Things are eerily quiet, even as I busily tap away on my keyboard, writing guest posts, plotting new concepts. I am engrossed in the final pages of a beta read on "The Call Of The Gods", and while not my usual genre, it is an uncommonly good story. Add in brainstorming with a fellow writer - on a topic wholly foreign to my experience - and that sums up this writer's week. (I suppose that's the draw - a new adventure!)
So...how can I claim that eerie quiet I mention?
My novel is off in beta land. It's a season of waiting. The winds are picking up a bit, as my cover designer and I are now emailing back and forth, nailing down final, finer details on my new cover, but the full gale blast of this storm we call publishing has yet to hit land! I'm more than ready. (Did I ever mention that I am terrible at waiting? Ha!)
But I needed this calm before the whirl-wind picks me up and carries me away. I've plenty to accomplish, things I've neglected while in the final push of writing, typing, and blurb writing. When items on my 'to-do' list pile up, I feel the weight of them surely as if I carried an elephant on my back. Completing these offers a sense of 'right-ness' with the world. It cleans off my desk and de-clutters my mind. For this, I am thankful. My attention can be focused solely on edits in the upcoming week or two - with nothing looming over my shoulder whispering, 'Look over here! I need your attention!' Ahhh. :}
Progress On The Writing And Goals Front...
* Another read-through on A Practical Arrangement will begin tomorrow morning.
* Cover design to be revealed within the week. The fun begins...
* Beta accomplished by the end of the day - and sent off. I've only twenty pages remaining, and I NEED to know...you know?
* Work on my Erotic Anthology project blossomed. I spoke with a woman who told me an interesting story...
* Guest post written and sent.
* Sales continue to climb. Claiming The Prize is garnering sudden interest! (I posted on this the other day!)
* Research continues. I am 89% complete on one of my titles, and 50% complete on the other.
* I've written one post for Researching For Romance. It is waiting in the wings.
* I cooked! Hot weather dampens my enthusiasm for cooking. The last two days have hinted that autumn is not far off. The cooler temperatures lured me into my kitchen, much to the happiness of my family. Chicken noodle soup, Stroganoff, and brownies are a few of the boys' favorite treats I whipped up. Hubby enjoyed Beef Biryani - and while not an Indian dish, he didn't complain.
* Only fair success with exercise since Wednesday. Friday I pulled a mega-workout. I felt terrific...until Saturday. Ha! Why, oh why didn't I drink the protein after that workout??? Stupid girl... :}
* Social goals have been met.
* I am supposed to go blueberry picking with a friend. The weather has been most uncooperative. This week maybe?
Don't forget to stop by and see how fellow ROW80 writers have made out this week.
Happy Reading And Writing!
~ Nadja
Nothing is clambering for you except for that first line...you know the one that starts the ball rolling on that trilogy...
ReplyDeletehahahahahaha
Wander, AKA oh my god you didn't just say that
Wander, (And yes, I can totally believe you just said that...lol)
DeleteHa! I definitely have work to do on that front! Hmmm....with all the work on my (my? your? our?) new 'trilogy' idea, I wonder if I'll ever get this desk cleaned off! :}
Oh well! I can't see good reason to complain if the mess surrounding me is full of story ideas. It's more like a writer's playground. Still, I'd like to be earning enough to hire a maid. She could dust and vacuum around me...Lol!
The fact that I am "helping " a romance writer blows me away nadja, glad to:-)
DeleteAs far as poems being driven by emotion or emotion being driven by the poems...goes both ways, sometimes even in the same poem. Sometimes I'll be writing and the further I go into a piece the more it triggers memories (that have nothing to do with the poem) prople like to think they are vewing the writers soul, and at times they are...so sad =sad writer, not inspired writing...but that's ok, that is the reader's prerogative :-)
DeleteVery interesting. At times, comments seem to house concern - when I've taken the poem as simply a written piece of art. It may convey emotion, but not 'personal' feelings. Now, I'm certain a poem can be driven by the writer's emotion. I just don't necessarily expect or assume that it is. Thanks for the clarification. *I love it when I'm on the right track...pats self on the back shamelessly...lol*
DeleteLol! I actually did laugh out loud :-)
DeleteYes! Enjoy this quiet while it's here, Nadja! I know, I know. Easier said than done, but I'm all about reveling in the calm and serenity, what with it being so rare and everything. I'm feeling incredibly zen this morning anyway, though.
ReplyDeleteYou said it, L.S.! It is so rare. I finished one of my research novels last night! I'll finish the beta this morning. Lots of projects - albiet smaller ones - concluding.
DeleteHa! My qi (chi) is flowing well, also!
Ah. That moment where it appears so peaceful, so calm. So quiet...only to have gale force winds ratchet up to pull you into the eddy and have it's way with you.
ReplyDeleteOkay, maybe not so dramatic as all that, but I'm glad you've got this time to clear some things away and make ready for the coming storm(s).
Ha! Love your word picture, Angela. And while I probably exaggerate at comparing my upcoming foray to hurricane strength winds, I also wonder if it's not a perfect description. Lol.
DeleteYou've got your own Noreaster whipping you around! Hope all is battened down as you get ready for 'launch'. :}
I can totally relate to the to-do list being like an elephant! I ended up taking a much-needed couple weeks' break just for that. Sounds like you've been making great progress! Keep it up, and good luck clearing your plate for edits.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennette. I want to go into beta critique and final edits with a clear head - and a burden free back! Ha!
DeleteCover Reveals! LOVE THOSE! Can't wait to see it ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're kicking some serious butt!
Keep up the good work ;)
Thanks, Juliana. I love cover reveals, too! Monday, I should receive a prelim proof...and I'm beside myself! I can hardly contain my excitement.
DeleteBeta reading always takes far too long in my opinion. Of course, I would whine that even a DAY is too long. ahahaha
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the new post for researching for romance. Cool. :)
Yes. *blushes* I neglected writing those posts while getting my novel ready for betas. I like the theme, and hope to keep it going!
DeleteNow, waiting for beta feedback, I can catch up on sorting out all that research into informative posts. *Look for the positive side of waiting, right?* Ha!
Now I know you live in the north. Blueberry season was a long time ago for us.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the calm before the storm.
Ahem. Blueberry picking was a wash! We drove 45 minutes - and then the rain came...in buckets. Of course, the fields closed. Sigh. We'll try again later in the week. :}
DeleteAh yes, the calm after the storm (or the eye of the storm, as you see it.) I'm up to my eyeballs in work at my day job, and ramping up full-steam ahead on RoW80, so I'm looking forward to that day where there is a lull.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for the depths you go to in your writing career. I would love to get to the point that people would value my opinion for their rough drafts, or posting on their blogs. You've obviously worked very hard to get to where you're at, so enjoy a little break before the storm comes back.
Have a great week!
Thanks, Mike. I do work hard, but I am still a very new author. I've only been published for one year! (It's almost my one year anniversary! 01 September...)
DeleteI have seen so much growth in my writing and editing skills over the last year. Authors have come alongside me and passed on valuable help. Readers have been encouraging. It's taking that first step that gets the ball rolling, so keep up the good work even when it's tough.
Quiet? What's that? *g* Enjoy it while it last, Nadja! And huge congrats on all the progress on the next book. Can't wait to see the cover!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week. :)
While a rare occurance, I crave quiet moments. It allows me to regroup and take stock. Great new page for your Pendragon series!
DeleteI tried commenting earlier but it didn't work. :(
ReplyDeleteAnyway...good luck with all your many goals this week. And maybe your husband will get Indian food soon. :)
Blogger must hold some grudge against you, Lauralynn...lol. Glad your comment came through this time. Sorry!
DeleteYes. I hope to accomplish much this week. Here's to it!
After reading through the comments, I'm going to assume that the calm has passed and the storm is upon you. I really enjoyed the poetry discussion between you and Wander. For me, whether or not I read the writer into a piece of writing probably has to do with the type of imagery but you have given me something to think about, as usual.
ReplyDeleteReading through your list of goals always inspires me because you accomplish so much,probably because your gold are so well thought out.
Have a good week.
Karen
That my conversation inspired thought on a topic makes me very happy, Karen. Wander's site is one I regularly visit. His poetry always leaves me thinking. :}
DeleteWow - you've done so much and have so much looming. I feel your beta pain (I've had two responses - positive and very helpful feedback). I loved having my cover designed- it was a very interactive exerience. In fact, I chose all the pictures and colours etc. I wish I had the talent to actually utilise those elements myself. I will learn one day, I decided. Lok forward to your post on romance. I have to write a post on self-publishing and haven't the brain-power to begin right now. Best of luck for the next few days. :)
ReplyDeleteBeta pain...lol. Too funny, Shah!
DeleteEmbarrassing fact - today, one of my beta readers called me (She's across the country right now, in Colorado). This delighted me, as I've been expecting her call to go over her 'final-thoughts'. Apparently, I never sent her the book! WHAT. AN. IDIOT. Hahahah. It is now sent. I'm still shaking my head over that faux-paux. Unbelievable.
Have a great week - and I hope your brain is in better working order than mine! :}
Hi Nadja
ReplyDeleteYour blog looking good over here and like your titles. Much success to you and your upcoming release. I had to stop over and say Hello after reading your comment on coffeebeans blog that you're a fellow PA Author. Your last name rang familiar. (Notariani's foods/produce?)I see we like the same genre- historical romance! Keep up the great work and may your novels continue to climb the charts :)
I'm so glad you stopped by, Amber! After checking back at Coffee Beans, I have to ask - Are you from Dallas, PA? If so, we're almost neighbors! :}
DeleteMy upcoming release, A Practical Arrangement, is historical romance, although I write all across the romance spectre. Ha! Thank you for the well-wishes.