Just felt the need to start a new thread

Can't believe we are up to Project Muse # 16. It only feels like yesterday since # 1!!!

Glad that you are all settled in, Lou and that Dinky is no longer fretting.

*New home, new life, new possiblities.*

deb

Has anyone read Traci Harding's new book - Gene of Isis?
I just got it the other day and am already stuck reading it, much to the horror of my uni timetable. I think its here best so far.
I am also anticipating the arrival of my new computer notebook. After six years my trusty Acer is retiring after threatening to eat my 20 page essay last week. The stress isnt worth it anymore. Cant wait! It took 10 disks to download all the writing on the desktop of the old Pc, ready for the new one.
Not much to report on the writing front! But i'll get there...
Deb, I agree, post #16 is impressive. We have all come a long way.
Keep it up guys!

Ha Deb! I first thought you had written "It only feels like yesterday since # 11!" Which it does!!!

So where is everyone at writing wise?

Ally

Ally, I thought the same, that she'd written #11. LOL

Wow! Everyone sounds like they're powering on while I'm still trying to get the motor to kick over.

I have been reading a bit lately though and thinking through some areas of plot so I know I haven't totally stagnated, have been thoroughly enjoying Juliet Marillier's 'Foxmask'. I'm definitely going to have to check out some of her other work.

Meanwhile I have been writing some poetry, but mostly settling into our new home and into the very different, new routine since we have stopped homeschooling. I'm finding I'm achieving so much less because I'm not busy. rolls eyes

Kylie

Lovely to hear from you again Kylie. And Timna, I'm pleased your reading Traci's latest. I've heard great things about it. Deb, you're right, #16 is impressive, and I'm so pleased we're all still hanging in there, even if some of us (whistling and looking around innocently) aren't writing at the mo. Still, it is a public holiday, so perhaps that's a good excuse. I'm back to the QWC on Wednesday, so the Little Mermaid will get a kickstart then...

Hey everyone,

Wow Muse no. 16 interesting thoughts come from that.

I have been way too busy for my (& doc's) liking, so am currently working out (seems to be my life's mission at present) what I should/want to do etc. Had a fantastic flying visit from my sister who is out from Europe for 9 days only 1 in Brissie - so you can imagine the busy-ness leading up and fallout after that. Hadn't seen her for nearly 3 years, but we had a miniscule time to discuss our respective artistic lives.

On the writing front I'm hitting panic deadline looming ahead mode I've enrolled in EnVision and have to get my stuff out of my head - it'd be too messy to just mail my head in I figured. It's funny how when you don't use your muscles too much (like brain) it forgets how much it can get done.

I'm just glad I have been able to afford the workshop and have child organised so I can do it. (hey I figure a terrific 35th pressie for myself).

Getting there but I keep allowing life to get in the way. Good thing my new erm friend writes too - I'm kept on the writing straight and narrow lol.

I think once I slow down workwise - ie multiple days off writing can take off better as I'll have energy again crossing fingers.

Good to hear from you all, Louise I'm glad the move went well and that life is resembling a somewhat normal status. Must be fantastic being able to get back to your Mermaid. Just wish I could find the willpower to do the prioritising thing.

Well, I'm officially back to work. Am at the Writer's Centre at the mo, sucking up internet time (researching of course), and enjoying being decently dressed and back in town - as opposed to the last couple of weeks where pyjamas and a stanley knife (I'm sure those boxes mulitiplied in the removalists van) have been my standard look.  Am rounding that naughty little mermaid up and shuffling her quickly towards "The End" and taking no backchat (or procrastination) from either of us!

Well I thought I should come here and share my joy amongst those who will fully appreciate it.

I have enrolled in EnVision (which is possibly cause to celebrate in itself with all the terror and the like) but trying to get out the deadling submission has been a whole different kettle of fish.

Life is funny (but we already knew that right?) I have been tested to see if I REALLY want to do this. I thought yeah story in head, only need to focus at computer. But (always huh) my health has gone bad (not impressed I can tell you).

So, I wonder and panic sets in of not making it in time. BUT I have done it - amidst the specialists, medical tests and well more specialists and doctors I have actually managed to get just over the minimum sub done (and I wasn't planning on going over as I know I need help and hey this 100pg will certainly get worked over).

Whole experience has shown me that yep, I'm passionate about my writing (something I had got to point of wondering with the apathy etc) and I am going to do it.

Fun part will be doing the workshop amidst the doctors visits (prior and literally post the dates its on).

So, I'm a happy bunny (hmmmmm now if I only I could think the synopsis was somewhere in the ballpark of what was wanted lol Oh well all learning stuff)

*continues dance of joy round the room, whilst staring in awe at fact she has 100pages sitting on her desk*

I hope everyone else is in good health both physically and writing-wise

Nicky

Nicky, you sound so happy - and you have every right to be! 100 pages is great. Meeting the deadline is even better.

I just KNOW that you are going to enjoy yourself at EnVision. I attended the previous two and got so much out of them (including some wonderful friends.) It is like visiting heaven for five days.

Hope you have as much fun as I did.

deb

Wow Nicky, you almost inspirired me to get up and dance around as well! (But as I am in a University computer lab that would probably not be welcome). Congratulations for the 100 pages, and sending all happy thoughts your way

Writing is on hold but the notes are not (I have a draw full of badly written notes!) and I have a very twisted plot in my head and can't wait to write it. Not fantasy, but certainly enjoyable. I'll have to be careful else all these plots in my head will start running into each other and mixing up....that would ensure a twisted plot! haha - off to write (for education purposes)....hmpf.

Hey guys!

Lou, I just read your latest diary entry and can't believe how much you wrote in March alone! This book has poured out of you so beautifully. And now on the downhill stretch. Boy that's exciting!!! And you're coming to Melbourne?!?!?! Yippee!!! The hotel in which the conference is being held is insanely gorgeous! Have you checked out the website? You're chin will hit the floor when you walk in the front door. Can't wait to see you there... I'm super excited about the Donald Maas talk too.

Nicky, hope all the tets results have come through okay for you. And the 100 pages on your desk is a huge effort! When is EnVision? I'm sure you'll love it. Deb has raved and then some every year she has gone.

How you doin', Deb? What you workin' on now???

Had a bit of a book scare yesterday with news that the line I write for, and another simliar line edited out of New York are going to be amalgamated next year thus about 1/4 of the authors involved are not being asked to write for the new line. I tell you, all day yesterday I felt ill.

But I spoke to my ed last night and its all good news for me. They are happy to keep me on and have even invited me to write for a continuity series (where they have 12 or so linked books each written by a different author) to start off the new line. So feeling very relieved!

At 25k on current MS and have to write 1700 per day to finish it before I go on hols in June. Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!! I'd better go write then!

Hope everyone is super well
Ally
http://www.allyblake.com

Nicky, I'm thrilled for you too!  And looking forward to catching up with you at EnVision.  It starts in only four weeks... coming up fast. 

Dale, I'm sure you'd get away with dancing in the computer lab, wouldn't you?   Ally, I can't say I held my breath when I heard your line was amalgamating because I knew they'd keep you on.  Your books are just too delicious to even consider halting the flow!  So it's no surprise to me that you're being promoted.  Congratulations on your hard work and talent being recognised.  Really looking forward to giving you a hug in August (and also being impressed by the Hotel - I will check out the website.  And P.S. what are you wearing to the "Night of the Raj" cocktail party?)

I've just come back from a very successful weekend at Bundaberg where I did a library talk and a one day workshop called Writefest.  Met some lovely local writers, had an F.A.B. time staying at Bargara Beach and got lots of public speaking practise.  Now that I'm with Booked Out, the speakers agency, I'm getting more 'out and about' work, which should really help balance things for me, as next week I finish my residency at the Qld Writers Centre, so will be going back to working at home and will miss all the people contact I've had in town.  I love my solitude, but I'm a 'people person' as well, so I find the speaking engagements really help me get that positive energy flowing.

Am hoping to finish my mermaid story in the next couple of weeks - definitely before EnVision.  You'll hear the YAHOO from wherever you are when I do!  Hope everyone else is going well.  Deb, are you writing?  Spill, girl.

I've been mulling over this one story for ages and just haven't seemed to be able to get any of it down.

Tonight, without even pushing to get started the first 250 words just flowed onto the screen. It's not a huge start, but it's definitely a start I can work with when I'm more awake tomorrow (very late night last night and thinking of making it a very early one tonight).

I've also started singing with our church band (did this at a church in Sydney for a while, but it's been nearly two years, and I hadn't realised until I started again just how much I'd missed it).

Kylie

It's always surprising, isn't it, how getting the creative juices flowing in one area will open up others. I adore singing, Kylie, but only in the car with the windows wound up I used to sing lullabies to my children but by the time they'd both reached ten they asked me to stop Never mind, I enjoy it even if no one else does!

And 250 words is a great start. That first blank page can be very daunting, so it's fab to have it out of the way.

Had my farewell party at the Qld Writers Centre last night and it was sad and sweet. I'll miss those guys, but I'm thoroughly enjoying working at home and getting more done now that there's no travelling time (and my son has his licence so I'm not doing the school run either)and who knows what the future will bring . . .

Woohoo on the licence! That must be so freeing for you.

Yes, the singing does help. I've even been writing some new poetry/songs (without the music). I've been asked if I'd like to lead worship, but I'm still not sure about that, will have to do some hard thinking and praying before I make a decision. I know it probably won't make any sense to someone who doesn't share my beliefs, but I'm torn over the reasons I'd be doing it not over my ability or whether I want to. For me it's about whether I'd be doing it to really glorify God or just because it feeds my ego.

I wrote another 250 words today and then realised that what I was writing wasn't actually a new story, but an old one I've been stuck on told from a totally new perspective and it's working!!!!!

So now I have to pull out the two year old Chapter One and rewrite it in line with the new perspective so that it actually becomes Chapter Two. And then figure out where I'm going from there with two completely new characters who gel the whole thing together.

Kylie

Kylie, that story must be persistent if it came to you in another form. It clearly wants to be told! And I think it's lovely that you've been asked to lead worship. Sounds like quite an honour. My mum is a strong born-again Christian and whenever I'm faced with a decision she tells me to "not think about it too much - just wait for your heart to give you the answer." So if mum was here I'm sure she'd tell you not to try and logic it out, just do what feels right and don't worry about your reasons. Maybe your ego will be fed from doing it, but that might be helpful in strengthening your self esteem which, in turn, might be benificial for you fulfilling your destiny on the planet.

The universe moves in mysterious ways . . .

Louise, I think it's definitely a story worth telling. Even dh says it will be a brilliant story if ever I can get it out properly. It's working title is 'Son of My Soul'.

Your comment about the singing comes right on the tail of our Pastor talking about there being a fine line between egotism and living the fulfilment of your destiny, a comment thrown out there in the middle of the sermon, and he didn't know I'd been asked to lead worship as that side of the church isn't his area.

I've taken a couple of days off writing because we had a new puppy arrive on Monday, but my heart is getting that itchy, unsettled feeling, that I really do need to get down into a proper routine and start getting serious about this story.

Kylie

Well, after five years I can sit comfortably & WARMLY in my bed and surf the net! I made sure you Musers were the first to hear about this, after all the sunday chats on the garage cold line.

Good to see people are still writing in between all the happenings of life.
Not long until the uni exams are over and i will be sure to get the proposal done for The Beastling and sent off before i have any more excuses.
I have to job search in the meantime also, hence the excuse to get the net connected on my return to Newcastle and the family home.
Good news about the Popular Writers Festival (Sydney)- its on after all my worrying it wouldnt be, so hopefully i'll be going to it this year after missing the last two. I see Kim Wilkins will be in attendance, so that sure be good after i have fallen into her world of writing.
A note on Traci's lastest novel. It is brillant, i couldnt put it down, much to the horror of the due dates for assignments, but all is done. I must say i prefer to be lost in another world than the one uni offers.
Anyone else read it? Thoughts?

Hey all,

The kinda back bit is I'm computer-less and borrowing machines as I can so will perhaps be a little more haphazard than I have of recent.

RuthKylie - I like what Lou has said - follow your heart - it will tell what to do. Cool that your story keeps manifesting in multiple ways - like Louise says, it wants to be let out.

Ally thanks for the wishes.

Good-ish news is most of my tests came back healthy (heeheehee) but I failed iodine wonderfully (hey when I do something I do it well!). Moral is I'm iodine deficient so hopefully can battle fatigue issues with icky potion - that Aiden loves to point out says POISON down the bottle.......... (hmmmm not sure if that is a healthy attitude for progeny to have). The other results etc don't occur til after EnVision which suits me fine - don't want to contemplate anything other than writing til afterwards, so I'm taking a lalalalalalala fingers in ears attitude.

Louise -woo hoo on your son's licence - freeing up for sure. I'm finally able to look forward to EnVision - kinda lost the month of May due to medical stuff, but realising its June etc made me realise oooooooooh it's nearly here
I'm hoping I have a level of energy back in time too so I can fully focus on it all.

Kylie, a new puppy? Do you have pictures? Tell us all about her/him? That would really distract me from work.

So glad you can 'surf' in comfort at last, Timna. I remember those cold garage days! Maybe in honour of that we should ressurect our Sunday night chats. They were fun.

I'm looking forward to EnVision as well, Nicky - only a little over a week to go. I'm doing my manuscript assessments and really looking forward to meeting the guys in my Padawan Pod. I always get such a boost out of EV - not just that it hones my editorial skills, but from the enthusiasm and the palpable energy that zings around when so many writers get together and take each other's greatest dream seriously. I also simply adore being able to facilitate the process of writers taking a good story and making it great! It's definitely a time of year I really look forward to.

Alas I didn't get to finish my mermaid story before it was time to start assessing manuscript, but I'm SOOOOO close. The universe usually has a plan, so I guess there's a good reason I haven't finished it. And I'll be back to it in a fortnight, so no harm done.

How's everyone else's Work In Progress going?

This is my distraction





His name s Patrick and he is an 18wk old greyhound puppy. We're already getting into a routine and he did not like it apparently when I left without him this morning to drop the kids off at school. Dh said he whined the whole time I was gone.

Right now he's sleeping under the edge of my desk.

Kylie

Patrick is very cute!  No wonder you're distracted.

Well, I thought I posted a response to this yesterday, but it doesn't seem to have appeared. So, I'll try again and see if it works this time.

As some of you might remember, i was doing my masters last year. Well, I have since withdrawn for various reasons. I am currently writing a non-fiction book about storytelling, that, to date hasd involved a huge amount of research into varied areas, and I am just under half way through. This is an extension of what I was researching last year, so it is not entirely lost.

Sk.

Hey all,

Louise the excitement I can imagine. I'm sure the universe is working for a fantastic ending for your mermaid.

I can't believe that this time next week I'll be half way through the workshop. Contemplating bringing along my Muse story - not sure.

I am looking forward to the whole thing, terrified at times, wondering what on earth took hold of me and then I go back to excitement lol.

Such a busy week ahead, I must have been nuts to contemplate the workshop over my birthday week. Going out for the first two evenings due to birthday commitments not to mention the get to know you dinner.

I'm curious to see who I have as a)my tutor and b)my fellow pod members.

Will have re-read what I sent, life has been such a blur.

RuthyKylie I adore your distraction and what a nice one too!

Skaldi - sounds interesting re your storytelling book.

Nicky it sure sounds as though you had a million emotions running through you that week! I hope it all turned out well for you! (And happy birthday!)

For me, I am slowly getting back into the rhythm of writing after another semester of uni, getting to know my characters a little bit more for my new creation. I was thinking of sending one of my m.s's to be editted, but when I received the quite it was over $2000, so there goes that idea for a while.

In the mean time, while the writer in me makes himself (why is it I see my writer as a guy?!) a cup of coffee and shakes the sleep-dust out of his eyes, I'm pouring through the books to see how the published folk do it . Enjoy the holidays (if you have them)!

Skaldi, lovely to see you back and the Storytelling books sounds fascinating (I've always wanted to know more about the Irish storytelling tradition). Can you tell us something about it.

Dale, professional edits can be expensive, and I always think it's helpful to learn the skills yourself. I think the EnVision week long workshop is a bargain at $660 (bit of bias there!) because not only do you get an edit on your first 100 pages, you learn the skills to find problems and correct them yourself.

Nicky will no doubt tell you (when she resurfaces) that we had a full-on week and got heaps done at EnVision 2005. She wasn't in my pod of six writers, but I did get to look at her revisions on two separate occasions, so that was nice, and also met Kylie from Canberra for the first time. She'd been a messageboard member from the starting off days, and had been inspired to join a writing group in Canberra, attend Conventions, get short stories published, etc. So it was great to see that a little inspiration can go a long way

We had fabulous industry sessions with a synopsis workshop from Kim Wilkins which changed everyone's idea of how important a synopsis is and how to make yours really sparkle with all the atmosphere and magic from your novel. Then agent Tara Wynne from Curtis Brown spoke about what agents do and how they can help you. The last day we had Jack Dann, one of the big guns of Australian SF, who spoke about Tor Publishing (in the US) and what they're looking for in a novel. So there was heaps of practical content and all focused in on the stories the attendees had brought with them. They got to do sample pitches of their novels to Jack and Tara, and on the last evening had a practice "Reading" of their work at Dymocks in the city.

I'm so pleased with how it went, but we really did miss Deb there (how are you going, Deb?).

I'm off on a family holiday tomorrow so won't be getting back to my mermaid until Tuesday, however, I'm sure you'll hear the "Yippee!" all over Australia when I finally type "The End" And just in case you don't, I promise I'll write a posting here so you guys will be the first to know

Well, it isn't about one specific style of storytelling. I'm taking the pov that whether you are a writer, actor, director, artist or musician you (the creator) is telling a story - generally narrative - and that regardless of the medium you use, or the actual contect of the story we all need to do the same basic things.

It's really fascinating. I've researched into psychology, logics, physics, tragedy, epic, ancient greece and I still have a stack to go before I've finished.

Part of the problem a lot of storytellers face is getting their story beyond their own specific culture, it is also meant to address that as well by taking the stance that we are all human and culture, religion, gender and so on create variations, but they do not alter what makes us human.

Enough rambling for today, thanks for listening.

Sk.

I missed going to EnVision, too, Lou. I am glad you all had a wonderful time.

deb

Sounds really interesting, Skaldi. And I like ramble

Had a lovely time on holiday with my special people, but its good to be back to work. Having a few 'muddy glasses' days lately, but I'm breathing through it. Quite sure I'll be feeling happier once I've typed "The End".

Hey guys!

Throw those muddy glasses away Lou! I don't know why we keep putting them back in the closet... So glad to hear EnVision was its usual success. Can't wait to hear how Nicky found it.

How are you Deb? What are you working on now? Progress report please!

Am attpemting to start book nine, but its so cold here my fingers keep making typos. Brrrrr.....

Ally

It's not much warmer here in Brisbane Ally.

I spent about an hour this morning transcribing some stuff for church from a CD only to have my computer shut down just as I was prettying the document up a bit.

I have never been so thankful for automatic back up in my life.

I went to a business conference on the weekend, and was really challenged about my writing and getting my goals written down. If you ever need a boost (or is that a boot *LOL*) about goalsetting for your writing, attend a good business conference.

Kylie

Muddy glasses are officially thrown Am in the last stretch to finish my mermaid and my target is this Friday. Wish me luck!

Ally, so sorry to hear it's cold there. What will it be like in August for the RWA conference??? Guess we'll just have to stay in the hotel and drink lots of coffee Really looking forward to catching up with you then.

Kylie, I had a bad moment yesterday too. My computer hasn't been behaving lately so I've been backing up my work through our network onto my son's computer and onto floppy discs. But as I was driving away yesterday morning for a meeting I had the sudden 'left hand of the damned' thought, "What if my house burns down? My mermaid will be gone. Nearly ten months work!" Of course the house didn't burn down, but it put the wind up me, so I've organised to email a copy of my work-in-progress to a friend to store on her computer.

Feeling much safer now.

Good plan Louise!

We were once robbed and not only did they take the computer, but raided the drawers and took all the back up discs with dh's uni assignments on them as well.

Kylie

Hey everyone,

I can't believe it's Bastille Day already (my sister is up to her eyeballs in celebrations what with Paris and all *lol*).

EnVision was absolutely wonderful. I had a ball (and even had a birthday cake WOO HOO) and way too much coffee. I think it took a week to come off the caffeine addiction - or I'm not noticing it much.

It was wonderful to submerge myself for an entire week, not being anything other than a writer (which is a term I'm still grappling putting near my name). Learnt heaps and can say Timna I'm ready to do Muse again and yay - can see what you mean now The industry sessions were great, meeting and talking with others in the industry in all aspects was terrific. Lou & Rowena were brilliant keeping that many stories running in their heads and still being able to hold conversations (I suspect the chocolate and Minties had something to do with it).

On top of all that EnVision has me all fired up with a "I can stick with this and heck even do it" attitude. The funniest thing was being a writer there with NO computer whatsoever at home - heehee no homework was done. I STILL do not have a computer (new hard drive being searched for) so I hijack other's as I can. (One of the reasons for my lengthy absence and delay in posting).

Annoyingly I have had some medical issues crop up (not too big a surprise but still puts out plans) and have been organising hospital stuff (looking at early August for that gay ole trip) and dealing with new treatments. Which has meant my writing has been slowed down - hasn't stopped my head in the least and I am getting a clearer picture of what my characters are going to get up to. However amongst all this is my knowledge that my passions come from writing - EnVision fired it fully and the flames are not dampening in the least.

Glad to hear others are working on their various projects and YAY Lou for the final leg or should I be saying fin??? Ally I remember living in Hobart attempting to type uni assignments in cold weather brrrrrr. Was a great excuse to run away and have many hot chocolates and coffees though.

Hope you all have a great weekend and happy writing!

Nicky

Nicky, I love all that bubbling enthusiasm. Use it for every inch you can. I do hope all your med treatment works wonders, you poor duffer.

Lou, how's the Friday deadline coming along? I can't believe you are that close. That's mad!!! Melbourne will be coooooolllllddd in August. Sorry! Are you staying at the main hotel or across the road? I managed to convince hubby I absolutely positively needed to stay in town for three nights. Yippee! And I have agreed to - gulp! - MC the awards night. Shall be pale and sickly every minute leading up to it I promise you!

Skaldi, so glad to see you are keeping busy busy with your writing too.

I am waiting for revisions on my next book and its agony. My ed is away fro two weeks and emailed me a week ago to say a revision letter was coming and it still isn't here! But crazily enough I have been able to get flying on my next book, which I usually can't bear to with revisions hanging over my head. So good news in the end!

Hope everyone is happy and well and writing up a storm.

Ally
(feeding off Nicky energy big time!)

I think I'll feed off Nicky's enthusiasm for a while too It's quite infectious. Didn't get my mermaid through the finishing gate because the 'other project' (the secret one) popped its head up again and I've been working away on that. Not letting myself have a "this is bad" or "this is good" reaction to the mermaid delays. It simply "is", and I'm fine with that. All good things in their own time, and I'm not contracted so there's no deadline. Besides, as we all know, the universe works in mysterious ways, so for all I know these delays could be a necessary part of the project.

Thanks for the heads-up about the weather in Melbourne in August, Ally. Unfortunately the new frock I've just bought for the awards night is a summery one, but I'm hoping the climate inside the hotel will be temperate. I'm staying at the Langham, so hopefully won't need to venture outside too often to experience the chill

Hiya all on this chilly winter's day.
Its good to see everyone's projects are proceeding accordingly and the share of bubbly excitment over each others work/life.
It is still uni holidays for me, only for another week, and then its back to the routine of study. It is amazing how long i've been at uni - this is my sixth year, and not even my last. Scary! For all those students and have-been students, you know what a drag study can be if not loved to begin with. Lucky for me i chose an area i love.
Am not sure if i updated you all yet, but i have decided not to continue with vet science, as i doubt i could last another six years, which would make me 30 by the time i actually have a life! So, am content to finish what i have started this year (post grad) and move on. Im busy looking for work at the moment, so cant wait for any opportunities that arise.
As for writing, it has been shunned aside for a bit. I have been dividing my spare time in writing three different stories, two are SF and one non. Its a shame i cant just get one more written for teh trilogy, and then i'd been done, but its that feeling that once im finished, that'll be it... cant bear that yet, so have started another story set in the same world that is just as fun to write.
For all those Harry Potter fans, i'm sure the book has been bought and read from cover to cover. It sent chills down my spine at hearing the children chant for the book on the opening on Saturday over the radio. Such a stir one writer can have on so many! Is anyone else amazed?
Glad to hear Nicky that the EnVision was a buzz for you, and that you can see my editing for Cafe Muse project more clearly. I always fearful that my editing is harsh, but it is the only way i know how, and seemingly works for me... perhaps others i have edited Cafe Muse stories for will see my view in time and practiced, but if not, that is no problem. It is after all just my opinion.
Well, i best dash. lots to do.
Wishing creativity amongst us all...

Timna, glad to hear your time at uni is coming to a close in the not-too-distant future. There's a time for study, and a time for action!

Speaking of which, I worked out a problem with the ending of my mermaid story and deleted one chapter which helped me surge ahead. No wonder I was having trouble getting word count up (like pulling teeth), I was heading in the wrong direction. Guess that's what happens when I don't know the ending, but I certainly know when things feel right! They didn't before and they do now. So much of writing is intuitive, isn't it? So you've gotta love that uncertainty (or it will drive you stark raving mad).

How's everyone else going with their projects?

I think I may be feeling a lot like you at the moment Louise, except I'm at the beginning of a story. I have been struggling for the past 4 weeks (can't believe how long that is!) with a new idea, and I've finally realised it wasn't this hard for my previous m.s., so I am turning the plot around until it feels good, and I'm actually going in a very different direction; the original plot has been so severely mutilated that I don't think I should call it the plot, but a plot. It's never felt better!
Of course this comes with only a few days to go before Uni takes over. Oh well...that's what midnight is for.

Timna, I too was in awe of the response Rowling was getting with Harry Potter! It's responses like that that both drive and destroy little writers (like me). Thankfully I just tune out and hope that mine hits the mark, and try not to be driven (by success alone) or destroyed.

Dale, use JK success as a drive, not a stopper! We are all lucky to have such an inspirational writer in these times.
Uni heads back next week, just as i have started to get along with my lastest writing project. Oh well, off to study the giant panda and galapagos tortoise. Hows that for a post grad uni degree!
Might bring inspiration for a new story... never know!

Hey everyone, amazing to think it's Sunday and nearing the end of another month - time definitely has wings around me.

Thanks Ally for the luck re meds - currently driving me nuts (& possibly those around me but they are troopers). Glad the enthusiasm is useful

Lou - know you'll get there and the universe does indeed work in mysterious ways. I'm always amazed at how the windows connect (rarely for me the doors - I must have a secret desire to climb *lol*).

Timna - pandas & tortoises - cool. I can still remember being fascinated way back in primary school by pandas. Uni is so amusing - if only school kids knew where if they wanted to get to postgrad how different and dare I say "fun" topics can get lol. (I think I've been near tertiary institutions too long). On your editing - I never found it too harsh. Indeed I was so surprised especially with the positive stuff (as I had none for myself). My problem was not fully seeing the main issue (for others - was viewpoint) and more importantly I had no idea whatsoever as to how to go about fixing it. Yay for EnVision and Rowena & Lou to showing that tiny bit of useful information lol.

Dale - I'm with Timna - use the HP stuff as a driver. I get pangs of parallels and then what ifs but then I stuff it down and say my time will come (and hopefully never in competition with JK *lol*). My favourite turning etc of m/s is the one I'm working on I was stumped for quite sometime - talking ages here - and then it hit me (quite kapowee actually) that I was setting it in the wrong millenium lol and that it was two stories getting mixed up. Things went much better once I had the right timeframe (again only a minor itsy bitsy issue lol - yes I'm having Sunday sarcasms).

My writing is troddling along - I have other pet projects that have been worked on and my main m/s has been simmering in my mind. Also now have a better idea of when things are happening in life (ie operation) so I can now re-focus on my writing, rather than having other stuff consume my worrying (which is imagination misused).

Happy writing people

Nicky

Glad to hear everyone so upbeat.  Things are going well at this end.  Still no 'the end' in sight but life is intervening in a pleasant way so I'm not stressed.  Yes, I agree that it's best to take Rowlings success as a motivator.  Doesn't the Deserata say "If you compare yourself with others you will become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser people than yourself."  I guess the deal is just to do as well a you can personally while you're on the planet, and be satisfield with that.  That's my program anyway. 

So if I become rich and famous and get a big head, can one of you guys remind me of that...

Boo, Doing a quick email check (when I should be writing grant applications for tuckshop <-- not that appealing I can tell you).

Heard Jennifer Rowe (sp?) aka Emily Rodda talking about JK on ABC yesterday (made Aiden listen to her being interviewed *lol*) and her comment on it was JK is a phenomena and all good as people reading is all good

Ok going to go pretend that I'm not procrastinating about what to say to a bunch of bureaucrats.

Hey everyone!

I haven't been doing much work with my story lately, but have been doing some songwriting.

I completed the lyrics to a song this morning and got the melody down for the chorus, so am feeling good about it right now.

Kylie

Hey Kylie, glad to hear you're being creative! And I'm sure your grant application was creative too, Nicky

I'm up to my armpits in preparing for workshops at the moment. August is going to be busy for me, but I'm hoping to get my little mermaid finished up somewhere along the line! Going to be a super-spectacular ending when I finally get to it...

Glad to see the messageboard still rolling along, full of enthousiasm, support and updates.

Must be wonderful to be close to completing uni, Timna. Once finished, think of the time you can spend writing!

Alyson, always popping in with your poistive vibes and upbeat support. You go girl!

Nicky, glad EnVision went off with a bang for you. A most enjoyable week. Wish I'd been there. I'm off to a writers retreat in September. Our tutors are Rob Hood and Sean Williams. It's going to be wonderful.

Dale, it's good to see you still visiting the messageboard. Writing is an up and down journey, isn't it? The ups are brilliant. The downs are the pits. And yet still we follow the dream...

Lou, sounds like August will be busy but exciting. Hope your mermaid MS gets to 'The End' soon. Funny how when you're writing off track you get blocked - you just know that something isn't right. Happy you found the right track.

As to me, had more downs than ups of late - keep sending my stuff out there, and it keeps coming back. The rejections aren't bad as such. In fact, I get quite positive feedback. The agents say my work is good. It's usually other factors that get me bounced. For eg. Tara Wynn said she enjoyed my work - just thought it more appropriate to the US market than the OZ one.

But, I'm still plugging on regardless. Can't do anything else...

deb

Just thought I'd update that I did decide to start doing some of the song leading at church, not every week but about once a month.

Kylie

Deb, I'm so proud of you. Sending your work out into the world can be a very scary thing, and yet you're 'doing the job', sending it off again and again. Wasn't Frank Herbert's "Dune" rejected 30-something times before it was accepted for publication? You'll find the right editor/agent soon I'm sure, and when they adore your story as much as you do, there'll be no holding it back!

Well here goes. I had to write a summary for my own sake anyway.

“Journal of Damian Blaidd, started in the year of 2011”
“I have started this journal the day after my life was turned upside down. Yesterday was 24th April 2011. That was the day that I discovered the truth about my family. About Cam. About me. We are lycanthropes, werewolves.”

Damian (19) and his older cousin, Cam (25), are two normal youths. They are stronger, can run faster, see better, hear better that those around them in the city but they put that down to their healthy lifestyle. Their fathers, brothers, died soon after Damian was born and their mothers have not spent much time with them at all. The only other family they know is their fathers’ mother, Neala, but they only contacted her after Damian’s 16th birthday. Since then they have spent nearly every weekend with her, but live in their own homes in the city during the week.

The day Damian mentions is the day of Cam’s Coming of Age, the first full moon after his 25th birthday. Traditionally the day a lycanthrope takes a drink, a catalyst to start the transformation from man to wolf. Although Cam does take the drink, neither he nor Damian are aware of their heritage, both mothers and grandmother had kept them in the dark. The reason for this are the searchers, a group of men devoted to tracking and killing all werewolves, at any cost. Neala has been very protective of the boys as she is the pack’s alpha, and nearing old age she needs Cam to take over as alpha to continue her family’s leadership role.

But it doesn’t go right. During Cam’s transformation, the searcher arrives, the one that has tracked and killed both Neala's mate and son. Cam, still unaware of what is actually happening to him, becomes paranoid and flees. To make matters worse in the process of fleeing Cam kills a man, one of the police used by the searcher.

So now the chase begins, the searcher determine to track down this killer monster; Neala’s trackers, trying to return Cam to the pack to take on his inherited role as alpha and Damian, the one who really cares for Cam, who no longer trusts his grandmother and desperately needs to stop the searcher and the pack from getting to Cam.


The trouble with this summary is that everyone has an idea that werewolves are monsters, fearful creatures, but in my story they are not. They are humans, with greater abilities and longer lives, who for 5 nights of a lunar month can turn into wolves. They have the qualities of wolves and intelligence of men.

I don't have title yet.
How much have I done. Some chapters are written in full, but without any details any descriptions. Other chapters are in note form and others are inbetween. I haven't yet written any chapters complete. I have 180 pages or nearly 100,00 words. So far I think it is dividing itself into 2 books. And more of the story keeps coming!
When do I want to finish? Part of me says never, but I haven't realy set myself a date. I have set myself the task of writing the chapters that are just notes. Then I need to flesh it out, so that the feelings I get when 'reading' are the ones someone else gets.
Who knows about this? My sons, one friend and you. Not my husband, not yet.

Deb, I hope that means you are sending your stuff out to Us agents????? The publishing industry in the US is massive compared with here, and US agents have ins with US publishers as well. And don't forget that the US market is where all the money is too. That sounds like a brilliant suggestion from the agent who told you that! Yippee!!!

Ally

I will send stuff to the US when I have exhausted the OZ market, Alyson. Not much of a selection over here willing to look at fantasy, so that shouldn't be too long!

deb

Well done Deb! It must be so encouraging to know that your writing is good - whether or not the publishers think readers want it now. You wait....if it falls into the American market then it will be over here soon enough! I wish you all the greatest success!

As for myself, I write on the weekends if the muse in me stirs. I have been reading novels from the late 19th and early 20th century and have been drowned by the beauty of the language they used. So what I'm doing is bringing a bit of that flourishing style to my latest work - almost 10,000 words if I recall correctly. I feel so comfortable with this latest piece - as though one day I really could get it published. This is the first book that I'm actually writing for other people...and not just the novel I want (although it is that as well). I love my characters to pieces and just want to hug them! That helps


Catrina - I read your post on another board. Welcome to the club (the club being, in my own opinion, out-of-the-closet-writers who dare to do as we dream aha!) Me, I'm just trying to follow in Lou's light! Maybe you can tell that Lou's books were what inspired me to write... thanks Louise

So now...wish to keep reading the other boards but must feed the cat (whose fluffy tail is flopped right across the keyboard -- if I could capture the little beggar's personality into a book, I'm sure I'd be a star )

Keep up the writing everyone!
Lou, how's that mermaid treating you?

Catrin, your story sounds great! Well thought out and really intriguing. I love it when people put a twist on something you think you know well.

Dale, happy to hear that I inspired you to write It's a nice thing to give people 'permission' to follow their hearts.

Yes, we all started as closet writers, but it's really nothing to be apologetic about. Being able to write stories is a gift and we should be thrilled and humbled that we have that gift and the potential to share it with millions of readers. Getting a US agent would sure help that along

Have been busy giving workshops and talks lately, planning to head off on a regional tour with the QWC next week to Hervey Bay, Mackay and the Sunshine Coast. But I'll get there! My deadline for typing 'the end' is before I head off to the RWA national conference in Melbourne at the end of August. I'm doing a "Write the Breakout Novel" workshop with Donald Maass and you're supposed to bring your completed ms. So I'll simply have to complete it, won't I?

Thanks for the support, Dale.
Approaching the US market is a little daunting - yes it is huge, but the publishers/agents get a massive amount of submissions each year. Talk about being an iddy-biddy fish in a big ocean! Or perhaps a krill - swept into the mouth of a hungry whale along with thousands of others, only to filter through as protein, unnoticed! HA!

deb

Just a quick note to say "Hi" and let you guys know I'm still alive. Have been out-and-about with the Qld Writers Centre taking their "One Stop Writing Workshop" to the regions - I did Hervey Bay, Mackay and the Sunshine Coast and had a great time. Getting myself organised now for the Romance Writers of Australia national conference this weekend so no rest for the wicked! Still haven't typed "The End" but I'll get there

Sorry guys things have been very hectic here. I have been so missing in action,

I have had Skye in hospital after beening hit by a truck in August,she was very lucky not to be killed if she had been just 30cms more on the pedestrian crossing(she was almost off it)we would have lost her. So between the ex and I hwe have had to take her to physio for the last two months.

I have been working hard in the meantime
an agent has has asked for the full manuscript. And Timna I have made the changes to Cafe Muse, do you still want it sent in an email or by snail mail just let me know ok.

Nicky, so sorry to hear of Skye's accident. I hope she is recovering well.

And you, even in such a hectic time, are getting the rest you need.

Kylie

Hi Nancy,

I'm so sorry to hear of Skye's accident. Glad she is now in the passage of long term mending/healing.

Good news re your manuscript, you certainly have your hands full.

Make sure you too get some much needed rest.

Nicky

Sorry Nancy, just realised I put Nicky's name down when I posted that.

I stared NaNoWriMo yesterday and dh has already told me that he hates the story. He said it's great writing, but he hates the way it makes him feel (starts out a little full-on and innocent people getting hurt). I think it's the sense of hopelessness he hates.

Kylie

Nancy, I'm so sorry to hear about Skye's accident. I hope she has a quick and complete recovery. And great news about the agent!

Kylie, if your story is stirring up such a strong emotional response, it must be working!

I finally typed "The End" in draft a couple of weeks ago (Yahoo!) but not long after I started editing my mermaid story my mum was rushed into hospital so its been pretty stressful since then and not much editing getting done. However she's well on the road to recovery now and things are looking much brighter (big sigh of relief) so I'm going to dust of the ms and get back to it today. Really looking forward to this story being finished and off my hands

Nancy! That's such scary news. I am soooo glad Skye is coming through well. You poor poor things. Thanks for checking in with her progress, and yours.

Lou, and your mother too? Yegads what a time. I am sooooo glad she is well on her way to recovery too.

Sending out super happy thoughts to you both

Ally

Nancy & Lou - my best wishes are for you and your families.

I too started NaNoWriMo - and am thrilling myself with the pressured writing...lets me look at the greater possibilities when I eventually start to write my novel from the same story. However I just got told that my family (and me) will be moving from NT to SA at end of month...so it will be extra hectic. Oh well...more important things than that (as can be witnessed in the last few posts!)

Best of luck for their recoveries!
~Alex

Glad to hear that your Mum is recovering well Lou.

Skye is doing really well now, arm will be very sore through winter next year.


Ok just writing the music for one of the characters as per my friends instructions. Had to get advice from a person who plays a piano so I'll have to acknowledge Simon for that LOL

I will know in two weeks whether I have an agent.

You let us know straight away, Nancy! We'll be ready for a Project Muse pyjama party.

Well, I'm back to editing and hoping to have the structural edit on my mermaid story done by the end of the week. Will keep you updated

Well I have been writing more elegantly than ever before. I believe I've finally got the hang of great descriptions. My other novels were like practise runs, but my latest notes are just so beautiful that I know my current novel will surpass the last two. While I had not considered (realistically) publication for those previous ones, this newest novel looks to me like a real possibility (or at least one I would like to submit to a publisher).

I'll soon have one week of completely free time before I move....and then there's no doubt I'll be stretched for the chance! Must burn the keys of my laptop to get my current success out (I'll never trust anything to be permanent!!!)