Devon Ellington's Blog, page 51
November 8, 2023
Wed. Nov. 8, 2023: Type, Type, Type
image courtesy of 3844328 from pxabay.comWednesday, November 8, 2023
Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Cloudy and cold
On today’s Process Muse, we talk about getting past stuck. You can read the post here.
Two serial episodes are dropping today.
The first is ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 83: Gaston Flexes His Powers
Gaston crosses an ethical line to protect Brian.
The second is DEADLY DRAMATICS;
Episode 33: Nina Has Means, Motive, and Opportunity
Nina’s the main suspect, and her explanations don’t hold water for the detectives.
I wrote the opening chapter of the odd little cross genre piece, and really like it. It works, and I get to demonstrate my affection for Northumbria. It’s already taken a bit of a different direction than the initial impulse, but for the right reasons (character-driven ones).
I drafted a new episode of Legerdemain, which was also fun.
I had a rush coverage on a big script project, so I did that, starting in the late morning, and then turned around two smaller ones in the afternoon.
Then, I went back and edited the next three chapters of CAST IRON MURDER. The last draft had a pretty major rewrite as far as plot and some character stuff; this one is mostly tightening, smoothing out logic and continuity, finding better words. I’ve already cut three pages just by tightening and getting rid of sloppy word choices. It didn’t need a lot of cuts; it’s on the lean side anyway, but that’s what I wanted. I’m six chapters in, and there are a total of 25 chapters in the book. Getting it done by the end of the year is not out of the question.
Today’s word count for new material was 4093.
The word count for edited material was 8630.
I am keeping track of script coverage/client work count, but not posting it every day.
I read for pleasure in the evening, a series I’m on the fence about, but I like it enough to keep reading at least the next few books.
Weird dreams, but up at the normal time. On today’s agenda: another episode of Legerdemain, some more work on the weird cross genre piece, work on a flash fiction piece, work on a poem, and more revisions on CAST IRON MURDER. I only have some scoring sheets to do for coverage, but I hope some more will come in later on, and then I’ll deal with that. Tomorrow’s tightly packed, and Friday I have something in the afternoon, so today would be a good day to get a lot done.
If the weather’s not awful this afternoon (and it might be), I will head over to tarot circle, and then there’s another cooking class with Jeremy this evening. I also need to do a library run.
Tessa has already fished out a wadded up sheet of paper from the garbage and is playing hockey with it and talking to it. It is going to be a DAY with the cats, I can tell. The scout crows came to visit, too, during my first cup of coffee.
Have a good one!
November 7, 2023
Tues. Nov. 7, 2023: The Siren Song of Words
image courtesy of 2211438 via pixabay.comTuesday, November 7, 2023
Waning Moon
Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and cool
We’re down to four retrogrades! We’re getting there. Some of the pressure is easing up.
Today’s serial episode is from Legerdemain:
Episode 135: Jed Smythe Confronts Sebastian Tiago
Jed faces the man who kidnapped him and took over his identity, with a surprising twist.
Friday, I drafted a new episode of Legerdemain, and a new episode of LIGHTHOUSE LADY. I only managed about a page and a half of the radio play, but it’s a page and a half more than I had before. I’ll take it.
I did a curbside pickup of a few things, then swung by the library for a drop-off/pick up, and swung by the post office to mail a couple of bills.
The afternoon was mostly caught up in script coverage.
Saturday, I wrote, edited, polished a Process Muse, but gave myself the rest of the day off from writing. I did, however, do all the graphics and episode videos for the three serials, and get those up. I did home and hearth stuff, everything from the usual Saturday chores like changing the beds to the more unusual, like putting away all the Samhain decorations, finishing switching out the curtains to winter curtains, etc. I put up Christmas lights early in the kitchen because we missed having lights up.
We went to City Hall to participate in early voting. Everyone there was so nice, and it was an easy process. I will, however, apply for a mail-in ballot for the Presidential elections next year. Then it was a quick trip up Main Street to the library to drop off/pick up books.
I read in the afternoon, a book that came highly recommended that I enjoyed, but it pushed the suspension of disbelief a little too far sometimes. A book I ordered arrived in the mail. I have a lot of this author’s books, although most are in storage. I don’t have this one, so I looked forward to it. I found a lot in that book that I had been handed, years ago, as part of a project, typewritten – but without attribution. Which makes me wonder about the people who handed it off to me, and whether it was done in good faith or not.
I had a weird opening scene for an urban fantasy romance drop into my head, so I let that simmer.
I put the clocks back before I went to bed – including the coffeemaker.
I love “falling back.” I love that extra hour. It energizes me for a week or so, whereas “springing forward” disorients me for weeks.
Dreamed about a toxic individual who is no longer in my life and no longer welcome. I want to cut that subconscious tie as well as the conscious one.
Up early on Sunday morning, savoring it. Did a big grocery shop early in the morning, replenishing staples for the month, and getting in what I want/need to try some new recipes this week. I couldn’t find everything I wanted/needed, so I made a mental note to stop at a different store on the way back from the Clark.
Wrote up some notes for the weird urban fantasy romance and it wasn’t working. Too many holes in it. Wondering if writing the first sequence will clarify it, or if the whole thing is a lost cause. It’s a shame if it is, because I really like the two characters.
Our last issue of the YANKEE magazine subscription arrived. We’re not renewing. I’m tired of it promoting the fantasy that the only people in New England are wealthy white people. New England is more diverse than that (even though there are pockets who pretend otherwise), and promoting this fantasy I find uncomfortable and exclusive in a way where I don’t want to put my money there. I mean, I grew up on YANKEE magazine, but it hasn’t evolved with the reality of life in this region. And I don’t like too many of the fantasy elements it promotes.
Headed out the door to the Clark. There was an author talk by author Christine Coulson, who was a writer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 25 years, and is now a novelist. One of the things she did was write the labels in the museum, and that inspired her newest book, ONE WOMAN SHOW. Her process was fascinating, and how she used the form to create something new even more so.
I bought a copy of the book for myself, and a copy as a Yule gift for a friend, and Christine inscribed both. The book is meant to be read in one sitting; I’m looking forward to it.
The computer system was down at the event; I felt so badly for the young staff member trying to make it work, when there was a long line of people getting impatient. I did have the chance to chat with the museum director while it got sorted out; he’s such an interesting person, and it’s always nice to have a minute to talk to him.
The reflecting pool has been drained for the winter. I don’t know why that surprised me; it’s not as though I expected them to ice skate or something all winter.
Stopped at Stop & Shop to pick up a few things I hadn’t been able to get at Big Y.
Gave myself the rest of the day off, again, other than writing a book review that was due. This again, reinforces that not doing Nano this year was the right choice. I’d have been frantic about falling behind, taking time off so early in the process. But I’m a little tired of the 3-5 emails from Nano every day.
I read a book in a series where I enjoy the writing and most of the character work, but the protagonist makes the SAME major mistake in every book that nearly costs her her life, and by this point in the game, she should have learned. I’m still going to read the last book in the series, but I’m getting a little frustrated with her.
Made a fish stew in the Dutch oven for dinner. It turned out well. A new recipe that I will keep. “They” always talk about the importance of a series of go-to recipes. Usually they mean 7-10. I have about 60 at this point. At least it keeps mealtimes fresh and interesting.
Slept well, but with weird dreams of a story I need to make notes on. Not sure if it will add up to anything – the urban fantasy romance I had ideas for plays well in my head, but is not going well in the notes. Maybe this will be better. It was a dream about dreamwalkers. And no, I will NOT open it within a dream. I loathe that overused trope, and it’s so rarely used well.
Up at a normal time Monday. Did some writing in longhand. Did some reading. Had a slow start. But was at the desk before 9. Later than usual, but still fine.
Typed up some notes for ideas, but not sure they will go anywhere. But at least I have the notes. One is kind of a silly, funny mix between mystery, romance, and a few paranormal elements, but I don’t know.
Got out a grant proposal that was more complicated than I expected, and I was more personal in the materials than I expected. But, nothing ventured, and all that.
Signed up for a series of Assets 4 Artists workshops over the next month or so.
Backed up some things from a flash drive onto my external drive, but it seems to have messed up with flash drive’s position in the main computer.
Turned around four short coverages and three score sheets.
Edited three chapters of CAST IRON MURDER (nearly 7K). A lot of tightening, choosing better words, etc. I’ve cut nearly a page, total, just with tightening sentences and structure. Makes it a better book. I’m hoping this will be the submission-ready draft, and that I can start querying it in January.
Made roast chicken for dinner, which was yummy, along with mashed potatoes and spinach. Roasting a chicken also means making chicken stock, so I have that for the slow-cooker cassoulet I’m trying later this week.
Got my next book for review. Got a quick turnaround script that I have to start this morning (I usually do coverage in the afternoon). But it’s a big coverage for a nice chunk of change, so I’m adjusting my schedule. The final curated Goddess Provisions box arrived. Five years of monthly boxes was a good run. I enjoyed them.
Yesterday’s Word Counts:
New Material: 2034
Edited Material: 6895
Slept well, up early this morning. Wrote a little over 1400 words, the first chapter, of the weird little cross genre piece. I’ve set it amongst some fictional villages of my beloved Northumbria. We’ll see where it goes, if it goes anywhere. It felt very Nano-ey to do it, although it was under the necessary word count. But it’s as though my body and brain are so used to generating new material in November (rather than working on in-process material) that it happens almost spontaneously.
I have to draft a Legerdemain episode this morning, before I start the script coverage. I don’t want to fall behind on that again. Once I’ve done the coverage, and two smaller ones, I hope to get back to CAST IRON MURDER. I also have a flash fiction I need to play with this week, because if it’s going out, it needs to go out this weekend. As does the poem, which needs to go out the door this weekend, too.
In other words, I better get back to the page!
November 6, 2023
Mon. Nov. 6, 2023: Intent for the Week: Enjoy the Work
image courtesy of Mohamed Hassan via pixabay.comI have a lot of different projects that need attention this week.
Instead of worrying about getting them done, I am going to enjoy working on each.
That shift in attitude will remind me that I do this work because I love it.
What’s your intent for the week?
November 3, 2023
Fri. Nov. 3, 2023: Shifting into Hermit Mode
image courtesy of Noel Powell via pixabay.comFriday, November 3, 2023
Waning Moon
Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Cloudy and cold
Today’s serial episode is from ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 82: Demon Energy
Brian instructs the demon; now Gaston casts a spell to clean up the mess.
Tomorrow’s serial episode is from DEADLY DRAMATICS:
Episode 32: Gunshot Wound
Nina goes to the office on a weekend to pick up an address, but finds a co-worker bleeding out on the floor.
Charlotte was delighted to participate in the Zoom meditation yesterday morning. She loves Zoom.
I rewrote “Artifact.” It’s closer to where I want it to be. Not quite there yet, but closer.
I edited, polished, uploaded, and scheduled four more episodes of Legerdemain. I wrote another episode of LIGHTHOUSE LADY. I switched out the spiderweb curtains with the red winter curtains, and switched the door wreaths. I did one medium and two small coverages.
Although I’m not doing Nano this year, I am keeping a tally of how much writing and editing I do on a typical day. I have a separate category for script coverage and other client work, but the main focus is on my own work. Yesterday’s tally was 2143 words of new material and 4429 words of edited material. When I start the edits for CAST IRON MURDER, the edit numbers will go up, depending on how many chapters I can get done per day. I’d like to get 3/day done, but there may be days when I can only get one.
I did some reading; I really need to finish the book for review.
I had a double session of yoga last night. The first session was a lower back clinic, which was challenging, but good. Then, gentle yoga, which is always a joy.
Came home, heated up some leftovers, did the night’s ceremony of the dead.
Today is kind of cloudy. I plan to write, work on a grant application, work on the two poems, and do a library run. I’ve got plenty of script coverages, too. Tomorrow, we head out to early voting. Sunday the clocks go back – I love having the extra hour. I’m trying to decide if I want to attend an author talk at the Clark that day or not. I haven’t been to the Clark for a bit, and I’m slacking off on that project, so I probably should.
I wasn’t able to attend open studios as MASSMoCA or their Day of the Dead ceremony, due to the yoga commitment, and I think I will skip First Friday tonight, too. I’m feeling the need to be a hermit.
An acquaintance of mine mentioned, the other day, that she is celebrating “No-vember” where she’s saying “no” to just about everything, and refilling her energy wells for the holiday season. While we need to say “yes” to many things to expand our experiences and creativity, there are also times to say “no” and pull in. No-vember seems like a good time to do that, at least until Thanksgiving!
Saturn goes direct tomorrow, so it’ll stop slapping us around with life lessons for a few months –provided we put into practice what we learned while it was retrograde!
Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch you on the other side!
November 2, 2023
Thurs. Nov. 2, 2023: Snow and Hail
image courtesy of Hans via pixabay.comThursday, November 2, 2023
Waning Moon
Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Cloudy and cold
The latest on the garden is over at Gratitude and Growth.
Today’s serial episode is from Legerdemain:
Episode 134: Types of Information
When information doesn’t add up, someone somewhere is lying.
I had trouble getting my act together yesterday. On top of dithering as to whether or not I wanted to be out and about. I really didn’t, but I felt I should. But I really didn’t.
I drafted a new episode of Legerdemain. I finished the half episode of LIGHTHOUSE LADY I’d started. I did some admin. I looked at a grant application I will fill out later this week and get out the door.
I drafted a new poem, based on a submission call that someone tagged me in over on Bluesky. I had to make some cuts and move some enjambments to fit the line count. It still needs work, but I’m telling the story I wanted to tell, and I’m telling it in this form. The theme completely triggered the poem to just drop into my head, which is kind of cool.
I worked a bit on “Artifact” (which will get a new title). I want to break the stanzas up a little differently. It’s the perfect subject for a cleave poem, but I don’t know if I can rearrange it as such in time. Yes, Jessica Dubey, now that you’ve taught me about cleave poems, I am obsessed!
Although I’m not doing NaNoWriMo this year, I am keeping a word count tally for the month, just out of curiosity. I’m pretty sure I write more than 50K in any given month, although it tends to be spread out amongst projects. I’m curious as to see how it breaks down, just for my own knowledge. I realized, this morning, that I should include the blog wordcounts in there, too.
I hope those who are doing NaNo have a wonderful experience.
I wrote another two pages of the radio play. It keeps surprising me, which is a good thing, but it will need some restructuring in the revision.
I jettisoned the plans to go to the midday concert at Williams College and then to the Clark, because of the weather. I was in no mood to go tromping around from parking lots to buildings to whatever.
I should have done some script coverage, but I’d blocked off the day’s schedule without it. I did some tidying up in my room and some admin work. I finished reading Larry McMurtry’s memoir BOOKS (I’m pretty sure it’s a re-read, and I have a copy in my storage unit) and started reading his memoir LITERARY LIFE.
I counted out the cards on the tarot deck I wanted to take to tarot circle, to make sure they were all there. The cards are not in a bag or a box, and they tend to wander, and turn up in strange places (It’s THE WITCHES TAROT by Ellen Cannon Reed and Martin Cannon. I’ve had it for ages and really like it).
Off I went to Wild Soul River. The weather had let up; in fact, there was sun peeking out. I’d left a little early to mail the rent at the post office (and catch up on the news). I was still early to tarot, and wandered around, buying a small cat figure made out of obsidian, a necklace from Uganda, and a labradorite palm stone, which was determined to come home with me.
We were a small group for the circle, but had a great time. Of course, the card we were working with today was not in my deck. So I borrowed a TAROT OF THE OLD PATH deck (I have a duplicate) and worked with that instead.
While we were in circle, a hailstorm came up. Cailleach, the winter crone, made her presence known!
Driving home was a bit of a challenge, but I got home, heated up leftovers, and then settled in with Jeremy Rock Smith for cooking class. The cooking trip to Greece was wonderful, and they hope to make it an annual event. I hope I can join them one year. We talked pots, pans, and kitchen essentials. My kitchen is pretty well stocked. There are just one or two things to add, like a salad spinner, a spider, and maybe a Swiss peeler (although I think we have one somewhere, and didn’t know what it was).
Read a bit at night.
Did the night’s ceremony for the dead.
Overslept a bit, and having a slow start this morning. Meditation, then I have to focus on work all day, including drafting some new material and getting up the next Legerdemain episodes. I also have script coverage work, and a double yoga session tonight.
Be well, and have a lovely day!
November 1, 2023
Wed. Nov. 1, 2023: First Snowfall of the Season
image courtesy of Sabine Kroschel via pixabay.comWednesday, November 1, 2023
Waning Moon
Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Snowy and cold
Day of the Dead
Did you have a lovely Samhain/Halloween? I hope so.
Yes, it is snowing here this morning, our first snow of the season.
Over on The Process Muse today, we talk about tie-ins and spin-offs. You can read it here.
Today, we have two serial episodes going live.
The first is from ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 81: Brian’s Dad Causes Trouble
Brian confronts his abusive father. Then the demon appears.
The second is from DEADLY DRAMATICS:
Episode 31: Alisa’s Confession
Nina’s been taking the heat for being on-scene right after Roger’s murder, but she wasn’t the first one there.
I did a full draft of the poem for the 6th, around the topic of “Artifact.” Wow, did it take a different direction than I expected. The original intent was for it to be along the more comic lines of an older Lucy Debussy-type character, like the piece I started working on in the MASSMoCA residency. But the poem had different ideas, and it’s about what we seek and what we need.
It’s short, which is what I wanted, although I will expand this draft with more sensory details and sonics. Although I have a three-minute slot, I want it to be under two minutes.
At least I have, finally, a full draft on which to work.
Played with a flash fiction piece that will need to go out in a couple of weeks, if I can make it work.
I’ve been invited back to the contest as a judge, and I hope I can retain my three categories.
I sent out a couple of LOIs, I submitted a few plays. I did a bunch of admin. I did some script coverage work. The Chewy order (cat food) I’d put in on Monday arrived.
I baked an orange hazelnut chocolate poundcake, from a Moosewood recipe. It’s a little underbaked in the middle (it was supposed to go in a bundt pan and I used a springform), but it’s still really good.
No kids came trick or treating last night. Zero. No one had their porch lights on. The street was dark, so kids skipped it. And here I was, worried we’d run out of treats.
I guess we’ll have some chocolate to eat.
Did a simple ritual and the tarot reading for the coming year. I use two decks for this one. One for the “action” for the month, one for the surrounding “energy” for the month (which then means those two decks are out of commission for other readings for the year). This year, I used the Book of Shadows set of double decks that I got a few months ago. I had trouble connecting with these decks at first. The book claims the interpretations are by Barbara Moore (which is why I bought the set, I like her work), but the decks and the companion book are such chaos I am skeptical about their actual origins. What I did, instead, was disconnect from the book and work with the decks independently, just shuffling them and setting out cards without a particular reading in mind over a period of days in preparation. That worked.
When I did the actual reading, it made sense. The overall sense of the reading was that there’s a lot of potential to build on the foundation I set this year, but I need to step up and manifest it. Which makes sense. Exciting and scary all at once.
Overslept this morning, and the cats were not amused. Woke up to snow. Yes, it is snowing. Winter shutdown/isolation has commenced.
I had all kinds of plans for today, but I might have to trim it back to mailing the rent and going to tarot circle. I’ll play it by ear. There’s a weather alert on, so it’s probably not a good idea to go galloping around, especially with the street parking bans enforced (and it’s never clear when they’re enforcing just the overnight portion and when it’s the full ban).
Back to the page today. I want to work on the poem and maybe the flash fiction. I need to draft more on Legerdemain and Lighthouse Lady. If I keep to my original plans, I have to be out of the house by 11:30 this morning; if I cancel them, I’ll just keep working until I have to leave for tarot.
Tonight we have our Day of the Dead ceremony.
Have a good one.
October 31, 2023
Tues. Oct. 31, 2023: Blessed Samhain
image courtesy of bess.hamiti via pixabay.comTuesday, October 31, 2023
Waning Moon
Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Samhain/Halloween
Icy and cold
Did you have a good weekend? Are you excited about tonight?
Today’s serial episode is from Legerdemain:
Episode 133: Naoya’s Cover
The central premise of the undercover operation sets off a set of new complications.
Friday morning, I drafted a new episode of Legerdemain. I had to spend some admin time with the serial. The binder is full. I can’t fit all of the second arc into the binder, so I started a new binder with Episode 105 (even though it’s part of the second arc). Episode 105 starts the second year of the serial’s run, so it makes sense.
Wrote 3 more pages on the radio play.
Revised, polished, uploaded, scheduled 4 more episodes of ANGEL HUNT. Getting there! These episodes need a lot more editing, though.
Did the episode videos for next week for all the serials, uploaded, and scheduled them.
Did a run to the library, the post office, and the bank.
Revised, uploaded, polished, and scheduled four more episodes of ANGEL HUNT. Then four more, for a total of 12 for the day. We’re in the home stretch, and this has to work as all of a piece, so it makes sense. I did the paperwork, but not the loglines.
That left four more episodes (which I wanted to break down into six, if I could figure out how without padding them) to complete season one.
Tired by the end of the day. Fish and chips for dinner, read in the evening.
One thing about the booster, I’m sleeping better. I’ll take it.
Up at a regular time on Saturday, trying not to let the eclipse energy throw me off, and thinking about how to rework the ending of ANGEL HUNT so I’m not supporting an unhealthy trope, but still doing justice to the choices the characters made. I reworked those final four episodes into 6 (because of the 2x/week episode drops, I need to end on an even-numbered episode). The final episode count rests at 146 now, which works. I’m letting them sit for a couple of days, and then doing a few more passes on them, to make sure they are where I want/need them before I do the final polish/upload/schedule. I found another note, and I have to see if I need to incorporate it into one of those episodes to wrap things up properly.
Overall, I feel good about ANGEL HUNT. I told the story I wanted to tell. But with so many books I read having unsatisfying endings, I want to write a satisfying one, for both me and for the readers, that also drives them to Season 2, THE LIGHTHOUSE LADY.
I sat down and wrote an 8-page outline for LIGHTHOUSE LADY. I will do some more tweaks as I work, but it sits well as a self-contained story, while also furthering the overall series arc for the Angel Hunt series.
I started notes for the third season, CHRONOS AND THE WITCH, because there were things that came up in LIGHTHOUSE LADY that I want to make sure are followed through, even though there’s a time gap.
I turned around a script coverage, for which I’d been requested.
Did the regular Saturday household chores. Put together the treat bags for trick or treaters. I hope we have enough.
I made an apple and chicken dish with cider sauce in my new, big pan. Love the pan. Love the recipe. It turned out well.
A book I ordered arrived, and I read it. It’s lovely, and exactly what I want right now.
Slept well, woke up feeling good and like myself for the first time in a long time. Enjoy it while it lasts, right?
Sunday was my mom’s 99th birthday. Although it rained all day, it was still a celebratory day. I baked her favorite biscuits for breakfast (American ones, not British ones). We had a quiet, calm, cozy day. I gave myself the day off from writing, although I noodled in longhand on the poem for the 6th, and made some changes on the LIGHTHOUSE LADY outline. And then, of course, sat down and drafted an episode of LIGHTHOUSE LADY, because of course I did. But it’s working.
A script coverage came in unexpectedly. I said yes, thinking it had a 3-day turnaround time, then looked and it was 3 HOURS. Cracked on at it, and got it done. Some scoring sheets landed in my inbox for Monday.
My mother had asked for a specific meal for her birthday, and I prepared it. It was good, but not great. Again, when something didn’t read right in the recipe, I should have gone with my own experience. But it was okay, albeit not brilliant. And she overall had a good day.
I stayed up far too late reading Ted Chapin’s book EVERYTHING WAS POSSIBLE about the creation of the original Broadway production of FOLLIES. I worked on the revival at the Belasco in 2001 which was, shall we say, challenging (although there were some wonderful people involved), so I was curious to read about the way it came together initially.
Slept well, up later than usual (nearly 7), and got a sort of late start. It rained all day Sunday and was still raining into Monday.
Monday was the 20th Anniversary of the Broadway production of WICKED. I was lucky enough to attend its opening night (and the party after, at Tavern on the Green). I was working on a show that opened the night before, SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, starring Polly Bergen and Mark Hamill, and we had the opening night of WICKED off (and most of us went to see WICKED). I loved the show.
SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS closed after about six weeks, and I became a swing dresser on WICKED. That means I learned different tracks and subbed when a dresser was out. I wound up being a swing on WICKED for the first 3 ½ years of the run. Physically, it’s a huge challenge – the quick changes are just that – quick. The costumes are heavy (some of them weigh 40 pounds), none of them fasten the same way, and you’re working these changes on a raked stage. And those flying monkeys and their wings! I still have my monkey pliers and use them for many things. But I’m glad I did it, and was a minor part of the show’s history, and that the show is part of my history.
I drafted an episode of Legerdemain. I drafted an episode and a half of LIGHTHOUSE LADY. I reworked the last six episodes of ANGEL HUNT. There’s one that still isn’t doing what I need it to do, so I will keep working on it until it does.
I did a library run to drop off/pick up books, and picked up coffee and bread at the store. Forgot to get a pomegranate.
Did a stack of score sheets and a script coverage in the afternoon. Some more came in for today, and for tomorrow, which is a decent start to November. Did a bunch of admin. Worked on the poem, which needs more attention, because it has to be in read-ready shape by next Monday.
The tarot deck I won a few weeks ago arrived. It’s called THE TAROT OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS. The minor arcana is set in National Parks (the sun card is in Acadia Park). The minor arcana is very different, too. It’s all built around camping and the outdoors, so the meanings are different than the traditional Rider-Waite-Coleman. I’m looking forward to working with it.
Up early this morning, and out the door to the laundromat. We had our first frost last night, and I had to scrape the car. By the time I came out of the laundromat, it needed to be scraped down again. There’s a rumor we might have some snow flurries later today.
I’m looking forward to a lovely Samhain. I’m going to write in the morning, do script coverage in the afternoon, make a lovely meal tonight, and then get going on the rituals for the week. I’m ready for a new and positive cycle.
Have a wonderful one, and we’ll catch up tomorrow.
October 30, 2023
Mon. Oct. 30, 2023: Honor the Ancestors
imag courtesy of Юлия Пашкевич via pixabay.comThis week, we honor our ancestors, those of blood and those of inspiration. We mourn lost pets, we grieve and work for those who have died with no one to mourn for them.
There’s a page about Tending the Dead on my Cerridwen’s Cottage website, if you’re curious. It’s a busy, sacred week for me.
What is your intent for this week?
October 27, 2023
Friday, October 27, 2023: Preparations
image courtesy of Andreas Lischka via pixabay.comFriday, October 27, 2023
First Day of Full Moon
Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Cloudy and cool
I’m finally sort of feeling human again. Not 100%, but more functional.
Tomorrow is the full moon AND a lunar eclipse – just a few days before Samhain!
Today’s serial episode is from ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 80: Scrying with Gaston
Lianna and Gaston search for the demon through a crystal ball.
Tomorrow’s serial episode is from DEADLY DRAMATICS:
Episode 30: Club Night
Nina goes out dancing with some friends and finds out some interesting information that doesn’t add up.
A lot of yesterday morning was spent in tense waiting, due to the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. The extended family doesn’t live too far away, and some of them often hang out at that bowling alley.
After 9/11, a system was put in place as far as who contacts whom after a disaster, so everyone isn’t clogging up each other’s lines. So we had to wait for the system to work, and then checked in with the person we usually check in with/report to. Everyone was okay, alive, unhurt, but also locked down, even though they were 30-ish miles away. Since this guy is in the wind, and has the skills and resources to stay that way for a while, while committing more guerilla attacks, people are worried.
It’s the guns.
The lack of political will to do anything about it is unacceptable.
Meditation was built around coping with the shooting. Which is all well and good, but metta isn’t going to get guns off the streets. It makes people feeling helpless feel temporarily better, but then there has to be more action on the part of those people to solve the problems, instead of them retreating into these various practices in avoidance.
Drafted an episode of Legerdemain. Uploaded and scheduled two episodes. I was going to upload four, but I did two, and I will do two more this weekend, because they need some more work. I’m trying to get a few weeks ahead, and it’s certainly easier when I’m building a stockpile of episodes. Did the paperwork around the episodes.
Did a grocery run. I needed coffee anyway, so I got in the groceries for my mom’s 99th birthday weekend, and picked up her cake (there is no way that cake won’t be started before Sunday). It’s cheesecake, her favorite.
Home, feeling like I’d been rolled over by one of the large construction trucks.
Four more episodes of ANGEL HUNT revised (and there was a good bit of revision), polished, uploaded, and scheduled, and that paperwork. I have about 16 more episodes to get up, provided I don’t split any more of them. We’re in the home stretch. I’m scheduled to mid-April right now, so I figure the serial will complete its season sometime in June. Or July, if I split more episodes. That gives me the loose framework for when LIGHTHOUSE LADY has to be ready to upload (May).
Played with ideas for the poem. Played with ideas for the radio play. The most pressing need for the radio play is to find a new title. I will work on both this weekend.
My friend Deborah’s book arrived in the afternoon. It was so lovely on the porch that I spent a few hours sitting out there, reading. Enjoy the porch while we can, right?
I got an email from someone looking for a steamy romance writer for her “client.” She wants to “jump on the phone.” Um, no. FIRST, you will answer, IN WRITING, questions about the parameters, the turnaround time, and, more importantly, the PAY. I’m not wasting my time on the phone if it’s one of those 15K/week for pennies gigs. So I will send her a pleasant email with my list of questions this morning.
Yoga was excellent. I’m glad I hauled my butt out of the house to the studio.
I have a couple of scoring sheets to turn around this afternoon, and I hope that some coverages will come in. I need to work on Legerdemain, Angel Hunt, the poem, and the radio play today and over the weekend. Maybe get a solid outline for THE LIGHTHOUSE LADY done in there, too. I also have to read the book for review, and get that review out early next week. I need to look at the requirements for a grant proposal so I can get to work writing it up. I’d like to get started on the next draft of CAST IRON MURDER, but that might have to wait until next week.
There’s also putting the treat bags together for the trick or treaters (I remembered to pick up candy yesterday), celebrating the full moon, celebrating my mom’s 99th birthday. I have a couple more decorations to set out, and then I’ll run the lights up the stair rail.
Have a great weekend, and a great Halloween/Samhain, and I’ll catch you on the other side!
October 26, 2023
Thurs. Oct. 26, 2023: Easing Back In
image courtesy of Madison via pixabay.comThursday, October 26, 2023
Waxing Moon
Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Cloudy and warmer
The latest on the garden is over on Gratitude and Growth.
Today’s serial episode is from Legerdemain:
Episode 132: Setting the Trap
Details matter. So does protecting one’s undercover operatives.
Yesterday was kind of up, down, and all over the place.
Pebble is shutting down. They are one of the social media networks that sprang up after Twitter fell apart. They started as T2 and recently changed their name to Pebble. Everyone I met was perfectly nice, there just weren’t many artists or much engagement, and I kept forgetting about them. I had decided, a few weeks ago, to stop using them. I received an email that they will shut down as of November 1. I wish them well.
I prepped and uploaded next week’s Process Muse. I drafted a new episode of Legerdemain. I went over all the notes I got from the residency and Nightwood on the radio play and did a revision of the pages I had, and wrote about 2 ½ new ones. It was kind of slow going. I need to get back into it a little more. I hope working on it every day until the draft is done will help.
I’m chatting with one of my Nightwood colleagues almost every day, which is fun. We’re getting to know each other as people now, not just talking about the work and only the work.
I polished/uploaded/scheduled the next four episodes of ANGEL HUNT. I did the social media rounds to promote The Process Muse, ANGEL HUNT, DEADLY DRAMATICS, and THE SPIRIT REPOSITORY. I looked at a bunch of submission guidelines; I don’t have anything suitable right now, so I’ll pass.
I had a bunch of ZOOM calls. One potential client started yammering on about “daily meetings.” Uh, no. When I said that wouldn’t work in my schedule (this is a FREELANCE, remote position, one of several to be juggled in a regular work week) and he asked why, I was very straightforward: Work gets done in spite of meetings, not because of them. A “daily meeting” wastes time, drains energy, and prevents the actual work from getting done. I’m willing to have an initial meeting and, on long projects, a mid-point meeting, and maybe a debrief at the end of the project, but not a “daily meeting.” Either you want me to do the work, or you want to have a meeting. A “daily meeting” with all the freelancers to “check in” whether or not they’re on a project is not going to work for me.
In other words, we are not the right fit. Next.
Turned around one medium and two short coverages.
The journal books and the holiday cards arrived from Peter Pauper Press. They are gorgeous! Even prettier than they looked online. Overseas cards have to go out the Monday before Thanksgiving, so we need to sit down and write them pretty soon. The rest of the cards need to go out the first or second week of December, so we have to block off time to write those, too. Some years, we sit down and write them all in a go; other years, it’s over a few days.
I didn’t feel well enough to go to tarot, although I am feeling a bit better. Getting back into the home yoga practice helps. Although I tried doing one of the regular evening practices I used to do, and it felt wrong. I need something else at this point, so I will look at some other sequences and try them. Had a really good evening meditation session, too.
Read DAYS AT THE MORISAKI BOOKSHOP by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa, and it was lovely. It’s a short book, but beautiful.
Slept well, up at the right time this morning, everyone was happy to be fed on time. Did some longhand writing, and some percolating on a few things.
I have meditation this morning. I need to polish/upload/schedule some more Legerdemain episodes, and draft a new one. I need to work on the radio play. I want to polish/upload/schedule another four episodes of ANGEL HUNT. I have to go to the grocery store – I’d hoped to wait until tomorrow, but I need coffee, so I might as well do everything else and pick up my mom’s birthday cake. She also asked for a specific meal for her birthday (her 99th) on Sunday, so I’m making that.
I’d like to work on the poem, find the Coventina Circle file, ponder the outline for the rest of THE BARD’S LAMENT, and the full outline for THE LIGHTHOUSE LADY. I’m looking at the full arc of the Angel Hunt series, and seeing how much of the full arc needs to be covered in this book for it to make sense within the bigger whole.
There are, of course, too many calls, and I need to get some more pitches/LOIs out, since I doubt this week’s conversations will bear much fruit.
I need to remember to pick up the candy I need for the trick or treaters, so I can put together the bags. I’m usually more on top of things than this. I’m not feeling it this year. I considered keeping the lights off and not hosting trick or treaters, but with the houses next door so fully decorated, maybe we’ll have more kids this year, and we always answer the door. We are the only ones in the building who do.
I think I feel well enough to go to yoga tonight; it’s gentle yoga, so as long as I can drive there and back, I should be fine.
It was clear when I woke up (I could see the stars), but it’s clouded over now.
Have a good one, my friends
