I love when blogs have something unique to offer their readers, particularly writing blogs (of course!).
The Bookshelf Muse has their thesauri. Have you seen the new Colors, Textures, and Shapes thesaurus? The first one is up and it's green.
The New Author has articles and interviews for new writers.
Market My Words has its great Marvelous Marketer interviews and offers other fabulous marketing tips. And, through March, Shelli is offering an awesome competition (which I will blog more thoroughly about come Monday.)
Suzanne Young has her story blog Going Green.
Miss Snark's First Victim has her FANTABULOUS competitions, including the very popular Secret Agent competitions.
And so on and so forth...
So, between you and me and the, uh, entire internet, I've always been a tad jealous of their fabulous endeavors. Probably always will be. But, but! I've FINALLY come up with something for my own blog. I'm sure it's being done elsewhere, but not within my blog-stalking arena and certainly not by me (which, you know, makes it extra special.)
What? You want to know what it is? Now that would spoil the surprise.
You just wait. Wait and see.
2009 Goals - February Review
Uh oh! It's time for my monthly goal review. I'm just going to go over my ongoing goals since I won't have any updates on the stuff I plan to do later in the year. Here I go...
Write new outlined book by May or June:
Looking good. I have to average 2800 words a week to be done by the end of May.
Buy and read at least two or three books a month:
Bought and read two for February. Good lineup for March...
Continue to learn about writing / publishing:
Check. Ongoing.
Continue blogging regularly:
Check.
Start doing book reviews on blog:
Eh.... I know, I know. I still haven't done one....
Post a teaser or something for critique every few months at least:
I didn't do one for February, but that's okay. The goal is for "every few months," so I'm good for now.
Focus on overcoming weaknesses and issues found in 2008:
I think I'm doing good so far. I don't think I'll truly know how I've done until the end of the year.
Review this list every month:
Done for January & February now!
Write new outlined book by May or June:
Looking good. I have to average 2800 words a week to be done by the end of May.
Buy and read at least two or three books a month:
Bought and read two for February. Good lineup for March...
Continue to learn about writing / publishing:
Check. Ongoing.
Continue blogging regularly:
Check.
Start doing book reviews on blog:
Eh.... I know, I know. I still haven't done one....
Post a teaser or something for critique every few months at least:
I didn't do one for February, but that's okay. The goal is for "every few months," so I'm good for now.
Focus on overcoming weaknesses and issues found in 2008:
I think I'm doing good so far. I don't think I'll truly know how I've done until the end of the year.
Review this list every month:
Done for January & February now!
Publishing Terms Explained
Have you ever wondered about an obscure publishing term or abbreviation? Always looking for more inside scoop on the pub biz?
Well, whether you have or haven't, are or aren't, the great Editorial Anonymous has been enlightening readers with a "Publishing Dictionary."
Presently, you can learn about the following: Cast-offs, galleys, ARCs, proofs, PBB, ISBNs, F&Gs, advances, and CMYK with, I beleive, more to follow.
It's been very interesting, informative, and much appreciated, despite EA's initial surprise that writers would even be interested in these things.
So, if you share this interest, stop by and check it out.
Well, whether you have or haven't, are or aren't, the great Editorial Anonymous has been enlightening readers with a "Publishing Dictionary."
Presently, you can learn about the following: Cast-offs, galleys, ARCs, proofs, PBB, ISBNs, F&Gs, advances, and CMYK with, I beleive, more to follow.
It's been very interesting, informative, and much appreciated, despite EA's initial surprise that writers would even be interested in these things.
So, if you share this interest, stop by and check it out.
Blog Fun: Debut Album
SO, Suzanne Young just posted one of these and it was too much fun to pass up. I think they should make one for debut novels too!
Make your own debut album. Here are the "rules."
1 -Click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first random Wikipedia article you get is your band name.
2 - Click here: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.
3 - Click here: http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4 - You can use Word, Photoshop or http://www.picnik.com/
Mine came out like this:
The picture was a bit strange to work with since it already had "Cal General" on it, but really, I couldn't have asked for a better title to go with my band name. Haha!
Make your own debut album. Here are the "rules."
1 -Click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first random Wikipedia article you get is your band name.
2 - Click here: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.
3 - Click here: http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4 - You can use Word, Photoshop or http://www.picnik.com/
Mine came out like this:
The picture was a bit strange to work with since it already had "Cal General" on it, but really, I couldn't have asked for a better title to go with my band name. Haha!
Wednesday's Word Count
Gosh, it's going to be MARCH by the time we convene for Wednesday's Words again. Can you beleive it?
Prior Goal: Write a chapter.
Achieved: Most of one...
Goal for new week: Finish this chapter and writer another or more.
Excuses / comments: Okay, so I haven't finished my chapter yet. I was a bit of a slacker this week. I'm fairly far into it though, and I plan on making up for it by Sunday. I need to keep up my word count if I'm going to finish by May!
How is everyone else doing? Add a week-goal or make a comment if you like!
Prior Goal: Write a chapter.
Achieved: Most of one...
Goal for new week: Finish this chapter and writer another or more.
Excuses / comments: Okay, so I haven't finished my chapter yet. I was a bit of a slacker this week. I'm fairly far into it though, and I plan on making up for it by Sunday. I need to keep up my word count if I'm going to finish by May!
How is everyone else doing? Add a week-goal or make a comment if you like!
The Bookshelf Muse - Cheer-Worthy News
A much happier post today.
The Bookshelf Muse will be adding a new thesaurus to their blog, which already offers fabulous emotion and setting thesauri. They are also considering putting these thesauri and even more into print. I know I would love to have this awesome resource on hand in book-form.
So please, if you're interested in seeing this come to fruition, stop by The Booshelf Muse and show your support. Spread the word on your blog! Add them on Facebook! If you've never been there, make sure you check it out! It's a pretty invaluable resource for writers when you need some extra inspiration.
***
Another tidbit of exciting, unrelated news. I purchased a domain name for what will eventually become my author website. Yay for optimism! I'm pretty jazzed about it, but I think I'm going to wait until I'm closer to the querying process before getting it up on the net. Thoughts?
***
Please stop by tomorrow for Wednesday's Word Count!
The Bookshelf Muse will be adding a new thesaurus to their blog, which already offers fabulous emotion and setting thesauri. They are also considering putting these thesauri and even more into print. I know I would love to have this awesome resource on hand in book-form.
So please, if you're interested in seeing this come to fruition, stop by The Booshelf Muse and show your support. Spread the word on your blog! Add them on Facebook! If you've never been there, make sure you check it out! It's a pretty invaluable resource for writers when you need some extra inspiration.
***
Another tidbit of exciting, unrelated news. I purchased a domain name for what will eventually become my author website. Yay for optimism! I'm pretty jazzed about it, but I think I'm going to wait until I'm closer to the querying process before getting it up on the net. Thoughts?
***
Please stop by tomorrow for Wednesday's Word Count!
Rough Weekend
Sorry I haven't blogged for a few days. We decided on Friday it was time to put my childhood dog down and on Saturday it was done. He was a few months shy of seventeen and a really great dog right to the end.
Our family brought him home from the pound when I was five, maybe six, and we named him Maxwell Tidbit McCormick. Of course, he's always just been "Max." When my family all went in different directions (my brother and I moved out - my parents divorced - mom moved out of state) he ended up coming to live with me for the last of his years.
Choosing to put him down has been one of the hardest things I've had to go through. He still had spirit but his body just wasn't able to carry it anymore. I still wish he could have gone peacefully on his own but we couldn't watch him suffer anymore.
***
Max, I couldn't have asked for a better companion growing up. I'm so, so sorry... but I know you're not suffering anymore and I'll try to take comfort in that. Enjoy this next great adventure - I'd like to think it's full of everything you loved in life and someday I'll be there too.
Our family brought him home from the pound when I was five, maybe six, and we named him Maxwell Tidbit McCormick. Of course, he's always just been "Max." When my family all went in different directions (my brother and I moved out - my parents divorced - mom moved out of state) he ended up coming to live with me for the last of his years.
Choosing to put him down has been one of the hardest things I've had to go through. He still had spirit but his body just wasn't able to carry it anymore. I still wish he could have gone peacefully on his own but we couldn't watch him suffer anymore.
***
Max, I couldn't have asked for a better companion growing up. I'm so, so sorry... but I know you're not suffering anymore and I'll try to take comfort in that. Enjoy this next great adventure - I'd like to think it's full of everything you loved in life and someday I'll be there too.
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