Much Progress

Today is a mass of hysteria and confusion as I sort out everything I need to do. Bear with me, Dear Readers. I am trying to get caught up on stuff, so this is getting posted on the late side.

This Week:
      *Reading: making slow work of Inkheart (Cornelia Funke). It a good novel and I need to soak it in. I have forgotten much of it since my last read of it.
      *Writing: wrote my OctPoWriMo poems daily (about 100 words each), Tuesday Writing Blitz (700+ words), Wednesday Writing Blitz (713 words), ROW80 post (863 words), and some NaNoWriMo prep work (its coming too fast).
      *Editing: Didn't get to editing Tuesday, but managed to get about an hour on some edits tonight. I wrote this so out of order that getting these edits and re-writes into the script is really going to take a while. But on the upside I feel I am getting a clearer story out of The Real Road Trip. Its becoming a stronger story. I have chapters now, but they feel more like sections while I sort this story out. We will see after I finish with this re-write draft.
      *Theatre Stuffs: scanned the my script (so I can print of a Lighting and Sound Technical Script tomorrow). Making sing-up sheets for make-up, and help for box office and parental guard duty. Typed up stage notes for Act 1. Much more to come....less than three weeks now!
      *House Tending: got plumber to fix leaky pipe in basement, getting a quote on a new furnace (joys of home ownership) as it appears that the furnace is shot, keeping up with laundry. Most of the dishes are now done.
      *Social Media: spending tine on Twitter, visiting 4 blogs daily from ROW80 and OctPoWriMo (at 4 for each since Sunday), and keeping up with my sponsor duties.

This (upcoming) Week:
       *Reading: continue reading Inkheart, read Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey), and start Mrs. McGinty's Body (Agatha Christie). Update my Goodreads Reading Challenge.
       *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words. Hoping to make this happen in the latter part of the week this week. Spend a little time getting character sketches done and finish a mock outline for Modern Muses for NaNoWriMo, because that starts on Sunday.
       *Editing: Spend 1 day between now and Sunday editing The Real Road Trip for an hour.
       *Blogging: post Thursday.
       *Social Media:  4 blogs daily, sponsor duties, spend time on Twitter.
       *Theatre Stuffs: report.
       *House Tending: report.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come and see what the other ROW80-ers are writing about at the Blog Hop.

HOw are your goals coming? Who is doing NaNoWriMo? Ready for November?

So much stuff and now time for a little WIPpet Wednesday!

The creation of K.L. Schwengel, where writers post a bit of their WIP on Wednesday to a Blog Hop (CLICK HERE) to visit the other WIPpeteers. By using today's date you share a snippet and give a little background on the piece. Today is 10/28 so lets do 2 + 8 = 10 paragraphs from the beginning of Modern Muses (working title). Here we meet Thalos and what was doing at the top of the novel and a little bit of Teri.

A man bounced a tennis ball against the ground as he heard shouts from the field. “That’s fifteen – love, mate.” The guy on the further end of the courts called to his partner. 

“Okay, my serve then,” and he reach up just in time to miss the ball and as he ran to catch it his laces which were now loose and sprawled out across the court. He did a tuck and roll, but still managed to bang his head on the fence.

“You okay mate?” his friend called.

“Yeah, just cracked my head that’s all.” Everyone else on the nearby courts eyes the event unfolding, some even chuckle a bit, but most turned back to what they were doing when the young man slowly stood up.

They were supposed to laugh, Thalos thought. Why didn’t they? He thought it was funny.

What people didn’t see was that the man, Thalos was laughing and moving his pointer finger as the young man had skidded into the concrete, dropping his racket as the ball went out of bounds and bumping his head. Thalos wiped tears of mirth from his eyes, “Oh that’s good…” as he mentally checked off points about the young man’s fall.

“I thought you were in charge of inspiring the lighter side of poetry, comedy, and mirth.”

“I am,” said Thalos who now stood, dropping the tennis ball into his draw string bag. “I am just sitting here minding my own business. Doing some research for one of my…um, charges.”

“Right….Thalos. You think I was born yesterday.” The voice belonged to a short and thin girl, who looked much younger than Thalos. She was certainly clean in appearance. “You’re a bum, Talo.”

He hated that nickname. It made him think of candle, “What’s it to you, Teri?” Thalos said ignoring Teri and walking past a girl who was wearing black yoga pants and a purple spaghetti strap top with some brand name store across her meager chest.

All TEH Things Wednesday

This Week:
       *Reading: finished Dead Before Dark (Wendy Corsi Staub). A very engaging story, but I was a little Inkheart (Cornelia Funke).
disappointed in the ending. It felt rushed and a little anti-climatic. Over all was a fun read though. Focusing now on
       *Writing: wrote  Monday (500+ words), Tuesday (616 words), and my ROW80 post (628 words). Also, I have written my daily poems for OctPoWriMo (about 100+ words per post).
       *Editing: spend an hour Tuesday and Wednesday on The Real Road Trip. I have about 4 chapters set . Finding the story better now. Still its like playing giant word Tetris . It's coming, albeit slowly, but it's coming. This why I need to plot more and pants less.
       *NaNoWriMo Prep: started breaking down my scenes (have 6 currently) and made a character list for Modern Muses.
       *Theatre Stuffs: sending out regular week in review emails, wrote my bios for the Golden Age of Radio Show and The Music Man. Bought a first aid kit and the glow in the dark spike tape will be delivered tomorrow. Still need a box for my stage manager stuff.
        *House tending: dishes and laundry done. Discovered a leaking pipe in the basement, just above the hot water tank. The joys of home owning and being an adult. That call will happen tomorrow to get someone to fix it. Decorated for Halloween.
        Social Media: 4 blogs daily (ROW80 and OctPoWriMo makes 8). I got most of that since Sunday and Visit at least 2 WIPpet Wednesday, as I miss that this past week. Visit my sponsor duties. Sponsor post has been submitted, will be live in November. I skipped #writestuff tweet chat to focus on the editing.

Been a good week, except I have been feeling distant. I think because I have a lot going on and my brain gets focus on one thing, and ALL TEH OTHERS get pushed to the back burner. Still, it's been a good week over all.

This (upcoming) Week:
      *Reading : continue with Inkheart and start another Agatha Christie mystery.
      *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words.
      *Blogging: post something Thursday.
      *Theatre Stuffs: report.
      *Social Media: 4 blog daily and sponsor duties.
      *House tending: carve/paint pumpkins. Bake Halloween goodies.

A Round of Words in 80 Days, the blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come and visit the Blog Hop and see what everyone is writing about, working on, or involved in.



• What are you currently reading? Inkheart (Cornelia Funke)
• What did you recently finish reading? Dead Before Dark (Wendy Corsi Staub)
• What do you think you’ll read next? Mrs. McGinty's Body (Agatha Christie) or The Faerie Path (Frewin Jones)

Today is also WIPpet Wednesday, the brain-child of K.L. Schwengel, the chief cook and bottle washer and flying monkey trainer. By using today's date I will share a bit of my WIP (working title) Modern Muses. Today's snippet is right after last week's, continuing with Teri's adventures in the dark. WIPpet math 21st day, 2 +1 = 3 +1 = 4 paragraphs.

Check out the Blog Hop to visit the other WIPpeteers and see what they are writing.

“Yes?” she said tentatively as she began to look around the darkness of wherever she was.

“I thought so. Nothing makes sense here, I should know,” the voice said, sounding neither male nor female, but was calming. Teri tried to relax some, inhaling and exhaling slowly, not sure if she was breathing or pretending to. “I know you are lost. You encountered one of them didn’t you?” Teri felt warmth surround her shoulder, or what she thought her shoulders were.

“Them?”

“So you really don’t know, then?” The voice grew closer and Teri was sure that her shoulders were real. There was pained that arched across her shoulder blades.

OctPoWriMo: Choices in Between (and everything else)

It's Wednesday and here we are again. So much to talk about and so much to report on, where to begin. Well I am excited about my Modern Muses story, so I will present my WIPpet for Wednesday. WIPpet Wednesday is the creation of K. L. Schwengel, a writer, philosopher, and guru of things writing. Go and check out her site, Dear Readers. WIPpeteers share a bit of their current WIP, using the day's date to pluck a snippet out of the everything on Wednesday.

Using today's date: 10/14/15, in whatever way I see fit. Let's see... let's do 14 lines from today's writing blitz. This is a little more from Teri's part of the story. She's has just angry someone or something and finds herself in a strange place and alone. Or is she?

There was no sign she was in her body. “Never mind,” she said to herself. “Did she say that out loud?” She wasn’t even sure. A sigh escaping her lip at her random musings in the darkness. This was turning into a mess. Nothing that Della had said had made any sense, nor has she learned anything since coming to this place. Wherever she was. What was she going to do?

First, she reckoned was to find out if she was still in her body.

“Are you looking for it?” a voice echoed in her head. Maybe she was dreaming, some sort of after effect of the Dream State, after whatever it was that attacked her in Mel’s room. “Are you looking to see if you still have a body?” the voice called again. She was sure that she heard that and that is was an actual voice.

Mostly likely I will share more of this part of the story next week. There is a lot to cover here. In the mean time go and visit with my fellow WIPpeteers and the Linky Hop List Thing, here.

Next: to play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
      Dead Before Dark (Wendy Corsi Staub). It's a modern day murder/suspense story. I love mysteries, but when I read Agatha Christie I don't get scared. They are almost full of whimsy, with murder thrown in. While with Dead Before Dark I find to be scary and puts me a little more on edge. It's a good story and keeping very engaged. But what a ride in the mean time. Also, started re-reading Inkheart (Cornelia Funke). I need a good light fantasy to offset the darker Dead Before Dark. I am also planning on watching the movie, which I have never watched. And for funsies and because I like to compare the different media forms.

• What did you recently finish reading?
     Nothing new here. The last book I did finish was Deep Time: The Glamour Chronicles (Trevor Baxendale) a doctor 12 and Clara adventure.
• What do you think you’ll read next?
    Likely I will continue with Inkspell (Funke) and maybe another Agatha Christie mystery. I have a nice sized collection of her books to read from my local Salvation Army stores.


Okay, Rounding off we have OctPoWriMo's post about choices, crossing bridges, and the what might have been, or never will be. Think of all those time you wanted to return to he past, maybe relive a memories, have a do-over. How would you feel if you had the chance? Would you?

Write for ten minutes focusing on that question.
A memory. A thin line that connects the past to the future. It's like a half formed thought the wafts through your brain. Can be stronger when the memories are strong. You can feel like to want to cross the bridge to reclaim your memories. But like anything insubstantial, is it wise to tempt fate or your memories. Are the memories better kept as memories, or should they be relived? That I am not sure of. I do know that things like spaghettios are better left a memory years later. but what of an old love? Would it best to bring up old feelings, memories? Step into them like soft slippers, wrap up in them like an old warm blanket, or would they make you fall through the cracks in the bridge, into the cold icy creek and freeze your heart to anything
new? Would you burn yourself again? Would you try for something new?

Poetry Prompt: What is on the bridge between yesterday and tomorrow?

Word Prompts: Connections, Burning Bridges, Between

Choices In between

A memory

a line thin between 

the past and the present,

much like a bridge

that carries you from

one place

to another.

Time is the same,

it is a path

a way that we travel,

carrying us from one place to another

even when we want to stay

in the comfortable

in the now

where we feel safe.

They are fickle

and

flighty.

But what of

future?

Can we stay in the past?

What if the bridge we cross

is one we can return to

a simpler time,

of happiness

and peace. 

Would you risk it?

Travel backward 

across the bridge

that once look strong and sturdy,

in a glen of light and love.

But now is marred of the encroaching darkness.

Would you risk the chance to live

for one more moment of bliss,

a chance to relive his kiss,

to ask her the question,

to feel alive? 

Would you

cross the bridge between the present and the past,

forgo the future for desires long given up?

Memory?

A fickle mistress

lay across the bridge of time

calling to us,

but is it worth it.

To give up the chance to meet Mister Right

for Mister Right Now?

Would you?

No more would you pass that up,

doomed to be lost in the past

in the dark,

when you know that the future

in all its mystery is far more exciting,

with new bridges to cross,

adventures to be had,

and lives to live.

Memory,

like a old photograph,

dusty and faded,

fine to remember, but 

really worth it to relive

the memories of the past?

What would you do?

Take the path

travel over mountains,

bridges,

and vales.

Or cross the bridge to the past

risk what you have already gained?

Finally the ROW80 check in. How did I do this week?

This week:

     *Reading:  almost half way through Dead Before Dark and started Inkheart.

     *Writing: wrote daily poems for OctPoWriMo since Sunday (about 150 word daily), ROW80 post today (about 1313 words), writing blitz today (1092 words).

     *Editing: made more progress on The Real Road Trip, 1 hour yesterday. Finally stating to get the story in the right order and clean up more of the sloppy writing from last year's NaNoWriMo. Edited and submitted my sponsor post for Round 4. A little behind, but am please with it overall.

     *Social Media: 4 blogs daily, check. Actually I did 4 ROW80 and 4 OctPoWriMo, and 4 WIPpeteers yesterday. Kept up with my sponsor duties.

     *Theatre Stuffs: got a response for the interview, two dates to ask if the director and two of the actors can be there; got my spike tape; figured out what I need for my stage manager box, mailed 50 sponsor letter yesterday.

    *House tending: did dishes, laundry, and cat litter.

This (upcoming) Week:

    *Reading: finish Dead Before Dark by next week.

    *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words.

    *Blogging: post Thursday.

    *Editing: spend time editing some of The Real Road Trip on Saturday.

    *Theatre Stuffs: report on progress.

    *Social Media: visit 4 blogs daily and sponsor duties.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come visit the Blog Hop and see what the others are up to.

How are your goals coming? Seen any new movies lately? What is your favourite number and why? Mines 42! :-) 

Also, I applaud you for swimming through this post...I need to revise how I post to all TEH things!

Whew, that was a long post....

Okay, it's that time again, first post out of the gate of Round 4 and how did I do? Well considering that I packed quite a basket of writing in this Round and some theatre too. Let's take a look...

This week (since Monday):
     *Reading: made quite a bit of progress on Deep Time (Doctor Who: The Glamour Chronicles), almost
done. Only 15 books left from reaching 50 books read for 2015.
     *Writing: wrote a poem for OctPoWriMo everyday since October 1st; wrote ROW80 post Monday, writing blitz (800 words), rough draft for ROW80 sponsor post (667 words), and ROW80 post today.
     *Theatre Stuffs: ordered ink, ready to print and mail sponsor letters, and ordered spike tape for my theatre box.
     *Social Media: visited 4 blogs (ROW80) yesterday and OctPoWriMo blogs (3 today, 3 yesterday, 4 Sunday)

This (upcoming) Week:
       *Writing: write daily, 300 words a day and finish Sponsor post.
       *Editing: work on The Real Road Trip edits Friday.
       *Reading: finish Deep Time and pick up Murder Comes Ashore.
       *Theatre Stuffs: report.
       *Social Media: 4 blogs daily, sponsor duties.
       *Blogging: post Thursday.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come and visit us at the Blog Hop.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
    Deep Time - The Glamour Chronicles by Trevor Baxendale
• What did you recently finish reading?
    The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (its been a while)
• What do you think you’ll read next?
    Either finished Murder Comes Ashore by Julie Anne Lindsey or             Dead Before Dark by Wendy Corsi Staub

It's WIPpet Wednesday. Time to share a piece of my current WIP Modern Muses on K.L. Schwengel's brain child project WIPpet Wednesdays where you take today's date and share a snippet relating to the numbers in the date. You see today 10/7 and I am going to share 7 + 2 = 9 paragraph from what I just wrote this evening. Go on and visit my fellow WIPpeteers here.

This little section is more from the trouble the Mel (the Muse of Tragedy, Melpomene) has gotten into.

“So what are you doing here?” the woman asked pulling slowly away.

“We needed a place to stay. There was, well is a threat, I thought I would visit my buddy, Dio. He has a nice place up the coast. That’s how we ended up here. This is Dio’s place.” Mel said, sounded convinced and a little cryptic.

“You think so, little one?” the woman laughed, arching her back. Mel opened his eyes and saw her, skin tight dress and blonde hair wavering in the still air. “How little you know, Muse.” Her voice changed. Mel didn’t move as she leaned back down and kissed him again forcefully. Teri was frozen as she watched this play out. Mel’s eyes grew wide and she pulled away, “Didn’t you stop to think, why your friend didn't come down to see you?” She sauntered around the sofa and came around to Mel’s other side.

Teri held her breath, trying to back up slowly. She couldn’t seem to release her mind from the Dream State, although she was more than ready moments before. Another step back, hoping that the woman wouldn’t notice her, even though she was aware that she was in a Dream State and NOT visible to anyone but Mel.

The woman again kneeled on the sofa, kicking off her stiletto heels in the process and flipping her hair back, “Never once did you think to ask, Mel. Is that right?” Mel tried to respond, but he was frozen and could only watch her movements. Teri hears his frantic mentally screaming in her head as the women kisses him again. “Who sent you?” she purred.

Mel couldn’t move, let alone speak. The women then looked up, “I can’t see you, whoever you are?” Looking right at Teri, but not seeing her she said to Teri, “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on? I am well aware, Little Muse,” she called out, “There is more than you know going on and I will not let you interfere.” 

Teri was locked in fear and stood still, “I don’t know who you are, but if you think you can stop it, you don’t really know anything. You see my sisters and I…” but she stopped. 

Teri felt herself disappear, and in her head she heard, “Don’t tell them anything?”

Then it was all gone…

Unrhymed and WIP'd!

I tried to write a rispetto, I really did. I actually got the the iambic tetrameter, but am struggling with the rhyme. The feel of the poem feels genuine, and I really don't want to lose that. Maybe it's destined to be a unrhymed rispetto. What do you think, Dear Readers? Should I try to make the rhyme happen, or just enjoy the poem I wrote. I am happy that I got the iambic tetrameter to happen. Do you ever struggle with writing a rhyming piece versus and non-rhyming piece? Do you prefer rhyme to non-rhymed?

Today is my final warm-up for OctoPoWriMo that begin tomorrow. 31 poems in 31 days! Check it out!!

I used Clavichord as my writing prompt. A Clavichord  (from dictionary.com) an early keyboard instrument producing a soft sound by means of metal blades attached to the inner ends of the keys gently striking the strings.

Where Words and Music Meet

When you prepare to write a poem

its best to try to remember 

that meter comes while on a whim

much like those melodies composed

Upon clavichords, metallic

counting the beats as they roll past.

Measures and words, from writers and

composers, are no different.

Today is also WIPpet Wednesday, brainchild of K.L. Schwengel, author extraordinaire. Every Wednesday writers share a bit of their WIP. By taking the day's date, you select a snippet to share. Still confused? Don't worry, it took me a little while to get it. See today is 9/30/2015 and by using the numbers in the date you can pick how many sentences, paragraphs, or words to share. Also, from which chapter and page (if you know that much of you WIP). Clearer now? Okay. 

Come visit my fellow WIPpeteers at the Linky List here.

How could he even get here, wherever here was? Not even sure he could speak. He’s thoughts were wild, racing about the real world. For he believe that he was not in the real world, either a dream or maybe it was the end and he finally succumbed to the pulse of the city he had fled years before.

That made something stir, memories float to the surface of his mind. He was sure that he was still himself, but who that was he wasn’t sure. Memories of his Abeula singing to him, teaching him how to play. Thos were the best of times, sitting in front of the fire after a meager dinner of rice, beans, and whatever vegetable that could be procured by the roadside markets in the middle of the night. He smiled. Was sure he was smiling, thinking about Abeula and the vegetables and the fire and the guitar. He missed her terribly, but another memory floated to the surface.

It was of anger and sadness, and a choice that he made so long ago.

There were harsh words between him and someone else. Not Abeula! She would never have made him leave. Never! Who then?

The image of the angry voice was blurry in the blackness, suddenly he felt cold. And he dropped the memory, he felt a faint warmth tip his head and nose, as it flushed through his body and he was aware of his nose, his mouth exhaling, his eyes blinking. There was dampness on his face, sweat maybe, tear. He didn’t really cry, did he?

Much to Report at Round's End

Today I did something different. The Steele Memorial Library in Elmira had a Bad Art Night. It is where you can bring your art supplies and share with others an make "Bad Art". I don't think I have the capacity to make "Bad Art", but I do love making art in any form, whether its good or bad. It was fun to make, see for yourself, Dear Readers. Also, can you guess my favourite TV show?

So, its the Last Day of the Round. Yeah, that's it...

This Week:
        *Reading: finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Agatha Christie). I read this back in college, but not since then, so the twist was a surprise. I am in awe of any mystery writer. A mystery needs to be written backwards. An heck, writing can be hard as is, but to write a story backwards. I remember when I took English Detective Fiction in college, which was where I was introduced to Ms. Christie. The big project for the semester was to write a detective story. I did it. I did do it. Hmmm...Maybe I should try writing a mystery story again, or at least pull out that long forgotten story and see if it still holds oup. Also, I dove back into Fragile Things (Neil Gaiman) and I swear his writing is just so addicting.
         *Writing: wrote Sunday (ROW80), Monday (99 word challenge), Tuesday (986 words - started a new story, based on a dream, very Twilight Zone).
         *Editing: edited a flash fiction piece for #writestuff monthly writing challenge. You can read The Birthright here, if you like.
         *Social Media: visited 4 blogs daily and my sponsor duties.

How did I measure up this Round? Well...prior to Music Man started up I was writing everyday and throughout the summer. I finished my read through of The Real Road Trip and was preparing to type up my edits, organize, and re-write the novel to prepare it for my first CP.

This month I have not done much editing. There has been much with Music Man vying for my attention. I even came up with a new schedule to accommodate my rehearsal nights. I think I am just adjusting still. Good things are on the horizon: an awesome show, Doctor Who is back on, I have a new WIP for NaNoWriMo (Modern Muses is already at 17000+ words), and a new short story (currently Top Secret Project).

I think my current problem is that the next step in revising The Real Road Trip feels daunting, and I am scared that after these edits the novel is going to suck. I need to take that fear by the horns and run with it, tackle it and give it a good cuddle. I did my read through edit and was still convinced it was a workable story back in August. What I need is to push myself. Also, I need to revise the editing goal (which I think I already did), to make the revision of draft 2 (I think that's right) complete by Halloween. I can do it, in fact I WILL DO EEET!!! Note and question to you Dear Readers, is the rough draft  technically a 1st draft? What do you consider a rough draft, versus 1st draft?

Overall, I am happy where I am with my goals and my habits at the close of Round 3. And I know where I need to be for Round 4. I have my work cut out for me though as October is OctPoWriMo and followed by November is NaNoWriMo. I want The Real Road Trip, 2nd draft complete by Halloween. Also, will continue to work off the revised schedule throughout Music Man.

WWW Wednesday!
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
     Fragile Things (Neil Gaiman(. I love the way Neil spins his stories. Oh and he has a new book out now too. Must get all the Gaiman.
• What did you recently finish reading?
    The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Christie), see above.
• What do you think you’ll read next?
    Deep Time, 12th Doctor adventures.


This (upcoming) Week:
       *Reading: finish Fragile Things (Gaiman) and start my recently purchased Deep Time (Doctor 12 adventure) before Round 4 starts.
       *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words. Refer to new goals in my new schedule.
       *Editing: type in edits, organize an outline, and and re-writes for at least an hour a day, at least three days week on The Real Road Trip. Update twice weekly.
       *Social Media: 4 blogs daily, sponsor duties, sponsor post.
       *Theatre Stuffs: report of show's progress.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Call on in and visit the Blog Hop, meet some new friends, learn a few things about writing and/or how to crochet or how to make a gluten/dairy meal. We have an eclectic group here. I love them all.

WIPpet Wednesdays, the brain child of K. L. Schwengel, where writers share a bit of their current WIPs. Using today's date to pick a snippet of said WIP, this means that the date is 9/23 and by this logic I will share 5 sentences (2 + 3 = 5 sentences). My current WIP, Modern Muses, and it's been a week since I shared anything. We left off with Teri as she was trying to get Mel's help through a Dream Form (think something like an out of body experience, but you know where you want to go), but he is just a ittle distracted.

“Mel? Are you listening to me?”

“Mmmm…” he purred to himself. Teri turned, she saw Mel lying on a fainting couch and getting a massage from a woman in a tight dress. She could feel Mel’s mind slipping away from her and she suddenly caught Mel and the woman kissing and then she was able to reach Mel’s steel walled mind and his memories previously hidden from her.

“So, I am on my own then,” as she turned away from Mel in disgust.

Go and visit the other  WIPpeteers here.

So many days all together...

Funny how fast Wednesday gets here when you miss Sunday completely. Yet here I am blogging into the late hours while eating spicy tuna rolls and edamame. It's what I do. Still trying to fully get back on the wagon with my goals. I'm pretty sure Labour Day is a cover for procrastination day.

Feeling a bit more cheered as a found my secondary story plot for Modern Muses, my current WIP. Speaking of which it is also WIPpet Wednesday. More of that in the next paragraph. I really need to change the title, its not what I want, but I am still finding out more about this story as I go. I am pretty excited that this story is probably going to be my NaNoWriMo this year and thus I have a sizable chunk started. Down side is that it is turning into a fantasy story and ultimately going to be longer. Better news is that I am focused on finding and keeping a plot.Time to finally break out of my fear of writing fantasy. The basic premise is muses in modern California battling an enemy. No spoilers here, Sweetie!

WIPpet Wednesday was created by by K.L. Schwengel the brain child and master wordsmith, whereby you take the date and use some form of math to add up to a snippet from your WIP. See, today's date is 9/9 and under this math I can share 9 paragraphs from when Mel meets the Mistress of the House. Melpomene is the muse of Tragedy and friend to Thalos thje muse of Comedy. Thalos is trying to find the library of the Master/Mistress of the House, while Mel is doing this...

Go and visit the other WIPpeteers and see what they are writing.

He could tell the voice had a distinct accent, not anything from his part of the world, nor the new lands that they had settled in. In had been hard for many of the old gods to come to a much different place. Many felt bitter and resentful, but Mel and his ancestors found a place where they could inspire a new generation of poets and playwrights. California was very different than Greece, but after a while, some two hundred years now Mel was almost use to it. It wasn’t just the muses of Greece that move here; he knew there were other clans that had staked a claim here too. The new force was definitely not local. She, at least Mel though it was a she, sounded welsh.

“Okay,” Mel put on his best charm, “Old Country or New?”

The figure laughed, “So you aren’t completely stupid, little muse. Fine, I like a good game. Old country then.”

Mel rubbed the dagger as he thought of his next move, “Male or female?”

The figure moved closer, raising a hand and swiping it across a nearby table. There appeared a tray of meats and cheeses, another of breads, a decanter of a golden liquid, and several cans of soda pop. “Female,” she said, raising her eyebrows seductively, “Want some refreshments?”

“Hmm…” Mel stood up and walked slowly to the table, fingering his dagger, “Sure, as long as you aren’t evil. So, Evil or Good?” He stood at the table and placed his right hand on the table, leaning closer to the figure and still holding the dagger in his left hand.

“Neutral.” The figure who was clothed in a tight fitting silken dress the colour if fire, leaned closer into the table placing both her on the table, “Now you.” Nodding to him.

Mel gazing into her eyes, the brightest green eyes he had ever seen, “Yes.” And pulling the dagger out of his pocket placed it on the table and let go. 

“Yes,” her voice got whispery as the woman leaned in lips brushing against his, “you would do,” kissing him firmly on the mouth.

And now...

This Week:
     *Writing: wrote Monday (ROW80 check-in), Tuesday (1000+ words/Modern Muses), and Today (791 words/Modern Muses).
     *Reading: continuing with Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Douglas Adams) and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Agatha Christie).
      *Social Media: 4 blogs daily and my sponsor duties. Cleaning up my email and promoted my friends kickstarter and fundraising efforts.
      *Blogging: posted one new post on Tuesday.



Today is also WWW Wednesday! To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
    Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. It's a Douglas Adams novels, meaning that it is a weird story, with a lot of computer and physics stuff and a plot that often meanders. But after having read ALL of the Hitchhiker's Guide, I had to try it. The characters are interesting and the plot leaves me wanting more. And because I tend to have at least three (sometimes four) books in process, I'm able to decide what I am in the mood for. Currently it is Douglas Adams.

• What did you recently finish reading?
    Invisible Moon by James A. Owen. His second Mythworld series. Now waiting for book three to be released.

• What do you think you’ll read next?
    Finish The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey). I seem to be on a mystery kick. :-)

This (upcoming) Week:
      *Reading: see above.
      *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words on Thursday and Friday on Modern Muses.
      *Editing: spend some time working on my The Real Road Trip edits and Scrivener transfer, note taking, outlining, etc.
      *Blogging: set a blogging schedule. Post a blog entry on Thursday.
      *Submissions: work on a schedule and/or plan for this. Report on progress.
      *Theatre Stuff: Props List.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. You see, you set some goal, blog twice a week about them and share your progress with the Blog Hop here.

How are things in your next of the woods, Dear Readers?

Little Bit of This and That...Labour Day and End of Summer

So much to report....

This Week:
       *Reading: I have been bouncing between my menagerie of books. Haven't finished reading anything new yet, but enjoying the progress. Currently, I am working on Invisible Moon (James A. Owen), The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Agatha Christie), and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Douglas Adams). I have recently discovered that I enjoy jumping from book to book, as it suit my mood. This sprang up from a conversation with an old friend from High School two weekends ago now about how we read books. I always marveled at her ability to read books quickly.
       *Writing: wrote Monday (650 words) and Tuesday (953 words), and will be blitzing later today on Modern Muses.
       *Editing: finished the reading through/edit of The Real Road Trip back on Friday. I am reallt please dto have made it the whole way through and even more pleased that the story is still workable. Just need some massive re-writes in the process. Enjoyed a bit of a break during the weekend. Now I start the next phase of the edits.
       *Social Media: keeping up with my sponsor duties and returning to my daily 4 blog visits. Spent a little more time on Twitter with my #writestuff tweet chat yesterday.

In the middle of all this I have to find a schedule to accommodate my upcoming rehearsal schedule. Daunted? Maybe a little. Determined? Heck yeah! I built some good habit over the summer and don't want to lose that. I am also trying to do more challenges, like the WWW Wednesdays:

What are you currently reading?
   -about 5 different novels. The one I am leaning more towards is Invisible Moon (James A. Owen). It the second in his Mythworld series about what happens when Rangarok happens in a little Upstate New York town. I don't think that was too spoilery.

What did you recently finish reading?
     -The Festival of Bones, Mythworld Book 1 (James A. Owen). What happens when ancient literature meets opera?

What do you think you’ll read next?
     -finish one of the other books I have started. Also want to revisit and finish the Inkheart series (Cornelia Finke) . I have a pending review of the movie that is just waiting to happen. I do book to movie review/analysis.

This (upcoming) Week:
     *Reading: finish reading Invisible Moon and maybe Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey).
     *Writing: write daily, at  least 300 words.
     *Editing: begin my re-write of The Real Road Trip, trying the edits re-writing all the crap, and finally organizing the chapter, maybe an outline too. To be completed by the end of September.
      *Blogging: missed my Tuesday blog day, so this week will be Thursday. 1 non-ROW80 post. Also blog about goal progress in August and September goals.
      *Submissions: 2 new submissions and report on the progress.
      *Social Media:  visit 4 blogs daily and sponsor goals. Thinking of being a sponsor for Round 4.

Music Man read through is next week. Got to work on a props list. Revise my schedule to account for rehearsals and writing/editing time. Prep for NaNoWriMo in November. Post more spoke word to my YouTube channel (as it hasn't gotten a lot of love in the last year). Prepare for OctPoWriMo in October. Also, enjoy the End of Summer.

How are your goals, Dear Readers? What have you been up to as the summer is winding down?

A Round of Words in 80 Days, a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Stop in the Blog Hop to visit my fellow bloggers/writers.

It's also, WIPpet Wednesday. The day we post a snippet of our WIP. Created by K.L. Schwengel. YOu take today's date and used the NEW MATH to get a snippet of your WIP and share with the interwebs. Visit my fellow WIPpeteers here. Today's date is 9/2/2015. Going to make it simple 9+2=11 lines from
Modern Muses.

We find Thalos calling on Teri and she arrives via a dream form...

“Guess I am hearing things now.”

“No, you’re not,” the voice came again, sounding closer.

“Teri?” Thalos called, but when he looked up he didn’t see anyone or anything.

“You called?” Teri’s voice filled his ears.

“Did I?”

“I heard to whisper my name. Then you said something. I then found myself here” 

“What was that,” he said to the emptiness that was the study and to the direction that Teri voice had come from. He closed his eyes and thought about Teri, her shape, hair colour, her smell.

“Talo, it’s me.” The voice was stronger now and he saw through his closed eyes Teri’ small frame standing near the fire. “Come here, but don’t open your eyes too fast.”

“I how can I do that and not trip over chairs and mediaeval armour?”

“It seems to work better when you close your eyes. Relax . Then slowly open your eyes.” Easier said that done, Thalos thought to himself. “I am glad you called. There seems no way out of this room.”

“Where are you?” Thalos asked, finding that he was suddenly standing.

Thalos and Teri's Song:

WIPpet Wednesday: Meet Melopomene

Tonight is an early WIPpet Wednesday. I am really plowing into and through this Modern Muses story. I am not sure I will keep the title, but for know it works.

WIPpet Wednesday is the brain child of K. L. Schwengel, writer, blogger, and photog of sheep and various wildlife. Rules are this, take your WIP and select a snippet from it to share, using the day's date to connect back to the WIP. Today's date is 8/26 (a little early). The math I will use is  8+2+6=16 lines from Modern Muses. I have shown you Teri and Thalos. This week is Mel's turn. This is going back to back arriving at Mel's "friends" house. This is when we meet Mel. Also go visit my fellow WIPpeteer here!

“Hey Hey,” a voice called from the heavens and suddenly someone appeared, while the crowds of people pushed past the two muses. Thalos couldn’t tell if it was a male or female he was seeing in front of them. The figure had short dark hair and dyed a bright shade of blue and a jovial smile as he came up to Thalos. “Talo, sup my man?” laying some skin on Thalos’ now open hand. 

“Uh, nothing.” He was trying to remember who this was. They were short, barely adult size, but that meant nothing to an immortal. The eyes were quick and shifty, but they were smiling too. 

“Don’t remember me do ya?”

Thalos shrugged and tried to play it cool. “It’s been a while. Been busy.” Teri laughed suddenly, a short bark that belied that Thalos was lying, if only slightly.

“No, not really. You look awfully familiar though.”

Late Night Post Progress

It's late, so I am just going give it to you Straight Up. More later, Dear Reader! After 12:30, I was so close to making it on time. Le Sigh!

This Week:
     *Reading: so close to finishing The Amber Spyglass (Phillip Pullman) and The Festival of Bones (James A. Owen).
     *Writing: wrote Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday about 800 to 900 words. Have decided that if Modern Muses continues I might turn it into this years NaNoWriMo 2015.
     *Editing: edited 4 pages Monday and 5 pages Tuesday and Wednesday of The Real Road Trip. Also discovered a new sub-goal. If I edit 4 1/2 to 5 pages a day for the next 13 days, I can finish my edits by month's end. This means I can start inputting the edits and re-writing the manuscript during the month of September. And thus, I can have a completed first draft for my beta readers (which I have a few interested parties) and my CP in October, and then NaNoWriMo in November.
     *Social Media: visited 4 blogs daily and my sponsor duties. Spend a little time on twitter Monday and Tuesday.
     *Exercise: I forgot to mention last Saturday, I walked around Twin Tiers Comic Con for about three hours.

This (upcoming)Week:
     *Reading: finally finish The Amber Spyglass, The Festival of Bones, (have less than 50 pages for both books) and work on Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey).
     *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words. This includes Modern Muses or Once Upon a Cloud...
     *Editing: edit 5 pages daily to finish first round of notes and edits on The Real Road Trip.
     *Social Media: 4 blogs daily (include at least one from WIPpet Wednesday) which I missed again this past week.
     *Blogging: 1 new non-ROW80 post. Having trouble fitting this in and need to work on this.
     *Submission: 2 new submission, no more slacking! Need to do a little research of what site would be good for my poems and what ones would be good for my stories.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come visit the Blog Hop and see what we are all up to!!

Today is WIPpet Wednesday, the day we (the WIPpeteers) share a bit of our current WIP. The brain child of K.L. Schwengel, you take the date and use the new math  to share a snippet of your current WIP. FOr example, using today's date 8/19, I will share 8 paragraphs about who Thalos is (also called Talo). He was 'dreaming' and sharing it with Teri.

He heard Teri’s voice, but couldn’t see her, “Teri are you there?” he called softly.

“I am Talo. I am just seeing what you are seeing. Is that him?” she asked her voice sounded much softer and gentler than before.

“I…Yes, that’s him. Oh, dammit Teri, I shouldn’t have left. I should have stayed. I know I’m not a very good muse. In fact I’m pretty terrible. Grandma Thalia would think me pitiful for not living up to the name. In fact, my own mother was disappointed in me…

“Never mind. I should go back. Manoah doesn’t have a family, let alone a home. I was his only friend, his family even.” Thalos turned towards Teri, even though he couldn’t see her, me knew where she was, “Funny! I miss his singing. I miss his songs!”

“What’s funny?” Teri asked as she took his other hand in hers why she watch Manoah strummed guitar and people walking by would occasionally toss a dime or quarter into the case. Sometime a dollar would make its way into the guitar case, but not often.

“It’s true what they say you know…”

“What is?” Teri asked continuing to watch Manoah play; the words he was singing were in another language, although Teri was well aware of their meaning.

“You know it. That old saying. The one that the humans are awfully fond of . ‘You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.’ That is so very true.”
 

WIPpet Wednesday: Modern Muses

Today is WIPpet Wednesday. The day when writers share their WIP with the whole of the internet, thanks to K.L. Schwengel. Where you take today's date (7/12/2015) and tie the date to a snippet from your WIP. I have been working on another story that is currently running through my head, so we are taking a break from Cumi and Stratus in Once upon a Cloud... I will return to Cumi and Strat in a week or two. They are a little tight lipped at the moment and trying to coax more out of them.

Come and visit the fellow WIPpeteers at the Hop!

Today is a snippet from Modern Muses (working title). Using the WIPpet Wednesday math 7+1+2=10 paragraphs I am going to share. The set up is this. This is a little ways in and might be confusing, but I really enjoying writing this part of this scene. Della is a seer and knows that Teri, Talo, and Mel must go on a quest, but Della is a little more forthwith then the young heroes are prepared for. If you are confused, don't worry, I plan to share much more of this. These characters have been running through my grey matter the last three weeks or so.

“Do you know, Dear? What do you understand,  Little Dancer?” Della spoke with a sharp tongue and Teri felt her words hit her skin and pierce through. It was a poison that changed her mood to a pensive moroseness.

“I know plenty,” Teri shirked back away from Della, who rose higher and away from the door.

“Tell me what the shadow is? What will it do? Will the muses survive?” she paused only to watch as Teri blink after each question. “How can you fight it? Where are the gods now? Do the humans know?” The questions were being fired in rapid succession and Teri was gasping for breath. “Tell me where are the rest of the muses. Do you think you can survive this? Do you even understand what is happening? Do you love?”

The last question was final and very separate. Teri was crying now, choking on her tears. “Oh, you love that answer, even if you don’t want to admit the answer,” said Della, smiling.

Thalos had rushed to Teri side as Della began questioning her, but she pushed him away. She was stronger than this. “Why are you doing this?” It was such a lame and obvious question. It was almost cliché.

“If you have to ask then maybe I should take back my offers to help. Give me the gifts!”

“But...ut..ut…”Teri was trying to wipe her eyes, “You promised to help. I called to for help and you promised.”

Laughing, Della leaned against the counter, shrinking her form and looking more like an old woman with a bad back, “That was before…”

“No!” Thalos stood a little taller, taking a step forward. “That was before you said a thing. I realize what you are doing and no we will not give in. Guys, she’s trying to bluff us. She trying to get us riled up. That thing, the shadow, we need to be prepared, but Della is right. We need to do this on our own.”

Suddenly Della started clapping, “Well said Jester, well said indeed. I thought you too stupid, but I guess I SAW wrong.” She took a hold of his arm and shook him, “You my boy, shouldn’t doubt yourself. You are stronger than you think.” She turned to Teri, “Now my dear, you see?”

Quick Update...Weird Al Tonight

Weird Al concert tonight! This is going to be short as I leave to drive down to Williamsport after work. just wanted to keep you, Dear Readers updated on my progress this week.

This Week:
     *Reading: I have gotten into a rhythm with The Amber Spyglass (Phillip Pullman), Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey), and The Festival of Bones (James A.Owen). Nothing completed, but making headway.
    *Editing: managed to edit about 5 pages of The Real Road Trip (NaNoWriMo 2014) Monday, nothing yesterday.
     *Writing: wrote Monday for 37 minutes on my Modern Muse story, and finished a short poem yesterday.
     *Submissions: 1 submission to Word Riot .
     *Social Media: visited 4 blogs daily and my sponsor duties. Been a little light on Twitter lately.

This (upcoming) Week:
     *Reading: finish Murder Comes Ashore.
     *Writing: write daily. 300 words at least.
     *Editing: edit at least 4 pages of The Real Road Trip.
     *Blogging: post 1 non-ROW80 post.
     *Submission: 1 new submission this week.
     *Social Media: visit 4 blog daily and sponsor goals.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come a join of over at the Blog Hop.

Today is WIPpet Wednesday, brainchild of K.L. Schwengel where writers share a bit of their current WIP by using today's date to connected to the snippet shared. For example, today's date is 8/5/2015 and I will share 5 lines from Once Upon a Cloud...with a little more about Stratus and Cumi's relationship. this is after Stratus's friend has walked away (you haven't really meant him yet). Read my fellow WIPpeteers here!

Gesturing over his shoulder at his friend Stratus said, “Don’t tempt him, Kid. He’s more experience in the affairs around here than you are. You, you might be older, but he knows how the Terran works. Mind you,” he said pointing a plastic fork at her and eying her sharply. “I also know you too well, Kid. I’m older still.” He pointed to his chest, “Watch yourself around him!” He pointed at her, looking sternly, “He’s a good ‘un, but he does like the less inexperienced, and you, My Dear are very inexperienced.” Smiling Strat leaned over and kissed her on the lips, sliding his tongue just a little bit past her lips. Suddenly angry Cumi did not pull away, but something felt odd that maybe she was being judged. 

It was warm and wet and lasted for a while with saliva passing between the two of them. Cumi felt her body temperature rise as she finally pulled away,“You are bad,” she said eying him. A frown appeared on her lips, but she didn’t try to swat him.

WIPpet Wednesday

WIPpet Wednesday: the day of the week when you share a part of your WIP with the interwebs. Created by K. L. Schwengel, WIPpet Weds take the day's date (7/21/2015) and uses some form of math and you post an excerpt of your WIP. See, take the 21st day and 2 + 1 = 3 paragraphs.

Come visit the fellow WIPpeteers here at the Blog Hop.

Today's snippet is 3 paragraphs from my new project Once Upon a Cloud. Here Cumi and Stratus sit down to some lunch and see how different Cumi views her world and Terra. this is a bit after the last WIPpet.

The dining room of the restaurant was not what you would call clean, nor was it dirty. Chicken Bliss always got a clean bill of health from the Health Inspector, but Cumi could see that the floors and walls were covered in a thin film of grease. She wasn’t sure what the grease was from as the restaurant had a smell of chicken, oily grease, sweat, and something she couldn’t place.

“Have a seat, Kid,” said Stratus wandered over to the counter and greeted Martin with a holler and some sort of secret handshake. They were talking and Cumi couldn’t hear what they were saying. Not that she cared. This Martin was one of Strat’s Terran friends; she could only imagine what they were talking about.

Cumi pulled out a chair and wiped her hand against the grainy and polished wood. It was clean, not a spot of dust nor crumbs. The wood felt cool to her touch. A quick swipe showed the table was just as clean, so she sat down. While not normally a frequenter of the type of restaurant like Chicken Bliss, Cumi felt a little more at ease and stole a glance around.

Having a rougher week, Dear Readers and trying to persevere through it all. I had gotten a case of the 24 hour nasties yesterday and slept through most of Monday night. Although I did manage to complete 2 writing blitzes for two different stories. I also had two dentist appointments; one to start a relationship with a new dentist (not pleased with current dentist) and one to fix a chipped tooth that happened late last week. My head been a little muddled, but trying to look through the fog. I am getting there though and still feeling positive. 

Anyway, a new blog post isn't new without something to show. Last Saturday I got a chance to be photographed by my friend Ken in Riverfront Park in Corning. Not gonna lie, I felt a little like a model. And Ken has an amazing eye for seeing beauty in whatever her photographs. He has made my friends Holly, Krissy, Kaylara, Melissa, and Beth look amazing. Granted they were already amazing. He just was able to show the world what was already there. Thanks, Ken!!

I miss writing poems regularly. Each April and October I participate in a month long poetry challenge. I try to write poetry regularly, but it doesn't always happen. When asked for prompts from friends and followers. I have several topics still to use for poem, and trust me I will use each of them. This was is my favourite. The form is a Tetractys, a 5 line poems that has the following syllable rhythm: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10. This is a double tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Full Moon Dreams

Round--

You hang

In the sky.

Swimming in seas

of deepest ebony and violet.

Globe of silvery pale light shining in 

Showers of dark,

As I walk

Through the

Night.

Much Progress in Two Days!!

Funny how Wednesdays creeps up on you when you miss a Sunday check-in. Not surprised really, just left to rush through the the check-in. I guess it's not rushing because it's only about 6:30 (EST). Yesterday we had pretty big thunderstorm pass through that really cooled down the temperatures. It been quite the damp and cool summer this year. I guess it doesn't bother me, but I am partial to the hot weather that comes with summer, and right now we get about two days of traditional summer weather to one to two days of cool and/or wet weather.

How goes the weather in your neck of the woods, Dear Readers? What type of weather is your favourite?

I like a good thunderstorm, especially after it's been really hot. Feel so good. A good dance in the rain is often nice. I really love the sunny days with a subtle breeze. Just enough to keep it cool, but still warm/hot to be enjoyable. Give me a balmy 75 to 80 degree day and I am in bliss.

Anywhooooo.....

On to the check-in. It's been a good if quiet build up post Connecticon. I don't mind, give me a chance to see where I am and what to do next. The mornings are my reading times. I get up early and will read for an hour or two, depends on what book I am reading and where I am in the book. If I am towards the end, any of the three books I am currently reading become a single book to the finish line. It's those last two or three chapters (sometimes more if the book is that good) that makes the book.

This Week:
    *Reading: just finished The Subtle Knife (Phillip Pullman). ZOMG!!! Second books in trilogies are tough reads as they usually leave you hanging by the end. This is the second read through of The Subtle Knife and I am picking up more detail and falling in love with the characters all over again. Lyra was a personal favourite, but I am really enjoying Will Parry this go around. Still creeping through The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern) and Smoke and Mirrors (Neil Gaiman) is a fun read.
    *Writing: wrote Monday and today (Tuesday). Writing blitz of about 900 words and a new story and possible novella? I think it'll work for #writestuff's monthly challenge. Go and check it out! Did a little creative brainstorming with Ofthewilds and amyunchained on Twitter last night, also when I looked up the names of the muse. I got another idea. Now I am swimming with ideas. Nothing new on the Top Secret project, but tonight's writing blitz is dedicated to that one.
    *Submissions: Oddly enough last night a contest fell into my Twitter lap, so I submitted a couple of flash pieces (able to submit up to 3 pieces) and today I submit a poem to an online journal. The Reverie Journal, it's new to me and gonna wander the halls of it's buildings.
     *Social Media: visited 4 blog daily each day (Monday and Tuesday), including my sponsor duties. Been active on Twitter. Yesterday was the tweet chat #writestuff.

Not for two days of work....

This (upcoming) week:
     *Reading: start The Amber Spyglass (Phillip Pullman), and continue with The Night Circus, Smoke and Mirrors, and start Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey). I have 10 books to finish in this Round.
     *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words. Work on Top Secret Project and maybe start one of these other new ideas. Review my Doctor Who story I started last year.
     *Editing: 2 pages (at least) The Real Road Trip (my 2014 NaNoWriMo). Work on some smaller pieces through the coming weeks.
     *Submissions: 1 new submission.
     *Blogging: 1 new non-ROW80 post.
     *Social Media: Sponsor duties and 4 blogs daily (from list of blogs I follow and ROW80 new blogs).
     *Exercise: take a walk at least 1 day between now and Sunday.

What is ROW80? It's a blog challenge where you set some goal. Post them and your progress on your blog (required), and then post the blog link on the linky page. A Round of Words in 80 Days knows you have a life and you can adjust your goals as necessary. Come visit the Blog Hop!

Today is also WIPpet Wednesday. The brain child of author K.L. Schwengel. Here authors post snippets of their WIP using the WIPpet math. Take today's date: 7/15 use some math like 7 - 1 + 5 = 11 lines. Post 11 lines from your current WIP on the Linky Page. Giving a little set up to the readers and see what happens.

UPDATED: I feel I need to clarify. I do hate when I am unclear. This is the opening bit when you meet Stratus and Cumi for the first time. We get a little bit of her relationship with Strat. This is going back a little from the previous snippet. We are seeing a little banter bewteen the two of them.

“Sup, Slacker?” a voice called over Stratus' head. He smiled at the voice and knowing full well that is wasn’t the Queen high and mighty spying on him. He relaxed a little and took a drag on his cigarette. He tilted his head up and gazing out across the sky saw a friendly face shuffling along the low clouds.

“Not slacking. On break, Loser,” he said pointing to his cigarette and then to the cloud that the young lady was currently walking on. “What about you, Butt-head?” and Stratus giggled, his voice sounding awfully like the cartoon that he spent watching on his day off.

“Well I can’t very well do ANYTHING since you currently on deck.” The young lady was wearing a tee-shirt with a blue police box on the front and her brownish hair in a ponytail and jean shorts and pointing skyward. “I am on the waiting list, so I figured that I would come down and bother you while you were working." 

First Wednesday, not a bad start...

I only just posted goals on Monday, how can it be Wednesday already? Okay fair is fair. I am starting off on a good footing. Hitting the ground running on some of the goals. This week is all goofy what what writing for 24 Hour Theatre and preparing for Connecticon. So much to do in so little time!

Onto the update~

This Week:
     *Reading: about halfway through The Subtle Knife (Phillip Pullman) and about a fourth of the way The Night Circus (Erin Morgensen). Hoping to have Subtle Knife finished by next weekend. Need to start Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey).
through
     *Writing: wrote my ROW80 goal post Monday, almost 1000 words for my ROW80 sponsor post Tuesday, and today started my 24 Hour Theatre script. It's Superhero Theme in conjunction with the summer youth reading program. Going to get a little wacky, but will be a cute little script when I am done. I want a finished script by bedtime, also did a small  writing blitz this afternoon of about 15 minutes.
      *Editing: edited my ROW80 sponsor post and submitted it.
      *Social Media: did my sponsor duties and visited 4 blogs Monday and Tuesday.

This (upcoming week): Going to have to shove a lot into the next couple of days as I won't be writing at all Saturday and possibly Sunday. I am making the goals light this week to allow for Connecticon.
      *Reading: try to finish The Subtle Knife and start Murder Comes Ashore.
      *Writing: write daily, 300 words. Day off Saturday.
      *Editing: start up revisions on The Real Road Trip.
      *Social Media: sponsor duties and blog visits to 4 ROW80 blogs and/or blog I follow.
      *Submission: 1 submission before Saturday.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge. In 80 days set some goals, post your progress to a blog, add the link to the Linky Site. It is a Blog Hop, so come in and sit a spell. Listen to a few tales and maybe stay to share some of your own.

It's WIPpet Wednesday too! The idea is from K.L. Schwengel. You take the date, play with the math, and viola a snippet of your WIP. Post your link and /or visit the fellow WIPpeteers here. I have to use a small part of the secret project. I don't want to give anything any but it's time to start sharing it. Today is 7/8. Using the day 8, I will show 8 sentences.

Set up: Cumi was left alone and Marty is curious. If I gave you more it would spoil future WIPpet posts. There will be more later. I promise. This one is gonna be a longer project.

Marty raised his eyebrows, “Really? You and him close?”

Cumi was suddenly aware that she was alone. She didn’t know all of the rules that applied here and it was obvious that she was from out of town. “He’s like a mentor. He teaches me all kinds of stuff. You know,” she was at a loss for what else to say.

“I saw you kiss him earlier. That’s some mentorship you got there,” he grinned and turned away.