Cripes it's been a while...
May. 31st, 2011 02:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jacquelinebBloody hell, it's been a while since I've updated here. Or really interacted with anyone on DW - I have been reading on and off, but my attention has been diverted elsewhere for the past few months. With summer approaching and dancing things (at any rate) winding down, I may have more time to be here (though I may just be outside relishing the English sun - all that you've heard about the weather in England is true!)
Writing - A mix of acceptances and rejections. Have had two short stories knocked back (though one was still incredibly positive), and one acceptance with Freaky Fountain Press. I'm exceedingly excited about being published with them as I like their mission statement and willingness to go places other publishers might avoid. It's an anthology of darkly themed mythological erotica. Do note that I do mean darkly themed - my tale of the clash between two ancient Slavic gods (a by-product of my research into the dragon novel) goes to the violent, the hateful and the bestial side of things, so it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea.
I've had a rethink of the plans for my dragon novel, and realise that now to keep just charging along and writing is not quite working. My thoughts on it have changed enough, and I'm also finding with my writing these days that I write much more smoothly if I have a pretty clear idea of how a scene will play out. I think what's happened is I've tried to apply the manic pressure of of Nanowrimo to all my writing, and while this can be effective sometimes, it's not actually, for me, the best way to go about things. Besides, I do need to do better research for the novel anyway. So I'm going to put aside the pressure to get words down for it and focus instead on reading and researching.
I've also been having a think about what to do about my 'web presence'. I say it a little facetiously, but everything I've been reading is telling me that a writer these days really needs to be taking their marketing into their own hands. I had been kind of using DW as that, but advice tells me that having a blog only to do that is not the best way to go. Besides, a website allows more freedom to play with things, and also, I think I'd rather keep this one now as more of a 'what's been happening in my life' rather than a 'here is my work.' I have grand plans for it, and hope to be launching come August. Watch this space!
Dancing - Since last writing I was up in Edinburgh for Spring Fling, the dance weekend for younger Scottish Country Dancers, which was a very enjoyable weekend. Since then I've basically been in Cambridge, doing the various committee things and teaching once a week. My organisational capacity around it has been somewhat improving, though remains imperfect, which means greater piece of mind for me (and no doubt for the others on the committees!)
I made a decision that dancing three times a week was getting a bit too much, so have cut back, leaving me with my Tuesday night class, and either Monday or Wednesday for either the Reel Club or the Advanced Class. The affect on my headspace has been remarkable - very positive. I do love dancing, but am just not wired for constant energy and people interactions. A few events coming up (and eek! things to do for them) and then a bit of a lull over summer.)
Random other things - let's see...I've taken to weeding out distractions. Often it's the seemingly little things that have worked well. Cut back on the podcasts I download, removing communities for here that I'm only kind of interested in, joined and then removed myself from writer mailing lists where the traffic and talk was very interesting but just added to the mental pressure.
Seen a few interesting films and have been reading more. Just finished Kushiel's Dart, which had an awesome first third, an interesting second third, the build up to the climax where I got a bit frustrating with the characters for being so very noble (which sounds strange but after pages of political intrigue it felt very odd!) but the ending made up for it exceedingly well. Enjoyed it very much.
Getting into Game of Thrones - series, not the books (yet); grinning like an idiot any time Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish waltzs on screen, and really enjoying the sub-plot and development of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), as well as Peter Dinklage's sharp-tongued Tyrion Lanister.
And that's about it I think...
Writing - A mix of acceptances and rejections. Have had two short stories knocked back (though one was still incredibly positive), and one acceptance with Freaky Fountain Press. I'm exceedingly excited about being published with them as I like their mission statement and willingness to go places other publishers might avoid. It's an anthology of darkly themed mythological erotica. Do note that I do mean darkly themed - my tale of the clash between two ancient Slavic gods (a by-product of my research into the dragon novel) goes to the violent, the hateful and the bestial side of things, so it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea.
I've had a rethink of the plans for my dragon novel, and realise that now to keep just charging along and writing is not quite working. My thoughts on it have changed enough, and I'm also finding with my writing these days that I write much more smoothly if I have a pretty clear idea of how a scene will play out. I think what's happened is I've tried to apply the manic pressure of of Nanowrimo to all my writing, and while this can be effective sometimes, it's not actually, for me, the best way to go about things. Besides, I do need to do better research for the novel anyway. So I'm going to put aside the pressure to get words down for it and focus instead on reading and researching.
I've also been having a think about what to do about my 'web presence'. I say it a little facetiously, but everything I've been reading is telling me that a writer these days really needs to be taking their marketing into their own hands. I had been kind of using DW as that, but advice tells me that having a blog only to do that is not the best way to go. Besides, a website allows more freedom to play with things, and also, I think I'd rather keep this one now as more of a 'what's been happening in my life' rather than a 'here is my work.' I have grand plans for it, and hope to be launching come August. Watch this space!
Dancing - Since last writing I was up in Edinburgh for Spring Fling, the dance weekend for younger Scottish Country Dancers, which was a very enjoyable weekend. Since then I've basically been in Cambridge, doing the various committee things and teaching once a week. My organisational capacity around it has been somewhat improving, though remains imperfect, which means greater piece of mind for me (and no doubt for the others on the committees!)
I made a decision that dancing three times a week was getting a bit too much, so have cut back, leaving me with my Tuesday night class, and either Monday or Wednesday for either the Reel Club or the Advanced Class. The affect on my headspace has been remarkable - very positive. I do love dancing, but am just not wired for constant energy and people interactions. A few events coming up (and eek! things to do for them) and then a bit of a lull over summer.)
Random other things - let's see...I've taken to weeding out distractions. Often it's the seemingly little things that have worked well. Cut back on the podcasts I download, removing communities for here that I'm only kind of interested in, joined and then removed myself from writer mailing lists where the traffic and talk was very interesting but just added to the mental pressure.
Seen a few interesting films and have been reading more. Just finished Kushiel's Dart, which had an awesome first third, an interesting second third, the build up to the climax where I got a bit frustrating with the characters for being so very noble (which sounds strange but after pages of political intrigue it felt very odd!) but the ending made up for it exceedingly well. Enjoyed it very much.
Getting into Game of Thrones - series, not the books (yet); grinning like an idiot any time Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish waltzs on screen, and really enjoying the sub-plot and development of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), as well as Peter Dinklage's sharp-tongued Tyrion Lanister.
And that's about it I think...
no subject
Date: 2011-05-31 02:39 pm (UTC)I look forward to seeing it! And thanks for bringing Freaky Fountain Press to my attention. :-)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-31 03:12 pm (UTC)