Devon Ellington's Blog, page 292

Tues. April 2, 2013: Tulips and Dress Rehearsals

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Waning Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and cold

Aren’t the tulips pretty? I love tulips.

Stop by and drop a comment for this week’s guest on Biblio Paradise, Regan Walker, talking about an uprising in 1817 and her newest release.

Worked hard yesterday, trying to get all my ducks in a row. Wrote an article, pitched a few more articles, worked with students, prepped for rehearsal.

Last night’s rehearsal went well. We were in the space, working with lights and sound, the actors picked up their cues, we took some photographs, and had a good run. Hopefully today will be good, too.

This time next week, the show will be done! Amazing to think that all this work is coming to a conclusion.

Back to work.

Devon

Mon. April 1, 2013: Homestreatch for the Play!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Waning Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and mild

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

Today is April Fool’s Day. Not one of my favorites, because too often the so-called “pranks” have an undertone of hostility and/or cruelty to them.

I spent a portion of each day working in the yard, cleaning it up and getting it ready for spring, which was good. Worked with students, did my own work (although not enough of it), worked on a prop for the show, worked through contest entries, and on material for Confidential Job #1.

Tessa scooted out one morning and dashed under the back deck –and was out in about a minute, back up at the kitchen door. She didn’t like it (fortunately). I brought her crate up from the basement, wiped it down and put a fresh towel in it, so she could be on the deck while I worked in the yard, or while I sat on the deck and read. She liked that a lot.

The seeds I started indoors are doing well, and soon I’ll start some more. The outdoor tulips are just shooting up leaves, but the indoor ones popped and have started to fade.

This time next week, we’ll have already performed our first show, and be prepping for our second. Hard to believe we’re in the homestretch! And Costume Imp arrives Wednesday night for eight days. Lots going on.

I finished an edit on a client’s book early — it’s really good, and I’m excited about it — so that means I can accept another line edit and/or manuscript critique in the next few days. So, if you have one or know of someone who needs a good editor or critique, have them contact fearlessinkworkshops – at – gmail – dot com to set it up.

Have to hit the ground running today. Lots to catch up on, and I have to clean the house and get it ready for the visit!

Devon

Fri. March 29, 2013: Working towards the Weekend

Friday, March 29, 2013

Waning Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and mild

This is the big Easter weekend for many people. I don’t celebrate Easter any more, so I’m just going to use it as a chance to rest, renew, and hopefully get some work done in the garden!

Actually, I’ll be working on props and final ideas for the show, and trying to focus on the book, but that’s something completely different!

Worked flat out yesterday, but didn’t feel as though I got very far. Got out materials for Confidential Job #1, started the next project for them, worked with students, got some pitches out, worked on contest entries, spent some time with the script, and dealing with some last-minute stuff with the show. Wrote and submitted an article.

I’ve got some pitches to do today — I got some ideas. There are two essays I want to work on this weekend, ready to go on Monday, I hope.

I’m ready for March to be done — it’s been a very difficult month. I’m hoping April “springs” to life with all kinds of wonderful possibilities. I’ve got some exciting things in the works — let’s hope they come to fruition!

Have a joyful weekend, everyone!

Devon

Thurs. March 28, 2013: Rehearsals, Writing, Planning

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Day after Full Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Rainy and cold

Tickets are selling briskly for the second performance of MURDER “SEALS” THE DEAL, so don’t miss out! Visit the National Marine Life Center’s website for more information.

Worked hard yesterday, even though I was exhausted. Didn’t get enough work on the book done, which was frustrating. I’m having a hard time moving from the head space of the novel back and forth with the play. Pitched for some interesting-sounding jobs across a wide spectrum — if I land several of them, it would be an exciting period of work!

My article on “The Layered Edit” is up on WOW-Women on Writing. It came out well.

Rehearsal was good last night. We got to work some more of the details, and give Act II the attention it needed.

The moon was so bright, I barely needed my headlights driving home!

Fingers crossed some new clients come through from all these pitches I’ve done lately. And I’ve got some grant cycles coming up, so I need to do research and get that done.

The bulk of the coming days, though, I want to focus on the book. I need to stay on top of that deadline.

The potted tulips — purple and yellow — are blooming inside and gorgeous!

Devon

Wed. March 27, 2013: Second Performance Added: MURDER “SEALS” THE DEAL

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Full Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and cool

Take a look at the flier! Yup, we’ve added a second performance of MURDER “SEALS” THE DEAL. It’s Monday, April 8, the night after the initial performance. Monday’s show, doors open at 7:30 PM for an 8 PM go.

Very excited.

Worked yesterday, although I had trouble focusing, and had to do too much admin and not enough creative stuff. I managed to do some work on the book, although not enough, work with students, work on the play, and do things like get groceries and cat food in.

Today, I have to work full out, and then there’s another rehearsal tonight. I also have to work on the promotion for the second show.

It’s not even 9 AM, and I’m ready for a nap!

Devon

Tues. March 26, 2013: Meetings and Writings and Rehearsals

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Waxing Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Cloudy and cold

Today’s guest over on A Biblio Paradise is Beth Barany, talking about The Writing and Marketing of an Independent Novelist. Go check it out!

Yesterday was busy. I didn’t have a good day’s work on the book, which was frustrating, but I worked with students, worked on contest entries, got out a bunch of pitches, and tried to get scheduling crap sorted.

The meeting at the Museum of Natural History in Brewster was wonderful and the show is booked for October. I’m happy. They were terrific to deal with, and I think it will be a great experience for all of us.

In the afternoon, there was a Mermaid Ball Meeting in Buzzards Bay — talk about going in all directions!

Tonight, we have our first rehearsal in the space, which should be interesting, so it’s a truncated work day. Which means I better make things count!

Devon Ellington

Mon. March 25, 2013: Sprouting Seeds and Scheduling Dilemmas

Monday, March 25, 2013

Waxing Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Cloudy and cold

Friday was a difficult day, and, frankly, there were times when I just wanted to give up. But I made it through. This week will be tough, but, hopefully, I will get through this, too.

I don’t remember much about Friday, except it was a blur of stress and pain.

Friday night’s rehearsal was a nice break, though. The actors are doing well, although they still have work to do. Friday was the painful rehearsal for them, where they realized that, in spite of all the good work they’ve done, there’s still more to do.

Came home late, exhausted.

Up early on Saturday. I filled in as the set-up person for the Tomorrow’s Writers Today program for teens at Barnstable Intermediate School, set up by The Cape Cod Writers Center. The people at the school were great, the teachers were great, and the kids were great. Terrific all around. At 10 AM, I handed off the program to the Executive Director.

The only thing about the experience that sent a chill through me was the postings, in every classroom, on “lockdown procedures” and “safe spots” set aside in every room. This is what it’s come to? It’s heartbreaking.

Came home, set up for the online Query Clinic, ran that.

Dealt with scheduling issues for the show. MURDER “SEALS” THE DEAL is sold out, and we want to add a second show, but it’s getting it scheduled with the company that’s a challenge.

Received the grant money for SEVEN OF SWORDS, my other play, which just made me feel all warm and fuzzy. It’s not the amount (which was small, but fair), it’s the fact that we were respected enough, as playwrights, to be awarded money for our work.

Sunday was supposed to be my day off, and one that was badly needed, but it didn’t work out that way. Dealt with show stuff nearly all day, searched for stuff I needed for various projects, which led to reorganizing the storage unit over the garage. It looks great and I can get at everything, but I still didn’t get my hands on what I needed. So tired, I was shaking and dizzy.

The mesclun greens, bok choy, buttercrunch lettuce, speckled lettuce, and radish seeds all sprouted over the weekend. Very exciting! The tulips I planted in pots and overwintered in the garage are also blooming — lovely!

I have a meeting in Brewster this morning, and then have to deal with show stuff and the book. I’m supposed to have another meeting this evening, but there’s no way I can do all of it.

Didn’t get enough work on the book done, which upsets me. Worked with students, sent out a lot of pitches.

Have a blasting migraine, but have to work through it.

Devon

Friday, March 22, 2013: Yet More Snow

Friday, March 22, 2013

Waxing Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Snowy and cold

I’m not quite sure how I’m getting to my morning seminar or if it’s delayed with six inches of snow. I’m about to go out and shovel.

Yesterday was tough. You know when you’ve burst into tears twice before 8:30 in the morning, it’s going to be a difficult day. But we all have tough days; you do what you can to get through them.

I survived the day, managed to get out a few pitches and work with students, and do the final prep for tomorrow’s Query Clinic — so yes, sign up! it’ll be a lot of fun, and help get you over the Passive Voice Boring Query Syndrome and also give you ideas to write engaging queries in the future. Information on sign up here.

I’m supposed to be at a meeting this morning, then it’s home for a few hours, then it’s off to rehearsal.

It looks really pretty out there — let’s hope it’s not tough to shovel.

Have a great weekend, all!

Devon

Thurs. March 19, 2013: Head Down Working

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Waxing Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and cold

Frost on the ground this morning, so a good thing my Ostara planting was inside yesterday! I talk about it in the entry on Gratitude and Growth.

I also have a post up (in my Annabel Aidan persona), entitled “Are You Happy?” on The Writers Vineyard.

We’re coming up on your last chance to join Saturday’s Query Clinic — line-by-line support on you query letters, and ways to make them stronger moving forward! Information here.

Finished Chapter Six and wrote Chapter Seven of the new book yesterday, which was a pretty decent day’s work. Sent out some pitches, and landed an assignment, so I will tackle that today. Worked with students — I’m really proud of them right now. Worked on the contest entries I’m judging.

Feel very burned out. I’ve got some difficult correspondence to tackle today, plus the writing, and I’m trying to rev up for it. Even though it’s cold, and we’re supposed to get another storm, maybe I’ll do some work in the yard, and that will help.

Devon

Wed. March 20, 2013: Spring Equinox Lifts Spirits

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Waxing Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and cold

Spring Equinox

The angle of the sun is lovely, but it is c-c-cold! I’ll have to do some planting today (inside) in honor of the holiday! I’m looking forward to the ceremony!

Lost far too much of my workday dealing with the asshats at Verizon Wireless. The people in the office are both incompetent and take pleasure in being cruel. That’s why there are regulators, which is where this gets bumped to next. The paperwork will be a pain in the butt, but it will be worth it in the end. Corporations cannot be allowed to walk all over people, and the personnel within those corporations must be held personally and individually accountable when they commit illegal acts and hide behind “company policy”.

On the upside, I wrote nearly a whole chapter on the new book, did some marketing, wrote some pitches, worked with students, polished Saturday’s Query Clinic, and dealt with the press release special. I did some work for Confidential Job #1, got the payment stuff with them sorted out (like I said yesterday, they are one of the reliable clients), worked on the contest I’m judging, and started putting together my script coverage samples. I’ve done script coverage, but mostly for smaller producers. I need to take the samples and convert them into the more standard format, so I’ve got those coverage samples ready when I pitch for that type of job. I enjoy reading and evaluating scripts, and I can do so from a budget perspective as well as a creative one, so I’m going to start seeking out those jobs.

I’m going to help out the Writers Center on Saturday morning, setting up and checking in students for Tomorrow’s Writers Today (I’m not teaching, just helping them set up).

I cancelled rehearsal last night due to weather — I didn’t want anyone out driving in that.

Today, it’s pedal to the metal, focusing mostly on the book, but also on a few articles and other things.

Back to the page!

Devon

Last days to sign up for the Query Clinic — line-by-line support on your queries. Information here.