Kate Rothwell's Blog, page 40
January 1, 2011
whoops
I have to keep THE CONTEST ON THE TOP!
also I have to report that the durian outside in the composting bin is still intact. Scary, scary fruit.
also I have to report that the durian outside in the composting bin is still intact. Scary, scary fruit.
the opposite of regret
Oh, come on. I've read another whiny blog and am having an hissy fit response.
The best thing -- the VERY best thing about not succeeding in a traditional sense (making big bucks etc, becoming famous, writing a best seller, finding True Love) -- is that at a certain point, you are released from expectations. The word potential is no longer used in your presence, and admit it -- that is a hell of an annoying word.
Once you're a failure, you are released from society's notice. Henceforth you get control and are allowed to set your own versions of success. Do not shy from this task of reassigning success to something you shall control. Hey, no one else wants it.
Erase all left-over disappointment, for this is a useless bit of baggage and drags you down to the standards and expectations that no longer apply (probably never did but what the hell--you tried anyway) You will unpack those old expectations, examine each bit -- maybe hold a ceremony to empty it all. I suggest something destructive because that is satisfying. Then hey! Then fling that outdated ersatz Louis Vuitton over the edge of the nearest dumpster. Okay, speaking of failure -- that metaphor is over. No more baggage. And this is a fine goal right there, bucko.
Define your own success.
It's scary and usually not easy (or even possible) to find the words or vision. Even more of a nuisance: You'll note that practically no one else sees or cares about your success. But, yo, so what? You do. You'll know. Turn up that end-of-movie music! You get that rush, the great sigh of relief, the moment of triumph when you stand at the top of the steps admiring the view. You're the one who's beaten the odds (or not, that's fine too) but hey, you'll have the relish of newly defined success.
The credits roll, it's the end of the day and you get the slow smile, the tip of the head to acknowledge the silent applause from heaven, the happy spin in the middle of a meadow, or your kitchen, where ever it hits you. Do it again, tomorrow.
You get to build/define or break down the boundaries you'll leap. You get to define your pleasures too. For someone else it might be getting to that spa in Arizona. For you, it's getting out the door of your house at least twice in a week. Who's to say which person has a greater sense of satisfaction at taking that trip? Comparisons are odious, but still....I make them because shit, I can't seem to stop.
Stop looking around at everyone else for the answers or the pats on the back. Okay, maybe stop looking for answers at all. Shut up and do. Or if you can't do, write. And if you can't write, sing. And if you can't sing or write or tap dance or learn Spanish....Don't give up. That's a fine goal, right there. You live. That's worth a standing ovation. Give it to yourself.
The best thing -- the VERY best thing about not succeeding in a traditional sense (making big bucks etc, becoming famous, writing a best seller, finding True Love) -- is that at a certain point, you are released from expectations. The word potential is no longer used in your presence, and admit it -- that is a hell of an annoying word.
Once you're a failure, you are released from society's notice. Henceforth you get control and are allowed to set your own versions of success. Do not shy from this task of reassigning success to something you shall control. Hey, no one else wants it.
Erase all left-over disappointment, for this is a useless bit of baggage and drags you down to the standards and expectations that no longer apply (probably never did but what the hell--you tried anyway) You will unpack those old expectations, examine each bit -- maybe hold a ceremony to empty it all. I suggest something destructive because that is satisfying. Then hey! Then fling that outdated ersatz Louis Vuitton over the edge of the nearest dumpster. Okay, speaking of failure -- that metaphor is over. No more baggage. And this is a fine goal right there, bucko.
Define your own success.
It's scary and usually not easy (or even possible) to find the words or vision. Even more of a nuisance: You'll note that practically no one else sees or cares about your success. But, yo, so what? You do. You'll know. Turn up that end-of-movie music! You get that rush, the great sigh of relief, the moment of triumph when you stand at the top of the steps admiring the view. You're the one who's beaten the odds (or not, that's fine too) but hey, you'll have the relish of newly defined success.
The credits roll, it's the end of the day and you get the slow smile, the tip of the head to acknowledge the silent applause from heaven, the happy spin in the middle of a meadow, or your kitchen, where ever it hits you. Do it again, tomorrow.
You get to build/define or break down the boundaries you'll leap. You get to define your pleasures too. For someone else it might be getting to that spa in Arizona. For you, it's getting out the door of your house at least twice in a week. Who's to say which person has a greater sense of satisfaction at taking that trip? Comparisons are odious, but still....I make them because shit, I can't seem to stop.
Stop looking around at everyone else for the answers or the pats on the back. Okay, maybe stop looking for answers at all. Shut up and do. Or if you can't do, write. And if you can't write, sing. And if you can't sing or write or tap dance or learn Spanish....Don't give up. That's a fine goal, right there. You live. That's worth a standing ovation. Give it to yourself.
December 31, 2010
end of the year regrets
I regret not more of you are entering my contest. Do so and make the new year brighter for all of us.
I regret not filling in those details in the contest that'll help. I'll add those later.
I, like many other people, regret those shoes with toes. I regret that they don't seem to be going away.
I regret buying my poor child a cheap MP3 player when all he really wanted an Apple product. No wait a sec -- that's his regret, not mine.
I regret writing that letter to her employer when a friend of mine got shafted. It didn't help. My friend was appalled that I'd done that== she pointed out that I'd made her look like she'd violated the STFU clause and the employer can make her life that much more difficult. I'd thought the employer was a good person and now I'm less convinced And I regret I can't tell you what the deal it is. I don't think I'll regret writing this because it's so vague you'll just get annoyed. Because there's only so much pissy anger one can hold onto before spewing. Without details the spewage is boring -- but tough.
I don't regret that boredom factor, much.
I don't regret writing stories with other people and want to do that more and more.
I regret people didn't love my latest EC story. I thought it was fun.
I regret dumping all those email addresses.
I regret not finding that dog vomit earlier.
I regret not answering your letters or emails.
I regret not knowing how how to gracefully answer that sort of note/email months too late without making dumb excuses.
I regret clicking on links of year end retrospectives, mostly because then I'm reminded about all the people who died in 2010.
I regret not staying up past 11:30 but I don't think I"m going to make it.
I regret not filling in those details in the contest that'll help. I'll add those later.
I, like many other people, regret those shoes with toes. I regret that they don't seem to be going away.
I regret buying my poor child a cheap MP3 player when all he really wanted an Apple product. No wait a sec -- that's his regret, not mine.
I regret writing that letter to her employer when a friend of mine got shafted. It didn't help. My friend was appalled that I'd done that== she pointed out that I'd made her look like she'd violated the STFU clause and the employer can make her life that much more difficult. I'd thought the employer was a good person and now I'm less convinced And I regret I can't tell you what the deal it is. I don't think I'll regret writing this because it's so vague you'll just get annoyed. Because there's only so much pissy anger one can hold onto before spewing. Without details the spewage is boring -- but tough.
I don't regret that boredom factor, much.
I don't regret writing stories with other people and want to do that more and more.
I regret people didn't love my latest EC story. I thought it was fun.
I regret dumping all those email addresses.
I regret not finding that dog vomit earlier.
I regret not answering your letters or emails.
I regret not knowing how how to gracefully answer that sort of note/email months too late without making dumb excuses.
I regret clicking on links of year end retrospectives, mostly because then I'm reminded about all the people who died in 2010.
I regret not staying up past 11:30 but I don't think I"m going to make it.
December 30, 2010
My New Cover and the contest
See? The title Rat Catcher does not fit that cover.
This is from Kimberly's site of premade covers, but look! She has a bunch of images she'll make into covers.
So? What are you waiting for?
Enter the contest to give me a title.
Maybe you're waiting for details? Okay, okay. I'll work on my back cover text sheet later. First I have to write a book that'll actually earn me some money.
December 29, 2010
Get it while you can AND a contest, maybe
Here's your chance to play editor! Name that book.
Test your skills as a editor and/or marketing peon.
WHY?
Because I've tested my skills and they suck.**
I'm going to buy a new cover for The Ratcatcher. Why? Mostly because I love Kimberly Killion's business.
This means the book is going cost me money. Which, in turn, means I'm going to stop giving it away for free. Of course there are a gazillion free copies of the thing floating around, and this is a useless exercise, but why not? Hey?
It also means I need to give the book a new title because the title Ratcatcher actually sort of sucks according to everyone who knows these things. There are no rats, there is no ratcatcher (which disappointed a number of people) and it's about as romantic a title as "Pesticide"
HOW?
Give me a new title: Generic Historical is out. Somebody Something-or-another might be okay since the story is very vaguely related to those books I wrote all those years ago. Somebody Clueless would be good, because the heroine was raised in a vacuum, except that is not historical. Too bad Brave New World has been taken because she's as boggled as Miranda.
WHAT DO I GET?
If someone actually enters this kinda contest, I'll give you (at least one of you) 3 of my ebooks. If more than a five people enter, I'll give away a gift certificate, too. I'll be randomly picking a name. We'll say $20 from Amazon, ok? Let's say we have until January 3, which is when Kimberly will probably get antsy for a title.
Yes. Okay. And this is obviously just for fun, not real promo, since I'm not trying to get you to purchase a book that'll make me money--at least not until it has a title and cover. Time is running out on these offers.
* * * *
Oh, right! If you're going to play editorial and/or marketing department, you might want some props. You can read the book (available for free at the link off the right) or you can read the book sheet.
Unfortunately, it's been so long since I've read the book, I'll have to fill this in later.
Hero: Cutter. Um. A guy.
Heroine: Callie. She was raised by a reclusive, eccentric grandmother and has zero skills for survival.
Test your skills as a editor and/or marketing peon.
WHY?
Because I've tested my skills and they suck.**
I'm going to buy a new cover for The Ratcatcher. Why? Mostly because I love Kimberly Killion's business.
This means the book is going cost me money. Which, in turn, means I'm going to stop giving it away for free. Of course there are a gazillion free copies of the thing floating around, and this is a useless exercise, but why not? Hey?
It also means I need to give the book a new title because the title Ratcatcher actually sort of sucks according to everyone who knows these things. There are no rats, there is no ratcatcher (which disappointed a number of people) and it's about as romantic a title as "Pesticide"
HOW?
Give me a new title: Generic Historical is out. Somebody Something-or-another might be okay since the story is very vaguely related to those books I wrote all those years ago. Somebody Clueless would be good, because the heroine was raised in a vacuum, except that is not historical. Too bad Brave New World has been taken because she's as boggled as Miranda.
WHAT DO I GET?
If someone actually enters this kinda contest, I'll give you (at least one of you) 3 of my ebooks. If more than a five people enter, I'll give away a gift certificate, too. I'll be randomly picking a name. We'll say $20 from Amazon, ok? Let's say we have until January 3, which is when Kimberly will probably get antsy for a title.
Yes. Okay. And this is obviously just for fun, not real promo, since I'm not trying to get you to purchase a book that'll make me money--at least not until it has a title and cover. Time is running out on these offers.
* * * *
Oh, right! If you're going to play editorial and/or marketing department, you might want some props. You can read the book (available for free at the link off the right) or you can read the book sheet.
This is based on the dozen or so different types of art/cover copy sheets I've filled out over the years. I left off the synopsis (that describes the story from start to finish) They usually want that. I've added my very lame tag-line thingy. Feel free to improve that, while you're at it.
GENERIC EDITORIAL SHEET
Physical descriptions for hero and heroine go here, along with their GMC.Unfortunately, it's been so long since I've read the book, I'll have to fill this in later.
Hero: Cutter. Um. A guy.
Heroine: Callie. She was raised by a reclusive, eccentric grandmother and has zero skills for survival.
Cheesy description: (feel free to make this more appealing) A gaslight historical romance set in 1884 New York City. Innocent Callie Scott lived a sheltered life until she is trapped in a raid on a house of ill-repute. That's only the start of her run of bad-luck. Two days later, she must turn to help from the same detective who has already witnessed her at her worst: tipsy and behaving like a fool.
Yay! Thanks! Do my job for me!
_____________________
**I'm okay with other people's books. Just not my own.
December 28, 2010
Dear Author reviews our latest book. Sarah seemed to get ...
Dear Author reviews our latest book.
Sarah seemed to get the character of Reese. I think he's a guy who isn't particularly emotional -- he usually successfully avoids introspection, in fact. He's had a tough time and is gay in a time when that's just not done, but he hunkers down and gets the job done and he's not neurotic.
Maybe neurotic would have made him more interesting --- if he'd been holding down a vibrating pressure cooker of emotion, just about ready to blow. That's a standard for romance. (A standard because, when it's well done, it is entirely satisfying----> Lord of Scoundrels)
But Reese simply wasn't going to respond with strong emotion. It was not who he was. He screws up when he gets emotionally upset, so he simply refuses to let it happen.
I'd ask Bonnie if she agrees with this assessment, but I'd hate to look stupid about our co-creation.
Sarah seemed to get the character of Reese. I think he's a guy who isn't particularly emotional -- he usually successfully avoids introspection, in fact. He's had a tough time and is gay in a time when that's just not done, but he hunkers down and gets the job done and he's not neurotic.
Maybe neurotic would have made him more interesting --- if he'd been holding down a vibrating pressure cooker of emotion, just about ready to blow. That's a standard for romance. (A standard because, when it's well done, it is entirely satisfying----> Lord of Scoundrels)
But Reese simply wasn't going to respond with strong emotion. It was not who he was. He screws up when he gets emotionally upset, so he simply refuses to let it happen.
I'd ask Bonnie if she agrees with this assessment, but I'd hate to look stupid about our co-creation.
December 27, 2010
huh.
Okay this is desperately important. All those el cheapo make-it-yourself videos, do they use voice actors? I could swear this book I'm currently listening to -- The Two Minute Rule by Crais -- THE VOICE of CHRISTOPHER GRAYBILL IS THE MALE IN MANY OF THOSE VIDEOS. (For reference, see the latest annoying Geico commercial)
Is that possible?
Here, listen for yourself. Here are samples of his voice.
Is that possible?
Here, listen for yourself. Here are samples of his voice.
December 26, 2010
what do I read next? an early sbd
I've read all of the Miles Vorkosigan books and all the other Bujolds as well. I've finished every Terry Pratchett**. Ditto Suz Brockmann, Patricia Briggs, SEP, and Jennifer Crusie. I've plowed through a bunch of mysteries, the LA series, as it turns out. And I just finished laughing at David Sedaris's latest book--the one full of animals. But hey, here I am, unable to concentrate on my non-fiction, and out of fluff.
What should I read next?
Books I've recently abandoned (usually for no good reason)
The Cookbook Collector
The Forgotten Garden
The Looking Glass Wars
The Way of Shadows
What Comes After Crazy
Should I keep trying on any of those? I dumped most fairly early on.
I had a bunch of Nora Roberts (all library books -- in fact almost every title I've listed is from the library which makes a book/tape easier to abandon.) Anyway, I only finished one NR. The others are not a omigodthisishorrible sort of DNF. More of an eh, meh thing.
Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen was also a DNF. Practically a real DNF as in the characters were annoying. And so was Sullivan's Evidence by someone who's name I've forgotten.
Looks like I've dumped most of a library, but I've read many more than I've abandoned. If I was any good sort of reader, I'd list them all and make notes. Maybe that'll be my 2011 resolution.
_________
**that latest one, I Shall Wear Midnight, had moments of Pratchettness but the moments of repetitiveness made me sad.
What should I read next?
Books I've recently abandoned (usually for no good reason)
The Cookbook Collector
The Forgotten Garden
The Looking Glass Wars
The Way of Shadows
What Comes After Crazy
Should I keep trying on any of those? I dumped most fairly early on.
I had a bunch of Nora Roberts (all library books -- in fact almost every title I've listed is from the library which makes a book/tape easier to abandon.) Anyway, I only finished one NR. The others are not a omigodthisishorrible sort of DNF. More of an eh, meh thing.
Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen was also a DNF. Practically a real DNF as in the characters were annoying. And so was Sullivan's Evidence by someone who's name I've forgotten.
Looks like I've dumped most of a library, but I've read many more than I've abandoned. If I was any good sort of reader, I'd list them all and make notes. Maybe that'll be my 2011 resolution.
_________
**that latest one, I Shall Wear Midnight, had moments of Pratchettness but the moments of repetitiveness made me sad.
December 20, 2010
not really SBD
I'm listening to The Passage. Wooowweee. It is LONG and I can't seem to turn it off. It has great moments and yet, occasionally sort of rip-off Koontz character-types....or maybe they're just horror/thriller post-apocalypse tropes. eg wise old black lady, religious type that is sort of savioresque.
It's long rambling but holding together enough that I'm there, babee.
I would write about the other books I've read (and I've read a bunch, lately) but this one is in my head, literally. There's some multitasking going on. I'm trying to get this Cronin book done while I write. Blame the inarticulate blog post on the voice in my head. Scott Brick has a nice voice, but I wish he'd be a little less dramatic now and then. And what's with the women's accounts that are thrown in there occasionally? Anyway, I have to get through this so I can have my life back. So Shhhh. Babcock is at it again.
Yo! Look! You can buy a copy of our book at Sony. Not at Fictionwise or Amazon, yet, but eventually.
About the life that isn't held on the computer or in my ears:
I love the little lights strung up all over the place. We need to use them other times of the year for pete's sake.
I eat too much.
The dog eats too much.
I think, yes. . . Definitely. It's time for mandarin orange zinger tea.
Oh, and this. Some unbelievably crappy Compassionate Conservative gifts during this Holiday season.
It's long rambling but holding together enough that I'm there, babee.
I would write about the other books I've read (and I've read a bunch, lately) but this one is in my head, literally. There's some multitasking going on. I'm trying to get this Cronin book done while I write. Blame the inarticulate blog post on the voice in my head. Scott Brick has a nice voice, but I wish he'd be a little less dramatic now and then. And what's with the women's accounts that are thrown in there occasionally? Anyway, I have to get through this so I can have my life back. So Shhhh. Babcock is at it again.
Yo! Look! You can buy a copy of our book at Sony. Not at Fictionwise or Amazon, yet, but eventually.
About the life that isn't held on the computer or in my ears:
I love the little lights strung up all over the place. We need to use them other times of the year for pete's sake.
I eat too much.
The dog eats too much.
I think, yes. . . Definitely. It's time for mandarin orange zinger tea.
Oh, and this. Some unbelievably crappy Compassionate Conservative gifts during this Holiday season.
December 18, 2010
Also this
I'm hoping she'll write a book report too, but if not, this will do nicely as a consolation prize. Dear Author makes us a recommended read. 
