Ellie Di Julio's Blog, page 25
July 20, 2013
The Internet is Amazing 07.20.13
Hey! Before you dive into the links here (and they’re particularly awesome this week), take a second to check out what my husband Lino is up to. He and some of his Go Ruck/Crossfit buddies are going to walk 100.1 miles – from Hamilton to Niagara Falls and back – in one weekend to raise money for the Green Beret Foundation and wounded vets. He’s looking to raise $5,000 before August 4th, so chip in if you feel so called (and you can walk a smaller, more sane distance if you’d like to participa...
July 18, 2013
Write Against the Machine 12: Don’t be a tool (but you should use them)
This week’s episode covers a listener question about self-publishing, where Mary and I have a violent agreement about what’s “worth” putting out there. That leads pretty naturally into a veritable treasure trove of resources for writing. Get your tool on. (Oh, and this week’s digression is primarily about me being overjoyed about working at Platform 302 and Mary publishing Meditate Like a Boss.)
Check it out right here.
Other stories you might like:
Write Against the Machine 10: Workflow is abou...
July 16, 2013
Dysphoric euphoria: When mania comes to call
Much like this painting, people tend to see mania’s pretty colors and pleasing symmetry first. Most people stop looking there. But if you look closer, you’ll see the darker side of the upswing – the fear and uncontrollable mind.
I’m not bipolar. I want to say that right out front. I know many people who are, and I’ve studied cognition and mood like it was my job, and I can tell you right now that I am not suffering from that particular disorder.
I do, however, suffer from intense periods of dep...
July 13, 2013
The Internet is Amazing 07.13.13
Canned unicorn meat is crap, according to George Takei.
Joss Whedon talks micro about how to be a prolific creator.
Who knew that Greenwich Village could be a metaphor for success?
Related to my revelation this week, Rhi talks about giving your thing away.
A writer is not something you can justbe. You have to write something.
.
Other stories you might like:
The Internet is Amazing: 01.06.2013
The Internet is Amazing 03.10.13
The Internet is Amazing 06.30.13
July 11, 2013
Embracing the ask: Letting me help you help me
An amazing thing happened yesterday.
I asked for monetary help. In public. Half-joking, not expecting a serious response.
And I got it.
Some angel-hearted person gifted me the cost of a month working at the shared creative space of Platform 302. Here’s a little taste of this working-hippie haven:
Not pictured: boutique gym, ping-pong table, hairdresser corner, video gaming room, napping closet, full kitchen with seating, whiteboard/chalkboard room, presentation room, rain showers, office puppy, f...
July 10, 2013
Spontaneous is not my middle name
Sometimes, I am like, the worst friend ever. Many teeth-grinding, facepalming, headdesking qualities go into that statement, but today I’m thinking about my absolute inability to change my plans within 24 hours without massive amounts of bitching.
Everyone knows I’m self-employed. It’s not exactly a secret. And so I frequently get requests – online and off – to COME DO THIS EXCITING THING! during hours when more stable humans are working.
But without at least a full day’s warning, the answer is...
July 9, 2013
Whining about wordcount (and hope from Neil Gaiman)
Yesterday, halfway through a chapter inTransmigration of Cora Riley, I had no idea where I was going. This led to sketching a longhand breakdown, which went okay. Then I did a stupid thing and started doing math.
Turns out, if I keep going at this clip, with the outline I’ve got, the book will clock between 55,000 and 60,000 words. 20K short of the goal you see in the sidebar .
Cue melodramatic tailspin of doom! It sounded like this:
Why can’t I write a “real novel”? Will I ever be able to write...
July 8, 2013
The State of the Ellie: July 2013
What was I up to in June, you inquire? Well, that’s very kind of you to ask. Let me tell you all about it.
Writing
I’m going to cheat a wee bit and remind you thatTime & Again came out last week. Huzzah! Kyeli and I had to push the publication date into July (rather than the May 15th date my Type-A brain was demanding) to make sure we had plenty of time to make final changes without hurting ourselves. That’s literal, not figurative. So, yay, book!
But June didn’t see me doing much actual writing...
July 4, 2013
Write Against the Machine 10: Workflow is about more than work
This week’s episode was supposed to be about workflow and organization and schedules and shit, but we got pretty sidetracked with taking about feminism, Wendy Davis, creative drive being misunderstood, not having to put everything on the internet, and how sometimes you have to throw shit away to be a better writer.
Check it out right here.
Other stories you might like:
Write Against the Machine 08: Build the world you want to explore
Write Against the Machine 09: Fall in love with your imaginary...
July 3, 2013
This is your story: A love note to grieving mothers
When I publishedInkchanger, the responses I got from fans were all about how much they love the story, the magic, and the characters. They showered me with praise and support, and I rolled around in that pile like a happy puppy.
Now that Kyeli and I have publishedTime & Again, I certainly get notes like that, and they’re wonderful. But far more common are notes from women reaching out to tell me their story of miscarriage, grief, and recovery. I’ve gotten at least a dozen since Monday, each a...
