Tag: Writing

Nag, nag, nag

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

Two of my three test readers for the Wayfarer series are nagging me to finish the story.  I can’t help that there is more in the last chapter than I would have thought.  I have to tell the whole story and not leave out the good bits. 

This means they have to have patience.  I thought I’d finish it last night but I got distracted by other tasks.  One of these things was a conversation with one of the readers. 

I am hoping the ending will be good.  I have an exciting scene in my head that I want to include but I’ll see if I can make it play out. 

In the meanwhile, I’ve had requests for two hats and a few other crochet things.  I probably should work on my daughter’s afghan which I haven’t worked on in a while. 

My mother is resting comfortably if not patiently.  She wants to get up and go like she did before her stroke but the doctors are telling her to take it easy.  I understand the anxiousness to be back to regular routine but there is also the matter of taking care of yourself. 

This next weekend I’m hoping for some writing time so I can work on marketing and writing.  I need to do both so I’ll have to see how things go.  I have another crochet booklet I want to get out there for production.  I’m hoping it will be a productive weekend. 

This week I’ve been struggling with a lot of pain in my legs, partly due to stress from all the stuff over the weekend, and partly due to the overwork from driving and doing stairs on Saturday.  It slows me down and wears me out but I’ll do what I need to in order to get better.

Hopefully – fingers crossed – Virginia and Stephanie close on their house today.  They are waiting on one form and if that gets delivered they can still close today.  It is exciting for them to buy their very first house!  I’m hoping for a call saying they are owners at some point today!

To do is getting done

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I’m nearing the end of a manuscript, I am pretty sure I’ll finish with the chapter I’m on.  The problem is there is a lot to fit into this chapter.  I have story lines to finish, plot lines to clean up, and a murder to solve. 

This book has been a little different for me as I’ve worked it in bits and pieces with the crazy schedule I’ve had in the last month.  Normally when I work on a Wayfarer book I take two weeks and zip through the story. 

I have three people (my test readers) who are begging me for the next installment for this series.  I don’t know if they are going to like this one as I delved into different storylines but I’m sure they will tell me if they don’t.

On another task on my to do list, I got all the presents ready over the weekend (with the help of Ken) and brought them into the office.  It was a nice little thing for the people to get after the long weekend. 

Friday while I was down in Indiana with Vicki, I got my hair cut and donated 12″.  I now have short hair.  I don’t hate it.  I know that sounds odd but I’m so used to the long hair that going short is quite a change. 

We had fun at JoAnn Fabrics again.  All the yarn I bought was on sale.  Between coupons and sales, I paid half price (or less) for every item.  Vicki got a bunch of flannel super inexpensive.  It was a good couple of hours in the store.  Ken and Vicki went to Menards to look at a few things and both of them came out with goodies from there. 

Ugh…

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

There is a moment when you’re writing that you just KNOW what you’ve written is wrong.  Last night I wrote from 7:00 until 12:00.  I was tooling along, the words were flowing, and things seemed to be going okay until I realized I’d lost my characters and changed them from who they were into completely different people. 

I started a scene and it ran away from me.  I couldn’t stop.  After writing 3300 words, I realized I had completely changed how my characters react and interact.  I’ve had this feeling before and the best course of action is to let it be and come back to it later. 

I shut down my computer.  I got ready for bed and realized I couldn’t leave them hanging there.  I went back and started tinkering with the scene.  I hated it even more.  I opted to undo all the redos so it went back to the original I had when I shut down in the first place. 

Then I couldn’t sleep.  I knew the story had gone terribly wrong but I wasn’t sure where it had gone terribly wrong.  I lay in the dark thinking about it.  This is never a good thing – at least for my being able to sleep.  Eventually I realized I needed to go back to the first scene I had written and change the way a conversation went.  This was where I’d gone wrong.

Finally I knew what I needed to do so I was able to eventually get to sleep.  This morning I woke up and knew exactly what I needed to keep and get rid of all the 3300 words I’d written.  Now I just have to find the time to actual do the changes and get them back on track. 

My characters are probably milling about saying – what is she doing to us?  Fortunately, my inner editor will be able to rescue them from the complete disaster I made of the last two scenes.

End of the Week

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

This week and last were so busy at my day job.  Registration is a stressful and busy time of the year.  This year was of course no different.  By midday yesterday I was tired and ready for the weekend. 

Last night I worked on presents while I listened to an audio book.  The projects were simple and basic which was about all my brain could handle the last two nights.  I did get quite a bit done and am pleased with my progress. 

The yarn I ordered from Herrschners is nearly all used up.  I have eight skeins left I think.  I got some different yarn I’d not worked with before and enjoyed it very much. 

My weekend will include more crocheting as well as processing of a book.  I have one more book which I think is on it’s last edits that I want to get out.  I hope to get that done this weekend but only time will tell. 

I finally finished the short story I was working on and got that submitted.  Now I’ll have to see if I win.  I’m trying to put it out of my mind until they announce. 

Virginia has asked for the fourth book in the Wayfarer series for her birthday.  This would be okay if I actually had time to write.  I’d love to finish it.  I’m about 18,000 words into it and like where it’s going. 

Presents and writing those are my two activities for the most part for the weekend.  I’m hoping to destress from two weeks of registration.  Let go of some of the tension and just enjoy the crocheting and writing. 

Too Little Sleep, Too Much To Do

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Late night calls reduced the amount of sleep I got over the weekend but it was my girls so of course I took the calls.  This meant after a long day at work, I was tired and wanted nothing more than to go home to bed. 

I know myself well enough to know that if I go to bed at six at night, I’ll be up by midnight and grumpy the entire next day.  I opted to work on a gift and listen to a book. 

Sunday while I worked on projects, I watched Finding Your Roots, Person of Interest, NCIS LA, and Elementary.  Most of which I didn’t really enjoy.  The first three shows were good but Elementary was predictable – so not a Sherlock Holmes story.  By the time I was done catching up on shows, I was grumpy and annoyed.  I felt like I hadn’t made enough progress on crocheting and that watching the shows was mostly a waste of time.

This meant that last night I opted for the book.  I look at Cast in Peril and just couldn’t get into it.  It is very slow to start and I’m a little disappointed.  I swapped over to Vengeance in Death.  While I worked on a crochet project, again writing my own patter, I listened to the new book. 

My crochet project I started about six times.  First it was too narrow.  Second I wasn’t liking the yarn I had chosen.  Once I had the right yarn and the right width it was easy enough to snap pictures as I worked.  I got about halfway through and just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep.  However, I finished it.  I like it enough that I’ll make it into a leaflet to sell the pattern. 

Tonight I have one more of a similar style project to work on and then I’ll see where I am with gifts.  I’m making progress in getting them done.  Once they are done, I’ll be able to go back to writing more at night. 

I’ve got a manuscript I need to do last edits on, create a cover for, and go through production.  I’ve got two manuscripts I’m partway through writing, I’d love to finish at least one of them.  The other I’m not sure is going to make the cut.  I need to finish writing it and pass it on to my testers.  It is a different genre than I normally write so I’m not sure it is good enough to publish. 

Out the Window… completely…

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I’m one step away from finishing a project.  I just have one small step before I am done.  It will probably take me an hour.  Last night I was supposed to finish the project off and start on other projects for presents. 

This did not happen.  In my head (my damn brain never stops working), I had a scene I wanted to get written.  It kept playing over and over.  I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

I meant to work on the project but I got distracted.  I opened my computer and started writing the scene.  I meant to work for an hour or so and switch over to the project. 

My sister called to ask me stuff.  I talked to her for a little bit before returning to my scene.  My friend called for a little bit.  She wanted me to read the scene to her.  I read a small bit to her before she said I should just email it to her.  I went back to writing.  I wanted to finish the scene before moving on to the project.

My middle daughter called to talk.  We chatted and she called me out on being distracted.  I was, I wanted to write my scene so I could get to my project. 

By the time I was done with all the phone calls and the scene, I was too tired to finish the project.  I will finish the project tonight.  I will.  I’m determined. 

Unless of course the scenes that are bouncing around in my head demand to be written, in which case, I might not finish the project until this weekend.  In which case, my plan will go out the window again….

Hermit Grumbling

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

Finished another student worker gift and am half done with another, as well as discovered I’m more productive listening to an audio book than I am watching tv.  This is probably due to my not having to look up to see what’s going on while I’m listening to a book.

Last night Ken and I went to supper with two of my sisters, a nephew, uncle, mom and brother-in-law.  It was a good supper and a good time with the people.  I thoroughly enjoyed being with the people.

Having said that, when I was getting ready to go all I wanted to do was stay home and keep working on my stuff.  I was grumbly about having to go outside my house and my comfort zone of being a hermit to go out to supper.

Now I do laugh at myself because we did have a good time and a good meal.  It was really nice to spend time with Aimee and Jerry because we don’t get a lot of time with them.  I enjoy their company and can have a good conversation with them.  It was just me being grumbly about going out.

Today the plan is to stay in all day.  Yes I’m going to be a hermit and work on writing and on crocheting.  I want to finish the student worker gift I’m working on and hopefully start the last one.  I have an idea in my head and I want to see if I can make it work out like I see it in my head.

I’ve been entering the Writer’s of the Future contest every quarter.  This quarter I haven’t entered because I didn’t love my choice for entering.  I have taken a lot of criticism on the piece and I’m not sure it is up to par for submitting.  Then last night I had a really good idea for a piece that might work out nicely – going to see if I can crank it out in the word limit they have.

It promises to be a full day with crocheting and writing.  There is so much I want to get done and I know I’ll be lucky to get like half of it done.  On a positive note, I’m now reading Rapture in Death and enjoying it thoroughly.

Not sure what Ken’s plans are for the day but he grumbled something about chores he wanted to get done.  I know he got out the snow blower because they were calling for six inches.  With it being weather, they have of course changed their minds on that.  But the lawn mower is put away and the snow blower is out.  We are switching gears with the season.

Come check out my web site and the books I have available at:  http://eileentroemel.weebly.com/

Scheduling…

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

My life is all about juggling the different aspects of it.  I’m working on a story that is pounding in my head and wanting out.  I have 11,000 plus words done in it already.  I’m also working on holiday gifts of which I have about thirty to make. 

Thursdays are my early day to leave.  I get off work an hour earlier which means I’m home earlier and have more time with Ken.  Last night I spent it with him, eating supper, watching West Wing, and crocheting. 

By nine last night, I had two gifts done and had listened to a couple of hours of my book.  I have three hours left in the book and am hoping to finish it tonight, along with a couple more gifts.  Right now I’m working on the gifts for student workers.  Once I have their gifts done (hopefully this weekend) I’ll start on the faculty gifts. 

I could have worked longer last night and started a third gift.  I thought about it but opted for sleep instead.  This week has been a good sleeping week for me with me actually having a couple of nights where I get more than two hours at a time. 

As I was crocheting last night I was thinking about the things I have to get done today.  In order to remember them all, I texted my email a list of what I wanted to remember.  Once I get home, I’ll be tackling that list before I go back to crocheting and listening to my book. 

My daughter – have I mentioned that my kids can be a bit smart ass? – my daughter told me the name of the next book in the series.  I told her I wanted to try to listen to a different book once I was done with the current one I’m listening to.  She laughed at me.  This does not seem appropriately respectful but not an uncommon occurrence.  Now of course I know the name of the next book in the series, I’ll want to read it. 

To be honest, I am digging the story of Eve and Rourke.  JD Robb (i.e Nora Roberts) is a master crafter of this story and I am thoroughly enjoying it – again.  I think this is the third or fourth time I’ve read through the entire story.

I’ll get to the other books eventually.  I hope I will.  I’m sure it will happen eventually.  I’ll get tired of the JD Robb ones – there are a couple in the series I’m not so thrilled with – and then I’ll switch over.  However, my goal is to finish Immortal in Death and then switch to Cast in Peril.  I just don’t know if that will work as my inner reader rules when it comes to what I listen to. 

Ken and I were talking about the schedule for the weekend.  We only have one commitments so that means a quiet weekend – hopefully.  I’m hoping Sunday will be a good day to sit and crochet all day – hopefully finish a number of projects and gifts. 

Saturday I’m hoping to work on manuscripts but I’ll have to see what all we decide to do.  Ken was talking about errands.  It will depend on what and when he wants to do them.  I have a stack of coupons I have to sort out – some for me and some for the girls.  At some point I’d like to clear off the couch as it is filled with manuscripts, crocheting, mail, and other random things.  Maybe I should make a to do list?

Rhythm of Life

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

It occurs to me that I listen to a lot of classical music.  I’ve been teased about it.  In my office, I work with students who are probably thirty years younger than me.  I always tell them they are welcome to put on music they like (within reason for appropriateness for a work setting). 

Almost all of my student workers have told me they like classical music.  This always surprises me that they are interested in this type of music.  I don’t know why, my daughters also like classical music though I don’t believe they listen to it often. 

The rhythm of my days is working for nine hours, listening to all the things I have to at work from faculty requests to students who need assistance to student workers who need help as they learn new tasks.  My day is spent giving to all of these groups and more.  I enjoy my job but at the end of the day, I’m happy to have a change in rhythm.

I go home, talk to my husband, spend an hour or so with him before he goes to bed.  This is a different rhythm.  It is a slower pace, a quieter pace where we focus on each other. 

Then I get my time.  It doesn’t matter if I’m writing or crocheting or what.  This time has a pace all of its own.  The last few nights have all been about listening to an audio book and crocheting.  It is easy, peaceful, rejuvenating.  The flow of my day feeds into the change of pace and change of activity. 

There are smatterings of other things.  I could spend an hour or more talking on the phone with my girls or a friend or some family member.  I could spend the night sitting in the dark thinking (yeah I know this sounds odd but it works for me).  I could spend the night writing battles or love scenes.  All of these have a different rhythm but mostly it is the rhythm that helps me wind down and relax. 

When I listen to classical music, I find it fits in with my mood the best.  It becomes a harmony to the melody of whatever I’m doing.  What I’m doing changes but the basic rhythm is there underneath all the craziness of my life.

No Stress Day

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

Vicki called me last night to chat before she went to bed.  Before she called I was writing, the words were flowing, everything was moving along nicely.  I hung up with her, typed a sentence and my phone rang again.  It was my other two daughters calling to chat.  I asked if they coordinated that with Vicki.  They laughed and denied by I have my suspicions.

It seems like every time I go to the bathroom or am writing they call.  I think they may have hidden cameras in my house.  Well okay – probably not.

Yesterday I got the new Wayfarer book out!  Today it is available on Amazon.  I’ve reviewed the proof and the paperback will be ready in a few days.  I ordered copies so I can have them on hand, donate to the University library, send to my kids.

Last night I worked on another story and am trying to get it wrapped up.  I realized I had three plot lines to complete before I could finalize the book.  Of course I have editing to do after that.  I’m hoping to finish it off in the next week or so but I’ll have to see how writing goes.

I’m going to play with a cover for one of my novels I’m almost done with.  I don’t have one in mind so I’m going to play around with a few ideas.  I am leaning towards simple with my covers.  I find I like them better when they are either a photo someone has taken or a simple cover.

Once I’m done with a few of the writing projects, I plan to work on crocheting.  I’m hoping to get a few of the gifts made while I watch movies or tv today.  It will be interesting to see if the crocheting loosens up my hands a little.  If it does, I may have to go back to crocheting on a weekly basis to keep the arthritis under control in my fingers.

It’s Sunday so I want a nice and easy day without a lot of stress.  Crocheting, writing, tv, movies, all sound like a good plan.  Of course I have a manuscript to edit so maybe that will find a way into my day as well.