But besides juggling work,kids and writing as usual, I struggled with fibromyalgia, which I've now had for about a year. It's an illness sort of like arthrites of the muscle tissues, a cluster of symptoms that varies with each person. Mine include chronic pain (mostly in hips, butt, knees, feet, arms and hands), fatigue, a foggy mental state (not good for creativity, that), fuzzy memory, dizziness, tingling and numbness in the extremities, and sleeping issues. Oh, and a rather large weight gain, out of the blue, to top it off nicely.
Fibromyalgia has no known cause or cure, but on the upside, it's not progressive or fatal. So things could be worse. I try to cope and still make writing a priority. As always, writing makes life so much better. Now if only I could keep my butt in that chair...
- Mood:
optimistic
Somehow finishing gets more anticlimactic for every book I write. Maybe it's because I know how unfinished 'finished' really is. I mean, there's revision (although I do quite a bit while I write so most of that is already done too). But then there's revision of the 2nd draft and so on and so on. And IF I get lucky and sell it, then there's more revision to come.
Also, an agent who asked to see the full said it shouldn't be longer than 50-60 K. ? For YA, I think that's a bit short, but if an agent says 'short', you get out the long knife and start slashing, right?
So I have that ahead of me still too.
But yeah, first draft's done, and I'm pretty pleased how it turned out so far. :)
- Mood:
accomplished
Highlights too numerous to mention, but Bruce Coville's speech and a junior agent asking to send my full manuscript were among them.
After the conference my sister and her family visited from Europe. We had a good time and nice, hot weather.
Then, a couple of days ago, my husband, my two sons and I were in a major car crash. We were driving down the highway when a pick-up truck cut us off. My hubby drove into the passenger side of the truck and our Ford Escape's front totally crumpled up and both airbags popped. I had been sleeping in the backseat, but sat up when my hubby yelled. Miraculously, no one was seriously hurt (except the Ford Escape, which took the bullet for us. It's totalled, and we only had it for about two months). I took my boys to the hospital to get checked out, but we all came away with only small bruises.
I can't express how grateful I am that nothing happened to my family that day. It still seems unreal.
- Mood: grateful
Over the weekend, I accidentally came across googled Maiden of the Wolf (book 4 of Hallowmere) and found two really good reviews.
The first one was on Vita Dei, a blob by a teen named Jessica who reviews books, the second one on Flamingnet.com, who gave it 10 out of 10 (Yay!) and made it a top choice book (calling it awesome and intriguing, among other things). Flamingnet is a website that tries to encourage teen reading by having YA books reviewed by young adult readers.
Nothing makes it all more worthwhile than hearing from real readers. I could cry for joy each time someone says they enjoyed a book I wrote. So these reviews mean a lot to me.
- Mood: chipper
My first customer review on Amazon.com!!! And it has 5 stars! I'm so thrilled.
"Angelika Ranger writes the latest Hallowmere novel in the world created by Tiffany Trent. The girls have gone to different fairy raths to retrieve the rathstones. This tale focuses on Ilona, the warrior girl of the group. She journey's to a place controlled by the evil Countess Bathory and her minions of Unhallowed. The action is fast and furious and Ilona gains valuable experience and allies as she races to complete her assignment. The pace and plot of this novel is excellent as is the character development. Readers of the Hallowmere series will be well pleased with Maiden of the Wolf. I look forward to more books by Angelika Ranger and of course, Tiffany Trent."
- Mood:
bouncy
Today I picked up my sign advertising my book launch event on the 24th and brought it to my bookstore, where I saw my book on the shelf for the first time! By strange coincidence, my hubby was there, too, with his camera, so he took a snap shot (of course it was one of those times I ran out without makeup and a crooked ponytail). Oh well. The sign turned out beautiful and it somehow made it all real for me, even more so than the actual book--weird.
- Mood: bouncy
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
tltrent's lovely Hallowmere series. Thanks again slwhitmanand Tiffany! I'm over the moon.
- Location:over the moon
- Mood: accomplished
I just registered for the conference--so excited! But unfortunately, the master class for YA authors was already fully booked. I heard it filled up by noon on the first day of registration. Ugh. Next time I'll be smarter. But there are so many other great workshops to attend that it won't matter much, I guess.
I also booked the professional track. It said members could bring one of their books to sell one evening. Does anybody here who'll be at the conference know how to go about with that? Do I have to order books from my publisher and bring them in my suitcase? This is my first time attending a conference as a published author, so I'm a bit unsure.
My book launch party is going to be on May 24. I'd invite all of you, but I think the chances that you'll be in northern Canada (and if you're thinking Vancouver you're still waaaay too far south) any time soon are pretty slim. I'm gotten over being panicky (for the moment, anyhow) since I figure no one here knows what a book launch party entails so I can make it all up as I go, and today I've ordered a sign and finished the flyers. I hope some people will show up.
- Mood: excited
1.) I did my workshops today on Fanfiction on the districtwide writers' conference for students grades 4-7. I had a bunch of fun and the kids seemed to as well . I read a bit of Maiden of the Wolf to one group, and they really enjoyed i!. On my free block, I attended a script writing class and was promptly recruited to do the lead of Mrs. Goop (a grumpy octanarian). But it was a great day with writers, readers, and would-be writers. One little girl told me at the end that I had "insprired" her. I nearly cried. What else can you ask for???
2.) Coming home, a package awaited me. Twelve copies of my first book to be published! Awwww! What else is there to say? Is there a better moment for a writer? I can't imagine it getting any better than this....can't get over myself just yet. Went out with hubby for sushi to celebrate.
3) My handicapped baby rat LInus (get over both handicapped and RAT--he's the sweetest cutest little critter you'll ever meet) is taken care of: the vet gave us some antibiotics( for his joint infection) and if those don't work he'll get an x-ray. I feel he's in good hands, but of course his health might always remain fragile. I hand raised him since he was only one week old, so he's very dear to me. (We can't have dogs or cats because of allergies in my house).
I'll add pics when I have time tomorrow. On other writing news, I'm back in the saddle with the Demon Game. I made a nerdy schedule with a daily and weekly word goal--but that's what works for me. I'm trying to write 5,000 words each week until school lets out this summer-- I want to be done the first draft and submit it then.
Anyway, it was a great day! And better yet, I don't have to work tomorrow!!!
- Mood: ecstatic
How do you decide which part to read? I was thinking near the beginning, so I won't give too much away. Also HOW LONG should I read for? Taking into consideration the short attention span of teens these days...
Did you practice the reading at home? I get nervous in front of an audience. But I guess it'll get easier in time. :) Right?
- Mood:
curious
giddyThe reason I've been so quiet is that I've been really busy with other things than writing. Christmas stuff, extra hours at work because some people quit right before the holiday shopping began (Christmas in retail is nuts). Then I also did revisions on Maiden of the Wolf (Hallowmere 4). But that was the only writing I managed...
But now the kids are back to school and my hours at the store more reasonable. I'm finally back at my desk and have already written 400 words today! I know that's not a ton, but it's 400 more words than I wrote yesterday. I'm planning on drafting about 3,000-4,000 words a week on the Demon Game for the next few months (until it's done, I guess).
Haven't received my dream agent from Santa as I had hoped, but the rejection letter was really nice and I'll try her again when the Demon Game is finished.
- Mood:
content - Music:Arctic Monkeys
 Dear Santa...Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In September I ruled Duluth, Minnesota as a cruel and heartless dictator (-700 points). Last Saturday I pushed jengt in the mud (-17 points). Last Sunday I pulled over and changed melissa_writing's flat tire (15 points). In May deenaml and I donated clothes to the needy (11 points). In February I ate my brussel sprouts (1 points). Overall, I've been naughty (-690 points). For Christmas I deserve a lump of coal! Sincerely, |
- Mood:
dorky
Actually, it's going pretty well. I'm power-rewriting and about 1/3 of the way in. It's more satisfying than I thought it was going to be. But I do miss working on the Demon Game.
In other news, the date for finally getting my PVR came and went yesterday. The guys who were supposed to set it up at 11 didn't show on time (surprise, surprise). It annoyed me, because I can't write while I wait because the computer is downstairs (in the dungeon) and I cannot hear the doorbell there. So I wrote with pen and paper (no kidding) until 1 o'clock when they phoned me to inform me that I had to come down to pay for the equipment before they could come and install it (and they failed to mention that during the ten times we called them to order the PVR and find out when they would show up).
So I ran down and paid them, but it was almost time to pick up the kids from school, so I told them to come by later that afternoon. Which they actually did. But only to tell me that trees were in the way and we had to put up some pole before they could put up the dish. Huh?
So they left and promised to return next week Friday...*sigh* I'm running out of stupid old-fashioned VCR tape and was so hoping to do the Tivo thing this week...
Off now to watch ER.
- Location:dungeon
- Mood:
aggravated - Music:chirping rats
Cassandra Van Den Akker stared through the grimy train window. The misty gray morning fog only lifted slowly and the clammy drizzle reminded her more of November than early summer. A chill draft stroked Cassie’s cheek as the train heaved out of the urban station and rattled on toward Vreewarden’s outer edge. Five more stops, then she’d have to either catch a cab to take her to Longview Terraces or wait an hour for the bus that never ran on time.
Mom could have picked me up, Cassie thought. But she’s still mad at me. Because I live with Dad and not her. Because I usually speak my mind if I don’t agree with her.
Because Mia’s in a coma. And it’s my fault.
Cassie folded her arms around herself to stop her trembling. A dull ache snaked around her chest, coiling cold around her heart. But maybe it wasn’t too late to help her little sister. She had to hold on tight to that hope. It was all she had now.
And only twelve hours ago, life had been all right.
And my progress on the Demon Game is moving forward at a nice rate:
| |
12,566 / 80,000 (15.7%) |
- Location:Dungeon
- Mood: artistic
- Music:Killers
Okay, we had our two girl rats for one week now--time to post some pictures. The girls are named Scrumph and Pookie. Scrumph is very outgoing and adventurous and Pookie is sleepy and a bit shy.
I'll put the pics behind the cut for those among you who don't like the look of rats (I have an animal phobia, so I understand. Rats are not for everybody and I've got some very emotional responses from friends. It's incredibly interesting)
Oh, and I also wanted to share my WIP progress. The Demon Game is moving forward!
| |
9,061 / 80,000 (11.3%) |
- Mood: happy
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2007 when...
1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7 Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.
: )
12 You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list
AND NOW YOU ARE LAUGHING at yourself.
Go on, forward this to your friends. You know you want to
- Mood:
amused
If you can spare some good LJ vibes, please send them my way...;)
- Mood: bouncy
So...check your water bottles, guys...and if it's been a while, replace them!
- Mood:wet
- Mood:
cold
