The Busy Procrastinator

Steam Works

2012-01-19T16:37:00.000-08:00

The long awaited (at least for some of us) collection of Steampunk short stories Steam Works is live at Amazon, and I've to say, it's a fun collection of stories. Steampunk officially won a place in my heart about two years ago. Sure, I'd loved it before,without realizing it. I think I'm one of eight people still begging for dvds of the short lived The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne tv series (that's love, folks). Anyhow, back on point:

Steam Works is a short anthology of Steampunk published by Hydra Publications, but what it lacks in size is made up for in awesome. And I'm not just saying that because it contains one of my stories, "A Gun for Jebediah." No, I'm saying that because it also contains a story by my bff, and all around fan-friggin-tabulous writer, Patricia Puckett. I've read the unedited proof of the collection, and each story was enjoyable. I hope others enjoy the anthology just as much.

Evolution Vol. 1

2011-12-28T18:25:00.000-08:00

Boys and girls, before we get into the epic-deep-breath that is a New Years Resolution post, I thought I'd share a few updates with you. Not much to say concerning "new news," though I'm happy to say I've been shortlisted at a few great places, but there have been a couple book releases since last we blogged.

First up, a December e-book release sure to please ya:

Evolution Vol. 1
Edited by talented Lane Diamond
Published by Evolved Publishing (check out their facebook page)
Current E-book Price: 4.99

Official Description:

A collection of 10 short stories resulting from Evolved Publishing's first-ever Short Story Contest. Stories cross over many genres, and range from 2,000-5,000 words each.

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER was "If I Should Die," by Amanda Papenfus. 6 other stories were chosen from the almost 200 submitted.

Additionally, stories are included from 3 of Evolved Publishing's regular stable of authors: Lane Diamond, D.T. Conklin and Ruby Standing Deer.

EVOLUTION: VOL. 1 is the first in an ongoing series of semi-annual anthologies planned by Evolved Publishing.

And, boy, are they not kidding when they say Evolution Vol. 1 ranges many genres. For example, the collection kicks off with its prize-winning tale by Amanda Papenfus, a deeply moving story I'd classify as literary fiction, and then the jumps into speculative fiction soon after.

My story, "Sirius Issues," for example, is comedic science fiction. I'd say 'deep space', but, truthfully, the human characters are still in the right galaxy, just stuck in their overpriced alien condos. What's "Sirius Issues" about? Well, taxes, rebellions, drunken sex, alien landlords...the usual stuff.

You can download a copy at Smashwords or Amazon.

***

Also, amongst my newer releases is Pill Hill Press' Daily Frights 2012 (Leap Year Edition).

Official Description:

DAILY FRIGHTS 2012: 366 DAYS OF DARK FLASH FICTION (LEAP YEAR EDITION) is a 2012 flash fiction calendar anthology, with a 500 word or less short story featured for every day of the calendar year. Filled with 366 short stories, this is a fun and practical anthology designed for busy readers.

Can you honestly think of a better way to ring in the New Year? Come on! This is 366 tales, one snippet for every day--just enough to read over a cup of coffee in the morning or before you turn out the lights at night. And, at this moment, Amazon has it available for a swell 21.89 (normally, it runs 24.99). I'm not sure when the e-edition will be available, but I'll let you know as soon as it's released.

I only have one tiny contribution in this collection (though the antho is littered with so many great authors!), and it's called "Class Project." Kids, horror, Egyptian mythology: my name might as well be stamped all over that one... Oh, wait, it is. :D

December's Super Blog Post

2011-12-05T22:17:00.001-08:00

Happy holidays, everyone!

This is an exciting time of year, isn't it? Or, maybe I should just trade out the word "exciting" for "stressful." Everyone has their fair share of busy work this season, cleaning house for guests, shopping for gifts, working extra hard at their retail jobs. Usually, by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, I'm standing between a group of fussing family members, having a Clark Griswold style freak-out and giving the "Hap-Hap-Happiest Christmas" speech, cursing included.

But, Christmas isn't entirely to blame. It's almost as if we're all running about in a mad rush to finish as much as humanly possibly before the arrival of the new year. As if we can somehow defeat Father Time through our will alone. (Note: this method only seems to work during the college years, when essays are due the next morning.) Writers, of course, are not immune to the crazy.

We wrack our brains, check our graphs twice, count our filed submission emails...just to see how much work we put in over the past year. How do the stats add up? Did we put in enough effort? Should we have spent more time at the keyboard and less time watching Big Bang Theory? Should we have spent more time at a Word doc and less time on Facebook? The answer to both questions is simple: "yeah, probably." Which only adds fuel to the New Years Resolution fire... But that's a topic for another blog.

Let's get back to 2011, shall we? I can honestly say...this wasn't the best year ever. Not for my personal or professional life. And I'm not alone, which is somehow even more heartbreaking.

Had some great experiences with small publishers, though, and I also came up with a few characters I hope are going to fully come out to play next year. The "started in 'll" line-up includes a paranormal series that doesn't take itself too seriously, a kid's book that has truly tried my patience, a handful of superheroes who are simply begging me for more adventures... It's been fun. Half of me wishes I had another month in this year to work on projects, the other half just wants to start fresh in January with a full to-do list and 12 months to complete it.

~*~

Since my last update, my story "A Mind Most Desirable" has been accepted into Pill Hill Press's steampunk anthology CONQUEST THROUGH DETERMINATION. This Submission Call is still wide open, so if you'd like to give it a shot as well, please check it out here. "A Mind Most Desirable" has been one of those favorites sitting lost in my "completed stories" file, awaiting a home. It started out a hefty 13,000 words and was slowly trimmed down each reading until it hit below the 10,000 mark. Obviously, it's steampunk, with a large cast, set in England during the Victorian Era, but it's also a bit of a murder mystery at heart--I'll gladly admit, that aspect was completely inspired by my mother's love of Agatha Christie.

"A Mind Most Desirable" was also my first serious attempt at writing steampunk. My second attempt (my first accepted) was called "A Gun for Jebediah" and is due out in the soon to be released STEAM WORKS by Hydra Publications. (And I do mean soon. I'll post when the listing becomes official.)

Also, over the past month, I took part in Pill Hill Press's Shootout. Think online creative writing workshop. Authors write short stories based on prompts, then the stories are sent out anonymously for other writers to critique (also anonymous). This Shootout, the host held a contest in the final round for those with the highest scores, and I ended up winning! (Using the "Bragging Rights" part of my prize here.) Now, I've got four stories ready to go (after some editing) find new homes. If you want to participate in the next Shootout, keep an eye out at the Pill Hill Forums.

~*~

Lastly, let's talk shopping. It's December. Gifts are expensive. You probably don't have a very heavy wallet right now. Which means you're not going to put aside much money for yourself this month. So, let's talk cheap thrills, shall we. (Also, yes, self promotion.)

For those of you out of the loop, Kindle books don't require actual Kindles or e-readers of any sort. You can get the software free for your PC at Amazon.

With this in mind, there are a few ebooks that are listed at prices too good to resist. Oh, and I have stories in these.

PATENTED DNA
Kindle Price: .99
Published by Pill Hill Press, this is a collection of dark clone stories at a price that can't be beat. That's right, a whole anthology for less than a buck... Get it while you still can.

MONSTER MASH
Kindle Price: 3.99
Published by Pill Hill Press, this is a collection of horror tales where monsters of all types meet and duke it out. Come on, now, treat yourself. Your inner monster geek needs this book.

WICKED BAG OF HORROR TALES
Kindle Price: 3.99
Published by Wicked East Press, this is a collection of nine tasty, novelette-sized horror stories. For those who like a bit of meat on their bones.

Ok, let's say you don't have a couple bucks. Well, I happen to know that, through the month of December, Permuted Press is giving away free e-copies of five of their zombie books. I'm not in any of them, but I'm sure they're still great, even without me. Check them out at the bottom of their sales page, here. They also have several books for 2.99. (I plan on checking out Autobiography of a Werewolf Hunter, myself.)

~*~

Well, until next time, friends... Stay safe as you brave the malls, watch out for crazed shoppers with knifes and pepper spray, and have a bit of fun this holiday season.

Review: Idols & Cons by S.S. Michaels

2011-11-14T17:59:00.000-08:00

I first noticed the cover to Idols & Cons while lurking around Omnium Gatherum's (the publisher's) blog. Come on, it's kind of hard to ignore, right? Also, I had no clue what the paintbrush was all about, so color me intrigued. (It now makes perfect sense, btw.) I was very happy to receive an ARC of the e-book. Officially, Idols & Cons is released on November 15th, but I believe the Kindle edition might have been released today, the 14th.

Idols & Cons
By S.S. Michaels
Published by Omnium Gatherum
Available on Amazon
Goodreads

Product Description (as listed on Amazon):

Jake Wolfram is the biggest, slickest, sickest pop star of our time. Drug-dealing voyeuristic punk, Jake, is yanked from poverty and into the white-hot spotlight after witnessing a crime committed by his neighbor, Damien Tungsten, front man for the boy band, In Dreams. Jake lives life on the run, hiding in the limelight, and resenting every single minute of it. He’s relentlessly pursued by his former friend, psychopathic visual artist, Patrick Salinger, who coerces Jake into helping him turn a grisly murder into a masterpiece. Seizing control of the power he craves, Jake disposes of Damien, confronts Patrick, and lives a bad-boy rock-and-roll lifestyle as he hijacks Damien's super-stardom. But Damien's not quite ready to let it go.

In her debut novel, Michaels uses biting wit and seething satire to bring the reader behind the scenes, to an explosive world where pop music grinds up against the cutting edge of art and drugs are the fuel that ignite it.

My Review:

To say that S.S. Michaels' Idols & Cons is about sex, drugs, and pop music is completely accurate, but this book is also about three very powerful motivators: desperation, fear, and ambition. Michaels creates a set of characters, led by Jake/John, and dangles stardom over their heads like chum on a string. In return, each has no choice but to play the part of the shark.

I'll skip the summary, as you can read the product description on your own, and cut straight into the meat. Idols & Cons is told through first person, in dated entries by different characters. The format is very easy to understand, and it makes for a quick reading. I gobbled it up over two days, and enjoyed the ride immensely. The characters aren't entirely sympathetic, or even likeable, but the pacing keeps you hooked.

When I first read the synopsis for the story, I instantly wanted to see where the writer took the idea. I contacted the author about an advanced copy and received one. I knew there would likely be an intriguing murder, a cover-up, and a few thrills awaiting me. I wasn't expecting the heavy dose of despicable horrors, but I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out the story was about more than one young man getting bribed into keeping quiet about a crime.

Human depravity outdoes itself when the prized "fifteen minutes of fame" is at stake, a fact S.S. Michaels thoroughly explores. Be warned (or intrigued): the pages are littered with adult language from not-so-adult mouths, extreme drug use, sick works of art, a boy band, and the corrupting of the not-so-innocent. I recommend it for anyone who wants a glimpse of teen idols at their worst.

Making the Most of a Bad Situation

2011-10-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Undead Friends,

Several authors, myself included, received really sad news yesterday from Twisted Library Press. Due to financial obligations and the massive number of books on the "to-be-released" queue for the small press, most of their upcoming anthologies were dropped from the line-up. From my understanding, the Library will continue to publish their fantastic horror novels, as well as a few other anthologies, over the next year.

Unfortunately, that means I can no longer officially say I'm a writer at the Library. I had six short stories due out, four horror tales and two horror-comedy shorts. On the bright side, that means I now have several stories to read over and send off to new publishers. Hopefully, I'll get some bites.

If you love zombies, horror, anthologies, head over to the Library and lend them your support. Their books are available on Amazon and other sites, in e-book and print format in most cases. Their main site can be found here. If you're interested in hanging out with other zombiphiles, check out their forum here. The Library is a beloved publisher, and they could use the support.

Thanks!

"Sirius Issues" Selected for Evolved 1 Anthology

2011-10-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

While putting the finishing touches on my short novella "Seeking Sagittarius" for Wicked Bag of Suspense Tales (Wicked East Press), I received an acceptance email from Evolved Publishing. Evolved is putting together a mixed genre anthology for their short story contest finalists, and I'm thrilled to say, my quirky science fiction tale "Sirius Issues" will be one of its ten selections. Evolved 1: A Short Story Collection will feature a great range of tales. Its tentative release date is December 23, 2011, and it will be, initially, released in e-book format.

I will, of course, put up more information on the collection, and my story, closer to the release date. In the meantime, though, check out this great publisher at their Facebook page, or their main site.

Of Scaled Beasts...

2011-10-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Since the final Table of Contents are now up, I thought I'd share a couple of my recent acceptances with the blogosphere.

****
Fish

Dagan Books is publishing an anthology called Fish, which promises to be filled with tales of underwater wonder and rediscovered fish mythology. As soon as I saw the charming cover by Galen Dara, I went to work on a short story to fit the call for submissions. I'm happy to say that my story "Fish Tears" is listed in the Table of Contents. "Fish Tears" is a post-Apocalyptic glimpse at a world without rivers. And, if you know me well, the heavy dose of Egyptian mythology comes as no surprise. It was a joy to write.

The anthology is due out in February 2012. I'll be sure to post more information closer to the release date.

****
Here There Be Dragons

Wicked East Press (their submissions forum can be found here) held their first writing contest recently, and though I didn't win a prize, my story was accepted for publication in Here There Be Dragons. My tale, "A Trade of Ice," concerns an unwilling messenger sent to make a terrible trade with a great monster (hint, she has wings, scales, and fits the cover art--which was put together by the lovely Rebecca Besser). From the Table of Contents alone, I can tell this is going to be a great "gift" anthology for fans of dragons--in fact, I'm pretty certain I'll be giving my brother a copy.

I'll give you an update on the release date as soon as I have more information.

****
Random Chicken

And now for a segment I like to call "Random Chicken". Because chickens, when they appear, usually are, well, random.

This week, Patricia Louise Puckett celebrated the birth of her first niece, Madeline Rose. Congratulations to the lucky parents, Laura and Lee! She's one of the most beautiful baby girls I've ever seen, and I might just have to use her for inspiration in one of my upcoming middle reader stories, which is only fitting since she's certain to be spoiled like a princess ;)

It's Coming....

2011-09-23T23:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right, it's on its way.... NANOWRIMO 2011!

And I'm way more excited than I should be about NaNo season. Sure, I've got tons of deadlines I haven't yet met, a slew of unfinished stories in the works, a dog that needs a bath every once in a blue moon. But, come on, folks, we're talking epic NaNo word slayage! Alright, alright, so maybe I wrote over 50k in August. So, why is November somehow different? Because NaNo begs you to start anew and to join the masses as they bleed out from the forehead.

Yesterday, I chose the story I plan on writing in November. I have back-ups in case this one doesn't work out. I'd be crazy not to. But, I really hope this one develops. I'll probably take the last week in October to outline this sucka.

This will be my first time tackling the Middle Grade Reader audience, and that alone is scary, but this story has been haunting my dreams for months now. It's pleading for life.

Here 's the banner for--what I really, really hope to be one of my first completed tales in 2012--Troll for Hire.

Halloween Hell-o-ween Released

2011-09-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

"The Gourd"

So, about a year ago, I wrote and sent off a short story called "The Gourd" about a young man who fulfills his grandmother's final wish and gets to see the other, not-so-human side of Halloween. Whortleberry's Halloween antho at the time was filled, though, so the lovely Jean M. Goldstrom asked to keep it for this year's release. Well, it's finally available, if you'd wish to give it a read.

Sure, Halloween is about a month and a half away, but with so many anthologies to choose from, let's get the reading season started with the new release by Whortleberry Press: Halloween Hell-O-Ween, available at lulu.com.

"A Halloween tour of the Underworld, conducted by authors who know what they're writing about!"

Hmm, maybe I should be worried about how well I know the Underworld...

*~*~*
In Other News

I have a Kindle. Yes, ok, officially, it's a Christmas present, but I'm already using it--and loving it, by the way. Does this mean I'm an "all e-books" kinda girl now? Nope. I still love the smell of old books. And new ones. But being able to pick up an affordable copy of a new book, and try out new authors and publishers for only a couple bucks...so worth it.

Have an e-book over at Amazon you'd like me to look at? Well, advertise it in the comments. I'm always looking for new reading material.

Also, you might have noticed I haven't been as active with my short story subs as of late. That's because I've been working on a few novella projects.

Yes. I'm still working on those.

*~*~*

Flash Fiction? Yes, Please

On another note, Patricia Puckett--yes, you know her by now--has a short flash fiction piece up at Columbus Creative Cooperative's Bland to Grand Flash Fiction Writing Contest. Her story is called "Piece Of" and if you enjoy it, you should lend her your vote. And if you don't enjoy it? Well, there are several other shorties awaiting a good read. Go check it out. Or, hey, enter it yourself--I hear you win a nifty Kindle.

*~*~*

Free Read: Home Again

2011-09-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

Home Again

by A.D. Spencer

A dewy mist hung just above the ground, hugging the thin trees like over-sized skirts stopped in sway, mid-dance. Looking away from the forest and to the stop sign at my right, I realized I had been sitting a full minute at this spot, my headlights beaming out into the black, foggy woods, their white glow absorbed in the first reflective wave of moisture.

Something was watching back.

Was that why I had stayed at this stop for so long? Was I waiting for that 'something' to appear, waiting to see feet beneath the misty skirts? Or had I simply forgotten the way? It was left, I reminded myself, left down the hillside. That's where my home stood, a modest, square house with white walls and dark blue, useless shutters at the windows. It was quaint, with a nice lawn that tilted down toward the patchwork road, and a marked grave at one side, where my old German Sheppard lay buried for the past four years.

Home was to the left, three minutes away, and I flicked on my signal at long last, though no other distant, glaring lights announced another driver. Thankfully the old county road didn't see much traffic, especially at this time of night, or I would probably have been awakened from my thoughts by the blast of a horn.

I licked dried coffee off my lips, savoring how the taste mixed with my last meal, and let one hand release the steering wheel. It was tingling, numb; why was I holding onto things so tightly these days? Fingers loosened, it felt like a stranger was wiping the sleep from my eyes. I was overwhelmed, suddenly, by the need to lie in my own bed. My own, not Jared's. Never Jared's again.

Not after tonight.

"I'm getting old," I told the clock, which firmly announced that there was another half hour until midnight.

With a groan, I released the break and rolled the steering wheel, missing the curve's deep pothole by an inch. I'd have to get used to going to bed earlier again anyhow. School started back in two days, and that meant an excuse to stay out of the house for half the day and asleep for the other half. It would be a relief, even though Cassie wouldn't be in class with me anymore.

I bit my lip to stop myself from tearing up.

God, I'd miss her. My best friend, along with the rest of her family, had moved out of Moonpass. How they had managed to escape this place, I'd never know. I know what some people would say, that this was the age of technology, that she was only a text message away, but that wasn't quite true in Moonpass, in "the little-big valley." This place was my home, the only one I'd ever known, and it didn't seem odd to me that it was so disconnected, that when people moved, they didn't write back to their hometown.

It wasn't strange at all, to me. But I'd heard from others, those new people who came and went, that Moonpass was special. The funny thing was, those folks always had this look in their eye, like special wasn't the right word. Like maybe they were afraid of saying what they really thought.

I grinned, blinking tiredly. I'd eaten late, a big meal, and that always made me sleepier. After all, I was still young, I could usually stay up and greet the dawn, unlike my parents. My lips twitched. I didn't exactly enjoy going home anymore, not since staying with Jared this summer. What I hated most was that my family would probably boast. Mom and Dad might not say it, but they'd smile in a way that let me know how wrong I was about him.

And it sucked that they were right. I thought I needed a new friend after Cassie left, but Jared was no substitute. He was just too different.

The fog disappeared as I slid down my driveway, taking in the bumps of the gravel path and watching my lights spread free again. I caught it from the corner of my eye and slammed on the brakes, my heart in my throat. A shaky breath later, I realized what it had been, the slight glow of red in two perfect orbs. Eyes. Eyes watching me.

My body was tense, my jaw clenched so hard it hurt, but I hit the gas again, turning onto the cement square beside my dad's pick-up. The yellow indoor lights shined brightly out the thin curtains of my home, and I could hear the roar of chatter and the television through the walls. It was easy to spot Mom there, staring through the windshield at my face. She was holding a flat wooden box, her good utensils, the ones from the garage, under her arm. I opened my car door to the sound of her voice.

"Honey," she greeted, a sad smile on her face, "I'm so glad you came home."

"Mom. . ."

She shook her head, her tight gray bun bobbing at the motion. "Don't start now. I know how hard this was for you, but you're doing the right thing."

"Maybe."

"I'm just happy you made it in time. All your cousins are here and waiting—they're so excited about tonight."

Her arm was around me, guiding me to the trunk of my car. I slid the key into the lock with a sigh. "Jared's no good," I said, shaking my head. "Mom, he's. . ."

"Honey, you're just a bit too picky," she assured. "And you've probably forgotten what a fresh one tastes like."

The trunk popped. A soiled tarp lay over the cargo. I pulled it loose, careful not to sling blood onto my blouse. A carpet was tucked tightly around the broad-chest of the body within, the mangled head sticking out of one end, blue tennis shoes out the other.

"You're probably right, Mom. I'm sure everyone will love him."

Mom reached down into the shadows, pulling the corpse's head up into the moonlight. She smiled chidingly at its missing cheek, clicking her tongue at the sight of the facial muscles and molars beneath.

She elbowed me, "That's your problem, dear. You've never cared for soft meat."

I smiled, relieved. "So, we're ok now, Mom? You're not mad at me for staying with Jared?"

"With this harvest, we'll be just fine," she said, dropping the head back down. It thumped against the floor of the trunk and something wet slid loose. "I'm not mad, honey, though I still don't know what your friend Cassie's family is going to do—I hear the pickings are slim in Wava County. Well, we better get this inside before Robby and Tim start eating each other."

I reached down, tugging at the covered shoulder against the interior. A howl sounded in the distance, stopping me. I looked up at the hovering moon above, shining down on the black treeline, and rolled my eyes.

"Say, Mom, was that Uncle Bob on the road earlier?"

***

About the Story: "Home Again" was originally published in 2009 on Associated Content as an entry to a Halloween short story contest. The illustration above is my own.

I hope you enjoyed the tale. And if not, well, at least you didn't spend any money.

The Big Book of Bizarro Release

2011-08-07T15:53:00.001-07:00

"So, what kind of stories do you write?"

This is a question I get asked every time I see my relatives (which, granted, is only once or twice a year, so they have a perfectly legitimate reason for asking). I have a hard time answering because I honestly bounce all over the map when it comes to genre and intended audience. A sampling of my stranger, more adult friendly, work can be found in the newly (of the Brand Spankin' variety) released The Big Book of Bizarro, published by Burning Bulb Publishing and edited by Rich Bottles Jr. and Gary Lee Vincent. The Big Book of Bizarro is a whopping slice of crazy pie and can be purchased on Amazon . Instead of attempting to seduce you into a purchase, I'll let the official product description do the work for me:

“Salacious - Sacrilegious - Scatalogical - Scotomizing - Strange!” The Big Book of Bizarro brings together the peculiar prose of an international cast of the most grotesquely-gonzo, genre-grinding modern writers who ever put pen to paper (or mouse to pad), including: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD horror writers John Russo & George Kosana HUSTLER MAGAZINE erotica contributors Eva Hore & Andrée Lachapelle, and Established Bizarro genre authors D. Harlan Wilson, William Pauley III, Laird Long, Richard Godwin and so many more! From Alien abductions to Zombie sex, The Big Book of Bizarro contains OVER FIFTY STORIES of the most outrélandish transgressive fiction that you’ll ever lay your capricious and curious hands upon! WARNING: This book may be one of the most controversial and dangerous books you’ll ever read.

See, now you have to pick up a copy. And, if you do, make sure you read my story, "She Who Cleans: A Dung Sticker's Shitty Tale."

After I dig into my copy, I'll be sure to return with a proper review of what else this hefty oddity has to offer.

Take a Coffee Break

2011-08-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

Wicked East Press is currently taking submissions for Short Sips: Coffee House Flash Fiction Collection 2, but they already have 4/5 of the book filled. But if you happen to have a short tale between 500-1,500, swing by the site and see if Jessica Weiss is interested. Why submit to a 4theLove collection? Well, other than gaining exposure, you'll be sharing the TOC with several great authors. Did I mention that Patricia Puckett and I have made contributions? ;) You can check our stories, "Bad News" by Patricia and "Sammy Four-Eyes" by yours truly, when the book is released (likely by the end of the year). Come join the fun!

From the Depths of the Writing Cave

2011-07-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

It's a monstrous place where few dare to enter. Yellow ledger pads stack high against a wall of shelves. A treasure-trove of unwatched dvds sit to one side. Notebooks of gibberish lay scattered about. And, at center, the beast itself, with her machine of death.

I refer, of course, to myself and my laptop.

This is just a quick update to let you know how very sorry I am. Sorry for what, you may ask? Well, this is an apology in advance.

In the upcoming month or so, I need to work on over half a dozen new short stories, four novellas, a children's book, and a collaborative novella collection.

Then there's fanfiction. Poke fun of the fanfiction writers if you like, but Mercedes Lackey is on our team, as are several other established writers. For example, I recently discovered (thanks to Patricia ) that writer R.J. Anderson has been successfully published several times now. See, I remember Ms. Anderson from her Harry Potter fanfiction writing days. Hers were some of the first novel-length fanfiction I enjoyed. Suffice to say, I now plan on purchasing her books.

Back onto subject, yes, I intend to continue writing my fanfiction amongst all the crazy of July/August/September. Why? a.) I have too many readers. I just can't stand the thought of letting them down. b.) Writing ff keeps my mind on the game. It reminds me how to write for *characters* instead of two dimensional paper people. It keeps me focused on writing for an audience, as well. c.) It's fun. Yeah, I'm going to spend half my time daydreaming, anyhow. I might as well do something constructive with those random fandom thoughts, right?

So, in conclusion, I'm sorry. I'll probably be hiding from the world in my writing cave. Good news? I have Wi-Fi. Bad news? I probably will be an oily-haired, snarky hag by the time this write-a-thon is over and done.

Expect to receive this warning again in November, when National Novel Writing Month steals my remaining social life away.

Oh and this picture? (Disclaimer: it's not mine.) That's my inspiration for a minor character in one of my upcoming novella projects. See what I'm dealing with here?

A Midsummer Night's Influence

2011-07-16T19:20:00.001-07:00

I actually meant to mention this in an earlier blog, but, alas, I was distracted.

You know Patricia Puckett, correct? No? Seriously? Well, as she's a best friend and all, you'll be seeing her name on this blog quite often. Other than being a fantastic friend and human being, she's also a great writer. She's also probably one of the main reasons I stayed with writing all through high school and college. So, if this all goes bottoms-up, we know who to blame, don't we?

This isn't just a mindless promotion of a good buddy, though.

The Pedestal Magazine has a great July issue still out, free to view. Their theme involves Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It features Patricia's "The Captured Queens Go to Tea" as one of its fiction pieces.

Pedestal is a great zine with new monthly issues. And, for writers, they do indeed pay. Let's face it, it's hard for poets and literary writers to get a check, so we must applaud them.

So, if you have a bit of free time and you enjoy your Shakespeare, stop in and read this month's issue: http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/gallery.php?item=18300

Or, for more on Patricia's publications, visit her Yola site: http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/

Novellas Own Me

2011-07-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

I must really enjoy pain. Or else I certainly wouldn't have taken on so many projects at once.

Novellas. They are an under-appreciated breed of story, don't you think? However, with e-publishing, they seem to be a little easier to sell in e-book format. Recently, novellas have taken over my life. I'm currently working on a novella collection with a few of my fellow Guild of the Fantastic Quill members. I'm also desperately trying to complete two other novellas for upcoming contests. Then, there is, of course, the Wicked Bag challenge.

So, last year, I signed up to take part in a writing challenge with Wicked East Press and the result of the challenge was a great anthology called Wicked Bag of Horror Tales edited by Jessica A. Weiss and M.S. Gardner. My short story "Muerte in a Small Town" was included in the book. Basically, the challenge was to give a writing prompt and take one in return.

Well, the creative madness returned, and, yes, I signed up. The challenge this time around? Use a Suspense Prompt to write a novella. Despite the pile-up of novella projects, I'm actually pretty excited about this last one.

Now, I must say, this is going to be a dream come true for my mother. She has been dying for me to get more involved in the thriller/suspense/mystery genres. Here's to you, Mom.

Ahh, Writing, My Old Friend

2011-04-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

So, yes, I'm behind.

On what? Why, just about everything. And what am I currently doing? Trying to get the CW website to play last week's episode of Vampire Diaries (don't judge me). Anyhow, my point is, I actually have plans for "after" this horrid site finishes with me.

After chatting with Trish, I've decided that one of my YA stories, the one to be written in 1st person, might not require the full on outlining that I usually do for my stories. Though it's speculative fiction, it's raw and character driven. So in order to get more into the story itself, I'm going to focus on writing scenes with my FMC. Hopefully, once I get to know her, I'll get to know the world she lives in.

YA Woes

2011-04-05T15:28:00.001-07:00

When the real world becomes, in Marty McFly wisdom, too "heavy," I zone. I zone often, as you might imagine. And sometimes, zoning even gets in the way of my passion, writing. Why? Well, zoning leads to second guessing.

Currently, I'm working on several different projects. I'm making my first full out attempt to get a novel written for publication purposes. In fact, I've quite the goal in mind (inspired by my writing buddy, Trish, of course). I want a novel agent-ready by December. Sure, not an impossible task, but... We're talking about me here. I'm the girl who rewrote a first chapter nearly a dozen times because of my "second guessing."

So, here I am, formally announcing this little goal. And hoping that, by doing so, I'm not making a fool of myself.

As for the projects themselves, several of them are Young Adult. Which leads me to the subject of this fair blog entry: YA woes. I have moments, really dorktastic moments, where I stop thinking about these project entirely because I'm worried my stories have too much gore, too many curse words... Then I remember my favorite young adult novels. Almost all of them have deep, resounding themes, deal with death, deal with the monsters of both the real world and the fantasy one. And I realize that having a Young Adult audience doesn't necessarily mean that I need to take a step away from my story.

I started out as a young adult writing for myself. I was writing YA stories, whether I knew it or not. Writing YA isn't about toning down the volume. It's about cranking it up.

So, yeah, about those "woes"? Who needs them.

Hopefully, next time I blog, I'll be well into one of my projects, be it for an adult, child, or young adult audience. I try to keep you updated.

Thing I have to Keep Reminding Myself

2009-10-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

In response to Trish's post: There are some things that I have to remind myself of every once in a while. Frankly, I feel old. Even though I'm only 22. I suppose when you have at least two decades under your belt, you start to feel time passing you by. And, with age, comes the absent-mindedness.

Most of my movie/tv star crushes are becoming senior citizens in a few years. It's a harsh reality. Something I'd rather not think of. But it's true. They're going to be wrinkled and yelling for their nurses when I reach my sexual prime. Oh well--I always have DVDs of their golden years.
My "baby" brother is seventeen. That's one year away from eighteen. That's insanity. He's a baby. He's always going to be my baby. And I'll always protect him. I hate to think of how I'm going to react when I have kids who become adults.
I'm too old to Trick or Treat on Halloween. Sure, this should have hit me about a decade ago, but I've been stretching out the reality. Unless you're trick or treating with a huge group of people your age, just goofing off, 22 is just too old. At least, according to those old folks who look at you like you're there to rob them blind when you knock on their doors. I think the rules should change. I think we should trick or treat until we're at least 60--or until hip surgery is required. I miss free candy.
Healthy eating is what's best for me, not just a way to lose some weight. This is a thought that doesn't seem to cross your mind when you're a teen. And I still have to tell myself that this is true. I can't have ice cream every night. Because the consequences are just around the aging corner.
The things I still love and adore (and write fanfiction for) are old news according to the youngsters. Like Buffy and Stargate SG-1. Those are "old" shows. The way kids these days talk, you'd think I was referring to an Abbott and Costello movie. I don't care what the kiddies think. I'll continue watching my DVDs as if they were the hot new thing.
I've graduated with a BS in English. I can't believe that. Already? It's done? That was a lot faster than high school. . . Or, at least, it felt like it with all the rushed deadlines and lack of crushes. Speaking of which. . .
I have no love interest. More than just single--I mean NO love interest. What's up with that? Aren't adults allowed crushes? I'm pretty sure, or else there wouldn't be so many people around me getting married. And as hot as I think Tom Felton is, guys I'll never meet don't count. You'd think there would be some guy at the supermarket or a clerk at the gas station or an old classmate that I'd become fond of, but no. I'm crushless. I have to remind myself of this every once in a while because I was so used to smiling and dreaming of white picket fences with my crushes in middle and high school.
I'm a writer. Yeah, between cleaning the house, washing the dog, and cooking dinner, I have to remind myself that I'm still a fiction writer, as well as a freelance writer. And I couldn't be happier with those choices. I just wish life gave me more time to work, and my brain was as energetic as my chihuahau during a thunderstorm.
Most of my friends are getting married. Or at least in serious relationships where (shh, don't tell the dude) but marriage is most likely going to take place within a few years. It's a a big "wow" moment when I see all the new families being made. It's so very. . .mature. Not to say marriage is always mature (Brittany/KevinF. for example), but my friends are, and that's what is so special about them coming together with the people they love. And I also have to keep reminding myself that I'm a Maid of Honor who has to keep track of her duties!
That the world is a big place. I have to keep that in mind. It's easy to forget and begin believing that the world is small, that what matters is your job or how many calories you've consumed or who gave you the finger at Walmart. There's so much more out there. I'm a dot. I can't be seen from space, much less the neighboring universe. So much is going on at every second of the day. Sometimes, I really do forget that. I forget about people being blow up and kids starving and countries electing new officials. And sometimes I think there are people who will never realize how big the world is. Most of these people are VH1 reality show stars, I believe. . .

The Procrastination Tamer

2009-10-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, as in, lion tamer. 'Cause, frankly, procrastination can be a six-hundred pound, clawed killing machine for writers.

Readers of my fanfictions probably assume that I'm dead, but I'm not. I just wish there was a way I could tell all of them that I've been concentrating on a different spectrum of the writing world over the past few weeks: freelance.

A few weeks ago, I got my first check for writing articles. It was downright tiny compared to the work that went into it. But, I've got to say, I was glowing on the inside. I really was. Finally, after all these years, I'd gotten paid for writing something. And, obviously, a small number of people out there were reading that something.

It occurred to me that the check was a symbol of the future. While I expect the checks in months to come to get larger, and I expect also to not only be working for Associated Content but other sites as well at that time, I can't help but see what that tiny check means.

I suppose it's the same for any writer who doesn't strike it lucky the first go-around. The check means that someone can get paid for their passion. I can get paid to do what I love so much. But, if I stick to this course, the monetary payment is always going to be smaller than the work that was put into it. No matter how successful I become as an author or freelance writer, I'm always going to have to put more effort in to it. Because it's what I love. And if you love something, that's what you do.

And it'll be worth the hard times. And the lack of nifty gadgets. The possible second job that bores me to tears.

It'll be worth it to be doing what I adore.

Love means sacrifice. But the rewards are always far greater than what was given away.

So, in order for me to pursue this love, I must make that sacrifice, and the lamb will have to be my other personality, the one who can procrastinate herself out of going to the bathroom for an hour.

This procrastinator plans to be very, very busy in the months to come, as she attempts to take hold of her old faults and use them. I will continue my fanfiction. I will always be writing on my original fiction (I write on it nearly every day, I simply do not always form enough of it to post on a site or to talk about). And I will take control of my freelancing and produce the articles I need to produce to get to the next level.

Mouse Owns Slinky

2009-09-22T00:36:00.000-07:00

So, yeah, I was totally owned by a mouse tonight. See, earlier today I found the little bugger's store of my dog's food in my art supplies. A.) Gross B.) Poor Yoda, having his food taken by a mouse. Anyhow, I cleaned it out, along with its droppings. Well, in search of more droppings, I cleaned out half of my room, emptying drawers and shelves, moving baskets of stuff onto my bed to get it out of the way.

I walk into my room, forgetting that I'd left a wooden staff in the floor and stubbed my big toe, splitting the big nail. As there was blood everywhere, I had to bandage it, then tape it up to keep it sealed. So, not only has this mouse made me turn the room into a disaster area, it's also, inadvertently, caused me bodily harm.

Well, I was working on some writing as well tonight. Good stuff. Anyhow, I didn't get to finish my room (just as Mother predicted), so I realized I was going to have to sleep on the couch (also as she predicted). I get out there and she's asleep on the couch. She has work tomorrow, so I opted to not wake her. I, instead, chose to go into the other tv room and set up camp on the futon. I pulled out a couple sheets, moved my fan into the new room, and laid down. Soon enough my dog, Yoda, was whining, so I let him get into bed with me, sitting him at my feet so he could snuggle against my legs.

I'd just started to doze when Yoda shook his head. I assumed he had a flea in his ear or something, so I ignored him, drifting off again. It was at this point that I felt something small and furry scamper across my face. Across my lips. And towards my hair. It took me a split second to go from zero to ninety. I shot of the futon, throwing the creature God only knows where and spilling out a stream of shrieked oaths to the darkness.

So, I'm officially done with sleeping. I'll sleep tomorrow, in the daytime, in my bed.

Also, I plan to hunt the little bugger down tomorrow. I have named him Pettigrew. And we all know what happened to Peter, don't we, kiddies. Yeah, this war isn't over. I've got a box of poison, a bag of traps, and a jar of peanut butt that's going to work tomorrow.

You have violated me for the last time, mouse.

Slowly fading away. . .

2009-08-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

It's so hot outside. Seriously. Hot. I went to the Longest Yardsale over the weekend and my scalp is now on fire. Ouch! Fun but I think I went through about a hundred soft drinks/water bottles :) And the motel we stayed at was hellish. More on that at another time.

In other news, a quick recap of random weirdness. So I realized how much "stuff" sucks. My MP3 player was the first casualty of the summer. By now I'm used to the cars messing up so I haven't even been keeping up with my parent's vehicles' many visits to the mechanic, though the green van has spent many weeks there throughout the summer. At the dead center of the summer the family fridge broke down, then the central AC started freezing up again (as in every few hours) so it needs gassed. I find out the green station wagon that I'm supposed to start driving can't be fixed around here because I have to find a Volkswagen dealer to flash the computer before the damn thing will start--the engineering geniuses who created its anti theft system thought it would be cool to make the computer that starts the engine die if the battery is ever taken out (then hopefully the thing that was replaced on it will be working correctly). Then our washer just dies out of no where. The DVD player decides that it no longer records. Then the dryer's wheel stops spinning, and it's death is slow over a few days. And now the family microwave is making this horrible buzzing sound like it's about to explode.

You just can't rely on "stuff" anymore...

So, last Thursday, Dad walks out onto the front porch to go to work and hears a rattling sound. Turns around and what does he see but a shaking little tail. That's right, a rattlesnake on the front porch a few feet from the door. He had to go on to work, and we haven't found the bugger yet. The animals are safe, though, so don't worry about Dracula and Bart.

But I'm watching, little snake...And I hear you taste like gator meat, so beware. I am the predator!

Anyhow...

Today, I walk into my parents' bathroom for the aloe to find about twenty huge flies against their little window. Freaked me out a bit. I felt like I was in a cheap horror film. What's weird is that my parents come in this afternoon and apparently the flies were not there this morning when they were getting ready for work. And we can't figure out exactly where they came from...

I'm going to name the random little mouse in my room that I can't seem to find no matter how hard I look but who enjoys making a strange noise at three in the morning. I have a feeling it's a boy. I shall call him Sparky.

Nature is taking the house back....

I miss the dorm

2009-07-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

You know how people have special writing spots? Places that help them get into the creative mode? The dorm was mine. It was my special writing space.

My room here at my parents' house is chaotic. Or maybe my roommates just aren't as much fun here.

Plus I miss living with one of my buddies. I miss my visiting neighbors. I miss naps. :(

Home just isn't as fun.

So I have a new goal. Find a new special spot. Somewhere in my jail cell. Speaking of jail. . . That could provide a nice environment for a creative outlet. Who wants to get arrested with me?

I'm only half-kidding. Thankfully it's the half with bodily control.

Over and out until the next somewhat depressing post.

2009-07-29T15:49:00.001-07:00

Wall Symbolism in Margaret Cavendish's The Convent of Pleasure
Margaret Cavendish's The Convent of Pleasure uses the symbolic wall to explore the will of Nature as well as the grander themes of unity through separation and even unconscious personal defeat through matrimony.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2000374/wall_symbolism_in_margaret_cavendishs.html

Summer Movies and Whatnot

2009-04-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

So I was reading this article on summer movies at work, specifically at closing time for the LRC. I grabbed a pen and started to make my own comments. I do this from time to time to entertain myself. You know, snarky tidbits for no one and dialogue bubbles in the pictures. Anyhow, I thought I'd share some of my comments on these movies.

My first annoyance was that X-Men Origins: Wolverine was listed first. Then I realized that it was listed first because it is released first. My bad :) Anyhow, as someone who might have seen the movie somehow (don't ask, don't tell), I can say that this film, theoretically, won't rock my world. Especially since Gambit was there all of seven minutes and the most interesting backstory was shown in the opening credits. Sad, really, since I'd love to see these gifted brothers take on the different wars. Wolverine doesn't seem to know quite what it it; it's worth a watch, however. But it might not be worth the steep price of the theater ticket. Wait for a rental. Or wait for your favorite movie channel to buy it.

Ok, so next listed was Star Trek. I'm not a big fan of the original series (though everyone loves Spock, so there). But I do love Generation, so I have an interest in any new Star Trek movie. I'm very exited about this one. I've always been very interested in the Academy, so I can wait to see what they do with these space youngins. Should be fun! Granted, it might be a special-effects ladden eye cocaine trip with a forgetable script. But allow me my optimism. I'm hoping this one is a lot of fun, because I'm planning to see it for part of my Graduation weekend festivities.

Then there's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I don't know if I'm mentioned this today, but I LOVE FRICKIN HARRY POTTER DAMN IT! So, yeah. That's a given. I get to see more of the hottie that is Draco (though what the hell they did to his hair is beyond my comprehension), and our dearest, dearest, dearest Potion's Master. Snape rocks my socks, kiddies. He's just an excellent character. So, if Yates knows what's good for him, he won't screw this one up. I'm dying to see some of these scenes acted out "exactly" as they were written. Not by plot, mind you, I mean by character reaction. This is one of the books where we get to know some characters through very subtle behavior in trying times, so the director's skill is going to reflect whether or not he's paying attention to all the foreshadowing. Enough of that though. . .

I'll skip most of the rest of the list...such as Transformers. Sorry, guys, I can't watch this movie for fear of my eyes melting after a ten minute robot fighting scene filled with enough special effects to stretch across three Lord of the Rings films....Ugg. Not to the Lord of the Rings--I love those movies! Ugg to Transformers and the action hero that isn't--you know who you are...*cough* Shia.

So, here's a few others I find interesting....

In Public Enemies, Johnny Depp plays John Dillinger. Depp as a bad boy gangster. Hotness. Indeed, as the great Teal'c would say. I purr at the very thought. Teal'c wouldn't say that. Hee.

District 9 also sounds interesting. Peter Jackson is taking on this sci-fi South African alien story. I love anything to do with South African fantasy stories, so this one will definitely be on my mind this summer.

Now I shall return to the Star Trek movie: anyone else extremely interested in knowing what bet Spock lost that put Kirk over him? Seriously, there's almost too much unequal respect between those two. . .

My Name is Slinky, and I have a PROBLEM

2009-03-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

I really do. I do.

Ahhh...Supernatural....

Sammy
Sammy
Dean
Sammy
Sammy
Dean
Sammy
Sammy
Bobby?
WTF

Sorry, stupid little kid sing the llama song got stuck in my head.

Anyhow, through thick and thin, the fictional boy toys are there to embrace and torture.

Have you had your dose of Winchester today?

Though, in all honesty, it's not the attractive qualities of these two characters which keeps me watching. I'd probably fall in love with them if they had grunge hair and beer bellies. What keeps me coming back for more? The brotherly bond. There's something quality about sacrifice because it's so common in families. You sacrifice your needs for theirs. It's universal. And it's certainly something for the viewing audience to relate to.

Anyhow, if the blurb seemed to pointless, I hope you at least enjoyed the eye candy.

And, yes, my life is this empty.

Slinky VS the Economy

2009-02-09T22:19:00.000-08:00

I try. I really do. But sometimes, I feel like I'm single handedly trying to save the economy from destruction.

I mean, I buy more groceries than I need. I buy DVD box sets. I get friends b-day presents. I've seen two movies in a month. Oh, and, of course, I bought a new pair of the cutest little gray boots yesterday. I eat at restaurants. I just waste money all around!

I spend and I spend and the economy just doesn't pull through. *Sigh* What is a girl to do? I guess a debit card does not a super power make.

Until next time...

Welcome 2009

2009-01-05T16:47:00.001-08:00

Tis the season to watch House. We all know that Patricia and I have a television addiction. We don't actually watch live tv, but we get addicted to shows that we "must" own. Our newest must--and I say 'our' because, while I've adored House in the past, I wasn't addicted to him until Mom received seasons one and two for Christmas, and Patricia didn't watch much House at all until her mom received season four for Christmas--is...well if you haven't guessed you should just take a bullet right now. Seriously. I have no patience for dumb.

Anyhow, I just thought I'd begin my new year on that note.

I also read (and adored) Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox over the holiday. I liked the shippy draw between Holly and Artemis and the appearance of everyone's favorite demon. Overall, it was fun--check out the series, if you haven't in the past.

Resolutions? Not really: be healthy and productive. Have fun. Do something. Don't waste another year! Yeah, I waste years. I eat them for supper. They taste like chicken.

I also dislike people. Like people, neighbors, other than K and H--I really don't like them. I could do without most of them. And I really wish noobs could have their own floor. Anyhow, that's my House moment for the day. People hatin'. Sometimes I thinkI should live in a world with only, say, a dozen people allowed. Can we say "Eden".

Onward...I feel so lost without procrastination. Oh, wait, I am procrastinating: I should be writing right now... Well, I guess I can't get away for too long, can I?

Goodnight for now.

At least you're alive...

2008-12-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

My Christmas wasn't that bad, not really. Not in comparison.

Last year my mom was sick. This got me thinking. She had a bad fight with a kidney stone and suffered from infection and sepsis. She has had blood poisoning in the past. A total of four times (once within her pregnancy with my half sister, then with me, then with two of her many kidney stones). Thinking about that, and the fact that the mortality rate is around 20%, puts me on edge, but it also makes me thankful. Alive. We're alive for another holiday.

Sure, there might be crying and screaming and more crying. Let me tell you, I had to put the broom down at one point this holiday. For sake of criminal charges, I won't explain that statement more than this: don't yell at someone and not expect me to interfere. I interfere--it would be best if the person making the offensive statements wasn't around me when I have a weapon. Anyhow...onward.

My point is, no matter the depressing state, there's always that one little thing that gives you an edge: you know you're alive. If you're reading this, you're alive. You're here, even if no one else is, even if your life is falling apart around you. Alive. And, likely, well. For the moment.

So be thankful and take advantage of that. I don't seize the day. I am the day. I lay on my Roman pallet and dine on dark chocolate. I think about life. I live. I live. I live.

So there.

I hope everyone had a great holiday! But if not. Well, you know.

Let Me Lie to Myself, Please!

2008-12-08T13:11:00.001-08:00

So, I'm no longer feeling productive, just brain dead. Seriously, I spent about thirty minutes staring at the screen of my inbox, nodding my head to the rhythm spewing out of my head phones. I would love to say that my creative burst from Saturday carried on through Sunday, but it didn't. My Chaucer paper ended up a little late, but it was the best I could do. Or maybe it wasn't. Just let me lie to myself, please. Okay?

Good. We're going to get along splendidly.

I'm feeling a bit lost in my writing right now. I don't know what direction to go in or what story to finish. I suppose that's why I'm going back to my fanfiction. It really inspires me to get my writing act together. Plus, folks threatening to kill you if you don't update gets you moving.

I'm exagerating. Hunt down and beat up, yes. But no death threats. Not yet.

This week is exam week. What do I have left? Only two exams. Just two. Granted, one of them is for a class I'm very close to failing, so it's a big deal. Anyhow, at this very moment, I have enough free time to begin thinking about my Christmas holiday to-do list. It involves a lot of read and writing and cleaning. And then there's the shopping aspect. I feel awful, but I honestly don't have that many gifts for my family this year.

My friends have awesome gifts. And don't tell me to get my priorities straight, because, to me, my friends are my family. They're that important.

Let's phase out of that fluffy moment...

Regardless of the awesome gifts for my friends, I sure my family members want their damn stockings filled. So, yeah, that's at the top of my to-do.

Merry Beginning of the Pre Christmas Blogging extravaganza.

Much Love,
*Slinky*

Before Brunch

2008-12-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

Tis the season for exams and crying.

My workload is about medium level hard for this week. Not so much that the result will be hair loss, just enough that I might cry (if I fail...especially if I fail editing). This weekend I have an eight page Chaucer paper due. Later this week, I have an art exam--don't laugh at me, it's harder than it sounds--that will involve talking the talk after I've walked the walk. Go figure. I also have the dreaded Tech Editing exam. However, as far as editing goes, I believe I've done almost all the damage I can do to my final grade by turning in my comprehensive edit last week. I can only go up from there. I hope.

So, I've been a bit dead lately.

I've missed my chance to talk about the abyss that was my Thanksgiving Holiday. The food was awesome (I used a recipe for a pumpkin cheesecake with a marshmallow/sour cream topping that everyone loved). A primal part of me even enjoyed Black Friday. What wasn't fun was getting my tuition and fees bill from the university. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, UNA. It's so nice that I have to borrow and empty my account before Christmas. Really gives you the warm'n'fuzzies, doesn't it?

Over the holiday, I also found our Christmas tree out in the garage. It hasn't been used in a while, so it was hard to find under the glorious junk trove. I was happy just seeing the big green naked thing up. We didn't have a tree last year, since Mom was hospitalized. Actually, the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Years sort of didn't happen fully. I don't remember them; except, I do remember cooking for both and finding the chore way too much fun. That was it. This year there will be decorations. Just as Jigsaw has his blood, I will have my pinecones and nativity. So there.

My only problem is making sure my little chihuahua, Yoda, doesn't think that a tree means that he's outside and that it's time to drop a surprise. But let's face it, Yoda would drop a surprise on anything. Guarding the Christmas decorations from my lovable poop machine is a human sized Santa who dances and sings. Santa scared the hell out of Yoda. He also hit me in the mouth when he popped up out of his box on springs of steel. I seriously saw stars for a moment. My brother, Abe, was laughing his ass off. Then he got up to make sure I wasn't bleeding. Then he laughed his ass off again. It was all very funny. Note my enthusiasm.

A very primal part of me enjoyed Black Friday. Well, actually, it didn't. But I did go through the store with a smile on my face. I have this little devil that lives inside of me. We laugh at other people. How could you not laugh at grown adult who are fighting over vacuums and towels--seriously! I'm not kidding. I was laughing. People looked at me as if I were insane. Obviously, I should look bloodthristy, like them.

Funniest moments at Walmart came from Electronics. You know, over in the Groceries (oh, that the Powers That Be Walmart Employees could be any more mysterious). About fifteen minutes before the actual 5am kickoff, I, in Housewares, hear this insane sound. Apparently, everyone around me hears it as well. If you've ever seen a zombie movie (reference, Dawn of the Dead in front of the mall) where there's a huge mob of the undead groaning. That was the exact sound. I turn around to see the big screens in their cardboard boxes crowd surfing like rock stars over the heads of the zombies. Hilarious. Walmart employees were running from across the store, screaming that their purchases would be denied. Once again, hilarious. There was also the equivilent of a fist fight over X-Boxes that led to a major hold up in the actual Electronics section. Seriously, more people should have been laughing at themselves. Why behave like insane children in a candy shop when the sales aren't even that awesome? They act like golden apples were falling from the ceiling. Did everyone hear about the employee who was killed up in NY? Yup. Insane.

Anyhow, I rounded out the holiday by coming back to the dorms to finish up my NaNoWriMo. Because, apparently, one cannot be given time to write at their own home. I soooo look forward to writing over the X-mas holiday. I finished up with the NaNo word count goal but I really didn't get to reach a conclusion for the actual story. Maybe it will work out in the rewrite. In its present skeletal state, I really can't tell if it's going to be worth working extremely hard on or if I should post it online at FictionPress for a writing exercise.

I've invoked a pre-New Years wish to be able to update all of my fanfiction. As soon as that Chaucer paper is finish. I really, desperately want to finish some of those fictions. Believe it or not, I learn a lot about my original writing when I'm working on those works. I experiment with writing styles, flesh out characters, and play with action and setting that would take a long time to get around to in a novel sized story of my own. It's really an interesting process. And it renews my love for writing, most of all. Now that I know that, if set my mind to it, I can get around 10k written in a weekend, I also have no excuse for not updating those fanfictions.

I think that over the holidays I'll renew my love for angsty poetry. That's something to think about. I also plan on reading several books. It could happen.

Until next time,
Ariyana

The 2009 Pub Challenge

2008-11-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

Patricia told me about this interesting challenge. I'll be taking part this year. It sounds like fun:

Thanks to those 2008 Pub challenge participants who made it a great success! I hope you’ll consider joining the 2009 Pub as well. For those who didn’t participate last year but want to read more 2009 releases, join us. New members are always welcome! The challenge lasts for all of 2009.

Here are the 2009 rules:

1) Read a minimum of 9 books first published in 2009. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2009, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2008, and then published in the USA in 2009, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2009. Any questions on what qualifies? Just leave a comment here, and I’ll respond with the answer.

2) No children’s/YA titles allowed, since we’re at the ‘pub.’

3) At least 5 titles must be fiction.

4) Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.

5) You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.

6) Sign up here: http://1morechapter.com/pub/?p=1

Have fun reading your 2009 books!

I'll probably be borrowing Vampire Hunter D Volume 12: Pale Fallen Angels Part II, which is released sometime in March!

Let the blood drip from the forehead: NaNoWriMo Begins

2008-11-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

I haven't quite sweated blood yet, though my character is feeling that level of stress at the moment. I'm having fun with it this year. I got to know my characters before I began, and it's really given me a boost. I reached 10,500 last night, and it was a great feeling, only three days into the game. Plus, my school work hasn't suffered yet, so that's an added bonus.

I'm very excited about this year's story, and I've been using a few methods to keep it going on track. I didnt' get a chance to outline, though I basically knew what I needed to write for my Prologue and first chapter. I've begun outlining as I write, only one chapter ahead, so that I don't ruin the future chapters for my over-excited self.

Tonight I'm planning to pass the 12,500 mark. Here's hoping.

I'm having fun, basically. Plus I washed the dishes. I'm feeling so very productive.

I'm also extremely happy that my friends are participating as well. You can smell the fiction in the air. I feel like M. Burns: Exxxcccccelllenttt.

Excellent, indeed, crazy old man. Excellent, indeed.

NaNoWriMo: All the Cool Kids are Doin' It

2008-10-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm breaking in my blog for its first post of the NaNo season.

It's that time again. The coffee bags are sitting anxiously in my top drawer, candies await on my roomie's side of the live-in closet we call home, my laptop wallpaper is presenting a word count a day calendar for the month of November, OneNote is hosting a new folder with pre-NaNo notes...Yes, indeed, National Novel Writing Month approaches.

My project this year is an idea I had four or five years ago for a young adult novel, The Last Crusader. I'm excited. I could vomit. Character sketches, plot outlines, and writing soundtracks are all in the works this week as I prepare for a month of novel writing. I'm especially excited about this year. Not only do I have a solid idea for a story, I'm going to have several friends participating. That means the pressure to finish is on: a great thing for a struggling novelist.

So here's wishing my fellow novelists good luck. I won't promise, but I'm pretty sure the procrastinator inside will make me its whore this upcoming Nov.--which means several blog updates for my handful of readers. Actually, I'm pretty sure that handful will also be procrastinating by writing blogs about their novel writing process....

Well, happy reading...and writing, everyone

2008-10-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

Alrighty. If you think that someone might be slightly peeved with you, calling them 15 times in two days will not make it better. Especially if you're going to meet said someone face to face by the end of the week. An old associate has been calling relentlessly to talk about important things in his life and is now complaining that the answering machine has a better relationship with him that we (my roomie and I) do. If it thinks that calling that often will make us sensitive to his needs, he obviously didn't have a good relationship with us in the first place.

Why won't the madness end.

Oh, I'm sorry, the phone's ringing...Gotta go.

Procrastination Booty Call

2008-09-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

Writing under my level. I know I am. I've written better stuff. But when I try to write "good" my newest works just come off as boring. Exciting comes off as choppy. Romantic appears to be cheesy or nonexistent. I really need to get into it. Plan.

Damn. I need a new plan.

I feel like an uber villain with my failing plans. I should just spend my day as a plan writer. I could fax them to Lex Luthor with a "prepare to fail" postscript. I'd be like my own superhero, defeating villains by thinking of villainous plans. I have the touch of death for plans (and for lucky lotto tickets). This could seriously work. Anyone have the Joker's e-mail? Or for that matter Batman's? (I would so want him to pay me if I was doing his job--oops, there's my villainy peeking out again.)

The problem with plans is that they're almost like an army of Mary Sues (sorry, if I lost the non-fanficcy crowd with that reference). See plans are so damned perfect. Down to a T. And only I can ruin the plans. Or fate. Whatever. I screw up the plans with my laziness.

My procrastination.

Evil, evil dark sex-god procrastination! DAMN you, you villain. I cannot escape your sweet seduction. So here I am again, led astray into your bedroom we call blog. How could I resist you. Honestly it's too much for one woman. I might have to sleep with your brother, RPG, as well. Or at least give a booty call to your neighbor, Mr. Midnight Snack, or your drooling twin, TV.

Oh, procrastination. You're so afraid of commitment. I should really leave you for Plans and his nice I-keep-a-savings-account-and-a-running-car lifestyle. *Sigh.*

2008-09-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

Wow. Family: explain to me how we can hate and desire a concept to such extremes.

Recently, I've had baby fever. Thoughts include, "My kid isn't going to behave that way" "My kid is going to learn to ready by age three" "My kid is going to eat health food and say please and thank you" "Unlike those other kids..." No--I don't want to get pregnant any time soon, and, no, I don't have a perspective sperm-donor. However, at twenty-one, a girl starts to see her former classmates and friends elevate to the level of Mommy/Daddyhood (yes, this is frequent at twenty in my neck o' the woods), and she can't help but think "what if that was me?" Said girl realizes she has baby fever when the "what if" suddenly become a "why not. . ." I think the best way to get rid of this disease is to make sure one of my close friends provides me with a remedy within the next few years. . .Any volunteers?

Over this Labor day weekend, an ice pack was put to this resistant fever, and it came back as a puddle. Let me begin. . .

Oh, the joys of family. In your intermediate family, you'll always have conflict, but if there's one thing that will always take this conflict to a new level, it's the visit of outside family--the kinfolk who owe money, flaunt goods, push off kids, and somehow lead to fights about other family members not even included in the visit. This Labor day weekend, my grandmother and grandfather on my dad's side came down from Illinois, giving a good three day notice in which we could book a hotel a few hours away from our home (this action most likely took away three rooms from hurricane refugees in need). Anyhow, along with my seventy-something gram and gramp are the kids: my adopted aunts ages 10, 11, 14, 17 and my middle-aged uncle (thankfully the rest of the family stayed properly spread across the country). Our little klan totaled to eleven, including my parents and my 16-year-old brother. Guess who was being pulled limb from limb as baby sitter? Right. The 21-year-old. Me. The same as when I was the 15-year-old.

Note the ice-pack mentioned earlier. Funny thing is, I didn't mind it. My parents were a bit annoyed that I was stuck with this duty (especially as they were somewhat out of touch with kids with these particular...mannerisms--my brother and I were different at these ages, by far). But I didn't care. I cared about my little "aunts" falling off the steep bluff at the state park while the other adults were half a mile away at a picnic table. I cared about my brother getting pulled down the mountain with them. I cared about paying attention to kids who either get too much or too little attention due to their number or the age of their adoptive parents. I wanted to spend more time taking care of them, in fact. Ice-pack deceased.

Judging from the worn out expressions on other faces, I was perhaps the only one still wanting to take care of them, to listen, by the end of their short trip. Apparently, I don't have baby fever. I have child-in-general-teen-included fever. Perhaps this is the result of being a sort of second mom to my brother instead of an ignoring big sister with her own life.

So, conclusion? There's no doubt about it. If I'm living, I'll have a kid in the next decade. Maybe a handful of handfuls. There's no turning back now. Birth, adoption, or foster, I want to raise a little life one day, with or without help. I've always known this. What I know now is that I don't care if they turn out perfect or if they turn out to be hyperactive, mood-swinging, whining, kingy, monkey-children with three eyes and green teeth. I just want them to be kids.

Goals Down the Toilet and Other Depressing Complaints with No Relevance in the REAL World.

2008-08-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

I had a plan. I really did. It was a good plan, solid, with a schedual and dates and times. Good plan.

It was my summer plan.

The first half was dominated by visiting a dear friend for her birthday and taking on a job as co-RA in charge of an army of teenage girls (talk about gathering dramatic material). This was in the plan. Check. Fin. Done deal.

The rest of the plan. . . Well, suffice to say, it did not work out. As planned. It was simple really. I would reach a certain writing goal, a certain art goal. I would read a certain number of books, clean the house, exercise, diet, train my little brother to be a half-way decent essay writer, plan out my future. . . You know, the usual. However, these plans came to a screeching hault after about a weeks time. I have read only a handful of books. The house is a disaster zone. I have been walking every day but my diet is somewhat lacking and has not resulted in anything significant. My brother has far more interest in video games. And my future. . . It's in the future.

So I had a new plan involving the last two weeks before dorm move-in. I was going to attempt twenty-thousand words. But, before this journey began, I was going to tack the tail end onto a few of my short stories.

The every evening that this was to begin my mother became very ill and had to be rushed to a doctor. Kidney stones. Again. This is still not resolved but the infection is being dealt with and she hasn't felt that sort of pain again. The next day nature decided to add to this by giving me a tooth infection. Thank you very much, Mr. Wisdom Tooth, for the ringing ears and locked jaw. Mr. Wisdom Tooth waves at the bright new world from a somewhat sideways position and should probably be extracted, but, alas, lack of money and insurance. A few antibiotics cleared up the infection, thankfully, and I can now open my mouth again and chew "big-people" food. And now, you ask? Now writers' block. Simple.

Fine, Nature, fine. But I will not give up my planning. So there!

Here goes the planning again. To hell with the 20,000. I'm going to finish those two pieces and clean my bedroom. I'm going to get through the three books I'm in the middle of. It's getting done. And my dorm things are getting repacked.

As soon as I finish procrastinating.

A Blog is a Blog is a. . .What's a Blog?

2008-08-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

There are certain degrees of procrastination. There are also certain types of procrastinators. Some might believe that a "busy" procrastinator is one with a social life and no need to finish important deeds such as schoolwork. Not true. Busy Procrastinators are in a state of constant movement, procrastinating from one project to another. Eventually, they circle back to their first subjects of procrastination and complete them because the other tasks become anxiety-riddled messes.

Thus was born the blog.

See, the blog is essentially procrastination in a bottle. However, note the cycle of the busy procrastinator: B-Pro sighs at the oncoming research paper due in the next week. Her nature forces her to put it off to do more "research" on the paper subject. "Research" turns out to be as horrid as the paper. So she decides to be productive and write on her baby, her fiction. Well, we know where this leads. . .She decides to clean the house. "Oh, dear! Look at that mold!" She decides that she'll write a blog--"I've always wanted to write one, after all. . . " She sets up an account, and by then, the anxiety is back at critical. The nervousness she feels when setting up a blog pushes her back to the paper that's due in two days. She finishes the cycle. A task has been completed only because she procrastinated during all of her forms of procrastination. She's quite a busy procrastinator. An efficient procrastinator in her own way.

Thus was born this blog.

My account was set up about a year ago, and, from the lack of previous posts, I'm sure you get the moral of the story. But, eventually, I came back to begin anew. That's the fun part of putting something off. When you come back, you don't remember why you did what you did in the first place. It's almost like being reborn.

Fun stuff.

What does this have to do with my blog?

My fiction follows this cycle as well. Eventually, I come back to what I started. After all, a project's never really closed, is it? It's just waiting for its turn. Sometimes the hardest thing a writer can do is to deny it that turn, to write the dreaded HOLD across scribbled pages of notes. When a Busy Procrastinator is forced to make decisions to delete old works, she panics. Then she rants. Hence the purpose of this madness, the purpose of the blog.

Rant, complain. Work through the anxiety of saying goodbye and saying hello. Welcome to The Busy Procrastinator.