Devon Ellington's Blog, page 35
June 20, 2024
Thurs. June 20, 2024: Working in a Cool Space
image courtesy of wal_172619 via pixabay.comThursday, June 20, 2024
Day Before Full Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Summer Solstice
Hazy, hot, humid
Yesterday was supposed to be the worst of the heat and humidity. We’ll see if that’s actually true.
You can read the latest on the garden and the CSA over on Gratitude and Growth.
I started a script coverage early in the morning, but at 7:30, I headed to the grocery store. I wanted to get it out of the way before it got too hot. Came back, put everything away, had breakfast, got one of the coverages done before the 10 AM workshop.
The workshop had some good information in it, and then I switched over the other coverage, but it was getting hot and humid, which made it difficult to concentrate.
We had an early lunch of sliced radishes, arugula, bread, and butter, then packed up and headed for the Clark, where I set up at a desk in the Manton Center, and my mom got comfortable in one of the little reading booths.
I finished the coverage pretty quickly, once my brain cooled down enough to think, and then caught up on some email.
It was only early afternoon by then – I had time to do all kinds of things!
I focused on the short story. I rewrote the pages I had. I’d been writing in third person, and the story is “speaking” to me in first person, so I rewrote it in first, and it’s stronger. And, yes, it’s more than switching “she” to “I.” You can usually tell when all a writer has done is switch out pronouns, because the flow gets dissonant. It’s about reconstructing the viewpoint, and reshaping each sentence.
That took a bit of doing, and then I went on to write about another 1K on it. I may have to cut a really fun scene and a few characters from this – which means it may have a further life as something else somewhere else in the future.
But this is comic noir mystery, my wheelhouse. Set on a movie set.
After I’d gone as far as my brain let me, I shut down the computer and switched over to editing a few pages on TAPESTRY. I was in the world of the story, not Nina Bell, so it was difficult to switch over.
Had an exchange with the cohort manager about the coaching sessions. She sent an email intro to the potential coach who doesn’t know me, and I sent some follow up about what I’m doing, what I’m looking for, and why I think he’s a good fit. Hopefully, he can fit me into his schedule. I also sent over my paragraph of what I’m up to in July for the cohort newsletter, and signed up for the day of fun that winds up our cohort time together. Three cohorts will be celebrating that day, which will be fun.
Left my mom at the Clark and headed for tarot circle. It was a good circle with thoughtful discussion. Today is the big solstice ritual at the Clark, and I’m sad I can’t be part of it.
When I got into the car to go to tarot, it was 100 degrees F outside. While we were there, there was a thunderstorm with rain, and by the time I drove back to the Clark to pick up my mom, the temperature had dropped to 75 degrees. Much more dealable.
It was 86 in the apartment when we got back, so it was about opening windows and running the fans. Got some sleep. Up before 5, got the fans going again, and got the temperature down to 82. It’s supposed to get up in the 90’s again, but not as high or over 100 as yesterday.
My mom wants to stay home today, but I will probably decamp in the afternoon. She doesn’t think it’s that hot. I am not having a good time, and it’s not even 7 AM yet.
I don’t have any coverages in the queue, so at least I don’t have to worry about that. I really don’t like doing them in the morning. That energy is better matched to creating new work, not putting an eye over someone else’s.
The potential editing client appreciated my estimate (which was as low as I could go without it costing me money). But declined; the cost is too much for their budget, and the scope of the project has just tripled. Completely understandable.
Did not make it to the second round of a big grant proposal, which is not a surprise, and, frankly, not much of a disappointment. At the time I wrote and submitted it, I thought that project was what I wanted for next year (it would be the only thing I could do next year), but as things have shifted, I want different priorities, and I want a slightly different approach to that particular project. So it all works out.
On today’s agenda: online meditation group in the morning, an online workshop at 10. I need to pick up a prescription for my mom, get some soy sauce for tonight’s recipe, and get more ink for the printer (because, of course I do). Workwise, I want to get some writing done, especially on the short story, work on my handouts for the Farmers’ Market gig, and read the next book for review. Maybe get started on putting together the newsletter, which goes out next week. I have all the copy; it’s about arranging the flow and putting in the graphics. I may also get out a residency proposal, and submit a play or two. I have the second part of Saturday’s workshop tonight. I wish I could be at the Clark for the ritual led by Wild Soul River, but I can’t blow off the workshop commitment. It’s part of being in the cohort. I will do my own acknowledgement of the turning wheel after the workshop, later tonight.
I have to be at the Clark tomorrow at 9 AM for a special exhibition tour.
I’m reading Judi Dench’s SHAKESPEARE: THE MAN WHO PAYS THE RENT, where she discusses her approach to the characters she’s played. It’s amazing, and I have to buy my own copy to re-read as often as possible. When she talks about Macbeth getting the “collywobbles” I was nearly crying with laughter.
Have a good one, stay cool and safe, and we’ll catch up again tomorrow.
Have a lovely Summer Solstice.
June 19, 2024
Wed. June 19, 2024: Escalating Heat
image courtesy of Tove from Pixabay.comWednesday, June 19, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Juneteenth
Brutally hot and humid
How are you holding up in the heat? Taking care of yourself? Of each other?
Today is supposed to be even more brutal, heat-wise, than yesterday.
Yesterday, we survived, without decamping. That didn’t mean it wasn’t a complicated day, but we survived.
I adapted a few episodes of DD into “A Stylish Death” in the morning, so that I didn’t feel the day was entirely a loss on the creative front. I then switched over to script coverage work, pausing at 10 AM for an hour to do the Midsummer workshop, and then finishing the coverage in time to have a late lunch.
Part of me thought I should push through and do more script coverage, get started on today’s scripts, but that was taken out of my control when the internet started flickering.
I’d already received a message that the internet would be down today from midnight to 6 AM for “maintenance” but I guess they were already having issues.
Shortly after that, we started getting emergency alerts on our phones. The 9-1-1 system was down statewide. We got them every 10 minutes for several hours. Which was unnecessary, in my opinion. Shortly after those started, we got an emergency alert from New York State, with a rather smug message that THEIR emergency system worked. Not helpful.
At 4 o’clock, we piled into the (very hot) car to pick up our CSA. The road was blocked, due to an accident, so we had to take the long way around, meeting the ambulance as it headed for Pittsfield (severe enough they knew that it wouldn’t work to take them to the local hospital, which only has 18 beds for people to stay up to 72 hours).
Got to the farm, loaded up, chatted with one of the farmers. It’s a glorious haul this week, which I will detail in the Thursday garden post. I will share that there’s a Bok choy literally as big as my head.
They were just clearing up the accident when we came back (road was open again), and the cars involved were completely totaled. Scary.
Home, sorted out the vegetables, went over the mail. I owe some on state taxes, which I can pay this week; the ambulance service agreed to my installment proposal. So that’s all sorted.
Went to gentle yoga, which was good. Did not have the mental or physical energy for fitness.
Came home, cooked a simple dinner – using some of the Bok choy – we will be eating Bok choy all week, which is fine, because I really like it.
The apartment didn’t really get hot until the evening, and the hottest it hit was 84 degrees, which wasn’t too bad, considering it was 94 outside.
I finished reading TORN ASUNDER, Barbara Ross’s last Maine Clambake mystery. It was a satisfying ending to the series.
The night was a little sticky and uncomfortable, although I managed to get some sleep. The cats rousted me out of bed before 5 AM. It was still 84. I got the fans going, but only managed to get it down to 83.
We will decamp today, maybe even earlier than originally planned. Since the libraries are closed for Juneteenth, it causes a dearth of options for people. But we are members of the Clark Art Institute, and I intend to make use of that for us today.
I’m going to head to the grocery store early (like 7:30-ish), and then see how much coverage I can get done before my 10 AM workshop. Once that’s done, we’ll have an early lunch (radishes from the CSA with bread and butter) and head for the Clark. I will leave my mom there while I go to tarot (which isn’t far), and then pick her up after. The cats have their burrows of choice, and will have plenty of ice water. I’ll make sure to change out the water in the birdbath first thing this morning, and then again, before we leave.
Stay safe, my friends. It ain’t pretty out there.
June 18, 2024
Tues. June 18, 2024: Trying to Stay Cool in the Heat
image courtesy of Jill Wellington via pixabay.comTuesday, June 18, 2024
Waning Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Hazy, very hot, humid
This is the first week in nearly two years where there’s not a new serial episode going live! It feels weird. Good, but weird.
However, of course, I’m promoting something from the backlist: My short mystery “Personal Revolution.” You can watch a video about it here. Scroll down the page a bit, it’s not at the top.
It’s a fun little short mystery, set at an historical New England museum. It’s been around for a few years, so many of you probably have it. But the video’s new!
Life without constant serial deadline pressure takes an adjustment. But it’s the right choice. I will go into more detail about why in the newsletter, which drops next week.
If you aren’t signed up for the newsletter, you can do so here.
On Friday, I wrote 5 more pages of the weird idea screenplay whose working title is ALL FOR ALL. It’s shaping up well. I had a dilemma with a character who hasn’t yet been introduced, but is vital to the piece, and figured out how to handle it. I might have to shift a few scenes around in the next draft, but that’s what next drafts are for.
I also adapted several DD episodes into “A Stylish Death” which is the third short piece in MURDER BELLS.
That was a decent morning’s work.
I had to swing by the grocery store for oat milk, then pick up books at the library, mail some bills, and pick up a few things at another store. It rained pretty heavily on and off during errands, and was, in general, oppressive.
Home, turned around a script coverage, which meant I was done for the week. Although I didn’t hit my goal for the pay period, it’s respectable. And, I got scripts for Monday and Tuesday, so I have a solid start to the week. It looks like, from the email sent out about upcoming contest deadlines, that we’ll have a pretty steady flow the rest of the month and into July, which would be good.
Re-read Agatha Christie’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (for the Agatha Christie book club). It’s always interesting to re-read, but I kind of felt, this time around, that the epilogue was a bit of a copout.
Finally broke down and joined Threads, although it just makes me tired. In general, social media has felt like a drain and has been depressing lately. Fortunately, without the serials dropping all the time, I can take a bit of a step back for the summer (except to promote “Personal Revolution”) and then rev up again in fall, when I’m promoting the next round of releases, the Boiler House Poets Reading during the residency, etc.
I made fish tacos for dinner (yummy) and then got myself dressed up and in makeup to head over to the Clark for the opening of the Guillaume Lathière exhibit. They’d had a fancy catered reception for the big money donors before they let in the regular members, but, as always, the staff handled everything with grace and charm.
The big money donors? Not so much. They’d stationed themselves and their little friends so close to many of the major pieces, having self-involved conversations that had nothing to do with art, that people who were there for the actual art couldn’t get anywhere near it.
The exhibit itself is gorgeous and fascinating. I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with the individual pieces over the coming months, taking notes, and letting it generate ideas for material. I’m especially interested in the women who trained in his Paris studio over the years, many of whom went on to have solid careers, few of whom are now remembered.
I ran into one of the advisors for the capacity building program, which was fun, and we got to catch up. I know most of the staff, by this point, and they remember me, and we exchanged pleasantries all around. Events like this are hard damn work, and I appreciate them. I’m also so glad I don’t do this kind of work anymore.
The timing of this, when I’m adapting “A Stylish Death” which takes place at a gala, makes me laugh.
The catalogue is gigantic. It’s not a coffee table book, it’s the coffee table. I will definitely get a copy, although it will be after I return from New York; I’m not spending the money now, even with my member discount.
There were too many people in an enclosed space for my taste, so I went up to the terrace to listen to music, have some popcorn and a glass of wine, and enjoy the outdoors. It was gorgeous outside, although there was a hint of a storm brewing over the mountain. Of course, someone jostled me, and wine spilled all over my dress. Fortunately, it was chardonnay, not red. (I know, I know, how often do I ever order white? Good thing I did, in this case). Even more fortunate, it was one of my favorite dresses that, although I’ve had it for years and it’s a lovely, summery green, spits out stains easily. A quick trip to the ladies’ room to splash some water on it, and, although I was a bit damp, the dress was unharmed.
But by then, I was done, and headed home. Stripped off the dress and gave it another anti-stain treatment (and will put it through the laundry next trip – it washes and dries like a dream; it’s kind of like Kinsey Millhone’s all-purpose dress, except it’s green). Scrubbed off the makeup.
Read some more. I’m almost finished with NORTH WOODS. I like it, and the mix of styles in the different sections is a tour de force, but I think sometimes all those different styles get in the way of the story itself. Still, it’s interesting, and I’m enjoying it, although I’m not over to moon about it the way many people are. I find myself more caught up in the technical brilliance than carried off by the story.
But I’m learning a lot.
It cooled down enough to get a decent night’s sleep, although the cats rousted me out of bed very early in the morning.
Adapted a chapter of “A Stylish Death” and wrote 12 pages on the ALL FOR ALL script. Played with the short story idea that, if I’m going to make it work, needs to work before the end of the month and get out the door. The pages I wrote so far are kind of fun, but I need to pick it up to keep it in wordcount. I could write an entire novel on this premise. But it’s very much in my wheelhouse, and an awful lot of fun. IF I can pull it off.
Made a large frittata with vegetables for an early lunchy-brunchy thing before heading out to Pittsfield to the cohort workshop. Parked in the same parking slot I used when I traipsed down there for jury duty a few months ago.
The workshop was at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, tucked away on a side street. It’s a very interesting space – they made good use of the odd proportions. There were six people from our cohort, and about the same number from outside the cohort, including another writer I know from various arts whatevers around town.
It was four pretty intense hours. Good information. A lot of it is stuff I already do, and I need to figure out how to build on it. I left glad I went, but also feeling disquieted, and it took a few hours to figure out why.
There are several reasons why. One is that I ‘m looking for magic answers for my fears, and they don’t exist (what is known as a “me” problem). Another is the sense memory stress is still bubbling under the surface. This is the crucial week for it (the move itself was on the Solstice), and then the stress of those final weeks up to the 4th of July. It’s better this year, because I’m busy with work I enjoy and building new memories over that time period. But it’s still there, under the surface. When I acknowledge it, I can deal with it. If I try to ignore it, it comes back to bite me.
Another disquiet has to do with safety. We talked about this early in the session, and it wasn’t until several hours after the workshop was over that it hit me – it really was a safe environment to discuss things. Those attending the workshop will keep the commitment to the community agreement and honoring each others’ concerns, vulnerabilities, and sensitive information. In my previous location, people would have nodded and smiled and claimed to honor any agreement, and then weaponized any vulnerabilities they learned if they thought it would benefit them and caused problems for the person they hurt. Huge difference.
There were a lot of things people said that resonated with me, and I can mull those over at my leisure, and then decide what to apply.
There were also things I disagreed with, like the divide between “mission” and “career.” I’ve spent the past however many years working on a more holistic approach, rather than a divided approach. And this IS my day job; all of what I do as my work, whether it’s fiction or plays that I then submit or work I’m contracted to do (articles, copy, etc.) is part of the work. I don’t divide it up as “my work” and “day job work.” It’s all of a piece. Or, as is the case with most freelancers, many pieces that figure into the jigsaw puzzle of our lives.
Anyway, we have homework, and reconvene over ZOOM on the Solstice. I wish it wasn’t on the Solstice – I wanted to be with Wild Soul River for their celebration – but I made this commitment, and I will keep it.
And do my own celebration later in the evening.
Came home, cooked dinner. Was pleased that my new sideview mirror arrived, along with Deborah and Elisabeth’s EVERYDAY WITCH’S FAMILIAR ORACLE. Looking forward to working with that deck.
It was cool enough to sleep well, which I figured I should enjoy while I can, with the dangerous heat expected this week.
Up early on Sunday, did some follow up for the workshop. My eyes were bothering me, so I wanted to limit screen time. It was the last day of pleasant temperatures for who knows how long. There were many things I should have done, but I needed rest.
I did, however, make chilled blueberry soup for this week, and a batch of vegetable stock from the end bits of the first two weeks of CSA.
I did some household chores, and read a lot. Read a book by an author where I’ve read a lot of her books, and they’re fine, this one was just a little too cute. Read a book by another author, where I’ve read a book of hers before and wanted to try the next book in the series. The absolute contempt the author (rather than the character) has for anything out of the mainstream conformist system was off-putting, and I think I’m done with this author.
Did some ancestor work, which confirmed something I already knew. Not that it makes implementation easier, but at least I’m on the right track.
I had a few bad bouts of sense memory stress, but managed to get it under control. Being busy with work and art definitely helps, although this week, my body keeps remembering, and it’s about getting my mind refocused on the reality of the moment, not the remembered stress.
I made a plan for the upcoming week; I will flip my usual workday. While I may do writing very early in the morning, right after breakfast I will flip and do client work/script coverage, and then, when we decamp to air-conditioned spaces in the afternoons, I will go back to adaptation, etc. This way, I know I can stay on top of the deadlined work, without running out of steam.
I have a short story to finish drafting this week, and it will need revision either over the weekend, or early next week. As mentioned above, I have to crack on with the plot to fit wordcount.
Ordered in Chinese food. The local place from which we usually order has changed owners, and the food’s gone a bit downhill. I ordered a very basic dish, and the sauce was much sourer than it used to be (I think too much rice vinegar). A disappointment. But that’s the way it goes.
Sunday night was the last good sleeping night we’ll have in who knows how long, so I enjoyed feeling a little chilly.
Woke up Monday morning with a bad bout of sense memory stress, but got it under control. Got some necessary admin done in the very early morning. Got out some questions for some proposals on which I’m working. Trying to sort out some dates for next year.
Monday didn’t turn out quite as planned. I did a bunch of admin, I started watching an A4A workshop about authenticity in marketing that was excellent (Daniel Callahan). I had to stop to switch over to a live workshop with Sisters Enchanted that actually dovetailed quite well with the A4A workshops, got a reminder for Thursday’s A4A follow-up and homework, then did a script coverage, then finished Daniel’s workshop, then did the other script coverage, and the afternoon was gone. So much for turning everything around in the morning!
But it wasn’t too bad in the apartment; my office was a little warm, but the rest of the apartment was actually fairly pleasant. Although it got to 88 outside, it was only 79 inside, and not very humid. Watered everything first thing, including the plants outside. I change the water in the hanging birdbath daily anyway, but I might do it more than once a day this week.
But I didn’t get any writing done, and that left me feeling off kilter.
I did do a round of promos for “Personal Revolution” at the very least. And worked on some homework for the A4A workshops. The alignment amongst the three workshops today helped, and I managed to get out of my own way.
I put in my request for the coaching sessions. Hopefully, my requested coaches will have time for me.
Started reading Barbara Ross’s last book in her Maine Clambake series, which I’ve enjoyed since the first book, and I’ve interviewed Barbara several times over the years for various articles. I like how the characters grew and changed over the course of the series, instead of being in a time warp and staying the same, just with different murders. I think that was a really good choice. She stretched the formula a bit in good ways, and still kept genre readers happy.
Woke up around midnight, because the humidity increased. When I got up at 5, it was oppressive, and already about 78 degrees in the apartment. I didn’t manage to get it cooled down overnight.
But I got the fans going, so at least there’s movement, even with the heavy, humid air. Lots of hydration today, watering everything again first thing, changing the cats’ water regularly, putting in ice cubes if we decamp this afternoon.
I have two scripts to turn around (both set in winter, so maybe I’ll stay mentally cool). I have a workshop at 10 for an hour. Maybe after lunch, we’ll head out to the library, and then go to pick up the CSA at four and return. My mom thinks we can do another day here at home; I have my doubts. I think I will only do gentle yoga tonight; I just don’t have it in me to push.
I also want to get some writing in, hopefully on the short story.
We’ll see how the day shakes out. Take it easy, and take care of yourselves!
June 17, 2024
Mon. June 17, 2024: Intent for the Week — Survive The Heat
image courtesy of Gerd Altmann via pixabay.comThis week, the heat and humidity are predicted to be brutal and dangerous.
We do not have air conditioning (nor can we put it in).
That means adjusting the week. Working early in the morning and in the evening, when it’s bearable. Being offsite when possible, at libraries and museums, where it’s air conditioned in the middle of the day.
Of course, all libraries around here are closed on Wednesday, for Juneteenth, which is supposed to be the most brutal day of the week. So we will spend the day at the Clark.
The cats get ice cubes in their water bowls. If necessary, I will cool down their footpads with cold washcloths.
We have fans.
If the power stays on — and, no doubt, they will make excuses, forgetting that the only reason the companies exist is to provide power — we will mange.
Take care of yourselves, and think good thoughts for those of us under the heat advistory.
June 14, 2024
Fri. June 13, 2024: And It’s Already Friday Again
image courtesy of Lumpi from Pixabay.comFriday, June 14, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Hazy and warm; might rain
It’s yet another Friday! I can’t believe how fast the weeks are flying past.
Today’s serial episode is from ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 146: An Eye Toward the Future (Season One’s Final Episode)
Lianna, single again, makes future plans with Amy and Bunny. Then, Rhys walks through the door.
This is the FINAL episode of the season! Now, you can binge all 146 episodes for a limited time.
All three serials are now complete. It feels good.
DEADLY DRAMATICS came down moments after the request yesterday. I updated the websites and various pages, and I did a round of thank you promos to the readers. I made a thank you video only in TikTok format, which I will schedule for early next week. It also means I can put up the Nina Bell website in August, instead of waiting until later in the fall, and start building momentum for the book releases. If I can stay on track and ahead of the game, it takes a whole lot of pressure off me around the end of the year.
Also left the Kindle Vella promo groups. The way they operate wasn’t in alignment with what I needed when the serials were dropping episodes regularly, and even less now. The pay-to-play model is not where I want to put my time, attention, and cash. I’m still in the author support group for the moment, just to keep an eye on the pulse of things, and see if it’s ever worth trying again, with another serial.
I’d love to place REP somewhere, but most of the serial platforms that pay properly have an audience that wants spicy romance, and that’s not what I write. Nor is it what I want to write for market purposes. I don’t look down on romance or romance writing at all – I admire those who do it well. But that’s not where I want to put my writing energy (although I often have romantic elements in the work).
So poor little REP continues to be back burnered, until I can figure out what to do with it. Comic sci-fi/fantasy novel with mystery and romantic elements, most likely, but WHEN it can get back on the schedule is up in the air. The first novel in the series is probably best written in a residency situation, where I have a batch of weeks where it can be the primary focus.
Worked on the newsletter, which goes out in a couple of weeks. The copy’s done; I just have to put it into MailerLite and add the graphics (which always takes dog’s years), so I will probably start it early next week, and then it will be ready to go out on the last Thursday.
Meditation was good. The group will be on break during July and August, which means I have to be more responsible for my own practice. I’m steady with my evening meditation, but sometimes I bounce into my day before doing the morning meditation, and I need to make that adjustment.
There is a part of me that suspects the group will not resume in September, but if that’s the case, I’ll deal with it.
I adapted the rest of “Tumble” for MURDER BELLS. It is five chapters, with the first and last being longer than the three in the middle. Updated the author note. Roughed out the author note for “A Stylish Death.”
Did a cleanout of the spam emails that accumulates through the web contact forms. There were a handful of emails that fell through the cracks, which I will respond to early next week, but most of it is just crap. These people who want to write “articles” for the websites built around specific series are just ridiculous. They can’t even be bothered to look at and understand the actual site.
Turned around three script coverages. I wanted to pack work in yesterday and only have one coverage today, since I have the new exhibit opening at the Clark tonight.
Got directions and instructions for tomorrow’s artist cohort workshop. I’m looking forward to it, and a little nervous.
Even though it was hot outside, we’d gotten the interior temperature in the apartment low enough that it remained pleasant all day. Hoping it will remain that way, and won’t get too bad until a couple of days into next week’s heat wave.
On today’s agenda: writing, one script coverage, the event at the Clark. I have to do a library run and pick up some oat milk at the store (which I forgot to get when I did the weekly shop. I wanted to keep it a somewhat light day. Tomorrow is the workshop. Sunday, I will do household chores and rest.
Scripts came into my queue for Monday and Tuesday, so at least I have a good start to the next pay period. Hopefully, I’ll have scripts all week.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll catch up next week!
June 13, 2024
Thursday, June 13, 2024: Steady, Paced Work
image courtesy of Firmbee via pixabay.comThursday, June 13, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant now, but supposed to get hot
You can read the latest on the garden and the CSA over on Gratitude and Growth.
I put in the takedown request for DEADLY DRAMATICS first thing this morning. I’m hoping it will take less than the designated 60 days, but I’m prepared in case it does. As I posted this, I got an email from Vella — it’s already down! Phew! Time to make the rounds of the websites and post a thank you!
Yesterday, I played with the new, weird idea (as opposed to the other two weird ideas with which I’ve been playing) and wrote 13 pages on it. I sent it to a friend (I rarely share anything this early), who was enthusiastic about it and had some good ideas. So, onward, juggling three weird ideas and seeing which pan out.
Went to the grocery store to do a shop built around what we received in the CSA box the day before.
Sent out the estimate for the editing job. Even though I gave this potential client a break on price, I have a feeling it’s beyond their budget, and they will try to push me lower. But I can’t take on jobs that wind up costing me money; this is how I pay the bills. If I’m spending time on that job, I can’t take on the work at my regular rate that actually gets the bills paid. I’m not twenty anymore. I can’t work 90 hours a week anymore – nor should I have to.
Got a book review assignment from my editor. Even though things have slowed down these next few months, at least a little is coming in, and I’ll take it!
Turned around two coverages, but one was paused in the queue due to formatting issues. It was submitted to one medium, but formatted for a different medium. It’s flagged, so the writer has a chance to submit in the correct format. But it means I won’t have the payment for that script in this pay period, which kind of sucks.
Headed off to tarot, making a quick stop at Wild Oats. We had a very large group for tarot, and, as always, interesting, layered, and nuanced conversation.
Came back and made dinner, then had the chance to relax in the evening.
Had weird dreams, but overall slept through the night. This might be the last night in a good long stretch where it’s decent sleeping weather, so I’m glad.
On today’s agenda: meditation, writing, turning around three script coverages. It’s supposed to get up into the high 80’s today, so I want to get as much as possible done before it gets so hot I have to lie on the sofa and do nothing but sweat.
At least my mom is feeling better. She enjoys the Tuesday afternoon excursions to the farm to pick up the CSA box, and eating more vegetables makes a positive difference in her monitor numbers. Of course, if it was up to her, she’d live on Nathan’s hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches!
Have a good one!
June 12, 2024
Wed. June 12, 2024: A Solid, Steady Work Day
image courtesy of Ylanite Koppens via pixabay.comWednesday, June 12, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant
The contract is all signed and it’s now official: Dean Productions in LA will produce my comic noir mystery “The Effie Effect” for audio as part of their “Premiere the Play” series. It will record this autumn and release next summer. I am excited! The director and I will start working together in August.
Today’s serial episode is from ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 145: Home
Lianna shows up, unconscious, back in Gaston’s apartment. When she awakens, she has some explaining to do.
Only one more episode after this, dropping on Friday, and the season is complete!
Since I was already in the world of Nina Bell from the TAPESTRY edits at the laundromat, the first thing I did was more MURDER BELLS adaptation. I started by adapting what is now Chapter Three of “Too Much Mistletoe” and figured I should do three chapters (my usual speed). But by the time I finished adapting Chapter Five, there wasn’t much left, so I adapted the whole thing, which now runs eight chapters and around 18K.
I also polished the author note for it. I’m taking some of the fun “behind the scenes” stuff I had in the author notes from the serial, and adapting it into author notes for the books. For the books that begin life as books (or stories), I’ll make notes as I write in a document, and then make it flow better before adding it in.
A lot of these notes are about favorite places in NYC that no longer exist and why they were fun. Some are protocol notes about working backstage. Or specific language that’s not considered appropriate now, but fits then. Or a particular current event that affects the story, but isn’t often remembered. These notes will be at the end of each book; for MURDER BELLS, which is a collection of three shorter pieces, I’m putting the note specific to each story right behind the story, rather than in one clump at the end.
I was tempted to start work on “Tumble” or move “A Stylish Death” into the main working document from the episode files, but it was late enough in the morning where I felt I needed to switch to script coverage, since it’s a Tuesday, and I was tight on time.
I had hoped to participate in the day’s PLAYGROUND EXPERIMENT group for playwrights, but I needed to focus on work.
I turned around two scripts. At 4 o’clock, my mom and I headed for Full Well Farm to pick up this week’s CSA box, which is a delight. I’m very excited to use it in this week’s recipes.
Two hours of yoga. Gentle yoga was fantastic; fitness for yoga kicked my ass, but I did it, all of it.
Picked up takeout on the way home.
My mom’s blood pressure numbers were all over the map today, which is a little concerning. Way up, way down.
Had an idea for another project. I’m telling you, ideas are like cookies, and come in batches. Made a few outline notes. Might write a few pages to see if it’s viable, or just an idea that’s cute in idea form, but doesn’t really work.
On today’s agenda: writing across several projects; finalizing and sending off the quote on the editing project (which I know the recipient will argue with, because the ones looking for a bargain are always more difficult clients than the ones who understand this is a profession and not about favors), turn around two scripts, go to tarot circle.
Tomorrow, I get to put in the take-down notice for DEADLY DRAMATICS. It’s so difficult to wait these last few days. Depending on who processes the notice, it might come down in a few hours, or they might hold it the whole 60 days. Whichever way it works, I will roll with it.
Next week is supposed to be brutally hot, so I’m making plans for us to decamp in the afternoons to places with air conditioning.
Have a good one!
June 11, 2024
Tues. June 11, 2024: An Efficient Start to the Week
image courtesy of StockSnap via pixabay.comTuesday, June 11, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Cloudy and mild
I hope you had a delightful weekend!
Friday was a good day back on the writing front. I wrote 18 pages of the new weird screenplay idea. It flowed well.
I needed to stop then, and make some notes. I have more of a sense of the shape of it now.
I did a library run. I had to sign a new contract with the script coverage agency (they are under new ownership, and contracts are renewed – or not – every three years).
I read Geena Davis’s memoir, DYING OF POLITENESS, which was a lot of fun and very interesting.
Did a bunch of cleaning, especially in re-organizing my office. I need to get more file folders. And some more project binders.
I might have an editing job coming up. Someone asked me about hiring me to edit his new book; I asked for a sample, so I can give an estimate. We’ll see.
Made an early dinner with the rest of the Bok choy, mahi-mahi in Asian spices, and mashed potatoes.
Got my act together and headed to Main Street for First Friday. I stopped in at the gallery show my colleague curated. It’s really well done. One of the advisors from the cohort was there, because one of the artists in the exhibit has been staying in his artist residency house while working on the pieces for the exhibit – and now plans to move to this city! I talked to her for a bit, about textiles and writing and how supportive the community is around here. Also ran into someone from tarot group, who is a freelance writer covering the show.
Headed up to some of the other galleries, peeking in here and there, and then to the bookstore for the poetry reading. The person who put it together has impressive publishing credentials, and hopes to make it a series. However, I was a little irked when he talked about “bringing poetry to North Adams” as though we don’t already have poets and a growing poetry community here. The bookstore has a writers’ group with some wonderful poets in it. The Boiler House Poets are in residence in autumn. And there are others. It’s not like we’re in a poetry desert.
I appreciated the chosen poems as far as craft, and learned a lot. I bought one book from the group, and had found a couple of other books browsing around.
I’d walked there and back, since it’s not that far. Fortunately, it only rained when I was doing things inside the various places.
While I was waiting for the reading to start, I got an email from a company in Los Angeles interested in one of my plays.
It was cool enough to get some decent sleep. I was up early on Saturday. I signed the contract, with one requested change. Let’s hope they accept the change, and we’re good to go.
Annoyed that the scanning app now wants me to buy the right to download and save what I scan. The printer is too old to scan directly, so it has to be through an app, and I don’t want to pay for something that’s supposed to be part of my printer. Found a different scanner app that’s supposed to be actually free all the time. Urgh.
Spent most of the day cleaning and tidying up, including things like cleaning mirrors and the tops of doorway moldings. The apartment looks pretty darned good. In spite of the fact that the vacuum decided to stop working in the middle of it all. So I had to rely on a combination of dusting, sweeping, and mopping. Just like in the days before vacuum cleaners existed.
Did a quick run to a local bakery to pick up some good for the following day, since I don’t want to bake.
Read over what I have for THE VICIOUS CRITIC so far, and it holds up. But then, I spent a lot of work on the outline.
Good sleeping weather Saturday into Sunday, although work up to pouring rain on Sunday morning. Did one final tidy through the place, shut some things behind doors, settled in to wait.
Our friends came by mid-morning, and we had a lovely visit. Willa was surprisingly friendly. They headed back to Greenwich, CT And we just relaxed. The weather cleared up, which was nice.
I read Sara Paretsky’s TUNNEL VISION, which is very well done, and still difficult and emotional (for the right reasons).
Posted the videos for the final two episodes of ANGEL HUNT, which run this week, and scheduled the binge video to go up next Saturday. Also scheduled a bunch of “Last Chance to binge” posts for DEADLY DRAMATICS.
I did the video for “Personal Revolution” so it’ll be ready to drop on June 17th. It’s a short from the backlist that has a dead body wearing the uniform of a Revolutionary War redcoat, so I tend to promote it from mid-June through July 4th weekend. I did all three formats – TikTok, Wide, and Insta.
Cooked dinner and made two batches of vegetables stock, since it was cool.
Good sleeping weather, although Charlotte was impossible. She’d slept all day, so she was perky and playful when I was ready to go to sleep at night. I finally got her settled down, but she woke me at 1:30 and then again at 4:30. Not a restful night.
It was cool overnight and cool in the morning. Since later this week and next week it is supposed to get very hot, I’m trying to get the apartment as cool as possible, to give us a few extra days before it’s miserable and we have to decamp in the afternoons to spaces with air conditioning.
I wrote about two pages on the weird screenplay. I adapted another chapter of “Too Much Mistletoe” for MURDER BELLS.
I struggled to export a PDF of one of my Cerridwen Iris Shea annual articles first into PDF and then into Word; but I found the manuscript copy on an old flash drive in .wps and found a place to convert the file to .doc and download. I’m going through all the annuals, looking for them by title, then figuring out where/how I can download them into a single folder, and then I will sort them into categories. It will probably take about a year. Some pieces I have as clips, and maybe I can just convert them from PDF into .doc (although when I tried, on the computer, I was told the file was “too large.”
Rights revert to me after three years, so I’ll sort everything from 1994-2020 into little books by topic, and I should be able to assemble several little books by next summer. There are quite a few articles, because sometimes I wrote multiple articles for multiple annuals in the same year. I’m also making sure I give the original attribution for each article.
I went through a bunch of email and updated my expense tracker. I submitted two plays to two different calls.
I finished the first draft of “Fire Askew” which is a 10-minute comedy about a Winter Solstice bonfire gone wrong. I need to let it sit for a few days. I think it might be too specialized for the submission call to which it’s aimed, in that it talks about things that aren’t in the mainstream without explaining them. Hopefully, the context does enough, and the deeper issues move to the forefront, but it’s a 10-minute play.
I started the Llewellyn article. Took a look at the editing sample. I’m trying to figure out the sweet spot for an estimate that will work for both of us.
Turned around two script coverages, which took longer than I hoped, mostly because it was hard to stay focused. When that happens, it usually means I need to figure out what element of the script isn’t holding my attention, so I can give a useful note.
Leftovers for dinner. I went to bed early, tired from all the mental exertion of the day. It was good sleeping weather (I had to add another blanket), and I’m enjoying it, since later this week and next week are supposed to be miserably hot.
Up early this morning, and out to the door to the laundromat. I was the only one there, which was wonderful. I got about 60 pages of TAPESTRY edited. I hope to finish it early next week, put in the changes, and get it out to my editor, along with the style sheet.
On today’s agenda: writing, adaptation, finishing figuring out the estimate, and two script coverages. I also need to pick up the CSA box this afternoon, and then 2 hours of yoga tonight.
Have a good one!
June 10, 2024
Mon. June 10, 2024: Intent for the Week — Work, Work, Work
image courtesy of Pexels via pixabay.comThis week is heavy on client work, which I both wanted and needed. I have lots of script coverages to turn around, an estimate on editing job to provide, getting started on an article, and possibly some other work coming in.
I will still do some of my own writing, working on the MURDER BELLS adapation, and possibly starting the revision of THE WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE. I also want to start organizing the articles from the previous years of annuals, so I have an idea of how I want to re-issue them in books. I have yoga, tarot, and meditation scheduled for the week, and I’m attending the opening of the new exhibit at the Clark on Friday night, and an artist cohort workshop on Saturday.
ANGEL HUNT’s final episode of the season drops this Friday, and on Thursday, the take-down request goes in for DEADLY DRAMATICS.
This week is about time management and focus. It’s a reasonable amount of work, but it’s about making sure I approach it with skill and efficiency.
What’s your intent for the week?
June 7, 2024
Fri. June 7, 2024: A Bit of Cooling Rain
image courtesy of Gosia K. via pixabay.comFriday, June 7, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Cloudy and a little cooler
I’m starting to feel human again!
Today’s serial episode is from ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 144: Healthy Love Choices
A tough love talk from Lianna’s patron goddess.
Only TWO more episodes in the season! Yes, by the end of next week, ANGEL HUNT is done, and the seasons of all three Vella serials are complete.
The take-down request for DEADLY DRAMATICS goes in toward the end of next week, so if you haven’t started to binge read that one, I suggest you get started on it now here.
I was dragging yesterday. I did some house and home stuff. I put new batteries in the memory clock in the living room and in my pendulum clock in my office. I forgot how much noise the latter clock makes, but it’s kind of comforting, too.
I wrote 6 pages on a weird little screenplay idea that dropped into my head, different from other weird idea that dropped into my head a few days ago. No idea if either will lead anywhere, but they are fun to play with.
I turned around two script coverages. Unless something comes in today for a quick turnaround, I’m done for the week. A little under what I hoped to earn, but not too bad. If I have a steady week next week, it’s all good.
Used the baby Bok choy and sweet onions from the CSA along with some chicken over rice for a yummy dinner. Our first gelato of the season for dessert.
Read Sara Saretzky’s GUARDIAN ANGEL in the evening. Had trouble with it, even though it was good. Didn’t feel one of the antagonists was handled harshly enough for justice at the end. I understand why that choice was made and respect it, but I wanted a much harsher and more violent end for that particular individual.
It finally started raining around 8 PM and things cooled off a bit. It was okay sleeping weather.
We finally got an update from the Kickstarter creator. More delays; I think the creator is lying through their teeth. I have some knowledge about what they claim is causing the delays, and it only takes a week or two to fix, not four months. The next promise is that we’ll get our orders at the end of July. I’m sure there will be more excuses. And the fact that Kickstarter just does nothing but shrug and say, “too bad for you” is infuriating. They are supposed to vet creators before allowing them on the site. I don’t believe anything this creator has to say at this point. It’s lie after lie after lie. All of what is claimed as reasons for delay were things that should/could have been solved before the Kickstarter ever launched. And, if they weren’t, NONE of them would take more than a week or two to resolve. Not six months. It’s a delay tactic to keep stringing us along, because this creator has no intention of fulfilling the orders. I’m only out a single item, and while I’m annoyed, because that money could have been placed with a legitimate creator, I’m not affected as badly as those who ordered 200 or 300.
Up early this morning. I want to get some writing done. I have a library run to make, and then it’s cleaning. My office has become a bit disorganized (although I know where everything is), and I need to set it to rights before company comes.
Later this evening, I’m going to an art opening a colleague curated, and then to a poetry reading at the local bookshop.
Tomorrow is about more cleaning, probably. Gosh, it sounds like the place is a wreck, and it’s really not. But we are in a city, and things get dusty/grimy and need more attention sometimes than at others, especially with the windows open. I need to do some ironing, too, and then maybe I’ll finally get my closet turned over for the summer.
Sunday, our company visits, and once they head out, we’ll just relax.
Hopefully, next week will be busy for client work. But I intend to enjoy the weekend! It’s supposed to be rainy, so I probably won’t do much outside, but we’ll see how things shake out.
Have a great weekend!
