, was most of the work I got done today. It’s over the 10,000 word mark now, but even as I’m writing it I’m noticing the flab. Oh well, first I’ve got to get the whole thing down on paper (or encoded in binary, actually). Then I can go back and prune the dross and polish the prose.
If only I knew how to end the darned thing! This is one of those stories that I have just been following in whatever direction it wants to go. I haven’t planned out a single piece of it.
I guess I’ll sleep on it. Maybe I’ll dream a fitting end to the story. I’ll wake up tomorrow, sit down at my keyboard and it’ll just flow. (Don’t laugh. It’s happened. It could happen again.)
I got a little bit of other work done.
I put together a follow-up letter to the market that has had my book proposal for over six months now. My fear is that they sent it back already and it got lost in the mail, which would mean I have been wasting my time with all this waiting. My hope is that they will send the letter back with the “it’s still under consideration” option checked.
I also declined a couple DKA subs, which I have to tell you is not nearly as much fun as accepting them. I always hope though that the feedback is useful to the authors anyway.
Good night, everyone. I gotta get my subconscious to work on that ending. Plus, I’m kind of tired. It was a long day. Good, but long.
Posted by Selena at 09:58 PM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2006
Today’s Tally
It’s day three of the full-time writing and editing plan, and things are going pretty well.
Saturday was productive but Sunday morning I felt like I wasn’t going to be able to get anything done. So, I took a nap. When I woke, I felt better and promptly put in six hours of work in the afternoon and evening.
I’ve been averaging about 5-6 hours a day so far. I think that’s pretty good. If I average 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, that’s 42 hours, which is full-time. I should be able to accomplish something with that much time and effort, right?
Some days it’s more editing; some days more writing. Yesterday was a writing day. I worked on four stories and was able to finalize, print and package them all by the end of the day. Obviously, they weren’t stories I started from scratch yesterday. They just needed a little more polishing and to be matched up with the right market before being sent out into the world.
I mailed all four of them this morning. (That’s such a great feeling!) Then I was able to finalize and submit another one today--an essay, not a story. (That one was tougher. I worked some on it yesterday but it needed a good bit more work today.)
That’s five submissions out in one day. That’s not bad. Actually that’s pretty good.
I haven’t gotten much else done today though. (Too many errands and running around and such to do today.) But the day’s not over yet. I hope to get more writing in tonight, and maybe read a DKA submission or two.
This is what today’s tally looks like, so far:
5 subs away
published a new story at DKA (“The White Spider” – see previous post)
posted re: new story in all the usual places (wouldn’t want anyone to miss it!)
accepted a poem for DKA (you’ll love it, we did)
read one DKA sub
did a little writing
miscellaneous emails and posts
Now comes the part of submitting that I hate--the waiting and wondering. Well, waiting and obsessing would be more accurate. But I am working on that “obsessing” thing. Must let go, must let go, must…
Uggh! I better distract myself with a whole lot of writing.
Posted by Selena at 07:31 PM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2006
Anthology Available!
Finally, the “Best of 2005” anthology that I have a story in is available for purchase.
Click here for the listing on Lulu.com.
It’s only $13.99 (that includes regular shipping) and is chockfull of good stuff! Trust me, I know, I read each and every one of the stories and poems. My recommendation not good enough for you? Then use the “preview this book” button to read some for yourself before purchasing.
You know you want one. Really, you should buy two – one to keep and one to share. Trust me.
Posted by Selena at 08:25 PM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2006
Today Misc.
Lots of random bits to blog about today…
It’s been a successful day for me so far. I have managed to get a lot done in addition to succeeding (so far) at a couple things I am not good at.
For instance, exercise. I hate it. But I need it for good health. I’m just not young enough anymore to get away with that “eat whatever I want and never exercise” plan. (Oh, how I miss those days!) Usually I tell myself I don’t have time. But I had today off so that excuse didn’t play. Instead I managed to not only crunch my way through that stupid exercise video, but also stretch through the yoga DVD and walk about two hours. (The walking was in two separate sessions. I’m not crazy!). The beautiful weather helped with the walking, I admit.
Also, I managed to eat right -something else I hate and am terrible at. I have eaten healthy and light so far today. Well, except for that Cadbury Caramel Egg. Which was delicious, by the way. I figure it’s a holiday treat. I mean, it can’t be Easter without a Cadbury Egg, right?
Of course, the real test will be how much writing I get done. Not much so far today. But it’s next on my list.
More bits:
I’ve been meaning to share this “quote of the day” because I found it amusing. I saw it on a guy’s T-shirt: “I am out of my mind. Please leave a message.”
Yeah, I feel that way sometimes.
Upcoming at DKA: Later today I’ll be publishing a new story at DKA. Check it out if you have a chance.
Also, there’s a magnet giveaway happening at DKA. To find out how to get yours visit the forums.
Are you a fan of limericks? Then you will want to bunny hop on over to Ray Gun Revival and check out this thread. It’s hilarious.
More later. Hopefully. Hopefully after a very productive writing session.
Have a good Easter weekend, everyone!
Posted by Selena at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)
April 09, 2006
Proof
I watched the movie “Proof” last night. It was fantastic—moving, thought-provoking and well-done.
(I realized recently that well-done is not enough for me, that if a piece of art—movie, play, story etc.—is merely technically proficient, pretty, and well-done, then it doesn’t appeal to me. I want to be moved by things, not just impressed by their loveliness or difficulty. It can be emotionally moved or intellectually moved. I just want to be affected somehow. I am starting to think I am out of sync with most people on that score.)
After seeing the movie “Proof,” I want to see the play it was based on even more than I did before. There were so many wonderful writing touches in the movie, and I suspect in the play as well—little details packed with significance, threads of meaning that move through the story, moments of truth and clarity and specificity that draw you in and make it all feel real.
The movie brings up questions that I have wondered about before. For instance, why is it that madness and brilliance are so often linked? Why is it that so many great minds are also the most fragile? Why do creative people seem to be more susceptible to mental problems than the general population? Is it merely the price they pay for their gifts? Or is it that the things that make them creative and brilliant are also the things that make them more susceptible to mental problems? It’s a sad mystery.
“Proof” reminded me of other great movies on the topic, like “A Beautiful Mind” and “Rain Man.” I heartily recommend all three of those movies.
Posted by Selena at 08:22 AM | Comments (0)
April 08, 2006
Getting Stuff Done/A Writing Miracle
I am having a surprisingly productive day so far. I got a good bit of SR proofing done this morning, plus some exercise (which I hate to do), and even a little housework (shocking, I know). But most surprisingly, I got a lot of writing done.
I’ve been avoiding writing lately. I guess I’m afraid I don’t have anything to say. Or that I don’t know where to go with the story. Or that it wouldn’t be any good. Blah, blah. Who knows? It’s just excuses and more excuses.
So, today I decided to sit down and try to work on a story that seemed to have promise but was so far just a 400 word summary of a story - all telling, no showing, no dialogue, really just bare bones, just an idea. Not very good at all.
That was a couple hours ago. Now that story is over 3,000 words long, with three different scenes, three new characters (not counting a handful of unnamed guards along the edges), and lots of places to go. How did that happen? How did I manage to sit in this chair for two solid hours and type out a story I had no idea what to do with when I sat down?
That’s a writing miracle of sorts, I guess. I wish it happened everyday.
The truth is, it might happen everyday if I would just make myself put in the time everyday.
Hmm…something to think about.
Posted by Selena at 01:00 PM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2006
Story at Alien Skin
My story, “Meeting of the Mages,” is now available online as part of Alien Skin’s April/May issue. It’s a light, fun piece of flash fiction.
Check it out, if you have a chance, and let me know what you think.
While you’re there, look for Keesa’s story too. It’s called “To Dance with a Hurricane.”
Posted by Selena at 07:44 AM | Comments (0)
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)
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
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
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 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)
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
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)
February 21, 2006
Column’s Up: "Choosing a Softer Answer"
My latest column, “Choosing a Softer Answer,” is up. You can check it out here.
Posted by Selena at 08:33 PM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2006
DKA Contest a Go!
Remember that contest idea that was being bounced around a couple posts ago?
Well, it’s a go.
Click over to DKA to check out the official announcement.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2006
Oh, how I love a YES!
Flashshots accepted my little story. It’s called “Questing Without Caution.” I’ll let you know when it is published. It may be a little while since it won’t even be scheduled until the end of February.
Is it wrong that I wrote and submitted it mostly to promote DKA in the bio that goes with it?
Oh, well. Their guidelines list that sort of thing as a reason to submit, since they don’t pay. So, I figure it was fair game.
I should also say that I got the idea of writing a story that included a dragon, a knight, and an angel from R.L. Copple who mentioned that he was working on such a story. (Thanks, Rick!) I’m sure that is where the similarity between our stories ends.
It’s tough to write a story of less than 100 words, especially when you’re trying to squeeze in a dragon, a knight, and an angel.
It was fun though!
Posted by Selena at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2006
More Writing Done
I actually managed to get in some more writing today. Not much, just a couple hours between processing DKA submissions and mopping up a minor flood in the basement.
At least I got a new column written and submitted. That, along with some work on the book, makes for a good writing day.
Gotta sign off now though and get some sleep.
Posted by Selena at 10:27 PM | Comments (0)
Today’s Tally
I actually got some writing done today. Yee-haw.
So far, I have worked on Water-Born for about an hour and wrote another 710 words on it. I want to get the book up to 80,000 words. I’m now about 22,000 words away from that goal. (That seems far until I remember that 55,000 words in a little over two weeks that was back in November.)
The proposal for my first book (Vatral) is still out. The publisher has had it since the end of September, but their response time is six months so I’ve got a little longer to wait and wonder and hope.
I also have a bit of flash fiction pending. I hope to hear from that market in the next few weeks.
But fretting about pending subs is not writing. So I try to just let them be out there and focus on the next thing.
Water-Born is one “next thing.” The other is a bit of micro-fiction I’m working on with Flashshots in mind. Not that they would necessarily accept it of course, but they might. Writing a story in 100 words or less is tough! But a good exercise, I think.
Also on today’s agenda is editing. This morning I proofed an upcoming story for DKA. It’s a lovely piece – gentle and beautiful and kind. There are not enough of those kinds of stories around these days, at least not for my tastes. I can hardly wait for it to be published. Publishing is almost as exciting for me as it is for the authors.
Posted by Selena at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2006
Great Review for SR at Tangent!
The Sword Review just got a GREAT review from Tangent online!
Check it out here.
Congratulations to all the authors.
[Yes, I am still anxiously awaiting DKA’s next review. Here’s hoping.]
Posted by Selena at 07:50 AM | Comments (0)
Column Up: "Saying Yes"/Must Write Now
My latest column, “Saying Yes,” is up at The Sword Review.
Check it out here.
I guess that means I better get to work on my next column.
Actually, I need to get back to writing in general. I have been spending a lot of time on other things – some important, some not. But I am trying to clear my schedule of the “not” and get back to what is important.
Posted by Selena at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2006
New Story Published at DKA
There's a great new story over at DKA!
It's "The Star Inside the Swastika" by Ben Burgis.
Cruise over and check it out!
Here's a little tease for you:
"Fritz Handler is a good son, a good friend and a good soldier. As a fighter pilot in Hitler's elite Luftwaffe, he simply wants to serve his country and follow in the footsteps of his illustrious father, a Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology who served heroically as a young man in the Great War. Fritz thinks he knows who he is and what he wants, but when he starts to hear strange and frightening voices in the skies above Poland, all of that begins to change."
It's the first one I've published as Managing Editor. It feels great.
Posted by Selena at 06:31 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
In the news…
I’ve been very busy with my new FTLOI* job but I’m, you know, loving it!
There are three stories accepted and in the works at DKA. I hope to have one published by the end of the week, and maybe another by the end of the month. So don’t forget to visit DKA frequently.
My latest column was published today. You can check it out here.
A friend pointed out this quote to me today:
"How much of your life do you spend looking forward to being somewhere else?"
- Matthew Flickstein, "Journey to the Center"
That’s worth keeping in mind. But it’s also worth noting that usually when I am wishing to be somewhere else I am wishing to be writing or working on DKA/SR.
“I’d rather be writing" – that’s my motto.
*FTLOI stands for “For the love of it" by the way.
Posted by Selena at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2006
A New Challenge
I have just been named the new Managing Editor of Dragons, Knights & Angels magazine.
I am very excited about taking on this new challenge. I just hope I do a good job. :insert nervous emoticon here:
You can check out the official announcement here.
Posted by Selena at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2006
Too Busy to Blog/DKA Review/Good Reading
Has it really been four days since I’ve blogged?
It’s been a busy week.
Here are a couple bits for you…
New DKA Review
Well, the new DKA review is out at Tangent Online. It’s not so positive. But no PR is bad PR.
Despite this second not-so-positive review from Tangent, I think DKA will continue to grow. I even think that the reviewer will eventually read something at DKA that she likes. (Probably. Hopefully.) And if not, plenty of other people enjoy the work at DKA. A review is, after all, only one person’s opinion. (No offense, Brit.)
I confess, I am trying not to be nervous about the fact that next time around Brit will be taking aim at one of MY stories.
Good Reading-Short Fiction Edition
Have I got some good reading for you!
Check out “Voices from the Void" by Mirta Ana Schultz.
It’s the winner of Sword Review’s fiction contest and my personal favorite of the many stories I have read recently.
Seriously, check it out. It is wonderful.
Posted by Selena at 09:25 PM | Comments (1)
January 15, 2006
Story Published at DKA
A story of mine has just been published over at Dragons, Knights, & Angels! I’m very excited (in case you can’t tell).
It’s called “The Miscast Spell." It’s a short, fun piece.
I’m just glad my fellow editors liked it enough to accept it for publication.
You can check it out here
And you can say how much you loved or hated it in the forums
The forum thread is worth visiting just to see how Dragon Scribe (aka Phy?) makes me sound like a celebrity in the intro. Wow.
Posted by Selena at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2006
Proofing Plus
I spent most of the day proofing the print edition of Issue #10, and let me tell you…you are in for a treat! There is great stuff in there. Two of the stories (“Music for the Soul" and “The Quiet Calling" are already available in the online version of The Sword Review. You can check them out here.
I can hardly wait for the others to be published online so everyone can see how good they are.
Also, my latest column was published today. You can check it out here
In other news:
DKA raised pay rates. I hope it will bring even more quality submissions our way. (It seems to have already had an effect.)
You can see the official announcement here
Also, you can now buy Sword Review merchandise at The Sword Review Store
I bought a hoodie sweatshirt and can’t wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Posted by Selena at 06:44 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2006
Today’s Tally
Not bad. I worked on Water-Born for two and a half hours.
And you know what’s funny? It’s kind of good.
Somehow in my memory any writing project I haven’t worked on in a while is mostly junk. I always forget how good it is. Then when I finally get back to it, the encounter goes something like this: “Hey, this isn’t bad. I wrote this? Oh, yeah, I do sort of remember writing this. It’s actually kind of good. Huh. What do you know? Maybe there is hope for me after all."
Gotta go, it’s almost time for “Lost."
Posted by Selena at 08:12 PM | Comments (0)
Not Writing
I have hardly been writing at all since November/NaNo. I’ve gotten a little done – a couple writing practices that turned out well, a few that didn’t, one column – but mostly I have been slacking off the writing thing. (Bad Selena. Bad!)
I am now at the beginning of a very lovely four days off in a row. Of course the downside of that is now I really have no excuse for not writing.
OK, technically I still have “I’m tired" and “It’s raining" and “It would probably just be dreadful anyway" but those excuses are lame. Really, all not-writing excuses are lame and ultimately self-defeating.
So, I am going to get some writing done today. (I did this at least. That’s something.) I am bribing myself with the promise of a nap this afternoon if I get make some progress on Water-Born before then. We’ll see if that works.
I will post a tally of today’s writing accomplishments at the end of the day. Having to publicly admit my failure to accomplish anything seems like it would be a really strong deterrent to slacking off.
Stay tuned…
Posted by Selena at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2006
So, you want to be a writer…
I found this link in Loriendil’s blog. It’s a great article for anyone who thinks they want to be a writer.
Check it out at http://www.committment.com/writers.htm
Yep, the "writing life" fantasy sounds nice and I wouldn't turn it down, but mostly I am in it for the writing itself.
Posted by Selena at 09:33 PM | Comments (0)
Today’s Tally
Ah, what a difference a day off makes! I feel so much better. I didn’t even mind that I ended up working from home some.
Writing is going pretty well. In the last couple days I have sent off three stories and one column. That feels good.
Sometimes I forget how much I have accomplished as a writer and I start doubting myself. So, I have a little scorecard that I keep in my pda for such times.
Here’s the current tally:
Subs pending = 5
Publications = 9
Totals Subs = 92
Wow, that is a lot of submissions. Most of them were no’s, but a 9.8% yes rate sounds like something to be proud of.
Posted by Selena at 08:41 PM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2006
A Pretty Good Day
It turned out to be a pretty good day. It was rough for the first half of so but then fate smiled and I was able go home and take a nap. Wow, what a difference that makes! I was exhausted but now I’m just tired. When is that day off again? Not quite soon enough.
I was able to get a fair amount of writing done though. I even submitted a story.
I’ve got three more that are nearly ready to go to their intended markets. I hope to get them subbed by the end of the week.
And then there’s that column I need to finish…
On the TV front – no new "Lost" yet, but "Battlestar Galatica" starts again Friday. I can hardly wait!
Well, I better get back to writing before I get too sleepy to read the screen.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 02, 2006
Coming Out of It
Maybe I am coming out of my writing funk a little because I actually did a fair amount of writing today plus some market research and other planning type things. I am formulating which story to send where next. It’s a delicate sort of matchmaking but I think I see my next few subs.
Today’s writing practice turned into a story worth typing up so I can continue to work on it. That’s a positive sign.
I have to quit avoiding my next column though or Lee is going to get me. ;) (Oh, hi Lee. Didn’t see you there.)
I’ve got a few days off soon (after a long, ugly stretch of six over-full days in a row) so hopefully I will be able to make good progress on my various writing projects by the end of the week.
Happy New Year to all!
Posted by Selena at 09:41 PM | Comments (0)
December 26, 2005
:Shhh…Selena is Hibernating:
Christmas was lovely but outside of that it has been a difficult time, at least writing-wise.
I am very discouraged with the whole writing thing. Sometimes I think that I am coming out of it, but then it hits me all over again. I hope though that I am slowly walking my way back from being fed up with writing and other writing-related activities.
Even at my most upset I knew I shouldn’t stop writing and break all writing ties just because of a couple disappointments. But that was exactly what I felt like doing. I just wanted to walk away and be done with the whole da** thing. I am glad though that so far I haven’t succumbed to the urge to throw the baby out with the bath water.
Instead I have resolved to keep writing but perhaps write only for myself for a while – i.e. not submit anything, hardly post to my blog, etc. That way I hope to regain my love of writing.
So, if you don't see me around cyberspace and you’re wondering where I am (not that you would necessarily notice or care), know that I am not gone; I am just hibernating. Maybe I’ll see you in the spring. Maybe in the new year. Only God knows.
… Quotes to walk by…
A few meditations from Morning Notes have been much in my mind this last week or so.
This quote helped me realize that I depend on other people too much, rely too heavily on them behaving/reacting in the way I want them to:
"If I don’t need anything from you, I am free to think of you in peace. The moment I want something from another person, my happiness is compromised."
This quote reminded me that God didn’t put other people in the world to meet my needs and expectations:
"No one owes me anything. No one is obliged to meet my needs. People are people. They are not sexual experiences or career support or a series of well-wishers on my daily rounds."
God put all those other people here for His own reasons, reasons that have nothing to do with me.
Plus all these other people have their own concerns, problems, passions and interests. Their lives aren’t about me. And their lives shouldn’t be.
I don’t even know why the whole thing upset me so much. Even in the moment, I knew my reaction was out of proportion. But I still haven’t been able to shake it off.
So I am keeping to myself for a while and reminding myself not to let my happiness depend on what other people do or don’t do. I am focusing on the above quotes as well as these: "What another person does has no fixed meaning. I interpret behavior as I choose. What do I want it to mean? I perceive others through either my moods or my peace."
And this from today's meditation:
“Repeatedly assessing past performance is failure to concentrate on what can be done now. Today, each time I feel even a slight stab of defeat or disappointment, I will be still and remember that God is not mistaken in loving me."
Now, that is a hopeful thought!
Posted by Selena at 07:40 PM | Comments (0)
December 09, 2005
Column’s Up
My latest column is up.
You can check it out at here.
It was the last one I had in the queue so I guess I better finish and submit the one I have been working on.
Posted by Selena at 04:35 PM | Comments (0)
December 08, 2005
Quote of the Day/Tea
“For best results – drink more tea."
Of course, this was on a sign at Teaism. (They make good chai.) The sign fits both the place and my life.
I would estimate that right now I have about ten different kinds of tea in my pantry. And that’s only if you don’t count the kinds I only have one teabag of. There is a whole cup of assorted, random tea bags next to the various boxes of tea. And I would have more, but I am trying to cut back. ;) My shopping list has several more types of tea that I am currently out of but I am trying to wait until there is more room on the shelf before buying them.
Now sipping: Celestial Seasonings Decaf Mandarin Orchard Green Tea (hot). Yum.
Posted by Selena at 07:55 PM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2005
First Bad Review
I just got my first bad review. It is kind of exciting.
It is of “The Gribbit" and it is at Tangent Online.
It’s actually my first review of any kind.
Bad review or good review, it’s still pretty cool.
Posted by Selena at 09:32 PM | Comments (2)
Too Tired
I was so asleep this morning I nearly stabbed the wrong cat.
Seriously.
I got up at 7am as usual, fed the cats then got out the insulin and syringes to give Charlie his morning shot. I filled the syringe and knelt down to stab the cat. I was petting the cat in preparation for the pinching of skin that precedes the shot then I looked down and saw that the fur was white-grey instead of black. I realized I had the wrong cat. So I moved over and gave the shot to the diabetic cat (Charlie) instead of poor, fat, but not diabetic Kathryn.
Goodness what an awful mishap that would have been! I am a bit startled and terrified at how close I came to giving an insulin shot to the wrong cat.
Let that be a lesson to you - beware of sleepy people wielding syringes.
And make sure you are fully awake before administering medications.
Posted by Selena at 09:12 PM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2005
Winter Isn’t My Season
There is an Anna Nalick lyric: "Winter just wasn’t my season." It hit home because winter has never been my season.
I hate the cold. Cold weather makes me want to hibernate, do nothing but lie in bed under a stack of quilts and sleep until spring. Too bad that is not really an option.
It is barely December and already it seems like my energy level is failing and all I want to do is sleep. At first I thought maybe I was sick, coming down with the flu or something. But then I remembered. Suddenly it all made sense. It is too cold to do anything, go anywhere.
As much as I want to hibernate, that is probably not the best thing for me. I need to start writing again; I have hardly done anything since I finished NaNo. I need to write a new column; I only have one left in the queue. I need to exercise so that when I have my cholesterol checked again in January it won’t still be too high.
How am I going to do any of that when they are predicting snow for tomorrow?
By sheer force of will and grace of God, I guess.
Posted by Selena at 09:11 PM | Comments (1)
November 29, 2005
Thought-Induced Insomnia
I was so sleepy, so tired. It seemed like sleep was mere moments away.
But there is too much running around in my head.
So finally I just gave up on the sleeping and decided to write instead – draw up a plan, jot down some ideas, brainstorm, get the thoughts down on paper so maybe my mind can be quiet and hopefully sleep some time before dawn.
Posted by Selena at 11:34 PM | Comments (0)
Column’s Up
My latest column is up at The Sword Review. You can check it out
here
Posted by Selena at 05:34 PM | Comments (0)
November 24, 2005
NaNo Day 24/Thanksgiving
Truth be told, I got most of today’s writing done between midnight and 2 a.m. as I was waiting for the bread to rise so I could bake it, then waiting for it to bake so I could go to sleep.
I really have to learn to plan this Thanksgiving thing better. Seems like I am always working the night before, always forget to thaw the bread dough ahead of time, and am always still cooking at in the wee small hours of Thanksgiving morning.
Crazy, crazy, crazy. Next time, I am just going to order from Boston Market and be done with it!
At least the early morning hours were good for NaNo.
Current Stats
Today’s tally = 1,691
Total so far = 58,110
Posted by Selena at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2005
NaNo Day 23
Between work and cooking for Thanksgiving, I hardly got any writing done.
Current Stats
Today’s tally = 478
Total so far = 56,419
Posted by Selena at 11:12 PM | Comments (0)
November 22, 2005
The Gribbit’s New Home
"The Gribbit" is now up at The Sword Review as part of their Member’s Only Bonus Features.
To see it, you will have to register and login, but hey, it’s free.
Besides, you want to be a member of SR's forum community anyway. Trust me. :)
Posted by Selena at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
NaNo Day 22
My NaNo energy is fading. :(
Current Stats
Today’s tally = 1,477
Total so far = 55, 941
Posted by Selena at 08:48 PM | Comments (0)
November 21, 2005
NaNo Day 21
It is getting hard to think of things to write. But I managed to come up with a couple new scenes and a couple ideas that I didn’t get around to today.
Current Stats
Today’s tally = 2,004
Total so far = 54,464
Posted by Selena at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)
November 20, 2005
NaNo Day 20
I’m past the 50,000 mark but I am still adding to the word count when new scenes come to me. Since the first draft is technically done, I am now mostly adding things that aren’t integral to the main arc of the book but add to the understanding of the characters or the world, and are thus still worthwhile. “Local color," I call it.
Plus, I guess part of me just doesn’t want NaNo to be over. :(
Current Stats
Today’s tally = 1,294
Total so far = 52,640
Posted by Selena at 09:46 PM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2005
Now What?
Now that Nano's done (or at least the 50,000 goal part of it), I hardly know what to do with myself.
Get caught up reading submissions, I guess.
Posted by Selena at 08:22 PM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2005
My Flashshot Day
Actually, my Flashshot Day isn’t until tomorrow (Nov 19) but the email has already gone out to Flashshot subscribers and the story is already available on the website at
http://flashshot.tripod.com/secret.htm
(Catch it quick, it will roll off in about a week as they only post the ten most recent stories.)
My Flashshot is called “The Colors Story." It’s an odd little piece; I’m glad it found a home somewhere.
Posted by Selena at 07:21 PM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2005
Nano Day 17-Done
Well, this is what I was going to write this morning:
I am in the home stretch. Let’s see if I can keep going. Problem is that the weather has turned cold and I just want to crawl back into bed and sleep under a stack of quilts.
But I have been writing practically non-stop since 7:30 am and this is what I have to say now:
I’m done! Yippee! I passed the 50,000 word mark. I have met my goal. Yippee and yeehaw! (Selena pauses to quickly backup the novel in yet another place, just in case.)
Current Stats:
Today’s tally = 5,819
Total so far = 50,146
Percent done = 100%
OK, so I know there is still much work to be done – editing, fixing, that sort of thing – but all that is for another moment. Now is the moment for celebrating.
Posted by Selena at 11:14 AM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2005
NaNo Day 16
A busy day but I still got some writing done.
Being this close to the end tends to make me very productive. It was the same way with my first book. Towards the end I built up some momentum and as I got closer and closer to my goal, it got easier and easier to just sit there at the keyboard a little longer, a few more pages, another thousand words.
Tomorrow I have a completely clear schedule so I am hoping to get a lot done, maybe as much as 5-6K.
Current Stats:
Today’s tally = 3,252
Total so far = 44,327
Percent done = 89%
It’s late. Must sleep now. Lots of novel-writing to do tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 10:53 PM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2005
Non-NaNo Quote: Breathe (2 am)
I recently happened upon a great song. It’s called “Breathe (2 am)" and it is by singer/songwriter Anna Nalick.
Here are some choice lyrics:
"2 am and I’m still awake writing a song
If I get it all down on paper it’s no longer inside of me
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I’m naked in front of the crowd
‘Cause these words are my diary screaming out loud
And I know that you’ll use them however you want to."
Artists are all the same under their chosen form – same creative impulses, same reasons why, same stumbling blocks, same fears.
Posted by Selena at 08:16 PM | Comments (0)
Nano Day 15
I am feeling a little better, but I am still sick so I didn’t get much done.
I did have one really productive writing session – 45 minutes and 1,348 words. It came out of an idea from “No Plot, No Problem."
Chris Baty said that when you get stuck you should break something - not something in real-life, something in your novel. So I killed off one of my secondary characters. She was one of those characters you love to hate. She met with a poetic death, one that her character flaws led her to. I like that in a story.
Current Stats:
Today’s tally = 2,344
Total so far = 41,075 (over the 40k mark! Woo-HOO!)
Percent done = 82%
Posted by Selena at 08:15 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2005
NaNo Day 14/Sick Day/Quote
I was sick today (some cold/flu thing) so I didn’t get as much writing done as I wanted to. It was hard to focus; my brain was stuck in slow. So the writing happened in small spurts of energy sandwiched between long naps.
I was so desperate for soup that I walked a couple blocks (after a nap of course) and paid $6 at the nearest convenience store for two cans of soup. At that price it ought to be magic bean soup, I know. But the truth is I didn’t have the energy to go anywhere else. That two-block walk never felt so far.
Besides I had to save my energy for Nano.
Here’s a scarily prescient quote from “No Plot, No Problem" by Chris Baty:
“Colds, flus, and other opportunistic viruses are the failed writers of the microbe world. They have a good story to tell, but they lack the drive, discipline, and typing appendages to get the stories down on paper. Like most stymied creative types, they’ll stop at nothing to bring down the brave few who dare to seize their dreams."
Current Stats:
Today’s tally = 2,102
Total so far = 38,731
Percent done = 77%
Posted by Selena at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)
November 13, 2005
NaNo Day 13
I got a surprising amount of writing done today.
In reading back over what I had already written, I was reminded of some secondary characters I had created then dropped after a scene or two. So, I went back and rewrote some existing (and vital) scenes from a secondary character’s perspective. I always like to hear a tale told by someone on the sidelines; it’s a whole different view. I don’t know if I’ll keep it but for today it helped me meet my word goal.
Current Stats:
Today’s tally = 2,619
Total so far = 36,629
Percent done = 73%
Posted by Selena at 09:17 PM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2005
NaNo Day 12
I couldn’t think of where to go with my story next; it felt like I was too close to the end at 30,000 words. So I decided to go back to the beginning, read through, embellish and expand. The text has been really bare bones so far, mostly dialogue and straight-forward action. It was time for some description, setting and characterization.
Current Stats:
Today’s Tally = 2,720
Total so far = 34,010
An excerpt is now available in my author profile at nanowrimo.org. Check it out if you want, just remember it’s an excerpt of a first draft. Did I mention it's a first draft? ;)
Posted by Selena at 09:16 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2005
NaNo Day 11
A crazy day, I hardly got any writing done.
My schedule’s open tomorrow though so hopefully I can make it up then.
Current Stats:
Today’s tally = 1,453
Total so far = 31,290
Posted by Selena at 09:14 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2005
NaNo Day 10
Current Stats
Today’s Tally = 3,050
Total so far = 29,837
Posted by Selena at 07:44 PM | Comments (0)
Quote of the Day-NaNo
Here’s a fun quote from “No Plot, No Problem":
No one has better encapsulated the spirit of month-long novel-writing than three-time NaNoWriMo winner Rise Sheridan-Peters, who describes her approach to writing as follows: “I don’t wait for my muse to wander by; I go out and drag her home by the hair."
Posted by Selena at 07:23 AM | Comments (0)
November 09, 2005
NaNo Day 9
I had a great idea for the novel today and that carried me through the day.
It’s funny where inspiration comes from. Years from now I’ll be re-reading my first NaNo novel and I’ll get to this section and remember – oh yeah, that’s when I was writing during November sweeps and there was a train wreck on “General Hospital."
Since my book is science fiction, the similarity ends at “train wreck in tunnel." But there it is.
Also, when in my NaNo book a character is tired or bored or unable to get anything done, it’s a pretty safe bet that I was feeling that very thing when I sat down to write.
Hey, they say “write what you know." I’m just writing what I know.
Besides, NaNo is not about quality. NaNo is about word count.
So, here’s the word count:
Today’s tally = 3,292
Total so far = 26,787
Hey, wait! I just realized that means I’m more than half-way there!
I think the novel has potential, so I do plan to go back and make it good. But that is a task for next month because THIS month, my inner editor is on a forced vacation. So there.
Posted by Selena at 08:17 PM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2005
NaNo Day 8
A busy day but I still managed to get some NaNo in.
Current Stats:
Today's tally = 1,648
Total so far = 23,495
Wow, it’s true what they say – week two is tough.
Posted by Selena at 08:28 PM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2005
NaNo Day 7
It was kind of a rough day so I didn't get as much writing done as I would have liked.
Oh well, I guess that's why it’s good to get out in front of your quota, so that when the inevitable bad day strikes it doesn't put you behind.
Today's NaNo life lesson:
It’s always good to have some extra words stashed away for a rainy day.
Current Stats:
Today's tally = 1501
Total so far = 21,847
Posted by Selena at 09:05 PM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2005
NaNo Day 6
It was a very productive day, especially considering I had lots of non-NaNo items on the agenda.
Current Stats
Today’s tally = 4052
Total so far = 20,346
Posted by Selena at 07:37 PM | Comments (0)
Column’s Up
My latest column is up. Check it out at http://www.theswordreview.com/columns.php?sub_id=99
Posted by Selena at 07:04 PM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2005
NaNo Day 5
A very productive novel-writing day!
Current Stats:
Today’s tally = a whooping 5015 words (really!)
Total so far = 16,296
Of course, tomorrow it’s back to the usual responsibilities. I hope to get at least 2000 words a day in though.
Posted by Selena at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2005
NaNo Day 4 – Addendum
OK, so I managed to sneak in another 1480 words today.
Funny how when you’re sitting there thinking you can’t possibly write, but then push past it and start writing anyway…the flow returns and you’re off and typing, so involved in the task that you lose track of time.
Current Stats
Today’s revised tally = 3849
Total so far = 11,279
Posted by Selena at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)
NaNo Day 4
I got a lot done earlier today but I just can’t get going for a second round. So, I think that since I got over 2000 words done, I’ll close it out for today.
Current Stats
Today’s tally = 2369
Total so far = 9799
Posted by Selena at 04:32 PM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2005
The Origin of Bar Fly
I really like this story because it’s one of those writing prompt stories that started with a writing prompt then sprang to life fully formed in one writing practice.
Every now and then, writing happens that way for me. A prompt or a line or an idea triggers something in the muse and suddenly we’re off and running with me typing as fast as I can to keep up.
“Bar Fly" was like that. The prompt was “Night is falling but you are not at home." Seems harmless and random enough, right? Then I had this vision of a woman sitting at a smoke-choked, noisy bar. Since she called it smoke-choked and noisy, I figured she didn’t want to be there. So the question became – why is she there? If night is falling, why isn’t she at home? (Because I would be at home.) Then I realized she was watching someone. Who? Oh, she was watching the man she loved have dinner with…Oh, he’s having dinner with his wife. Ouch and shazam that’s juicy, I thought, we’re running with that! (In some writing class somewhere, I heard that with writing you should follow a version of the old broadcasting dictum: “If it bleeds, it leads." Basically if the situation is fraught with emotion and complications, you know you’re on to something.)
And so we were off on a very productive, enjoyable writing session.
The story changed some after the original flurry of typing. For instance, the editor of Verbsap cut it quite a bit. But the story is still basically the same, and it still feels like it sprang to life fully-formed from just a simple line: “Night is falling but you are not at home."
Mysterious are the ways of the muse.
Posted by Selena at 07:13 PM | Comments (0)
NaNo Day 3
I got a lot done today, including a truly great afternoon nap. Wow, that was good sleep! I didn’t want to get up when the alarm dinged. I hit the snooze button twice. I was dreaming though about accidentally setting off the alarm in my mom’s house, crying on the phone trying to convince the police that I wasn’t a burglar who had broken in. Very weird. Don’t know where that came from! Still, it was a good nap.
Amusingly enough when I started to feel like I couldn’t write, couldn’t work, and was just staring at my computer screen uselessly, I wrote one of my characters doing the exact same thing – unable to work, staring at the screen, daydreaming, thinking “I can’t do this." That was good for a thousand words or so.
Haha. How’s that for using what you know?
Current stats:
Today’s tally = 3699
Total so far = 7430
Posted by Selena at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)
New Story Up!
“Bar Fly" is now published at “Verbsap." Check it out here.
The story is also listed on the cover page under “Flash Fiction."
I’ve been trying to break into this market for months. I submitted five stories before this one. And even this one wasn’t accepted the first go-round. I did one rewrite then the editor did another – cutting it mercilessly but well.
It’s good to see the story finally out there.
Verbsap is a great market to submit to. I’ve posted about them before. They don’t pay but they do offer valuable feedback even when they say no, which I love in a market.
Happy writing, everyone. I’ve gotta get back to NaNo.
Posted by Selena at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2005
NaNo Day 2
Today wasn’t as easy. I got a late start and had lots of distractions and interruptions.
Still I managed to get 1695 words down. Not bad. That’s over the average of 1667 that I need to make my goal.
Problem is I don’t feel inspired. I kept checking the word count to see if I could be done for the day yet. That’s not a good sign when you’re just trying to get to your daily goal so you can stop until tomorrow.
The writing seems boring and bad. But I’m keeping on and telling my inner critic to shut up and take the month off.
Current total = 3731
I have a mostly clear schedule the next three days so I’m hoping 2000-3000 or more per day for the next few. We’ll see how it goes.
I know what I need to do. I need to get up early tomorrow morning, rush over to the store, and GET SOME CHOCOLATE. Really, how can I be expected to write a novel in a month with no chocolate around?!
Posted by Selena at 08:12 PM | Comments (0)
November 01, 2005
NaNo Day 1/Quote of the Day
Today was my first day of my first NaNoWriMo and it went pretty well.
I started the day with this quote from a NaNo email by Chris Baty:
“No one in their right mind has ever accomplished anything truly great."
That’s a great quote.
NaNo Stats for today:
I managed to get 2036 words done today despite the usual responsibilities.
I did have to bat away the critic a few times. “Shut up, I don’t have time for this right now. I gotta keep writing. I can go back and fix it later." But that’s expected.
Posted by Selena at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)
October 31, 2005
Making Way for NaNo
The last few days I’ve been clearing the decks, getting ready for NaNoWriMo.
Today I submitted my next three columns so I don’t have to worry about that until after November. This weekend I finished Paladin of Souls because I knew I wouldn’t have time to read much once NaNo started. I’ve also got caught up on reading submissions, balanced the checkbook, stocked up on chocolate and other necessities, and taken care of any looming chores.
I’ve successfully cleared large chunks of my schedule. Tomorrow I begin writing my first NaNo novel. We’ll see how it goes. Wish me luck.
Posted by Selena at 09:59 PM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2005
Signed Up
Well, I did it. I signed up for my first ever National Novel Writing Month. (You can too at http://www.nanowrimo.org/).
It’s a little overwhelming. I went to the Coffee House thread Keesa (at TSR and DKA) mentioned and there were 18 pages of replies in it! I didn’t even try to read all of them, just looked for one from Keesa.
Then I noticed there were over 200 people currently online browsing the forums. Whoa! I tried to see who was online but stopped reading after a few pages.
This morning I found the total number of people currently signed up for NaNoWriMo. It’s 20,096. !!!!!
Of course by the time I’m done posting this it’ll probably be another 100 people.
Wow.
Posted by Selena at 09:30 AM | Comments (0)
Three Days Off
I have the next three days off and it’s a lovely thing.
I needed some downtime; I was getting crispy fried.
Hopefully I’ll be able to get some writing done on my mini-vacation.
Posted by Selena at 09:13 AM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2005
Reading Right Now: No Plot? No Problem
I’m currently reading No Plot? No Problem: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty, the founder of National Novel Writing Month.
The book is fun and helpful.
I can hardly wait for November.
Guess I better head over to www.nanowrimo.org and sign up. I encourage you to do the same.
Posted by Selena at 10:01 PM | Comments (0)
October 08, 2005
Debating about NaNoWriMo
I’ve been debating about whether or not to sign up for National Novel Writing Month. (Don’t know what that is? Check out http://www.nanowrimo.org/)
One of the reasons I’m considering it is that I think it may help me focus on writing instead of constantly obsess about my pending submissions.
Getting published is addictive and lately I’ve been jonesing for a yes. It’s not like it’s been all that long - a couple months for my last short story, less for that bit of flash fiction for Flashshots. Still I’m obsessed. It seems I spend more time submitting, choosing markets, checking for responses than I actually do writing. That's not good. Not only is it pathetic, it’s unsustainable. If I don’t spend time on writing I will fast run out of writing to submit.
I’m thinking NaNoWriMo may be just the thing because last year when I was working on my first novel ("Vatral") I was totally absorbed by it. I rushed home from work each day to see what would happen next in the story. It was my fun, my entertainment, the best part of my day. I didn't submit anything for almost a year and it was OK because I had bigger fish to fry.
So NaNoWriMo. Maybe.
I’m just not sure I can do it. One month isn't much and 50,000 words is a heaping lot.
Plus I have only the vaguest of ideas for the novel. I don't even have a single character. I barely know what happens. All I’ve got is an idea, a question, a possibility.
Is that enough? Don’t know. I’m still thinking.
Posted by Selena at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2005
Small Successes
Today has been a struggle and it’s not even noon yet.
So, I’m grabbing hold of today’s small successes and not letting go.
Small Success #1: an hour-long walk. That’s good exercise, something I don’t do enough of.
Small Success #2: thirty minutes of writing practice even though I didn’t feel like it. True I wrote most of it with my head down on the table next to the page, but I wrote nonetheless and that was the point.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I feel like I just want to go back to bed, sleep a while, then start the day over this afternoon. Maybe I’ll do that.
But first I’ll try a cup of caffeinated tea and more writing. Sometimes that works.
Posted by Selena at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2005
Writing Practice
You know it was a successful writing practice when you…
1) go into overtime and don’t even notice, and
2) feel compelled to type it into your computer right away so you can start editing it.
The story has promise, but it’s raw and new and needs work. We’ll see how it goes. But at least I wrote today.
So that part of my day was a success.
The eating right part? Not so much.
Well, I’ll try again tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2005
Success!
OK, so it’s really just a few small successes.
I managed to do 30 minutes of writing practice today. I’m still trying to draw the muse back to me.
Actually it did seem she was with me last night when I spent an easy, productive hour jotting down a preliminary outline for my next novel.
Sadly though, she took today off. (The writing was moderately bad overall, downright embarrassing in places.) But I wrote anyway, kept writing, in order to demonstrate my devotion.
I even worked on some columns in progress. I have to submit a new one soon but none of them feel right. Some are good but seem too risky - too potentially controversial, too personal.
Still, it was a successful day. I wrote. I was kind. I didn't buy anything. I didn't eat any junk food.
Well there was that one chocolate chip cookie...but hey I’m not going for perfect, just better.
And today I did better.
Posted by Selena at 09:29 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2005
Back to Writing
I have to get back to writing. I’ve been so caught up in my editor gigs for TSR and DKA that I’ve hardly written at all lately. That must change.
Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the editor stuff but I can’t let writing take a back-burner. It’s too important to me. Gotta put my time where my priorities are.
So today I got some writing practice in. It was so-so, but I guess it’s true what Heather Sellers says that if you take a day off from writing, your muse will take off the next three. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be muse-less and writing junk for the next few weeks. But the only way to fix that is to start writing again and keep writing until the muse returns.
I’ve still got a few subs pending, including the book proposal, so at least there’s some hope of a yes heading my way. Ah, how lovely a yes would be.
The day is grey but not yet rainy, at least not where I am.
I can’t bear to watch the news, it’s too upsetting. Just knowing what suffering is going on out there makes me want to cry. I can’t handle seeing the suffering replayed over and over on my TV.
On the plus side, “Serenity" opens Friday. I can hardly wait! A friend offered me an extra ticket to an advance screening on Monday, but I turned it down because hubby and I plan to see it on Friday and he couldn’t go on Monday. That’s true love, I guess.
Posted by Selena at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2005
Not Writing
I haven’t been writing much lately – blog or otherwise.
I’ve been very busy at my day job. Plus I’ve been busy settling into my new “For The Love of It" job at TSR, getting caught up on reading submissions and such.
But I’m off from both right now. So what excuse will I use today? The laundry? The groceries? A headache?
I did manage to do some editing and even submit a story last night. That’s something.
But I’ve really been slacking off. I have to finish that story for the TSR contest, do world-building for my NaNoWriMo novel, and write another column or two. Plus I should do some writing practice. Maybe my muse will be so excited to have my attention again that writing practice will bring forth a complete and promising story like it did last time. (Hmmm, there’s an incentive.)
Post a sign:
“You have entered an Excuse-Free Zone."
And get on with it.
Posted by Selena at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2005
Mama’s Got a Brand New Gig
I’ve got a new job. It’s not a paid position but the benefits are fantastic!
I get to read tons of sci fi and fantasy, which I love. Plus I get to provide hopefully valuable feedback to writers, as well as contribute to the success of a magazine/organization I believe in.
All that adds up to a really good gig.
That’s why I’m so thrilled to be the newest Assistant Editor at The Sword Review. Seriously I’m listed right there on the staff page.
Gotta go read more subs now.
:)
Posted by Selena at 08:13 PM | Comments (0)
Column’s Up
My latest column is up at The Sword Review (at least on the forums page, strangely not on the main page) .
You can check it out at http://www.theswordreview.com/columns.php?sub_id=74
Posted by Selena at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2005
Quote of the Day (Funny Book on Writing)
Today's Quote:
“Research trends show that Americans are tired of competent and qualified people doing things well."
To make sense of the quote you have to go to http://www.writersdigest.com/muse/brilliance.asp?archive where John Warner is talking about how he was asked to write a book on writing.
While you’re there, check out the short movie version of the book. (They call that VidLit apparently.) Here’s the link for that: http://www.vidlit.com/muse/
Hilarious!
And don’t miss the Blurb-O-Matic at http://www.writersdigest.com/muse/blurbomatic.asp
Need blurbs for your next book! John’s Blurb-O-Matic has got you covered.
My favorite: “A shimmering adventure of renegade clowns that will leave you breathless!"
The book is called “Fondling Your Muse."
An excerpt is available at http://www.writersdigest.com/muse/excerpt.asp.
ROTFL
I’m gonna have to buy this book.
I guess if people are tired of "competent...people doing things well" then maybe there is hope for me after all.
Posted by Selena at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2005
Better Day
See, it’s already a better day.
I just need to follow the sign on my computer that says “Just write. You’ll feel better."
Works every time.
A few days ago I did some free writing and came up with the beginnings of an idea for a story. Today as I was typing it into my computer, I realized the world and the story are big enough for a book. So I’m thinking of trying it for NaNoWriMo.
I’ve got a lot of background writing to do before then though – world-building, outline, character sketches. I don’t even have any characters yet! That’s bad. But there’s time.
Right now it’s just a rough idea for a world and a series of events, both current and ancient. It’s about what happens when you realize your history isn’t what you thought it was, when a society finds out its creation myths - its ways of thinking about itself and its world - are wrong. It’s also about adapting to a changing environment.
We’ll see how it goes. But for today, it’s got me inspired and entertained. And that’s good.
Posted by Selena at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2005
Today’s Big Risk
I’ve been trying to take two risks a week. Mostly they’ve been writing risks – submitting this there or that somewhere else, trying a form I’m less sure of, that sort of thing.
(Those seem like worthier risks than say walking alone late at night in a rough section of town. If I’m going to take a risk I want at least the possibility that something good will come of it. The adrenaline rush isn’t prize enough for me.)
Today’s risk is so big it counts for both of this week’s and next week’s too.
Today’s big risk was sending a proposal packet to a potential publisher re: my book. I’ve got a good feeling about it. But then I had a good feeling last time and publisher #1 said no. So, we’ll see what happens.
Either way, it’s an accomplishment. I feel proud and happy about that.
But I know that now comes the part I’m so lousy at – the waiting, the letting go, the trying not to obsess. Uggh.
At least I have a new project to occupy my time. I’m working on something for TSR’s contest. Will it be good? Maybe. Will it be fun to work on? So far it has been and it’s a safe bet that it will continue to be.
So I’m savoring the moment then I’m moving on.
Posted by Selena at 06:15 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2005
Story Away
Ah, the bliss of just having sent a story off...
Feels great.
I currently have four subs pending. Not the most ever. Not the least ever (which would be zero of course).
But it's good to always have something out there pending, something that might end in a yes.
I call that "living in hope."
Posted by Selena at 08:28 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2005
Column's Up
BTW, my latest column is up.
Click here to check it out.
Posted by Selena at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2005
A Good Writing Day
It was a good writing day. I got a lot done and have spent five plus hours on writing already today.
A couple hours ago I begrudgingly sat down to do the thirty minutes of writing practice I’ve been meaning to do for weeks. I pulled A Writer’s Book of Days from the shelf and chose a prompt.
That prompt brought forth a story that flowed so effortlessly and urgently that I couldn’t stop when the thirty minutes were up. I even had to turn down the heat on the stove so my dinner didn’t burn while I neglected it in favor of the unfolding story.
One hour later the first draft, in long hand, was done. But I couldn’t let it go yet. Instead I spent the next hour typing it into my computer so I could proof and edit it tomorrow on my pda while I’m heading back and forth to work.
The story is about magic gone wrong, but the experience of writing it has so far been magic gone right. Seriously the story sprang to life so fully-formed that I have to fight the urge to submit it somewhere right away, tonight!
Instead I’m going to do the sensible thing and look at it again tomorrow. At the very least there are probably some dreadful typos I missed. (There were several in the hand-written first draft.) Still, this story will probably demand to be submitted somewhere by the end of the week.
Sometimes, rarely, writing happens like this for me. I’m in the zone. The planets are in alignment. The muse just shoves me out of the way and takes over. Who knows exactly what it is that happens?
All I know is that it feels fantastic and I’m grateful when it happens.
Posted by Selena at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
Today’s (Writing) Tally
I finished drafting the chapter-by-chapter synopsis for my book proposal. I really started feeling the momentum towards the end. It seems that I always forget how good the book is and how it gets better and better the further in you get. At least it does for me. We’ll see if anyone else agrees.
I hope to have the proposal packet off to the next potential publisher by the end of October so I can turn my attention to NaNoWriMo. I first learned about National Novel Writing Month last year but I was already working on my first novel and didn’t want to set it aside to start a new one. Maybe this year though. It sounds like so much fun.
Also on my writing agenda…
I’m thinking about writing a short play or two about creation. I have a friend who is putting together a project and looking for such things. I’ve only written one play before, in a playwriting class in college, and I don’t like writing plays as much as short stories and novels and such. Playwriting is too collaborative for me I think. You write the thing but then this whole other bunch of people mucks around with it and makes their own art out of it. I’m not sure I like that.
Still, I’m considering it because an idea keeps hounding me. It seems like it will just keep jumping up and down and yelling at me until I finally get it down on paper.
I guess I better refresh my memory about playwriting format first though.
And that’s what’s on deck for today.
Posted by Selena at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2005
Finicky Muse
So the story I was so excited about writing yesterday? Today I’m not so sure about it. It doesn't seem very good, nothing much happens, it’s just a lot of talk.
We’ll see how I feel about it tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2005
Sneaky Muse
Today a friend asked me if I’d be interested in writing something for a project she’s working on. No, thanks, I said, I’m not interested; it’s not really the kind of thing I write.
But then on the train home, I got so involved in drafting something for her project that I missed my stop.
I guess you never know what’s gonna inspire you.
Posted by Selena at 09:45 PM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2005
Hate the Wait
Have I mentioned that I hate the wait?!?
I've got 9 subs pending.
That might even be a personal record, which is good.
What I'm not good at is the waiting part.
At least a "yes" usually takes longer than a "no." Or so they say.
So maybe someone will say yes.
Uggh.
Must learn to let go. Must learn to let go. Must learn to let go.
My OCW is taking control again. Must log out NOW!
Good night all.
Posted by Selena at 10:01 PM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2005
Good Reading-Non-Fiction Edition (Religion in Sci Fi)
I just found this article at Alien Skin and wanted to point it out to you:
"A Matter of Faith: Religion in Science Fiction"
by Rob Shelsky
It’s an interesting article.
I agree with Shelsky that religion has a place in science fiction. (One of my favorite writing accomplishments was creating an alien religion for one of my stories. But that’s probably not what he meant. ) Still, my stories do tend to have some religious elements – alien or human. But I don’t think the story should be an excuse for expounding a religious doctrine. Such stories tend to be boring and then you’ve failed on both counts.
Shelsky also talks about the idea that science and religion are incompatible. It’s a prevalent belief but not one I subscribe to. (Shelsky doesn’t say where he stands.) I don’t believe that science and religion are adversaries or that they are mutually exclusive. I believe science is man’s search to better understand God’s creation. I think science proves God’s existence not disproves it. (Stepping down off soap-box now.)
Anyway, the article's worth a look if you're interested in that kind of thing.
Posted by Selena at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)
August 06, 2005
Column's Up
Yippee, my second column is now up at The Sword Review. It'll only be on the main page today probably but you can also see it at
http://www.theswordreview.com/columns.php?sub_id=59
There are even already a couple of posts about it: click here to go to the thread.
Posted by Selena at 04:18 PM | Comments (0)
Struggling with OCW
I’m trying to keep my OCW in check.
That’s obsessive checking of the web.
Checking for responses to my stories, checking for email replies to pending submissions, checking for comments to my blog, checking for new stuff on The Sword Review - I can spend a whole day on the web and hardly realize I’ve done it.
Alright, I’m logging out now. I simply MUST get some work done today.
Don’t worry I know I’ll be back later in the day. I can only stay disconnected for so long. ;)
Posted by Selena at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)
Quote of the Day
“The only thing worse than criticism is disingenuous praise from someone who doesn’t value the kind of work you do."
-me, on why I don’t tell some people about my writing
Posted by Selena at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2005
And Two More
Also submitted two stories today.
Posted by Selena at 11:52 AM | Comments (0)
Two and Two
This week I’ve had two publications and two rejections.
Such is the writing life.
Actually that’s a really good week in the writing life.
Posted by Selena at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2005
Second Story’s Up
My second story ("The Choosing") is now published at The Sword Review.
Check it out at http://www.theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=140
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 05:43 PM | Comments (0)
August 01, 2005
Story's Up!
Story's up. Check it out at http://www.theswordreview.com/
It's called "Verid." The second story "The Choosing" is slated to go up on Wednesday.
I'm thrilled.
:Selena doing happy, published dance:
Plus there are already a couple positive responses about the story in TSR's discussion forms. Click here for the thread about "Verid." It's great to get positive feedback. And how cool is it that ALREADY two people have posted good stuff about the story?!
Yee-HAW!
Oh how I love getting published!
Posted by Selena at 06:17 PM | Comments (0)
July 31, 2005
Good Reading-On Writing Edition
The Editor’s Notebook over at Verbsap is always worth a look, but I particularly like this entry “Double Trouble."
Personally my punctuation weakness is the comma not the various versions of the quotation mark.
But it’s still funny.
Posted by Selena at 08:31 AM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2005
Proofing and Humiliation
The last couple days I’ve been proofing the two stories that are slated to appear this week at The Sword Review. (The first is scheduled to be published on Monday, the second on Wednesday.) It’s been a little humiliating.
I consider myself a good proofreader. Other people consider me a good proofreader. And really I am, just apparently not with my own work.
I have never seen so many embarrassing errors in something I’ve submitted. It’s amazing they accepted the stories for publication at all.
Particularly humiliating were the writing process notes that showed up if you looked at the document with the “show formatting" option on. Wow, those were from YEARS ago and I had no idea they were still in there somewhere.
Ah, well, a little humiliation keeps you humble I guess.
I’m making a note though…from now on I’m looking at the document with the “show formatting" on before I send it anywhere.
Live and learn.
Posted by Selena at 06:15 PM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2005
I wrote today!
I actually spent a little over 4 hours on writing today (so far). That’s pretty good for me. (Especially considering all the "avoiding the muse" I've been doing lately.)
I edited, proofed, and then submitted my next two columns. Yippee! That will give me some breathing room to work on the other two I’ve drafted that still aren’t quite right.
Plus I worked on a chapter-by-chapter synopsis for my novel. (I’ve chosen the next publisher I’m sending it to and that’s one of the things they want in the proposal packet.) I actually enjoy re-reading the novel. I am a little troubled though by all the extra commas I keep finding. (Sneaky little buggers, those commas! They multiply when I’m not paying attention.)
I even worked on a story I’ve been avoiding. I think it’s ready and I think I even know who to send it to next. This poor story has been rejected by nearly every available market, but I think I’ve finally got it right this time, that the substantial changes I’ve made have finally made it good. I guess I’ll know soon enough.
Posted by Selena at 07:55 PM | Comments (0)
WRS becomes WRSLg
I used to think the secret to success as a writer was WRS - write, revise, submit.
Now I think maybe it’s WRSLg - write, revise, submit, let go.
I’m learning as I go here.
Posted by Selena at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2005
Column’s Up
My first column was published today. (Check it out at http://www.theswordreview.com/columns.php?sub_id=54)
I’m excited but I’m also a nervous wreck waiting to see what people think.
It’s a good thing I had to work all day because if I had been home I would have spent the day constantly checking for responses.
I really have to stop obsessing so much about what other people think. It’s just not healthy.
Do all writers do this, I wonder, worry about whether or not their work is well-received, throw their work out into the world and anxiously wait to see what sound comes back?
A friend sent me this additional quote about failure:
Quote:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled; nor where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
--Theodore Roosevelt
I really like this quote. It reminds me that succeed or fail, it’s the people who are in the ring, striving day after day, that are the real heroes.
Posted by Selena at 08:51 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2005
Newer Blog
I’m having some trouble posting to this blog.
But I also now have a blog over at The Sword Review at
http://www.theswordreview.com/Forum/weblog.php?w=10&sid=1bde112957adb9327f4760b64a2c4c63
So you can visit me there until I get things worked out here.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 08:11 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2005
Letting Go
It's so hard for me to let go of stuff I've submitted. I mean “let go" in the sense of stop worrying about, stop obsessing about, stop checking my email every two minutes to see if the market has responded.
I made a deal with myself a couple days ago that I would do ten sit-ups every time I checked my email. I hoped it would deter me from the incessant check-mail cycle. Instead I had to ditch the deal when the muscle pain got so bad I was constantly popping Aleve.
Pathetic, I know.
I have to learn to submit something and then forget about it for a while, a couple months at least or however long the market's longest response time is.
I'm just not sure how I'm supposed to do that.
Posted by Selena at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2005
Avoiding the Muse - reprise
I’ve been avoiding the muse again. For days actually. And I’ve spent most of those days bored, lethargic, not feeling like doing much of anything.
The dumb thing is that once I forced myself to start writing, I enjoyed it. I felt energized and engaged.
Isn’t it funny, and yes – ridiculous, that I end up doing this dance so often?
I’m posting a note somewhere prominent that says “Just write. You’ll feel better." Why is that so hard to remember and believe in the moment?
I can be such a dope sometimes.
Posted by Selena at 08:23 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2005
Misunderstood
It is upsetting for writers when they are misunderstood.
Wait. Writing in vague, indirect generalities is what got me in trouble in the first place. I’d thought it would be gentler, less likely to offend or upset. But instead it was more likely to be misconstrued and thus more likely to offend and upset. Not at all what I had in mind.
So let me start again.
It is upsetting for me as a writer to be misunderstood, especially when it’s something I’ve written that’s been misconstrued. Because then it’s not just the upset of people believing something about me that isn’t true. Then there’s also that horrible sense of failure, knowing that I wrote badly, that I failed to accurately express my thoughts, that what my audience heard was vastly different than what I meant to say.
And that is a hard thing for a writer. It’s a hard thing for me.
Write clear or don't write at all. That’s my new motto.
But it may be a little while before I put it to use. I’m still a little pen-shy from my misstep.
I’ll just stay here for now and write to this very small audience of people who (mostly) understand me.
Posted by Selena at 07:24 AM | Comments (0)
July 09, 2005
Getting a Book Published
I’m realizing now that getting a book published is tons harder than writing one, and a whole lot less fun. I feel exhausted and overwhelmed just reading about possible markets and the process for submitting.
But I’m going to do it.
I drafted a query letter this morning. I nearly gave up several times it was so awful. But what I tell myself about writing first drafts of stories applies here too – you have to be willing to let the first draft be dreadful. If you try to make it great the first time out, you’ll likely give up and never accomplish anything. So with this, like any first draft, I’m just trying to get it all down first, then I’ll go back and make it good.
I’m actually looking forward to writing the chapter-by-chapter synopsis though because it requires that I re-read the book. That’s always a good time.
Posted by Selena at 11:26 AM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2005
Me – A Columnist?
One of my favorite sites, The Sword Review put out a call for volunteer columnists. I offered my services. Today they said yes. Seriously, there I am listed on their website. (http://www.theswordreview.com/columnDefinitions.php)
What’s weird is that instead of celebrating, I’m suddenly terrified.
Usually it’s a yes that I’m hoping for.
But now my Comfort Zone is in full-blown panic mode. What will I write? What do I have to say anyway? Will people like it? Will they be offended or just horrified at how lame my writing is?
Grrr.
I just need to get it together, tell CZ to shut the hey up, ignore him while he sulks in the corner, and submit that first column I drafted a week ago.
So that’s what’s on the agenda for today. If I can accomplish just that, it’ll be a successful day.
Edited to add:
Column subbed. Whew. I'm exhausted from the struggle. I may need to take a nap. ;)
Posted by Selena at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)
July 06, 2005
What is it about Wednesdays?
I don’t know what the problem is, but Wednesdays and I don’t seem to be getting along lately.
But at least I have tomorrow off. I hope to get a lot of writing done.
In particular, I need to figure out where to send the novel next and just do it. Poor Vatral has just been sitting lonely and rejected on the shelf. He deserves a second chance. Someone out there will love this story as much as I do. I’ve just gotta find that person.
Posted by Selena at 09:36 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2005
Ladder 49
I just watched “Ladder 49." It was great! Such a study in courage.
Kind of makes the risks I stress over, like whether to submit this story to that market, seem positively lame.
Posted by Selena at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2005
Writing Prompts
Writers are always looking for good writing prompts to jump-start their idea engine or just to use for writing practice. So I thought I’d share my favorite writing prompt sources.
The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood
A Writer’s Book of Days by Judy Reeves
WritersDigest.com at http://www.writersdigest.com/index.asp
(look for writing prompts in the right column, midway down)
Enjoy.
Posted by Selena at 06:20 PM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2005
He who hesitates…
This morning I discovered a great writing opportunity. I was so excited I jotted down ideas before I went to work and while I was on my way to work.
But tonight, I found that the opportunity is no longer there. The call for authors has disappeared from the website.
Grrr.
I guess it serves me right for not applying right away.
Or maybe God intervened because He had something better in mind.
I was praying for a sign on my way home about whether or not I should apply.
Guess I got a pretty clear sign.
Posted by Selena at 09:16 PM | Comments (0)
June 24, 2005
Living Cheap
Today I returned about $100 worth of stuff I shouldn’t have bought. I’ve got a real weakness for pretty clothes. Is there a 12-step program I can join? ;)
I’ve also recently cancelled the health club membership I rarely used and dialed down a couple other memberships to less expensive versions. I’m trying to cut my expenses so I can pay off my debts and live cheaper.
Being able to live cheap is a valuable trait for someone planning to pursue writing as a career. Wouldn't you say?
It’s all part of my master plan.
Posted by Selena at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)
June 23, 2005
Today’s Tally
I got a lot done today. I sent off a couple more submissions, bringing the total pending to ten – definitely a record. It seems I’ve been in a submitting mood lately, not so much a writing new stuff mood. But now I’m going to work on new scenes of stories started but too long neglected.
I’m trying to learn Dreamweaver but haven’t gotten very far. I did the introduction and tutorial today but didn’t find it helpful.
My main page [http://selenathomason.com/] is kind of boring design-wise right now but I guess it’s not bad for a beginner. Besides I’m a word-person not a picture-person. It’s the content not the visuals that are important to me. Still, I’d like to figure out how to do a banner at the top with a different background color, maybe find a couple cool pictures or graphics to use. But, that’s for tomorrow.
Posted by Selena at 07:39 PM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2005
Old Blog Link
For old blog entries click here http://www.selenathomason.com/bblog/
Posted by Selena at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)
Today’s Tally
Ok, so at least I didn’t waste the day. I did get a lot of writing in. I even sent off two subs. I’ve now got a total of seven subs pending. Could be a record.
Also got some new blog software, trying Movable Type this time. And here it is. What do you think?
I’ll probably post entries here and in the old blog for a while to be on the safe side. To quote “Beauty and the Beast" again – “I’ve been burned by you before." Funny how that quote works in so many contexts.
Posted by Selena at 08:29 PM | Comments (0)
Three Days Off
I have the next three days off. I’m gonna try not to waste it. By which I mean, I’m gonna try to get some writing done.
Heather Sellers says “If you take one day off writing, your muse will take the next three."
Sadly, that means I will probably be writing junk the next few days. But I’ve got to get back into it.
Posted by Selena at 05:50 PM | Comments (0)