Just being strange

October looks like it’s going to be a busy month around here. The job with the paycheck is sending me out of town next week. I jumped the gun and changed my wallpaper today. It feels more appropriate to October and Halloween.

Sales of my Notebook have slowed. That’s pretty normal in my experience. They make a big splash, and it turns into a trickle. I hope some of my October micro-fiction will inspire a few people to take a 99¢ chance. Those of you who’ve read it seem to be posting great reviews. Those reviews on Amazon and Goodreads really help. I can always use a few more reviews if you’re of a mind.

I’ve been reading this weekend, in both electronic and paper format. I’m still working through The Dresden Files, and really enjoying them. One thing is certain, I’ll be checking out some of Butcher’s other tales when I get the chance.

Right now I’m almost finished with White Night, which is book number nine. Harry is doing a lot of soul searching here, and it’s really well done. His observations about internal pain are spot on. He also has a nice moment with Lasciel, the fallen angel who partially possesses him. Their conversation is about anger management. It kind of deviates into that Jedi stuff where Harry tries to convince her to turn good, but I still like it.

The idea is that Lasciel is immortal. Harry can hold on for years, but she will win eventually. This is a great slow burn to underlie the series. It parallels our own mortality in a way. I tend to study the writing when I read these days, and there is a lot to learn from Jim Butcher. I haven’t finished this one yet, but it may be my favorite one so far.

I may start calling my prostate gland Lasciel. I can draw a few parallels there too. My PSA numbers keep going down due to some herbal products, but it may win in the long game. It also has time on its side. Getting up in the middle of the night means the quality of sleep goes down. It’s a slow grind. Told you I’m being strange today.

I spent some time last night getting my October submission off to my critique group. We meet on the fifth, and I’ll have to sequester myself away once I get home to work on their submissions.

I have a cool guest post planned for this week, which really helps me. The paycheck job will keep me busy into the evenings most of the week. Having someone else write a post is nice.

My Macabre Macaroni stories are all ready to go. Posting them is mostly a matter of copying and pasting. I’m still debating Thursdays or Fridays, but Fridays are in the lead right now.

Then there is the Will O’ the Wisp blog tour. This is such a perfect Halloween story that I had to give it a push in October. There will be some supportive re-blogs here. It’s the least I can do to say thanks to those who host me.

I see a lot of writer/bloggers have Halloween themed plans for October. This stuff is so much fun I can’t wait to see what everyone does.

A Saturday Update

I managed a little writing time this morning. I didn’t get the word count I’m accustomed to, but it was good stuff. It included fairies and teeth getting knocked out. I’ve absolutely reached that Act II slog I hit every time. It’s time for all the characters to move and get closer to each other. This means research to make sure the new city is represented properly. Other writers will probably relate.

I built a loaf of sourdough bread around noon. This stuff raises slowly, and it’s best not to rush it. The sour comes across better with a slow rise. I laced this one with rosemary and olive oil, and it ought to be pretty good. Tituba, my sourdough starter awoke with a vengeance this year. Some years she’s slow, some years she’s fast. She nearly climbed out of her crock on Tuesday. I decided I’d better bake with her, before there was trouble.

Old What’s Her Face* and I went to Whole Foods for some upscale goodies, then went to dinner. We wound up in a pub environment called The Tilted Kilt. We’ve been there before, and both like it. Me for the beer and cute waitresses. My wife for the great food they offer. It’s also cheaper than many other places, and close to Whole Foods. It’s near the BSU campus, which is probably the source of the waitstaff. It was a slow night, and we almost had the place to ourselves. Good for us, not so good for business. They have a Scottish Ale, I particularly like, so I had two.

Now it’s time to finish up with Harry Dresden. I want to find out about Mouse, the dog’s, secret. After that I may return to The Twilight Zone.

I may wrangle some writing time tomorrow, but I also have to call my parents. I have research to get to as well. Then I need to start a beta reading project for a friend.

How was your Saturday?

*Not my wife’s actual name.

 

I wanted to write today, seriously

I don’t even feel bad about it. I never set arbitrary word count goals. When I have the right situation, I can whip out a ton of words. This is perfect for creating first draft material.

Last night I decided to read a chapter or two of my Harry Dresden book before bed. I finished the whole thing about 1:00 AM. Damn you Jim Butcher. I swear I learn something every time I read one of these.

Dresden gets in so much trouble the situation is always hopeless. Still, he manages to find a way out, and it’s usually something I never saw coming. Maybe I should spend a summer as Jim Butcher’s gardener or something. I might learn a thing or two.

I promised to beta read something for a friend. My reading schedule is wide open now, and I’ve already started. So far, things are looking great.

I think it’s all part of the same whole. Writers need to read. They ought to critique, beta, self edit, plot or outline. Sometimes we need a walk in the woods too. In my mind it’s all forward motion. If I don’t finish my draft until President’s Day, it really doesn’t matter to me.

I also went down to the hairdresser’s school this afternoon. My daughter’s enrolled there and she gave me our second haircut. She did a smashing job too. This time she cut the whole thing with a razor. This was a new experience for me, and I like the final product. It felt like bunnies chewing my hair off, which was strange, but I look good.

Old Dad left her a good tip too. (200% of the haircut) She said most people don’t tip at all, and those that do leave a buck. What the hell! She said many of the appointments never show up and don’t even bother to call.

I get that it’s a school, and they may not be the best. (Yet) I also get that it’s the cheapest place in town, and that attracts cheapskates. Still, these are kids trying to better themselves. Most of them took on significant student debt to even be there. I respect them for not heading straight for the welfare teat. Even if I didn’t have a daughter to support, I always tipped my barber.

With the exception of watching Dr. Who, I’m going to dedicate my evening to my beta reading project. I hate waiting, and won’t inflict it on someone else. Hope you guys have a great evening too.