Penny Pearson's Blog, page 9

Christmas break is over! News from the Publisher!

Okay, now that Christmas is over, it's back to work! Things got busy with a kindergartner and the fabled Santa. Today I got my first edits from my publisher. I have been really worried about getting these back because this is my first novel with a traditional publisher! They don't have to like my work and it is their job to let me know if something isn't right.

So, with all my fears sitting in my throat, I clicked open on the email attachment and held my breath. Much to my delight, my manuscript overall didn't suck,  according to my publisher. I have quite a bit of work on phrasing and pacing. I will admit, I'm not sure about pacing so I will need to look into that in order to ensure my rewriting is on the right path. I have been known to rush certain scenes (especially ending conflicts) for some reason, so this request doesn't come as a surprise.

Also, it seems the major remarks on phrasing had to do with paragraphs I knew were trouble. All in all, I am happy and hopefully within the next few weeks I will have finished my reworking of the manuscript and kick it back for a second round.

I am looking forward to the publishing process after all the edits have been completed! The PR world is strange to me, as I usually finish a story, self-publish, and start the next story - with no thought as to the marketing aspect.

Stay tuned for more excitement!

I must be crazy to get ANOTHER hobby!

So, one of the reasons I haven't been blogging so much this summer is besides trying to complete my fifth fantasy novel, working full-time, getting our kindergartener to the bus and home again, taking care of horses (dogs & cats), I've decided to try my hand at a new hobby.

Model horse showing! What??!! Yes, I have my show string of around twenty horses. I went to my first show with no idea what to expect. I've had Breyer horses for more than 35 years. I picked the models in the best condition and took the opportunity to open the boxes of horses I was given when I got older. I thought for sure I had a good chance. Not quite. As soon as I arrived at River City Model show in Evansville, IN, it became apparent my horses were too retail. All the winners in the Original Finish Breyer were special runs, limited editions. I did manage 6 ribbons with my highest placing being 4th place with my Rural King Brabant draft.

Needless to say my attempt at customizing Breyers didn't do well. I'm not giving up, but will choose a smaller model (Stablemate) for my next victims. I had the hardest time at getting smooth brush strokes.

After the show, I brought 3 new models to update my collection to the 2000's.  At the second show (My Ol' Kentucky Live show in Elizabethtown, KY), I tried to think out of the box at breeds and avoid the big classes (mustang). Horrible decision. If I would have kept the horses as mustangs, they might have done better. So now I'm faced with the dilemma heading into show #3 in Nov. The judge from the first show is the judge at this show.

I also grabbed some of my daughter's Stablemates that we got at Breyerfest with the One Day Ticket. One of the horses actually got first place in Collectability and earned a NAN card to get into the Nationals next July!!  I was totally shocked! So now, my daughter has a few less toys to play with.

To add to my addiction, I just brought 2 customized Breyers from Ebay. There is a big possibility that I have spent all this money and none of them will place in their classes. Oh, and just a heads up - if you're wondering what you get when you win, not much.  I think it's just the bragging rights of having the most awesome horse.

Stay tuned for updates at my next show - Autumn Leaf Model show in Indiana.

LORDS OF ACID: Paying Tribute to my '90s College Self

 
I went to the Sextreme Fest '17 to see Lords of Acid and Combichrist in Louisville, KY this week. It was my first visit to the Mercury Ballroom. My night started out watching girls in front of me get the "wand" waved over them in a security measure. When it was my turn, the bouncer decided to get more personal and frisk me down. He did such a good job it nearly rolled my socks past my ankles. I would give him an A+ for doing his job, but kind of embarrassing to get into the venue and go in search of a place to right my legwear.

The show started at 8pm, right as billed, by a up-and-coming band, The Wiccid. Two men and two keyboards - after a girl's heart, you know! (I'm the kind of girl that isn't that crazy about guitars, but give me some good keyboarding and you'll have me on the dance floor in no time.) This Los Angeles duo was just signed by the Cleopatra Records. Nice chaps, who afterwards gave me a sticker for whatever purpose I chose.

Then we all waited almost an hour for Christian Death to come to the stage. They never did. We saw their roadies get the place ready for them (including projection screens that illuminated the band name upside down on white sheets), but a bit later same said crew took down the decorations, removed the instruments, and began to ready the stage for Combichrist. No details were given on why a billed act never showed.

But when Combichrist came on, no one even remembered Christian Death. I had never seen Combichrist before, but had albums and danced to a billion songs from them. They rocked. The most amazing thing about the show, other than LaPlegua's enthusiasm that was almost electric, was watching Joe Letz, the drummer, torment his "helper." The poor kid had to chase down so many drums, had to retrieve an untold amount of drumsticks, and had to reposition microphone after microphone - all the while doing so completely straight faced.


Lords of Acid came on and even with the technical difficulties they did a great job. It makes me a little uncomfortable to say I saw them as a fresh-faced college student in the '90s at the Sextacy Ball and enjoyed them still more than twenty years later. Okay, I'm not as dance-y as I used to be - one hip replacement later will do that to you - but it was still a great time.

All in all, I would call the evening a success! Who knows, maybe I'll see them in another twenty years!