I am getting there.
Added 11,699 words to the MS today.
At least a third of it is rewritten stuff, because the old stuff didn't work.
The rest of it is SERIOUSLY tweaked.
I am proud of today's work.

I managed to get a load of reading and work in this week, since I wasn't online much. That's good -- very good. Revision is -that- much closer to be done, so...much rejoicing?
Last night, we went down to Grove City College to visit the Worldview team. One of boy's best buds (and his best man at the wedding) was teaching, and we got to sit in on the Seven Sweet Lies lecture -- it was awesome and hard-hitting. Afterwards, we went out to the staff meeting, and I got to talk books and publishing with Mark Bertrand, whose first novel is coming out next year. He's a very cool guy, and I'm grateful to have met him. Mark, if you stumble across this, hi, and thank you!
Tonight we're going to take Verity to fireworks...and I'm hoping it goes better than last year. *cough* Then she's off to Mena & Papa's, and hopefully I'll have another 10k added to the Revision of Doom tomorrow! OY!
All right. Off to make dinner. See y'all later!
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Pinocchio by C. Collodi
- Andersen's Fairy Tales (great early 20th century version; illustrated, some of the front pages missing)
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Wringer by Jerry Spinelli
- Charlotte's Web by EB White
- Christmas Dreams: Four Stories in the Portraits of Little Women series by Louisa May Alcott and Susan Beth Pfeffer
- Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi
- Box Car Children #3: The Yellow House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
- Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
- Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs
- Emma Watson by Joan Aiken and Jane Austen
- Rat City by Curt Colbert
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
- The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
- The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
- Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
- They Shall See God by Athol Dickson
- The Beloved Invader by Eugenia Price
- These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon
- The Great Pierpont Morgan by Frederick Lewis Allen
- Andrew Carnegie by David Nasaw
Grand Total: $23.25
Thank you, Salem Library! And please, Ohioans, please check this link out.
When I lived in South Carolina, I never understood seasons. The grass grew in spring, died out in summer (droughts and sandy ground and all), the leaves turned colors for autumn, and in winter we got some frost, but it rarely dipped below fifty degrees.
Here? It's mostly snow, and then some rain, and then sunshine (like today), and the leaves turn for about a week, and then snow snow snow snow snow, oh hey it's ice.
The rain, sunshine, and gorgeous autumn leaves? That I really do like about Ohio. I also like that once the snow goes away, the ground is SERIOUSLY verdant. Green EVERYWHERE, and don't you think you can stop it. I first came up here in summer and was utterly amazed at how green stuff was. Also, no Palmetto trees.
????? Y NO PALMETTOS ?????
Well, that's not entirely true. I see a handful of Palmetto trees / SC state flags stuck to the rear windows of cars. Turns out it's not a bunch of transplanted Carolinians so much as it is people who vacation in SC. But still, I get a thrill whenever I see a Palmetto and Crescent Moon logo.
Palmettos are EVERYWHERE in Columbia. I didn't realize this until my last trip down. I'd just grown up with them being everywhere.
I mean EVERYWHERE. They're a constant theme in decor. They're in wall hangings, towels, rugs, desk art.... Srsly, next time you head to SC, you look around. Restaurants have them. Doctor's offices. The Columbia-Metropolitan Airport had this horrendous blue-and-white (the state colors) Palmetto print carpeting that used to make me dizzy whenever I looked at it.
I love the theme, though. LOVE it. Love that pride, love that sense of belonging. Whenever I even see a regular palm tree, I feel comforted.
Buckeyes? Well, let's just say Ohio doesn't much pull out the buckeye except for dessert trays. Never had a buckeye (the sugary thing, not the nutty thing)?
I haven't been home in about two years, and I'm really missing it -- especially now that my sister moved back with her daughters. I can't tell you how much I want to go there for the holidays this year. Really trying to make it happen, too. It'd be AWESOME if we could do that. Get out of the freezing freezies here for a bit, too.
Okay, other than the weather and home-state-sickness, here's what's been going on.
Writing
Hit 50k on my revisions yesterday. Have gone over reader's report again to make sure I know what to look out for this half of the manuscript. I still can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, but knowing I'm on the right track as far as voice goes helps tons.
Made airline reservations for
My current goal is wrap up this draft by the first of August. I have a few more things to hammer down on the first half of the book before I can rework the ending, so we'll see how that all goes.
Got some other side jobs on the horizon, too, including a comedy sketch I'm working on for a sermon illustration. Should be fun...just wondering who will be the willing recipient of a spit-take. *cough*
Verity
She's having an awesome summer. Tons of swimming opportunities, thanks to
Life-In-General
The weather's brought on a spark in my mood, so I've been feeling mad social lately. Between getting out to write and hanging out with friends, my only complaint is that I'm behind on my reading. Recent reads include The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe, Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley and Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow. All great, all very different! Reading The Book Thief now! :-D Still hoping to get the roof done this summer, and having lots of automotive issues -- those are our biggest concerns right now, so we're really stinkin' blessed.
That's about it. Gonna see if Miss V wants to head out to the lake today. Whaddya wanna bet she says yesssss?
We could get used to this!
Got at his parents' before they were home from church, and pretty much lounged around outside, chatting. Then it was time to prep food and eat. Steaks, perfectly grilled, sweet potato casserole (the amazing stuff we first had at Thanksgiving this past year, OMG I want that for my last meal...just that!), green bean casserole (best I've had since my mom's!), and this froofy orange Jell-O dish my in-laws make that is AMAZING.
Poor
Called my dad, who's on his way to DC to help my sister finish moving to SC. The better part of my family's in the Carolinas now...I'm itching to move back, man. Wished him a happy Father's Day, chatted, and hung up laughing.
Verity, Boy, and I played soccer for a bit. Okay, so between the two anti-athletics and the three-year-old, it was more just kicking the ball around.
Then brain layer for dessert. If you are not a northeastern Ohioan and have never heard of brain layer, well, that's normal. I'd never heard of it (or a dozen other dishes that are mainstays in my in-laws' world) until I moved here. Think chocolate pudding parfait, and then some.
I went upstairs to read, then fell asleep. When I woke up, everyone else was snoozing, too.
Came out to the porch, and a few minutes later V and Mena (Grandma) came out, too. V and Boy's cousin Kristin, who lives next door, are now playing in the big field.
Gorgeous weather, even though there's more rain in the forecast.
I am so hugely blessed. Family I not only love, but LIKE being around, amazing food, freedom to worship the way I please, and now I'm chillin' on a beautiful spread of verdant, well-maintained land. My kid and boy are healthy. I have a great book to finish today. I own a Mac. I added about 10k to my revision yesterday, between editing and new scenes.
So, so blessed. Even if this goes away, I'm going to enjoy it while I can.
Off to read on the porch swing, windchimes and playing kids keeping me company.
Spread the word about what is happening in Iran.
These people are being silenced. We are not.
Feel this.
These are our brothers and sisters.
This is everyone's revolution.
Love them by sharing their lives. Show their hearts.
Via Molly O'Neill from Twitter:
RT @TEDchris:
One woman, alone in the dark on a rooftop in Tehran, touches the world http://bit.ly/hEsEG
#iranelection
I decided to really celebrate, and Verity is all about it, too. I've pulled out my Clinique samples, my good lotion, my good hair products -- the works. Alex Perry would be proud: I even smell expensive. I'm gonna rip out Chanel samples from Harper's Bazaar, too, and make sure I keep the expensive scent thing going!
Yesterday, Verity and I did home manicures (and she got a pedicure, too, since she'll be wearing open-toed shoes, probably). She's about to take a bath, and is MAD EXCITED because she gets to wear her prettiest dress, get her hair and nails done, and "be a princess" for Josh & Megan today.
Here's hoping her good mood carries her throughout the day.
I don't know Josh and Megan excessively well -- Josh is quite a bit younger, and Boy's little brother's best friend. But something about this wedding feels SO GOOD, you know? It's one of those relationships that whenever you see those people, they make you happy. And whenever you hear things about them, they're good things. Not just as a couple--even well before they were dating. We know their families (Josh is Boy's cousin, so yeah), but I've also known Megan's family since I moved up here 8--almost 9!--years ago.
I'm not saying everything's gonna be peace, love, and hair grease. That it's destined to be easy or always fun. But dadgum, the vibes that I've had about this since I first heard they were even dating were good.
So yes. Today we celebrate. We really stinking celebrate. I'm totally happy for this wedding to happen. And so is Miss V!
Time for her to get her hair did!
Last week I wrote a scene completely in Colm's POV, and I think I'll be doing it again. This week, I've given myself another assignment: write the synopsis from Colm's POV. From the moment he first steps onstage until the end of his story. I need to get more fully into his head, and since I'm one of those people who likes writing synopses, well, this should work.
I'll let you know if it does!
I'm lucky enough to have three designated spots in our home alone, plus the various cafes where I find some time with my muse. We have a rather big house (two stories, furnished attic, plus coal room & Boy's wood shop in basement) and only one kid, so we have a lot of leg room. We have a basic rule about not being more than a floor away from where V is playing for more than ten minutes, so it was important for me to have some place to work on both of the main floors. So on the first floor, in the sun room, we have the exercise equipment and the bulk of her toys, including her massive, coffin-like toybox of awesome doom (if it had a lid on it, it would KILL EVERYONE EVER; I am grateful for no top!).
Last year, Boy refinished an old drafting table he'd kept around for years. It's gorgeous and inspirational all by itself. The only place large enough to put it was in the sun room. We paired it with an organ bench (we have two organs and a piano; my husband is a musician, that's why!). About four seconds of the table being in its new home, I claimed it good and hard.
I wrote most of DARKNESSES at this table (I'm sitting here now). I love this table. Love it love it love it love it.
Took this photo last summer, when the desk faced the road. But Verity got a swingset this week, and is old enough to play in the backyard by herself, as long as the gate is closed. So yesterday we turned the sunroom on end, and now the desk faces the backyard, where I have a clear view of the swingset and the sandbox. With the windows open, we can holler to one another if we need anything. Like if she needs to go potty.
Not pictured: my iPod! Srsly, I've never been able to listen to music and write at the same time until last year when I was working on DARKNESSES. Now I'm a total addict. We'll do a playlist post one of these days, how 'bout that? Currently, my BACKGROUND playlist consists of both Angels & Airwaves CDs and Jars of Clay's THE LONG FALL BACK TO EARTH -- "Lesson One" has become the theme song for UPSTAIRS. Maybe this revision was waiting for that CD to happen.
Right now, this table has my devotional stuff on it, my revision (in a cute, already beat-up porfolio I found at the dollar store), my non-writing notebook, my iPod, and a really sweet box Boy gave me. I stick all my extra stuff in there -- my FireWire, Kleenexes, scrap paper -- anything that would clutter up the desk.
I do try to keep the things in my immediate and peripheral vision neat, organized, and with a little touch of inspiration. Now, Verity's desk is right next to my sun room desk -- so she and I working together to keep that space clean so it doesn't distract me. It's always worth three or four minutes of picking up and putting away things before I get to work. If I don't, my Procrastinator button is as good as pushed. The only things of hers that are on the desk right now: her neatly-organized markers and Disney Princesses box of crayons.
The rest of my stuff is in my AWESOME BAG OF AWE that
I ALWAYS ALWAYS have Pilot G2 pens near me. SOMEBODY TOOK MY AWESOME PURPLE G2 PEN AT THE RETREAT LAST WEEKEND AND IF I F
aside: We were making bracelets last weekend, and one of the girls (likely Laura!) threatened to do something sillyweird. So I said, "If you do that, I'll threaten you with something...awkward!" And I think it was Carly who was like, "DID YOU JUST THREATEN TO THREATEN SOMEO
Back.
This year I added a cooking timer to my desk, by the way.
Why? Because I was working on an article entitled "Taming Pesky Interruptions" for the parenting mag I worked for, and had to come up with ways to get kids to let parents do their grown-up work at home. I can't go into details right now because the rights date hasn't passed on it (30 days after publication), but I WROTE SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY HELPED M
Since the table Boy made for me last year isn't supersized (it fits my Moleskine and MacBook just fine, though), I have a shelf that holds all my extra notes, journals, and things. The couch is THE MOST COMFORTABLE THING EVER OMG. I spend a little time up there every day, just reading and drinking Culligan and snacking on Frosted Mini Wheats. I heart Frosted Mini Wheats. And the brass lamp that's on was given to us by our pastor, and it's got a steampunk vibe that just flows with the wood and leather. Big love.
Um...the chair was given to us by our pastor, too. The caning on the seat was busted, so Boy put a leather cusion on it. Yep. Also, Boy built those library shelves. Yeahhuh. He is a good boy to have. ALL. MINE.
My very personal, nobody-comes-in-here-without-my-say-so spot is up in the attic. I know, I know. The whole "madwoman in the attic" thing. When I'm not on Mommy Duty, I LOVE hiding away in my office. All my research books are there (crime, history, crime, NYC, crime, Teddy Roosevelt, crime...), two more bookshelves full. It's easily the place that gets cluttered the most -- but with a flip of the lamp switch I can tune all the clutter out and focus on my screen.
The desk isn't nearly as awesome as the others, just one of those old Office Depot type practically-cardboard things , and but Boy got me a good chair for it two years ago, and now I can sit there without pain for HOURS. The hardest part about having a desk with drawers is keeping it neat -- I barely use the drawers at all. Just Kleenexes, scrap paper, notebooks, index cards and pens are allowed in the thing.
More office photos can be found at this post.
I do have to get out of the house at least once a week. I'll usually go to Barnes & Noble because they have a good amount of table space, no WiFi, and I know what to expect there. I love the local cafes, too, though, and when I'm doing something that's research intensive (esp. freelance work), I'll hang out at one of those places since the WiFi is stable and I prefer to give my moneys to indie stores these days. I crave a good indie bookstore-cafe-writing space (with a hearty YA section!), but there are none local (if there's one within 20 miles of Youngstown, OH, somebody has to tell me!).
I guess my writing spaces are sacred to me. They're priorities, because when they're in good condition, I feel good. Having a toddler running around in the middle of operations was frustrating for a while, but she's learning to be considerate -- and that helps a lot.
Speaking of The V Thing, I'm off to tuck the suddenly-unhappy one into bed for naptime. And then head up to the office bc it's warmer! #ohiosucks!
um...
not happening.
It is impossible.
Impossible, I tell you.
Like, srsly, it's the last I can do before editing and sending it to People With Powah and I can't bring myself to crack open Word.
I
Can't
Do
It.
*cowers under the desk*
Ceol, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Gowanus Canal from the Carroll Street Bridge
400 Carroll Street
End of the Carroll Street Bridge
Hell Building, 333 Carroll Street
Yes, I'll have a knish for you. OM NOM NOM.
This is his response, totally quoted without permission.
I adore my husband. HE IS SO AWESOME.
Laundry folded
Laundry put away
Guest room readied for Dad's visit
Verity's table work
Take a walk with V
Bathe V
Quiet time
Critique for awesome book that I'm mad excited about. Author, you know who you are.
This is shaping up to be a nice day.
Time to step away. Going to do other stuff. May report later on what that stuff is. Hoping for massive thunderstorm today.
Team Raving Pen needs your help! So all my friends out there in blogging land, if you haven't already joined a team, please join Team Raving Pen. We are up to about 20 team members and we need about 30 more team members since we are shooting for at least 50 to double the ARC love.
Team Goading The Pen and
Everybody on the new team is entered for a giveaway for an ARC of EYES LIKE STARS.
Everybody on the new team shares the ARC of SHIVER, determined by random number. (Starting with #1 the first person reads and then mails to the next person on the list and so on. Last person on the list will get to keep the ARC)
Everybody on the new team is entered to decide who gets one of 4 signed copies of Lament. (We are giving away all four.)
Come on, join the team!
Here are the details of Maggie's contest:
Maggie Stiefvater is having a contest here: A Better Way To Get a Shiver ARC
Winner gets:
- a signed ARC of SHIVER
- 4 signed copies of LAMENT
- and for each of the friends that you got to comment, a critique of the first 5 pages of any of their manuscripts.
And if any single person manages to get over 50 friends to comment, I'll make it 3 ARCs of SHIVER and 8 copies of LAMENT. (With your help we can do this! Just copy and paste this entire post into your blog and then go comment on Maggie's blog that you did it for Team Raving Pen!)
In Short the person who gets the most people to join there team by posting:
1. A picture of the Shiver Book Cover
2. A description of Shiver
3. A link to the pre-order page
4. Letting her know that they have posted and who they are posting for: HERE
Copy and Paste this post and post on your blog. Then go here:
http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/1052
And let Maggie know you posted for Team Raving Pen!
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human…until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace forever.
Pre-Order Shiver Here:
