I’m not afraid of work, never have been. I’m trying to remind myself this author gig is what I do for relaxation. Somehow, I failed today.
I had to deal with dicey WiFi all morning and a couple of router reboots. Then AutoCrit refused to load, so I had to paste my MS in there multiple times before it decided to work. I still blame the weak-assed signal. Eventually, I caught a strong section of signal and everything loaded.
I spent about 12 hours correcting grammar and punctuation in my SF novel. It always amazes me how many words are one letter different, and I found and corrected several of those. There were a lot of doubled words that needed killing, along with all the commas and question marks I had to fix.
Spelling and grammar apps don’t particularly appreciate science fiction either. Place and character names kind of make it cry.
Where did my fun and relaxation go?
On the other hand, I am overjoyed at getting this leg finished. All three books have passed this waypoint. I still have some specific word searches I want to do next, but hope the technology might have eliminated that phase for me. I’ll still test it out.
The last lap will be to read them all to see if things make sense.
It looks like I won’t be drafting anything for another few weeks, but this part has to get done. Before I start back up, there are a few books I want to read, too. I decided to stay in this phase for a while longer. I’m not hurting for drafts and will dedicate as much time as I must here.
Even hobbies and sources of relaxation have their rough patches. Usually the only way to prevent them from getting stale and getting to the next fun part.
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That’s exactly where I am. I’ll be back in the saddle in no time.
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Well, you might know the title of your post has me thinking of a song from the White Album. 🙂 I feel for you on the Wi-fi issues. We’ve had internet trouble on and off for the past few months. Fortunately, a new company bought our ISP and they are doing some major infrastructure upgrades which should improve the service and offer faster speeds at a lower price.
I bought lifetime access to AutoCrit during a special deal over a year ago. Used it for the first time editing Menagerie, and it’s great. Still nothing like a set of human eyes to do a final read-through.
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I wanted to pick it up during their Christmas promos, but am left with the free version. I might just veg out today. Probably not, but I’m tempted.
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Vegging out days are sometimes needed.
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It doesn’t take much to upset the apple cart, but hopefully it’s back on its wheels now!
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WiFi seems to be functional today. Hope it lasts.
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I made a blog with a tool thats can help you on days you are tired or don’t have enough inspiration . There are tools those days that can help you create content. My last blog is about one of the tools chatGPT
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I am well aware of chatGPT, thanks.
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Those things happen. I just have to be patient as I work through them. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks. Everything seems functional this morning. I have a couple more things I’d like to accomplish this weekend.
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You’ll get it done. 🙂
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Glad it all worked.
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I’m not sure what the grammar apps are designed for, but they struggle with anything that drifts toward one edge of the road or the other. Good hunting.
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It manages to point out the missing question marks and words I misspelled. This last one had a surprising amount of doubled words where I didn’t intend for someone to stutter.
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Grammar checks can definitely be one of the tedious steps! Important, though.
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For sure.
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I love the way you started this blog, Craig. I so relate. Yesterday I felt so tired and unmotivated to work on anything, so I cleaned house and did laundry. You were persistent in hanging in there and eventually getting what you needed. I probably would have given up to try again another day. Congratulations on the progress.
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Thanks, Jan. I worked on a couple of alternate projects this morning, then started a sourdough rising. I might dabble here and there, but today is all about bread.
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You’re a brave man. I don’t know if I could make myself be good through THREE edits and no new writing. Cheers to you for sticking it out!
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I might be another month before I take up something new. I should also be thinking about publishing one of them soon.
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You’re doing all the hard, unfun stuff. Good luck!
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I’ll take all the luck I can get.
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Tech issues are in my top three annoyances, so I know how you feel, Craig. Glad you got things fixed.
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I definitely moved the pegs. No new material for a while, but I’m not stagnant.
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I’m going to stop pitching Pro Writing Aid. The bottom line is what’s your time worth. No, we don’t have to agree with it, or let it change our voice. But the depth of information it provides about what’s on the page is invaluable. None of us, even the Rhetoric PhD in the next room, sees all their trees amongst the forest.
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I checked it out once you mentioned it. I just don’t have the budget for much of anything these days. I had to save up for a haircut last friday.
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I heard that. I quit getting haircuts until I look like Aqualung and the grade school refuses to release my grandkids till I look like my license picture.
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Ha!
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Isn’t it amazing how much remains to be done AFTER you finish writing the book?
I need to do a final read through edit of an ms soon, too. I spent the weekend writing promo blog posts, then made a list of everything STILL remaining to do (and there is a LOT).
Sorry you had to deal with spotty WIFI. That gives me a headache just thinking about it!
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I still got to check off the first phase of all this. A little here, a little there, it all gets done.
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Sounds like a productive time this weekend, Craig 🙂 I find the writing part relaxing but the rest, not so much.
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You’ve been productive and busy, and considering you didn’t feel up to it and the process was a bit of a pain, you’ve done great. It is a labour of love, and I am sure your readers will enjoy it. Your plan sounds good. You know what works and it is all part of the process. Good luck with it and I look forward to learning more about your new books.
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Eventually it all gets done. Thanks.
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That sounds like a lot of work! Enjoy your reading time; you earned it.:-)
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One step at a time. I already started on my swamp story, but didn’t get far. It’s better to break it up during an editing pass. Prevents me from getting into the story and not paying attention to business.
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Editing can be daunting at times, I agree. But completing the edits must feel great for you!
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Several laps to go, but it does feel good. So glad to see you showing up here and there once more.
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Trying to get back in the swing now that my schedule is somewhat easier. Last year was just insane, and I had to admit I can’t do it all.
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I’ve toned things way back. I’m giving up the idea of making some spending money at this gig. I’m doing it for myself now, and hoping there are other weirdos like me.
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HI Craig, not all parts of writing and publishing are fun. I’m struggling with the bleed for my paperback. Ugh!
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I hear that. Still, I’m making progress and will get back to creativity soon enough.
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Sounds like a big shift in your writing world, Craig, that’s great. We authors have many voices in our heads, it is good when your own voice prevails and helps point you in the right direction. Cheers, my friend and a salute to all your voices, too.
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I’m chipping away at it again today. I’ll get there eventually.
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