Friday Fiver

1. I have been wiped out this week. Seriously, just wiped out. Musta been the 51,425 words I wrote in 9 days, the long weekend with family, and then home to meet multiple very tight deadlines (still ongoing). I crashed yesterday afternoon after helping a client with a very late edit. I feel somewhat normal today.

2. I have to pick up a Christmas tree this next week. Not live, but not a huge fake one either. Anyone seen those that are already in a pot or urn, for decorative purposes? That's what I want. Mom says Walmart, so I guess I have to go IN that store now.

3. Picked up a pile of books from the library and started in. Wish I could do just read (what I want) for a solid month.

4. Hubby's Christmas present arrived and it's very solid (a new black, steel, and glass office desk) so we barely got it upstairs. He's thrilled. I am figuring out my new digicam (Canon Powershot).

5. As November closes, I am so thankful for all that was accomplished this month. Amazing! I am not ready to rest quite yet. Really, after yesterday's rest, I'm ready to go again.

Onward!

Currently reading: Thwonk (Joan Bauer)
Currently playing: The Promise (Michael W. Smith)

Holiday Overload

So, how to avoid holiday overload? I am bowing out of gift exchanges this year. In the past I've done at least four or five with various groups of friends; this year, I'm out of all but the local neighbor white elephant exchange.

It is so easy to get carried away with celebrations and things and events and very good reasons, but I am aiming for a bit more quiet contemplation this year. I have enough.

I have a lot.

I think it's my writing buddy's novel project that has put me in this mood. She's writing about Rwanda and I started poking around on Google as a result.

Running water, basic hygiene, more than one set of clothes--all these are things we take for granted, but the rest of the world may not even have the luxury to have.

I'm not preaching, I'm just downsizing. I'm donating food, clothes, books, and household items to charity. I don't need another five gift exchange items to fill up an empty cupboard.

I'll be enjoying all the fuss and fuddle of the season, trying to make a small difference in the few lives I touch in empathy, by listening, but spending time.

Can't wait!

Currently reading: Tithe (Holly Black)
Currently playing: You Know I'm No Good (Amy Winehouse)

Feeling A Bit Under the Weather

Yeah, I've got the sniffles today. It's cold now (snow expected in the mountains and maybe for us later on this week) and it was bound to happen.

In writing news, I'm reading revision books like crazy. Susan Bell, Noah Lukeman, Renni Browne, and on it goes. Have an entire pile to get through in the next 10 days or so and then the revision schedule will get all filled in and I'll really be into it. I'm trying not to fiddle with the revising quite yet, not until I know how I want to do it. I tend to fiddle and fiddle and ruin perfectly good drafts.

Gearing up to read Dennis Lehane and Ken Follet books and am not sure about this. They are both gritty, hard-boiled thrillers (well, maybe not Follet, but I've still read about the violence in his reviews). I'm so not a fan of violence, but the writing in these men's works is worth it I hear.

It's like reading the last quarter of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. It ran out of steam for me, but I didn't care; her writing was just so poetic and smooth. Sometimes the writing seduces you into reading what you just knew you would not ever attempt.

It sure surprises me! Wish me luck!

Playing on the iPod: Testify to Love (Avalon)

Winding Down Nanowrimo

For those who are still writing (and I know many of you are) on Nanowrimo this year, a few great ideas that I used this year.

1. Write a straight draft with minimal description and for details you're not sure of, just put TK (to come).

2. Don't reread what you just wrote. Just keep moving forward. Don't print the pages, don't scan back on the computer screen; just go forward.

3. Give yourself an hour or two of time and crank the music that puts you in the mood.

4. Let some things go. Work, dishes, laundry, social commitments, just let 'em go for this week. You'll be back to normal next week.

5. When you're not writing, pamper yourself, and let your mind wander. This fills up your imagination for the next writing appointment.

Go for it! Just four days left and you can do it!

Playing on the iPod: Christmas music (assorted)

Nanowrimo is Over; Next Goals Up

It's hard to finish a draft. Harder still when you have to have all your Christmas gifts wrapped to hand-deliver by Thanksgiving day.

But it's finished. Was supposed to have spent T-day weekend reading and working on a revision schedule, but spent the weekend eating and playing with my niece and helping my folks move to their new home. Total chaos with baby toys and boxes of books and lots of jokes with the siblings and a sick brother (who got better) and meeting his new girlfriend (very fun) and everything else, but we had a great time and my folks' new home is beautiful.

Onto this week/month:

1. Feeding frenzy week with end of the month feed to get to the client for the day job.
2. A list of freelance projects to finish up in the evenings.
3. Novel revision schedule to plan and begin
4. Reading has slowed and must get back to it. Have a pile of books to claim at the library.
5. Prep for Christmas parties (Dec 8, Dec 24 & 25), get a tree up and decorate, and finish Christmas shopping for hubby.
6. Get back to college exams study schedule and review the month of Latin study that I already forgot.
7. Plot new novel(s) using Scrivener.
8. Interview and hire an editorial consultant.
9. 2008 business marketing plans to chart.
10. Prepare the Northwest Center charity boxes for pickup on Friday.

Playing on the iPod: Michael W. Smith Christmas cd (new 2007 one)