Another day, another chapter, as I settle back into my routine today.
Still, the weather grows mild & my AllTrails app keeps sending me temptation. The trails beckon. This year, I’ll explore the trails on Blue Mountain to the west. I haven’t there in years or done serious hiking there.
Summer is always a reminder of why I live where I do. It’s literally an outdoor playground and my health is greatly improved.
Finished the final draft, sent out the files, and ordered copies of the hardcover and paperback. Release date is set for May 25, aka #GeekPrideDay (appropriate for a #superhero#novel launch, I think). The pre-order links to pretty much every major retailer are up and linked on my site, https://JeffreyHarlan.com
Now to play my favorite video games for the first time in 3 months.
Displacement activity: A fancy word for unwitting #procrastination, when you are in the middle of writing something terrific, you're in the flow, and all your senses are over stimulated (#actuallyautistic) and you simply must go do something else. Sweeping the floor, maybe? Writing a mastodon post? Check!
Time to finish Chapter 73. I was dragging yesterday after an awful night’s sleep. This morning, I feel refreshed and eager to attack whatever comes my way.
Owing to drafting Book-2 while gravely ill in late 2016, the story is a patchwork of chapters added at various times. This chapter, the latest, was added 14-months ago.
The weather took a wrong turn at some point. This morning when I walk, it’s supposed to be 40°F (4.4°C), and that’s before factoring in strong winds and occasional drizzle.
Regardless, I WILL walk—and then enjoy a hot drink.
Like yesterday, I’ll fit cleaning in and around editing. The satisfaction afterwards with both always lifts my heart.
It’s easy to forget the little things that elevate us, letting them slip away.
This morning promises mild temperatures for my walk. Clouds have moved over, rain is moving in, & the wind is kicking up, but I embrace variety.
This is my fifth day editing Book-2. Originally drafted while extremely ill, the chapters are a list of insertions, a collection of corrections. Seeing it come together as a whole more powerful than its parts is thrilling.
Yesterday, new snow accumulated on the higher peaks around the city. This morning, it’s below freezing. Mountain weather is unpredictable.
Today I begin the targeted edit on A River in Each Hand (Book-2). The project is open in Scrivener & waiting for me. First, though, I’ll walk, then edit my blog post.
So, after a too-mild winter, this morning we had snow in the air. Yes, it’s below freezing outside. I’ll have to bundle-up when I head out for my walk this morning.
Nature doesn’t care. Squirrels are chasing one another. Birds are building nests.
I’ve a weekly blog post to draft this morning. Tonight, I’ll prep for targeted editing on A River in Each Hand on May 1st. It promises to be a busy month.
I’ll walk this morning before the worst of the wind we don’t normally suffer arrives.
Then, the future holds, like yesterday, a lot of small tasks in this window between major edits. On May 1st, I start A River in Each Hand.
I do so much better when facing down a major project or crisis, though I’m not in the market for a crisis. I’m a doer, and doer’s have to do, even if what they’re doing won’t change the world.
Spring has sprung here, though it’s supposed to cool off tomorrow. It doesn’t matter, the trees are budding, including beloved Birchy (yes, I name the trees on my walk).
Yesterday, I finished the targeted edit on Trust in the Forgotten as planned. That’s a huge milestone.
This is the day I’ll setup Medicare Part D to start in May with the rest. Last month, the state took Medicaid away so, which wasn’t ideal. 😆
Watermyth is on the SFWA Nebula reading list and even though I was told a couple of weeks back that it had been submitted, I still cannot get over seeing it there. Pinching myself black and blue.
@kagan@writerobscura
Sorry I'm late to respond to "@sfwrtr's answer mention[ed] it's unprofessional to put on submissions to publishers." Hehehe... Hope I caused nobody distress when I let too much realism creep into my posts.
"...baby writer..."
I like that term! It implies you have to work to walk, and that you understand it won't be easy. But, with time we will run.
Being new to something, aspiring, we always want to look experienced because those who will judge us and our works are reassured by competency. Competency implies experience. Experience in turn implies that we won't waste your valuable time if you look closer at us or our work. Learning to appear professional is essential, especially when you don't have a brand name. Any little thing that gets you past the gatekeepers is worth working upon. You at least want someone to read the first few paragraphs of your story (the best you can hope for).
f my response seemed like a quick backpedal, it's partly because I'd also seen @sfwrtr's answer...
I specifically want to praise you. Admitting that you are learning has impressed me a lot. Humility is a skill, and it will serve you as well as persistence will. It certainly makes me want to write further posts because I feel I'm actually helping folks. Writing is always about communicating.