Do excuse me while I try to get back into the habit of this updating the website thing.
My story Breathing, originally slated for publication in the now nixed Second Skins has now been (possibly) accepted for a similar themed anthology. I also sent in another story under a pseudonym for the same publication.
I was alerted that Bend was accepted as a reprint (pending publisher's approval) and I'm expecting my contributor's copies of F is for Fetish with my story, Pull, any day now.
I have another story due at the end of the month, and a few shorts I want to have done by the end of the week.
So, I'm trying to keep the writing steadyand I'm doing pretty good. Thanks for keeping up with me!
Received contributor's copies of: Got A Minute?, Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica, A is for Amour, and D is for Dress-Up.
Had Return Policy accepted for Naughty or Nice...
Signed contracts for: Dirty Girls and Sex and Candy...
Completed two assignments for Custom Erotica Source...
Submitted Bend as a reprint for J is for Jealously...
and am working on several more stories for various upcoming anthologies.
So, you see, I wasn't just sitting around, and I update my blog on MySpace pretty regularly. I was just hoping my website would be redone before I started updating here again. But, oh well. You can't have it all.
Well, my intentions were to use the blog on my MySpace page for just a bit while I found someone to overhaul my site. I solicited two people, friends actually, who have web design businesses, but I heard back from neither. Admittedly, I hadn't been in touch with either for quite sometime and they are probably loaded with work of their own and I could just have old addy's for them, but anyways... it's been five months and my website remains the same and it's not right to keep pointing people to a site that's just a dusty old dud.
So...
I said all that to say this...
I will begin updating this website again, it doesn't matter what the bones look like for now. I'll do what I can to get it at least somewhat the way I want it, and we'll see...
I first had the pleasure of working with Sage back in 2003 (I believe) when she published my short story, Burn in her anthology Swing. Since then, I've been in another of her books and have shared a table of contents with her in many other anthologies. She is smart, creative and tells one hell of a story. Check her out!
...or maybe it's not so big. Between here and updating my Myspace page, I can't remember what I have and haven't told you, but I'll give it a shot.
I received my contributor's copy of The Greenwood Encyclopedia Of African American Women Writers which includes my entry on the late novelist Bebe Moore Cambell. The book is hardback, two volumes and gorgeous, and I'm really proud of my entry.
I received payment for my contributions to A is for Amour and D is for Dress Up both edited by the wonderful Alison Tyler. I am expecting my copies any day now.
I got a great, great new writing job!!! I wrote a sample story for Custom Erotica Sourceabout a month ago. It was really hard for me to cram the story into 1,000 words and I was really unsure of the finished product when I sent it off, but a month later, I was offered the gig and I accepted. This is such validation for me as this was on my list of writing goals that I started way back. So, who knows, one day soon I may be writing a customized erotic story for you!
I haven't received any word on Watching Willette or the other two outstanding stories either. This has me a little on edge, but I also know that patiences is key.
I feel awful that it's been so long since I've updated, but I'm looking into getting someone to give this old site a complete overhaul, see what that can do for my enthusiasm.
Otherwise, I'm working on a few stories, one due this week. Right now, have an awful headached, had an incredibly stressful past couple of days. Kid is sick and I just need to lay down.
I actually finished and submitted a story by 5 Pm on deadline day... amazing. It was my goal (as it is always my goal) to finish it early, like a week or at least a couple of days early, but it didn't happen.
Well, at least I wasn't still planted in front of the PC at 11:30 pm with a head and bellyache trying to get it done. Be thankful for the small things, right?
Aside from that, I really, really love the story. It's called Watching Willette and it's for an upcoming anthology.
During one of my random Google searches on my name, I found a site that excerpted one of my stories, Presenting Paulette, featured in the forthcoming Alison Tyler anthology, D is for Dress Up, simple click here for a taste.
Aside from the typo in one of the earlier paragraphs, I'm quite pleased. This was one of those stories I just wasn't so sure about, but it looks like I'm going to end up liking it.
So, this past Monday was D-Day for two calls. Late into the night, while sipping a nice Pinot Grigio, I completed and submitted Return Policy and Pull. I had been working on Return Policy for several months and never could seem to get it to my liking and I hate to say it never did really get there. But, it got to a point where I had to either leave well enough alone, or submit nothing at all. Pull, I had been working on for just a few weeks, and I am mostly pleased with the end results. I guess only time will tell if my fruits were effortless.
I took Tuesday off, and today continued work on another short story, Hoods, for an anthology and also began a story, Watching Willette, for yet another anthology. Those aren't due for another two weeks, but I really, really don’t want to come under the wire again. It gets old, it really does.
I’ve signed contracts for two projects this week. One for As She Was Told, which was sold to Alison Tyler’s Got A Minute? And another for my piece on the late novelist, Bebe Moore Campbell, that is included in the soon to be released Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Women. I am excited about both, but really proud of the latter since it’s my first “sale” to an academic publication. Both titles are due out in March.
I’ve been on hiatus from the jailhouse gig which is good for the writing and catching up on email and blogs, but terrible for my pockets. Ah well.
First, Happy New Year to all, and I wish you all a safe, joyous and fruitful 2007. As for me, things are much the same. I'm still working the jailhouse gig as needed, working the writing in, under deadline and working under pressure (hey, it's my thrill).
Over the past two weeks, I've received in the mail my contributor's copies of Ultimate Lesbian Erotica 2007 and also my pay for my story that is included, Covering. This story is a favorite of mine. If you haven't picked up the book, do so and check me out!
The kids are getting older and becoming more of a handful but I'm enjoying every minute of it.
I wish I had more of an update, but I've been supre tired all week and I'm still a little groggy this morning. So, it's off to the writing!
I was recently informed that my short story, As She Was Told, has made it into Alison Tyler's anthology of short, short stories, Got A Minute? I had been feeling a little down in the dumps lately as far as my writing accomplishments lately, and this immediately lifted my spirits.
Wow, I actually have written something in the past three months.
As for what I'm working on now, it's a short story, Hands, that I already love and am very excited about - due Friday.
I will pop back on late with a couple of other entries...
BTW... this site is currently under construction, so bear with me!
Wow, I logged onto the PC the other day and realized after checking my email that I hadn't been on in over a week. I've been making so many hours at the jail and have been so dead tired once I get home, staring at the screen has been the last thing on my mind. I have managed to accomplish a few things, though, like signing and returning the contracts for Strings and Presenting Paulette and have also approved and returned the copyedits for both. And I must say, I really love the editor for Cleis press.
December will prove to be a busy month on the writing front. This is also the time when the renewal for my website is due and I've been thinking about some changes I want to make.
I don't have time for a proper update, but I'll be back soon...
I just found out that Strings, a very personal story of mine, has officially made it into Alison Tyler's upcoming anthology, A is for Amour. I am very excited about this but also a little nervous as I've never written anything so autobiographical, but anyway... hooray!
In other writing news, I finished and submitted As She Was Told last night for another anthology. No new contracts received... many stories to write.
I hope everyone is well and thank you for your continued support!
Been working lots at the new jailhouse gig, but I'm coming up for air long enough to update. I just received an email from one of my editors, and the non-fiction project I'm a part of, formerly known as African American Women Writers From A to Z, has a publication date of March 2007. It is now being marketed as a two volume set and the new name is Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Women Writers. I wrote an entry on novelist BeBe Moore Campbell and I'm very excited about this project and can't wait until it's finally out.
In the meantime, I have been writing. I have a piece due on Saturday and I've completed the rough draft. Once it's typed and proofed it will be off to the editor and I'm on to the next project.
Whew. I'm tired. I've never worked so hard in my life.
I've been working on a new story, The Vicarious Life of Sundy Simmons, for the past week or so, but it was more of a free writing thing as I wasn't sure exactly where the story was headed. I had the concept. I had the voice. But, somehow I just couldn't figure how it all tied together as a whole. Well, today I think I've got it. Of course, several hundred words will have to be scratched and rewritten but I suppose that's the price you pay for a breakthrough.
This story will be shorter than my other pieces - I'm trying not to go over 1500, and would like it even better if I could keep it in the 1000 word range. We'll see, I guess.
I've just come off of four straight days of working twelve hours at my new job. I suppose I can spill the beans now and say that I am now employed at a local jail as a correctional officer. If you knew me, really knew me, here is where you would burst out in giggles... don't worry, everyone else did when they heard the news.
But, ya know what? I made it the whole four days, and while I was exhausted and at times unsure if I could keep it going, I actually found that I enjoyed it. Not that I think my future is in this field or anything, but I think it's something I can live with doing as long as I need to work other jobs to earn money while I make the transition to writing full-time. It will certainly make for some good story-telling, I'll tell ya that.
I'm off for a few days now and I have a slew of stories to write/finish. Also, my writing buddies from years ago (when I wrote my "practice" novel, What It Looks Like From The Outside) have resurfaced and we're looking into reactivating our novel writing group. One of them actually just one an award for her novel in progress (the name of both the award and her novel escape me at the moment, but I will edit this post later). Congratulations, Jamey!
That's all I have for now, will update more later as things start coming back to me...
I received my contributor's copies in the mail today and immediately sat down to read (um, disect) my story. I was more than pleased with the final product. I didn't realize in the beginning how great this story was (not tooting my own horn, but...). I absolutely love it. I'm going to dig into the other stories later.
Get your copy today!
Hmm... kind of sounded like a cheezy commercial there, didn't I?
I just found out that my story, Presenting Paulette, will be included in the upcoming anthology, D is for Dress-Up, from Cleis Press edited by Alison Tyler, pending the publishers final decision. This is awesome news and I absolutely love this story. It was such fun to write and I hope readers enjoy it as well.
It's been a great week in writing/publishing news and I hope this is a sign of things to come.
I began this entry last night, but was booted offline before I could finish. I was too frustrated to get back on and try it again, but luckily, time has taught me to save my entries in Word before posting. So, here goes...
I began two new stories today, one for a friend's anthology, the other for a call I didn't even realize I was interested in until now, but I'm really excited about working on both projects. It also occurred to me today the trend I've found myself in when it comes to my story titles lately. They are almost always only one word, but lately, they all have the -ing on there ie. Breathing, Waiting, Strings, Covering, Presenting Paulette... I can't quite figure out how that happened, but apparently, the trend continues as one of the new stories will be called Settling. I can't help it... it just fits.
I was offered a job today, and I'm just tickled about it. I've always been amazed at the odd jobs that writers find themselves working throughout their careers and this one just takes the cake for me...
More details when I officially start as this still doesn't feel quite real to me, yet.
When I got the now familiar large, flat white envelope today from Alyson Books, I figured it was the contract for Waiting, so I figured I'd open it later and do the filling out and signing tonight since I had already missed the last mail pick up. When I did open it, however, I saw that it was indeed a contract, but for my story Breathing, which I've now found out has been accepted for publication in the anthology Second Skins edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and Christopher Pierce.
Woohoo! Hopefully this is the beginning of a trend as I still have two stories in limbo.
So, that one will go in the mail first thing tomorrow.
I worked a little on The New Project. I guess I'm a little afraid to call it what I think it's going to be, so I'll just say it's the beginning of a longer, more detailed version of the Ivy/Narrator stories (Dressing Desire and Things Between). By the way, I've finally named the narrator. As I was writing, out came the name Rebecca... just like that and it just fits somehow.
I'm trying to conjure up another story for another anthology, a special request from a collegue and editor with whom I've worked before. I've got nothing so far, though.
I'm in limbo with the new job as I had a borderline reaction to one of the tests in my physical. They took and X-ray Friday just to rule things out and now I just wait. Waiting sucks.
Well, one of my stories is officially out of limbo. I was just informed that Waiting will be published in the forthcoming Alyson anthology, Irridescence: Sensuous Shades Of Lesbian Erotica edited by Jolie Du Pre. I am absolutely honored to be included in what I know will be a fantastic and groundbreaking collection.
Emails like this one always arrive right on time. I had been having a really bad day with all the financial and job stress. It all resulted in a headache, which, even after two extra strength Tylenol and a nap, is still lingering.
I haven't been called in to work since Monday, but I took my physical for my new job on Tuesday. I have my TB test read tomorrow and hopefully will be starting soon.
So... long time no blog, eh? It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I've been working, applying for jobs, interviewing for jobs and thankfully, just recently, getting offers.
I'm actually doing a lot more substitute teaching than I thought I would this soon since school just started but I'm getting called in almost every day. The first few days I had lots to say about the experience, the state of our public school system, etc. but even the thought of it was exhausting to me and it still is. In a few words, it saddens me.
I really enjoyed filling in with the younger grades, K-3, after that it got difficult... well, the kids did, anyway. I also enjoy assisting in the special needs classes. That is where I feel I'm making the most difference.
On Friday I was offered a job at the local hospital. It's a part-time, on call position, but it's something and it will at least bring in a little change and give me some experience. I was also alerted about another position at another facility, about that one, yet.
And I'm sure you all want to know about the writing, right? Well, I started a new story the other day. I'm undecided about the title, but I do know it will have the word "Roses" in it. The kids are doing great. I'm almost out of potty training hell (knock on wood) and the kids are wanting me to read to them all the time and I absolutely love that. My son's speech is getting better by the day and my daughter is getting sassier by the day.
I'm having major PC problems where I'm getting booted off the internet every couple of minutes. It's so frustrating that I hardly even attempt logging on anymore which means missing out on the latest entries to my favorite blogs, posting to this one. I'm lucky if I stay on long enough to check email. And by the way, nothing new submission wise. I have three stories in limbo, though.
Other than the little glitches, I think I can honestly say, things are looking up.
I've run across some good articles/blog posts that pertain to writing and, well, seem to speak directly to me, but I'm sure there are others in exactly the same spot who could use a view.
I found them both helpful, motivational and inspirational and they made me want to dash for the notebook/computer, but right now, with The Dixie Chicks' Not Ready To Make Nice playing behind me, I kind of want to crawl back in bed and cry for a minute.
Excuses, excuses... isn't that the big theme lately?
I had a nice, long weekend for Labor Day, but I won't blame that for the non-posting. I've actually been substitute teaching pretty regulary lately and it's been wearing me out. You wouldn't think that sitting in a classroom with a bunch of five and six year olds would take so much out of you, but boy...
No news to report on the writing front. Nothing submitted, nothing accepted, so that's my little non-update, I guess.
I thought I would need take the kids to the doctor this morning, therefore, I kept them out of daycare. We all slept in until about 8 and whaddya know, they seem all better, but I'm sitting here hacking and sounding like a frog. I really don't mind being sick as long as they're better. The trade off is way worth it.
I'm reading Alice Walker's "Now Is The Time To Open Your Heart." Yes, reading lately, but still writing. And on that note, do you know I spoke with a writer once who told me he doesn't read other people's fiction... ever? Okay... and you say you write fiction, but you don't read it? Okaaaay.
For the last few days I've been finishing up Alice Hoffman's "Here on Earth" (which is a terrific novel, by the way) and working on a piece that's developing into something that, quite frankly, makes me a little nervous. But the words are coming easily, the piece is flowing and I guess I just better not fight it. On a different, something funny that my daughter said just a while ago:
I was sneaking milk and cookies into my bedroom (and I say sneaking becuase that's what moms do when we actually want to consume something in peace) and my daughter walked in.
Her: Whatcha got... milk and cookies?
Me (while attempting to hide the napkin full of cookies): No, just milk.
Her: Oh, well, I want some cookies.
Gotta love the three year olds. Well, that's about all I have for now.
I believe I've pulled myself out of the dumps (for now) after having given myself two days off after finishing that last story. I started a new one today, currently titled The Talk, but trust me, that title must change. It's an Ivy/narrator story (can't believe that after two stories I still haven't named that woman) but they're the pair from Dressing Desire and Things Between.
I have a tentative place to submit it but it's not a sure thing (not that anything ever is) so I'm just going with the flow.
I'm getting more aggressive with the job hunt... going to start cruising hospitals and nursing homes tomorrow (for employment, people, come on!).
So, I took a nap this afternoon and had a weird dream. I looked it up on the internet, and here are some of the interpretations...
First - let me tell you the dream so you don't get a really, really gross image in your head from just the interpretation. I dreamed my son pooped all over my bedroom. Everywhere I turned, there it was. My mom wouldn't help me clean it up because the roof was leaking and she was busy putting down buckets. So, there. Crazy right? Well, apparently it means this:
To see a leak in your dream, signifies great loss and distress for you. You are wasting your energy on fruitless endeavors. Alternatively, the dream may indicate some repressed feelings emerging from your unconscious.
To see muddy or dirty water in your dream, indicates that you are wallowing in your negative emotions. You may need to devote some time to clarify your mind and find internal peace. Alternatively, it suggests that your thinking/judgment is unclear and clouded. If you are immersed in muddy water, then it indicates that you are in over your head in a situation and are overwhelmed by your emotions.
To see or use a washing machine in your dream, suggests that you need to resolve past issues and old problems in order to make a clean start for yourself.
To see or come in contact with feces, signifies aspects of yourself that are dirty and negative and which you believe to be undesirable and repulsive. You need to acknowledge and express these feelings, even though it may be shameful. Release the negativity in your life. Alternatively, it may also refer to someone who is anal retentive.
To dream that you are unable to dispose of the feces, suggests that you are unwilling to let go of your emotions. You have a tendency to hold in and keep your feelings to yourself.
To dream that the roof is leaking, represents distractions, annoyances, and unwanted influences in your life. It may also indicate that new information will dawn on you. Alternatively, it may suggest that something is finally getting through to you. Perhaps someone is imposing and intruding their thoughts and opinions on you.
So, Presenting Paulette is completed and on its way to the editor's inbox right now.
Ever get into one of those moods where you just don't want to write? You love to do it. You need to do it. It feels good to do it. But, you just don't want to do it. I was like that for the past few days, but I pulled it together and got it done.
My attitude went from down in the dumps to me being just plain pissed... at everyone, everything, nothing in particular and everything in general.
Of course, I've figured out now that it's probably PMS. Is it just me or is PMS a dirty, rotten son of a bitch? I'm telling you, it gets worse with age.
So, anyhoo, that's the big news for the evening.
I'll finish my Michelob Ultra, shower and head to bed.
Not feeling very will tonight, physically or mentally. I've picked up whatever it is the kids have. It's light right now, just a sore throat and fatigue. I'm hoping it won't go any farther, but I'm thinking... fat chance.
Mentally, I'm just exhausted. I'm frustrated and feeling hopeless. I rarely give in to my emotions during times like this but right now, I'm tired. Just tired of it all.
I worked on Presenting... this morning. There's more work to be done, but it will get to the editor tomorrow.
I'm at a crossroads where the job hunt is concerned. I currently don't reside in an area with an abundance of jobs. If I don't find one soon, I'm going to have to find a way to move to a larger city and get a job then, which would be fine since I didn't plan on planting roots here, but I really wasn't prepared for another big change.
I'm convinced that kids know when mommy has a pressing deadline because that's when they will get sick. It never fails.
I have one kid home with me today with the sniffles and a pretty bad cough. Luckily, i have a few extra days to finish Presenting Paulette, which is coming along quite nicely, as a matter of fact.
I don't have much as far as updating, but I saw this as soon as I logged on. Now, I don't advocate violence, but I wouldn't be mad if someone kicked this SOB in the freakin' head.
I finished Strings this morning and emailed it. I'm really pleased with the results... will be really, really pleased if it sells, ha ha.
I don't get to take a breather though because I have to finish Presenting Paulette by midnight tomorrow.
Went to the post office and I had a check (woohoo!) in the mail for a couple of stories. I always, always have those moments where I'm almost tearful when I actually get paid for a story. It makes me feel like, Wow... I wrote this and someone paid me for it...
I'm going to also be submitting an old but yet unpublished story, The Evolution Of A Stalker, later today. It's for an anthology edited by a friend from my writer's group.
I'm having a good day so far (fingers crossed - knocking on wood).
I'm pretty much done with Strings, but for some minor tweaking. I should be able to get it off to the editor before noon tomorrow, if not by later tonight. I wrote a few longhand pages of Presenting Paulette, and this story is just as much fun as I thought it would be. I thought I might start typing it tonight, but I didn't sleep much last night and my eyes as well as my body are rather tired.
I'm amazed at how much writing I got done this weekend, even with the kids home, when on my free weekends it's not unusual for me to not get down one word.
So, things are looking good as far as Tuesday's deadline are concerned. I have another story due September 15, but nothing pressing after that unless something comes up over the next few weeks. I'm thinking I may pick up Trouble - my long lost and severly neglected novel - again.
Actually, I need to start working on that novel again. As much as I love writing my stories, let's face it, the stories alone aren't going to get me where I need to be. I just need to buck up and get over this crazy fear I have of actually finishing a novel and just do it.
Yes, I'm post happy today, but here is a snippet from my current WIP, Strings:
If nothing else about that night, she remembered the way she felt when he held her by the elbows and pressed his lips to hers, how his tongue easing into her mouth made her feel weak and light-headed and if he had let her go a second sooner she would have fallen into a helpless heap at his feet.
...because I don't care how many times and in how many ways my characters "do it" in my stories, nothing is sexier to me than a kiss.
I'm not sure I mentioned here that I had begun reading Alice Hoffman's "Here On Earth" some weeks ago. I'm about midway through it and loving it. It reminds me so much of the kind of stuff I want to be writing, what I want my novel to be.
I'm not really a slow reader, by the way, but the fact that I've even been able to commit to reading one book until the end says a lot (now let's see if I actually make it to the end). I rarely have the time for reading. Okay, I rarely make the time, and as a writer, I'm very embarrassed to admit that.
I woke up to a nice hard rain outside. I've always loved the rain. And I don't know why, but it always gets me in the mood to write. I've been working on Strings this morning, which is perfect since it happens to include a thunderstorm. For a love story, it's sorta depressing, though. I guess that's because I've put my classic, twisted spin on it in which I've whispered into my characters' ears... if you don't want this thing to be tainted, if you don't want to ever forget what this crazy love feels like, then get outta there now... run like the wind!
The kids slept pretty late this morning. I knew they were tired last night the way they were running from one end of the house to the other, then promptly collapsed after their bath.
I had wanted to take them to a park or something today but I guess the weather will keep us in. They seem content playing in their room, though, so maybe it won't be such a trying Saturday after all.
It's always funny to me how when I hear about/receive a writing assignment, the deadline can feel ages away and I feel like I have all the time in the world to spin out the perfect little story.
This time, I even got a head start on one of the, Strings, which has been progressing well and have good ideas and notes for the other, Presenting Paulette. Then today it dawned on me that the deadline for both is Tuesday, Tuesday!!! I'm comfortable with Strings, there's only the matter of getting it to the appropriate word count, but I've yet to type the first word for Presenting Paulette.
I do it to myself every time. You'd think I got some kind of weird thrill out of it or something.
I finished Waiting this morning, while indulging in the guilty pleasure that is listening to The Pussycat Dolls' CD (specifically, Buttons). I've tweaked it, attached my bio and sent it off to the editor and now I can breathe... or get cracking on the next story or something.
I don't know why it took me so long to finish. I've worked on this story for nearly two months when I was able to write and submit Covering in 24 hours. I like Waiting just as much, if not more. After all, I've always wanted to write a story set in Brazil and I'm just in love with the characters (who are named Lucinda and Gabriela). I don't know... the writing is just hard sometimes, I guess.
If it weren't so early, I'd have a drink to celebrate. Actually, a Mimosa wouldn't be so out of order, would it? It is the perfect time for brunch...
I've decided that - concerning the afore (un)mentioned incident - I could either let it continue to fester and eat away at me or I can just let it be what it is and move on as much as possible.
I need to extend many thanks to a dear friend and colleague who allowed me to vent my frustrations to her. I felt so much better afterwards.
Next on the agenda is (damn it) finishing Waiting (today!), Strings, and Presenting Paulette. I figure I have about a week of having my days totally free before I'll be working at least part-time so I need to make the most of it.
And then...
It's on with Project "Get Me and My Kids Out Of My Mother's House". But more on that later.
If this were a more personal blog - and damn it, right now I wish it were - I'd go into great detail about a dilema I'm having right now. But I said from the beginning that I wouldn't go into detail about this certain personal life change on my blog because I'm not the only one involved, so I can't. Not yet.
So, why mention it at all right?
Well, because it's making me crazy. So, without saying much, I'll just say -
I'm having to swallow a very, bitter pill right now. I'm angry and yes, I'm bitter. But, I am big enough to admit that in many ways, I am wrong to feel the way I feel. I am where I am right now because of my own doing and because things haven't progressed for me, personally or professionally, I am becoming frustrated. And because of a very recent situation, I'm even resentful.
And sadly, I'm sure some would say I'm getting what I asked for, or even what I deserve.
Sigh.
No, I don't wear bitterness well. I'm trying to be a big girl about it, really, I am, but it's hard. So, if I promise to get over this by oh, say, Friday, I can sit here and sip my Reisling and be as bitter as I want to be, right?
Yes, bitter is my favorite word right now because there's no other way to describe it.
Well, pending the publisher's final approval, Cling has been included in the upcoming anthology, Sex And Candy, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. I wrote this story a while ago, but I do remember my having a horrible time finishing it. I'm probably lucky it got included.
There is no new progress on Waiting. No excuses. I've been lazy and that's just all to it.
And in the same token, no progress on anything else... unless you count sleeping. Ugh.
Oh, I did get my official little Substitute Teacher's badge this morning. What an intersting time this is going to be...
I had an interview with the local school district this morning and was informed by this afternoon that I've been recommended to be a substitute teacher.
I'm thankful for the work but boy, oh, boy. Orientation is next week.
I'm still struggling through the edits on Waiting. One good thing is that I was flipping through one of my notebooks today and saw that I had already written one of the final missing scenes and just need to type it. Otherwise, I'm getting there...
I spent most of the day editing Waiting. Well, truthfully, I spent most of the day sleeping, but after that it was on to the editing where I - unfortunately - realized I wasn't as far along in the story as I had thought. Sure, it's over 3500 words and I have a beginning, a middle and an end, but I'm still lacking lots of detail. It's all so exhausting. I'd better love this story when I'm done. Sigh.
Ugh. I'm up late and you know who's up with me? My daughter. It's been every night this week with them and I'm just ready to throw myself out a freakin' window... or go get my tubes tied or something.
Not much happening. I had the longest weekend ever with the kids. Both have little colds right now and don't want to sleep at night. Last night was a miserable night and we were all running late this morning. My second interview with the job from last week went well though. It was more them checking me out and seeing if I really wanted the job before they offer it to me. I could be wrong, though.
I fiddled around a little with Waiting this evening, but I'm tired and I just can't focus on it right now. It's almost there and it really won't take much to finish it, but I fear if I tried to tweak it and send it off tonight, I'll reread it later and cringe.
*I should state that my linking to the following article in no way represents my opinion on this subject - not that it's such a hot topic or anything...*
Anyway, during some research, I came across this article (warning it's about sex and menstruation, or rather sex during, so maybe TMI for some). I thought it was interesting and I'll save my opinion for that (big non-fiction) book (I'll never write), lol. I will add this much, however. Some years ago, during one of those random and supremely weird conversations with one of my aunts, she told me that having sex during your period would give you cancer. Scared the everlovin' shit out of me. And no, I didn't even ask for this information.
I'm trying to get into the habit of defaulting to this blog with my entries, instead of posting on my old blog, then rarely remembering to copy and paste it here afterward. Maybe I need to find a way to spruce up at least the blog portion of this site. Maybe having some sort of pretty and interesting background would entice me to post here more often.
Anyway, Strings -formerly known as Casualties - has now grown to over 1700 words. My target is 2500 words as I feel I can say a lot with this story without, um, saying a whole lot. The limit is 3500 words anyway. I actually wrote a little more in my notebook after attempting to go to bed. That's where having a notebook and pen resting on your headboard comes in handy, I guess.
I've also started yet another story (there's a method to my madness here, though, trust me). It's called Presenting Paulette and I've been working on the rough draft in long hand. I'm trying to hold off on typing it just yet because I feel like I could really get wrapped up in this particular story and let everything else fall by the wayside. It's gong to be a fun story to write, I already know because that Paulette, tee hee, she's something else.
That's about all the updating I have for now, guys. As always, thanks for reading!
You may remember that recently, well nearly two months ago now, I was laid off from my job. Since then, I've applied for over a dozen new jobs (and only a dozen because it's ridiculously slim pickings in and around the town in which I love). Until very recently, I hadn't been called for any interviews, but I had my first one on Monday (another job in the medical billing field) and it went very well. I actually have a second interview for this position this coming Monday. I've scheduled another interview for next week, this one with the school district, and I got a phone call tonight for a case worker position, interview next Friday. The first and third sound very promising. The second is kind of my back-up.
I started a new story today, and I know, I know, I still have Waiting to finish, but what can I say? The muse speaks and I say, "Yes, Master." Anyway, it's titled Casualties and the writing is going incredibly smoothly. I already have over 1,000 typed words and many more to be typed. I think I can finish it by (knock on wood) tomorrow night.
I also have an idea for another story that I need to jot down and push aside because that one absolutely has to wait.
So, all is going well, right now and I couldn't be happier about it.
So, I logged on tonight and found out that Covering has been accepted for publication in Ultimate Lesbian Erotica 2007 edited by Nicole Foster. I'm so happy about this and breathing a huge sigh of relief seeing as how I almost wasn't able to pull out a story at all for this one.
This just put the cherry on my sundae of a day, not to mention, I got some great writing done as well.
In today's mail were my contributor copies of Ultimate Undies and Sexiest Soles. First of all, the books look terrific! I love the covers. And on the inside, the introductions are fantastic - it helps that my stories are mentioned in the intro's to both books, ha ha.
Of course, the first thing I did was flip to my stories, Things Between and Stella And The Silver Stilettos, my eyes peeled for those dreaded typos or something else I had missed, and guess what... there were absolutely none! I loved reading them and am quite proud of both! This is making for a very good day.
I took yesterday to recover from finishing Covering, but today I'm right back at it with Waiting, the story I was almost done with before I got all sick and stuff. It's already nearly 4,000 words and I haven't even added as much detail as I would like. I do think I'll be pleased with the end product, though, and that's always a good thing.
Well, I've been absent because I was under a tight deadline which as of 8 o'clock tonight, I have officially met.
I was contacted last Monday to submit a story for an already closed submission, and while I was honored at such a request, I was feeling immense pressure to produce something.
A day or so went by without my feeling inspired to write anything and I was starting to get worried. Then, I remembered a story I started a long time ago, Blink, and felt I could revive it for this particular call.
I worked on it. And worked on it. And worked on it. And it just wasn't working.
By yesterday morning, I was panicking. Then I pulled out an old sheet of paper with notes for another story scribbled on it. I had come up with the idea several months ago, but never got the chance to explore it any farther. Well, between yesterday morning and this evening, those notes became Covering, my latest short story. Let's hope for good things. I'm actually quite smitten.
I'm hoping this breakthrough is the beginning of a streak of inspiration because there are three deadlines coming up that I really don't want to miss out on.
I've been sick and quite tired lately, having accomplished very little new writing. I did have good intentions, though, and did complete one fetish story, Breathing, which I submitted earlier this week.
I also recently signed a contract for my story, Replacements, which has been accepted for publication in the anthology, Caught Looking, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and Alison Tyler.
Two new anthologies that feature my stories Things Between and Stella And The Silver Stiliettos were officially released on July 1. They are two fetish anthologies titled Ultimate Undies and Sexiest Soles. I'm very proud of both these pieces and can't wait to see the printed versions.
I've been lucky enough to have been asked to write several stories lately. Illness caused me to miss out on two, but I'm working hard (or rather will be) to make the deadlines on the others. I always feel extra bad when I miss deadlines for special requests. Just feels like I'm being unappreciative even though I always have the best intentions.
Well, that's about all that's been going on in my world. I really, really need to spend more time working on this site.
I just wanted to give a shout out to the few of you who stil check in here in a regular basis. I know I've been a bad, bad author, blogger, website keeper-upper, but I promise, I promise, I'm working on my terrible updating habits.
Things is, there isn't much to update on unless you want to actually hear/read the words "I'm not writing" or "The film shoot had to be postponed" and "I'm working hella hours and getting no sleep."
See? Same shit, different day. You didn't need me to tell you that.
But if you really miss me and want to see what I have done recently, check out the recent release Amazons: Sexy Tales Of Strong Women edited by Sage Vivant and M. Christian which features my story, The Death On Applegate Avenue. Also, in July two anthologies (Sexiest Soles: Erotic Stories About Feet And Shoes and Ultimate Unties: Erotic Stories About Lingerie And Underwear) will feature my stories. There I wirte about two of my favorite things: shoes and panties.
I have had some private requests for some stuff... if only I could get around to writing them.
Well, as of tonight, I have a cast for Her Mama's House and let me just say they are absolutely gorgeous.
Today was a good day as far as writing goes. I used a hell of a lot of post-its at work starting two stories because I never could get out to my car to grab a notebook. These two are fiction with deadlines of May 15. I've gotten to a point where I need to really try to even out my submissions as far as genre. Oh don't worry, I'll be writing the erotica, but I'll also be writing the fiction and non-fiction and such. And oh yeah, the screenplays, tee hee.
Well, gonna grab a shower and take a nose dive into bed.
So, this afternoon I did something I hardly ever do. I connected to the internet while the kids were still awake. I was on for a few minutes and started reading one of my favorite blogs when suddenly it occurred to me that the house had become silent. You know that feeling you get deep in your bones when you just know something terrible has happened, the kind of feeling that paralyzes you and you're scared to get up out of your chair to see what may have occurred?
Well, parents of toddlers know to worry when there is sudden quiet. So I got and walked to the kids room thinking I'd find that they'd knocked each other unconcious or figured out the locks on the doors and wandered outside. But, there they sat on their knees in their bedroom watching cartoons as cute as can be.
Whew.
**And don't worry, before I was even done typing this post, the girl child had started screaming and the boy child had run in here to tell me he didn't do it.**
I remember watching an episode of Oprah a while ago and there was a woman on there who had gone through something very traumatic - please note that I'm not trying to downplay or generalize this woman's situation, I'm just cutting to the chase - anyway, she told Oprah that she allows herself five minutes a day to cry, scream, feel sorry for herself, whatever. After that, it's over. It's time to suck it up and move on.
I'm thinking, actually I know, I nned to apply that concept to my writing. I was on a roll at the beginning of the year, writing and selling one after the other. But then, something traumatic happened andI was, of course, too busy, too stressed, too damned depressed to write anything.
Well, it ends here. I realized it as I found myself apologizing and explaining things to someone I'm working with on a project when I hadn't done things that needed to be done and now a promising project may suffer because of it.
She was/is very understanding about it, but that's beside the point. She shouldn't have to be understanding or make exceptions for me. I'm a professional and I'm supposed to have my shit together, or at least be able to give the illusion that I have it together while I'm barely hanging on in reality. So, with my 24+ free hours this weekend I'm going to go through my submission calls folder, check the deadlines and get cracking on some writing becuase I'm a writer and that's what we do.
**Remind me that I wrote this next week, when I'm back to slacking off.**
It's been a long busy week and I've let some time slip by without posting as I sort of unexpectedly started a new 9-5 this week. I'm actually on my way to bed now but just wanted to pop in with a wee update:
My entry for the reference book was accepted with minor changes. Now the task at hand is toning down (or desexing, if you will) my bio so that the more mainstream, hell even literary writing accomplishments will shine through. Wasn't easy. Sex shows up A LOT in my writing. Tee Hee. I'll be updating the website to show the actual name of this upcoming project.
I'm expecting contracts for the latest short story sales any day now and got invited to participate in two more... hooray!
I'm still sifting through headshots and resumes for Her Mama's House. It's tiresome, but a really different, interesting experience.
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of shoes this summers, silver sandals from Electric Boutique...