It has been pointed out by the cutest guy at the third middle school I attended (yes, third) that I haven't posted in a while.
Thanks, Clinton, I have been busy.
I promise to post more in the future. I love you all, and I leave you with the certain knowledge that right now at this very moment I am sticking out my tongue at you.
I'm feeling frustrated today. I've been working on my craft, doing the whole bit. And I feel like I'm not improving at the rate I would hope. Sigh.
I'm sure other people get the exact same frustration sometimes, which is why I am reaching out.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
It's a beautiful day in downtown Detroit and I'm outside in the sunlight. On days like this you forget about the rain and the crime rate. The weather's great. The people are friendly and the sky is blue.
I was supposed to wrote last night. I really was. Instead, I watched seinfeld reruns and ate guacamole. It was awesome.
Last night was supposed to be the night I got within striking distance of done on my current WIP. Instead I went out with a friend and had too much fun.
Ohio. Or, a pot smoking show chorus.
I'm in the Ohio countryside. There are fields. And cows. And occasionally you can see--
Hey look a tree!
Sorry I haven't posted all weekend. I was in all day training Saturday and Sunday. I am now qualified to train others about doing non violent direct action, so if anyone feels a yen to have a sit in then call me.
Unfortunately, that means I didn't get much writing done either. I only wrote two thousand words, which admittedly is two thousand words more than I had before. It's just nowhere near my goal cor the weekend.
Additionally, I looked in my closet and realized that when I moved I did not, bring any hooded sweatshirts. So, I had to go buy one from the bar downstairs. It has the bar's name on the front: the dirty trick. There's a skeleton playing poker on the back. And, now I'm ready to go to tonight's hoodie March. Everyone else should find one near you and go. If you have no idea what I'm talking about then comment and I'll explain.
cheers.
Title says it all. He thinks he's going to be the next Hemingway
Okay, I just looked at my notes and things are moving right along.
I have one manuscript submitted to Indulgence, one manuscript submitted to Dead Sexy, and one manuscript submitted to Harlequin.
My first novel's in for line edits.
I've got another complete that needs some editing before submission.
And, I'm thirty two thousand words into the Billionaire's Baby Surprise.
Then there's my real job...
This could be the year that turns me into a babbling fool. Or, it could be the year where I become a successful human being.
Three guesses as to which one seems more likely.
Trying to write in my small studio apartment is like trying to write in an oven... With hot water bottles (my cat and my computer) competing to sit on klmy lap.
It's sixty degrees here, but I'm in a fifth floor apartment with direct sunlight.
And I can't open the windows.
Some or you may find this ironic because two weeks ago I was complaining about my windows not closing.
Shut up.
My window is still open the two inches it wouldn't close, but that doesn't exactly help me get a breeze going. I chose a corner unit for the cross ventilation possibilities, damn it.
I swear. I love the piece I'm working on. It's smart (I hope), funny (I hope), and so full of troops it would make even the most hardened editor smile. I just cUt seem to find the time to work on it.
So, this weekend is all about writing. Once I get home from work.
Next question for the multiverse, I've got a completed manuscript that I'm hanging onto because i want to write a linked book (can you call them squeals in category romance?).
Should I just send in the first one and say 'this is my idea for a second'?
Also, thank you everyone who' s following me! Now I don't feel like I'm talking into as much of a void. What could make this blog better?
When I tell people the location where I work they shudder. The mythology of Detroit allows every neighborhood to be the worst, and people who've never driven by tell me that the intersection is dangerous.
Blighted.
Dead.
It's also beautiful, with big old houses, tree lined streets, and the river nearby. This old house magazine recommends it as a place to find a beautiful place for not slot of money.
What do you think?
Okay, I know this is slightly out there. I think that Detroit needs a writing room... Or two.
While I realize that writing rooms often occur in places with high rent where people don't have space to write in their apartments/can't afford an office. There are other benefits of belonging to a writing room, including a heightened sense of community, a place to take lessons/find a critique partner, and an attempt at professionalizing something that can often be done in your pajamas.
In addition, writing rooms provide a safe space to do interviews, a conference table for business meetings, and a place where you don't have to buy coffee every hour in order to justify your existence.
So, I exhort you, people with entrepreneurial spirit.
Come to Detroit.
Buy a building.
Rent a space.
Start a writers room, and i'll be your first member.
Come on. I need access to WiFi.
1. Curse the bus system.
2. Imagine all the places they'll find pieces of your body.
3. Wish you were at home with a cat.
4. Listen to your stomach growl.
5. Curse Barnes and Noble for closing at 5.
6. Use up battery juice on your phone by writing a blogpost.
7. Eat drugstore candy.
8. Plot your next novel.
9. Plot revenge on your cat for stealing your socks.
And
10. Be utterly grateful to the guys who finally split a cab with you so you don't have to keep waiting for the bus. Thanks guys!
It's raining in detroit, and the motor oil is running like blood in the street. Though in this city you never know.
With my current round of edits sent off to my editor, I'm stuck working on my next novel. (Working title oscillates between 'the billionaire's baby surprise' and ' unplanned pregnancy is okay if you have enough money for private school').
Only, I don't feel in the mood to write romance. Decisions, decisions. Power through and write about my devilishly handsome captain of industry and his clumsy one night stand/broke business partner, or start something puppy with lots of gore?
Questions? Comments?
You can tell that the bus came late when I have time to post two entries from my phone in the morning.
Anyway, I just got my first round edits back from Ruth over at Entangled. The woman's a genius editor, and laugh out loud funny when it comes to thinking of names. The current title is Too Hot to Handle, but that's not for lack of something sillier.
I love working at entangled so much that I've got a second submission in with them. Cross your fingers for good news.
And, on the 'still to be written' front, I've got a one night stand, boss-employee, billionaire playboy, accidental pregnancy, trope ridden manuscript on the back burner. (Just got back to where I was before I accidentally didn't save last weekend). Thirty two thousand words in (ok, thirty one thousand and a bit) and i still like the characters. WooHoo!
Ok, haters, this is just a heads up... Detroit in the morning is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You can take New York and stuff it. We've got gorgeous architect designed buildings, some great art demo facades, and an impending renaissance that's supposed to take us out of the economic doldrums.
If we don't get taken over by an emergency manager first.
So, I have my itunes on shuffle. Right? And what should come up but,'out on your Sunday clothes' from the Barbara streisand movie Hello Dolly.
The basic premise is that you can't be blue dressed up in your (fancy) Sunday clothes.
I've been thinking something similar all morning. There's no way to be unhappy in my Sunday clothes. But, in my case Sunday clothes means a pair of black yoga pants and a sweatshirt advertising my third (but certainly not last) elementary school. The sweatshirt has a series of different brightly colored peace signs on a white background. Or, what used to ve a white background. It also has fifteen years of coffee stains and a cut off decline.
Dolly would be so disappointed.
Still, everytime I catch sight of my reflection in a mirror I'm reminded that there's "no blue Monday in my Sunday clothes."
It's a beautiful day in Detroit, Michigan, the sun is shining, people are walking around, and i'm stuck in my apartment writing. Not that I've written much. Today feels kind of useless, but i know that the instant I get back to work on Monday I'll have more ideas then I know what to do with.
Isn't that always the way?
In other news, I'm going to start my driving lessons today, and my cat's finally figured out a way to relax.
The best way.
With a good book.
Today I sent out a major edit for a major edit... Which I'll probably have to so again.
I've come to the conclusion that editing is hard, and i need some tricks of the trade. So, big bad universe, what's the best way to edit?
Today in Detroit the fog is thick enough to eat. Clothing the city in an otherworldly light. It doesn't sneak in ion delicate cat feet, to paraphrase sandberg. Instead, the fog is racing through the streets with all the force of a Wild Hunt. Foggy dogs leaping from lamp posts to building before descending--teeth bared--to the ground.
Clogging in Tue morning may be the only way I get this done. (Guilty secret, I still haven't called for internet). But, It's a beautiful day in Detroit and i thought that I would start things off right with a list of things I love about Detroit in the morning.
1. The warm afterglow from the night before.
Last night I went out for a drink at The Dirty Truth, one of Detroit's best game night bars and a place where they totally don't mind if you just drink shelter and lime all night long. The bartender are friendly and so are the other patrons. After the Dirty Truth I got dinner near the university and it was fantastic. A pho-philly that gave you the warm feeling of a philly without the heaviness.
2. The coffee shop at 1515 Broadway.
The coffee's great. The foods cheap (which is a good thing if you're like me and haven't been grocery shopping in a while). And, the woman behind the counter is awesome. Totally friendly. Totally knowledgeable about all things Detroit.
3. The way the sunlight reflects off the river.
I dont personally have a view of the river, but I know that its there. So, I can occasionally catch a glimpse of it on my way to work.
Honorable mention... The Detroit public bus system. I have to hand it to them, they're a lot better than everybody says. They're how I get to work, and last week they would have made this list with a star. Yesterday, however, they let me down. I waited through three scheduled pick ups where no bus showed up before finally catching a cab. It will take them a while to get back on my good side.
Not on the list... A certain cat who thinks five in the morning is the perfect time for revielle.
Detroit, Michigan, home to the Tigers, bad Chinese food, and people who like to sleep in. Nothing happens here on Sundays until noon, so my cat decided to wake me up at five a.m.. Go figure.
In other news, I finished my first big round of edits yesterday and am back at work on my current piece 'The Billionaire's Baby Surprise,' which sounds so much better than 'unplanned pregnancy totally works if the guy has enough money to put it through private school.' Other possible titles 'The Billionaire's Bombshell Baby.' (I think surprise is way too overdone in romance titles).
Thoughts? Comments? Reactions?
