Devon Monk's Blog, page 38

Earning My Stitches

I finished knitting two sets of fingerless gloves for gifts!

The yarn I used (Cascade 220) is scratchier than I thought it would be, especially worn close to the inside of the wrist.   I've investigated some ways to soften the yarn and had some success.

But I hate to give handmade gifts hat might fall short.

So I decided to knit two new pairs of gloves! Different patterns too!  Yay, more fun knitting!

As soon as I get them done and mailed, I'll  share pictures and patterns. (I don't want to...

Quick List For a Monday

Seasons

It rained last night.  It's been a dry August (we won't talk about May, June, July…or heck the rest of the year that was plenty damp)

It was nice to hear the clatter of drops in the dry grass, smell the summer dust sweeten, and listen to the crickets startle out of their song before piping up again.  I know it isn't officially autumn for a couple more days, but today is the first day that really feels like the season has changed.

I love it.

Writing – Steampunk

I am working on TIN SWIFT...

Distractions for the Win

Web habits.  I have them.  [image error]

At least once a day (often more…much more) unless I am under Hideous Deadline of Doom, I check Twitter and Facebook.

I don't check Google+ because I haven't taken the time to really get involved with it yet.  This sounds dumb, but all that sorting and circles and stuff just feels like more work right now. Also, I think most of the people who would/do follow me (and vice versa) on Google+ are already on Facebook. (I could be wrong about that…)

I don't see how G+ fits i...

There's Always Time for Cake

Why do I always underestimate the time it takes me to complete a task?  On Sunday, I finished the revisions of MAGIC WITHOUT MERCY.

Since I didn't have to turn in the revisions until the 15th, I figured I'd spend Monday reading through a printout of the book, mark up any errors, then quick as a flash, enter those changes into my manuscript and send it off before midnight.

Wrong.

It took me two days for the read through, mark up, and input.  But, hey, it's done, and sent, and I can officially...

Revisions, I have ENDED you

I have finished the editorial revisions on book #8, MAGIC WITHOUT MERCY!  This book will be out in April, 2012.

Book #7 MAGIC ON THE LINE, is already revised, copy edited, and proofed and will hit the shelves on November 1, 2011.

Some stats for fun:

Started revisions: August 30, 2011Finished revisions: September 11, 2011Total days revising: 13Chapters revised: 26Average: 2 chapters a dayWord count beginning: 85,896Word count end: 94,900Total words cut:  Many.Net words added above original word...

This is Your Brain on Revisions

One of the tricky parts of writing an ongoing series is keeping track of which characters know what.  This is further complicated by rewriting, and the revision process.  During revisions I may cut entire scenes wherein a character is told something important, or I may add a scene to reveal a secret to a character, or I might change which character heard the secret and how they found out.

So when my editor asks me things in revisions such as…(paraphrase) "I thought this character didn't know a...

Quick Update on Writing Progress

TIN SWIFT – on hold for 8 days so far.  I am just over the halfway point in this book  (I think) and have been having a blast.  Research has slowed me down as I go (but is neccessary, as it drastically changes the scenes, and I'd rather not have to completely overhaul each scene to refit the information I research afterward) but overall, it has been so enjoyable to write.

There are some new characters in this book who picked up the pages and ran with them. I love when that happens!  I will be ...

Adventures in Mailing

Today I decided I'd mail out the books I owe people.  I gathered names, addressed envelopes, filled out the forms for overseas shipping, and headed to the post office.  The post office was packed.  There was not a single parking space available.  Cars were stacked all the way to the No Parking Zone and more kept rumbling by, prowling for a flicker of  reverse lights. I parked across the street at a store, then gathered up all the books in a giant chicken tote I use for grocery shopping and...

Goals, I have them

Today was a day of  making goals.  I actually do this every month, just so I can keep track of what I should be doing and what I hope to do.  At the beginning of the month, I cross off the goals I accomplished during the last month, and either reassess the others, or move them forward to my next month's goals.

One of the goals I added to my list this month was to blog at least four times a week.  Why?  I like blogging, but for some reason I've never been consistent about it.  This is my...

Winners! And a snippet

Thank you for entering to win the ARCs of MAGIC ON THE LINE!  I wish I had a copy to give out to each and every one of you who left a comment, but right now, I only have seven up for grabs.  So here we go.  The winners are…..

Denise Z, who said: Wow – thanks for the tweet and invite to hop over.

Corrie, who said: I would love to win this, it would literally make my entire month…thanks for offering!

Barbara Elness, who said: I'd love to win a copy of Magic on the Line, that would be awesome!

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