Fri. July 25, 2014: Trundling Along With Work and Writing

Friday, July 25, 2014
Dark Moon
Uranus Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant

Busy day at the library yesterday. Patrons came in waves — sometimes there were a lot of them, sometimes it quieted down. The internet system crashed — gotta love how the anti-net neutrality rulings affects libraries. Thank you, FCC, for selling us out and not doing your job.

We worked a lot on promotions for upcoming programs, and I did a solid bit of work developing the Cozy Mystery group that will start in September. I’ve named it “Muffins, Mittens, and Murder”. I’ll announce the first book early in August, and get that all sorted out. I’ve read several books in preparation, taken extensive notes, and planned the first meeting. I have to work on handouts, once I get a better idea of how many are coming.

I also created web pages for the Book Clubs, so people can keep track of when meetings are and what’s being read when. I hope that will also get more people interested in the clubs and attending the various gatherings. I got a bit of work done on the page for the Nancy Reardon Theatre Collection, and updated my Adult Services page (that sounds fairly naughty, but it’s really not). What I did was congratulate the winners of Thrillerfest.

There was a glass-blowing program for Young Adults, where they got to etch glass — really cool. I pulled some books in connection with that. Set up for Tango, stuff like that.

I’m happy to see that the books from the last order that came in this week went out to readers as soon as they were processed. Makes me feel good, knowing that people are eager to read the books I pick.

Came home, worked on research most of the evening after supper. Coyotes woke me up again, so I overslept, and didn’t get the writing done this morning that I wanted to.

I have A LOT to get done today at the library. I’m borrowing my boss’s computer to work — I might get mine back in about ten days or so.

My registration is through for the conference, and I’ve even been invited to speak at a panel on the conference’s Friday night.

Some characters are swirling around in my brain, but nothing concrete. I wish they’d take a number — I have enough to worry about, without new characters.

Someone’s interested in re-releasing one of the books on my backlist that recently went out of print. I want to make some changes in the manuscript, but I may well submit it early in the fall. Would save me quite a bit of work from commissioning a new cover and researching printers and formatting and all of that. I want to do some more research on how much they promote their authors, however. If they don’t give any promotional support and it’s all on me (again), then I might as well do it all myself and be responsible for all the incoming and outgoing finances, instead of involving a third party. Lots to weigh.

Still trying to figure out if I want to accept a freelance gig. It would have to meet certain criteria, and I have a feeling it won’t.

I need to get a LOT of writing done this weekend, no matter how tired I am or how much lawn needs mowing. I have to just buckle down and do it.

Have a great weekend.

Devon

Thurs. July 24, 2014: Trying to Get it All Done

Thursday, July 24, 2014
Day before dark moon
Uranus Retrograde
Humid and warm

Busy day at the library yesterday, but got a lot done. Still have no working computer in my office, so I’m moving from computer to computer, depending on which program I need. But an order came in from Amazon, an order came in from Ingram, I got them into the system and spine labels made up, and they’re on track to be covered and get on the shelves. We have a huge donation of terrific CDs, but 90% of them are not in the system at all. With it taking 20 minutes or more to create each new record — and that’s only if I don’t get interrupted, because if I get interrupted in the middle of cataloging, the system goes down and it’s a mess — it will take a good deal of time to put in about 500 CDs. And that needs to be done on MY computer, not someone else’s, and in and around all the other work that it takes to keep people in books, videos, audio books, ebooks, and programs.

Dealt with a bunch of email and program material, helped out at the circulation desk when needed, put together the information for a display to congratulate the recent winners at Thrillerfest.

I have to get going today on the information for the August newsletter, the city-wide events calendar, work on the web page for the theatre collection, and add web pages for the Book Clubs. I’m hoping I’ll get the information I need from our audio vendor and the large print vendor, so I can get in some orders for that, too. I’d like to get a head start on the report for the Board, too, although I won’t be able to get the circulation figures until the first full week of August.

I still need to update my own webpages and finish the media kits for both “Severance” and “Elusive Prayers” and do some work for the Mermaid Ball.
I’m getting things sorted out for the books that will sell at the writers’ conference, which starts in two weeks.

On the writing front, I had a good evening writing session on THE POWER OF WORDS — nearly 20 pages. On the research front, a bunch of books came in for several projects, so I have to sort and then use them.

I need the upcoming weekend to be a really solid writing-and-research time.

Onward.

Devon

Published in: on July 24, 2014 at 7:48 am  Leave a Comment  
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Mon. July 21, 2014: Chaotic Start to the Week

Monday, July 21, 2014
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and cool
 

Friday was busy at the library, complicated by the fact that I don’t have a working computer at the moment, and different computers have different programs, so I migrated between six different computers over the course of the day, trying to get things done.

I also had to keep my phone on all day, because Iris was quite sick in the morning, and I was worried I’d have to rush her to the vet at a moment’s notice. But, she got better as the day wore on. I suspect it’s a bad reaction to the flea/tick medicine.

After work, my boss and I headed to Centerville Library, to support the dedication of the new addition. I hadn’t seen the whole thing yet — it’s gorgeous. The Community Room is huge, great for events, would be great for yoga. The bookstore is also magnificent. The renovation’s beautiful, and worth every penny. There was champagne, and there were h’ors d’oervres. Everything was lovely. Got to see some of the staff I’ve known since I moved to Centerville, and introduce my boss around. The director from Hyannis was also there, and I got to meet her, along with some other locals. It was good that we were there, supporting a fellow library. I was surprised and a bit dismayed that more library personnel from other libraries weren’t there.

We came back to the house for martinis on the deck, and then headed back to the Mills, where a sports auction was going on in Liberty Hall, the door take to benefit the library. I wound up bidding on (and getting) a wicker chair for my mom and some minor league hockey pins for myself.

Home, tired, unwound a bit. Saturday was my “on” day at the library, so I was up early and over there. Still no working computer for me, so I floated around to other computers, trying to complete paperwork and place some orders.

When I got back from the library, I cleaned, repaired, and sanded down the wicker chair. The caned seat needed to be fixed, and some of the wicker was coming unspun, so I fixed all of that. The frame is a good, sturdy wood. It’s been painted quite a few things, under the white — red, hot pink, and green.

Did some research for upcoming projects, got some reading in. Thoroughly enjoyed Ilona Andrews CLEAN SWEEP. Lori Roy’s UNTIL SHE COMES HOME is both claustrophobic and disturbing, but in a good way. Elizabeth Adler’s SAILING TO CAPRI was fun.

Watched COMPANY MEN — excellent movie. Didn’t get enough attention when it came out. What a terrific cast — Ben Affleck, Rosemarie DeWitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Maria Bello, Kevin Costner, and great supporting actors as well. Really well done, but John Wells only does excellent work.

Slept in on Sunday. It was raining off and on, so I couldn’t mow. But I did head to Home Depot. Don’t like shopping there, but I hoped to replace a lamp globe I broke and pick up paint for the chair. The staff was disgustingly unhelpful with the lamp globe. Not only did they not know how to help, they didn’t care. I found the paint though — called “Spa Blue”. Painted the bottom of the chair. Took most of the day to dry.

Had to fix my bed frame and do stuff around the house. Also cooked some Sichuan Noodles and steamed vegetables in a ginger soy sauce for tonight’s meeting.

Planned to go to a climate change lecture, but something happened and the lecturer was delayed indefinitely, and I couldn’t wait around.

Got some research and other work done, then watched PEACE, LOVE, AND MISUNDERSTANDING, which was a lot of fun.

Up early this morning. Couldn’t find the flash drive with all my work on it. Drove to the library and found it in one of the public computers I’d been using on Saturday. This is what happens when I’m constantly interrupted. Came back, started to paint the front of the chair, ran out of paint, went back to Home Depot (only because it was the only place open that early), got more paint, finished painting the chair. It’s drying.

The writing plan for this morning is on POWER OF WORDS and BALTHAZAAR TREASURE. I have to nip out to one of the libraries to get a few things done, and then pick up a cushion at Christmas Tree Shops for the chair. I need to finish a review for my editor, work on some media kits, and then head to Buzzards Bay for a Mermaid Ball Meeting tonight.

Did about 1500 words on POWER OF WORDS. Have to nail down the writer’s rough on BALTHAZAAR. I’m going in circles every time I sit down to write. Book 3 is almost fully formed, but book 2 is not. It’s frustrating, because somewhere I HAVE a detailed writer’s rough, but I can’t find it in any of the files or the drives. So I have to start over.

Have a great week!

Devon

Wed. July 16, 2014: Trying to Prioritize

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Rainy and humid

The last few days have been so humid. I keep wanting to cut sections of air out, wring them dry, and put them back in. Might work in a fantasy novel, but not here!

Yesterday, I did some running around, and got the galleys back to my editor for “Elusive Prayers”, caught up on email, got some reading/research done. A little writing, not much. I want to tweak what I did on POWER OF WORDS, and I need to do a writer’s rough outline of both BALTHAZAAR TREASURE and DARK ANNIE’S SECRET before I can go much further on them. I’d done a ton of research for BT, but I need to refresh myself on it, and research Bermuda for DARK ANNIE.

Early dinner, and then to the library. They’d already done most of the set up for the Elisabeth Elo event; by the time I got there, it was mostly about the food, etc.

Her presentation was WONDERFUL, and it was nice that Tuesday book group was there and had read the book, so she was talking to an audience mostly familiar with the material. I liked so much of what she had to say, especially about the process of it and how the book came together. She and her husband are both lovely people, in addition to the quality of her writing being so high.

She signed a copy of the book for me — I still love that.

Helped with the clean up, came home, unwound a bit. Big thunderstorm in the night, which has helped cool down and make the air more breathable. Long day at the library today — lots came in on my days away.

I’m trying to sit down with the writing projects and prioritize. I need to figure out what to do when, and then also make sure there’s enough time built in for whichever one pulls the hardest, no matter where it is in the schedule. That way, I know what to work on as my first 1K of the day, and what to do in the evening writing sessions I’m going to have to build in to my day. I hate writing at night, but it’s the only way to get everything done.

I need to decide, this week, what I’m taking at the Conference, and whether or not I want to attend the banquet.

I’ve got some other changes looming on the horizon, some which won’t be easy to make, but necessary. There’s too much trying to interfere with the writing right now, and some of it has to be cut back, especially when it doesn’t support the writing.

Devon

Published in: on July 16, 2014 at 7:38 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fri. July 11, 2014: Rolling in Pages

Friday, July 11, 2014
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and hot

Busy day yesterday. Good busy, but still busy. Had a terrific meeting with the woman who donated the theatre collection to the library, and we discussed ways to partner between New York and the Cape. There are very exciting possibilities.

Also brainstormed with a colleague about exciting plans for Banned Books week, and booked poet Charles Coe. Exciting times!

Revised my report for next week’s board meeting, got out some PR for the Elisabeth Elo event, brainstormed the Mermaid Ball release with my cohorts over there.

Bought flowers from one of the local farm stands on my way home. So pretty! Love how people have cutting gardens, cut/arrange/sell their flowers.

Finished proofreading THE CHARISMA KILLINGS and the proposal last night, and sent it out this morning. Got a little bit of work done on BALTHAZAAR, but not enough. Have to do the galleys for “Elusive Prayers” this weekend.

Didn’t sleep well; fretting over things, in a way that my grandmother would call “borrowing trouble.” Coyotes woke me up at 2 AM again, but once I fell asleep, I figured out a few things and made some decisions. I didn’t make it to Broadway without an element of ruthlessness, and some of that has to be applied to the situations that currently bother me.

Done.

Have a great weekend.

Devon

Thurs. July 10, 2014: Are we sure Mercury’s Direct?

Thursday, July 10, 2014
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and humid

Yesterday morning, I wound up getting a nice chunk of work done on BALTHAZAAR TREASURE, which meant I felt better about life, the universe, and everything. I’m starting to reconnect with the characters and the story again.

The last round of edits for “Elusive Prayers” went back to my editor, so I’m sure it will be galley time soon, and then another drop. I have to finish up the press kits and the website material.

Library was busy. Lots to do. I got volumes of Vital Records donated from another library, and Poetry and Drama criticism, which will be great for our collection.

Had a good program committee meeting, and got the go-ahead on a few projects about which I’m excited.

Last night, I started another pass on THE CHARISMA KILLINGS, which will go out again soon. I like it better than I remembered. It’s very different than a lot of what’s out there, which I think is a strength. I still believe in the book.

Busy day expected at the library again today, but I hope it will be fun. I love working with books and getting people excited about books.

Devon

Tues. June 24, 2014: Offline to ReFuel

Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Waning Moon
Mercury Retrograde
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant

I’ve been offline for a few days, for a much-needed creative restoration.

Friday was busy — I had a full, but good day at the library, put in some book orders, etc. Came home and got some work done, but was tired.

Saturday, I was up early, wrote, and ran an errand on my way to the library — got some candles for the Solstice ceremony, and the woman who checked me out at RiteAid is a Reiki professional. Never know who you’re gonna meet, right?

Good day at the library — busy, but a nice, steady pace. I also sent off the final new episode on the Big Script Project, which means I’m buried in revisions all this week.

Came home, rested up a bit, prepared for the Solstice Ceremony. It was wonderful –first time I used oil lamps instead of quarter candles, and they worked very well. It was beautiful and powerful and wonderful.

Also re-read Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM — I’d love to do a live reading at the library next year for the Solstice, although I wonder if it would turn out to be a Magilla to organize.

Sunday, I stayed true to my Disconnect Policy — no internet, phone, etc. The only music was the music outside. I binge-read Ilona Andrews books, some of both the Kate Daniels novels and the Edge novels. FATE’S EDGE was my favorite. I outlined several pieces where the characters are gnawing at me. Hopefully, figuring stuff out will quiet them down until it’s their turn.

Monday, I really needed to be disconnected, too, so that’s what I did. As far as I knew, I had no commitments to meet that day, so I remained disconnected and worked. It’s hard to explain the work, because so much of it was internal. It was the quiet time, the figuring out time for writing. Some notes, but not actual scenes. It was internal, not external work, but so necessary in order to create. I went deep, deep down into the worlds of several projects and let the characters talk. If I had had any interruptions during that time, I would have lost the work — permanently.

I also got part of the meadow mowed and some plants repotted. Good to work the mind and the hands together.

When I resurfaced, in the evening, I found that a Mermaid Ball meeting had been scheduled. That was the first I’d heard about it — after the last one, which happened while I was so sick, no one ever let me know when the next one was. Even a year ago, I would have felt horribly guilty. I don’t. I needed to protect the work and work. If they needed me at the meeting, they should have let me know, right after the last one, when the next one was scheduled. If they want me there, it’s up to THEM to tell ME the schedule, not me to run around begging for information. If only the people at any given meeting are given the information, then that’s their choice, and it takes the pressure off of me. I’m already working three jobs under very tight deadlines. We sorted it out this morning, so no harm, no foul. Glad I didn’t waste my time in guilt!

The writing comes first. ALWAYS. Right now, I’m not only under tight deadlines for contracted work, with releases coming up and all the work that goes with that, but, after a period of creative fallowness, the creativity it kicking up again. And I will protect it and honor it at all costs. Because that is what writers do. It’s not about doing the work when it’s convenient — it’s about doing the work when it needs to get done.

And if those with whom I VOLUNTEER get annoyed that “my cute lil hobby” (because so few of them respect writing as WORK) inconveniences them, tough shit. This is my career, my work, my passion, and everything else works around the writing, not the other way around.

Speaking of the work — in addition to the outlining and working stuff out on upcoming work, the galleys for “Severance” are done, and I’m getting started on “Elusive Prayer” edits. I’ve got three revised episodes to send off this morning on the Big Script Project, will have two tomorrow, and have to have five by Thursday morning, then, with only the last five on Friday and Saturday. It’s a lot of work, but it needs to be done, and it will be good to get it done.

I’ve got a lot of other writing to get done in the coming weeks.

I checked out a Kindle from the library, and I’m getting familiar with it. I’m kind of liking it. I still love holding a book in my hands, and my eyes tire on the screen, but there are definite uses for Kindles. A place for all kinds of books and stories, right?

I’m still not 100% from the stomach virus, which is all kinds of annoying. At least I’ve confirmed it’s NOT a new allergy to crabmeat — had some over the weekend, and was fine. So I don’t know what triggered it, just wish I’d get back to 100% sooner rather than later. I’m in the third week of it now.

Hope everyone has a great week. I’ve got a busy one coming up, but let’s hope it’s another busy in the right way.

Oh, and I read a terrific book last night: WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S STAR WARS by Ian Doescher. If you like Shakespeare or STAR WARS, you’ll enjoy it; if you like both, you’ll LOVE it.

Stepped out on the deck this morning, and it smells like autumn. Considering that we just passed Midsummer, that concerns me.

Devon

Wed. June 18, 2014: Ron MacLean, Josh Radnor, Writing, Reading

Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Waning Moon
Mars Retrograde
Mercury Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and humid

Busy day yesterday. Wrote in the morning. Went to the library to check email, send email, send out my episode due, and go down the list of things that needed to get done online.

Came back. Baked banana mini-muffins and orange-cranberry mini-muffins. Wrote. Put together the dishes, the books, and all the rest I need for this morning’s program.

Sorted through some research books. Pulled what I need; will take the rest back.

Cooked dinner — slowly, slowly, I’m getting back on solid food again. I still feel awful most of the time, but at least I’m eating.

The NMLC press conference started to pay off — THE CAPE COD TIMES ran a nice article on the Marine Life Center, in both the print and online editions. Hopefully, that will get us some attention and some public support. With pictures of adorable Belmont, Barclay, and Rose, how could it not? They’re just precious. The three remaining Kemp’s Ridley turtles are also well enough to be released in Maryland this weekend.

I got my cover for ELUSIVE PRAYERS. It’s good, but it’s very different than I imagined, so I have to get used to it. Will do a cover reveal soon. I’m putting together a sell sheet for the event on the 28th, and in general.

Today, author Ron MacLean will be at the library, talking about his book HEADLONG. I loved the book — it’s a spectacular contemporary social justice thriller. If you get a chance to read it, do so.

In the meantime, I still need to write for at least an hour before I eat and haul my bags and bags of stuff to the library.

I have some ideas to market TRACKING MEDUSA — I need to get those sorted out, along with marketing for the digital shorts. The press release on the summer releases is here.

I have to get the galleys for “Severance” turned around tonight, and the first round of edits for “Elusive Prayers” is also on my desk.

I finished reading a terrific science fiction novel last night, too: FORTUNE’S PAWN, by Rachel Bach. Absolutely loved it. Original, fast-paced, terrific characters. I can’t wait to read the rest of her work, and what she writes under Rachel Aaron.

I watched happythankyoumoreplease, another film by Josh Radnor, last night and really liked it. He’s such a confident filmmaker, and I admire that.

Lots to do, but it’s good, happy stuff. Still haven’t finished mowing my lawn — maybe I can get a few rows done on the meadow when I come home tonight. Although, knowing me, all I’ll want to do is relax with a nice glass of wine!

Have a great day, people!

Devon

Fri. June 13, 2014: Full Moon on Friday the Thirteenth during Mercury Retrograde

Friday, June 13, 2014
Full Moon
Mercury Retrograde
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Rainy and cold

A Full Moon on Mercury Retrograde on Friday the 13th. What could be better?

Actually, I usually love Friday the 13th. It’s a good luck day for me. The whole retrograde thing on a full moon just makes me cringe, though.

Busy day at work yesterday. Good busy, but busy. Managed to get a lot done, especially in the late afternoon, and prepped some more book orders. I’m also going to West Falmouth next Tuesday to take a look at a special collection that might get donated to our library. I’m very excited.

I’m also putting together a press conference that the NMLC is calling on Monday. We now have a third baby seal, named Rose (what a little sweetheart she is). With the facility closing in Maine, we are the only place taking in baby seals, and there are a lot of them stranding, especially in New Hampshire. The public needs to know what to do when they encounter a seal, and they need to know that we are here, and we need the public’s support to keep doing what we do. It’s going to be a lot of work to pull it off over the weekend, but well worth it. The information needs to get out to the public, and a press conference is the best way so to do.

Still feel awful and having trouble eating. I try eating something — mostly because I know I have to in order to function — and it either stays down or it doesn’t. Very discouraging.

I’m very excited that author Ron MacLean (he wrote HEADLONG, which I loved), is coming to speak at the library next Wednesday. Hopefully, we’ll get a decent turnout for him. I’ve been promoting it.

I’m cleaning up the Macbook in preparation for the new computer I’ll need to get once Mercury turns direct. I’ve got to get a new flashdrive to get the most updated versions of the novels, scripts, media kits, etc., loaded. Cape Mac is going to help me choose what I need and transfer everything over for me, but I still want to make sure everything’s backed up.

I actually have to run to the grocery store before I go to work today — there are a few things I need to stock up on. I seem to do well when I eat eggs, so I need more eggs, and I need more ginger tea. Really getting tired of this crap.

It will be a busy weekend, between prepping for the press conference, writing one set of script episode, catching up on edits for another, mowing the lawn, going to the dump, and working on BALTHAZAAR.

How much do you wanna bet the edits for “Elusive Prayers” arrive, too?

Have a great one.

Devon

Mon. June 9, 2014: Belmont, Tony Awards, and Stomach Virus

Monday, June 9, 2014
Waxing Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Foggy and muggy

Busy weekend. Busy but good day at the library on Friday. We had a power failure twenty minutes before closing time. Brief, but enough to totally freak the computers out. Came home, cooked, tried to relax a bit, did some work. Agreed to participate in a big local author signing event, which should be fun.

Worked at the library on Saturday. Good day, again busy. Came home and watched Belmont Stakes day. I was disappointed that California Chrome lost, but not particularly surprised. I felt bad for the poor horse. Not only did he come out of it bleeding (he hurt his foot early on), he didn’t understand why his people were upset. He was calm before and during the race, but got anxious when his people were unhappy. He was like, “I ran around really fast in a circle, just like you asked. Why are you mad at me?”

I was disappointed in the owner’s outburst. I understand the anger and disappointment in the heat of the moment, but the Triple Crown is not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be won by the freak horses like Secretariat. Yes, three races in five weeks is hard. Yes, the fact that the people who make the rules allow fresh, rested horses in the race makes it an unfair playing field, to some extent. But then be mad at those who make the rules, not at the horse who wins. To call Tomalist and his people “cowards”? No. Strategists, maybe. Cowards, no. And this guy’s behavior allows the snobs to sniff and say that’s why they don’t like it when “regular” guys think they can enter the race. The owner positioned himself, during the PR madness surrounding the races, to represent more than himself. HE took on and accepted that mantle. That man did not represent me. Of course he’s angry and disappointed, but grace under pressure would have been a better choice.

Sunday, I worked in the yard — mowing (still not done), and got some plants at the garden stores — flowers, veggies, etc. Started putting in them in.

The Tony Awards were last night. Hugh Jackman demonstrated, once again, why he is the most beloved man on Broadway. He was a fantastic host. Great mix of humor, skill, intelligence. It was a fun show, and I was delighted for the winners.

Came down with a nasty stomach virus in the night. I am miserable. I had to cut short the international Skype rehearsal early, early this morning, because I was too sick to function. JUST what you want to happen when you start a new working partnership. But my actor was very sweet and wanted to know if there was someone he could call to come and take care of me.

I have so much that HAS to get done TODAY. Can’t be put off because I’m sick. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’ll have to figure it out. A couple of things I can move, but there’s a list that can’t be moved.

The edits for ELUSIVE PRAYERS also landed on my desk this morning. I have another round of edits to get going on.

Yesterday, I stayed true to my “one day a week unplugged” (except for watching the Tony Awards). I desperately needed it, but it means getting sick today puts me far behind.

I’m going to try to go to bed for a few hours, and then see if I can get back on track.

Bad timing. :(

Devon

Tues. June 3, 2014: Projects, Interviews, Writing

Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Waxing Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant

I have an interview live over on A Biblio Paradise about how TRACKING MEDUSA evolved. Jump over and read it here.

Busy day yesterday. I lost most of the morning and a good part of the afternoon helping a colleague work on a project that was dumped on us at the last minute.

Then, I revised Episode #105 and most of #106 for the Big Script Project, while working on #109 (which has to be delivered today) and #110 (which is due on Thursday).

I tweaked a few things in BALTHAZAAR TREASURE and finished Chapter 3 — it was nearly 10 PM by the time all that happened. And I realized this morning I have to do an “insert” to tweak something, or it will contradict (in the wrong way) information from TRACKING MEDUSA.

Dropped off my new boss’s birthday gifts at the library — she deserves to know she’s appreciated.

I started putting together the pieces of the Tip Sheet for tomorrow, but that has to be finished.

I have a lot of baking to do today, in preparation for tomorrow’s workshop, script work, and other stuff that all needs to get done TODAY.

I have to remember to do my own writing first, and not try to get work done for other people in the morning (my most creative time), because then I run out of words and creative energy later in the day. There’s a reason I start with MY OWN first thousand words of the day.

But I’m happy to be back on track with BALTHAZAAR TREASURE. Even though It’s a draft and will need work, it feels right again.

Devon

Fri. May 30, 2014: Good Busy and Day of Seshat

Friday, May 30, 2014
Waxing Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and cool
Day of Seshat

It was 38 degrees around here this morning! The kitchen looks like a jungle, because we brought in the plants.

Today is the Day of Seshat. She’s the Egyptian goddess of books and writing implements. Perfect for a library — and a writer!

Yesterday was busy at the library. Good busy, but busy. Did work on next week’s workshop, worked on the poster/flyer for Ron MacLean’s appearance, my boss landed Joe Finder for an appearance in late July, I did an Amazon order, I prepped an Ingram order, I set up for the evening’s Tango program, I helped out at the desk when necessary, I got some new books into the system and ready to go out onto the shelves, and worked on my new page on the library’s website, where I get to talk about the books, videos, CDs, and programs. I hope you’ll get into the habit of checking out the page here, especially if you live in the area.

Also did some coordinating work with the Writers Center for a program we want to collaborate on in September.

My boss is off to New York today, to BEA. We’ve all given her lists of what we want her to bring back! It was everything I could do to refrain from asking her to go to Chinatown and come back with supplies, too!

So tired when I came home — relaxed with a glass of wine, cooked dinner. Started reading Rebecca Mead’s wonderful new memoir, MY LIFE IN MIDDLEMARCH. One of my favorite lines is on p. 7: “Life happened at the library.” So true!

I’m going to get some writing done this morning before I head back to the library. There’s another busy day there. Then home, more writing and reading — I’ve got another book to finish for review for my editor — and I’ve got to invoice it.

Errands tomorrow, and I have to get some yard work done. Will also get going on the next two episodes of the script, and finish the revisions that have been piling up. I need to get out some press releases and media kits for “Lake Justice” and TRACKING MEDUSA, prep a draft for a press conference NMLC, and get some work done on THE BALTHAZAAR TREASURE. The edits for “Severance” will come in any day now, too.

It’ll be another busy weekend, but the right kind of busy!

Devon

Thurs. May 29: Library Programs, Coonamessett Farm, Cotuit Center of the Arts, and Edward Snowden

med_TrackingMedusa

Thursday, May 29, 2014
Waxing Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and cool

Have you gotten your copy of TRACKING MEDUSA yet? It’s a fun read for the summer. Visit the website for more information here.

Heat’s still kicking on, and it feels more like March than May. My plants are not happy.

Yesterday was tiring, but good. Wrote in the morning. Was at the library a little before ten (technically, I started at ten yesterday).

Good, but busy day at the library, including a programming meeting. The collaboration on programs, I think, will work better than each of us working on our own. I also put in some work on my staff workshop for next week. And decided what I’m going to serve — I’ll bake some cookies, and also do a black bean hummus with some pita bread.

Drove to Coonamessett Farm for the Chamber of Commerce meeting. Okay, so first I went to the INN — which was the wrong place — but they gave me directions to the FARM, which was the right place. It was a Cape Cod Canal Chamber of Commerce networking event, and it was a lot of fun. I represented the National Marine Life Center there, and it was my first time at the Farm, and at a Cape Cod Canal Chamber event. Lots of fun, and we met some great people there. AND the food was outstanding. Kathy and I definitely want to go back for one of their Jamaican nights.

When that was done, I headed back to Cotuit Center for the Arts for their Salon of Shorts readings. It happens the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Center, and people get to read pieces that are under five minutes. The quality last night was very good, and I got to meet a fellow New Yorker who has the same views on approaching the work as I do. I may well read something from WOMEN WITH AN EDGE next month, and then maybe in fall, start working on some flash fiction or monologues to try out.

Home in time to watch the Edward Snowden interview on television. I wanted to hear his side of the story, because I think it’s a difficult situation, all around. The Intelligence Community is in a difficult position — they are trying to prevent another terrorist attack on the scale of 9/11 and there are plenty of people out there who want to see this entire country destroyed. There are many individuals working in intelligence who are smart, dedicated, and work like crazy. I am more distrustful of those making the decisions, in the bureaucracy. Also, as an individual, I am sick and tired of everything lowered to the common denominator, and, every time I want to travel or attend an event, I am treated like a criminal first, and have to prove I’m not. Our justice system is supposedly based on “innocent until proven guilty”, but, in reality, it’s the other way around. If you’re a rich corporate fuck, you get a free pass, no matter how many people you destroy. If you are an individual just trying to live your life, you’re treated like a criminal. It’s more than just “it’s a dangerous world out there and fanatics want us dead” — it’s a layer of socio-economic injustice, too. The corporate fucks who are funneling money and laundering money to the people who want to kill us get a free pass again and again and again, but someone who wants to visit a grandchild across the country has to take off their shoes at the airport and isn’t allowed to bring a bottle of water on the plane.

Further to that, I call bullshit on the whole liquid bomb stuff that they claim is the reason we can’t take water bottles on the plane. Tell the truth — it’s economics. The airlines — who have already made it a nightmare to take a trip with their fees and their rules — don’t want us to take a 99 cent bottle of water on the plane when they can take it away and charge us $4 once we’re past security.

These companies use our fears to make a profit. Cut off the profit — to some of these corporations AND the terrorists — and we’ll all be safer.

I believe Snowden believes he did the right thing. Whether it WAS the right thing or not, I don’t know, but it should make us think twice about protecting our individual freedoms and looking at other ways to stop terrorists — the most effective, I believe, which is cutting off the money, and one of the ways to do that is to have serious consequences for the corporations who are profiting from terrorism and profiting from the so-called War on Terrorism.

On that (cough) happy note, I have a script to finish before I head back the library today.

Devon

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