Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog
March 28, 2019
"You speak squirrel?"
Wherein Jack realizes a truth
I set myself writing goals and this month failed them. After struggling yet again to right last night I realized my problem when I opened up my nano novel and started working on book two again.
The truth is I'm having trouble writing and writing and writing Haphazard now that I've written the same sense what feels like ten billion times.
Okay it's not ten billion. Let's not get carried away. More like five billion.
That said I'm not quitting. My mom didn't raise a quitter. Something like that. Rather I'm typing up this book once and for all and sending it to an editor. And then working on projects I've not continuously written for years on end.
My ghost mystery series needs a subtitle but I'm struggling coming up with one.
Also I have yet again started too many books and not finished enough. Story of my life.
April will be upon us next week and I'm doing the NaNo April challenge. I'm torn between two books. The second to the ghost mysteries or a gangster story set in Japan. I'm open to votes so vote away. Maybe I'll even release titles but it's unlikely so don't hold your breath.
Getting myself out of a three year writers block has reminded me yet again that writing is hard. And if anyone tells you otherwise their lying or trying to sell something. It takes time and dedication and marketing. And I should go and try to get more of it done.
March 26, 2019
"We muffed up the sign."
*Laughs evilly and rubs hands together in the darkness.*
Guys, don't take it for granted how lovely it is to move and breathe. You never know when you might pull a muscle and be in agonizing pain.
Moving on. This is going to be short, dinner just finished cooking and food wins over blogging.
Another publisher turned down Through a Glass Darkly but I found yet another. I am going to try and submit to them tonight if I get a chance. Also write. Writing is good. MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTT WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Dog just tried to eat my dinner so now I will be even faster.
If anyone is looking for a delightful children's book to read get a hold of me. I might have just the thing for you. (This is, in fact, not self promotion. This book was written by someone else.)
That is all. FOOOOOOOOOOOOOD.
Farewell!
March 20, 2019
"logic. What do they teach in schools these days?"
Wherein Jack can move
One never knows how nice moving is until it can't be done. I was in so much pain I almost went to the er. I haven't hurt that much since my rib. But I'm finally on the mend.
I'm trying to now get caught up on reading. I have so many books to finish it's not even funny. *laughs*
I would also like to clean too. Because all I could do for a week was sit in pain and groan.
I'm reading a fun Japanese translated fantasy and have five more to read like it when it's done. I love Japanese translated fantasy stories so much.
Korean pens are adorable by the way. Just saying. Random fact of life.
Back to books. I need to read the Queens Thief series before the last book is released and finish Earthsea. I loved book one of both.
Now I have to go. Farewell
March 16, 2019
"Well done." "He bulled it!"
A lot.
I haven't been in so much pain since my broken rib. And that felt like it hurt even less than this. At least then I could lay on my back and it would feel somewhat better. This is constant.
The sad thing is I don't even know what is wrong. It could be nothing, just an inflamed muscle or something. But I could have torn something. I am going to the doctor on Monday to get it looked at and maybe Xrayed. Because I can barely function with it like this.
Anyway, while I am stuck on the couch with little movement and a heating pad, I decided I would get some work done. I would like to submit Through a Glass Darkly to at least two more publishers today as well as read one of the books I am beta reading. I might even look at various covers on books similar to Through a Glass Darkly so I can get some idea of what I'd like my cover to look like. I love it when new covers come out!
Likely though all I am going to get done is whimpering in pain and watching some movies. And anime. And reading Manga and Tintin. I want to reread Pandora Hearts, because goodness knows I've not read that series enough. I am also making my way through Tintin again, because I love those books.
So anyway. If you could all pray for me that would be most welcome. I could use a lot of prayer that I will have a speedy recovery and be able to endure the pain for as long as it lasts.''
Farewell!!
March 14, 2019
"We were expecting someone, you know, older."
Wherein Jack sniffes milk.
It dawned on me this morning that my daily routine involves me sniffing my milk before I pour a glass. (Yes. I drink milk every morning. There's so much debate on it being healthy or not so take my milk as you will.)
Why does Jack sniff her milk you might ask? Simple. To make sure it's not gone bad. See? My weird habit has a good explanation. Now if only I didn't look so weird when I go over to friends houses and sniff their milk...
My shoulder is starting to feel better. Still can't run the Olympics. But maybe tomorrow. Did it ever hurt getting the knots out of it though.
I've still been taking it easy today without allowing it to stiffen back up. A hard thing to balance.
Tonight when I get home I plan to submit to another publisher I found. I also need to try and write as well. Lots to get done.
I haven't finished Saints and Soldiers yet, but from the part I got to I can tell it's going to rip my heart out and make me cry. Fun times.
That is all I have. Farewell!!
March 13, 2019
"They were doing just fine drowning me on their own!"
Also my internet is glitching and I don't know why. It is a lovely day outside, no clouds, so the connection should be happy. But is it? Oh no.
My shoulder hurts so bad today. I can barely move and I can't take deep breaths so I didn't go into work so that I can go get it looked at and hopefully fixed. I want it fixed. I do have a good pain tolerance, but I also like to breathe. Breathing is nice.
I am almost on the second part of The Two Towers. I picked up more rereading this time. One Gimli is sassy. Two, Aragorn LOOOOOOOVES his sword. More than I do. Which is saying a lot. Three, Legolas is constantly being mildly amused by his companions.
I am also on The Horse and His Boy. I love that book so much, and this time round I plan to reread the whole series. But Shasta guys. I adore him. He is one of my favorite Lewis characters of all time. Poor fella. He had such a rough life.
Since I am home today and supposed to be mostly resting I thought it would be a good day to watch Saints and Soldiers, which I got for Christmas (my friends know me well. WWII movies as gifts, war books as gifts, SOOOOOOOOOOOOLDIERS.) I haven't seen Saints and Soldiers yet though I've heard about it so I am excited to watch it. Though I bet it is sad.
And I now leave you with another short post. I must be away to see doctors and such.
March 12, 2019
"The new Gandalf is even grumpier."
Not that I dislike talking to all of you, I am just so tired I forgot all the witty, clever things I had planned on saying.
I am beta reading a book as well as rereading Narnia and Lord of the Rings. So my wit is not completely gone because of day light savings but also because in comparison to Gimli's mine does not shine as bright.
After all, few can out wit Gimli.
Right now I am trying to get up the motivation to get things done so I can return to Narnia and Middle Earth, so I guess I should keep this short.
Therefore, farewell!
March 10, 2019
"That still only counts as one."
What does one do at a secret party? Well, at my first secret party we watched two movies in one night instead of two. At the second we ate pizza and laughed about past weirdness.
I also wrote this weekend. And lost my wrist brace again. Loosing it must be some kind of hobby at this point.
I was able to get a new profile picture. I was going to get a front one with my mask on, but my friend wasn't able to help me yet so I did a glorified selfie.
It was a pleasant weekend even though I didn't get done all I wanted. I think I had more fun that I originally planned on having so it was well worth taking a break and going to secret parties and laughing. Tomorrow I will finish getting things done, but for tonight, the rest of my weekend, I am curling up on the couch with a book.
March 7, 2019
"I can break through walls, I just can't seem to get this on!"
Just when I feel as if I am caught up on something I look over my shoulder and realize I forgot something else. Or several somethings. About ten somethings.
And then I sign up for something else so I have eleven.
I like to keep myself busy, but I think it is time I start to draw the line. I am still slightly behind on book reviews and I will soon have several to do as I am in the middle of three or four books right now. Wait, no it is five. I also just signed up for one more. Fun times.
I have been plugging away at writing. I guess I shouldn't say plugging away when it comes to something I love to do and want to make a career out of, but at this moment somedays I have trouble getting my chapter done. Not because I dislike the book, but because I don't have a ton of extra time.
Currently I am writing the newest draft of Haphazardly Implausible so I can hopefully get it ready to publish this year. I am marketing and still on the constant hunt for a new publisher. I haven't heard back from my latest submission yet.
I am also determined to get Four and Twenty Blackbirds typed up on my computer this month, as well as go through another edit of So Much Owed so I can start to submit that to editors and agents and publishers.
I would also like to get Under the Willow to an editor, get illustrations ready for it, and prepare that one to be published. I think I might just go through a small self publishing press for that book. But maybe I will be bold and look for a publisher. It is a smaller children's book and I know some are looking for books right now, so we will see how that all goes.
Between all of that I have enough to do, but we mustn't forget I also have another job which ensures I have food to eat so I am not a complete starving artist. Starving author. Starving whatever term one wishes to use. (I have food on the mind as always.)
I am now beta reading as well. Why did I agree to beta read? Perhaps because I wanted to read the book and I didn't wish to wait until it was published. Perhaps. Also because I want to help out the author and I want to get back into beta reading and....you get the idea. But also because early sneak peak. *Coughcough.*
Speaking of sneak peaks, I still need reviews for Through a Glass Darkly. If you want to read it early in exchange for a review online please contact me and I will get you an ecopy.
Right now I am going to bed to read and then sleep.
March 5, 2019
"You are awesome! You are beyond awesome! You are B-awesome!!"
Might.
I don't exactly dislike it, but it just takes so much time. I feel as if I haven't written a word since I started. How do authors do this? Authors, you have my admiration.
Also I found my wrist brace yet again so I can type faster. And I bought a mouse because the one on my computer stinks.
Right now I am not looking up agents and publishers but am writing. I am behind on my writing goals but I know I can get caught up if I start catching up today. So once I finish posting I will be off to write, and not to fall asleep on the couch until two thirty in the morning again....*cough*
I am pulling some books off Amazon to publish after a good edit and cover update. Some of you will remember John, the baby hedgehog who lives with me and eats all my cookies and writes. I am going to be publishing that book again, only with pictures! I found an illustrator. I just need to get into editing and look for an editor to hire. John doesn't count even though I can pay him in cookies.
And yes, I am a child. Playing with a baby hedgehog....*smirk*
Okay though. I should go. I want to write and edit and market before I fall asleep.
