Wednesday ROW80 check-in

Editing, editing, and more editing. That's what my week has amounted to so far. The plant book is taking up so much of my time. I'm so afraid that I won't get it done in time for the end of March deadline. So I've neglected every thing else so far this week.

Well, that's not quite true. I did prepare something to read at my writer's group. It was nice to be out with fellow writers. A few new-to-me writers were at the group. Nice to meet more! I also went to an author talk this week. Ami McKay, a great Canadian writer, was talking about how her research results in novels. It was good for me because I also do a lot of research. It's nice to live in a place where I can attend some interesting talks.

I still plan to write a poem this week. It's hard to imagine getting anything done on the WIP though. At least I'm on top of the editing goal. Over the top in terms of time in fact!

I hope you are all faring well on this leap day!!

Check-in Sunday ROW80

It's hard to imagine the devastation in Iqaluit at the moment. A fire in an apartment building. 53 children homeless, at least two people dead. 300 people with no place to go. In the Arctic. I know the community well after living there for the last twelve years. They will come together and work something out. But it will not be easy. My heart goes out to those in need. At times like this I wish I was back home to share in the grief. But here I sit, following it from afar.

I have been doing as much editing on the plant book as possible. No new poems since Wednesday although I feel one coming on at the moment. I need to work on my theme writing for the writer's group tonight, but I think I have it under control.

Feeling a little numb.

ROW80 Wednesday

I can't believe it's already Wednesday. Seems like it was just Sunday. Wrote another poem so that's good. One of these days though I must get around to editing the poems and putting them together in some sort of collection.

The rewriting of the plant book is going to be much more of a challenge than I thought. Just more work than I anticipated so getting it done in the short time span will take a lot of discipline. Not something I have a lot of these last few months. Here's my chance to get it back!

I have to complete my theme writing for the writer's group meeting on Monday night. Not sure how I will fit that in. It's reading week for the kids at University and there are 7 young adults in the house... it's hard to find a quiet place to write.

I haven't managed to get any work done on my WIP. Will try to fit that in too.
Hope your week is going well!!

Need to toughen up

I just got an email from someone that I do not know who is criticizing one of the aspects of my insect book. I guess that happens when you put something out there. Not everyone is going to like what you do, nor is everyone going to agree with how you've done it. I guess it's just irritating me because this person has no idea how much time and energy went into making every single decision that ended up producing this book. MY book.

I feel like I need to email this person back and give them all the reasons why I did what I did and how it in fact works very well. I suppose that would be a waste of my time so that's why I am venting here instead.

Take a deep breath. Okay, I'm ready to continue my work. Thanks for listening!!

Sunday ROW80 check in

Well, it's been a busy few days. I can't believe that I completely forgot about checking in on Wednesday! I can't even think of an excuse.

Since last Sunday I've written more than one poem. I think it's three in fact. So I surpassed the goal to write one a week.

I did manage to complete 500 words on my work in progress on 4 out of 7 days. So things are improving.

Tonight I am sending my edited story to the editor to see how I'm doing with the changes that were suggested. I feel like I've made some great changes while maintaining the integrity of the story. I am very pleased. There is still some tweaking to do but I will work on that once I hear back from the editor. I already can't wait to hear back and I haven't even sent it yet.

This week I have to do some theme writing for my writer's group. So I hope I can keep up with my other goals as well.

I have to edit the new edition of my first book. They want to make some changes. So that is high on my priority list for this week as well.

Mustn't forget the yoga this week because I will surely need it!
Hope you all have a good writing week.

Fiction and non

I've been working on a picture book now for the last couple of months. It's a story that I have been working on for years really, a childhood memory. I sent it to a publisher in September and they really liked it but this publisher focuses on Northern/Inuit stories. So although it was a northern story (I lived in the Arctic for the last twelve years) it was not northern enough to meet their criteria. So they asked me if I would agree to be paired with an Inuit author and we could work together to make the story more northern. That took a great deal of thought but in the end I agreed to it because it seemed like a great opportunity to get published with my first children's book. Months later, my co-author still has not signed her contract. I signed mine several months ago and have been working to edit the story to make the writing as perfect as I can. The publisher told me yesterday that the story is now on the back burner because the co-author is still having trouble with the contract. I am so disappointed. I don't think I can try to sell the story to anyone else for two years (I'll have to look at the contract again).  I guess it's time to work on something new. I have other works in progress, but none that have a contract...

That being said, I have been asked to do some re-writes for my first non-fiction book published in 2004. It's time for a second edition! One door closes, another one opens.

I was just really looking forward to being a published fiction writer. My dream.

Keep dreaming eh?

Sunday check-in ROW80

I feel like I should've written something last night when I heard about Whitney Houston. Just like when I heard about Michael Jackson. It really feels like the end of something. And for some reason, because I was not a Whitney Houston fan, I'm deeply saddened by her death. It harkens back to John Donne - therefore send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee. It makes me think about how we all interact and how every single one of us contributes to the whole that we belong to. I so appreciate all the people in my world. I know you are all equally blessed. Don't forget it.

As far as my goals go, I did well at the beginning of the week, not so good at the end. But I'm not discouraged. I feel like things are just settling into place. And this week is bound to be stellar! That is my wish for all of you!!