After all that…
I still have a cold and feel miserable. But the dishes are done, and the bed will be made soon (Pye and I are working on it together). Mom was a great encourager this afternoon when I called to whine and wanted to just sit on my mommy’s lap and cry. Still haven’t looked at the edits I was supposed to because my brain is a fog and I keep coughing up a lung.
BUT, I got an email from Bewildering Stories and my short story, Scary Things, has been chosen for their First Quarterly Review of 2009.
It’s like being selected for a special anthology chosen from stories published in the first quarter of the year. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. This is a really cool honor.
Tomorrow I am being paid and that means I can actually get some cold medicine and lemon juice and cough drops and tissues and all that crap, which will help me greatly in my work and life endeavors.
Signing out.
*cough-snort-wheeze*
Whiney, Poor Pitiful Me, Post….
I’m tired. I have a cold. I did a lot of work last week that may or may not end up being paying work, yet. (We’ll see.) I distributed neighborhood flyers this afternoon and while it is beautiful weather let me reiterate.
I’m tired and I have a cold.
I have some edits I need to look at. I was able to put them off last week because of the unexpected work (that I’m very grateful for) that may be paying eventually, but now I can’t put those edits off anymore. I need to be brave and look at them.
I also need to put away laundry, change the sheets on the bed so I’m not sleeping in sick germs, do dishes, vacuum, and make myself eat lunch and drink water and look for more gigs or do more writing.
But I’m tired and I just want to go to sleep.
Only not in the messy sick bed. And not with an icky dry mouth. And not with a stuffy nose.
*sigh*
What Are Your Deal Breakers?
Friends of mine and I talk about deal breakers from time to time. Usually it’s in regards to dating and relationships. Maybe you want kids, but he (or she) doesn’t. Maybe you have a parent to care for, or children, and the person you’re interested in doesn’t want to become involved with you AND your family. Maybe he or she chomps their food too loudly in public when you’re dining out. Or the way they speak to people, or talk about others, or whether or not they’re vegetarians, vegans, or meat eaters.
It could be anything.
The point is, everyone has deal breakers (or deal sealers – things that automatically seal the deal). The catch is finding someone who’s deal breakers match or are similar to yours. One friend of mine refers to it as making sure your luggage (okay – baggage) matches theirs.
Deal breakers occur in other parts of your life as well, though. It’s just as difficult to find friends, critique partners, assistants, agents, business partners, collaborators, editors, publishers, housesitters, petsitters, babysitters and managers as it is to find dates. And there are deal breakers (and deal sealers) with those as well. So, I was thinking I would ask the few who read this blog, what is one (or some) of your deal breakers when it comes to relationships that don’t include dating (but that seem a lot like dating nevertheless).
Happy First Day of Spring!
My short story, “A Summer Pastoral” is up on Lucrezia. If you’re into fantasy, spring/summer gods, and erotica, it might be your cup of tea. Otherwise, maybe not so much. Lucrezia also has a host of other stories up if you’re in the mood.
Checking in …
All sorts of stuff to report in.
First of all, let’s hear it for Friday the 13th! I always have a good time on Friday the 13th. It could be because it’s a Friday. Or maybe it’s a prime number. I don’t know. I just know, it’s always good for me.
On Saturday (Pi day if you’ll remember) I took a trip with my friend, Leigh, to the Women’s Expo in Ventura. Though the expo itself was a little underwhelming, my time with Leigh at the expo was great. We hung out in the Book Corner put up by Bank of Books, an independent bookstore in Ventura, California, where Leigh signed some books. We also had some cool conversation with fellow writers. The coolest thing, though, was the Cups of Courage art installation in the main area, that was there to support breast cancer awareness. You can read more about the day and see pictures of some of the cool decorated bras here on Leigh’s blog.
On Tuesday, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day), Chandra had a book signing/reading at the Chapters bookstore in Kamloops, BC of her recently published book, The Tarot Cafe Novel: The Wild Hunt. I think that’s really cool. I think it was her first as the author so I hope it was full of wonderful supportive people.
(You’ll notice I’m saying “cool” a lot, but I’m kind of brain dead still from a massive bunch of revising I went through I did last week.)
Life in the freelance world has dried up like Joshua Tree in August.
(Above is my mom and sister in Joshua Tree in APRIL 2002, but you get the idea.)
Anyway, it’s a good thing I work at the Larchmont Chronicle, because that’s about the only thing going right now. There are a few freelance jobs coming in and I’m very thankful for them. But I’m also thankful for my job.
One of the things I’ve learned while working there is that it really is worth it to maybe NOT spend money on the Kindle 2. The resident Alpha Geek (who is like me a Mac fan) at work pointed out that the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO computer (see Youtube demonstration here) was half the price, contributed to the literacy of kids, was open source, a real computer with wireless, and had a much better screen than the Kindle. However, that program ended December 31, 2008, so you can’t find a new XO computer anymore. BUT, they are expecting to release a 2.0 version in 2010, which looks like it could be conceivably a WHOLE bunch better. And amazes me and pisses me off at the same time. If we KNOW we can do such things at so low a cost, then EVERYONE should have access to these – school kids, adults, first world, developing world, whatever. While I am a Mac fan, I am really excited by this little computer that could be a fantastic reader. It’s about time, folks, that readers became cheap, easy to find and easy to read. There are no more excuses.
I hope to have my copies of the March 2009 issue of Aoife’s Kiss soon. Then, I will hold a contest for copies and hope you all enter!
As stated previously, I also have a couple more stories that could be coming out soon, but again, things are moving more slow than I’d like. On one, the online publishing process is fouled up somehow. It just didn’t publish for some reason online. When it does, I’ll let you know. It’s a more adult fantasy romance. On the other short story, more of a G-PG rated paranormal romance that I hoped would come out this month, the publishing process as a whole seems to be taking longer than I anticipated, which isn’t too bad since it was supposed to be a Christmas story (it was supposed to come out at Christmas but that was not its fate) and it is March. So, if it takes another eight months, then it can be considered right on schedule, rather than terribly late. Plus, it will give me a chance to finish up and polish the other stories that take place in that world. (Note: There is a tiny, okay, maybe not so tiny, part of me, the part that is fueled by doubt and distrust, that wants to take back this second story from the place that has accepted it and just take care of it on my own. I’m not sure that the vision they have for this story and the others that go with it are in line with the vision I have. But again – it’s the part of me that is fueled by 3 AM doubt that thinks this. We’ll see.)
Got a nice “No, Thank you” on a little horror unrequited love story I wrote. It’s been turned down several times and each time I take another look at it and try to revise it. And each time I get the, “love the quality of your writing, but we are passing up your story at this time.” So, I’m obviously the only one enchanted by the story and concept. Considering shelving it for a while. Maybe I should I lengthen it sometime. Maybe it’s just the beginning of a story. I don’t know.
On a more personal note, a great-aunt of mine passed away recently. We weren’t close. I met her once when I was a child, but I really liked my cousin, her son. He’s a talented artist and introduced me to some fun mischief when we were kids. So, my condolences go to their family.
Finally, Happy Spring! Vernal Equinox is just around the corner and guess what, we’re getting rain! Whoot!
Everyone have some Pi!
According to Winternet, March 14, or 3/14 (or 22/7 if you’re so inclined) is Pi Day!
So Happy Pi Day, everyone.
You all know how I like Pie – er Pye – er PI!
See the Pye in the fridge?
March is…
Besides being Women’s History Month, March is also Small Press month. In honor of Small Press month, may I direct to you the March 2009 issue of Aoife’s Kiss where you can read my short story, The Lullabye.
See – there’s my name, right there!
As soon as I receive my copies, I’ll be posting a blog contest for a signed issue. I haven’t yet, but when it happens, you’ll be the first to know!
And if fiction is not your thing or you don’t have the few bob it would take to purchase Aoife’s Kiss or don’t win the blog contest, then may I direct you to the March issue of Chocolate Zoom, where you can read articles on babies, chocolate, being green and the business of chocolate.
I also have a couple more stories that MIGHT be coming out this month that you’ll be able to read online. They aren’t up yet, but as soon as they are, I’ll post them here!
Happy International Women’s Day!
This is Women’s History Month, and today is also International Women’s Day! Celebrate the women in your life!
And now a cool cartoon from my favorite Non Sequitur:
Happy Women’s History Month…
Wasn’t sure what to do with the blog today. I’ve been putting myself on a schedule of only checking blogs and writing blogs on Monday. Try to keep myself on task. But then when Monday rolls around, all the ideas in my head the rest of the week seem to POOF. But since this is the beginning of March, which is Women’s History Month (or Herstory Month), I thought I might dedicate this blog to interesting women writers I know. Sort of a way to do homage to the women who have inspired and encouraged me, especially over the last year (which has been one of the more difficult, I must confess).
Allene has been the mentor of our writers group over the last couple of years. She’s letting us fly on our own now, but we couldn’t have made it without her guidance. While a writer herself, with all the needs and desires of the writer for gathering threads of a story (whether fiction or nonfiction), she also has the savvy of a diplomat. I have seen her handle very difficult meetings and wondered how she made it home after. I also really admire her desire to always strive to do the right thing. To put the facts out there so everything can be considered before a decision is made. She’s a constant encouragement.
Angela is also in my writers club. She’s a poet, playwright, and lyricist. She works, WORKS, at her craft. She’s not trying for the next New York Times Bestseller. She’s trying to be the best wordcrafter she can be. She’s been a very grounding person for me to know. She’s accepting and open about writers’ faults and foibles and how those faults can work for them as well as against them. Recently she’s had some of her poetry published in the Istanbul Literary Review.
About a year ago, Carmen contacted me through Guru about writing a small article for her online chocolate magazine, Chocolate Zoom.
I had never heard of Chocolate Zoom at the time, but I thought I would give it a try. Then realized, after looking at the magazine, that it was really Carmen who was going to be giving me a try, and I hoped I’d be able to meet her requirements, let alone her expectations. I’ve learned a lot from her in the last year. Each article assignment she’s given me has made me stretch a different writing muscle or another part of myself.
Chandra is a sparkling talent. She really is. She doesn’t write prose for granite-heads, though they still may get some enjoyment out of it. But her writing is all geodes, crystals, veins of twinkling mithril in the rock. She just recently had her first book published, The Tarot Cafe Novel: The Wild Hunt.
But I don’t just admire her for her talent. She’s also one of the encouragers in my life. Not empty encouragement, but full-throated opinionated, open and honest about what she thinks does or doesn’t work in my writing. And she’s kicked my ass kindly on more than one occasion. I don’t think I could have done as much with my writing the last couple of years if it hadn’t been for her encouragement and inspiration.
Christina doesn’t quit. There are people in Christina’s life who don’t understand her desire to write or her need to write, who actively discourage her from writing. Yet, still she perseveres. And when she gets knocked down, she picks herself up and starts again. And she finds the magic in things. I think that’s what I find inspiring. She finds the spooky, horrific magic, but it’s magic nonetheless. She also has the ability to be able to really sit in another person’s seat and see the world from their point of view. She becomes that character.
My sister usually does more figuring than writing, being the accountant-type person she is. But many people don’t see the creativity that lives deep inside her. She doesn’t even, always, though she honors it. Whenever she throws herself into a creative project – whether its writing a short story or poem, sewing a dress or making a mask – she does it whole-heartedly. And that’s how she supports me, too. With all her heart. When she reads my work, the feedback she gives me is from her heart and what her heart’s eye sees.
Jane Gilman
Jane is too busy running a her own newspaper to have a website of her own. You can find her writing, though, at the Larchmont Chronicle — the monthly newspaper she started in 1963 with her friend Dawne Goodwin. Every day she pushes me to be a better person and a better writer. She and the other women at the Chronicle have been constant inspirations for me since I began working there at the end of September. When I wake up in the morning I want to be at work and be around those women. I am so thankful I have the opportunity to work there.
Mom was the first writer I met, as well as the first reader. She introduced me to good books and encouraged my love of reading. Being a reader herself, she understood that need to find a good story to enchant the brain. As a writer, she used to tell me about how she’d write essays in her head as she did dishes, washed baby diapers, and cooked dinner. She and I read different things now, but she still understands that need to find the fine crystal piece of prose that sets off an idea. And, if it weren’t for Mom, I wouldn’t be able to blog at you now from Audrea Maria Gloria Virginata the First: The Miracle Computer.
I began reading Karen’s blog because of Chandra and got to know her bit by bit over the internet. I’ve sent her some of my stories for feedback and critique and have always received good, thorough, honest critiques from her, as well as heepings of encouragement when I needed it. Rarely does a writer travel in a straight line towards their goal, but they keep plugging away at it long enough and eventually they get there. Karen is proof of that.
Leigh is another writer I met through Chandra. I met Leigh in person at a booksigning she had for All About Vee at Chevaliers Books.
Like other writers, her encouragment has been of the down to earth kind: “Just finish the book, already!” She has these ideas that are fresh and entertaining. I keep waiting for people to wake up and realize what a good writer she is. Besides, she funny, quirky, and all round entertaining.
Liz might be one of those writers who actually disproves the crooked path theory. Once she sets her mind to a goal she doesn’t let go of it, but keeps at it until she succeeds or wears herself out trying. So she rests up a bit before trying some more. She does actualize her life. She wanted to move to LA, she got here. She needed a new car. She got one. She hasn’t published a book yet, but I’m sure it’s not too far away in the future. She’s been an inspiration for me to get to know. She’s also given me very real, concrete support in the form of rides to the writers club and cups of coffee afterward.
Lola is one of my aunts. She’s always encouraged my love of writing and reading and creativity. When she first moved up to Fairbanks to attend University of Alaska, it was to maybe get into creative writing or cartoon drawing. She’s now a scientist – mycology and geology – and has done her share of writing. She went up a student, and after winning land in a lottery, built herself a home and created a family with the friends, animal and human, that she had around her. For me she embodies independence, courage, and determination. No matter what the creative endeavor – even when I tried to crochet her a purse that somehow turned into a really ugly hat when I was broke one Christmas – she encouraged me. She may have laughed, but it was with me, not at me.
Pat Oliver
Pat is another of my aunts. She’s also a writer and has written freelance and takes classes to continually work on her writing. Meanwhile she goes to work and has a life. She doesn’t really tell us what she does. We joke that she’d have to kill us if she told us. She’s a physicist, taught high school physics, worked with engineers and when her brain goes away it takes a while for it to come back from whatever thought she was toying with. She gets my need to write. She enourages my need to write. And when I was having a rough time last year, she invited me out to stay for Christmas and I got a chance to regroup in the Land of Enchantment.
Tribe is down a lot these days, and Tribers traditionally use Avatar names, not their real names. Even so, I couldn’t begin to enumerate all the creative women I’ve met there who have encouraged and inspired me to keep going: Tisha, Shayde, *B*, Zareen, Grrr, Wild, Deia, Nicole, LizZi, Gemma, Gin, Fang, Paidia, TrayC, lisabunny, Sharon, FG, and many others that I can’t go into (mostly because Tribe is down again so I can’t look them up). But when I was feeling low, or needed feedback on writing, or just needed to express myself, they were there. When I needed inspiration from other women who just naturally express themselves creatively, they were there. And I honor them for the different facets of creativity that I have learned from them.
And now, it’s two and a half hours past Monday, and officially Tuesday. If I’m going to get up and work with those wonderful women at the Larchmont Chronicle, I’m gonna need to get to bed. But before I do, I’m going to ask you to this month consider the women in your life that have made it better for you.
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