Auspicious beginnings

First off, I have a new blog post over at Writer's Fun Zone. This month I'm talking about authenticity.

In my last post, I was full of energy for an old project, and ready to delve into a new one. Since then, my life and plans have skewed a bit.

The unexpected death of my mother slowed me down. A lot. I've spent a lot of time grieving, and am grieving still.

My writing priorities have shifted. I no longer have a desire to work on Southpaw Junction, for various reasons. So back in the virtual drawer it goes.

I'm working on a new novel, but not the one I mentioned in my last post. I've decided to strike new ground.

Last week was the beginning of Ganesh Chaturthi, the ten-day festival celebrating Lord Ganesh's birthday. Lord Ganesh is, among other attributes, the patron god of arts and wisdom and the remover of obstacles. He is also the god of auspicious beginnings. So I thought it only fitting that I start my brand-new novel project at the tail-end of his sacred festival.

The writing began today. So far, it feels like an auspicious beginning. I'll keep you posted.

A Good Swift Kick in the Pants

Yep, that's what I've been needing. I did a guest blog today on deadlines (will post a link to it when it goes live next week). What I've been lacking in my writing lately is urgency. I published Super Sargasso in a somewhat-timely fashion because I gave myself a deadline: it had to be available for sale by Marcon.

I used to hold myself accountable to a writing group. For various reasons, members sort of drifted from active participation in the group, which is a normal human thing that happens. But without that passionate group of writers pushing me every week, talking about what they were producing, etc., I let myself get lazy. Since Super Sargasso I've been afloat, picking around in little bits and pieces, writing guest blogs, slowly working on my next novel.

Well, no more. I've thrown two writing deadlines on myself.

1: I will have my second novel, Southpaw Junction, in fully polished glory in time for the Southeast Ohio Writers Conference. (Many thanks to my kick-ass writer friend Laura for the needed push on this one.)

2: I've just joined Columbus Creative Cooperative, and will have a reasonably polished section of my novel ready for critique in time for their July workshop.

Now I have a valuable tool in place to motivate me: public shame if I fail. So then, I should get to it.

Warming up: Why it's important for writers, too

My monthly blog post on writing and fitness is up now at Writers Fun Zone. This month's topic is the importance of warming up, both for working out and writing.

Speaking of warming up, I've gotten hit with a virus this past week and it's been slowing down both my karate and my word count. Ugh. I'm starting to feel better today, so I'll try to get back into my normal workout/writing zone tonight. Is there anyone out there who's able to maintain their word count, even while sick?

Super Sargasso now available!

That's right, my new collection of stories, Super Sargasso, is now available to purchase at Smashwords. Links to purchase at Amazon coming soon!

And if you're at Marcon this weekend, be sure to attend my release party. I'll be reading my favorite story from the collection, Purse Dog Apocalypse. You can also purchase a signed copy of Slideways, and enter to win a free copy of Super Sargasso. Plus, free snacks and wine (wine only for those over 21, of course).

The party will take place Saturday evening, 8 to 10 p.m. More details as soon as I have them!

Super Sargasso cover!

So, here's the big news I've been holding off on. I'll be releasing my collection of offbeat horror stories, Super Sargasso, next weekend. The official launch party will take place at Marcon, so if you're attending, be sure to stop by. In addition to entering to win a free copy, I'll also be providing refreshments and reading my personal favorite story from the collection, "Purse Dog Apocalypse".

I'll post more details post-release. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the cover:

New guest post and Marcon news

Bit #1: My monthly guest blog at Writer's Fun Zone is up. This month's topic: writing outside.

Bit #2: In addition to the previously listed Marcon panels, I'll also be doing a reading and book signing. I will have copies of Slideways for sale, or bring your own and I'll sign it. In addition, I'll be having an exciting release party! More news on that soon.

Marcon 2013 schedule

I've gotten my schedule for Marcon this year. Like last year, it will once again be on Easter weekend, March 29-31 this year. According to the programming committee, they'll be switching back to Memorial Day weekend next year. Frankly, I'm conflicted. The con had better attendance when it was on Memorial Day, but then, last year was the first year they put it on the new weekend. Also, because I don't have Marcon this Memorial Day weekend, I'm able to attend Scorched Nuts, which I'm really psyched about. They do it that weekend annually, so next year I'll have to make a tough choice.

Anyway, on to the schedule:

SAT 02:30pm Union C: Literary--Good Gods and Goddesses!
SAT 05:30pm Knox: Education--There, Their, They're: The Lost Art of Spelling and Punctuation.
SUN 01:00pm Union C: Literary--Genre Mishmash

I'm also scheduled for a reading and autograph session, but the time for those hasn't been confirmed yet. Also this year, I'll be debuting a special surprise!

Hodgman's advice to writers.

I just had to share this video. John Hodgman is one of my writing heroes; he's part of the reason I started writing again as an adult (but that's a topic for another blog post). He makes two thoughtful points in this video. The first points out the success of the modestly talented writer who continues to work and submit (provided he/she isn't crazy). The second breaks down "Write what you know" into 2 sub-points:

1) You have to know interesting things; and

2) You have to know what you know.

What do those mean? Well, since Hodgman's so much more eloquent than I (plus his voice is so much prettier), you should just watch the video:

Writer's Fun Zone and Marcon

My latest post for Writer's Fun Zone is up. This month, I'm talking about the health dangers of too much sitting, a real issue for writers. I talk about how I switched to a standing workspace for this very reason, and how you can, too. In other news, I've submitted my panelist registration for Marcon. As soon as I get my schedule, I'll post it here. I'm really looking forward to it this year; hoping to show up to the con with a surprise. :)

New Year's Resolutions/ Next Big Thing

Happy New Year, all! As I seem to do every year, I've made a couple of resolutions, mostly writing-related. One of these is: update my blog more often. In that vein, a couple of weeks ago I tagged Missy Lynn Ryan for the Next Big Thing. It would probably help if I linked to her post once it was up, though, wouldn't it? So, here's her Next Big Thing. Coffee making continues. I enjoyed the flavor of the Ethiopian coffee we got, roasted for five minutes, but it still came out a little light and weak. Because we're using the air popper method, I'm hesitant to run it for longer than that. Though I may turn it off halfway through, let it cool, and then resume. Hope that doesn't burn the beans on the bottom. Happy New Year, and best of luck to you in all your endeavors.