Devon Ellington's Blog, page 293

Tues. March 19, 2013: Another Storm

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Waxing Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Snowing and sleeting

PRESS RELEASE SPECIAL!

Book me today to write your press release, send the deposit via Paypal before 5 PM EST and get a 20% discount. That’s a savings of $45! For information, email info-at-fearlessink-dot-com, for rates, turnaround time, and special savings.

What can I say? I’m in a press release writing mood today!

Yet another storm, on a rehearsal day. I’m really frustrated. If this keeps up, I’m going to have to call off tonight’s rehearsal — there’s no way I can expect people to be on the road in this weather.

Rue Allyn is my guest over on, talking about the muse. Stop by and visit! I also updated the “About” page, in case passers-by want to book a slot.

You can still sign up for Saturday’s Query Clinic and get line-by-line support on your query letters. Information here.

I worked with students, got out some pitches,wrote and sent out two articles, but most of yesterday was about finishing up the proposal for my agent. I got it off to her late in the afternoon. I’m still not dancing with joy about the synopsis, but the rest of it, I think, is strong, especially the first three chapters. The name change I was forced to do over the weekend actually opened the way for something better, including a catchier title. I’m happy that I got it done (on time) and excited by the possibilities.

Today, I get back to writing the actual book. It’s such an icky day out, it should be a good day to stay home and write. I also have to set up the tracking sheets for the book, so I can keep the necessary details consistent, and start setting up what will evolve into the Series Bible for this book.

Yes, I use the techniques I teach — otherwise, why bother?

Confidential Job sent me my next assignments. I’m still waiting to hear what the heck is going on with February’s invoice! They’re usually meticulous about paying promptly so I don’t know what’s going on, and I feel like I’m getting the runaround.

Plenty to work on, so I better just put my head down and do it.

Devon

Mon. March 18, 2013: Take a Breath, Mercury is Direct

Monday, March 18, 2013

Waxing Moon

Mercury Direct (as of yesterday)

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and cold

What a relief to have Mercury go direct. This is one of the worst Merc Rets I remember in the last five or six years. Coupled with the Saturn Retrograde, it nearly killed me. I hope I can start getting things back on track, although, according to the astrologer, the upcoming full moon is going to be tough, too. Hopefully, I can mitigate that, and keep it from happening, instead of getting so worried that I make it happen.

Rehearsal Friday night went well. We are getting there, and let’s hope we just keep improving and peak on the show date.

Worked with students. I’m in a good rhythm with two of them and the third had a positive breakthrough and is back on track, so that’s all good. Got out a press release and am waiting for comments on it — if it doesn’t go out in the next day or two, there’s no point in sending it; it won’t print in time.

Speaking of press releases, here is the link to the release about the Author Services expansion with Fearless Ink.

There’s still time to sign up for next Saturday’s Query Clinic — bring in your query letters and get line-by-line support. Information here.

Most of the weekend was spent on the new book, and putting together the materials I promised my agent, that I want to get to her today or tomorrow (because there was no way I was going to send them during a Mercury Retrograde). The introduction, the thumbnails of the first five books in the series, marketing plan, and competition list — all of those are solid. I’m still not happy with the synopsis, and that’s what I’m wrestling with.

I managed to get out of the creative rut I was in — the pressures of chasing down payments soooo late, while trying to land work and rehearse the play and promote the book just released and juggle this project — I was feeling creatively drained. But, by having this project as my central focus, and doing a lot of pacing and muttering, I broke through, and I think I’ll be okay.

I also read several of the books for the contest I’m judging; some good, some weak.

Some idiot contacted me to “hire” me to write articles — at $1.50 per article. Yup, one dollar and fifty cents for an 800-word article, that would appear under the hirer’s name. My response was neither diplomatic nor polite.

So, it’s getting back to it this morning, and getting out some difficult correspondence, along with getting out the proposal, continuing to track down payments, some of which are now nearly a month late, pitching to potential new clients, working with students, preparing for rehearsal, running errands . . .you get the picture.

And, we’re supposed to have another snowstorm overnight — up to a foot of snow in some places!

Devon

Fri. March 15, 2013: Thank Goodness Mercury Retrograde Ends Sunday!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Waxing Moon

Mercury Retrograde

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and cold

Meetings all day yesterday.

I got to meet with one of the actresses on the show at her day job, which is working over at WHOI in Woods Hole — and I got to see the Alvin! The Alvin is a deep submergence vehicle for oceanographic research. It’s been getting an overhaul at WHOI — and is an awesome piece of equipment! The people who work on it are the best in their field. What a great experience, to get to see the Alvin live! If you want to get an idea of what it’s all about, this is the link.

Then a meeting at the Marine Life Center, which went well, and we pulled more props.

Came home, sent off a few things that needed sending off, judged some of the pieces for the contest.

Still chasing down missed/late payments. Very frustrated, because I still have to pay MY bills on time, or else. This attitude that people can pay writers if and when they happen to get around to it, no matter what the contract, has to stop.

Need to spend time on the book today, and then rehearsal is at my house tonight. I’m so exhausted, but I can’t stop, because I have to make up for those missing payments and still stay on track with current deadlines.

This has been one of the hardest Mercury Retrogrades of my life.

Devon

There’s still time to sign up for the Query Clinic on March 23 and get line-by-line support on your query letters! Information here.

Thurs. March 14, 2013: Running on Empty

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Waxing Moon

Mercury Retrograde

Saturn Retrograde

Cloudy and cold

I wasn’t feeling well, so yesterday wasn’t as productive as I hoped. I got some pitches out, worked on the synopsis for the new book for my agent, did some marketing, etc. I had a meeting about dealing with the trespasser — and he’s either being more careful or has backed off for the past two days. Got the batteries changed in the thermostat – -who knew it needed batteries?

Finished material for Confidential Job #1, and will write it up this morning and turn in the invoice — although the check hasn’t arrived from the last batch of work, which is unusual, and they’re “checking on it”. This client is very good about paying on time, so this is weird.

Watched the coverage of the new Pope. As someone who is not Catholic, the tradition, pageantry, and theatre of it all are fascinating.

Read a page-turner — THE ELDRITCH CONSPIRACY, by Cat Adams. I liked it a lot, and look forward to the other books in the series. I needed a break from reading what I HAVE to read, and read something I WANT to read.

As far as my own creative work, I feel drained and flat. I have to get past it, because I have deadlines, but the tank is empty. Still, I show up every day and push through, because that’s how it gets done, and sometimes the work that comes through on the hard days is what triggers a better flow.

The cats are being very clingy lately. I don’t know if it’s because they sense how much pressure and stress I’m under, or if something else is going on. I was so exhausted yesterday that I was shaking, so I made sure, after the meeting, I had a quiet afternoon and evening.

Today is meetings, back-to-back, all over the darned place, so off I go.

Devon

You can still sign up for March 23rd’s Query Clinic and get line-by-line support on multiple query letters.

Check out the new Author Services offered by Fearless Ink!

Wed. March 13, 2013: Exhaustion & Writing

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Waxing Moon

Mercury Retrograde

Saturn Retrograde

Sunny and milder

Today is the final day to apply for the Prose/Stage Adaptation workshop. Details here.

And check out the author services now offered by Fearless Ink!

Yesterday, I had to deal with far too much corporate fuckery (and I’m not apologizing for the language, because that’s what it was. It was sort of resolved, but still . . .lost hours that could have been better spent.

A meeting is being scheduled with the landlord and the police to deal with the trespassing situation. “No” means “no”, whatever the context, and there have to be consequences for ignoring it.

I had a long catch-up with an old friend.

Rehearsal was good last night. We spent most of the time on the third act, worked out a lot of the physicality of it, which was fun.

Driving home, though, was a nightmare. It was pouring with rain and so foggy I had to drive with my windows rolled down sometimes to see enough to make turns. I was relieved to get home.

Migraine this morning, but too bad for me. I have a lot to do today. I’d like the bulk of the day to be about sitting with the new book and sorting out the outline. I’ve written far enough into it that I should be able to outline the rest of it — which means figuring out “whodunnit” and why.

I’m exhausted, on every level and would love to take the day off to just sleep; unfortunately, that is not an option right now. So, I have to sally forth and get things done!

Devon

Tues. March 12, 2013: Wyatt, Exhaustion, & Trespassers

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Waxing Moon

Mercury Retrograde

Saturn Retrograde

Rainy and cool

I have an in-depth piece on Biblio Paradise about Wyatt as the heart of OLD-FASHIONED DETECTIVE WORK. It talks about the emotional throughline I’m building underneath the plot — I hope you stop by and drop a comment.

Yesterday definitely had its challenges. Getting another year older is always something to face, especially for women. The other pressures bearing down on me in this cycle made it difficult, too. But I had many warm wishes, from old friends and cyber-friends, and kept it fairly low-key. And I got my chocolate cake, so that’s all good!

Worked with students, worked on the book (but not as much as I liked), did some pitches. I’m trying to sort down the missing monies from clients, some of which are a month late now. Some of these clients have NEVER stumbled on payment, so when they say it was sent, I know it was , but tracking it down takes time I don’t have right now, because I need that money in the bank. I want to know where the money is when it’s removed from one account, yet it’s not yet at the other one. I know it’s earning money for someone somewhere, and I suspect that banks intentionally delay postings of incoming monies while hurrying outgoing monies in order to charge more fees.

Working through the stack of books I’m judging for the contest. Interesting stuff.

Through Fearless Ink, I’m now offering Author Services including help with cover/query letters and putting out media kits and press releases. Check it out here.

I had very little in the tank yesterday, and have to get back on track with the new book. I finished some research materials, which gave me some good ideas, and showed me where I have to fix a few things, but now I have to implement them.

Having problems with the trespassing neighbor. I confronted him yesterday and got yet more attitude. My only option at this point is to get the police involved. This has been going on for months. He has no right to be on this property — EVER — and his convenience doesn’t take precedence over my right to not have trespassers.

Rehearsal tonight — I need to gear up for that, along with taking care of some unpleasant business today.

I really need a break.

Devon

Mon. March 11, 2013: New Moon Birthday!

Monday, March 11, 2013

New Moon

Mercury Retrograde

Saturn Retrograde

Cloudy and mild

I have now outlived my father. He never made it to the age I turn today.

Yup, it’s my birthday. I’m keeping it low-key and quiet — I need some rest. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still work to do — the next chapter on the new book, working with students, preparing for tomorrow night’s rehearsal. But I’m trying to keep it mellow and pleasant.

Weekend was busy. I’m reading the books for one of the contests I’m judging — wide range of topics and quality, which makes it interesting. I’m back in the groove on the new book, and pretty happy with it, and got an important research book for it that the Sandwich Library tracked down for me. I’ve been devouring that book, too, and already seeing where I need to make adjustments in past chapters.

I agreed to teach a two-part workshop the final two weeks of March on adapting a short story to the stage, and a short play into a short story. One can choose to take one or both sections, but there is an application process — no lurkers are allowed, and anyone who does not complete the daily assignment for ANY reason will be dropped without a refund. The application process closes on March 13 — this Wednesday — and the class runs from the 18-31 (with no class on either Palm Sunday or Easter), so get in your applications! Instructions for the application are here.

Don’t forget the Query Clinic on Sat. March 23, where you can bring in query letters for line-by-line critique and strengthening, and also learn how to make the process of writing future queries easier. Information here.

Yesterday’s rehearsal was good, although filled with Mercury Retrograde-type mishaps. I’m very happy with the cast, though. It may have been a rocky road to find them, but they are each and every one of them worth it!

I need to contact some more client prospects today, but I’m hoping for a light day online — and that some of these late checks that are supposedly “in the mail” — and have been for nearly a month now — actually show up. Wouldn’t that be a nice treat for my birthday?

Back to the page.

Devon

OLD-FASHIONED DETECTIVE WORK, the second Jain Lazarus Adventure is now available. Excerpt and Buy Link here.

Fri. March 8, 2013: Life Lessons, Buy Links, Biblio ICU, Snow, & Migraines

Friday, March 8, 2013

Waning Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde

Snowing — again

Yup, the snow is coming down quite heavily.

I’m in the third day of very severe neck pain and migraine. Nothing is helping — not heating pads, not ice, not pain killers, not valerian, not Tiger’s Balm. Nothing.

I’ve got an interview up on Vikki Thompson’s blog to celebrate OLD-FASHIONED DETECTIVE WORK, talk about process, and the state of publishing. I make some general comments about how the bulk of promotion is on the author now in the business– which it is — and that writers deserve to be paid for our work — which we do. Hopefully, my publisher won’t feel like it’s a slap at them, because it isn’t — it’s a comment on the current state of the business. These are issues that are discussed frequently, there are a lot of “how the business is changing” and what all types of publishers are trying to do to both survive and thrive. Publishers make an investment in writers; writers have to deliver. And, there’s a constant stream of writers who have struggled to get into print in the first place, and they keep accepting less and less to do more and more. This is across the board; it’s part of the way the business is transitioning. I worked for a NY publisher for several years — I know it from the other side of the desk, too. The staff is overworked and underpaid. Far too many writers don’t step up and meet deadlines and other commitments. Publishers need to make a profit to survive. But it IS Mercury retrograde, and this is a bad one, communications are a mess, so it is possible that my comments will be misconstrued and taken as personal instead of general. This is probably one of the worst times to have to be out and about and chatty, because there’s so much room for misunderstanding, both in the speaking and in the reception.

Note to self — in the future, make sure releases are scheduled well away from Mercury Retrogrades!

Everything’s been sorted, and the buy link for the book is here.

I hope you buy it. I hope you love it.

On the upside, in spite of both the Mercury Retrograde and Saturn Retrograde, all of that is making me re-assess what I really want from my writing career. This is my career, my business, not my hobby. I tend to jump in with both feet when something sounds good and interesting, roll up my sleeves and do my best to make a a go at it. I’m good about avoiding content mills and bidding sites, but what do I really want from my career in fiction? I’ve been blessed with good editors on the last few books, and made concessions to fit into business models as best I can, because that’s the gig. But what do I really WANT?

I want to continue to earn a living doing what I love, and to grow in that living, both creatively and financially. I need to pay my bills, and have skills that deserve a living wage. “Exposure” doesn’t cut it — I’m not a flasher, I don’t need exposure, and when the utility companies accept exposure in lieu of the monthly payment, then I can do the same thing. I don’t want fame, although I’d like to be respected as someone who does good work. I want someone to know that when they pick up one of my books, they’ll get a good read, and that my books are worth their time and money. When someone hires me to write a speech or an article or something else, they get high quality work.

I’m not perfect; I make mistakes. I want to do learn from those mistakes and do better next time.

I want each book to be better than the previous one, and I want to keep stretching creatively, not doing the same thing over and over.

But there are still aspects about which I’m unclear, and until I figure those out, I’m not going to be able to craft the career I want. Right now, I’m a hamster on a wheel, just trying to survive, and I need more than that. There are things I’m doing that aren’t serving me well, and I need to drop back, reassess everything and make some solid decisions, instead of just trying to “keep up” with older decisions.

I actually love almost all aspects of my life (even the difficult stuff) — except for my bank account!

Saturn Retrograde, Mercury Retrograde, a birthday coming up — a chaotic, difficult and painful time. Hopefully, once I’m through it, I will be in a stronger place of knowing what I want and need and how to get it.

I went outside yesterday afternoon, to find a cardboard box dumped by UPS in front of the garage — not at the front door. A box of books, that had three inches of water INSIDE it. Now, I’ve been expecting this box. Someone has been at the house all the time for the past couple of days, the lights have been on — it’s obvious that people are home. Yet, the box was dumped — not at the front door, but in front of the garage. A cardboard box left outside in the rain with a piece of plastic UNDER it, open on top, allowing the water to pool in and around the box. A cardboard box filled with books.

We pay UPS extra so that they take extra care with the packages. And this is the “care” they show. I’ve joked about the times they don’t even stop, just slow down and toss the box out of the truck (which I’ve seen them do) — but this is unacceptable.

We unpacked the box, took photographs, wiped down each of the 35 individual books, got out the hair dryers and got to work. Several of the books are in really bad shape — some of the pages were practically dissolving. A couple of volumes had to be dried one page at a time. We set up Biblio ICU.

One of the hair dryers sparked, and the plug popped off. This also tripped the breaker for part of the kitchen, so I had to go downstairs and flip the switch. The fridge was on that breaker, so I’m glad I figured it out before it was too late (because the rest of the lights in the room stayed on).

The whole experience does make me want to take a bookbinding class, though.

I would just really like to stay in bed until Mercury goes direct, but that’s not an option. So, back on the horse, and let’s hope I can stay out of trouble!

Devon

Sign up for the Query Clinic on March 23 — get line-by-line advice on strengthening your query letters, and learn how to make the process smoother. Information here.

Thurs. March 7, 2013: Working at Top Speed

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Waning Moon

Saturn Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde

Nor’easter

Yesterday was flat out work. Sold an article I wrote and submitted last week — will let you know when it goes up. It’s with someone whose work I respect a lot, and with whom I’ve wanted to place something for awhile, so I was very excited.

Finished my new brochure. I’m happy with it. I’m going to put a PDF of it up on my Fearless Ink website.

Got some of the ebooks for one contest; the others from the other contest have been delayed. The print books were supposed to arrive yesterday, but haven’t yet. We’ll see how late they are and how it will affect the deadline.

Worked with students.

Had my meeting with the Director of Creative Economy for the state — it was a lot of fun. The packet of information given out was terrific. She loved the brochure, had some good ideas about the portfolio, and gave me some people to contact — suggesting I use her name, which I will do today. I also met some other people connected with economic growth in the area, and had some excellent conversations with them.

Today is about follow-up.

When I got home, the rest of the materials I need to do my part to speed up the delayed release were here, so I sat down and turned them around.

After that, I just had time to bolt down dinner before the actors showed up for rehearsal. We had a really good rehearsal, in spite of the power flickers, and a few 30-second-or-so outages (we had candles going and flashlights at the ready).

Then, I unwound a bit, and read some material for confidential job #1, and collapsed into bed. My neck was killing me from holding at a stupid angle while I worked on the stuff for the book.

Missed yoga this morning,although the weather’s so bad, I’m glad not to be out in it. Must get back to the piece I’m doing for my agent, and do the follow-up from yesterday’s meeting. I hope it lands me some interesting new clients!

Devon

Hate writing query letters? Join the Query Clinic online on March 23, and get line-by-line support on your queries, along with tips and techniques on how to make future query writing less painful! Information here.

Wed. March 6, 2013: This Mercury Retrograde Sucks!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Waning Moon

Mercury Retrograde

Saturn Retrograde

Rainy and cold

Yesterday was just thing after thing after thing after thing with Mercury Retrograde, complicated by the Saturn Retrograde.

On the positive side, I worked with students and spent time putting together a portfolio for a big, important meeting set to happen this afternoon. I revised per editor suggestion and sent out an article as requested.

On the not-so-positive side, I’m trying to adjust the marketing for the delayed release. Some sites are cool with it; several, especially those that are high profile, book months in advance, and are adamant that the book be available when the appearance goes live, are not, and I will not get those slots back. Whether the chances of landing a spot in the future are ruined or not remain to be seen.

I’d managed to work rehearsals around a meeting scheduled for tonight, and, although I was working until the last minute to get there, I was really proud of myself for doing it. Only to find out that the meeting was actually two hours before — I’d written it down and memorized it wrong. That was entirely my screw-up, and inexcusable. I’m usually pretty good about stuff like that, and I messed up.

I sat down at the meeting site and emailed an apology to my colleagues. I don’t want them to feel that I don’t respect their time.

Then, I was halfway home before I realized I left something at the meeting site and had to turn around, go back, and fetch it. I was in tears all the way home, just overwhelmed and exhausted.

The coordinator was very understanding, and I appreciate it.

This morning, I hope to get some writing and meeting prep done. If I don’t screw up this afternoon’s meeting, it could open some terrific doors. But I’m discouraged, blue, overwhelmed, and don’t feel on my game at all. I will have to do an attitude readjustment before I leave.

I’ve checked the time and place at least a half a dozen times to make sure I am in the right place at the right time!

Devon