A Light Through the Darkness

Of course, this could be titled “Why can’t Val do anything on a regular basis?” I seem to have issues with regularity, and I wonder why.

It could be that somewhere in my dim, distant past, something linked “a regular routine” with “boring” and I HATE boring with a fiery passion. And yes, I know that routine doesn’t have to be boring. I just don’t seem to be able to stick with it.

However, I am not a quitter, and so I’m trying again. With some differences, of course – if it hasn’t worked before, why would I try the same thing? Also, see boring, above. This time, I’m leaving my laptop at the studio, forcing myself to go in. And I’ll be doing my blog updates at the same time as my writing – they may not be long, but dammit, I’m going to update! Starting today.

I’m on the tail-end of pneumonia (yeah, in the summer. I’m talented, what can I say?), and I’m coming off a low that is partly sickness, partly sadness, and partly frustration. My new goal is 250 words a day. I’m on the Magic Spreadsheet again, and I’ve got a couple of projects that I’m working on. I have an editor for Winter’s Secrets, and one of the projects in the queue is the wedding of the summer – Molly and Drew are getting married on July 25, and they hope you’ll be there for it! There’s a 6-day Summer Advent story that will be going on, and there will be at least one prize (come on, you want one of their wedding favors, don’t you?), so keep a look out for that!

Okay, I’ve got a lot to do today, so off to the word mines!

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

Well, the rough draft is, anyways.  I’m going to let it sit for a week while I sketch out the next book (different series – going for a paranormal romance next – first book of a 3-book series), and then I’m going to settle into revisions.  But it’s done!

And did I mention that yesterday was Day 50?  Now I did.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

So, I’ve been back to work on the Day Job for three half-days.  Today, I’m exhausted (although I don’t know if it’s because of the two hours at the dentist today to repair a broken tooth or just low stamina), but I have the next FIVE days off, so I’ll be able to sleep in, do some necessary refueling, and see how I feel next week.  Luckily, my doctor is happy to extend my part-time status if needed.  Finding a good doctor is so key – I’m very lucky with mine.  Seriously, if you have health issues and your doctor doesn’t talk to you or listen to you, fire them.  Otherwise, you’re just setting yourself up to fail.

This weekend, I’m doing some planning.  I want to redesign the website (because I’m aware it sucks.  There’s a reason I’m not a website designer, I’m a writer).  I’m going to actually PLAN it out, though, rather than just try and do it online.  I’m also doing some writing plans, which will involve calendars and metrics and all sorts of fun stuff.  I’m determined to keep my writing going, and this year is the year when I write stuff that I can then pitch to people.  I’m not kidding when I say I have nothing held back.  I’ve sold everything that I have finished.  I have nothing to pitch.  That is not a good situation to be in.  So this year is the year of writing.

I also need to start working on some publicity things for Last Rites.  I’m working on the page proofs this week, and then I will have some interesting news for you guys.  And some teasers!  And maybe, just maybe, some other things that you might be interested in.

And now, I’m going to bed.  Because I’m mean that way.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

That’s the current chain on my writing.  I have now written at least 250 words for the last 12 days in a row.  I love it.  I’m finally getting things done.  I’ve already finished the rough draft of a short story for Every Photo Tells and gotten the synopsis for the first of the Pendragon Casefiles (which is the new series I’m working on) done.  I’ve also started the actual rough draft for Pendragon 1 (which really needs a title…so does the short story, for that matter).  I’m embracing a new me – one that does, rather than says.  One that writes, rather than talks about writing.

Race day is coming up too – April 6.  Just a bit over 6 weeks.  Eek!  But I’m heading to the gym, and I’m working on running.  I will cross that finish line.  I will.

Also, I’m branching out a bit.  Those who know me know that I’ve been building a bit of an alter-ego for a while, because I’m looking at branching out in the stuff I’m writing.  However, I’m changing her focus (sort of).  I was a copy editor and proofreader at a major newspaper for several years (the Daily Campus, which is the 5th largest daily newspaper in Connecticut), and I’m offering proofreading services.  If you are self-publishing, or just want to make sure your manuscript has no typos in it before you start submitting, stop by Cassandra’s blog to look at rates and other information.  I’m not editing right now (I don’t have enough time) but I’m a good, fast proofreader.

That’s life lately!  I’m trying to update the blogs as I get a chance, and I have several ideas in the hopper of things that I want to do.  Including a full website redo.  At some point.  And I’ll probably do a blog post soon about being a ghost hunter.  Especially since we’re getting busy!

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

Starting Word Count: 6966
Ending Word Count: 7568
New Words: 602

Starting Lines:
“That happened in the crash?” I wondered how fast she’d been going when she hit the tree.

Ending Lines:
It hadn’t been; Marguerite herself came out to apologize for the lack. “It usually comes around 9 am, but for some reason, it’s late today,” she said, putting the glass of juice in front of me. “I’ve put a call in to Neil, asking him to bring in a few copies when he comes in. He should be here soon.” She smiled down at us. “Now, what would you like for breakfast?”

Darling:
The oak table, scarred by generations of diners, dominated the room. It was lit by a stunning silver chandelier, and our chairs faced the large bay windows that looked out over a formal garden. Two places had been set with sturdy stoneware plates and mugs, and a thermal carafe was set between the settings. David reached for it hungrily, even though I knew he’d already had at least one cup of coffee in his room. I’d woken up to the aroma wafting in through the connecting bathroom.

++

Finished Chapter 1, and on to Chapter 2.  Also, apparently I didn’t have the word count widget set up right in Scrivener.  Oops.  Still, 7.5k isn’t bad.

Sapph is NOT going to be happy when she finally gets that newspaper, let me tell you.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

I’ve been absent.  Sorry about that.  Life has been…well, it’s been life.  But I have been writing!  I even have metrics for today!

Starting Count: 0

Ending Count: 1421

New words: 1421

Starting line:

“Jesus Christ, Sapph, what the hell are you doing?”

Ending line:

A shudder walked across my skin at that thought.

Darling:

“Car’s fine,” David said, opening his door and shattering my concentration, sending whatever I’d been about to remember fleeing into the recesses of my brain. I scowled at him as he slid back into the car. “What?”

Things we’ve learned: Sapph and David are so not playing well together.  And Sapph travels in tailored pants and silk blouses.

More later!

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

Sorry, it’s been hard to update. I’m currently at 11,107 words for NaNo, so I’ve made it over 1/5 of the way. Yay! I’ll do more words later today, and now that I know how to get a word count on the Neo (yes, it’s written on the back, and no, of course I didn’t look there, why would I?) I can update a bit more often. I hope.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. Please leave any comments there.

Starting Count: 0
Ending Count: 637
New Words: 637

Opening Line:
How did I get myself into these situations?

Ending Line:
We ended up in the middle of the road, sideways, like a cop car doing a roadblock.

Darling:
Andrew, with his lopsided smile and short dark curls, longer than his father the head of the law firm approved of, just long enough to tangle my fingers in. Andrew, whose long fingers teased the softest notes from his violin, but who couldn’t sing to save his life. Andrew, who refused to let me keep him at arm’s length, dammit.

Unnamed novella. Ghosthunters. Sort of.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. Please leave any comments there.

Nah, too cheesy a title.

800 words tonight on Rebirth, which is my story for EalC. It’s coming along well, especially now that we have some EROTICA in the first part. Yeah, I know, I know.

More tomorrow. Now, I need sleep.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

299 more words on the Advent summary, and the final edits FINALLY started on Spells. It’s about damn time. Oh, and morning pages done too.

Now, bed.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.