We've survived our 250 mile move with 4 cats and a house full of Stuff. Now the fun part starts: unpacking and finding a place for it all!
I'll be back online full time in a few days once the Internet is hooked up. Until then ... go out and read one of my books, don't bother with this blog!
Later...
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Random updates from the front lines
Time for my once-and-again updating as life continues to toss events my way.
Packing is going very well. We're on target to move in less than a month (eek!) and so far, everything appears to be handled: movers booked, utilities figured out, closing times set. We'll make a trip over the Fourth to drop some 'precious' items at a friend's house (things we don't want the movers to move). Looks like we'll be camping out on air beds for at least 2 nights, and in a hotel one night (with 4 cats: oh, joy).
On the publishing front: 3 books out in the Deadly Landscaping series (see my Mystery blog for those), 2 books out in the History Patrol series (see my Paranormal/Time Travel blog for those), covers done for the next HP book and the next mystery book, edits done for yet another mystery book (to be released later this year), work in progress going well (albeit slowly because of all the packing).
All in all: I'm pleased with where I am at this point. Looking forward to starting a new working life as a telecommuter. I have my health issues mostly managed, and I'm looking forward to new adventures.
Don't know when I'll get chance to update again, but expect to hear from me before we move. Until then: buy a book or two, sit back, and have fun! I'll have more for you in the future....
Packing is going very well. We're on target to move in less than a month (eek!) and so far, everything appears to be handled: movers booked, utilities figured out, closing times set. We'll make a trip over the Fourth to drop some 'precious' items at a friend's house (things we don't want the movers to move). Looks like we'll be camping out on air beds for at least 2 nights, and in a hotel one night (with 4 cats: oh, joy).
On the publishing front: 3 books out in the Deadly Landscaping series (see my Mystery blog for those), 2 books out in the History Patrol series (see my Paranormal/Time Travel blog for those), covers done for the next HP book and the next mystery book, edits done for yet another mystery book (to be released later this year), work in progress going well (albeit slowly because of all the packing).
All in all: I'm pleased with where I am at this point. Looking forward to starting a new working life as a telecommuter. I have my health issues mostly managed, and I'm looking forward to new adventures.
Don't know when I'll get chance to update again, but expect to hear from me before we move. Until then: buy a book or two, sit back, and have fun! I'll have more for you in the future....
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Packing and more packing
I'm just going to direct you to my slog (web site blog) to update you on what I'm doing. Go to jayellwilson.com for details about my new releases, etc..
I have to admit, being under the gun like this has given me an appreciation for "Writing In Between" (my other blog which I swear I will get off the ground soon). I am grabbing minutes here and there to write, and it's hard -- it's hard to get 'in the zone', hard to turn off distractions, hard to find the physical strength to do it.
But you know, it's like a little vacation when I do finally carve out time to write. I get to slip away, visit people in another place, put myself in their shoes. Maybe that's why I'm a writer -- I like those vacations now and again.
I hope to return to regular blogging once the dust of moving is settled. Until then, look here now and again for updates, check my web site for any 'real' news, and stay tuned ... I've got 3 books to release soon, and 2 more I'm editing. I've got a lot of stories to tell...
I have to admit, being under the gun like this has given me an appreciation for "Writing In Between" (my other blog which I swear I will get off the ground soon). I am grabbing minutes here and there to write, and it's hard -- it's hard to get 'in the zone', hard to turn off distractions, hard to find the physical strength to do it.
But you know, it's like a little vacation when I do finally carve out time to write. I get to slip away, visit people in another place, put myself in their shoes. Maybe that's why I'm a writer -- I like those vacations now and again.
I hope to return to regular blogging once the dust of moving is settled. Until then, look here now and again for updates, check my web site for any 'real' news, and stay tuned ... I've got 3 books to release soon, and 2 more I'm editing. I've got a lot of stories to tell...
Monday, May 30, 2011
Packing and Publishing: They're So Much the Same!
I am packing for a move to a new home, 250 miles away. I've got a month or two to get packed, and I've already begun the Big Weed-Out, so I'm not too stressed about getting packed. But I figured I'd get a jump on it over Memorial Day weekend. My move will be bookended by holidays: start packing on Memorial Day and hopefully finish unpacking and be settled by Labor Day.
The best laid plans ... well, we can hope.
As I've been getting rid of Stuff and packing things away, I've discovered that the true test of whether or not to keep an item is when I ask myself, "Do I want to unpack this? Do I know where it will go?" If the answer is "yes" then it gets packed. If I don't know where I'll put it, I set the item aside and consider it for later. If I ask the question a second time and the answer is still 'no', then it goes in the Giveaway Pile.
Writing is like that, too, isn't it? If you write a scene or chapter and it just doesn't feel right, ask yourself: does the book need this scene? Can my book continue on quite happily without it? Do I want to add it to my book and 'unpack it' -- find a place for it? If the answer is "yes" then keep the scene. If the answer is no, tuck that chapter or scene into a file and save it for later. It may come in handy some other day.
Another thing I've discovered has to do with padding. I'm a sparse packer. I don't use a lot packing peanuts or paper. I tend to wrap fragile items in sweaters or clothing and hope for the best. I don't have a lot of really Prized Possessions. I have affection for many things, but if something gets broken, well, I'll probably be peeved then I'll figure out a replacement or do without.
Sort of like in writing, right? If you find yourself padding a scene or a chapter because it's not quite long enough or not 'right', then look at it and see what you can do without. Do you have a lot of peanuts surrounding the action ("peanuts", not ... well, you know!)? Are you treating your characters as though they're so precious they can't be allowed to stand on their own? Knock them down a bit, bounce them around, force them to act without your text holding them up. See who survives and who doesn't. They'll come out stronger for it, I can guarantee.
And lastly, pacing. I've moved a lot in my life (at last count, about 25 times in 40 years). I like to dig in and get a bunch of packing done 'ahead of time' because I know as we approach our move date something will go wrong -- or right -- and those best laid plans will go awry. Maybe our closing date will move up a few days. Maybe I'll have a new deadline at work (yes, I am still working full-time while writing and packing). Maybe the movers will need to accelerate the loading date. Maybe ... so I started a bit early, knowing that if I pack 2-4 boxes a day, I'll probably have a nice cushion of time in which I can 'relax' (yeah, right. Relax during a move to a new state? Dream on!)
Pacing is important in your writing life, too. There are times when you need to write and times when it's best to just take a bit of a break. Pace yourself. Dig in, work a bit on it every day (even if it's just some editing or a few tweaks here and there, the packing equivalent of 'I'll pack the coat closet today'). If you give it some of your effort every day, it will get done and you won't have that panicked feeling as you look at the calendar and realize how much time has passed. Set a goal and aim for it.
And hope that the best laid plans do not go awry!
The best laid plans ... well, we can hope.
As I've been getting rid of Stuff and packing things away, I've discovered that the true test of whether or not to keep an item is when I ask myself, "Do I want to unpack this? Do I know where it will go?" If the answer is "yes" then it gets packed. If I don't know where I'll put it, I set the item aside and consider it for later. If I ask the question a second time and the answer is still 'no', then it goes in the Giveaway Pile.
Writing is like that, too, isn't it? If you write a scene or chapter and it just doesn't feel right, ask yourself: does the book need this scene? Can my book continue on quite happily without it? Do I want to add it to my book and 'unpack it' -- find a place for it? If the answer is "yes" then keep the scene. If the answer is no, tuck that chapter or scene into a file and save it for later. It may come in handy some other day.
Another thing I've discovered has to do with padding. I'm a sparse packer. I don't use a lot packing peanuts or paper. I tend to wrap fragile items in sweaters or clothing and hope for the best. I don't have a lot of really Prized Possessions. I have affection for many things, but if something gets broken, well, I'll probably be peeved then I'll figure out a replacement or do without.
Sort of like in writing, right? If you find yourself padding a scene or a chapter because it's not quite long enough or not 'right', then look at it and see what you can do without. Do you have a lot of peanuts surrounding the action ("peanuts", not ... well, you know!)? Are you treating your characters as though they're so precious they can't be allowed to stand on their own? Knock them down a bit, bounce them around, force them to act without your text holding them up. See who survives and who doesn't. They'll come out stronger for it, I can guarantee.
And lastly, pacing. I've moved a lot in my life (at last count, about 25 times in 40 years). I like to dig in and get a bunch of packing done 'ahead of time' because I know as we approach our move date something will go wrong -- or right -- and those best laid plans will go awry. Maybe our closing date will move up a few days. Maybe I'll have a new deadline at work (yes, I am still working full-time while writing and packing). Maybe the movers will need to accelerate the loading date. Maybe ... so I started a bit early, knowing that if I pack 2-4 boxes a day, I'll probably have a nice cushion of time in which I can 'relax' (yeah, right. Relax during a move to a new state? Dream on!)
Pacing is important in your writing life, too. There are times when you need to write and times when it's best to just take a bit of a break. Pace yourself. Dig in, work a bit on it every day (even if it's just some editing or a few tweaks here and there, the packing equivalent of 'I'll pack the coat closet today'). If you give it some of your effort every day, it will get done and you won't have that panicked feeling as you look at the calendar and realize how much time has passed. Set a goal and aim for it.
And hope that the best laid plans do not go awry!
Friday, May 20, 2011
The 7 year itch
I think there's something to that idea, that every 7 years we need a change. It seems like every time I take up something new, I spend about 7 years going at it very intensively.
Needlework: I spent quite a few years learning, perfecting, and entering contests. Then when I won enough ribbons, I quit.
Gardening: I spent about 7 years getting a college degree in horticulture, and about that long doing some intensive landscaping. Then I slacked off.
Writing: I've been at it now since 2003, and it's starting to lose its appeal. I'm in my 5th year of publishing, and the enthusiasm is starting to wane.
What will be the next Thing? Where will I put my energy in the next decade?
I can't wait to find out ... I'll probably still write, still do some needlepoint, do a bit of gardening. But what will be that New Thing that will fire me with enthusiasm?
Stay tuned as we all find out.
Needlework: I spent quite a few years learning, perfecting, and entering contests. Then when I won enough ribbons, I quit.
Gardening: I spent about 7 years getting a college degree in horticulture, and about that long doing some intensive landscaping. Then I slacked off.
Writing: I've been at it now since 2003, and it's starting to lose its appeal. I'm in my 5th year of publishing, and the enthusiasm is starting to wane.
What will be the next Thing? Where will I put my energy in the next decade?
I can't wait to find out ... I'll probably still write, still do some needlepoint, do a bit of gardening. But what will be that New Thing that will fire me with enthusiasm?
Stay tuned as we all find out.
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