Monday, August 16, 2010

Fresh start.

The start of a new week. I like the feeling of a fresh start. Thanks for all your recommendations for the book club. I will let you know what I pick.

Last week, I got tied up with WriteOnCon (yes, it was great) and my WiP. The schedule I have started seems to be working although last week I got a little carried away. I stayed up late and the kids are still not fully sleeping so Saturday night I took the night off. Drinking two beers (look out the party girl is breaking free),watching a little TV (which I don't watch much), trying to read a book and work on WiP #3. It's not that I made myself work on it, they just spoke to me.

I signed up for the Philly SCBWI conference in September. I'm going with Illustrator Kaitlyn McCane (that's her artwork over there) and my fab CP, Kelly. When I signed up, I decided not to have my first ten pages critiqued. I didn't feel ready and the pressure--let's just say I had an agent critique some pages this year which led me to change my whole beginning. Don't get me wrong it was a good thing. I thank god I had that opportunity.

After my return from vacation, I received an email from the local chapter saying that they still had spots open for the critique. Now, I'm sort of a believer in signs but still was sticking to my original plan of no critique. I wasn't going to do it. A couple emails back and forth to Kelly and now I'm signed up. So last week, I was working hard on my first ten pages along with a synopsis. I'm sending it out today. It's my new chapter so I would like to see what I can improve on. Nailbiting--yes-- but in the end a lesson to be learned.

I'm sure I will have to fight off Pessy (my pessimist side) with a taser and a nine iron because he is already telling me how much red will be on those pages. But I think Opti (my optimist side) will shine through, patting me on the back telling me to soak in all the advice I can. Thanks Kelly. :)

So I have some goals--
This week:
 Revise a chapter.
Write everyday.
If WiP #3 comes knocking, answer the door and let them tell their story.
Take one day a week to learn something new about the craft and apply it to my own writing.

Busy week.

What are your goals? How was your weekend?

A 200 follower contest maybe in my sights. After that who knows, I'm trying to take it one day at a time.

Have a great day!