Finished the draft! “Red Dragon” will rest while I review Project 2 and revisit Project 1.
Went to Orlando for a conference, made sure to stop by Harry Potter land.
Went off the [budget] rails (see Orlando, Harry Potter adventure).
Read some very good books, and some ok audiobooks *video review coming in June*
Visited a local animal sanctuary and saw all the creatures I love.
No video this week because LIFE.
Met my Camp NaNo goal! 30k words = a solid start.
Tried my hand at 1st person POV and did not hate it.
Took a writing retreat (technically, still on a writing retreat).
Found myself an amazing vintage bag c. 1994 and am loving it. It’s classic, mahogany leather, and holds all the essentials.
Finally created my author website. It’s just a placeholder, but it’s a start – gdcowan.com
Set up a coffee budget and it’s been pretty life changing (video to come).
I plotted my next writing project, and adopted a new method to take control of the middle before it becomes messy (one of my greatest issues as a writer).
Sent out my first batch of queries. And received my first batch of rejections. It’s a learning experience and I received valuable feedback. (ta!)
I’m still working the #ootd tag and maintained a steady stream of posts @lifeingminor despite less than ideal lighting conditions. Such is the curse of the early morning riser.
Received some disappointing news – I have a confirmed cyst (actually, I have more than one, but only one is concerning). Had an MRI and await results.
My #projectpan is going strong – I measured my Kosas and Besame lipsticks and have seen some real progress. Meanwhile, my eye shadows are starting to show a dip and I’ve been playing with various eye looks for daytime.
Went to Knoxville for a conference. The city was lovely and the food was great. Fun times (and too many impulse buys).
Just another monthly update: life, health, birthdays(!), and more. With technical difficulties for that extra touch *wink*
January felt busy… in more ways than one. It also felt strained and hectic, but that’s a post in itself. Just breathe, I tell myself. I am a pessimist at the best of times, I just need to breathe.
Anyhow, looking back, I accomplished a lot of things, and that’s something to celebrate after all the badness that threatened to bring me down.
Here’s hoping for better days.
It’s been a long, hot month. I finished three writing projects (work-wise), made some progress on the edits (fiction-wise), and squeezed in plenty of evening walks.
In other news…
My dessert rose finally bloomed! It took nearly two years, but my little twig finally grew up into a proper little bush thing.
My hair is finally collar length! YES!
And I enjoyed my first beach walk of the year :). It was lovely.
I almost can’t believe how quickly the last month went by… July was definitely jam-packed with happenings, some more welcome than others, but I managed.
on writing…
Writing is on hold and I’m loving it. I really needed this time off to recharge (though the story is never really far from my mind). The plan is to start reading 5 chapters every weekend until I get through the entire manuscript. I’ll be looking for the big picture stuff–plot issues, time/setting, characterization, etc.–while creating a new chapter/scene outline using cards and noting down all those little details that slip between the cracks (like is it winter or fall? and why is this person suddenly blue-eyed when they had black eyes two chapters ago?)..
With 20 chapters to get through, 5 chapters every weekend should be manageable.
on books…
Finished City of Heavenly Fire, wrapping up yet another one of those series that have followed me from my teens into adulthood. My thoughts on the ending… it was okay. I find that I prefer The Infernal Devices over The Mortal Instruments series–I find that the story and characters in the ID arc are better developed–but TMI started to get a little bloated in the second half of the series and CoHF really epitomizes that. I found myself struggling to finish it, mostly because there were so many subplots fighting for attention. It felt long. The resolution seemed to go on forever, and then there was an Epilogue. Just when I thought it had reached a conclusion. So it was okay, but it could’ve done with some cutting IMHO.
So now that that’s over and returned to the library (right on time too), I finally get to dive into Written In My Own Heart’s Blood. Hurray for Highland hotties! (sorry, fangirling).
on life…
Dad’s still sick. Granpa’s still sick. Mom is her usual self. This is what happens when you are raised by elders.
everything else…
The boy needed professional (ha!) pictures for a website bio. He returned the favor (though I was unprepared and sporting mad hair and no makeup). I give you, my lazy girl weekend look…
marginalia and such 