Devon Ellington's Blog, page 77

Fri. Nov. 4, 2022: Prepping For a Pretty Weekend

(image courtesy of David Mark via pixabay.com)

Friday, November 4, 2022

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus, Mars Retrograde

Cloudy and mild

Yesterday felt kind of all over the place. No one came to look at the weird ceiling stain, but it stopped growing and doesn’t look wet. Fingers crossed.

Meditation was good, although I had a hard time settling.

I got some work done, did the social media rounds, especially to promote the next episode of Legerdemain. Someone on Twitter mentioned how they’re grieving the loss of Twitter, which is definitely something I feel. It’s the best platform for crossing paths with people from all walks of life and varying interests. The other platforms are too narrow.

I took myself off WT. Social. I’m trying to delete the account, but at least it’s deactivated. The misogynistic comments were appalling, and the dudes boasting about how they “rewrite” posts that were “badly written” infuriating. First of all, they don’t have the right to “rewrite” someone else’s work. Second, those doing the rewrites weren’t all that, and certainly didn’t make anything better. Even though I had my posts set to where they couldn’t be rewritten, it made me mad. That was the reason for at least some of the misogyny directed toward me. All, I might add, by bros who don’t do this for a living, like I do.

Nope. Gone.

The Cohost approval came through, so I’ll poke around there. Tribel is getting easier to navigate. Because it’s all about the metrics, that may be a good platform to promote my work. Counter Social ran into some issues, but fixed them fast, and I still really like them best for deep conversation. Lilith St. Crow mentioned Pillowfort, which I’d never heard of. I took a look, but I think it’s geared to much younger dynamic.

My work has to be out across as many platforms as possible so people can find it.

I had to run some errands: library, liquor store, pick up a tension rod for the fleece panel I’m making for the back door.

Staples sent me a coupon for $20 off that I had to use by today. I went to order more 3-hole punch paper. Not only did it refuse the coupon, it added a carrier fee of $12.95. I tried to change it to store pickup, but, as usual, it’s not available in Pittsfield, and I’d have to drive to ANOTHER STATE. No. I shouldn’t have to pay a “carrier fee” because the nearest store NEVER has ANYTHING I need. That’s not my fault. And Staples calling us rural? That’s why they add the carrier fee, because we’re listed as “rural.” We’re a fucking CITY, not some little town with one stoplight.

I pitched a fit on Twitter. I actually got a customer service person who fixed it, instead of like last time, when I contacted CS directly and they just said there was “nothing they could do.” This rep applied the coupon and took off the fee.

So I’m getting another case of paper. Which is good, because I’m down to my last three reams.

Turned around two scripts. Was too tired to do much reading after dinner.

Rituals were strong, but also exhausting.

Up just before 5 this morning, and at the desk by six. Wrote the fourth chapter of THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH, which came in at 2223 words, and the first time it felt really good. Doug, Rita’s youngest son, is a lot of fun, and a bit of a troublemaker. I’ve set the foundation to make him a suspect in the murder, which, when he confronts the murder victim in the next chapter, will be strengthened.

I was worried I couldn’t make Nano work anymore. Usually, I’m quick out of the gate and don’t stumble until the second week. This time, I stumbled early on, so we’ll see how it progresses.

Today, I have to concentrate on work: more Legerdemain, script coverage, hopefully more reading/comments on my friend’s manuscript. I also have to catch up on Substack reads. I’m behind reading/commenting on others’ work. The weekend is supposed to be beautiful. After the big grocery shop tomorrow, we’re going on a jaunt up into Vermont and upstate New York. On Sunday, we might go to the quilt shop to get the border and backing for the library quilt. The fabric is so gorgeous. It will make a lovely quilt.

I may talk about the details of that, reviving The Tactile Muse. Between the quilts I plan this winter, and the crocheting/yarn projects, it may be enough to get Tactile Muse up and running again, and use that website on Ravelry, instead of my others. I don’t want to get too fractured, but I also don’t want to pile everything into gigantically long posts here.

And let’s face it, I do a lot of stuff. Even when I’m battened down for the winter.

Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch you on the other side.

Thurs. Nov. 3, 2022: Weary

(Image courtesy of S.Hermann/F. Richter via pixabay.com)

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus, Mars Retrograde

Partly cloudy and warm

The latest on the garden is up over on Gratitude and Growth.

The Mars retrograde is kicking my ass, and it just started. I don’t even want to imagine what it will be like when it pairs with the Mercury Retrograde over New Year’s.

After I finished the Nano quota yesterday, and then made the social media rounds, I switched out the curtains and took down the Samhain ornaments.

Packing them took a while, since I also had script coverage, and all that climbing and untangling and all the rest took time.

Something about Nano that makes me tired is all those who only write once a year doing Nano thinking they know everything about writing and giving condescending pats on the head to those of us who MAKE OUR LIVING AT THIS ALL YEAR. Learn something about the person you’re talking to before you give “advice.”

If you missed Ink-Dipped Advice yesterday, I talk about the toxicity of “Team Player”, so hop over and read it.

Turned around 3 scripts in the afternoon. Packed up the decorations in the evening, and I have to hoist the boxes back onto the shelves today.

I’d accepted it was unlikely I’d work on Legerdemain yesterday, so at least I didn’t beat myself up about it.

A strange, murky-colored stain started to expand on the ceiling of my mother’s bedroom. Either something is leaking up in the attic, or something is bleeding up there. Either way, it needs to be dealt with. Since we don’t have access to the attic, I reported it to maintenance, who promised to check it out today.

As my friend Dewi Hargreaves said, it’s an intro to a story. Let’s hope it’s not a horror story!

The rituals for the dead continue. They take more of a toll this year than usual. I’m not sure if it’s because there are more dead due to COVID, or I’m older, or a combination. But this year, it’s difficult to sustain the rituals all week.

Weird dreams last night, and up early this morning.

Up early, and at the desk. Wrote Chapter 3 of THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH, 2624 words. The book wants to pace at around 1K/day, but that doesn’t work for Nano, so I’m pushing it into an unnatural pace, which will mean more time in revisions. I also need to create boards with visuals of the clothes and other details to have in front of me while I write (not on yet another screen – a real BOARD). The hat etiquette is slowing me down. It’s interesting, it’s fun, but it’s slowing me down.

Meditation this morning. After breakfast, I hope to get a little work done, and then I have a morning filled with errands. Not sure if I’ll get to work on Legerdemain, or how much work, because there are two more scripts that need attention this afternoon.

At least the weather should be gorgeous through the weekend.

The next episode of Legerdemain drops today. I hope you enjoy it!

Wed. Nov. 2, 2022: Let’s Skip It All and Have Pie

(image courtesy of Hansuan Fabregas via pixabay.com)

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus, Mars Retrograde

Sunny and warm

We’re supposed to have a stretch of unseasonably warm days the rest of this week, so I don’t have to worry about bringing the plants in. I am worried that it’s too warm to plant the bulbs, though.

While I was pleased with a quick-off-the-mark start to Nano yesterday, 2552 words on THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH, it was hard to get my head back in the game afterwards.

I slogged through some email. I did the rounds of social media to promote Episode 29 of Legerdemain. I’m back on Ello, which is good, since I have over 265K eyes on my work over there.

I dug in and managed another episode of Legerdemain, which actually went well, once I got going with it.

I started the 30 Days of Gratitude practice with my yoga studio.

The second half of “Won if By Sea” went up on Ko-Fi yesterday afternoon. I hope you enjoy it! If you didn’t want to read the first part without the second part going up, now both are up, and you can read them together.

I turned around two scripts. I signed up with Cohost and with WT. Social. I want to do a comparison/contrast of all these platforms over the next couple of months and then post my experiences and data, probably over on Ink-Dipped Advice in January. By then, I should have enough information. Even early on, it’s fascinating to see which things resonate on different platforms.

All of this social media kerflamma underlines the need for creatives and businesses to have their own WEBSITES, not just social media.

I was invited back to judge the book contest again that I’ve judged for the past few years. The pay is decent, and I enjoy the work, so I said yes.

Did my rituals last night. During these days of tending the dead, I am a cauldron for a lot of grief, and it’s exhausting. But necessary.

Today’s issue of THE PROCESS MUSE is about “Different Structures for Different Mediums.” If you’re not yet subscribed, you can click the link to read it. You can also subscribe (it’s free).

I was up early this morning, with the alarm, which I couldn’t figure out how to turn off. I think I will go back to a traditional alarm clock, and not my phone. Every time it updates, everything goes bonkers.

Out the door just before 6 to the laundromat, got everything done and back a little after 7. Got a few chapters of the multi-colored draft done on CAST IRON MURDER.

No one’s allowed to park on the street from Nov. 1 – March 31, so, at least the first few days of November, I try to keep my car in my spot as much as possible, so no one grabs it. People are pretty good, but there are always a few who don’t believe boundaries and space applies to them.

Wrote the second chapter of THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH, which came in at 1997 words. Less than yesterday, but better words, and I’m starting to feel the innate rhythm of this piece.

Unfortunately (?) I got an idea at the laundromat, when a couple of characters started yapping at me, so I will make some notes and make it clear that they MUST WAIT THEIR TURN. I have enough going on this month.

Today I have to start taking down the Samhain decorations, along with everything else that has to get done. That includes taking down all the spiderweb curtains, and putting up the red and gold paisley curtains that will be up until we put the lace panels back up in spring. It will take a few days to get everything down and put away, because I also have to get the writing and script coverage done.

But we should have some nice weather these next few days, and Tessa, in particular, will enjoy being out on the porch.

Have a good one!

Tues. Nov. 1, 2022: Pens Up for National Novel Writing Month

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus, Mars Retrograde

Day of the Dead

Cloudy and cool

Happy First Day of National Novel Writing Month! Whether you’re doing Traditional Nano (starting a new project today with the goal of 50K) or working on an ongoing project, I wish you joy in the process. You’ll learn a lot.

If you need help or support, give a shout over on the Nano site, and I’ll send you an invite to The Enchanted Wordsmiths group. Or download the free 30 TIPS FOR 30 DAYS booklet to help you navigate it.

The weekend was good. I did my errands on Friday, turned around two scripts, and was relieved to be done for the weekend.

I tried to order some fleece to create a curtain for the back door. Since the outer door is stuck open (and, even if it closed, the neighbors would keep leaving it open), we need something more than the draft block at the bottom. So I’m making a curtain out of fleece. The fleece we liked was from Joann’s, but when I tried to order it, it kept refusing to put the order in, telling me I was a bot (because I entered the site through Rakuten, to get the cash back). That’s Joann’s way of playing both sides against the middle – pretend they’re partnering with Rakuten, not allow the sale to go through, the customer goes through it without Rakuten and doesn’t get the cash back.

Nope.

I informed both Rakuten and Joann’s of the issue. And realized I had perfectly usable fleece I could measure, cut, and use. Rakuten and Joann responded politely, but not actually DOING any damn thing about it, and I informed them that I had sourced what I needed elsewhere. But Rakuten is going to have to deal with it, even if Joann thinks they’ve mastered a screw-the-customer workaround.

Bit the bullet and signed up for Tribel. Don’t like it so far. Too much about numbers and algorithms. I’m going to see if it boosts the numbers for any of my sales over the next few weeks; if not, I may delete the account. I signed up as a beta for BlueSky. We’ll see how that works. As much as I’d hate to lose the community I’ve built on Twitter, Yegads Muskrat is scum, and is going to do everything he can to destroy it, out of his own ego. I don’t want to be on a site filled with rightwing bots and trolls. I don’t know if I’ll delete the account, but I need to spend less time there (which is a good thing, anyway). I do have ads dropping through December, and I don’t want to lose those, so we’ll see. Multiple exit strategies are always a good idea.

Signed up for Ravelry, too, finally. I need to find some patterns for knitting and crocheting. I’m over there as MythKnots, with a different logo and everything. I’m trying to keep a little bit of separation there.

The neighborhood kids were being loud and rambunctious, so I went downstairs and made up, on the spot, a local horror story that scared the stuffing out of them. I forgot how annoying packs of boys heading into their teens can be.

Friday night, I read Deanna Raybourn’s newest, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, in one sitting. The book resonated with me on multiple levels.

Saturday was my mother’s 98th birthday. We had a quiet day, full of cheesecake and playing with the cats. I mean, I did the usual practical things, too, changing over the beds, housework, etc. Cleaned everything on my altar, too, and spiffed it up in preparation for the week’s rituals. If you’re curious about my rituals for Tending the Dead, which started last night, and run through most of the week, you can read about them here.

Tried catching up on NEW YORKER issues (I’ve got quite a stack now), and read CAST IN COURTLIGHT by Michelle Sagara. I like this series. We should all have someone in our lives who loves us as much as Severn loves Kaylin.

Noodled with ideas for LEGERDEMAIN and for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH.

Did a 20-minute meditation Saturday night before bedtime, and slept through the night.

Up early on Sunday. I wrote three episodes of LEGERDEMAIN, a little over 3K. And updated the Style Sheet and Series bible.

Yup, arc  two will NOT be done by Episode 60.

Mars went retrograde. It is already kicking my ass. It will be a long stretch until it goes direct in January.

In the afternoon, I read part of my friend’s book and made some notes on it, and will continue reading/commenting on it this week.

I also read Sarah Addison Allen’s newest, OTHER BIRDS, which was beautiful and sad. I’m a big fan of her work.

The meditation app on my phone is wonky. I thought, on Saturday night, that the 20 minutes seemed longer than usual. When I set it again, on Sunday, I was again getting achy and creaky. I can usually sit for 20 minutes without a problem. At first I thought it was because I hadn’t been sitting regularly that long. But as I started the meditation, the clock in the college clocktower chimed the hour. When I got creaky, I broke down and looked at the phone. It said I had 11 more minutes to go – but it was already 22 minutes past the hour. So I WASN’T just being decrepit, it was past 20 minutes. Urgh.

Slept well until 3:30, although I had a weird dream about Nic Cage at a party in Southport, CT with an injured back, and then Keith Olberman and I went into NYC to do something or other. Yeah, none of it made sense to me, either.

Monday was Samhain, a big holiday on my personal calendar, so I took most of it off. I did slog through emails (over 1000 had accumulated, and I got it down to under 300, which I will have to whack away at this week). I checked in with the Enchanted Wordsmiths group for tomorrow, and with Women Write Change, and invited the women from the marketing challenge over to WWC. The local Nano ML posted on the Nano site, thank goodness, about upcoming in-person sessions. Most of them are at Barnes & Noble in Pittsfield, but since I’m not doing anything indoors in-person right now, I won’t attend. But at least it’s posted on the Nano site, and not sending me to other sites.

I started a new book for my personal journal, too – the fifth journal book this year. I can’t believe I filled four other books already.

Wrote two episodes of LEGERDEMAIN and adapted two chapters of ANGEL HUNT into serial episodes (8 episodes). Wrote up and submitted a book review.

My mother got called for jury duty in Pittsfield. At 98, that’s ridiculous. So I will have to deal with that today. I signed up for my yoga studio’s 30 Days of Gratitude program and got a 5-class card. That is the one in-person thing I want to risk this winter; going to yoga semi-regularly. I also renewed AAA membership, even though their customer service sucks.

We had more kids trick or treating this year than we had last year, but still only about 20. One woman, whose toddler was in a dinosaur costume, wished me “Happy Easter” so that’s how her night was going. It was pretty funny.

Did my ritual work. Instead of doing one Very Long Ritual late at night, I broke it up into several smaller ones during the day and then at night. That way, I had energy for all the work. This whole week is filled with intense rituals. If you’re interested, as I said earlier, you can read about Tending the Dead over on the Cerridwen Iris Shea site.

Charlotte was impossible all night, and kept waking me up every few hours.

I got up just before six, and hit the computer as soon as the coffee was made and the cats fed, instead of what’s become my usual morning routine of writing by hand first.

I sat down and wrote the first chapter of THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH, which came in at 2552 words, which is where I usually like to be, early in the process. I wish I was happier with the actual words. But they exist, which means they can be fixed. I was slower than usual, because I had to keep stopping to look up details that couldn’t have placeholders, because I needed them to move forward. Writing a period piece for Nano was not my best choice. But here we are.

The region had a virtual write-in via Zoom from 6-8 AM, but no Zoom link, and I didn’t feel like digging around for it. The notice wasn’t sent out until last night. They’re doing a lot on Discord, too, but I don’t like Discord. It crashes my computer. Oh well, that’s that for the region, then.

This book is going to need A LOT of revision. But then, anything I write during Nano does.

Tomorrow morning’s session will be cattywampus because I have to go do laundry, and I can’t take my computer and write in the car. Not doing Nano longhand. I’ll either get up very early and do some before I go, or start everything late, and the whole day gets pushed back.

But that’s what’s good about a flexible schedule.

I do love my characters, though.

Today, I have to take care of a bunch of admin, work on LEGERDEMAIN, and then, this afternoon, script coverage. I may take a walk down to the post office late morning to give myself a break and mail the rent and some cards.

I have to get out of my world of 1957 and back into the world of LEGERDEMAIN.  Episode 29 releases today, and I hope you enjoy it.

The problem with getting up extra early to do the Nano quota is there’s a part of my psyche who feels I’m done for the day, when in reality, I just have to double my output of words for November to stay afloat.

Have a good one!

Mon. Oct. 31, 2022: Blessed Samhain

(image courtesy of Pexels.com)

This is a big holiday on my personal calendar, and I am taking the holiday.

Have a wonderful day, and a great start to your week!

Fri. Oct. 28, 2022: There Will Be Cake

(image courtesy of Leslie Eckert via pixabay.com)

Friday, October 28, 2022

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus Retrograde

Cloudy and cold

I spent yesterday morning working on the outline for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH. It took longer than I hoped, and the Writer’s Rough runs 11 pages. But I feel like I now have a viable book planned, and I can sit down and start writing next Tuesday.

I had to stop a few times and do some research. I had to research stoves in the late 1950’s in trailer homes to make sure my climactic sequence would work (yay, it does). One of the characters I’d layered into the piece to make the twists and turns work turns out to have quite the history. I also have some ideas for character arcs that can grow from here that I will note this morning, especially when it comes to the main subplot concerning my protagonist’s son.

I took care of some email (there’s still way too much in the Inbox), promoted the episode of LEGERDEMAIN which dropped, caught up partially on my Substack reading and responded to comments on my posts, and responses to comments I left on other posts (where appropriate).

I wrote a quick pitch for an article and sent it to an editor who’d put out a call on Twitter. Twitter used to be the place I found some of my highest-paid assignments, but that hasn’t been true for a bit.

Spent some time on CounterSocial, where people have been reading some of my work on various sites, including “Won if By Sea” over on Ko-Fi, and enjoying it.

Since Yegads Muskrat’s purchase of Twitter went through, and he’s going to destroy it, chances are I’ll grit my teeth and sign up for Tribel, even though I’m skeptical about their Terms of Service. They claim they’re a good branding platform, so maybe I can expand LEGERDEMAIN’s reach. The Process Muse is gaining subscriptions nicely just via Substack. The platform I had the most fun on and miss the most is MySpace.

Made soup with red beans, rice, and andouille sausage, which turned out well. I have all these soup cookbooks, so we are going to eat a lot of soup this winter!

Turned around two scripts in the afternoon. One was very near perfect.

In the evening, I lounged on the couch, drinking red wine and re-reading DRACULA (thanks to Lilith St. Crow). It really was fascinating. It’s been so long since I read the original text, I’d forgotten a lot of the texture and the detail. I will go back and read the biography of Stoker I’ve been carting around since before the move (which I bought because I wanted to learn more about his work in the theatre).

I didn’t write up the book review yesterday, so I will do that this morning and get it out. I still have one more book to review for that editor. I didn’t get any work done on ANGEL HUNT, so that will be pushed to next week. I’m in good shape there, so I don’t have to worry. LEGERDEMAIN needs more attention first.

This morning, I will write up the book review, type up some additional notes on THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH (well, more general series/character arcs than for that book), and work on LEGERDEMAIN.

I have to do another library run to drop off/pick up books, then go to the grocery store and the liquor store to get what I need for my mother’s 98th birthday weekend (her birthday is tomorrow). I’ll head over to Adams, then, to pick up the cake.

I have two scripts to turn around this afternoon, and then I’m done until Tuesday. I’m taking Monday as my holiday, as I should. We’ll celebrate my mom’s birthday, and I’ll probably do some work on LEGERDEMAIN. I’ll finish reading my friend’s book that he wanted feedback on. And read for pleasure. Make up the treat bags for Trick or Treaters. And prepare for the series of rituals next week. This is always my busiest time of the year.

If you are doing Nano and want to be part of a supportive group, I run Enchanted Wordsmiths over there. Send me a message on that platform, and I’ll send you an invite. We’ll write in company next month.

Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch you on the other side!

Thurs. Oct. 27, 2022: A Cat With A Plan

(Charlotte, photo by the author)

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus Retrograde

Warm and wet

I hope you’re enjoying The Process Muse. If you haven’t had the chance, you can sign up for it here. (It’s free).

Latest on the garden and our weird weather up on Gratitude and Growth.

Worked on the outline for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH and I’m still not happy with it, although it’s grown and is richer than it was. A major arc for a couple of supporting characters is gaining traction, and, if I handle it will be both beautiful and sad throughout the book.

Picked up the rest of the books at the library, and put in for some books with 1950s details that I will need for Nano. The book on fashion is a lot of fun. After all, I have to clothe my characters (and most of my costume books are still in storage).

Went to the DMV (RMV here in MA) to renew the car registration. In and out in under 10 minutes, and they were very nice, just the way I like it. Paid the insurance for the next 6 months, so that is all set.

Ordered in Chinese food for lunch, because I was too lazy to cook.

In the afternoon, I turned around two scripts, and in the evening, I read the next book for review. I will write it up and send it off this morning, after meditation and breakfast.

Charlotte kept bothering me in the night. Around 2 AM, I set up her playpen in the sewing room and put her in it (Tessa came by the snicker at her). I was just falling asleep again when I heard a series of thumps. I got up. Charlotte had rolled the playpen out of the sewing room and down the hall into my office, headed for my bedroom. Gotta give the cat points for ingenuity.

I took her out of the playpen and back in bed. She snuggled down, purring, and was good until Tessa woke us at 6:30 with her howling.

I had a breakthrough on the outline for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH – I think I’ve finally figured out the climax and refigured the resolution, so it works better. It means setting up a couple of other characters earlier and planting more clues, and shifting a relationship, but it will make the book stronger, and fix what I was worried isn’t working. As soon as this is posted, I’m going back to work on it, taking a break for meditation, and then finishing it.

I’ll have to decide if I want to work on ANGEL HUNT this morning and LEGERDEMAIN tomorrow, or the other way around. I think I’ll work on ANGEL HUNT, and then work on LEGERDEMAIN all weekend.

The next episode of Legerdemain drops today, and I hope you enjoy it!

The Process Muse Launches!

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus Retrograde

Cloudy and mild

It was up in the 70’s around here yesterday, more like spring than autumn. It rained; it was sunny; it rained; it was sunny. All day long. The sunny patches were very humid. I basically ignored the eclipse, because I couldn’t deal with it.

I have a new short story up on Ko-Fi, a short mystery called “Won if By Sea.” It’s been broken down into two parts, one up yesterday and one up next Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday afternoons seem the best days to post on Ko-Fi. I hope you enjoy it.

Today is the launch of THE PROCESS MUSE, the weekly posts over on Substack where I dig into the hows and whys of the way I create. For subscribers, the posts go out on Wednesday mornings at 8 AM; they should post on the site around the same time. Subscription to THE PROCESS MUSE is free, and there’s room to comment and have discussions at the bottoms of the posts. I hope you will join me in this experiment. Substack is available internationally, so my readers outside of the US can enjoy it, too.

Yesterday, I managed to untangle the scheduling issues with the episode-specific ads for Legerdemain, and to get the rest of the ads for the first arc uploaded and scheduled into mid-December. That reminded me that I am behind where I need/want to be on the second arc, and need to get cracking, because at some point in November (which starts NEXT WEEK), I need to upload and schedule the posts for the second arc, then create both the episode-specific and the general ads for them. While juggling Nano and everything else.

Of course, in order to upload and schedule all of that – it has to exist. While I’ve made good progress into Arc 2, it’s not where I want it to be.

I polished, uploaded, and schedule the posts for The Process Muse through the end of November, so at least I don’t have to worry about that, and can write other posts as I wish through the month, upload, and schedule them.

I’m also behind where I wanted to be on ANGEL HUNT, but we’re not going to deal with that at the moment.

I picked up some books at the library, only to discover, when I got home, that they hadn’t given me all the books that were ready. I have to go back this week, because some of the holds will expire. It’s really not a big deal; the library is four blocks away. It’s more the mental energy to get me out of the house than anything else.

Dropped off our ballots at the City Hall ballot box. It was pretty full, which is great, because it means people are voting.

Picked up some puzzle books for my mom; although she paid for a yearlong subscription, they only ever send the books when she asks why she hasn’t received them. Cashing a check for a subscription and not fulfilling it seems like fraud to me.

Went to the post office to buy stamps and catch up.

Turned around two scripts.  Promoted the episode of Legerdemain that dropped yesterday. Took another look at Tribel, since Yegads Muskrat insists he’ll own Twitter by the end of the week. I’m uncomfortable with their privacy policy. It’s probably not worse than any other platform, so I don’t really know why it makes me so uncomfortable, but it does. My gut is telling me not to sign up, while my brain is telling me I need as wide a net as possible.

This morning, I need to type up what I’ve got so far on the outline of THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH. I still don’t have the climactic sequence figured out, although I’ve got a good idea of the resolution. I think, in this case, it has to be a case of trusting the characters to see how it works out.

And hope I hit 50K in November before I have to figure it out!

I also have to go down to the DMV and renew the car’s registration. So I better get going on things like typing up the outline and working on the next episode of Legerdemain.

Have a good one, friends, and come visit over on The Process Muse.

Tues. Oct. 25, 2022: Life as a Kaleidoscope

image courtesy of Dmitri Posudin via pixabay.com

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

New Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Uranus Retrograde

Saturn DIRECT as of Sunday

Rainy/Sunny/Confusing

Saturn went direct on Sunday, taking a lot of the life lessons pressure off. Now, we have to implement what we learned on this Saturn Retrograde so we don’t have the same lessons smacked at us next time it comes around, next year.

Enjoy the lull this week, because Mars goes retrograde  on the 30th, and stays there until January 12th. Mars is already in Gemini until March of 2023, causing stress and difficulties. Going retrograde, through all the holidays, means huge additional stresses. It makes it likely people will be more easily argumentative than usual over the holidays, so try to pull up extra patience and compassion. I talk about that in more detail over on the GDR site, with a post on “Breath Under Duress.”

My plan is to have as quiet a holiday season as possible, with very little socializing (especially since there’s a pandemic going on).

Now, down to our usual Tuesday morning natter, to catch up over the weekend.

Don’t forget: The Process Muse launches tomorrow on Substack. It’s free, and you can sign up here.

Friday morning, I hit the ground running; blogging, making devilled eggs, taking out the garbage, doing the last-minute counter wiping and stainless-steel appliance cleaning.

Our friend showed up and we had a good catch up on all that’s new for both of us. Feasted on the devilled eggs, the black bean soup, the lemon mousse. She had to head back to CT after lunch.

We cleaned up and settled in on the couch to rest. When I checked my email, I found some sad news. An old family friend died last week, in Switzerland. We didn’t even know she was ill. I’d been planning to go and visit the next time I went overseas (which will probably be in 2024).

I had nothing left in the tank, so I gave myself the afternoon off. I finished reading THE SECRET SISTERHOOD, about literary friendships, which was good. I read Joy Harjo’s memoir, POET WARRIOR, which was very well done and uniquely structured.

Charlotte, who’d hidden when my friend was there, because she was afraid she would be given away, was Velcro Kitty all afternoon and evening. And woke me every two hours all night, for reassurances.

Up early on Saturday. Did some work on the outline for THE TREES WHISPERED MURDER. I’m a little worried, because it’s heavy on character and atmosphere, and light on plot. Also, there are so many period details I’ll have to add in when I do the revision. But I at least have a good idea on the first third, and escalating the stakes for Rita, my heroine. This book will definitely be a case of draft fast, revise slowly. I like THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH better as a title, which, it turns out, was my original title, so I’ve changed it back to that.

Turned around a script.

I filled out a writer-in-residence application that comes with a nice stipend. However, because of that, I’m sure they will go with a much bigger name. But if I don’t try, I have zero shot, so I tried.

Went out and got the paint I needed for the bookcases, and a dropcloth. I painted one bookcase completely and started the second one, but ran low on both paint and time.

Read a book by someone whom I met in passing back in my NYC days. It was one of those people I was advised I “should” know, although we were in different arenas. Anyway, I recently came across one of her books in the library (a memoir) and decided to read it. The writing is good. But I don’t like the person I met in those pages. The privilege and the whining are way too much.

Charlotte woke me at 3:30 on Sunday morning, which was not the start to the day for which I’d hoped. But I made apple muffins. I upped the allspice from ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon, and it was a good choice.

Got a nice chunk of work done on the outline for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH.

Filled out the ballots for the election. Of course I voted Blue all the way down. I’m not an idiot. Or a supporter of fascism.

Got more paint and finished the second bookcase. Not that I know where to put it yet. The first one fit perfectly on top of the other red bookcases in the kitchen, so I cleaned and rearranged all those shelves, and it looks good.

I kept feeling I “should” work all day (on work-work, not house and home stuff). I also felt the flickers of burnout and decided to rest, so I could focus this week and next week, which will be challenging.

I read Alyssa Maxwell’s MURDER AT BEACON ROCK, which was well done and satisfying and sad, all at once. I really like the series. At one point, I fantasized about writing a series set in Gilded Age Newport, but she’s written a better series than I would have, and I no longer need to write one!

There are flutters that Yegads Muskrat is going ahead to buy Twitter and people are fretting about where to go. Tribel Social Network has been urging people to go on it, but I don’t like their policies/terms of service. I think I’ll stick with CounterSocial. If people want to find me, they will. I still can’t get on Ello, which is annoying, since I built so much on there. I’d hate to leave Twitter, but if I have to, I have to.

This is why one needs a website, not just social media.

Had trouble sleeping on Sunday into Monday, which made Monday a late start. But I got some work done on the outline for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH.

My priority was turning around the edits for my Llewellyn editor. Eek! Thank goodness for her kindness and patience, because some of the stuff she caught there was a big mess. I sent it in early, in case she needs me to do more work. But she said they’re fine, and she assured me she loves the piece (even with the messes we cleaned up).

I did revisions on “My Side of the Bed” and “Paranormal Paraphrasing” and got them submitted, in spite of the computer repeatedly crashing. I managed to get out six script submissions.

Irritated that the regional ML for Nano only wants to interact on Facebook and Discord. When I do Nano, I want to be able to go to the Nano site and get the information I need, not travel to other sites. I go to the Nano site FOR NANO. I’m irritated. I’ll stick to my Enchanted Wordsmiths group and to hell with the region crap. They’re doing stuff in person and you know they won’t implement any COVID protocols. Pass.

More scripts came up in my queue, so I have enough to read at least through tomorrow, and then, hopefully, I’ll get a couple of Thursday and Friday.

Turned around 3 scripts. Started writing a weird new little, short play. Heard that an odd little play I really love, which I wrote and submitted for a specific call, was not chosen as one of the 5 plays they can use for their event. The company wrote a really kind letter about it, but it makes me sad. I’m fond of the piece, and will have to find another spot for it, which won’t be easy, because it’s so specific.

Stepped in for a colleague who had an emergency and couldn’t do a Zoom talk with a group of young playwrights. It was a lot of fun. They had terrific ideas and great questions. It meant I missed the Artist Working Group, but I knew if they held the WG in the evenings, I’d run into conflicts. If they keep it in the evenings permanently, then I’ll withdraw.

Set the alarm for 5 this morning, and woke up just before the alarm went off, waking from a dream that I slept until 9 and missed the alarm. I was very confused when the alarm went off.

Hauled a fuckton of laundry into the car and over to the laundromat. Three large, industrial-sized machines were going, between the clothes (I’ve been lax about going every week), the curtains, and the other fabric-y stuff that’s been turned over for the season.

Sat in the car working on the multi-colored draft of CAST IRON MURDER. The original plan was that it would be ready for submission this past summer, but that didn’t happen. A longer wait time to work on revisions before I start querying was the right choice for this book. The story and characters are strong, but there’s a lot of sloppy writing (which happens, during Nano).

Cleaning up the sloppy writing makes it an even stronger book. But, again, although it’s an amateur sleuth, it’s not a cozy. The book deals with racism, COVID, and the sex lives of the characters.

Didn’t get enough done on the outline for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH before I had to leave for the laundromat, so that’s been pushed off until tomorrow. I have to type up what I have, so far, so that it’s ready to go. I have a strong opening. I have good backstory to integrate. I’ve drawn maps of who lives where, et al, which in a community such as this one, is necessary for the plot. I know who the murderer is and why that individual committed the murder(s). I have some of the clues and the red herrings, and raising the stakes for my protag. I don’t yet have the climactic sequence, but I’ll get there.

I probably need to walk around the Spruces a bit more, on a nice day, and let it percolate. I do know where the first body drop happens. My friends and I poked around that spot near the river when they came to visit a few weeks back.

I have a feeling I’ll have a lot of placeholders in this draft, since I need to go in and layer period detail. I want to go to the library/historical society and read a batch of newspapers from the months in which this book takes place, and then also do some research on the racial and ethnic relations in the area at the time. I’d hoped to get it done before Nano started, but it will have to be a winter project, and part of the revisions, which will, no doubt, make the revisions more extensive.

There’s a post for The Process Muse in all that! (Don’t forget, it drops tomorrow).

I hope to catch a pocket between rain showers to do a library run, drop off my ballots at City Hall, get some stamps at the post office. There was something else I was supposed to do, but darned if I can remember it.

Episode 27 of Legerdemain drops today. I hope you enjoy it. If you haven’t started reading the serial yet, it starts here.

Have a good one!

Mon. Oct. 24, 2022: Intent for the Week — Make the Climb

image courtesy of Coco Parisienne via pixabay.com

Today is the Dark Moon.

Tomorrow’s new moon is in Scorpio.

While Saturn went direct yesterday, Mars is still in Gemini, and that retrograde looms as of the 30th.

I can feel that argumentative energy rising. Keep sharp objects and flamethrowers away from me, because I am ready to use both.

We’re in the time around Samhain, which is my busiest time of year, on multiple levels. Anyone asking for anything extra gets “no.” I’ll be pulling ridiculous hours this week. My mother’s 98th birthday is on Saturday. Samhain is on Monday, and next week I have nearly full week of Ceremonies for the Dead.

With the COVID losses this past year, that willl be particularly intense.

Plus my regular freelance workload, plus the launch of THE PROCESS MUSE on Wednesday, plus LEGERDEMAIN and all the other deadlines.

I need to remain calm, focused, and deal with each thing as needed.

What’s your intent this week?