For the past year or so, I've struggled with finding time to both write and do cover art, and found that I was putting in far more time (voluntarily and otherwise) doing the artwork. Hence, I decided that what little spare time I had might be better spent focusing on the area that seemed to come more naturally to me: artwork.
With that in mind, I started systematically removing references to any books I still had out there (and am in the process of removing the last one, once the rights are reversed). At the same time, I started highlighting the digital design work more and more. I had taken a break from it entirely last summer because the day job was too overwhelming, but am now ready to get back in the ring.
I also started moving away from the "Kate" name on Facebook, Twitter, etc. because I'd always done the book covers for Cobblestone under the name of Rebecca K. Sterling. (Not that "Kate" is going to disappear entirely, mind you - she'll be back eventually, but with a different genre as well.)
So, if you start seeing posts under the names of RK Sterling or Rebecca Sterling, no need to wonder who the heck is that... :)
Meanwhile, my new website is up (more to add and tweak, but wanted to get something out there for now): http://www.sterlingdesignstudios.com/ It's a bit graphic intensive, so it may take a moment to load. I'm still figuring out how to handle that.
What news would you like to share?
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
New Direction
Once again, it has been a while. Since this is actually my first post of 2013 (wow, sorry!) I figured I'd get caught up on what's been going on. The day job has been crazy busy as always. I've given up thinking that there will ever be any down time, and finally stop torturing myself with thoughts of, "Oh, in just 6 more weeks things will slow down and I'll be able to write/paint/sculpt/do-any-fun-thing-I'd-rather-be doing."
Because frankly, ain't gonna happen. I've been consistently working anywhere from 50 up to 110 hours a week for the past several years, and I don't think that's going to change until my kid graduates college and can afford to be on her own (at least another 4 years). At that point (if I'm still alive), I hope to be able to become the starving artist I always wanted to be. :)
Meanwhile, I'll just add in the writing/painting/sculpting/cover art/etc. as I can, try to enjoy it as a hobby for now, and not torture myself thinking that I should be doing more to make a business of it. The hope is that during the next however-long-it-will-take, I would have at least accomplished a few things that I'll have as a starting point if/when I do have time again.
And believe it or not, 4 - 5 years goes by really quickly. Heck, I've been doing this blog for 7 years now! It seems like yesterday...
And I don't regret a minute of it. :)
And even though I've been working like crazy, I took the time to start my "good year jar", and realized that even in the midst of the insanity and occasional disappointments, I've still been averaging 2 - 3 really good things per week.
How are things going for your 2013?
Because frankly, ain't gonna happen. I've been consistently working anywhere from 50 up to 110 hours a week for the past several years, and I don't think that's going to change until my kid graduates college and can afford to be on her own (at least another 4 years). At that point (if I'm still alive), I hope to be able to become the starving artist I always wanted to be. :)
Meanwhile, I'll just add in the writing/painting/sculpting/cover art/etc. as I can, try to enjoy it as a hobby for now, and not torture myself thinking that I should be doing more to make a business of it. The hope is that during the next however-long-it-will-take, I would have at least accomplished a few things that I'll have as a starting point if/when I do have time again.
And believe it or not, 4 - 5 years goes by really quickly. Heck, I've been doing this blog for 7 years now! It seems like yesterday...
And I don't regret a minute of it. :)
How are things going for your 2013?
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Magical Mondays: The Power of Positive Visualization
In my last blog, I stated that I wanted to share some experiences with you that I felt spoke to the truth of Napoleon Hill’s (and others) assertion that positive visualization and belief in ones' abilities can make a great impact in our lives. But before I get any further into it, I’d like to state that I have NOTHING against working in a factory, nor against accepting aid when needed (you'll see why I say that in just a minute). I’m merely relating some things that were told to me some years ago.
The Conspiring Universe, Part 1
When I filed for divorce from my daughter's father in 1996, I had only a high school education, had been a homemaker for the past 10 years, had no technical skills, and had almost no real work experience to speak of.
My ex-husband--and even my own lawyer!--advised me not to divorce; they both claimed I would never be able to have more than what I had then, due to my lack of education, being out of the workforce for ten years, and because I’d end up a single mother. The lawyer said I would never remarry (according to him, divorced women in their 30’s never remarry) and that I would either have to work in a factory for the rest of my life or have to go on welfare.
My ex at least had a little more faith in me. He said that if I learned to type, I might get a job making $7.00 an hour working as a secretary (minimum wage at that time was around $5 an hour). I looked at both of them and thought, "You don't know me."
I made up my mind in that moment to start working at $9.00 hour somehow (in my inexperience, I thought that was a lot of money). And even though I had no idea how I would get there, over the next several weeks I kept picturing myself holding a paycheck with those wages. Once the divorce was final, I applied to a temp agency, and the first job I got was in credit and collections for $9.00 hour.
When that job ended a few months later, I knew $9/hr wasn’t going to be enough to raise a child, and wondered what my next step should be. By “chance” (more about that another time) I found some free classes that offered to help under-employed workers and displaced homemakers. I applied for and was accepted into the classes, and one of the things I had to do for them was listen to tapes on positive visualization.
I was supposed to lie down and meditate every day on what success would look like for me. According to the tapes, I was supposed to "set the dream and grow into it" by writing down a couple of goals that were well beyond my current reach, and work toward them. The first goal was to be a "starter" goal, and the second, an even bigger goal. The idea was that once you reached the first goal, the second goal moved into the first position, and another, larger goal was to be set for the second.
I wrote down my first two things: one, to work as an admin assistant for $15.00 an hour; and two, to somehow, some way, earn $64,000 a year. Mind you, at that time, I still thought $15/hour was a complete impossibility given my lack of education and skills – I still couldn’t even type!
And the second goal, 64K a year? Ridiculous! I thought I would have to get at least a Master’s degree for that, and I hadn’t the money nor the time to pursue such a goal. However, I did take some of what little money I had and enrolled in a typing class, as well as a basic computer course.
That was the start of what I would remember some years later, when I read the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
The Conspiring Universe, Part 1
When I filed for divorce from my daughter's father in 1996, I had only a high school education, had been a homemaker for the past 10 years, had no technical skills, and had almost no real work experience to speak of.
My ex-husband--and even my own lawyer!--advised me not to divorce; they both claimed I would never be able to have more than what I had then, due to my lack of education, being out of the workforce for ten years, and because I’d end up a single mother. The lawyer said I would never remarry (according to him, divorced women in their 30’s never remarry) and that I would either have to work in a factory for the rest of my life or have to go on welfare.
My ex at least had a little more faith in me. He said that if I learned to type, I might get a job making $7.00 an hour working as a secretary (minimum wage at that time was around $5 an hour). I looked at both of them and thought, "You don't know me."
I made up my mind in that moment to start working at $9.00 hour somehow (in my inexperience, I thought that was a lot of money). And even though I had no idea how I would get there, over the next several weeks I kept picturing myself holding a paycheck with those wages. Once the divorce was final, I applied to a temp agency, and the first job I got was in credit and collections for $9.00 hour.
When that job ended a few months later, I knew $9/hr wasn’t going to be enough to raise a child, and wondered what my next step should be. By “chance” (more about that another time) I found some free classes that offered to help under-employed workers and displaced homemakers. I applied for and was accepted into the classes, and one of the things I had to do for them was listen to tapes on positive visualization.
I was supposed to lie down and meditate every day on what success would look like for me. According to the tapes, I was supposed to "set the dream and grow into it" by writing down a couple of goals that were well beyond my current reach, and work toward them. The first goal was to be a "starter" goal, and the second, an even bigger goal. The idea was that once you reached the first goal, the second goal moved into the first position, and another, larger goal was to be set for the second.
I wrote down my first two things: one, to work as an admin assistant for $15.00 an hour; and two, to somehow, some way, earn $64,000 a year. Mind you, at that time, I still thought $15/hour was a complete impossibility given my lack of education and skills – I still couldn’t even type!
And the second goal, 64K a year? Ridiculous! I thought I would have to get at least a Master’s degree for that, and I hadn’t the money nor the time to pursue such a goal. However, I did take some of what little money I had and enrolled in a typing class, as well as a basic computer course.
That was the start of what I would remember some years later, when I read the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Nature + Vacuum = No Love
(Huh. That equation is also true with me in the place of nature. My carpets can testify.)
The saying that "nature abhors a vacuum" is apparently true. Remember my grand plan last month to get rid of those two hours wasted online every evening?
I did get rid of them - and immediately, my day job exploded with work. I've been working 10 - 12 hour days, 6 - 7 days a week, ever since I "freed" those "extra" two hours. That'll teach me.
What have you been up to?
The saying that "nature abhors a vacuum" is apparently true. Remember my grand plan last month to get rid of those two hours wasted online every evening?
I did get rid of them - and immediately, my day job exploded with work. I've been working 10 - 12 hour days, 6 - 7 days a week, ever since I "freed" those "extra" two hours. That'll teach me.
What have you been up to?
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Settling in
Just wanted to check in to see how people are - it's fuh-reezing here right now. This blog comes to you courtesy of two pairs of pajamas, two pairs of socks, and a robe. :)
How's by you? What's new and exciting?
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Time Out
It has been brought to my attention rather forcefully this year that I only have so much time and energy to go around (who knew?), and so I've decided to go into a self-imposed exile for the next year. I'll be taking down my website and other blogs, and just leaving this one up, because I know that I won't be able to stay completely away. I'd miss you guys too much. :)
However, I've had a few late night/early morning epiphanies that have left me with the decision to take a year off from attempting to write and create art for profit. For the next year, I hope to focus on solely the love of the craft(s), as well as reaching deep to discover the things most important to me. You'd think those things would be self-evident, but they really haven't been for almost two decades now. I'm calling this: "The Year of Living Honestly: Finding Purpose and Courage in Truth."
Lofty, huh? :)
Yet, it's true. I've been prone to depression most of my life and felt it coming back lately. Upon further examination, I discovered that my life has been completely lacking in what I'd call honest purpose since I gave up my religion, husband, and most family and friends 16 years ago. During one of those 3am soul-searching sessions recently, I asked myself how it was that I used to be so sure of myself, so brave in doing many things that did not come naturally to me, and realized that it was because I BELIEVED in what I was doing. I had the courage of conviction. Can't say that I've been convinced of much of anything in a long, long time.
Hence, a desire to find out what, if anything, means so much to me that I'd be willing to face anything to protect it. And to figure that out with as little stress as possible. I can't quit the day job just yet (much as I would love to!) - still have bills and daughter's tuition to pay. Though, who knows... I may yet do so. Her education is important to me, but how it gets achieved and paid for is always up for review. As are those bills... :)
Nevertheless, I can stop stressing about trying to write, paint, etc. and all the promotional work involved in that to make money from it (which I haven't been doing lately anyway because I haven't had the energy to keep up with it all). So... that's it. I'm going to do my best to just create for the sheer joy of it, for the learning that will come from that, and not stress myself out.
I'll be honest with myself and others about how much I can, or cannot, do. I'm resolving to not friendly with people I don't like just because they'd be useful to know in my job. I won't smile at liars, I won't glare at friends, I won't enable the weak to maintain their weaknesses (or my own), and hopefully, I'll find some peace.
Wish me luck. :)
However, I've had a few late night/early morning epiphanies that have left me with the decision to take a year off from attempting to write and create art for profit. For the next year, I hope to focus on solely the love of the craft(s), as well as reaching deep to discover the things most important to me. You'd think those things would be self-evident, but they really haven't been for almost two decades now. I'm calling this: "The Year of Living Honestly: Finding Purpose and Courage in Truth."
Lofty, huh? :)
Yet, it's true. I've been prone to depression most of my life and felt it coming back lately. Upon further examination, I discovered that my life has been completely lacking in what I'd call honest purpose since I gave up my religion, husband, and most family and friends 16 years ago. During one of those 3am soul-searching sessions recently, I asked myself how it was that I used to be so sure of myself, so brave in doing many things that did not come naturally to me, and realized that it was because I BELIEVED in what I was doing. I had the courage of conviction. Can't say that I've been convinced of much of anything in a long, long time.
Hence, a desire to find out what, if anything, means so much to me that I'd be willing to face anything to protect it. And to figure that out with as little stress as possible. I can't quit the day job just yet (much as I would love to!) - still have bills and daughter's tuition to pay. Though, who knows... I may yet do so. Her education is important to me, but how it gets achieved and paid for is always up for review. As are those bills... :)
Nevertheless, I can stop stressing about trying to write, paint, etc. and all the promotional work involved in that to make money from it (which I haven't been doing lately anyway because I haven't had the energy to keep up with it all). So... that's it. I'm going to do my best to just create for the sheer joy of it, for the learning that will come from that, and not stress myself out.
I'll be honest with myself and others about how much I can, or cannot, do. I'm resolving to not friendly with people I don't like just because they'd be useful to know in my job. I won't smile at liars, I won't glare at friends, I won't enable the weak to maintain their weaknesses (or my own), and hopefully, I'll find some peace.
Wish me luck. :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Dream a little dream with me...
Amber Scott had a fun challenge on her blog the other day. Basically, it's a 10 minute meditation/positive visualization exercise where you hold a strong image of your heart's desire in your mind for ten minutes a day for one week. She is going to check back on everyone in a week to see how they feel.
I threw my hat in the ring... sat down to do my ten minutes... and realized I had no idea what my heart's desire really was! That turned into two days of just spending those ten daily minutes asking my subconscious to dig up what I really wanted, what would make me glow with happiness. But make it something selfish, please. Sure, we'd all like world peace, an end to hunger, etc. But what about ME? What would tingle my pringle in the meantime while we're all hoping for whirled peas?
Then, quite strongly, I had an image of myself in the kitchen, painting. It was a flashback to a day when I realized I was really happy, and that I had never been so happy in my life. That was almost three years ago now, and I haven't felt that good since. I miss it. And the key to that happiness was that I was solely working for myself, on my own schedule, doing the things I love to do. I was writing, painting, and sculpting daily. My daughter and I were spending enjoyable moments together - there was no stress of going to a day job I hated. I had enough money to get by then. That was it. That's what I want.
That's not too much to ask, is it? Now, you try it. Feel free to share it here if you want, or just hold it close to your heart and smile mysteriously. :)
Meanwhile, today is my daughter's 18th birthday, Lana Gramlich has a new book of her photographs out, and her husband, Charles, just published a collection of Westerns. Congratulations to all. :)
I threw my hat in the ring... sat down to do my ten minutes... and realized I had no idea what my heart's desire really was! That turned into two days of just spending those ten daily minutes asking my subconscious to dig up what I really wanted, what would make me glow with happiness. But make it something selfish, please. Sure, we'd all like world peace, an end to hunger, etc. But what about ME? What would tingle my pringle in the meantime while we're all hoping for whirled peas?
Then, quite strongly, I had an image of myself in the kitchen, painting. It was a flashback to a day when I realized I was really happy, and that I had never been so happy in my life. That was almost three years ago now, and I haven't felt that good since. I miss it. And the key to that happiness was that I was solely working for myself, on my own schedule, doing the things I love to do. I was writing, painting, and sculpting daily. My daughter and I were spending enjoyable moments together - there was no stress of going to a day job I hated. I had enough money to get by then. That was it. That's what I want.
That's not too much to ask, is it? Now, you try it. Feel free to share it here if you want, or just hold it close to your heart and smile mysteriously. :)
Meanwhile, today is my daughter's 18th birthday, Lana Gramlich has a new book of her photographs out, and her husband, Charles, just published a collection of Westerns. Congratulations to all. :)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Following Yonder Star...
In the past, I've blogged a lot about the power of positive thinking, but haven't touched much on the following words of wisdom from Terry Pratchett in his book, The Wee Free Men: "Now...if you trust in yourself..."
"...and believe in your dreams..."
"... and follow your star..."
"...you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy."
:)
This has been brought home to me rather sharply lately. Now, mind you, I did trust myself, believe in my dreams, etc., and that paid off. However, it only partially paid off, because I also wasn't learning and working hard enough. (Hence, my now 3 "ok" reviews, as well as seeing much better cover art than what I've produced - created by people who have spent years practicing their craft.)
Now, I still completely believe in the power of positive thinking and visualization, but I've also come to realize that I need to back that up with real elbow grease as well. Lots of practice to become better at what I want to do, and not just sit around thinking it will all be magically handed to me.
NYT Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley kept a blog in the years just before she was published (and during the years that I remember her from the Desert Rose RWA when I lived in Arizona) all about her doubts and struggles while trying to get published. She has since moved on to blogging about what it's like to make a living as a full-time writer. I went back and re-read some of those posts the other day, and found them inspiring - and enlightening.
In other words, I got a necessary @$$ kicking. ;) (Which has actually been going on for days, as you can see from my "back to the drawing board" post.)
So, once more I'm taking stock of what I still have to learn, where I need to improve, and trying to force myself to get my act together and produce some quality work. Not just sit around and daydream about it.
In what areas are you trying to improve?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Back to the Drawing Board
Well, it's been a hectic couple of months with many stops, starts, and sputters. I'll spare you the gory details and get right to lessons learned.
One, life is tricky, messy and unpredictable. (Yeah, you'd think I'd know that already, but I seem to keep needing reminders.)
Two, sometimes because of number one above, you just have to hit the reset button and start over.
Three, starting over can be a good thing.
The whole Maine move is on hold right now (job description & funding changed, they offered the possibility of another one in a few months - but too late for me due to lease renewal dates.)
Soooooooo, that gave me a little more time to think about things and where I *hope* to be headed over the next year. (Notice I said "hope" - not plan. I'm done with planning for now. I'll just hope, try to do what I can, and see what shakes out, because really, we don't have nearly as much control over things as we'd like.)
Thus, saddled with my "what now?" funk, I had a little more time on my hands last weekend and attended an intense online workshop with Cobblestone Press on creating cover art. At the end of it, they chose to contract three new cover artists - and one of them was me. That was unexpected and exciting. :)
At some point during that weekend, I had mentioned to someone how once, after reading a story I'd written, a friend of mine made the comment that I should stick to painting. Ouch. Then, after seeing 5 new reader reviews of Managing Maggie on Fictionwise (the scale being great, good, ok, and poor) - one said great, one good, two just ok, and one said it was poor. Ouch again. Even if you take out the cheerleader and the hater, you're still left with just one "good" and two "meh, it was ok. Take it or leave it."
It made stop and think about what I was doing, what needed work, and whether I'm really cut out for this. I have to admit I felt like throwing in the towel. But after a few hours of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to use it to my advantage. It made me even more determined to prove them wrong, just like I did with that "stick to artwork, babe" friend of mine. (Just for the record, I was published before she was, so *there* pfft.) ;)
It also made me realize I was shortchanging the readers who kindly took a chance on me when I didn't give it everything I had. So now, I'm back to the drawing board. Lots of work ahead of me. I just hope I'm up to the task.
Any insights into your own life/writing lately that you'd like to share? Anything in particular you do to pick yourself up and start over?
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Conflicted
Well, I just put the finishing touches tonight on a short story I've had kicking around for a while. As I read it one last time, something kept bothering me, but I couldn't put my finger on it at first. The writing was clean. The dialogue was cute. The characters were fairly engaging. I smiled in parts... but... but... still, somehow... overall it was BORING.
It took me a few minutes to figure out what should have been blazingly obvious from the start: there was NO conflict. None, whatsoever. Attractive girl and attractive guy meet and are attracted to each other. They hook up. The end.
Gaack!!!!!!!! How did I miss that while writing and editing almost 7000 words? Now, do I go back and torture them? Throw in a time bomb and a runaway freight train? Give one of them amnesia or sudden desire for a sex change operation?
Now *I* have conflict. It's a Christmas story, so I have plenty of time to revise it. Yet part of me just wants to leave it as is and forget about it. I'm tired of looking at it. I could also just put it up on Smashwords as a free download. Yet... that's probably not the best idea if I'm trying to build readership. The other option is to forget it completely and pretend it never existed.
Sigh...
I'm also in the middle of trying to pack up my place to be ready to move by the end of next month, which means I really have to be ready by the end of this month, since I have to give my landlady notice and she'll want to bring people through. I really don't have time to worry about a story with no conflict. I have enough conflict of my own, right? Because I've also been in the process of interviewing for a job in Maine, and they're pretty interested in me right now. And moving across country (again!) is a huge undertaking.
Regardless of where I end up, I still have to move out of my current place so I can afford to pay college tuition for my daughter. And maybe one thing that would help with that tuition might be selling more books... hmm.... I think I see two tortured heroes coming up.
How are you doing? Any editing woes or victories to report?
It took me a few minutes to figure out what should have been blazingly obvious from the start: there was NO conflict. None, whatsoever. Attractive girl and attractive guy meet and are attracted to each other. They hook up. The end.
Gaack!!!!!!!! How did I miss that while writing and editing almost 7000 words? Now, do I go back and torture them? Throw in a time bomb and a runaway freight train? Give one of them amnesia or sudden desire for a sex change operation?
Now *I* have conflict. It's a Christmas story, so I have plenty of time to revise it. Yet part of me just wants to leave it as is and forget about it. I'm tired of looking at it. I could also just put it up on Smashwords as a free download. Yet... that's probably not the best idea if I'm trying to build readership. The other option is to forget it completely and pretend it never existed.
Sigh...
I'm also in the middle of trying to pack up my place to be ready to move by the end of next month, which means I really have to be ready by the end of this month, since I have to give my landlady notice and she'll want to bring people through. I really don't have time to worry about a story with no conflict. I have enough conflict of my own, right? Because I've also been in the process of interviewing for a job in Maine, and they're pretty interested in me right now. And moving across country (again!) is a huge undertaking.
Regardless of where I end up, I still have to move out of my current place so I can afford to pay college tuition for my daughter. And maybe one thing that would help with that tuition might be selling more books... hmm.... I think I see two tortured heroes coming up.
How are you doing? Any editing woes or victories to report?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Magical Mondays: Boob Wishes Strike Again!
(Yes, it's Sunday right now, but I might not have time tomorrow.)
For those of you who aren't familiar with "boob wishes", it's when you write down three things you'd like to have happen in a month, and keep it in your bra... or pants pocket, or wherever. :)
About a month ago, I was just daydreaming of a few things I'd like to have happen and wrote just two of them down. One: I'd like to be able to work part-time, and two: I'd like for my novella to be a best seller at Cobblestone Press, even though I didn't really expect either of those things to happen. I just put that in my purse and forgot about it.
Well, about a week ago, I was having a rough day at work and wishing the timing was right for me to ask my boss about taking off one day a week. It's a really busy time for us right now, and I figured the timing was bad to ask. But about an hour later, she asked me to come to her office and said she had good news for me. See, one of the things I HATE about my job, is that somehow I got stuck doing the class registrations and other admin work after the woman who used to do it had to quit. It was never part of my job description, and daily made me want to jab sharpened pencils into my ears.
My boss said she'd spoken to her boss about the possibility of hiring someone to take over that aspect of things, since it really wasn't something I should be doing and would take a lot off my plate. It was the perfect opening to bring up the part-time goal. She was very open to it, though she did say it probably wouldn't happen until after June. Hey, as long as there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I can wait a couple more months. :)
And as for the second wish, as you can see from this post, I was just as surprised as anybody. :)
Now I wish I'd written down a third thing, lol. Maybe next month... :)
Any good news in your life lately that you'd like to share?
For those of you who aren't familiar with "boob wishes", it's when you write down three things you'd like to have happen in a month, and keep it in your bra... or pants pocket, or wherever. :)
About a month ago, I was just daydreaming of a few things I'd like to have happen and wrote just two of them down. One: I'd like to be able to work part-time, and two: I'd like for my novella to be a best seller at Cobblestone Press, even though I didn't really expect either of those things to happen. I just put that in my purse and forgot about it.
Well, about a week ago, I was having a rough day at work and wishing the timing was right for me to ask my boss about taking off one day a week. It's a really busy time for us right now, and I figured the timing was bad to ask. But about an hour later, she asked me to come to her office and said she had good news for me. See, one of the things I HATE about my job, is that somehow I got stuck doing the class registrations and other admin work after the woman who used to do it had to quit. It was never part of my job description, and daily made me want to jab sharpened pencils into my ears.
My boss said she'd spoken to her boss about the possibility of hiring someone to take over that aspect of things, since it really wasn't something I should be doing and would take a lot off my plate. It was the perfect opening to bring up the part-time goal. She was very open to it, though she did say it probably wouldn't happen until after June. Hey, as long as there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I can wait a couple more months. :)
And as for the second wish, as you can see from this post, I was just as surprised as anybody. :)
Now I wish I'd written down a third thing, lol. Maybe next month... :)
Any good news in your life lately that you'd like to share?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
On the Move
Well, it's been another busy month. Computer crashes, viruses and work have kept me offline and out of the loop for a while, and now I have to move. I hate moving, but sometimes it's a necessary evil. Have been trying all day to motivate myself to sort & pack my bedroom, but the bed keeps singing its siren's song and calling me back.
On the other hand, I was slightly stoked when I saw my shall-remain-secret short story is now up on the publisher's website. :) That motivated me to want to write some more, but I also have two friend's novels that are awaiting my edits and feedback, so I'd feel guilty about working on my own when I have promises to keep. Hence, I'm still sitting here doing nothing. (In self defence, did I mention my computer crashed and it had viruses? It took almost three weeks to get all that straightened out, so I'm way behind.)
Anyhoodles... hope all is well out there in your world. I'm off to look at all the work I need to do. And sigh. What are you up to?
On the other hand, I was slightly stoked when I saw my shall-remain-secret short story is now up on the publisher's website. :) That motivated me to want to write some more, but I also have two friend's novels that are awaiting my edits and feedback, so I'd feel guilty about working on my own when I have promises to keep. Hence, I'm still sitting here doing nothing. (In self defence, did I mention my computer crashed and it had viruses? It took almost three weeks to get all that straightened out, so I'm way behind.)
Anyhoodles... hope all is well out there in your world. I'm off to look at all the work I need to do. And sigh. What are you up to?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Magical Mondays - Timeless Advice
(Ok, it's Saturday, but I've got so much to do this weekend, I'm afraid I'll forget by Monday! LOL)
I leave you with a message from Napoleon Hill. The ending is really special.
I leave you with a message from Napoleon Hill. The ending is really special.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Magical Mondays - More Boob Wishes :)
Sorry for being such a blog slacker. I've been working the equivalent of three jobs lately, and it's hard to find time and/or energy for much these days. I've got my full-time job as a curriculum writer and editor, a part-time job as an editor with an erotic romance publisher, and I'm still trying to keep up with my eBay artwork. Add in mom, housekeeper and writer, and well - let's make that at least six jobs.
But, wait a minute, you might say. Editor with an erotic romance publisher? When did this happen? :)
Around the end of December/beginning of January, I made some more "boob wishes" - one of which included getting a job by end of January/beginning of February with a certain (quite reputable, RWA acknowledged) publisher who shall remain nameless for the time being. There were two other wishes as per usual, but if they didn't come true it was my own fault. (Hard to get published when you don't submit material! lol) However, right on time, editing job came through. Boob wishes strike again! :)
(BTW, for those of you asked what the "welcome opportunity" was that I referred to in a comment in my last post, that was it.)
Now if I can only find another 48 hours in a 24-hr day...
How's it going in your neck of the woods? Any good news to report?
But, wait a minute, you might say. Editor with an erotic romance publisher? When did this happen? :)
Around the end of December/beginning of January, I made some more "boob wishes" - one of which included getting a job by end of January/beginning of February with a certain (quite reputable, RWA acknowledged) publisher who shall remain nameless for the time being. There were two other wishes as per usual, but if they didn't come true it was my own fault. (Hard to get published when you don't submit material! lol) However, right on time, editing job came through. Boob wishes strike again! :)
(BTW, for those of you asked what the "welcome opportunity" was that I referred to in a comment in my last post, that was it.)
Now if I can only find another 48 hours in a 24-hr day...
How's it going in your neck of the woods? Any good news to report?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Magical Monday - Help When Needed
Ok, it's Wednesday, so sue me. :) I think I can be forgiven for being a little late with the holidays and all.
Well, I'm not even going to get into all that has kept me away from the computer lately - suffice it to say life has been crazy for a couple of months.
An example would be what happened as I drove to work on the first day of my new job at a hospital in Chicago.
I'm cruising down the highway, trying to get to work before 7am since I'm supposed to be in two places at once at 7am (also long story) when suddenly a little voice inside says I should get off the road. I get off at the next exit, and start going the back roads, yet again, something inside says, "don't turn there, go this way" and I veer off my usual route. I have no explanation for this other than it was a strong feeling.
However, the road I ended up taking was a little scary. I'm on my way into Chicago, before daylight and taking the back roads in some rough neighborhoods when my car starts acting funny. I had passed the train station about a block or two before and think I should turn around and go back there.
However, there were no streets where I could turn around. The car started dying just as I'm in a dark area where I see a gang coming down the street. I'm thinking, "great, the car's going to die and so am I." At that point, I see a taxi and I'm begging my car to keep going long enough to follow it. It chokes, sputters and finally starts again - just long enough to follow the cab down the street to a gas station, where it gave up the ghost for good.
I asked the taxi driver if he could take a fare, but he seemed reluctant. It was getting late, and I was nearly in tears, because if I didn't make it to New Employee Orientation that day, I'd have to wait two more weeks to start, hence it would be another month before I got paid, and I just couldn't afford that.
Then a man walked up, helped me push the car out of the way (it was blocking traffic into the station) and asked where I was going. I told him where I was going, and he said he runs a shuttle service for people going to doctors' appointments and he was going right by there. Said he'd take me for free.
Somehow, I trusted him. Crazy, surely - even as I got in his van I wondered what the heck I was doing, but he was true to his word. He got me to work on time and for free, which was a good thing since once I got in the van I remembered that I had no cash and I had given Emily my credit card the day before, so I wouldn't have been able to pay for a cab anyway.
I thought about it later - if I hadn't gotten off the highway, if I hadn't changed my route, if I hadn't decided to try to follow that cab, I would have been seriously S.O.L. As it was, I felt someone was looking out for me.
I hope they stick around. I could use some more help. :)
So, how are the rest of you? How have the holidays been treating you?
Well, I'm not even going to get into all that has kept me away from the computer lately - suffice it to say life has been crazy for a couple of months.
An example would be what happened as I drove to work on the first day of my new job at a hospital in Chicago.
I'm cruising down the highway, trying to get to work before 7am since I'm supposed to be in two places at once at 7am (also long story) when suddenly a little voice inside says I should get off the road. I get off at the next exit, and start going the back roads, yet again, something inside says, "don't turn there, go this way" and I veer off my usual route. I have no explanation for this other than it was a strong feeling.
However, the road I ended up taking was a little scary. I'm on my way into Chicago, before daylight and taking the back roads in some rough neighborhoods when my car starts acting funny. I had passed the train station about a block or two before and think I should turn around and go back there.
However, there were no streets where I could turn around. The car started dying just as I'm in a dark area where I see a gang coming down the street. I'm thinking, "great, the car's going to die and so am I." At that point, I see a taxi and I'm begging my car to keep going long enough to follow it. It chokes, sputters and finally starts again - just long enough to follow the cab down the street to a gas station, where it gave up the ghost for good.
I asked the taxi driver if he could take a fare, but he seemed reluctant. It was getting late, and I was nearly in tears, because if I didn't make it to New Employee Orientation that day, I'd have to wait two more weeks to start, hence it would be another month before I got paid, and I just couldn't afford that.
Then a man walked up, helped me push the car out of the way (it was blocking traffic into the station) and asked where I was going. I told him where I was going, and he said he runs a shuttle service for people going to doctors' appointments and he was going right by there. Said he'd take me for free.
Somehow, I trusted him. Crazy, surely - even as I got in his van I wondered what the heck I was doing, but he was true to his word. He got me to work on time and for free, which was a good thing since once I got in the van I remembered that I had no cash and I had given Emily my credit card the day before, so I wouldn't have been able to pay for a cab anyway.
I thought about it later - if I hadn't gotten off the highway, if I hadn't changed my route, if I hadn't decided to try to follow that cab, I would have been seriously S.O.L. As it was, I felt someone was looking out for me.
I hope they stick around. I could use some more help. :)
So, how are the rest of you? How have the holidays been treating you?
Friday, October 26, 2007
TGIF
Quick update - still working hard for everyone else, not much time for me. I did get in a couple of words today - only 3 pages, but every little bit helps, right? I hope to take tomorrow as a painting day and Sunday as a writing day. Let's see if I can get as much done this weekend as I did the last one. That should help make up for the couple of days I had to miss.
From reading your blogs, it looks like everyone else is hard at work too. We're all getting closer to the finish line - keep up the good work!
Remember: "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit." --Richard Bach
And if you need more inspiration, make sure you have The Write Attitude. :)
Now, since I'm really tired, I'm off to relax a bit.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
When it rains...
Steve, Spy, Edie, Avery, Marcia, LaDonna - how's it going out there?
I'm hanging in, but not at the pace I'd hoped for. We were under Murphy's Law yesterday, and today... well, I'm adding a tag of "Magical Mondays" to this blog because let me tell you how it's been.
(Edie & Spy, this one's for you.) :)
Let's see if I can get the timeline straight since I'm still sleep-deprived.
A couple of days ago, I worried that I needed to find work. Spy said don't worry about it, the universe has a way of swooping in at the last minute, and Edie said she was visualizing money raining down on me.
Well, earlier in the month, I had sold a piece of artwork on eBay for a fairly significant sum but it got lost in the mail. Fortunately, the woman who bought it was absolutely lovely. When I explained the other day that I couldn't file an insurance claim on the loss until 21 days had passed (we'd already waited 14 on a package that was sent 3-day priority) she said she'd like to wait another week to see if it arrived, or have me paint her another one instead of give her money back.
That was extremely nice of her and a big relief to me. So, I said a few prayers that it would find its way to her, or that it would somehow work out.
Yesterday, I gathered my purse and keys to go buy the supplies to make her another one since I'd given up hope that we'd ever see the original again. As I entered the lobby of our building, I saw it. Sitting in front of my mailbox was the package -- returned to sender. I had mislabeled it and they'd sent it back. Now everyone wins. :) I had also told her about another painting I was working on, and she wants me to let her know when I'm finished so she can bid on that. What a sweetheart.
(That was also a welcome change from the fireman fiasco which had started out the morning!)
A little while later, I got an email from a former colleague asking for help with a project she had that's due tomorrow. Well, that meant less writing time, but it also meant more money, so I said, "sure."
A few hours after that, I got an email from my former boss (who is now working where I'd interviewed last Monday) who said that they will be making me a formal offer as soon as they finish with the Human Resources paperwork.
Yippee! More money, but hmm.... did I mention I signed up for Nano again, thinking I'd have time after all?
Today, I got two more emails with requests from others who'd like me to do some contract work for them. One is a fairly significant project due by November 12. It also pays pretty well.
Spy, you were right. :)
Though, did I mention I was trying to finish one novel before the end of October, and another one in November? But did I also mention I was broke and needed the money? LOL
So... Edie....is there any way you can visualize money AND time raining down on me? *grin* Oh, and best sellers for all of us. Thanks, you're the best. :)
Now here's a little bit of fun that I used with NaNoWriMo last year. I can't change the word count, but it does let me change the number of words and the action of the cartoon guy. Since the percentage almost matches my page count #, I thought I'd throw him in. (Of course, I may take Steve's advice and increase my font to 48pt - I should be finished at that rate.) :)
I'm hanging in, but not at the pace I'd hoped for. We were under Murphy's Law yesterday, and today... well, I'm adding a tag of "Magical Mondays" to this blog because let me tell you how it's been.
(Edie & Spy, this one's for you.) :)
Let's see if I can get the timeline straight since I'm still sleep-deprived.
A couple of days ago, I worried that I needed to find work. Spy said don't worry about it, the universe has a way of swooping in at the last minute, and Edie said she was visualizing money raining down on me.
Well, earlier in the month, I had sold a piece of artwork on eBay for a fairly significant sum but it got lost in the mail. Fortunately, the woman who bought it was absolutely lovely. When I explained the other day that I couldn't file an insurance claim on the loss until 21 days had passed (we'd already waited 14 on a package that was sent 3-day priority) she said she'd like to wait another week to see if it arrived, or have me paint her another one instead of give her money back.
That was extremely nice of her and a big relief to me. So, I said a few prayers that it would find its way to her, or that it would somehow work out.
Yesterday, I gathered my purse and keys to go buy the supplies to make her another one since I'd given up hope that we'd ever see the original again. As I entered the lobby of our building, I saw it. Sitting in front of my mailbox was the package -- returned to sender. I had mislabeled it and they'd sent it back. Now everyone wins. :) I had also told her about another painting I was working on, and she wants me to let her know when I'm finished so she can bid on that. What a sweetheart.
(That was also a welcome change from the fireman fiasco which had started out the morning!)
A little while later, I got an email from a former colleague asking for help with a project she had that's due tomorrow. Well, that meant less writing time, but it also meant more money, so I said, "sure."
A few hours after that, I got an email from my former boss (who is now working where I'd interviewed last Monday) who said that they will be making me a formal offer as soon as they finish with the Human Resources paperwork.
Yippee! More money, but hmm.... did I mention I signed up for Nano again, thinking I'd have time after all?
Today, I got two more emails with requests from others who'd like me to do some contract work for them. One is a fairly significant project due by November 12. It also pays pretty well.
Spy, you were right. :)
Though, did I mention I was trying to finish one novel before the end of October, and another one in November? But did I also mention I was broke and needed the money? LOL
So... Edie....is there any way you can visualize money AND time raining down on me? *grin* Oh, and best sellers for all of us. Thanks, you're the best. :)
Now here's a little bit of fun that I used with NaNoWriMo last year. I can't change the word count, but it does let me change the number of words and the action of the cartoon guy. Since the percentage almost matches my page count #, I thought I'd throw him in. (Of course, I may take Steve's advice and increase my font to 48pt - I should be finished at that rate.) :)
Friday, October 19, 2007
Updates, Part 2
Well, sort of.
Not much to report, actually. I haven't lost any more weight, but I haven't gained either, so that's at least good. Will just have to find a way to break through the plateau. However, I did manage to break through a bit of the writing plateau (a.k.a. writer's block, stall, laziness, whatever you want to call it.)
It went like this:
I'd been toying with the idea of doing NaNoWriMo next month, even though I know I'll need to be doing some serious job hunting and/or working then. (The interview I had Monday seemed to go well, but I still don't know anything.) I also just finished a book (one I'd recommend - there were a few issues with it, but overall, she made me laugh on nearly every page) called TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR by Lani Diane Rich. In the author biography, she mentioned the book was one she wrote during NaNoWriMo. I was impressed. I also remembered the book my friend Amber wrote during Nano last year - it was outstanding. Hmm, says I, should I take the plunge?
The only plunge was one of cold, sobering reality. I need November to focus on financial survival. Period. However, I continued to argue with myself, November is still two weeks away. What about Book in a Week? (BIAW) It may not be an official start time, but it might work. Stewart had also posted a short story writing challenge to his group to help break through blocks. There were still opportunities.
I did a bit of research--all of which suggest that rapid writing, writing past the inner critic--would make for magical happenings. I also read a lot of great blogs (mainly to avoid acting on my research) and decided to give myself a two week, 20 page a day challenge.
It started today, folks. I managed 25 pages so far, and I had no idea what I was going to write when I started. I considered finishing the novella, but that wouldn't have lasted more than a day or two. It had to be big, so I went with a kernel of an idea that I'd had floating around since last year, but never followed up on because I really had no idea what to do with it.
So it's true what they say. If you can make it past the inner critic, stifle the inner editor, you CAN just write and write and write. Doesn't mean it will all be good, but it doesn't have to be. The point is to just get it down. Revise later. But, gah, that's hard for me! It was made even harder by some great posts by Bernita and Steve Malley. Their advice kept ringing in my head, slowing me down, but I repeated the mantra, "You will fix it later!" and moved on.
I wrote for 6 hours today with many, many breaks. I can't do that when I work full time, so I want to do it while I can. Let's see if I hold up for two weeks. I hope so. 20 pages/day for 14 days=280 pages. That's 70,000 words or so. More than I've ever written for one piece.
So.... anyone want to join me for a crazy exercise? You don't have to make it 20 pages a day. Just as much as you possibly can every day for two weeks. Somewhere between BIAW and NaNo.
Not much to report, actually. I haven't lost any more weight, but I haven't gained either, so that's at least good. Will just have to find a way to break through the plateau. However, I did manage to break through a bit of the writing plateau (a.k.a. writer's block, stall, laziness, whatever you want to call it.)
It went like this:
I'd been toying with the idea of doing NaNoWriMo next month, even though I know I'll need to be doing some serious job hunting and/or working then. (The interview I had Monday seemed to go well, but I still don't know anything.) I also just finished a book (one I'd recommend - there were a few issues with it, but overall, she made me laugh on nearly every page) called TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR by Lani Diane Rich. In the author biography, she mentioned the book was one she wrote during NaNoWriMo. I was impressed. I also remembered the book my friend Amber wrote during Nano last year - it was outstanding. Hmm, says I, should I take the plunge?
The only plunge was one of cold, sobering reality. I need November to focus on financial survival. Period. However, I continued to argue with myself, November is still two weeks away. What about Book in a Week? (BIAW) It may not be an official start time, but it might work. Stewart had also posted a short story writing challenge to his group to help break through blocks. There were still opportunities.
I did a bit of research--all of which suggest that rapid writing, writing past the inner critic--would make for magical happenings. I also read a lot of great blogs (mainly to avoid acting on my research) and decided to give myself a two week, 20 page a day challenge.
It started today, folks. I managed 25 pages so far, and I had no idea what I was going to write when I started. I considered finishing the novella, but that wouldn't have lasted more than a day or two. It had to be big, so I went with a kernel of an idea that I'd had floating around since last year, but never followed up on because I really had no idea what to do with it.
So it's true what they say. If you can make it past the inner critic, stifle the inner editor, you CAN just write and write and write. Doesn't mean it will all be good, but it doesn't have to be. The point is to just get it down. Revise later. But, gah, that's hard for me! It was made even harder by some great posts by Bernita and Steve Malley. Their advice kept ringing in my head, slowing me down, but I repeated the mantra, "You will fix it later!" and moved on.
I wrote for 6 hours today with many, many breaks. I can't do that when I work full time, so I want to do it while I can. Let's see if I hold up for two weeks. I hope so. 20 pages/day for 14 days=280 pages. That's 70,000 words or so. More than I've ever written for one piece.
So.... anyone want to join me for a crazy exercise? You don't have to make it 20 pages a day. Just as much as you possibly can every day for two weeks. Somewhere between BIAW and NaNo.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Updates
Hello again. :) Edie, I haven't forgotten about you - just been super busy. I haven't made any more progress on my story (sadly) but I've made progress in other areas. I've lost 4 more pounds, sold 3 craft pieces on eBay (I updated my main website if you'd like to take a look) and have a job interview next week that looks like it's going to work out. (I'd be working in another hospital with my former supervisor - I loved her, just not where we worked before.) I'll keep you posted. As soon as my eBay auctions end and I get everything shipped this week, I'm going to settle down and finish that novella! I promise. I'll have to check out everyone else's progress in a few minutes - hope you are all busy tapping away at the keyboards!
Now, the dear Edie Ramer tagged me to list eight random fact about myself, so let's see what I can come up with.
Now, the dear Edie Ramer tagged me to list eight random fact about myself, so let's see what I can come up with.
- I'm homeschooling my teenage daughter this year. So far, we're using an unschooling method while she gets away from the public school mentality. We'll see how it goes. (See the "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" by Grace Llewellyn for the why of that.)
- I just starting making Halloween crafts in the last couple of months - a departure from the fine arts I've been used to.
- I have a large collection of Harry Potter memorabilia. Professor Snape is my favorite.
- I love men with big noses. (Could explain the Snape fascination, lol)
- I speak Spanish fluently, understand most Italian, and know a few words of Russian.
- I miss my cat. My friend said if I say this one more time she's going to slap me, since all I ever did was complain about that demon cat from hell - so don't tell anyone I said so. :)
- I believe in the power of the mind to alter circumstances.
- I am so severely sleep deprived right now I can't think of an eighth fact. :)
Seriously, I need to sleep. Just the other day, I misspelled my own name. It's that bad. 8-)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Spaghetti Days
There is a chapter in the book MAKING A LIVING WITHOUT A JOB, where the author exhorts the reader to treasure their "spaghetti days" - those days before they make it big and are living on spaghetti. She says to chronicle them, because one day you will look back and remember them fondly, even if they are difficult at the time.
Well, I'm entering into spaghetti days right now (though in our house, it's more like rice & beans with the occassional enchilada thrown in.) :) I handed in my resignation for the fourth time in three years, and while they once again tried to suck me back in, I only agreed to work two days a week through the end of October while my replacement gets up to speed.
You see, I realized that there are other things that are far more important to me than working for an outfit that I can no longer emotionally support. Things like taking care of my daughter and myself. Things that make me happy like writing and painting. The arthritis in my hands is getting so bad that there are days when I take my hand off the mouse and it remains in that clawed shape for several painful minutes after while I try to massage it loose.
It occurred to me that I don't want to spend years being unhappy and lose the use of my hands when I could be using them for things that I enjoy while I still can.
However, what that means, is that for a while I'll be quite entrenched in spaghetti days. And only when I can buy boxes 4 for a dollar. :)
I've been planning on starting a small publishing company, as well as sell my artwork online and elsewhere, but have run into a couple of small legal snafus which I hope to smooth out in the next month or two. I'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, Magical Musings recently posted a link to the inspiring account of Sherrilyn Kenyon's journey to publication and all she went through. You can read it here. (Scroll down to the part called "And here's the story of how I got to where I am." It is worth the read.
Wish me luck as I move forward, as I'll be wishing it for all of you.
There is a chapter in the book MAKING A LIVING WITHOUT A JOB, where the author exhorts the reader to treasure their "spaghetti days" - those days before they make it big and are living on spaghetti. She says to chronicle them, because one day you will look back and remember them fondly, even if they are difficult at the time.
Well, I'm entering into spaghetti days right now (though in our house, it's more like rice & beans with the occassional enchilada thrown in.) :) I handed in my resignation for the fourth time in three years, and while they once again tried to suck me back in, I only agreed to work two days a week through the end of October while my replacement gets up to speed.
You see, I realized that there are other things that are far more important to me than working for an outfit that I can no longer emotionally support. Things like taking care of my daughter and myself. Things that make me happy like writing and painting. The arthritis in my hands is getting so bad that there are days when I take my hand off the mouse and it remains in that clawed shape for several painful minutes after while I try to massage it loose.
It occurred to me that I don't want to spend years being unhappy and lose the use of my hands when I could be using them for things that I enjoy while I still can.
However, what that means, is that for a while I'll be quite entrenched in spaghetti days. And only when I can buy boxes 4 for a dollar. :)
I've been planning on starting a small publishing company, as well as sell my artwork online and elsewhere, but have run into a couple of small legal snafus which I hope to smooth out in the next month or two. I'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, Magical Musings recently posted a link to the inspiring account of Sherrilyn Kenyon's journey to publication and all she went through. You can read it here. (Scroll down to the part called "And here's the story of how I got to where I am." It is worth the read.
Wish me luck as I move forward, as I'll be wishing it for all of you.
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