Goals and Catching Up on Business Redux

On Tuesday, June 28^th, 2011, I posted a list of my goals for the remainder of 2011, inspired by my buddy, Pam Asberry. She has her personal blog called Sometimes It's Cloudy, Sometimes It's Clear:

http://pamasberry.blogspot.com/

I wrote down my goals on some scrap paper and promptly put them in the drawer of the desk and forgot about them.

I do remember that the goals, in order to be more effective, need to be "I will..." statements and have a definite date attached to them. Simply by writing them down, they are more likely to be accomplished, right? They need to be doable, which means I need to get off my fat @ss and stop playing Jewel Quest III all afternoon, while watching bad TV.

So, here are the goals I put before you on June 28^th for the remainder of 2011 and my progress (or not so much) in brackets afterward:

1. I will finish one large needlework project by 12-31-2011. I love stitching and have several that would only require a little more effort to finish. [Don’t know if that will happen. I have finished one small piece and started another for an end of February birthday gift for a friend. I’m about I’d say one-sixth through and it goes pretty quickly.]

2. I will be more active and watch my diet to lose at least 10 lbs. by my doctor's appointment the first week in September (let's say 9-1-2011). Really. It's not that hard, Julee. [Did not do it by then, but I did start. I was so sick in August, I started my radical diet and have lost over twenty pounds by the end of October. Not too shabby.]

3. I will get the boxes of cross-stitch magazines and craft stuff that I no longer have need of or want to the place that sells them on eBay for me by 9-1-2011. I've made several hundred dollars so far this year off of stuff that had been in boxes in the garage, not seeing the light of day for years. [Just got payment today (Nov. 3^rd) for the last shipment ($65 toward the new Laptop Fund!) and I have three more boxes of things ready to go. I just need to get the magazine box upstairs (oh, honey….?), seal,  label them and get them to the post office. I also have two pretty clear plastic bowls ready of Christmas earrings priced for the booth I share with a friend.]

4. I will clean and organize the dining room, kitchen and living room so that we can host a Christmas party this year, say before 12-23-2011. The dining room has been a storage room for the past year. I will include re-upholstering the six chairs I spray painted black last year. [Don’t know if this is happening. See below.]

5. I will find full-time employment I enjoy by 10-1-2011. The TV station my husband works at is being sold, so this is an issue. [Close, but no cigar. It was November 2^nd, I got notification they want my real persona to come work at the AT&T technical support call center, in their small business division. Nine (9) weeks of training, but think of all the cool gadgets I get to play with?! Yes, it’s full-time. The pay and benefits are decent and I’ll really get to help people. I am grateful. I just went to pee in a cup and talked to two people from the company that does the security checks, so that’s good. I start Nov. 28^th.]

6. I will finish editing Seven Days by 7-31-2011, so it can go to my beta readers. [Didn’t happen. I’ve divided the book into two stories. Seven Days: Will and Elizabeth is essentially done, as is Seven Days: Rob and Mary, because I just used the alternate POV scenes and stuff I had in my notes anyway. Rescheduled to the end of January, with new employment.]

7. I will finish writing at least one other novel-length manuscript by 12-1-2011. Shouldn't be a problem, because I pretty much have Seven Months done, except for putting it in first person. [I’m splitting up Seven Months too and I have so many good notes, I’m very excited about the two stories. I’m saying end of March or maybe end of April.]

8. I will research and query at least three agents by 9-31-2011. [Not going to happen. See #9.]

9. I will research and make a decision about self-publishing by 10-31-2011. [Decision was made in August or September. Definitely self-publishing, but will choose a company that does print-on-demand too . Why should I give someone else all but 17%?]

10. I will get my writing notes re-organized and get at least five notebooks transcribed into the computer and saved on flash drives by 10-31-2011. [Didn’t happen. I have gone through almost all my notebooks and flagged the pages that involve Seven Days and Seven Months story lines. I’ve also gone through and scanned dozens of magazines for pictures and articles and saved on flash drives. Copies of said flash drives are in a safety deposit box at our credit union. I’m fascinated and excited from going through these notebooks and they are serving as inspiration for little “bridging scenes” in these four books. It will get done, just not as soon as I wanted. That Jewel Quest III demon keeps popping up.]

Not terrible. What do you think? I am following Jane Friedman’s advice (Google her, she’s awesome!) of keeping my daily goals limited to what I can write on a sticky note, so I don’t get overwhelmed. I need to get a new purse notebook out of my stash and transfer phone #s, addresses and such to it. With the new job, I’ll have access to lots of new technology and will be training to use it, so I figure that will be a great exercise. I may even be :::shudder::: tweeting soon.

How have you been doing on your goals? Have you had to re-set them, as I have? That’s okay. It’s all progress.

Some Saturday Snapshots

So, hope you all aren't as freaked as I am that we're coming on to the end of September. Really, my head hurts.

I've been scooting around Facebook and different blogs this past week and I found a few things that were especially interesting. I also scored over 500,000 points on Jewel Quest Solitaire. While I didn't get all the writing done that I wanted, I did make some major changes to my fiction.

My original manuscript for the first story in my series, Seven Days, was over 700 pages long. I've since edited it down to a much more manageable length, almost half. I realized that part of the story was told by the heroine's sister and her story was told in book two, Seven Months. I started SM with her POV of the events in SD, then realized I had enough for a whole other book. The great thing is, everything is already written in my notes, it is just cutting, pasting and editing.

So, there will be:
Seven Days: Will and Elizabeth
Seven Days: Rob and Mary
Seven Months: Will and Elizabeth
Seven Months: Rob and Mary

More than enough craziness and loving as these two couples, two brothers marrying two sisters, discover life together. Other books will follow, with friends' and children's stories to be told, but I'm well on my way to getting these stories out. There will be some overlap, with the same scenes told from two different points of view, but we'll find out what was happening to dramatically change lives, while the primary story unfolds.

So, I promised pictures. I found this one posted on FB by Teresa Medeiros:

Found originally on the Random House site. While I watch some reality TV, pardon me if I really don't care to follow the train wrecks on "JS."

I found some pictures, going through my files, that represent each of my characters. The first is from my extremely hot, but very geeky hero William:

Found on SF author David Brin's FB post and from the NASA website originally. Will would have this up on his office wall to remind himself just how insignificant almost all of our problems are.

One of the first scenes I wrote was between Will and Elizabeth at a Chinese restaurant. I had eaten at one with my husband and my fortune in the cookie had the Chinese word and character for blessing. I thought, isn't that great? Will would say Elizabeth is a blessing to him and start calling her that. A few months later, I was up in Indianapolis for work and went into a Half-Price Books to find these at the checkout. I grabbed about a dozen and I wrote another scene into the book where Will does the same.

It is the Chinese character for "Blessing" and it has the word in script on the border. The orange ribbon is quite long and while I have one out of the package, I haven't used it yet. But, I have them and they're very special to me. I think God sends me signs I'm on the right track and this was certainly one of them.

Elizabeth/Lizzy's next younger sister is Mary Margaret. She works in computer software support and is completely thrilled when Will sets up a job interview with his computer gaming company. Because she has spent most of her life reading, on the computer, practicing her piano or flute or working in her beloved garden, Mary Margaret often bemoans she is Mary of the Perpetual Virginity. When she finds out Will has a younger brother and he is coming out for the oldest sister's wedding, she knew her life would totally change. Here's an iris (one of her favorite flowers) from my garden a few years ago:

Love the purple--I didn't prune the faded blooms, because I wanted to show all the stages of the flower. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it......

Finally, we have Rob, short for Michael Robinson D'Arcion. He performed under his first and middle name in a boy band in his teens, but walked away and is "hiding in plain sight" in New York City. He is more than willing to help Mary Margaret with her virginity "problem," but she has to spend a few months in Japan first. Can't make it too easy--Michael had a HUGE following there and he has to resurrect what he hates to show her he is really serious about a life together. He loves being in the big city, so I chose a picture that author Linda Francis Lee posted of Manhattan with a view of Central Park. Yes, our boys have money.

So, as I look through magazines or books, I try to scan and save things in my character files that make me smile and inspire me to discover how he or she would react to all the @#$% I throw at them.

What pictures inspire you?

Some life rules and decisions to share

This was posted from a friend on Facebook last week and it really struck home to me.

Also, Patty Pote, who at one time was my boss and is also a writer, posted this recently:

"You weren't created to be a failure. Sure some things may not have worked out and there have been some disappointments. But all these things helped guide you in a direction that was meant for you. Your life has purpose and significance. Try to be patient if it isn't all crystal clear just yet. For now, just know that you weren't created to fail."

Some good stuff, huh?

I need a good kick in the rear now. I've procrastinated and missed several job opportunities in these past few weeks that I regret. I've sat goofing and watching bad TV, while playing computer games rather than writing. I surf the web and Facebook, drilling down on related links, instead of getting my fat butt in gear to write and rewrite the half dozen stories I have going and transcribing my notebooks.

On the other hand, I made two bracelets and two necklaces out of projects I'd done years ago that I didn't like. I deconstructed them (tore them apart, LOL) and added some more beads. I'd post a picture, but my camera isn't cooperating. I also packed up two boxes of craft items I will never, ever use and got them mailed out today to a company that sells stuff on consignment.

That was another decision I have made over the past week. Inspired by my buddy Pam Asberry, I'm going to start an etsy store. Problem is, the camera. I just deleted about twenty pictures from all angles and distances that were horribly blurry. But, I do have a handy father-in-law that sells stuff on line and several friends with really good digital cameras that might be able to help me.

Yet another decision is that after I finish the eighth round of antibiotics so far this year (!), I will go on an "anti-yeast" diet, based on produce and lean meats. Problem with that is I'd have to give up chocolate and breads, which are like major food groups to me. *sigh* Pray for me.

And another reason why I haven't posted in a while is that I made some decisions about my fiction writing as a result of my Maggie contest critiques. I've made the decision to publish on-line and postponed my deadline to do all the things necessary to upload AT LEAST TWO of my stories until later in February 2012, around my birthday. The judges' notes told me I'd cut too much from the beginning of SEVEN DAYS, in my quest to get the word count to meet traditional publishing standards. Since I'll be self-publishing, that won't be as much of a concern now, will it? I can go back and explain the situations that seemed unclear to the judges and move up some of the revelations. This is a HUGE relief to me. I sent my thank you note to the judges last night.

I will be renewing my Romance Writers of America membership, despite the fact that they don't consider self-published authors as meeting their standards of "professional." This upset me until I realized how tied in they were to traditional publishing. Things will have to change in the next year. I may go ahead and send queries out to a couple of agents just to send in and get my PRO pin, but I'm betting there will be some fireworks. I want to watch the fun. Maybe stir some of it up by sending a letter with my membership renewal asking the organization to justify my dues.

Did I mention, when I was working for the State of Indiana, my nickname was "Troublemaker"?

So, you may see a little less of me on the interwebs, since I soon have to find the dreaded "day job." I also have to get going to get some more things out to a resale mall where I have a booth with another friend. I've been selling some antiques and household things we haven't used in years there and some months it's paid off, some months it hasn't.

I'm paring down my life. I'm desperately trying to be more productive and meet goals. I'm going to be healthier and more active. But, I will still love to hear from each and every one of you who visits, comments and politely kicks my big butt to get it in gear. What are your goals for the rest of the year?

 

Living with Other People in Your Head for Five Years

The other day, I realized I’ve been writing on this series of novels and stories for the past five years. The novel-length manuscript in the twenty year-old hard drive in the basement has already been rewritten in my head and notes. Its hero makes a brief appearance in SEVEN DAYS, the first book I’ve completed and am editing.

Friends and family are used to me zoning out in the middle of a discussion, grabbing my journal and pen to scribble something down or pointing out something and saying, “That’s so [fill in the blank with the character’s name].” They even egg me on, sending me quotes and links for articles or pictures.  My husband is used to dubbing all sorts of odd things onto DVDs for my “research.”

He has supported my dreams, laughing at me (of course), but saying he anxiously awaits the day I can make him a “kept man.” For Christmas 2006 and my birthday 2007, he bought me a laptop. It was an awesome statement of faith for which I will ever be grateful. Hundreds of files are there, all backed up on duplicate flash drives in secure locations. Most everything is now done on the much faster, flashier desktop in the office, but I’ll still use the laptop to type in notes or do quick edits while watching TV.

You all are backing up all your files, right?

But back to my imaginary friends. These characters are almost as real to me as my local friends, sometimes. I’ve certainly spent more time with these fictional phantoms, laughing at them, crying at their heartbreaks, rejoicing when they come up with just the right witty retort or when they’re in danger of exploding from so much love. Songs will conjure up scenes or intense feelings at odd moments. My husband works evenings and for my last job, I travelled a great deal. I was never alone, though. I’d just invite one of my peeps to tell me a story. It’s been my honor to transcribe them to share with you.

At their heart, these are all love stories, though other topics and literary events happen along the way. It starts with love, though. Lizzy and three of her four sisters are in Vegas for a bachelorette party. Will helps her during an emergency and she ends up marrying him, bringing home the ultimate souvenir.

The next seventy years are mapped out in my timeline. You see, his younger brother hooks up with her younger sister and there are kids, friends and ancestors’ stories to tell. Oh, yes, I have two historical novellas started, along with a juvenile for Grace’s story.

It’s been a wild and wonderful journey. My “real life” persona cross-stitches and I’ve given that obsession to Lizzy/Elizabeth. I’d like to share pieces I’ve done that remind me of my characters.

At the top of the article is Love Is Patient by La-Dee-Da. Elizabeth stitches it for Mary Margaret and Rob’s Christmas gift. It’s ironic, because Rob is dyslexic, but once he finds out the Bible verse, he’s very moved.

Will—graduated from The Naval Academy and loves to sail, so I chose Bass Harbor Lighthouse (Maine), by Cross My Heart for him. He sees it finished at Elizabeth’s apartment and she offers it to him for his office. She figures it would be appreciated and not sold at a yard sale for $5 (every stitcher’s nightmare).

Elizabeth—is fierce, but struggles to believe this new husband of hers can really keep her heart safe. This is an unfinished piece, I Believe, by Mosey & Me. It reads:

I believe

That myth is more potent than history

That dreams are more powerful than facts

That hope always triumphs over experience

That laughter is the only cure for grief

And I believe that love is stronger than death.

Mary Margaret—loves to garden and has hidden in her garden, at her piano, in a book, on a computer, for all of her thirty years. She sees her sister happy, gets her dream job, meets the love of her life and comes into her own in the second book, SEVEN MONTHS. This is Calla Lilies by Sue Powell and Mary Margaret has deep red ones in her wedding bouquet.

And finally,

Rob—the hardest to pick. He’s very old world, very sensual, so I chose one of Patricia Anderle’s Gothic Samplers. This piece saved our lives, literally. Our car ran out of gas outside of Atlanta, GA, in 2000. We made it to an off-ramp, but it was after midnight and cars were whipping past . I had this in my embroidery frame and we held it to flag drivers and keep us safe. Some extraordinary people helped us that night and I’d like to think Rob would be the one who stopped for us.

So, thanks for joining me on this extraordinary journey of the past five years with these wonderful characters. Though I’ll have to return to The Real World fairly soon (meaning getting a “real job” again), I promise to concentrate on editing and polishing the first two books, which are essentially written. Please follow me on my Facebook Fan Page and you may Friend me on my personal page, if you’d like. I’ll be here, trying to post a little more regularly on this blog, too.

Because, as Mary Margaret says, “Fate and faith puts us where we need to be.”

Love ya, Julee

Creative procrastination and counted cross-stitch

The Greek Cross, from Stitchin'spiration and Sally Rudkin

There was a period of time when I did a ton of counted cross-stitch. It was an obsession, where I think I really believed that "she who dies with the most patterns wins." What I didn't realize at the time was I'd still be dead and someone would have to deal with all my s#it. A friend told me he remembered me stitching while watching movies or visiting and I'd have two or three projects going at one time. Actually, I usually had about ten or more projects going at one time. We called them UFOs or UnFinished Objects and our purchases when we visited a good XS store S.E.X, for Stash Enhancement eXperience. As in, "I had some really great S.E.X. yesterday."

There was a wonderful story about a woman who dies and is led into a room with every pattern she ever wanted, all the best fabrics, all the embroidery flosses (even the special hand-dyed, like what was used on the piece here) and a comfortable chair with a fancy Ott lamp (true-color light--these old eyes swear by them!). She's happy, because she finally will have eternity to stitch to her heart's content. She says, "Thank you! This truly must be heaven!"

The person transforms to the devil and says, "No, welcome to hell. There are no needles." A bunch of us on the XS boards made a pact that we'd be buried with a packet of needles.

But, I have a bunch of pieces I've finished and have spent a small fortune framing. I used to do all my own finishing, spending a couple hours lacing or pinning the fabric to the acid-free foam core. The hardest part for me was always centering the piece and stretching it evenly. A buddy and I entered some pieces in the competition at the National Counted Cross-Stitch Festival that they used to hold at Rockholm Gardens, an Amish facility in Rockholm, Illinois. I remember being docked points because one side was two threads higher than the other.

As I've lived and learned through the years, I can either make it perfect or I can get it done. I used to try to be perfect all the time and I used to have ulcers. It's that whole adult child of alcoholics thing. Finally, I let it go and allowed myself to enjoy the experience of stitching, knowing to an untrained eye, it's still impressive. The piece above is technically blackwork, which is instead of making an "X," backstitching. I finished it in 2007 and bought the frame, matting, glass, foam core, backing, etc., from Michaels Craft Store probably in 2009 or 2010. It sat in the bag until last week when I found out that for $18.21, they would put the damn thing together for me. I was doing The Happy Dance, usually reserved for finishing a piece, when I found that out and I happily took it back in and gave them my credit card. The fine folks did a great job, it's ready to hang and even better, I didn't have to do it myself. I could spend the time writing, editing and playing Jewel Quest III. I also ruthlessly culled through my patterns and sent five boxes of stuff to a store that sells craft stuff on eBay. I've made several hundred dollars (no where near what I spent originally) that I've used to enter writing contests and for my RWA membership.

I've given my love and talent for cross-stitch to my heroine in my novel Seven Days, Lizzy/Elizabeth. The hero, Will, is the man for her when he shows an appreciation for a piece she's working on and asks if she would ever do a project for him. She knows it would have a place of honor in his office and wouldn't be sold for $10 at a yard sale. True story--I would kill. Honestly.

I've also given another trait of mine to Will. He shows Lizzy his office/library and admits he hasn't gotten a lot of his books up on the shelves because he has what he calls, "creative procrastination." Turns out, those books he did get on the shelves were smoke damaged (he gives up smoking for her), but the ones still in boxes weren't. I've learned, sometimes not getting something done is A Good Thing. In a previous job, something would tell me to procrastinate on a report and lo and behold, my boss would say we didn't have to do it.

So, I don't know why I procrastinated on framing The Greek Cross, from Stitchin'spiration and Sally Rudkin. Maybe, Michaels lowered their price on their framing service recently. Maybe, I just needed to see that I didn't have to do every bit of a project and do it perfectly to have the satisfaction of having finished it. Maybe, it was simply that I needed to get my s#it together and get it taken care of, so I could clean out that section of the room it was in and get it hung on my wall. But, I'm glad to share it with you and move on to another project. I'm almost finished with several pieces that I'll say Elizabeth did and I have another almost dozen pieces finished to frame. Writing and stitching makes a wonderful life!