Cherie Priest's Blog: It's awards season, so here comes the shameless self-promotion, page 66

July 14, 2011

Here's today's progress on my fifth Clockwork Century novel – a book about teenage juvenile delinquents, hypothetical ghosts, and gangland mayhem within the walled city of Seattle … now with Bonus! zombie Sasquatch and the return of everyone's favorite elderly cross-dressing Native American princess:



Project: Inexplicables

Deadline: September 15, 2011

New words written: 3803 (pretty good)

Present total word count: 40,525 words

Things accomplished in real life: Daily run/climb; cleaned fish tank; other assorted housework; filled out yet another email interview; spent nearly an hour desperately trying to find my cat and convince myself she hadn't somehow escaped outside – when finally she teleported into the living room and I STILL don't know where the hell she was.

Things accomplished in fiction: Sight-seeing and monster theorizing.

Next up: Mayhem.

Other: I actually wrote about 1400 words of today's count last night, but I had to undo about 700 words of that today. Ah, well. Regardless, I will attempt to write more this evening. I'm struggling to sandbag against a very busy day-job crunch that will land in another week or two, because the more writing I can do between now and then, the easier it will be to compartmentalize when I'm back in the circus of flying back and forth to/from California. My goal is to have 55-60K nailed down by the end of this month. Not sure I'll hit it, but I will try like hell.

Total narrative fiction word count for 2011: 40,525 words

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

July 13, 2011

Here's today's progress on my fifth Clockwork Century novel – a book about teenage juvenile delinquents, hypothetical ghosts, and gangland mayhem within the walled city of Seattle … now with Bonus! zombie Sasquatch and the return of everyone's favorite elderly cross-dressing Native American princess:



Project: Inexplicables

Deadline: September 15, 2011

New words written: 3012 (holding steady)

Present total word count: 36,722 words

Things accomplished in real life: Skipped the daily run/climb in favor of grocery shopping, which totally counts as exercise when you have to carry your groceries home several blocks and then up to the third floor of your apartment building; received/filed counter-signed contracts re: day-job; went to Walgreens to pick up prescription; went to eye-doctor to pick up contacts; filled out two email interviews (one for England, one for France).

Things accomplished in fiction: Can't we just all get along?

Next up: Meet the bogeyman.

Other: This was not a 4K day, but given how much other stuff I squeezed into it, I'm not complaining. Still pretty happy with that number, actually. I might've come closer to 4K if I hadn't crashed for a quick nap this afternoon; but I can't apologize for that. I slept like hell last night, and was so tired by 4:00 that I could hardly keep my eyes open.

Total narrative fiction word count for 2011: 36,722 words

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

July 12, 2011

Here's today's progress on my fifth Clockwork Century novel – a book about teenage juvenile delinquents, hypothetical ghosts, and gangland mayhem within the walled city of Seattle … now with Bonus! zombie Sasquatch and the return of everyone's favorite elderly cross-dressing Native American princess:



Project: Inexplicables

Deadline: September 15, 2011

New words written: 3024 (better!)

Present total word count: 33,710 words

Things accomplished in real life: Daily run/climb; printed/read/signed/emailed new contract pinning me down through Christmas with the day-job; went to postal place and shipped something Mom left behind; did a radio interview by phone.

Things accomplished in fiction: Met some new people; received an offer we couldn't refuse.

Next up: Find out the terms of the offer; get accused of something we didn't do (for once); learn about who's really in charge in the underground.

Other: Though I'd love to be up to those 4K days I sometimes manage, 3K is better than yesterday – despite the fact that I was busier today. I'll take it. And I might try to noodle out another 300 words to crack 34K this evening. No promises, though.

Total narrative fiction word count for 2011: 33,710 words

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Or better still, just stop the train, 'cause I wanna look around

Here's today's progress on my fifth Clockwork Century novel – a book about teenage juvenile delinquents, hypothetical ghosts, and gangland mayhem within the walled city of Seattle … now with Bonus! zombie Sasquatch and the return of everyone's favorite elderly cross-dressing Native American princess:



Project: Inexplicables

Deadline: September 15, 2011

New words written: 2185 (satisfactory if not great)

Present total word count: 30,686 words

Things accomplished in real life: Daily run/climb; emails of importance; restored apartment to its pre-Mom-visit state; arranged a couple of interviews; agreed to/planned to head back to California at the end of the month for work; struggled with the near-irresistible desire to take a nap and won.

Things accomplished in fiction: Got out of bed and dressed, and made a new friend. Sort of. Found a new tour guide, at the very least.

Next up: Meet a ghost or two.

Other: Ordinarily I'd be pretty content with 2000 words for the day, but I'm in the middle of a day-job soft-spot, and I really had nothing else to do today. There should've been more words. The only thing I have to say in my defense is that I'd gone nearly a week without writing anything (courtesy of aforementioned mom-visit) and it's always a little tough, getting back on the pony. I am told that this will be a slow week for day-job duties, so it is to be hoped that I can improve that count going forward.

Total narrative fiction word count for 2011: 30,686 words



In other news, because people have been asking – yes, I joined google+ … and I'm lurking there under the cryptic handle of "Cherie Priest." Add me if you like. But bear in mind, I'm still getting a feel for it – and I'm not sure how much I plan to use it. I've only barely begun the process of sorting people into "folks I know" and "folks I don't know," so I'm rather seriously behind the curve on this thing.

Anyway. If anyone knows/has/feels like recommending a good cross-poster between google+/Facebook/Twitter then I, for one, would be very keen to hear about it. I don't have the time or energy to maintain a constantly growing and vast internet network, despite the fact that I am sometimes accused of doing so.

Cross-posting is the only thing that makes it possible.

To wit: my home page (CheriePriest.com) cross-posts to LiveJournal, in case anyone is still reading over there (and because it was my very first blog, and I find it dificult to abandon). Likewise, my Twitter feed cross-posts to Facebook. So the whole shebang is really only half the work that it first appears.

Therefore, anyone who wants to help me integrate google+ into this network is more than welcome to do so; and should that integration occur, I will be much more likely to make much more use of google+ in the future.

Edited to add: Courtesy of a helpful commenter, I have learned this – Chrome users can cross-post (after a fashion) through Start G+. At present, this service will not cross-post to FB, despite claiming that it can; however, it does crosspost to Twitter. And if, like me, your tweets crosspost to FB, then you're golden.

Thus, an update from my google+ goes like this:google+ –> Twitter

Twitter –> Facebook

However, if your update is longer than 140 characters, the tweet isn't simply truncated or cut with a link. It bounces. Fair warning! So it's clunky, but it works. More or less. If imperfectly.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Visiting Dignitaries

According to the text message I received just now, my Mom is safely back home in Florida, after spending 4 days here in the Pacific Northwest.

Many shenanigans did occur – including (but not limited to) jaunts that featured Volunteer Park and its tower, Lake View Cemetery, the Underground Tour, the Space Needle, the mall (long story), Ballard (where we shopped, lunched, and visited Kat on her boat), Snoqualmie falls, the Bainbridge ferry (so she could actually be out on the water), and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

Anyway. Nice to have her, of course – and here's my favorite picture from the visit, with us rocking out on the ferry Blues-Brothers-style. It turns out we share a taste for big-ass sunglasses.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Thackeray T. Lambshead Rides Again

Ladies! Gents! Everyone! Here is an awesome thing which is awesome – The Thackeray T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities lands on shelves in a few days, and I got my contributor copies today. </p>

(I was pretty psyched about it.)

So…what's it about? Here. Let me just steal some of the editor's notes on the subject.

"After the death of Dr. Thackery T. Lambshead at his house in Wimpering-on-the-Brook, England, a remarkable discovery was unearthed: the remains of an astonishing cabinet of curiosities. Many of these artifacts, curios, and wonders related to anecdotes and stories in the doctor's personal journals. Others, when shown to the doctor's friends, elicited further tales from a life like no other. Thus, in keeping with the bold spirit exemplified by Dr. Lambs­head and his exploits, we now proudly present highlights from the doctor's cabinet, reconstructed not only through visual representations but also through exciting stories of intrigue and adventure."

The Thackeray T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities is an LA Times recommended summer reading selection, featuring over 60 pieces of art, including four originals by Hellboy's Mike Mignola – plus all-new fiction from top creators in fiction, comics, and the art world.

If you'd like a teaser, then let me point you at the Amazon blog Omnivoracious, where you can read an excerpt of my contribution: "Addison Howell and the Clockroach" – alongside the artwork Mike provided which inspired the piece.

It's only an excerpt. It lacks my fabulous footnotes, but it's a taste. And I hope that should you click, you enjoy the reading.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky

Today has been impressively productive, if I do say so myself. I finished the Ganymede pass proofs at long last, and sent my changes back to Liz the Mighty; renewed my drivers license; did my daily run/climb; went to the postal place to ship some sig sheets along the chain; chatted at the day-job people about what comes next; brushed the (highly reluctant) cat; and helped my mom sort out plans for her visit tomorrow.

That's right, my mom is coming to visit. She arrives tomorrow afternoon, and will go home Sunday morning – and woo boy howdy, are we going to cram in a lot of shopping and sight-seeing.

There will be tweets over on the twitters, but there probably won't be much blogging. I have an out-of-towner to entertain! Yay! I do so love playing tour guide.*

Anyway! I didn't do any writing on Inexplicables today, though I plan to sit and noodle with a plot tangle this afternoon/evening. I think I need a little break from fifth gear in order to step back and decide which way to take a couple of points. Don't worry, I'm not stuck or anything. I'm just indulging a temporary slow-down to make sure I get it right the first time, insofar as possible.

In other news, before I log off to buckle down with my notebooks and pens and brainstormings … you can check out a rather hilariously comprehensive interview with yours truly and the rest of the Wild Cards consortium members who worked on Fort Freak right here at SF Revu. Go on. Check it out.**

We gossip and natter, and I might hypothetically admit (and describe) how I badgered George over time until eventually he caved and let me do the interstitial.

So that's all the news that's fit to blog right now. Slim pickings, I know. But maybe I'll come back on Monday with some funny stories or pictures of me and my mother. The odds are decidedly in favor of it …

* Seriously. It's one of my favorite things ever.

** For a more straight-forward review from that same website, click here.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Run like a villain let the good times roll

Before I launch into today's word metrics, please allow me to direct your attention to my "appearances" page. If you scroll down past the bits of travel that have already occurred, you'll find some which is upcoming – and I expect you will note that it has swelled significantly in the last week or two.

I'm going on tour, people!

Not everything is fully, totally, completely nailed down yet – which is to say, there may be another stop or two added later, depending on how the cards fall. But definitely in the queue: Memphis, St. Louis, Denver, and Boise … plus a score of events in the greater Seattle area.

[I'm trying to keep this particular round of promotional travel down to either (a). places I haven't yet been,* or (b). local.**]

So! Right.

Moving along, here's the rest of what I've been up to today:

Voila – today's progress on my fifth Clockwork Century novel – a book about teenage juvenile delinquents, hypothetical ghosts, and gangland mayhem within the walled city of Seattle … now with Bonus! zombie Sasquatch and the return of everyone's favorite elderly cross-dressing Native American princess:



Project: Inexplicables

Deadline: September 15, 2011

New words written: 1434 (meh)

Present total word count: 28,501 words

Things accomplished in real life: Daily run/climb; yet more emails of importance; did nearly 100 pages of work on Ganymede's pass proofs, which ate up most of the work day.

Total narrative fiction word count for 2011: 28,501 words








* I visited Denver once last year, but that's the only repeat.

** "Local" including everything between/around Seattle and Portland.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

A free soul burning roads with the flag in her bra

Here's today's progress on my fifth Clockwork Century novel – a book about teenage juvenile delinquents, hypothetical ghosts, and gangland mayhem within the walled city of Seattle … now with Bonus! zombie Sasquatch and the return of everyone's favorite elderly cross-dressing Native American princess:



Project: Inexplicables

Deadline: September 15, 2011

New words written: 2055 (acceptable )

Present total word count: 27,067 words

Things accomplished in real life: Daily run/climb; yet more emails of importance; filed some paperwork; did yet more research re: a certain point I'm working on; did a small measure of back-and-forth for the day-job; began work on Ganymede's pass proofs.

Other: I'm blaming today's low(ish) word count on the Ganymede pass proofs, as they need to go back on June 6 and I have a bunch of other stuff to do between now and then, too … so I'm parceling out my time accordingly. In fact, after I finish this post, I will go back to them.

Things accomplished in fiction: Got our story straight.

Total narrative fiction word count for 2011: 27,067 words

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Don't apologize: No one's going to save you just because you're polite

At the risk of making brains explode from coast to coast, I am here to report that I've gotten some writing done today. I've hit a temporary lull in the day-job work … which meant I had literally no excuse whatsoever not to get off my duff (or onto it, as the case may be) and dive back in to this-here story.

I need to get back into the writing habit. It looks like the next leg of my day-job contract will be a little less frenetic (for lack of a better word), and more of the content/deadline-oriented sort of thing I'm accustomed to; so I must restore my old-fashioned work flow. Day-job in the mornings (and evenings if necessary); writing in the afternoon.

That's how we get things done, kids.

So here's today's progress on my fifth Clockwork Century novel – a book about teenage juvenile delinquents, hypothetical ghosts, and gangland mayhem within the walled city of Seattle … now with Bonus! zombie Sasquatch and the return of everyone's favorite elderly cross-dressing Native American princess:



Project: Inexplicables

Deadline: September 15, 2011

New words written: 2708 (not bad)

Present total word count: 25,012 words

Things accomplished in real life: Daily run/climb; went to grocery store for a desperately needed grocery run; tidied house; exchanged a veritable host of important emails; received a story contract (which I will print/sign/scan/return shortly); did some research.

Things accomplished in fiction: Discovered the truth about ghosts. Or about one ghost, in particular. It was…not what we expected.

Next up: Seeing the sights, meeting the players, and trying to prove we're not insane.

Total narrative fiction word count for 2011: 25,012 words



And now for two quick links, because I want to post them here before I forget:

My old friend Denny Upkins joins the ranks of published authors – If you're interested in reading a spooky thriller with some compelling, unexpected characters … then I do recommend you give Hollowstone a chance. For more details (plus some authorial hilarity) click here: 12 reasons why you'll want to purchase Hollowstone.

The Mammoth Book of Steampunk – Upcoming, April of 2012 (or so I am led to believe). It's a good-looking book! And it's chock full of stories from all sorts of fun folks, yours truly included. Keep your eyes open for it, eh?

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]