Break time?

I am wrapping up another trip to Nashville, TN. It seems that my creative energy was left, sitting on my desk, at home, unpacked, sitting next to my ability to focus. I haven't been able to write anything since I got here. Oh well, you have to take a break from time to time, right? I'll be flying home today. So, maybe I can get back to it tonight or tomorrow.

Small hills in writing

I got over a small hill in my book. Plot points and intense scenes, I call them hills. That's how I view writing, like almost a roller coaster or walking through Ireland or something. There's parts that are downhill and really easy to write. Then there's parts that take a while to get up, like going uphill. Then, the inevitable parts where it's like clicking over the top of the hill or where you're winded and just about to the top.

Yesterday, I got over another one of those hills. I love it, because it's a thrill when I do. However, this is one of those that as happy as I am to be over that hill, it's a little scarier because there's several hills right in a row afterwords. I have some major plot points coming into play, and that's very cool to me yet very scary. I have to be on point to make sure that each part has the right amount of feeling conveyed.

Well, time to go take the kids to the daycare and go to a job interview. Here's to getting a job!

Inspiration and getting lost

Today was a banner day for writing, and seems the evening might carry the same tune. I have written some 15 pages, and I still have the writing bug. This makes me truly happy! I had several appointments and meetings, but instead of wandering or doing anything else, I dedicated my hands to my keyboard and my imaginations to the story.

I've been feeling inspired again lately, and this also makes me happy. I think it also helps that I've been listening to more music again. Music is a writing inspiration for sure. I've also been on a major Blue October kick again. I love that band! They should be more popular. It amazes me how many people don't know who they are or only know one of their songs.

Anyways, back to writing... I am in the middle of a really good part. I notice that I tend to slow down but write more frequently when I'm at an intense part. I sit at the computer longer, mostly staring at it and writing little here and little there. I want to make sure it's as beautiful, sad or intense as I am seeing in my mind and feel the part to be.

That's where I am at. It's a jumping off point to set up a pivotal part of the story. I love what I've done with it so far. I hope that one day I'll have "readers" and they love it, too!

Grammar. Love it.

Not only do I know the difference between 'there', 'they're' and 'their', but I also know the difference between 'to', 'too' and 'two'. Plus, the difference between 'your' and 'you're' & 'wear' and 'where'. Do you?

Literary Agents

Ok. I might have mentioned it before, I'm not sure. However, this entry is about literary agent or no literary agent.

As I research publishers and such, I see that many only take queries from agents, and the big houses only take them from agents, no exceptions. So, I don't know if I should be seeking a literary agent or just focus on publishers that accept queries from new authors without agents. Also, if I do go with one, should I go with an established agent? There's no degree for one, so can I just ask a friend that I trust that has some sort of intelligence to be my agent and team up from there?

I am really confused about this whole process. I just really want whats best for my book and will get it out there. Also, get me paid enough so I can devote my career time to writing more and allow me to be home with my kids.

What path do I go down? Anyone have any suggestions?

Back at it

I did some research this morning for the book. I hadn't written for a few days due to needing to find something online and it's details. I actually had stopped half way through a sentence. You see... the places I refer to in my books are real places, and I try to research them before putting them in my books so they're realistic. Despite the book being fiction, I like the 'I can relate to that' aspect a real place brings.

Research down and details gathered, I am back at it. (Hence the title of this entry.) I wrote another few pages this morning while waiting in line to get some job leads from a job specialist. Yeah, yeah... Until I get to publishing a couple books that make it out there, I still have to find a joby type job to pay the bills.

So, I'm motivated again. I'm writing, and when I'm not, I'm wanting to. I am also debating looking into getting an agent. I don't know if this is necessary, and if it will slow down the process or if it's going to be a benefit. So, I'm trying to think it through. I just know I need to make a move in one direction soon. there's no reason to sit on a perfectly good manuscript.

Until then, I'm writing. Oh, and I have a job interview today. i need to go finish getting ready!

Restless

Ok, so tonight, I am restless. I have been rather productive this evening despite my day's beginning. I woke up this morning at 6am and couldn't get back to sleep. So, I came out into the living room and watched "She's All That", five episodes of the original "Beverly Hills 90210" and a looong episode of "Dirty Jobs". I then showered and took my girls to a holiday party.

However, on the way home, we stopped at the store and bought things to make sugar cookies. When we got home, I set up the rest of the holiday decorations, cleaned the dining room, some of the living room, did a load of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen and sorted out a couple more boxes.

Then, the girls and I got the kitchen aide stand mixer out and made sugar cookies. While they loaded up about 2/3 of the cookies with an ungodly amount of icing and sprinkles, I started dinner and loaded the dishwasher. Now, a few minutes from dinner being done, I am trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my night.

I am itching to write some, but I am also thinking I am tired and not looking forward to tomorrow (with a huge list of things to do tomorrow) that I might just want to watch a movie. I also want to keep cleaning. So, the torn aspect of figuring out what I'm going to do with the rest of my night makes me feel restless.

Ok... that's all I got for now.