Clean It Up: The Healing Place

Confused? Looking for the weekly flash fiction? Read this post, and all will be revealed. Look for flash pieces occasionally for Thursday's Wildcard post instead.

Welcome to the first "Clean It Up" editing post. Every Saturday I'm going to bare my editing process (good, bad, and often ugly), whether I understand it myself or not. If you have comments, questions, or anything to add, please feel free to jump in - and we'll all learn something!

This week I grabbed the most marked up page from the flash pieces I did last month. You can read the whole story here. That photo above with all the orange ink everywhere? That's what the first page looked like after I was done with it. I know, it looks bad. Sometimes, that's necessary.

The second & third paragraphs have the most edits, so that's what I'll share today. Here's the first draft of that section:

The forest was alive behind her, and she closed her eyes, listening quietly to the cacophony of noise. Birds calling, leaves moving in the wind, tree limbs creaking, and who-knows-what rustling through the underbrush. Chris loved noise, activity, the incessant dance of nature. He would be at home here.

She slowly opened her eyes again, a dead tree on a gravel beach beside the river catching her eye. How does a tree die so close to water? Perhaps a lightening strike had been its demise. Even here, in this beautiful place, the cycle of life was not to be avoided. Chris would appreciate that.

I find that no matter how badly I try to avoid the bad habits I know I have, they still sneak into my work when I'm getting a first draft out. My worst writing "sins" are commas, adverbs, dialogue tags and tense switching. So those are the first things I look for and correct when I'm editing. Here's the excerpt after editing:

At her back, the forest was a cacophony of sound. She closed her eyes, allowing it to inundate her senses. Birds called, tree limbs creaked, and the underbrush rustled with the incessant dance of nature. It was the perfect primal setting for the healing her client so desperately needed.

She opened her eyes. A dead tree in the gravel beside the river caught her eye. How could a tree die so close to plentiful water? Perhaps a lightening strike had been its demise. Even here, in this beautiful place, the complete cycle of life prevailed. Chris would appreciate that.

One thing that I really had a problem with here was tense. I kept trying to bring things from past tense into present, then go back again. I have a "thing" for "ing" words...and you'll notice that they've virtually disappeared in the edited version. I've also removed the problematic "was" words for better phrasing, and corrected several redundancies. I broke up a sentence or two as well, to remove commas.

Finally, I changed some of the phrasing just to move the story forward, and give the reader small clues as to what might be going on, ie: "primal healing", "her client".

What are the things you look for first when editing a piece of writing? What's your worst writing "sin"?

Feel free to add your own editing spin to my excerpts if you'd like - what would you change, either in the first or second versions?

Wildcard: Superior Scribbler Award

Thanks so much to jessjordan at "Say What?" for giving me the Superior Scribbler Award! She's working on a query & pitch over at her blog, so head over there and check it out.

There's been lots of blogger love going around this week, and this seems like the perfect opportunity to highlight some of my favorite blogs too by passing this award on to 5 other deserving bloggers. So in no particular order, I bestow this award upon:

Carol @ Random Thoughts - for sharing her goals, poetry and "whimsical" things she finds with us, and for being one of the most supportive blogger/writers I know.

Kait Nolan @ Shadow & Fang - for sharing an amazing wealth of knowledge about the writing craft and her process.

Clair @ Bo Fexler, PI - for her insightful thoughts on writing and life in general, and her inspiring Wordless Wednesday pictures.

Michele @ Killing Time - for thought-provoking posts on life and how people live it.

Issac @ Issac Espriu's Place - for incredibly motivating posts on his own goals, writing processes, and the road to publication.

Make a point to check out these blogs if you haven't yet - they're excellent reads, well worth the time.

To play along:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

What Is It?

Congratulations to C R & Michele! It was indeed the top of a pitcher of iced tea - very tasty. Jess & Suzanne, you two were close enough, so you both get entries as well. Good guessing!


Something I think will be a little easier for our last photo this month (then again, the ones I think are the easiest seem to be the hardest!). I'll hold the drawing next Tuesday night, and announce the monthly winner next Weds. (Aug. 5th). The winner will get to choose from a few books, and I have a small pack of Strawberry Cheesecake White Tea to include that is seriously *to die for*.

What Is It?

Good Luck!

To enter: Simply post a comment with your best guess as to what the subject of the photo is. Each correct answer = 1 drawing entry. Drawings held at the end of each month. Prizes include a book and tea.

If you glance to the right, and scroll down a little...

...no, not that far. Go back up a little. Yeah, there - where it says "Current WIPs".

Now see where it says "Novel Draft"? See just below the title, where all those numbers are?

Yes, you're reading that right. Tuesday night, I hit the 10,000 word mark of my draft. Woohoo! Hooray! Yippee! There's something very motivating for me about hitting that first 10k, so I had to share my excitement. :-)

We now return to our regularly scheduled blog posts...

Weekly Goals & Reading List 7/27/09

Wow, is it a new week already? Where’s the time going? How is it almost August? Whoa.

Last week I did pretty well. The 250 words per night on my novel draft is getting to be habitual, so much so that when I took Sat/Sun off, I still thought about it both nights, and actually wanted to try to squeeze it in! I didn’t though – forced myself to take them off, because sometimes not writing when I *want* to write revs me way up to get higher word counts the next time I go at it. And that’s one of my goals for this week.

Personally speaking, I only worked out once (on Wednesday), and started reading through my draft of “Loving Lana” (the title that grates on my nerves every stinkin’ time I read it). I also decided to definitely make at least one family calendar for a Christmas gift, and started getting focused on the other gifts and newsletter as well (for some reason, writing that silly holiday letter takes me nearly as long as a novel – must mull it over…and over and over and over).

In any case, August is one week away, and I’m having a hard time even believing that. My life always kicks into high gear in the fall, so I need to pick up the pace with…well…everything!

Weekly Goals

Writing: I’ve set a deadline of Sept. 1st for the novel draft to be finished for the Summer Challenge on the AW forums. I’d like to write 500 wds min. on that this week, up from 250 to move a little faster. I don’t theoretically *have* to have it finished by then, but I’d really like to. I’d also like to get editing and rewriting on “Lana” so I can make the ebook available this fall. And I really need to finish the draft of my short story this week – for my own personal sense of accomplishment. If you missed the cutting of Flash Fiction on Saturdays, read yesterday’s “news” post for that info – and check out the new “editing” topic for Saturdays starting this week.

Personal: I’m going for 2 workouts this week again. *sigh* I’m also going to layout the Christmas newsletter, and start getting the calendar pages together for the gift project. It will take a bit of doing, since I need to collect the entire family’s birthdays/anniversaries, etc. Lots of emailing this week. And the Save-the-Date magnets for the Halloween party need to be designed and ready to mail next Saturday. Yes, I’ll be keeping busy this week!

Reading List

I’m still working on The Broken Window – excellent. I love reading books that “break writing rules”…Deaver does it very well, and it gives me motivation to keep writing, even if I do occasionally break a rule (on purpose).

Just finished One Night with the Wealthy Rancher by Brenda Jackson. Excellent case of a huge misdirection…I always like her books, they move along quickly and the writing is excellent.

This week I also read a short story (novella?) collection that was in my Harlequin subscription – Endless Summer with stories by Julie Kenner, Karen Anders & Jill Monroe. Three pro-surfer girls falling in love on the beach. Really perfect for a summer read, and all excellent, touching stories. I enjoyed it very much.

This week I have a few more romances to finish before my subscriptions come again in August, and more Deaver, of course. I read much more slowly when I’m writing more, so probably only a couple books this week.

So that’s me for the week – anyone else kicking into gear for fall yet?

Variety News 7/26/09

What I find most interesting about having blogs is that they tend to "guide" my focus & motivation, writing or otherwise. Starting the week with my goals gets my head in the right space for focusing on them throughout the week. My blog serial "focuses" my long writing, and I end up being more productive on my novel WIP. Last week, doing a wildcard post on Christmas focused my thinking on that, and motivated me to get working on those calendars (which seemed like a better idea the more I thought about it). It works that way with all of my blogs, helping me to keep my various interests focused and moving forward. Does anyone else have this experience with blogging?

In any case, a few changes this week in order to "guide" my writing focus in a slightly more productive direction. The flash fiction is fun and...well...fast, but it's not really moving me forward at this point (or really motivating me to do anything). What I really need to get moving on, since my actual writing is going pretty well, is editing. So with that in mind, I'm going to make Saturdays a study in editing, posting a short excerpt from something I've written during the week, and then the edited version, with notes on why I've changed what I changed. Hopefully readers will jump in with their thoughts/questions, and we can all get better together.

So, the lineup here this week:

Monday: Goals & Weekly Reading List
Tuesday/Friday: New chapters of "Tempest"
Wednesday: Last mystery photo of the month!
Thursday: Wildcard ???
Saturday: Clean It Up Edits

Elsewhere on the Variety Network:

Nail Art Tuesday features a fuchia & gold manicure.

Tea On Tap features an interview with Teas, Etc., and a review of Strawberry Lemonade green tea from The NecessiTeas.

Scaryview Cemetery Scrapbook looks at cemetery fencing and creating an MRI machine out of a stairwell.

Here's to another great week!

Sorry, No Flash Today!

I didn't get a flash piece done this week...and I think I'll probably cut back to bi-weekly or once monthly flash instead. Not to sound greedy, but I want to spend more time on short stories for possible submission, which means I can't post them here.

But that's not why I flaked out this week. *grin* I thought maybe I'd do one today, but have since gotten distracted by a few other things. If you're interested, check out my Scaryview Cemetery Scrapbook blog for what I'm up to this weekend.

More on the flash posting schedule tomorrow in Variety News...

Happy Saturday!

Wildcard Topic: Holidays in July

In deference to those who cannot possibly stomach the “C” word this early, I’ve renamed today’s post “Holidays”. Proceed at your own risk from this point on…

If you’ve known me for long, online or off, you already know that I’ve been planning for our annual Halloween bash for months now. To be precise, we started planning for it last October. Yes, we’re nuts. We like it that way.

But you may or may not know that I also plan ahead for Christmas. Not decorations, or activities, or anything like that – I’m actually not much of a “Christmas spirit” kind of person. But I do start thinking about gifts, because whether we like it or not, they are a very important part of that particular holiday, and it takes me that long to get psyched up for it. I’ll save you the whole drawn-out rant…it’s not pretty, and accomplishes nothing, unfortunately.

I like to make gifts, some years more than others. I crochet, and have closets way-too-full of yarn just begging to be made into hats, sweaters and other fun things to give away. Obviously that takes time, and I have to plan out who’s getting what early, so I have time to make the items. Not too many crocheted gifts this year, but a few for certain – so I’m nailing that down this week.

I’ve also noticed that our apple tree out back is bursting with fruit this year – which means lots of apple sauce and spiced apples will be canned this fall. That always makes a good gift, and consumable too, with very little actual expense (just a few afternoons/evenings in the kitchen).

Another thing I’m considering is making personalized family calendars – you know, the ones with everyone’s birthday, anniversaries, etc…with personalized craft/artwork at the top. I actually really like that idea, so I may look into how much time/money that would take me.

Of course there are always several gifts to buy – and we have to start thinking about those early, because it takes that long to find the “perfect” idea for any particular person (and backup ideas, just in case).

The other part of Christmas I start thinking about early is the letter. Yes, we do a newsletter, which I know some people hate. Personally, I *love* getting Christmas letters…because I genuinely want to know what everyone’s been up to all year (yes, even if that included a month in the tropics – I still want to know, so I can be properly jealous and happy for them all at the same time). In order to avoid offending anyone, I only send letters to those who send them to me, or older family members we don’t see often, and who I know enjoy them. Everyone else just gets a card and a quick note.

Last year I did our letter as a “newsletter”, and included favorite recipes, etc. I think I’ll do that again this year. It’s more fun when it’s not *all* about us.

So…it’s time to ‘fess up. Who else is out there thinking about Christmas gifts and letters? Anyone? Or am I alone in the planning madness?

What Is It?

Even with the clues I left, no one got last week's photo - which was, in fact, a cheeseburger! Ha!


Sorry gang. But maybe you'll have better luck with this week's photo, still in the "things I like to consume" category.

What Is It?

Good Luck!

To enter: Simply post a comment with your best guess as to what the subject of the photo is. Each correct answer = 1 drawing entry. Drawings held at the end of each month. Prizes include a book and a tin of tea.

Weekly Goals & Reading List 7/20/09

Still not perfect last week, but better. I kind of got bogged down on a technical writing issue (mid-scene POV switch issue), but not so much that it stopped me from moving forward. I wrote two versions of the same scene, and left them both in for now (with yWriter, everything is separated into chapters and scenes, so it’s easy enough to have them both there without actually using both).

So I did actually manage at least 250 words per day last week on my novel WIP, taking Friday and Saturday nights off. I feel pretty darn accomplished for that! I also managed to write my flash piece early, so I only had to edit it Friday night. Much better. I came to the decision that I’m completely at the saturation point with writing projects at the moment, so had to cancel the tea tales idea for now. Maybe I’ll get back to it later.

I got the short story started, as you can see in my WIP progress box over there to the right. Wish I would have finished the draft, but I was too busy trying to figure out tea tales, and messing with that perspective issue. I did check out the Harlequin presents guidelines, and my chef novel really won’t fit there, I don’t think. That’s okay. If it’s good, it will eventually fit somewhere.

And I did better with laundry last week too. ‘Cause I know you were all wondering about that, right?

Weekly Goals

Writing Goals: I’m shooting for another 250 words min. per day on my novel draft, plus as many as possible on my short story draft. Those along with my serial installments and flash fiction, of course. I’m also planning to finally print out the ms for Loving Lana, and start reading through it this week. That will go along nicely with my…

Personal Goals: I’m going to walk on the treadmill for at least 20 min. on Tues. & Thursday this week. I’ll start reading Lana’s ms while I’m doing that. I’m also going to start planning Christmas gifts (see Thursday’s post), and quit being too lazy to clean the kitchen before bed. Yes, I’m lazy, and I hate it.

Weekly Reading List

I finally finished Nothing to Lose last weekend. Thank god! The ending did have a better climax, and a big explosion, etc…but by the time I got there, I was just *so* tired of it all! Hubby loved the book, but me? Not so much.

I also read a few romance novels (of course) – Twin Seduction by Cara Summers was completely wonderful, and Bossman Billionaire by Kathie DeNosky, which was good, but centered on that all-important longing some women have to bear children. I don’t share that desire (haven’t for most of my life), so I don’t really enjoy books where that’s the main reason for a couple getting together as much as other books where it’s merely a sub-plot. Why did I buy it then? It was part of my monthly subscription from Harlequin. Gotta take what they give me, though I sometimes think about canceling the Silhouette one, due to all the "baby" themed books.

This week, I started The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver, and so far it’s wonderful. I love the Lincoln Rhyme novels, discovered them after I watched The Bone Collector movie. I’ll start another romance at lunch today as well (not sure which one).

Anything on your plate this week?

Variety News 7/19/09

If you haven't had a chance yet, check out the Absolute Write blog chain when you get some time (links to the left). There are some amazing posts so far, and we're not even half-way through. Also, I started a discussion on switching perspectives mid-scene on the forums, which has turned into a very educational discussion. Check it out here.

This week on The Variety Pages:

Monday: Goals & Reading list, featuring the end of Nothing to Lose, the beginning of The Broken Window, and a couple great romance reads.
Tuesday & Friday: Will Charlie escape the bear, and who snapped that photo? Two new chapters of Tempest will tell.
Wednesday: The photo that wouldn't be identified is finally revealed. Who knew such a simple subject would be so cryptic?
Thursday: Christmas in July? Oh yes I did go there...someone has to!
Saturday: Flash fiction - this week is the last office themed story, the genre will be romance.

Elsewhere on the Variety Network:

Nail Art Tuesday features something brighter.

Tea on Tap features an interview with The Necessiteas on Wednesday. Haven't quite gotten to the tea stories yet.

Scaryview Cemetery finally gets an update on a new order, fence-building and save the date magnets. Yes, really!

Anything I should look for on your blog this week?

Flash Fiction: The Supply Clerk

The Supply Clerk

Maggie rifled through the top drawer of her desk. Her stapler was gone again. It was only her second week at Canyon Bank, and she didn't want to visit the supply room again so soon. She checked under a pile of papers, and her personal piece of floor space. Nothing. Finally admitting that the stapler was gone, she closed the drawer with a sigh. High heels clicking on the tiled floor, she made her way across the lobby and down a flight of stairs to the basement.

It was always a little unsettling down there, the dim lighting and narrow hallways setting the scene for any number of frightful scenarios in her mind. Maggie hurried along the corridor to an old metal door at the end marked with a simple sign: Supplies. She turned the knob and stepped inside a small square room, surprised to find the single incandescent bulb hanging from the ceiling already on.

A woman was kneeling with her back turned in front of the lower shelves. Not wanting to frighten her, Maggie scuffed a shoe on the ground, a small warning noise. She smiled as the woman turned to look at her.

“Hi. I’m Maggie.” She held out her hand, and the woman straightened, the corners of her lips tipped slightly upward in an aloof smirk as she stepped forward to take Maggie’s hand. She was very trim, with long white-blond hair that hung in a straight sheet down her back. Her palm was ice-cold, sending chills up to Maggie's shoulder, radiating through her core.

“I'm Kristin,” Her high voice was soft and melodic. “It’s nice to meet you, Maggie.” Her long, bony fingers slid across Maggie’s palm as she removed her hand, leaving a strange, tingling feeling behind.

“I’m new,” Maggie said, rubbing her hands together. “I’m an account clerk upstairs. What department do you work in?” No harm in being friendly, even if this woman was a little strange.

Kristen motioned casually to the shelves. “I’m the supply clerk,” she said, glancing around the room. “Was there something you needed?”

“My stapler seems to have gotten lost,” Maggie said. Odd that she hadn’t heard anything about a clerk in the supply room. “I was hoping I could get another?”

“Right over there,” Kristen said, pointing helpfully to the very bottom shelf in the back. The clerk didn’t seem inclined to get it for her, so Maggie stepped over to peer down at a row of staplers. Wait. Was that the stapler from her desk? The mark on the side matched perfectly. How did it get down here?

She reached for her stapler, overcome by a sudden wave of dizziness. She lost her balance as she tried to stand, ending up on the floor instead. Fog rolled over her thoughts, and she was vaguely aware of Kristen behind her, arms gently guiding her into a chair.

“Just relax,” Kristen said, her face distorted in Maggie’s hazy view. “You'll be fine.” Her words were like a chant. She moved to the side, and Maggie felt a sudden prick in her arm. Had Kristen drugged her? She tried to turn her head, to speak, but her body wouldn't comply. She tried to remember where she was. What she had come for. She was so tired.

Suddenly, her mind cleared. Maggie realized she was sitting alone in the supply room, her stapler in hand. Had she fallen asleep? Had the blond woman just been a dream? She stood up, recalling a quick sting in her arm. She examined the skin for marks, holes, little red dots. There was nothing.

Shivering, she pulled the door open and flicked the light switch off, hurrying down the corridor to the stairs. She walked back to her desk and sat down. Checked the clock. Surely she’d been gone longer than ten minutes? Frowning, she leaned over her desk and the paperwork at hand. She wasn’t going down to that room again. She’d send Jeanette next time instead.

Kristen stepped to a small cabinet in the back wall of the supply room. She opened the door, then another in the wall and passed the blood bag through to a gnarled hand. She closed the cabinet, then went to the front of the supply room and turned on the light. Todd would be coming for his three-hole punch soon.

Paranormal is painfully difficult for me to write. Perhaps because it's one of the genres I read the least? This was a good exercise though - a good stretch for the brain.

Wildcard: Vacation!

Surprise! I'm taking a vacation from posting today (unless the blog chain miraculously skips to me, in which case I'll post). Lest you think this is actually a post, belying my claim, I wrote and scheduled it Wednesday night.

I'm using the time I'd normally spend on a post for the day writing my flash pieces for this weekend. I'll return Friday with the next chapter of Tempest.

What Is It?

Congrats to C R, Cindy, & Michelle - that was indeed a shot of my clothes closet last week. Easy as pie, right? Three more entries into this month's drawing...

As a little incentive, the winner this month will get to choose from a thriller, a drama, and a romance novel - and a few teas I've recently ordered. Should be a very good prize!

This week's mystery photo might be a little more difficult...

What Is It?

Good Luck!

To enter: Simply post a comment with your best guess as to what the subject of the photo is. Each correct answer = 1 drawing entry. Drawings held at the end of each month. Prizes include a book and a tin of tea.

Weekly Goals & Reading List 7/13

Once again, my reading time got in the way of my writing time last week - and I happily let it at the time, then regretted it later. So my writing goals got somewhat derailed last week, something I'm determined not to let happen this week. I made decent progress on my personal goals, though not quite enough. Strangely, those were impacted by my reading "choices" as well. Seriously - while it may seem like a good idea at the time, staying up to finish that romance novel until past midnight when the alarm goes off at 5:30am is just not smart, for *any* faucet of life! Although if I were writing instead of reading, on contract, I doubt I'd worry so much about the impact...

In any case, getting down to the goals for this week:

Writing
1. Write short story draft of "Hot Lunch". The whole draft needs to be finished this week. Period.
2. Write my flash pieces for the weekend *before Friday*. This has more to do with time management, but it's important that I work on finishing things before my self-imposed deadlines if I ever expect to write to an editor's deadline. Not to mention posting better work with more time to edit.
3. At least 250 words per day on My Private Chef. I started yesterday with 271 words. I'll need to step this up later on, but for now, slow is fine.
4. This is kind of exciting. Harlequin is having a contest for submissions to either the Presents or Modern Heat lines. It closes November 2nd. My mission this week is to check out the requirements for each line, and see if My Private Chef might fit one, or if I could write it in such a way that it does (I'm only 5,000 words in, easy enough to tweak the plot from here).

Have I mentioned that my major long-term writing goal is to write for Harlequin? If not, now you know. I would be perfectly happy to be published by any house that wants to print my work, but to be a Harlequin author... *sigh*

Personal
Yesterday, I spent most of my day cleaning house. My dining room table is now *clean*, the Easter centerpiece put away until next year. The floors are vacuumed, sheets changed, and kitchen clean and serviceable. I feel pretty good about all that.

So this week, back to the 1 load of laundry every evening routine. I've gotten away from it, and I'm tired of having to scramble to do laundry on the weekends. And I am going to work out this week too - didn't do that last week, but am determined this week. Good for the body, good for the brain, and good reading time if I'm on the treadmill.

Reading List

So what was I so avidly reading last week? I'm nearly done with Nothing to Lose by Lee Child, for one. And honestly, I was motivated to finish it until the first "mystery" was revealed. It was disappointingly "average" as far as climatic revelations go - so much so that I felt like it was all a big tease. The very methodical pacing led up to a lackluster explanation for the preceding events. And I lost my motivation right then and there to finish the darn thing.

Don't get me wrong - Child is a wonderful author, and from a technical standpoint, his pacing was just clever and ingenious with this novel. But I need more...and from reading other works of his, I know he can give me more, so I was disappointed this time.

The novel that kept me up until 2:30am was Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl. When I twittered about it the next day, she really didn't seem all that sorry that I was sleepwalking the next day. Weird. It's an excellent story, as all of hers are - I'd definitely recommend it, but don't start it unless you have ample time to finish it!

I also read Unbridled by Tori Carrington, and Hard to Resist by Samantha Hunter. Both excellent, with a seriously hot hero in Hunter's book (not that they aren't all, but this one, wow). I also got in a few erotic novels from Ellora's Cave that were...well...most excellent. Now I'm reading Cara Summers' Twin Seduction, and loving every second of it.

That's it for me - anyone else want to join in? Or post links to your own goals on your blog? Here's to a great, productive week!

Variety News 7/12/09

It's 10:30pm Mountain Time (my zone) as I write this, so while others reading this may think I'm late, technically, I still have an hour and a half to get this posted. I had to focus more on housecleaning today than blogging or writing, because we were getting buried in "stuff". The house is much, much better now...and I'm blogging/writing late into the night. *sigh*

Anyways, late last week I decided to participate in a blog chain put together on the Absolute Write forums. It sounded like fun! I'll be last on the chain, so my post probably won't be "up" until next week, but as the last person, it was my job to pose a question for the first person in the chain to post about tomorrow. Here's the question I posed to start us off:

What methods for plotting a story have you tried, and do you plan to try a different method the next time you start a WIP?

The first person in the chain is dnic at Four-Lettered Words. So head on over there sometime tomorrow to see the answer, and the next question in the chain. I'll have the entire blog chain linked up in one of my sidebars sometime on Monday, so you can visit all these fine folks.

As for our regular schedule, here's what's coming up this week:

Monday: Goals - failed and renewed
Tuesday & Friday: Two more chapters of "Tempest on the Mountain" (which is unwieldy, so I'm just calling it "Tempest")
Wednesday: Another mystery photo, another chance to win!
Thursday: Hmm...not sure yet.
Saturday: Flash fiction - Theme - Office/Genre - Paranormal. Anyone want to join me?

Elsewhere on the network:

Nail Art Tuesday features a pink & purple gradient with lattice.

Tea on Tap explores tea at work on Monday, another interview on Wednesday and a blog/specials round-up on Friday. I'm working on a series of tea-themed short stories that should start over there next Sunday. Stay tuned!

Now if you'll excuse me, must frantically try to get in at least 250 words on my WIP before bed!

Flash Fiction: Working Late

Working Late

Janice stared at the spreadsheet on the screen in front of her. Black numbers blurred together on a white background, and she blinked, coaxing her tired eyes to cooperate. She had to finish this last budget sheet, and then she could go home and curl up with a glass of wine and a movie.

She scrolled down the columns, searching for the line that was throwing her calculations off. Not finding it, she sighed, and started over from the top, scrolling through one more time, slowly.

Thump.

Janice jumped. She frowned, looking up at the window in the office door. The hallway was dark, and her heart beat faster. Everyone else had gone home several hours ago. Had someone forgotten something? She waited, expecting a co-worker to appear any second. No one came.

Maybe it had been her imagination. She sat still for several moments, listening. Hearing nothing, she shook her arms and hands briefly, trying to rid herself of the tension that had frozen her muscles. It was nothing. She turned back to her screen, and stared at the numbers again.

Thump.

Janice froze. It sounded closer now, just to the left of her door. Adrenaline raced through her veins, and she couldn't seem to breathe. There was definitely something out there.

She thought about all those women in horror flicks. They always did the wrong thing. Most of the time they died. Painfully. She reached for the phone, carefully picking it up and dialing 9-1-1 before sliding off her chair to the floor. She heard the ring tones in her ear, and felt marginally better. Phones never worked in a horror film.

Thump. Thump thump. Thump.

Janice crawled under her desk, pulling her knees up to her chest as she whispered her fears to the operator. It was at the door now, rattling the glass. A deep moan came from the other side, and then a sharp click as the knob turned.

Frantic breathing filled the room along with groans and little high-pitched noises. Trembling, Janice peeked under the modesty panel of her desk. Two pairs of feet, one in black dress shoes and the other in beige high heels stepped into view, and she closed her eyes, the breath she'd been holding rushing out of her lungs in relief.

She couldn't help it. She laughed.

The noises stopped abruptly, and she crawled out from under the desk, hoisting herself back into her chair. Samantha and Mr. Harlun stood just inside the door, staring at her as she laughed until the tears came.

“Janice?” Samantha was holding the two sides of her shirt together, a blush creeping over her face. “I—we thought—what are you still doing here?”

Janice wiped the tears from her cheeks, pulling in deep breaths to steady her nerves. “I was just finishing up a few spreadsheets,” she said. “You scared me – I thought there was something dangerous out there!”

Mr. Harlun ran a hand through his hair, clearly unsettled. Obviously he and Samantha had been working on her next promotion. “I'll, uh...expect your discretion in this matter, Janice.”

“Of course Sir.” She opened a bottom drawer, and got her purse. “I'll just...” Sirens drew closer, and she glanced over at the phone, the receiver still hanging off the edge of her desk. “Um...I'm afraid I called the police, Sir. I was scared, and --”

“Just go. I'll deal with it.”

His voice was calm, and Janice nodded, hurrying past them out into the still dark hall. Her heels clicked on the tiled floors as she rounded one corner, then the next. The front door was 10 yards or so away when she thought she heard footsteps behind her.

She shook her head, trying to shake off the excess adrenaline feeding her paranoia. A few more steps, and she'd be out in the brightly lit parking lot, where emergency vehicles were pulling up to the building.

Someone grabbed her hair, pulling her head back violently. She felt a strong pressure across the front of her neck, then a deep, burning pain soothed quickly by liquid warmth as she fell to the ground. Someone screamed, and Janice heard the front doors open as her mind grew foggy.

The last thing she saw was Mr. Harlun standing over her. He winked.

Word I had to edit out due to overuse this time: "just".

The Liar's Meme

C R Ward from Random Writerly Thoughts tagged me with this meme last week - it looked like fun, so here you go!

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‘Sometimes you can learn more about a person by what they don’t tell you. Sometimes you can learn a lot from the things they just make up. If you are tagged with this Meme, lie to me. Then tag 7 other folks (one for each deadly sin) and hope they can lie.’

Pride: What is your biggest contribution to the world?

Ignoring that little voice that tells me I can achieve anything I want to with enough hard work. Because really, who wants to go to the effort?

Envy: What do your co-workers wish they had which is yours?

The plush skunks that inhabit my desk, and my Pepe le Peux mug. Tres chic!

Gluttony: What did you eat last night?

Sushi! Raw fish - yum!

Lust: What really lights your fire?

Skinny runner/basketball player types. You know, men who look like trees. I'm a nature girl. Even better, tree-men who act like they're 5 years old & think they know everything. Yeah, baby!

Anger: What is the last thing that really pissed you off?

Solicitors never call me anymore. What gives? My money not good enough for you people?

Greed: Name something you keep from others.

My writing. Guard that stuff like it's gold!

Sloth: What’s the laziest thing you’ve ever done?

Stayed in bed all day, just staring at the ceiling. Good times.

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I hereby tag: Elana, Lynnette, Cindy, Michele, Morgan, Jen & Joyce. And anyone else who cares to take a turn (post a comment, so I know to watch for it on your blog!).

What Is It?

Hmm...so only one person took advantage of the "freebie" contest entry last week? Weird. C R is correct, of course...it was an American flag (ironic she was the only entrant, since she's Canadian)!

For this week, something that I suppose could be hard, but really isn't.

What Is It?

Good Luck!

To enter: Simply post a comment with your best guess as to what the subject of the photo is. Each correct answer = 1 drawing entry. Drawings held at the end of each month. Prizes include a book and a tin of tea.

Weekly Goals & Reading List

You know what they say about “best laid plans”…that was me last week. But I did manage to keep up with the blog serial, get a little more done on my novel draft, and write a piece of flash fiction that appears to be better than I thought it was, at least according to my wonderful readers here. Nothing like a good ego boost for motivation!

I was going to start working out again last week – that didn’t happen. I don’t even really remember why, or what distracted me – the redesign of my tea blog, maybe. I am begrudgingly getting used to the early mornings though, which I suppose is good for the long term (since I don’t expect to quit my day job anytime soon). I didn’t even get the table cleaned off – we did some much needed clothes shopping instead (neither hubby nor I are fond of clothes shopping, so we only go once or twice a year together and do it all at once). Perhaps this week will be more stable?

Goals for the Week

Writing: Aside from my two serial installments and a flash fiction piece for Saturday, I really need to make headway on my novel WIP. It’s not getting the attention it deserves, and not for lack of time, but poor management on my part. I think I should easily be able to get another 3000 words done this week (500 words per day). I also want to print out “Loving Lana” (which desperately needs a new title) and start marking up the mss for editing.

While writing (ie, struggling with) last week’s flash piece, I came up with what seems to me like a brilliant idea for a short story ala Harlequin’s “Spice Briefs” line. I’m going to get started on that this week, and see if I can’t knock out a few thousand words of that by next Monday. If I take two weeks or less to draft it, I’ll have two weeks to edit, and be able to submit at the end of this month. That’s the plan, anyways.

Personal: No more pop on work days! I’ve gotten bad about this since hubby started working in my building – having a soda when he goes up to get one. I need to stick to my tea for my poor skin and weight!

Also, I need to work out just two nights this week. Two. That’s it. Treadmill, Wii, pulling weeds, whatever – but I need to be more active.

Finally, I need to clean the dining room table off. Seriously. There’s really no excuse for it’s current condition.

Weekly Reading List

No, I haven’t finished the Lee Child book yet. I keep getting distracted – this time by Victoria Dahl’s romances (which I did finish, of course). No more romance novels until I finish “Nothing to Lose”. I’m almost done, it’s just silly to keep dragging it out!

The Wicked West by Victoria Dahl is a deliciously naughty short story. I loved it, and it is part of the storyline in her book, Talk Me Down (which I also read last week - made me late for grocery shopping, actually). The heroine, Molly is writing The Wicked West throughout her own story. Believe it or not, she helped me decide *not* to keep it secret if I ever publish erotic fiction (even though I doubt Mom will be pleased at the subject matter), due to all the trouble it causes Molly! I’d highly recommend both books as great reads, and I have Dahl’s Start Me Up as well (to read *after* I finish the Child book…).

So, what about you? Read anything good lately? Any goals to share? Should be a good week for writing around here!

Variety News 7/5/09

Would you look at that - a whole week without switching topics around. Maybe I'll be settled with these for awhile. So far, I like 'em!

I was thinking it would be fun to invite other writers to join in writing a weekly themed flash piece with me - sort of a blog carnival type of thing. Join in on the weeks that interest you, sit out when they don't or when you're busy. My flash fiction topic 'o the month is "Office Life", and this week's genre is "suspense" (obviously I'm not too strict with genre lines). If anyone would like to write an "Office Life Suspense" flash piece and post it on your blog by next Saturday, either post a comment here, or email me, and I'd be happy to post a link to those blogs when I post my flash on Saturday (and I'd love to read what others will do with my topic/genre)!

Coming this week on The Variety Pages:

Monday: Goals & Weekly Reading List, including ebooks from Victoria Dahl
Tuesday & Friday: Chapters 5 & 6 of "Tempest on the Mountain"
Wednesday: A new mystery photo.
Thursday: A Liar's Blog Meme
Saturday: Flash Fiction - Office Life/Suspense

Elsewhere on the Variety Network:

Nail Art Tuesday features a new green manicure.

Tea On Tap reopens with a new format on Monday featuring essays, interviews, and tea-themed fiction.

Scaryview Cemetery will finally get a much needed update on this year's plans & props.

Thanks for reading and commenting, everyone! Here's to another great week!

Flash Fiction: The Lunch Thief

The Lunch Thief

Lisa frowned at her thermal lunch bag. It was empty again. She sighed, putting the bag under her desk, and glancing around the office. Who could possibly be stealing her lunch? It wasn't anything special, just leftovers, usually, and a soda. But for the past three days, someone had been taking her food, leaving only her bag behind in the refrigerator. She rubbed her face with her hands, and decided to just skip eating today. She'd spent the last of her cash on yesterday's lunch, and she could stand to lose a few pounds anyway.

“Lunch time, Lisa.” Abby, the accountant who worked a couple desks over stopped by on her way out the door. “Got any plans for today?”

Of all the people in the office, Abby was the only one who'd been friendly since Lisa had started as a long-term temp two weeks ago. Maybe she would have an idea of who the lunch thief was.

“Actually,” Lisa said, looking around to make sure no one was listening. “Someone's been stealing my lunch. Do you have any idea who would do that? Maybe as a joke or something?”

Abby looked worried, shaking her head. “No...how long has it been happening?”

“Today is the third time,” she said. “I don't know what to do, besides just stop bringing lunch. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Have you told Dan?” Abby glanced at the door behind Lisa's desk. “I'm sure he'd want to know...”

Lisa shook her head. “I don't want to make trouble for anyone. Someone must need it more than I do if they're desperate enough to steal it, and I'm only here until Friday.”

“Nonsense,” Abby said as Dan's door opened. She looked up and motioned for him to join them. “Someone's been stealing Lisa's lunch,” she told him. Lisa looked up, very aware of the color rising in her cheeks. She expected to see irritation or maybe even anger, but there was only concern in his eyes as he met her gaze.

“How long has this been happening?” Lisa dropped her gaze. He was very tall, and his personal aura surrounded her like a comforting cloak. She'd had a crush on him since they met, though she tried to keep it hidden.

“The last three days,” she said. “Whoever it is leaves my lunch bag though – they only take the food.” She didn't want to be completely negative about the situation.

“Would you like to have lunch with me today?” Abby's voice surprised Lisa. She'd been so focused on Dan, she'd already forgotten Abby was standing there. She started to answer, but Dan was quicker.

“I'll buy her lunch,” he said in a tone that was more statement than request. “It's the least the company can do.” Abby nodded, patting Lisa on the shoulder before she walked away. Lisa wasn't sure how she would get through a meal with this man while maintaining her composure, but it would be impolite to refuse now. She took a small breath, steadying her nerves.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling shyly at him. She got her purse, and followed Dan out the door.

He bought her lunch the next day too. When he stopped by her desk again on Friday, Lisa was waiting anxiously for him. They went to the same diner as usual. After they'd ordered, she looked across the table at the man who was quickly becoming more than her boss.

“Why did you steal my lunches?” She kept her voice light, teasing.

Dan shrugged, a slight grin on his lips. “I wanted to have lunch with you,” he said, taking a sip of water. “I felt a connection to you the first time we met, and I thought it would seem a bit forward if I asked you out, me being your boss and all.” A mock frown creased his brow. “How did you find out?”

Lisa winked. “It wasn't that hard,” she said. “There's no disposal in any of our sinks, so I knew that whoever took it would have to either eat it, or throw it away. Two days ago, I checked all the garbage cans after everyone left, and there was no food in any of them. So that night, I added enough extra red pepper flakes to my leftover casserole to make it nearly inedible.” She paused as the waitress brought their lunch.

“So you assumed that whoever was eating it would be forced to throw it out.” Dan's eyebrows rose dramatically. “What about people who enjoy spicy food?”

She laughed. “It wasn't just spicy, Dan – and you know it. Not only did you have to throw out my lunch yesterday, you had to refill your glass at the water cooler three times in half an hour. How's your tongue, by the way?”

“Still numb,” he admitted sheepishly. “That was mean, you know,” he teased.

“So was stealing my lunch.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Today is my last day,” she mentioned casually. “You'll have to steal someone else's lunch next week.”

Dan leaned back, dabbing his lips with a napkin. “I hope that won't be necessary,” he said, handing his card to the waitress. He signed the receipt, then took Lisa's hand to help her up. They walked back to the office in silence.

Just before they went in the front door, he put a gentle hand on her arm. “I just need to know one thing before you leave,” he said, his green eyes staring down into hers.

“What's that?” she asked, her heart beating rapidly.

“Where does a guy go to steal a good dinner?”

You may have noticed that this is not really so much a "mystery" as romance - I found it incredibly hard to write an actual mystery when I set about trying.

Wildcard Topic: Mind Melding

I've been thinking a lot lately about the apparently insatiable curiosity about...well...everything that I seem to have been blessed (cursed?) with. It all starts so innocently, with something I read or see on TV or hear from someone else. It doesn't take much, just a word or image to send me off on a frantic mission to learn everything I possibly can about that "thing" that sparked my interest. Aside from my single-minded focus for a few weeks or months, it still isn't a problem at this stage. I'm building my knowledge base, learning new things, and generally making new friends in the process.

The problem comes when my brain becomes over-saturated with all the new knowledge. For some things, having learned about and/or experienced them is enough, and I'm fine just moving on to the next "shiny thing" that catches my eye. But with other things, I don't necessarily want to give them up, but I have to find a way to "meld" them into my life with all of the other things I decide to keep.

The most recent example of this is my love of tea. Not just tea as a drink, but tea as a culture - the people, the rituals, and all of the knowledge that goes along with that. I started doing reviews to increase my knowledge, and a whole world opened up for me that I hadn't known existed. I built a successful blog (Tea On Tap) around those reviews, and made some wonderful friends. But late last year, I reached that point where I felt I had followed that path as far as I cared to go with it. Ever since, I've been trying to go back - to recapture that excitement and desire to taste new teas and analyze them for reviews, but I just can't. I've passed that stage, and my only choices now are to either let the culture that I've "steeped" myself in just drift away, or find some way to meld my tea knowledge and culture into the other interests I hold on to.

Just recently, I've had some revelations on what exactly I'm trying to hold on to. Really, it's the culture I'm trying not to lose, rather than the tea (which I will always drink and enjoy, no matter what, because I love it). What I don't want to leave behind is the people, the ritual, the whole process that embodies "tea". I love it too much to just walk away.

This week, I had an epiphany. I was replying to an email from a tea vendor, someone I consider a far-away friend when the answer just came to me. I would revamp my blog, and meld my other everyday experiences into my own personal "tea culture". And that is what I can explore for myself, and thus contribute to the tea community - the product of using my other interests to enhance the enjoyment of tea, and vice versa. Evolving tea culture.

Precious few interests that I explore at one point or another actually become a permanent part of my life. The sad fact of the matter is, I simply don't have time to "keep" all the hobbies and interests that I've obsessed over in my life, and since I'm constantly learning about new things, many more will be left along the side of my road, having been wrung out and tossed aside like a wet sponge. While I'm glad I'm like this, it also frustrates me at having to leave all those things behind when I move on, and it's a relief that for now at least, I've found a way to keep one.

Incidentally, writing fiction is a "hobby" I've been trying to get rid of for years. I try to ignore it, try to shut out the voices in my head, and even tell myself that it's a waste of time that could be spent on more productive pursuits. But writing simply won't be cast off. It refuses to go away, even when I spent years deliberately ignoring the constant prodding. It's only been a few months since I gave in, and decided to embrace it. Needless to say, I'm more content now than I've been in a long time, and finally at peace with this part of myself.

So, dear readers - are you obsessed with learning about new things like I am? How do you deal with the constant flow of information in and out as hobbies and interests come and go? Is there one that just won't leave you alone - or one that you're desperately trying to figure out how to keep?

What Is It?

I guess last week's photo was harder than I thought - but C. R. was correct, it is indeed "running water" from our back yard:

Only 5 entries this month, and the winner is.....

C R Ward!

Congratulations! I have your address, so I'll send your prize out in the next couple of days. Two books this time (they're small): Unmasking the Maverick Prince by Kristi Gold (Harlequin Desire) and Too Wild by Jamie Sombrato (Harlequin Temptation). And a tin of Fujian Baroque tea as well - I hope you'll enjoy it!

Remember all, the more times you guess correctly, the more entries you get, so play every week for the best chance to win!

This week's mystery photo should be easy, I think. Topical too.

What is It?

Good Luck!

To enter: Simply post a comment with your best guess as to what the subject of the photo is. Each correct answer = 1 drawing entry. Drawings held at the end of each month. Prizes include a book and a tin of tea.