Tag: editing

On a Roll

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

The words flow from me and I’m working hard on a number of projects.  I finished and published Wayfarer Evolution.  I’ve got other manuscripts edited and I’m hoping to get them on the computer soon.  In the meanwhile, I’ve started – or restarted – this story I’ve had in my slush pile.  I’m 55K into the manuscript.  

Over the weekend, I wrote 21K words to pull the story along.  I can see later scenes and see how the story will unfold.  I’m not sure on the climactic scene yet or if this will be a series.  I am sure I like the story.
All week I’ve been adding to this story by leaps and bounds.  Tonight I crept along rather than leaping.  I stopped at one point because I wasn’t sure where the story was going.  I came home and normally I’m opening my computer and shooing the people away.  Tonight it was more – okay I can write.  
The problem – I still wasn’t sure how the scene was going to go.  Instead of leaping into it, I opted to go back and read through the story.  I updated my character list as I had missed some.  I corrected misspelling, grammar, typographical errors and so on.  
I got to the end and I still wasn’t sure but I started writing.  Every other night I could tell you I added 3K or 4K or whatever to the story.  Tonight I added about 1500.  I aim for a minimum of 50K and I’m past that.  Now I’m going to write till the end of the story.  If I’m any judge, I’ll probably end up with 15 – 20 K more.  If I write this weekend, it is probably the amount of work I can get done in the weekend.  However, I never know where the characters will take me.
This is the time I want three or four of me to be able to do all the tasks I need to do.  Some of my other tasks are creating patterns to submit to the magazine which pays for them; editing; publishing; marketing as I’ve been adding my books and patterns to Mogul, Ravelry (just patterns), and Pinterest.  I should be putting out review requests but I am struggling at this point because I feel like I’m not getting enough writing time.  
I keep reminding myself I can only do what I can do.  I’m hoping I’ll keep this juggling act going and get it all done.  It’s June and I have to think about the goody bags and the basket for the raffle.  I may have to edit tasks to get everything done.  
It’s my hope I can keep moving forward and not get stressed by the long to do list which is rattling through my head.  I keep reading the list and crossing things off.  One thing at a time – it’s the only way.  

Crossing Off

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Last night I wrote until 2 am.  You would think I would be able to sleep in.  Nope, eyes popped open early and while I attempted to sleep some more, I only dozed.  I was still up by 7:30.  I was determined to get things done today.

I tackled my desk.  I organized paperwork by filing a bunch and stacking in a pile more.  This pile I have to figure out a solution for.  I’m handling all of my mother’s paperwork so I need to figure out where I’ll keep it.  I have it in my top drawer in the file cabinet next to me but the drawer is full.  It’s difficult to put more in there.  I’m going to have to figure out where to go with it so it remains convenient.

I paid her bills, ordered items she needs, and sent a text to my sisters to ask them to check her stock when they visit.  I’ve been a bad (ish?) daughter as I haven’t visited her.  It started six weeks ago with laryngitis, shifted to a kidney stone (not contagious but I was in too much pain), flu and now upper respiratory crud.  I’m toxic and am not visiting my mother.

I worked on my bills, sales info and facebook for writing discussions on this new group I’m on.  I wrote two book reviews and sent them to the person who requested them.  I wrote a blog posting for Witches & Pagans.  I updated my sales spreadsheet.

My daughter made lunch so I had lunch with Ken and Vicki.  It was nice to put my feet up and kick back for an hour though my eyes thought they should close and my brain thought it should sleep.  I made it stay awake.  I put the dirty clothes down the laundry chute so Vicki can do laundry.

Then I tackled posting eight crochet patterns on Ravelry.  I’m writing this blog and then I get to go back to the story I was working on last night until 2 am.  I’m hoping the flow continues as it was working nicely.

My list got handled!  I got a lot done and as I read this I think I deserve a nap… nap or writing… hmmm I’ll have to see if the writing goes well.

Now I still have a long list of crocheting, writing, editing, and other things to get done.  I’m trying to savor the moment.  I got to throw out two post its!

Tomorrow will be prep for breakfast and lunches and then back to my list – I hope.  I’m going to try to take it easy tomorrow and see what mischief I get up to.

Comedy of Errors

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

Last night I decided I was going to write.  Several people have been bugging me for the next installment in the Wayfarer series and I’ve been working on the novel but it isn’t flowing easily.  This  happens sometimes.  My normal response is to wait it out because when it isn’t flowing, I need to go with the flow.

I opened my laptop which I use in the living room.  It’s a lightweight both in programming and in physical being.  It took forever.  I figured it might as I hadn’t turned it on recently.  I played on my phone and did other things while I waited for it to grind through all the things it needed to do.  Updates, loading, opening, and all of that took at least half an hour.

My sister started a class and had a paper due yesterday.  She wanted me to edit it for her.  I told her to call me because I was writing.  If you don’t know a writer, let me explain.  When I’m writing, I don’t pay attention to anything.  I will forget to shower, eat, dress, answer my phone.  About the only thing which gets through to me (in a good writing session) is my phone ringing because it isn’t just a noise.  Fortunately, my sister gets this.

When she got her paper done, she called me.  I said no prob, I’ll switch over.  I did.  I opened my email and tried to download her paper.  My computer would not do it.  I’ve done a number of editing tasks on this computer including downloading papers from my email before.  Yet this time, I could not get the paper to open.

After a frustrating fifteen minutes, I shut everything down on that laptop and moved to my office.  Now I don’t like to sit at my desk at night because my legs hurt when I sit at the computer too long.  However, she needed this paper edited.

Fortunately, I was able to download and edit the paper for her and send it back.  I went back to my recliner and tried my computer again.  As long as I was only working in Word and Excel it seemed to be fine.

I kept scrolling through this section trying to figure out how to make the chapter shorter.  I couldn’t.  It frustrates me because I don’t like such long chapters.  After a frustrating time skimming through, I decided I’d work on writing.  I got a small amount of writing done but suddenly I was so tired, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.  Opting to be responsible, I shut down (I’m hoping the computer will be better tonight when I open it) and prep for bed.

By the time I got ready for bed, I was awake.  This happens to me a lot.  I try to do a lot of my prep stuff early so when I get tired, I can just go to bed.  Not last night.  I ended up playing on my phone for an hour before I got sleepy again.  It wasn’t a bad night but it wasn’t stellar either.

Projects – Done and To Do

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

This week I’ve finished the scarves and the afghan for my student workers’ graduation gifts.  I’ve given one gift which is why I’m posting the two pictures.  For the afghan, I need to take pictures.  I plan to publish four of the scarf patterns and the afghan pattern.  This adds to my list of crochet patterns to publish.  I have a bandanna, log cabin afghan, and set of headbands to publish.  

The collar or cowl scarf shown on the left turned out gorgeous.  I’m really proud of it because it was outside my normal and preferred type of project.  The smaller yarn and projects like this are hard on my hands but it was worth it to do and redo some of the stitching.  The other scarves turned out excellent and I’m excited to publish the four new ones.  The necklace type scarf I love making.  It uses up small bits of yarn but is stunning and versatile.  
Tonight I’ll be working on dish towels and dish cloths to make for someone who is helping me out this weekend.  After I get those done, I’ll be back on my other projects.  Currently I have bibs for a former co-worker of Vicki’s, a skirt, a couple of afghans, and a few smaller projects which aren’t designated for anyone yet.  
This weekend Ken goes off to Atlanta for twelve days.  I know he’s excited to visit the girls down there.  It will give him a nice break from work and our messy house.  
Vicki and I plan to play a bit on Saturday.  Sunday we will have help with getting things organized and settled.  Next weekend will be busy with working on the house as well.  
However, I’m taking off work on the 11th and hoping to get some writing stuff done – like publishing patterns.  I’ll have two days with no one in the house so I plan to get up and work on anything I have for writing – publishing, writing, marketing, editing.  I have a number of projects in the works so I want to make progress on them.  
Ken may be gone for twelve days but it will be a busy time for Vicki and I.  Hopefully by the time he comes home, the house is better organized.  I’m hoping this will lower everyone’s stress levels.

A Compliment

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

I know I’m a good writer and editor.  While my books aren’t perfect, I know I tell a good story.  However, there are days when I feel like I can’t do anything right.

Writing is a tough job which requires dedication, concentration, and perseverance.  One of the things I struggle with daily for writing is marketing my books.  Really I need reviews – lots and lots of reviews.  Preferably positive reviews but always HONEST reviews.

On a regular basis, I send out requests for people to read my books and provide a review.  I send a lot of these emails.  I feel lucky if I get one or two responses to the emails and thrilled if I actually get a review.

I won’t say who but I got an email from a reviewer recently.  I’m always apprehensive about these emails – did they like my stuff; did they hate it?  Will they write a review?  Are they going to say what was I thinking?

I read this email – well written, professional but not giving an indication of how the review was going to go.  Each word holds me enthralled as I hope for a good review.

I’ve written reviews.  I’ve worked with publishers who want you to be snarky, harsh, and even mean (though I draw the line there unless it’s a really bad book).  I get the requirements and expectations.

I read this email.  It may sound dramatic but my heart in my throat and at the end of it, the reviewer says, “you’re a great poet, but you already know that”.

I hope I am.  I dream of being one but …  to hear someone else, a complete stranger say that to me.  In the moment, it made my day.  It was a small sentence which carried big impact.  I still have no idea of what the review says – can’t wait to read it.  But that small compliment lifted me from my cranky self to a place which reminded me I was on the right track.  Thank you to the reviewer.

Where does the time go?

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing
I’ve been working on getting excerpts from all my novels to use for marketing the books.  I’ve gotten through all my poetry books, meditation book, Wayfarer series and a few others.  I have to go back through and get links on this page so everything is in one place and makes it easy to copy / paste. 
Last night I finished editing Wayfarer 10 and reread 11 making edits as I went.  I couldn’t believe how fast paced 11 was.  I like that as I think it makes for a quick read.  I also was concluding several storylines with the opening scenes.  The next step is to start more storylines and see how the characters move forward. 
That took up a good chunk of my night last night but I was still done by ten which is too early for me to go to bed.  I decided I’d take a half hour to wander around on Pinterest.  Big mistake!  I spent an hour and half on Pinterest and Facebook.  I read some interesting articles on batch cooking for freezer meals, looked at some crochet patterns, read up on some of my friends activities and pretty soon it was 11:30.  It was crazy – where did the time go?  It got eaten up with surfing Pinterest and Facebook. 
Tonight I’ll be entering edits from the hard copy to the computer for Wayfarer 10.  I’m not sure how long that will take but I’m going to try to stay off Pinterest / Facebook so there will be no time suck again.

Long List of Crafting and Writing

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

It’s a list weekend.  I have a long list of writing tasks I want to get done and a long list of crocheting / crafting things I want to get done.  I may manage to stay in my jammies all weekend just to get stuff done.

Last night I watched Blacklisted and worked on an afghan for my niece.  I’ve got about 40 rows done.  I LOVE the colors she picked and the pattern.  I can’t wait to see the final product.  In my crochet basket, I have about four projects started.  I am going to try to finish two of them this weekend and work on the other two.  Two of them are larger projects so will take longer than a weekend to complete.

I have written about four patterns which fall into the “Baskets” category.  I want to get them compiled into a document so I can publish them but before I publish, I want to print them out, follow the directions, and see if there are any adjustments I want to make.  I’m hoping to work on that this weekend.

I’ve got a short story finalized and am hoping to publish it this weekend.  Next is to do the searches on Wayfarer 10 and print for editing.

I’ve been wrapped up in marketing.  I’m trying to tweet and post on facebook regularly so I can get my work out to others.  I’m also looking at my marketing spreadsheet to see what I need to do for the things I’ve already published and not done the marketing.

I have a number of gifts to work on for crafting.  They are on my weekend lists as well.  I guess I better quit writing and get busy.

Busy, Busy, Busy

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Yesterday I came home from work, paid bills, worked on editing, and booked a date for going to Paint Nite.  Ken and I had our normal Friday night meal of Toppers pizza and he went to bed.  I tried to settle into something but couldn’t.  I finally decided to watch some training I’m trying to knock out.  Doesn’t this sound like an overly exciting way to spend a Friday night?

Today, I went through coupons and wrote up a grocery list, made a fleece blanket with a crocheted edging, helped my mom, ran errands, watched two movies and crocheted, worked on pulling quotes

from books to use for marketing.  It’s 10:30 and I’m ready to crash for the night.

The blanket is fleece – Packer pattern – which I crocheted around with some funky yarn.  I think the edging turned out nicely and I’m pleased with the result.  Believe it or not, this is a simple single crochet around the blanket.  It’s the yarn that makes the funky pattern.

Ken’s been sick all week and taking the time to watch those two movies was good for both of us.  He got rest instead of doing yard work.  I got to crochet (and maybe take a mini nap).  The afghan I’m working in is gorgeous.  I’m loving the color combination and the pattern.  I’ve got a number of projects going with none of them making it to the final stage (until I finished Ken’s blanket today).  It’s been hard to crochet but today I just pushed through it and did the crocheting.  My mind seemed to settle and go to a place where it needed to.

I was able to settle into the marketing task I needed to work on.  It isn’t done.  I still need to do more but at least I made progress.  Normally I’m up late, working on something.  Tonight I may actually go to bed early – well for me.

Tomorrow, I plan to work publishing a short story and more of the marketing things.  I also want to watch more of the training which I believe I’ll be able to crochet while I watch.  I’ll have to see what Ken wants to get up to but I want to crochet so long as my arm isn’t hurting.

Motivation – or the lack of it…

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

Is it fall or is it summer?  We are in the time of the year where the weather is up and down.  This is great because we actually have days where the air conditioning is turned off but the flip side of that is it wreaks havoc with my arthritis.

My pain level has been higher with the weather changing so motivation is a problem.  This is why last night I curled up under a blanket and played a word game.  It was a completely unproductive night.  I probably could have done more editing but my mind and my focus was not where it should be for editing.

I’ve gone through a writing spurt where I wrote several short stories.  I finished one manuscript and started another.  I’d like to get all of them editing so I can move forward with production but editing is tricky.  I can’t just finish writing and pick it up to edit it.  I have to let it sit for a while.  Sometimes this is a day or two and sometimes it is a week or more.

I need to swap out my computer in my office.  There are tools I want to use which are on the new computer and not on my current one.  Plus I’m realizing my laptop is nearly ten years old.  While it works well, it is old.  What I want to do is shift it so I have two computers so I can do certain things on each one.  That way if one goes, the other is there for back up.  I just need to bite the bullet and do it.

If I’m going to set it up the way I want, I need to clean off my desk and rearrange.  This means I have to get motivated to clean my office.  I’ve been struggling with this for three or four years.  It might be time to stop procrastinating but you never know.  It depends on how I feel this weekend and if I can motivate myself to get the office cleaned and organized.

Write, Edit, Publish, Repeat….

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

Writing has been on my mind and keeping me busy.  I have five projects I’m working towards the production phase.  They’re all written and edited.  The next steps are to enter changes on the computer, do spellcheck, read through a final time, write a summary, create a cover, and production.

For Wayfarer Freedom I’m at the production phase.  I have to sit down at my computer at home to put it through the production steps.  For the other ones, I have various steps to get through.  I’m hoping to finish as many as possible so when I do production, I can do a number of them all at once.

Once these are off my plate, I will go back to writing and crocheting.  I have a number of projects for crocheting that are grumbling at me.  My brain wants to work on them but I haven’t had time.

I have to come up with a name for Wayfarer 9.  I’m considering suggestions from my test readers and what sounds right with the book.  I also have to figure out what I want to do for a cover.

I also need to work on marketing again.  It’s never ending but much needed.  There are times when all the tasks I need to do get to be overwhelming but I just keep plugging away at  it.