One Day More

Wednesday Tally

New pages written: 0
Old pages revised on paper: Chapter 10 and 11
Old pages revised on screen: Chapters 4, 5, 6, 9
Pages of revisions typed in: Chapter 10 and 11
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: +1
Total page count to date: 216
Days remaining until D-day: 1
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: too many to count

Chocolate consumed: Godiva truffle (my dinner actually)
Junk food consumed: none
Diet: pretty easy since I have no time or desire to eat right now
Weekly weigh in: 130 (down 8 pounds total)
Exercise: hike around lake
Television watched: none
Tears: many
Clip for the day: I came up with the title for this post and realized it was a song from my favorite musical. Enjoy!



One day until D-day. Major panic and pressure when I woke this morning but then youngest crawled in bed with me and I calmed down a lot.

Recap: I managed to hike yesterday morning, but except for picking up the kidlets and taking one to piano lessons that's all I did except work on the book. If hubby hadn't brought me meals, I doubt I would have eaten a thing. He was with the two youngest ones at a Little League game last night and called. It was 7:30 pm. I realized I'd never fed the oldest! She was busy reading and had fixed herself a snack. Thank goodness, but I felt like a really bad mommy. Hubby brought home McDonalds for all the kids. He fixed me a salad, but two bites later I took it downstairs, grabbed my one truffle allotment for the day and ate that for dinner instead.

I spoke with someone from Clearwater National Forest. I'd left her a message on Tuesday and didn't know whether I'd get a call back in time. She has actually been inside the cabin I'm using so she helped me get all the details right. It meant some rewriting last night, but I've got it right now. Huge sigh of relief.

I also was in touch with my SAR expert to get a dinner together with him and some PMR members so I can get a better feel for my new hero, Matt Porter and what he does with search and rescue. I have to get started on that new book right away. I did decide not to do Script Frenzy which starts June 1 and is similar to NaNoWriMo, but you write a screenplay. My body just couldn't take that. Neither could my family!

I managed to get through Chapters 10 and 11. I rewrote so much that I hope that fixed the major suckage that had been going on. I sent Chapter 11 to my cp, but her daughter is getting married this weekend so the chances of her getting to it are slim. I also sent both chapters to another friend who offered to help, but she'll be reading the end without having read any of the beginning. She's a great writer though so I'm sure she can figure it out and I so appreciate another set of eyes on them!

Today, I'm going to print the manuscript out and go through the entire book on paper. If I have time, I want to read it aloud, too. That's how I find all those stupid typos and such. Fingers crossed that everything works in the light of day! One day more. I'm hoping I can make it!

Two days to go

Tuesday Tally

New pages written: 0
Old pages revised on paper: Chapter 9 and 10
Old pages revised on screen: Chapters 7 and 8
Pages of revisions typed in: Chapter 9 and part of 10
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: -7
Total page count to date: 215
Days remaining until D-day: 2
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 7

Chocolate consumed: another Godiva truffle
Junk food consumed: one small ginger snap and brownie at violin recital
Diet: not so good with the sweets
Weekly weigh in: 130 (down 8 pounds total)
Exercise: none
Television watched: none (turned in Everest tape w/o watching it)
Tears: NO!
Link for the day: maybe later

I finally started working on Chapter 10 after talking to my critique partner about the last two chapters. I'm starting over taking scenes and rewriting them to work better. That means cutting a lot of extra stuff if you notice from the total page count. I didn't make it on a hike yesterday, but am going this morning as soon as I add something to a scene I realized when I woke up needed to be there.

Notice my diet cheats. That will tell you I'm still panicked, totally freaked out that this book is due Friday and I still need to go through the entire thing again once I finish these last two chapters. I just want it done.

Thanks for all the support, too! Your comments really, really help. xoxox

Okay, back to it! Hope you have a great day!

Panicked

Monday Tally

New pages written: 0
Old pages revised on paper: Chapter 3, 7, 8, 9
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: Chapter 3, 7, 8
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: +3
Total page count to date: 222
Days remaining until D-day: 3
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 1

Chocolate consumed: another Godiva truffle
Junk food consumed: none
Diet: doing pretty good
Weekly weigh in: 130 (down 8 pounds total)
Exercise: none (no pilates due to holiday)
Television watched: none
Tears: yes (told you they'd be daily)
Link for the day: maybe later

I'm really starting to freak out. Not only do I need to go through the entire manuscript again on paper, Chapter 10 and Chapter 11 suck. I got both critiques back and they are not good. Pretty much need to rethink and rewrite both, but I can't do that until I type in Chapter 9's revisions.

Yesterday was all writing. No hike or climbing. I was focused on the book. I did a lot of rewriting in Chapter 7 that took hours, but I think it's a lot better. Chapter 8 wasn't so bad, but still took a while. Oh, and if you notice my page count, I'm now long which means I'll have to cut. As usual. But not until I get through the entire thing.

Today I have some kidlet stuff to do and one of their violin recitals to attend, but other than that I'll be trying to figure out how to fix the last two chapters. I really need to do something physical, too. A hike this morning would be perfect. Plus my Everest video is due back today so I need to take time out to watch that.

Are you getting back into your normal routine today or extending your holiday weekend another day or two?

Memorial Day

Sunday Tally

New pages written: 0
Old pages revised on paper: Chapter 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: Chapter 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: +1
Total page count to date: 219
Days remaining until D-day: 4
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: Maybe 2

Chocolate consumed: one Godiva truffle (yummy)
Junk food consumed: none
Diet: not a lot of struggle today
Weekly weigh in: 130 (down 8 pounds total)
Exercise: 45 minute hike by myself.
Television watched: Indy 500 after rain delay to the end of race
Tears: yes
Link for the day: All you want to know about Memorial Day.

Yesterday was a busy day even though I only got out twice. It went something like this: Mass, Writing, Lunch, Hike, Watch race and revise, Writing, Dinner, More writing. Today will be like it though I'm hoping to hear from my friend so I can do a little gym climbing too.

I'd hoped to be all the way through Chapter 6 yesterday, but I never got around to Chapter 3 so that's where I'll start this morning. My goal is to get up to Chapter 10 by the end of the day. If possible, start working on 10, too. I got the critique back on 10 last night and it has mega-problems. I figured it would, but seeing the comments on paper really drove the point home. It's going to take a lot of work to fix. I'm not exactly sure where to start either.

My thoughts and prayers are with those serving and having served this country, especially those who sacrificed their lives for us.

Hope you have an enjoyable Memorial Day! Is anyone doing a BBQ or picnic today?

A Completed Draft

Saturday Tally

New pages written: 7
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: Chapter 10
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 218
Days remaining until D-day: 5
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: Maybe 1, too tired to remember

Chocolate consumed: Chunk of 72% dark chocolate (needed it to face Chapter 11)
Junk food consumed: none
Diet: not a lot of struggle today
Weekly weigh in: 133 (down 5 pounds total)
Exercise: 1 hour hike by myself.
Television watched: none
Tears: yes (told you these would be daily now)

I finished the complete and typed the words THE END at 8:45 PM. Of course, the manuscript is unrevised and not polished so mucho amounts of work lay ahead of me during the next five days. Ideally I like to do a revision draft first and then a final polish through of the entire manuscript. As I've mentioned before, usually at this point I only have to revise what I'd just finished and then do the polish so this will be interesting to see how it works this time. But the main thing is I got to the end with enough pages and words a few days before D-day. Huge sigh of relief. Thanks for all the good luck wishes and support!

I've already started revising. I gathered out all my notes and critiques I'd been saving up and spread them out on the floor next to my bed since hubby was going to be going to bed. I printed out all 218 pages and got a pencil. I've started using a pencil to revise rather than a pen. I was so tired I skipped over the first three chapters since I need to be at my best to work on those.

Today after church I'll hit the beginning. I'd like to go on another hike, but that may have to wait until I get some work in.

Did anyone go see any of the new movies out this weekend? If yes, what did you see and what did you think? I haven't been to the movies since Christmas time when I saw The Nativity Story. Talk about movie withdrawal!

Less than a week

Friday Tally

New pages written: 6
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: Chapter 9
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 211
Days remaining until D-day: 6
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 4

Chocolate consumed: Chunk of 72% dark chocolate (needed it to face Chapter 10)
Junk food consumed: none
Diet: Did much better, but still not totally good due to chocolate and glass of red wine.
Weekly weigh in: 133 (down 5 pounds total)
Exercise: 1 hour of Pilates Reformer class, 1 hour hike by myself.
Television watched: none
Tears: yes (these will probably be daily now)

Less than a week to go until D-day. I revised Chapter 9 and got a nice chunk of Chapter 10 done, too. Not finished with it yet, but feeling better about it. I still want to finish the complete today so I can print the manuscript and start the real work.

Hubby made me the most delicious enchiladas last night. I had a total meltdown in the afternoon after not being able to write all day long due to youngest kidlet and a talent show for the older two and just all kinds of things popping up so he wanted to make me feel better. No cheese or meat due to diet, so he filled them with all kinds of yummy veggies and black beans. They were awesome.

After dinner, I set out on a hike by myself. It was hot out, but beautiful. I left my iPod at home so I could think and hear the various sounds of nature. The hills really got my heart pumping. I need to get in better shape if I'm going to do serious hiking and climbing this summer!

I plan to have a similar day to yesterday except I want to hike earlier. And I want to write ALL day. Should be doable with hubby home. At least I hope so. What are your plans for this Saturday of Memorial Day weekend?

Struggling

Wed/Th Tally

New pages written: 5
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: Chapter 9
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 205 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 7
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 6

Chocolate consumed: Chunk of 72% dark chocolate
Junk food consumed: Homemade chocolate chip cookies, potato chips and beer
Diet: feel off the wagon yesterday
Weekly weigh in: 133 (down 5 pounds total)
Exercise: none
Television watched: none
Tears: yes
Clip for the day: This song really fits where my heroine is headed in Chapter 10 plus it matched my mood last night. In hindsight, I should have forgotten about writing for a few hours and gone climbing instead.


I'm still struggling with Chapter 10. I MUST finish it today so I can rewrite Chapter 11 tomorrow and then start at the beginning on Sunday. The book is due in exactly one week and I have yet to revise any of the chapters. This is the most behind I've ever been on a project. Not a fun place to be.

Wish I could say I had fun plans this weekend. Except for Pilates this morning, going to the gym and climbing, and Mass on Sunday, I'm planning to spend the next three days writing. I checked out a Mt. Everest video to watch, but it's only forty-five minutes. And I'll be working hard to get back on the wagon with my diet so will try to get a walk/hike in if I can. I'm going to walk/hike at least two of the three days though! I need to fill the well.

Summit!

We're back home after a nice lunch at Timberline. Now I need to get back to work on the book. But first I wanted to share a couple of pictures.

This is hubby at 1:30 am. I was half-asleep when I took the picture. From Timberline Lodge, he took a sno-cat up the mountain. It was an old sno-cat that someone joked had been used during the filming of The Shining! Hubby said getting out on the mountain and putting on his gear at 2:30 am was really something.

Hubby made it to the top of Mount Hood with three other climbers, one of which was his guide, Phil! They went up the left chute to make it to the top. He summited around 7 am. The mountain was covered in clouds though so he didn't get any of the views. By the time he was almost down, all the clouds cleared.

This was my view as I worked this morning on a couch in the Rams Head Bar. I had a perfect seat with great views of the hill as well as a view of climbers on their way down. The bar wasn't open, but the guy brought me a glass of water without me even asking. It was really nice just to hang out and write. Plus there was wi-fi. Of course, I was good and didn't play too much!

If you click on this picture, you can see climbers coming off the mountain. I think this foursome in front was the other group that went up with him. There were two groups that trained together yesterday and rode up in the sno-cat this morning. Tom was behind them, and his foursome was broken up a bit.

So I've definitely earned mucho brownie points for this anniversary present. He even told me I could go climb tonight. I met a climber on Saturday who is going to show me a place to practice outside. But I'm going to stay home because hubby's had a long day and will have to be in charge of the kidlets this weekend. The climber guy told me to let him know when I was free so I'll just do that!

What is everyone else up to? No time to blog hop this morning or even scan the news. What have I missed?

To the top...

Or so I hope. Hubby left this morning at 1:30 am to make a summit attempt on Mount Hood. The weather looks perfect out my window, but the room is facing the valley, not the hill!

I stayed in the lobby until almost 11 o'clock working on the book. I went through Chapter 9 again and sent it to my critique partner, then started to figure out chapter 10, which is a total mess. I deleted one scene and wrote another. It's going to take a lot of work which I'm not looking forward to.

That's about all I have to report right now! I want to get to work on the book. More later!

To the hill

Tuesday Tally

New pages written: 2
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 200 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 9
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 0

Chocolate consumed: None
Junk food consumed: None
Diet: hanging in there with the rabbit food and beans
Weekly weigh in: 133 (down 5 pounds total)
Exercise: none
Television watched: none
Tears: no
Link for the day: Hubby is using this guide service today and tomorrow on Mount Hood.

I hit my page goal, but the book's not finished. I should start making my goal 210. That's more realistic. I didn't write as many new pages, because I wanted to get Chapter 8 to my critique partner (I did!) And I also wanted to whip Chapter 9 into shape. Not quite there though. Today I want to finish up 9 and get a rough draft of 10.

The one thing I haven't done with this book that I usually do is revise as I go. I have not gone back to those chapters at the beginning, not even with my editor's revision letter. That means there is a lot of work still ahead of me. So I'm a bit panicky at the moment.

As for what I'm doing tonight: I'm heading to Mount Hood. Hubby thought it was silly to pay for two hotel rooms when he wasn't really even using his. Good point even though it means 3 hours of driving to get there and back for me. But the mountains do inspire me so I'm sure I'll be very productive. Fingers crossed.

Hubby left this morning for day one of his two day Mount Hood Summit Program. He was like a little boy packing all his gear last night. I'll be up there around 5 pm after I get through another busy Wednesday. I have my last class to teach until next October. I also have to pack! The main thing I can't forget is my iBook. I don't need much jammies, toothbrush, something to wear tomorrow.

Are you a seat-of-the-pants packer or a planner packer? As for me, it just depends where we're going.

All You Need Is Love

Monday Tally

New pages written: 9
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 198 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 11
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 4

Chocolate consumed: None
Junk food consumed: None
Diet: hanging in there with the rabbit food and beans
Weekly weigh in: 133 (down 5 pounds total)
Exercise: skipped Pilates Mat Class to write
Television watched: Heroes!
Tears: yes
Clip for the day: What else but Heroes!



So what can I say about last night's season finale? Best.Show.Ever.

I'm talking about the entire season, because last night Tim Krieg and company tied everything up with a nice neat little bow as my former critique partner Monica Pradhan used to say to me. I thought the show was about ordinary people who find themselves with extraordinary abilities, a good vs. evil showdown and how power corrupts. But last night I learned Volume 1 of the show was really about love.

Yes, love.

Sure you had the battles, the deaths, the big boom in the sky, but what made each of these heroes unique is how their journey over the season, based on who they loved, culminated in their being able to save the world when it really mattered.

Peter Petrelli - He, of all the heroes, showed the most heart, the most love for everyone around him. Charles pointed this out last night perfectly. His love for his brother Nathan kept him going through the entire volume. The heartbreak clearly shown on his face last night when he realized Nathan wasn't the man Peter thought he was hit me hard in the gut. But he didn't give up. If anything that made him stronger because for the first time he truly was on his own. He couldn't rely on his big brother the way he had his entire life. Peter was finally willing to face Sylar, even die (though he has regenerative powers) to keep the bomb from exploding.

Nathan Petrelli - His love for his younger brother, Peter, was the final push for him to walk away from the lure of power and prestige to do what needed to be done-save the world even if it meant dying in the process. (I don't think either character died, however.) Nathan tells Peter: "You saved the cheerleader so we could save the world." The cheerleader, his daughter, and her final words to him are the catalyst for Nathan's turn from the dark side so to speak. Love triumphs once again.

Claire Bennett - All season she wanted to find her 'real' family only to realize her family, the one who raised her and she loved, was with her all along. Rather than take what her evil grandmother offered, "a place to belong and a family," with her blood relatives, she chose her adopted family instead. By making that right choice out of love, she was able to be there for Peter, to see her father, Nathan, redeem himself and find her adoptive father, Noah, too. Talk about walking away with the magic elixir for those familiar with Christopher Vogel's The Writer's Journey!

Hiro Nakamura - His entire life he was a disappointment to his father. He finally had a chance to redeem himself in his father's eyes last night, but he couldn't let his best friend, Ando, die. Hiro chooses his love for his friend over what his father wants him to do thus sacrificing what he wanted for himself-his father's respect. Of course by making this decision,
Hiro not only saves his friend but proves to his father and everyone else that he is a true hero.

Niki Saunders - She thought she was weak with no powers, but through her love for DJ and Micah she finds superstrength like her alter-ego-twin Jessica thus turning into a super kick-ass heroine.

Matt Parkman - His love for his wife and unborn child, as well as his promise to Molly to keep her safe, show that love isn't always rational and can be foolish at times when he goes after Sylar with a gun. But by following his heart, he's able to see what's going on and warn Siresh thus saving Molly and all of the Heroes everywhere from Sylar if he got to the little girl.

Sylar - He's the anti-hero because his desire for love sent him down the wrong path. Instead of using his ability for good, he used them for evil, wanting more abilities so that he could show everything that he was someone after all, that he was worthy. Sylar's words to Peter during the showdown show that he wants to be a hero, but Sylar wasn't capable of of being a one because he doesn't know how to love. He wants only to be loved by others.

Hope this all makes sense. I'm running on only a couple of hours of sleep and the book is calling me. Needless to say, whether the above is coherent or not, Heroes is an amazing show and I can't wait for Volume 2!

The Big Push

Weekend Tally

New pages written: 22
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 189 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 11
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 0

Chocolate consumed: None
Junk food consumed: peanuts at the pub
Diet: one pint of beer at the micro brewery
Weekly weigh in: 133 (down 5 pounds total)
Exercise: 1 hour Pilates reformer class
Television watched: none
Tears: yes

I didn't make it to the end of the book. 22 new pages isn't bad though. I still have 3 scenes to write to have a complete. Due to my word count being low even with all the pages (I write with a lot of dialogue and white space on the page) I will probably need closer to 215 pages at the end of this. But right now I'm just focused on getting those missing scenes roughed out so I can start back at the beginning.

No big plans for me except to write this week. I'd love to steal away to the gym to climb so I'm hoping to squeeze that in somehow if I can find a climbing partner. I still haven't decided what to do on Wednesday night when hubby is up at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, either.

A few of my friends are heading to the Star Wars Celebration IV in LA. I had hotel reservations and was all set to go for the entire thing, but when I got a June 1st deadline I knew it would never work. I'm going to have to settle for the trip reports when they get back. I'm sure it'll be an awesome time and the Force will be with them.

Tonight is the season finale of Heroes so at 9 o'clock I will be stationed on the couch with my gaze glued to the TV. I hope to have most of my pages done before that, but even if I don't, I won't be distracted. I've been wondering if this is the night Peter gets his scar!

Speaking of TV, in your opinion, which television show had the best season finale?

Me and the Climbing Cutie

After writing much of the day, I made it to the get together at the Lucky Lab in SE PDX and met a few local climbers. It was fun putting faces with avatars (screen names). Every one was so nice to this climbing newbie. I had a great time. The Climbing Cutie made an appearance, too. He hadn't said he was going to show up so that was a nice surprise. I got asked more than once how I knew him.

Today, I teach my final Sunday class. In between heading to Mass and the class tonight, I plan on writing. Yesterday, I came up with a possible name for my SAR hero in the new book. Matthew Porter. Does that sound like a hottie hero to you? If not, any suggestions?

Getting It Done!

Yesterday didn't go so well with the page count. I ended up revising Chapter 7 instead and only came up with 2 new pages. Yikes! But the youngest is gone for the weekend and hubby is going to play chauffer today and tomorrow so the only thing I have to do is write! I went to be early last night and slept in late to prepare for this push to the end. Not sure I can write that many pages, but I'm going to try.

I'm supposed to meet a bunch of climbers from a forum I post at tonight and I hope I can make that! I'd love to find a few people to climb with! And have a little fun at the same time.

On a sadder note, two WA state climbers from the forum were killed on Denali (Mount McKinley). They fell 1900 feet on Thursday. I didn't know Brian and Mizuki, but had read their posts. People have said they were great individuals with a tremendous love of climbing. My condolences and prayers to their friends and family.

Have a great Saturday! Anyone have any fun plans?

TGIF

Thursday Tally

New pages written: 6
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 167 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 14
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 4

Chocolate consumed: None
Junk food consumed: None
Diet: no cheats
Weekly weigh in: 136 (down 2 pounds)
Exercise: none
Television watched: none (I wanted to watch The Office season finale, but forgot)
Tears: no
Link for the day: You have to check out The Letter Project! A writer named Rick will send you a handwritten letter in the mail if you ask him, too. You don't even have to write him via snail mail to request a letter. He's got an email link! He's also got a link asking for stamp donations if anyone is so inclined.

The youngest kidlet is spending the weekend with my parents. This is huge. She takes more work than the other two put together. Not that I mind, but I really need to crank out the pages this weekend if I'm going to finish the complete by Wednesday. It's feeling like a pipe dream right now, but you never know! I'm going to keep chipping away at those pages. All it will take is a couple of super productive days and I'll be there! Fingers crossed.

Not much else to report. I'm trying to stay focused on the book. Even with the little on home with me all day, I made my page goal by 11 o'clock last night. That means another early morning today. This work time switch is working so I'm going to stick with hit. I feel like I need sleep right now more than I need the extra pages. I even took a nap today when the little one went down. I zonked out for forty five wonderful minutes!

Other news: Another gorgeous day in the PNW so I took the kids to the park during the middle child's piano lesson. My eldest finally got off her crutches today and is thrilled since she got to attend dance class, her final one on a Thursday night. She got moved to a higher class starting next week. She's more happy than sad about the move which is a good thing.

Yay!

Wednesday Tally

New pages written: 6
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 161 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 15
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 0

Chocolate consumed: None
Junk food consumed: None
Diet: no cheats
Weekly weigh in: 136 (down 2 pounds)
Exercise: none
Television watched: none
Tears: yes
Link for the day: I want one of these! Maybe I'll ask for it for my birthday though that's still over three months away!

YAY! I met my page goal on a Wednesday when I'm not home during the day! Huge accomplishment for me. Getting up early really helped and so I went to bed at 11 last night and got up early this morning. It's a change from what I'm used to, but I was getting really run down staying up so late each night. We'll see how this affects my process. Change might be a good thing!

Not much else to say. My characters won't stop talking and I'm totally focused on the book. My goal is to have a complete by next Wednesday. That's when hubby heads up to Mt. Hood for his anniversary present. My parents are coming up to help me with the kids and hubby wants me to go to the hill with him, but I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do. Here are my options: stay home and write while parents watch kids, go to my parents house and write alone, go to a motel for the day/night and write or go to Mt. Hood and write. Which would you pick yourself? Which would you pick for me?

Wednesday Writing

New pages written: 5
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 155 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 16
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 0

Chocolate consumed: No more chocolate allowed due to diet, but I'll keep this here in case I cheat.
Junk food consumed: See chocolate.
Diet: no cheats
Weekly weigh in: 136 (down 2 pounds)
Exercise: none
Television watched: none
Tears: no
Link for the day: None right now. If I find one later, I'll add it in.

Today is my busy day when I'm not home at all so I decided to get up even earlier (before 6 am) and get a little writing in.
In theory it sounds like a great idea. In practice, not so much. I'm really tired, but I'll give it my best shot! I need to meet or exceed my page goal with my Wednesday writing.

Yesterday went well writing wise. Hubby had a meeting last night and I wanted to write but not stick kidlets in front of TV so I stuck them in our bathtub instead. It was almost ninety outside so hot. They played, came in and got their swimsuits on and goggles. They had a blast in our soaking tub. Best thing, I can see it from my bed. So I worked and they played in the water!

Chapter seven is almost there. I have four scenes. Need to finish two of them. What I'm working on right now is coming up with questions for a game Serena and Kane have with them. The game is called Twenty Tantalizing Bedroom Teasers. It comes from the first book in the continuity series by Shirley Jump. She only names the games so it's up to me to turn it into a game they can play. Anyone have any ideas for it?

Have a great day!

Tuesday Tally

New pages written: 5
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: Chapter 6 (decided to add a character to a continuity scene and put it in her POV)
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 150 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 17
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 2

Chocolate consumed: No more chocolate allowed due to diet, but I'll keep this here in case I cheat.
Junk food consumed: See chocolate.
Diet: no cheats
Weekly weigh in: 136 (down 2 pounds)
Exercise: none
Television watched: Heroes
Tears: no
Link for the day: If I find one later, I'll add it in. If you didn't check out yesterday's link, do! I still can't believe someone used my book for an analysis like that. Very cool!

An okay day yesterday. Lost a few hours in the afternoon, but still managed a few pages. Today I will try and whip Chapter 7 into shape. It's a mess of scene fragments and notes from the synopsis.

I watched Heroes. Another great show that was jam-packed and left us on the edge of our seat for the season finale next week. Two Heroes bit the dust last night. I have a feeling more will follow. And that makes me a little sad. No job security on this show!

Loved how Hiro's father taught him how to fight with a sword. You could glimpse moments of the future Hiro on his face as he learned the art of sword fighting. The flash back to when he was a boy and hearing about his fave story was very cool, especially when he related cutting out his heart to his current situation.

Poor Ando! I'm afraid he will die just like in the future show unless Hiro gets there in time. Nikki returned with a vengeance only to lose her husband. I just hope she finds her son. I'd figured out last week what they wanted Micah for (fix the ballot machine) and my instinct was spot on. Just like I knew that the Las Vegas jerk would heal Nathan's wife once he showed his power, but the way they did that was nice.

What did you watch last night?

Return of the Tally

New pages written: 12 (this should have been closer to 40 and I'm so bummed about that)
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: Chapter 4, 5, 6 again, but they're finally right.
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: didn't keep track
Total page count to date: 145 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 18
Emails from editor in UK: 1
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: a few

Chocolate consumed: No more chocolate allowed due to diet, but I'll keep this here in case I cheat.
Junk food consumed: See chocolate.
Diet: Been doing well except for icing slip and a few things at our Mother's day buffet.
Weekly weigh in: 136 (down 2 pounds)
Exercise: Hike
Television watched: none
Tears: no
Link for the day: Laura Vivanco at Teach Me Tonight wrote a fantastic and insightful analysis based on the theme home is where the heart is using my book Blueprint for a Wedding. Check it out!

Had a great Mother's Day except for the 2+ hours spent in urgent care. Reminded me of the Father's Day when the oldest fell at my parents' house and we spent hours in the ER getting stitches. I shouldn't be surprised. It's as if everything is conspiring against me so I can't write. That just means I must work harder. And I shall.

Other than the five of us at Urgent Care, we enjoyed the day. The brunch was yummy. I went for a hike by myself and got a little writing in. The kidlets made me great cards. I also got a hand-painted wind chime and chore coupons from my son, a picture frame magnet from my oldest and a hand painted flower pot, and a small hand painted flower pot from my daughter. My "gift" was two plants for the front yard.

How was your day?

The Mommy Test

I hope all you moms out there are being pampered and spoiled rotten today! We're having brunch this morning with my parents at the Eola Hills Winery. I'm hoping not to go off the diet too much! And I plan to take my Alphasmart with me to write in the car. It'll be a three hour or so round trip. My mom asked if we were coming over after and I said, "No!" Nothing against my mom, but it's my Mother's day and I want to spend the rest of the day writing.

The book is coming along. I spent yesterday revising to make everything fit with my Eureka moment. I lost pages though so today will be spent writing new pages even though I'm not finished with all the revisions yet.

To celebrate the day, I thought I'd share this little piece that was posted on the Hayden loop I belong to:

The Mommy Test

I was out walking with my 4 year old son. He picked up something off the ground and started to put it in his mouth. I took the item away from him and I asked him not to do that.

"Why?" my son asked.

"Because it's been on the ground, and you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs" I replied.

At this my son looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Mommy, how do you know all this stuff?"

"Uh," I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but he was evidently wondering about this new information.

"OH... I get it!" he beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy."

"Exactly" I replied with a big smile on my face.

What are you moms doing or what did you do for you mom?

Happy Mother's Day!

Love,
Melissa

Eureka!

The party went great. The ten girls loved their American Girl Spa experience. For two and a half hours, laughter and giggles and fun reined supreme. I was tired by the end, but the smiles on the girls face were worth all the work and a 24 hour period of no writing.

But I managed to get back to work last night and am so excited. If you read yesterday's comments, you'll see I had a Eureka moment with the book. Everything gelled. I went back over the last chapter and the one thing that I hadn't quite figured out just fell into place with what I'd figured out yesterday. So somehow I need to keep going forward, yet go back at the same time. Haven't figured out how yet, but I'm hopeful I will today.

On the diet front, I was doing great. Even made strawberries dipped in chocolate without cheating, but the cupcake frosting on my fingers as I passed them out was too hard to resist and I licked it off. Not a huge cheat, and boy, was it tasty!

My plans for today: shower, write, take youngest kidlet to pony party, write, Mass, write. Not too much fun, but it's what I need to do. What about you?

Have a great day!

Almost ready!

I mentioned yesterday about the American Girl Spa Party that I donated to the kidlets' school auction. As of 6:00 pm, I had done nothing to get ready for it except have a house cleaner over. By 8:00 pm, I had all the shopping done except for grapes, sparkling cider and flavored water. By 11:30 pm, I had everything except the food ready. That includes 10 favor bags, the table settings for both girls and their dolls, the Manicure Bar, the Pedicure Corner, the Dolls 'Do, the Facial Station and the Craft Counter. Not bad for one evening. Want to see what I did?

Welcome to the Doll 'Do station. I got two salon chairs, a bunch of hair accessories including capes and brushes from American Girl. My daughter already has the hairstyle DVD so I'll keep that playing.



Pay a visit to the Pedicure Corner. I have tubs with scented salts for them to soak their feet in. And all kinds of goodies to play with afterwards, including colorful nail polish.




Stop by the manicure bar. There are also two more stations. The facial station where the girls will put on an oatmeal/yogurt mask and place cucumbers on their eyes. And the craft corner where the girls can make their own lipgloss, a bookmark and a jewelry holder.

This is the table for the girls. I'm using my dining room table for the spa dinner and my kitchen table for the spa snack. The centerpiece is something I found on sale at AmericanGirl.com. The place settings came with the party set I purchased from the same place.




Hubby made this doll-sized table around 10 o'clock after I asked where the table he'd said he'd make two months ago was. The place settings are doll-sized and so cute. I'm still missing a centerpiece, but I'll come up with something. Anyone have any ideas?



Today wasn't a total loss writing wise, either. I managed to write 6 pages this morning while Rose was at a play date. Huge thanks to Sue and her daughter, Alexa, for giving me much needed time to get some work done. I owe you big time!!!

Day four of my diet and I've stuck to it, even though I've got serious chocolate lust going on right now. Hubby baked brownies tonight and the entire house smells sooooo yummy.

Please wish me luck with the ten girls and their dolls! I'm going to need it! Hope you have a great Friday!

Quick update

Hubby: home from his business trip
Me: feeling better especially after going to sleep at 10:30 pm, but that took away prime writing time
Eldest kidlet: on crutches for the next week (hours lost because of this)
Middle kidlet: told me I loved the youngest more than him
Youngest kidlet: having a playdate this morning to I can write

I also forgot that tomorrow (Friday) I have to throw a party I donated to our school auction. Serious bad timing. It's an American Girl Spa Party for ten girls. I have a kit that I bought, but it's still going to take time I don't have. I have someone coming over this morning to clean while I write.

Anyone want to update me on what's going on with them?

Into The Cave Once Again

No tally today. I'm feeling a little better, but not 100% yet. I didn't get as much as I needed to get done last night so I am crawling into the cave every spare minute I have, which isn't much today, and get caught up with the writing.

Take care and have fun!

Love,
Melissa

On my own

Tuesday Catchup Tally

New pages written: 10 (goal: 6.2 pages per day)
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Old pages revised on screen: Chapter 5, part of 6, 11
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: -5 (which really hurt)
Total page count to date: 133 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 28
Emails from editor in UK: 1
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 5

Chocolate consumed: No more chocolate allowed due to diet, but I'll keep this here in case I cheat.
Junk food consumed: See chocolate.
Diet: Survived the first day!
Exercise: One hour Pilates Mat Class
Television watched: Heroes
Tears: no
Link for the day: I was going to skip this today due to the way I feel, but then I came up with the title for this post and it was the same title as one of my fave Broadway tunes. So here's the amazingly talented Lea Salonga singing On My Own at the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert.



I'm not feeling well at all. A trip to urgent care may be in order this morning once I get everyone off to school. It was all I could do to survive son's baseball game with the girls in 81 degree heat. Hubby was in a meeting until almost eleven o'clock last night, and this morning he's on a plane heading to the Bay Area. I'm on my own until Wednesday night. Check for tears on the tally tomorrow. I'm sure there will be some!

I managed to watch Heroes, but just barely. I wasn't left with much of an impression due to the way I felt. Mainly Sylar really is a sicko.

I wrote a few more pages out of sheer desperation. Much time was spent going over chapter five again so I could send it off to my critique partner which I did on Sunday. With hubby gone and if I can feel a little better, I hope to really crank the pages out.

Have a great Tuesday!

Monday Madness Again

I'll post a tally later. Had a tremendously busy weekend and am focused on two things right now: writing and my new diet. I didn't get as many pages done the past couple of days so need to catch up. I also entered a weight loss challenge on a climbing forum I read. Today marked the first weigh in (138 pounds if you're interested). I'm starting a six week program based on the book Eat to Live. Goal is to lose at least 10 pounds. Not only with diet, but with exercise (Pilates, walking, hiking) and climbing. Fingers crossed I can do both deadline and diet at the same time!

Will be back later with more, but right now my characters are calling me. Since Kane is such a hottie who I totally love, there is no way I can stay away any longer. Hope you're having a great Monday!

Weekend Writing

No tally until Monday. And it's not because I played The Hunt, honest. I just like to make the weekends a little different even if I'm still writing! Of all the activities today, I'm responsible for dance class. I got off so easy! Thanks to the darling hubby!

Hope you have a great Saturday!

The Hunt

Thursday Tally

New pages written: 6 (goal: 6.2 pages per day)
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 123 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 28
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 1

Chocolate consumed: Hershey kisses
Junk food consumed: none
Exercise: none
Television watched: none
Tears: no
Link for the day: The Hunt begins today at 10 am est. Somewhere beneath the seven seas, Volvo sunk a treasure chest with $50,000 in gold doubloons and a key to a new Volvo XC90. Will you be the one to find it? The contest is inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. I really want to join in the Hunt. A bunch of my pals at Steeple Media are doing it. I just don't know if I can with the deadline. I get really tunnel visioned about games like this and Gold Rush. I may give it a try and see how much of a time suck it really is. Anyone else want to give a go?

Friday has arrived! Thank goodness. That means two days with hubby at home. Of course this weekend includes a dance class, a baseball game, two birthday parties and a First Communion Party so we'll be busy, busy, busy. I still have to make the most of it and write. Do you have any plans for the weekend?

I managed to get a few pages in. Not really good ones, so tomorrow could be a rewrite day. I'm almost to the point where I need to do a half-the-book polish to make sure everything is working.

I also critique a couple of chapters for my critique partner. Her book is due before mine. Usually our deadlines aren't so close together, never in the same month before as far as I can remember, but reading someone's work is a nice break from writing. I often realize something I'm pointing out in her chapter is a problem in my own work. Or I realize something she does really well I should work on myself. I know some writers don't like to critique with others, but I like getting input from another writer on my work.

Made the mistake of checking my Amazon page for one of my books when I was looking up something else there. Three reviews had been posted. I don't read reviews except for those in RT, but it was after midnight, I was tired and gave into curiosity. One reviewer liked the book. Two didn't. Oh, well... you can't please everyone. At least they took the time to post a review. No matter what they think of the book, I really appreciate that.

Enjoy your Friday!

Dreams to Dream

Wednesday Tally

New pages written: 6 (goal: 6.2 pages per day)
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: 0
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 117 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 29
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: 7

Chocolate consumed: Hershey kisses
Junk food consumed: none
Exercise: none
Television watched: non
Tears: no
Clip for the day: Many times I watch a movie with the kids half paying attention to what's on the television. Whatever it is just doesn't hold my attention, but that's okay I'm with my kidlets and that's all that matters. This movie, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, was not one of those type. I really enjoyed it and found this song absolutely beautiful and haunting. I used the Linda Ronstadt version for my heroine Millie in my upcoming Win, Lose...Wed!, but my favorite version is this one. Enjoy!

What kid's movie surprised you the most? Either by being better than you thought it would be or worse than you imagined?

I'm a happy writer. Even though Wednesday is my worst day for writing since I have no time at home until after I pick up the kids, I still managed my six pages. Finally!!!!! The key was writing the first kiss in the car while I waited for school to get out. The youngest was in the back napping and I took advantage of the time. I ended up with three hand written pages, which then turned into a six page scene when I typed it all in. I guess it's time to start carrying my alpha with me again. I just need to find the download cord first. It's gone missing!

Have a great day!

Filling the well

Tuesday Tally

New pages written: 3 (goal: 6.2 pages per day)
Old pages revised on paper: 0
Pages of revisions typed in: Chapter 5 revised on screen
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: 0
Total page count to date: 111 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 30
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: didn't check email acct.

Chocolate consumed: Hershey kisses last night
Junk food consumed: none
Exercise: none
Television watched: Phantom Of the Opera. I'd never seen the movie and yesterday's link made me pick up the DVD at the video store. I decided I needed to watch it to fill the well. That's always a good excuse to procrastinate. I did some revising while I watched, too.
Tears: no
Link for the day: King James Version Bible Birthday! A friend sent me this about this version of the bible first being published today in 1611.

Not much to report. I wrote. Mommying. Wrote some more. Mommying. Wrote again. Family time and dinner. Watched movie and wrote. Hubby time. Wrote until I could not keep my eyes open. Unfortunately not as many new pages as I would have hoped, but I crashed about two hours earlier than normal. Plus revising while watching took time. I did get through chapter 5. I still have that new scene to write though. I just didn't feel like it yesterday.

Today, I won't have as much time to write, but I still hope to get at least a few pages in tonight. I used to write better in the morning, but now my main writing time is after everyone goes to bed. Do you work better in the morning, day or night?

May Day

The Tally

New pages written: many (goal: 6.2 pages per day)
Old pages revised on paper: many
Pages of revisions typed in: many
Pages lost or gained due to revisions: many
Total page count to date: 108 (goal: 200)
Days remaining until D-day: 31
Emails from editor in UK: 0
Emails from agent in NY: 0
Emails from continuity loop: so, so many

Chocolate consumed: Hershey kisses last night
Junk food consumed: none
Exercise: One hour Pilates Mat class
Television watched: Heroes
Tears: yes
Link for the day: Phantom of the Opera clips set to a song I love, Because The Night. This is a great video. Embedding was turned off so I couldn't put the video here.

The tally is back. I'm already freaked out about the book. It's going to be an interesting month. I was hoping to have 120 pages done by today, but I didn't make it. That means I need to get extra pages written this week to catch up. Enough about that.

Heroes last night... The. Best. Show. Ever. Just when I didn't think this show could get any better, I was totally blown away. I wasn't sure what to make of the 5 years in the future gimmick, but wow. The writers did not disappoint. The Nathan/Sylar twist had my jaw on the floor. Seriously. Peter with a scar...totally hot. This chick really does dig scars. Totally made up for the absence of Isaac. I wish I could watch the episode again. I'm sure I missed things! If you watched, what did you think?

My brilliant critique partner gave me awesome feedback on Chapter four, which I rewrote again yesterday after talking to her. I thought I'd give you a taste of my revision process for anyone interested.

BEFORE:

Keep her steady.

Kane gripped the yoke, his muscles straining to regain control the speeding plane. The plane jostled, skidding and bouncing on the snow-covered meadow. He had no idea how deep or what obstacles lay beneath the blanket of white. All he could see was the forest of tall, thick trees looming ahead.

Come on baby, stop.

An image of Serena flashed through his mind. He'd heard her scream before.

Think. Focus.

He couldn't afford any distractions.

The lights on the control panel flickered. What the...? Everything blacked out on the panel. No engines, no electricity, no control.

Damn.

Even though he was only along for the ride now, Kane continued holding onto the yoke. He had to at least try to save them.

The forest drew closer. Individual trees stood out. Far too little space between the solid trunks. Heavy, snow-laden branches. Sharp, frozen pine needles.

Sweat streamed down Kane's back. Adrenaline surged. He tasted salt. Fear. Something he hadn't experienced since kneeling at his mother's side after her heart attack, hoping she'd wake up so he could tell her how much he loved her. Needed her.

Concentrate. No distractions.

A hard jolt knocked Kane to the right. His harness held in place. The plane veered, dipped, rolled. The tear of metal, the teeth clenching squeal a million times worse than fingernails on a chalkboard, made his stomach clench.

CRITIQUE PARTNER COMMENT: Hmm…I know you’re trying really hard to infuse this scene with emotion, but it is an action scene. An action scene in guy POV. Tightening Kane’s internal monologues, keeping him focused on his objectives, will make him seem more heroic and provide a natural source of conflict.

AFTER (first attempt at revision):

Serena's scream shivered through the cockpit.

Kane broke into a cold flop sweat.

He gripped the yoke, his muscles straining to regain control of the speeding plane. The plane jostled, skidding and bouncing on the deceptively flat snow. He couldn't worry about what lay hidden underneath that white blanket. A row of trees loomed straight ahead. He stepped harder on the brakes.

Come on baby. Stop for Papa.

The lights on the control panel flickered. What the...? No engines, no electricity, no control.

And Serena, along for the ride.

Kane swore, wrestling the unresponsive yoke as the forest hurtled closer. Individual trees sprang out of the shadowed mass. Far too little space between the solid trunks. Heavy, snow-laden branches. Sharp, frozen pine needles.

Fear was flat and bitter in his mouth.

A hard jolt knocked Kane to the right. He yelled a single word of warning “Serena!" His harness held in place. The plane veered, dipped, rolled. The teeth-clenching squeal of tearing metal knotted his stomach.

Hope you get lots done today! I plan to write as much as I can. What about you?