Tuesday, May 29, 2012

this crazy writing life - a good kick in the pants

I am so looking forward to the Burrower's annual write-a-thon! My discipline has been flagging and I need a spring tonic - a boost - a kick in the pants. BuNoWriMo will be all that and a cupcake! I like to tell you all what I'm up to so you can make your eyebrows come together in concern when I don't do what I say I'm going to and then I feel that look across the webby sky and buckle down to it. Here goes:

The BuNo is just like the NaNoWriMo only smaller and in June. The goal of both is for writers to commit and finish fifty thousand words - a fair chunk of a novel (mine come in at about 80 thou or so so 50 is good. This will be my third crack at it - my first was completely successful in that I did my 50 thou but it has been a beeeeyatch of a manuscript. I have the story but it needs a lot of wrangling. My second attempt was a bust - I didn't have enough of a plan. Now I have a plan which isn't as tight at the first one or as loose as the second one - just like Goldilocks and the Buddha - I'm going for the middle way. My plan is to write 25 thousand words on a new work just cuz I've been revising for a year and a half and need something BRAND SPANKING NEW and to finish my revision on The Rock Walker and have it ready to mail out July 1st. Doesn't that sound good.
Meanwhile I will still be sending out True for agents to look at. It is only at one agent's now - I got rejected again but I will send out another today. So by mid-summer I'll have two novels seeking representation and one novel to finish, and one in the early glory days of creating. Wow - what a family!

These are the curve balls life will be throwing me:
This house is going on the market on June 15th. It still needs some work and the clean thing will have to be maintained until it is sold. arggggh.
We are having a big whoop-de-dooh for our 10th anniversary on June 23rd. Yes - you are all invited. There will be lots to eat and drink. Just bring yourselves and a musical instrument or a child or a kite.
I have to work in order to eat.  Fortunately for my writing life but sadly for my survival there will be a slow-down of clients in June, July and August. There just is. It is nice out and people don't feel so bummed. That is fine as long as I don't fret too much - fretting doesn't help creativity. So this could be a good curve ball or a tough one - depends - but I know it is coming...
I intend to go canoeing with the lad every darn chance I get. Canoeing is what I live here for and this promises to be a sweet summer unlike last year's travesty.And here is a canoeing pic for your edification...

How's your summer shaping up?

13 comments:

Hart Johnson said...

I hope youre 'just right' really is exactly perfect for you! Sounds like a great plan to me! And good luck with your challenges! I hope the house sells right away but they don't want to move in until... say the end of July, so you can then relax and write. And is your ACTUAL anniversary the 23rd? because that's my birthday! (you probably know this...)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I really like the June BuNoWriMo. June's a better month for me to write than November, and I always participate, even if unofficially :)

Jan Morrison said...

Hi Tartlette - no, our actual anniversary is the 24th - St. Jean Baptiste day (a holiday in Quebec!!!).
I just sent off another query letter so now there are two out - that feels better. whew!
Hi Karen - yes it is better for me too so happy we'll be official or unofficial writing buddies!

Liza said...

I'd like to be sitting on that rock right now. My summer? Less than 1/3 left to edit on my # project...and then, I'd like to figure out if the more recent project #2 is worth writing more than the pitiful handful of pages I've plugged through so far. Then I need to figure out what more to do with project #1. Than I'd like to go out in our little boat and drop an anchor and float.

Jan Morrison said...

oh Liza - wish we were neighbors - then we could head out in our little boats and talk about our numerous demanding projects while eating a nice picnic!

Carol Kilgore said...

Hate the clean thing. Hope your house sells quickly. Love the photo :)

Words A Day said...

I like the sound of BuNoWriMo! I usually prefer the fringe to the main attractions:)

Best of luck with it, and good luck to your ms thats with an agent.

Thats a beautiful photo...my summers shaping up to being one of research, which isnt too bad since it involves herbal workshops, (kind of nice) and I want to get a new novel on the road, and a lot of swimming:)(and spring clean, kind of!)

Jan Morrison said...

Carol - I'm oddly enjoying the clean thing. Our bedroom has never been so sparkling - I love to lie a-bed in the early morning looking out the windows as the maple leaves unfurl. I too hope it sells quickly.

Niamh - thanks for the photo comment - I'm thrilled with it especially since I took it with a point & shoot digital (won't take my good camera in the canoe)! A new novel on the road sounds good - on the road, out of the house - done and dusted, its little bags packed and its hat put on straight. Yes.

Anonymous said...

Jan - I know all too well what it's like to want to accomplish a lot and to need that extra focus to do it. I think it's fabulous that you're going canoeing. I've done that a little and it can be wonderful! So...elemental. I love the 'photo too.

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