National Novel Writing Month

It’s still a slow week. The one bit of writing I managed to do was to craft most (about 800 words) of a first draft of a horror story for my Absolute Write October blog chain post later this month. I’m near the end of the queue so it won’t go up for another couple of weeks, I’m estimating.

I got my line edits back from my editor, so that will command front and center stage between now and its due date in mid-November. Funny thing, I had toned down the sexy, not to cozy levels, but way below where I had it before. The editor wants MORE sexy in three “fade to black” places. Well… :::digs toe into ground::: I guess I can do that. LOL Probably just have to dig up an older draft. Moral of the story? You’re either a cozy reader or you’re a ROMANCE reader (in big capital letters for a reason ::wink::); there is a low tolerance for the ground in between.

On a cheerier note, I’m one day into the two-day Portland Wordstock Festival . Guess who I ran into there? Guess?

Stacey Wallace Benefiel!! One of own ROW80 gals.

Here’s a few crappy photos I took with my cell phone. I’ll try to take better ones today.

Book Trailer effectiveness was an interesting topic.

Pulitzer prize-winner, Jennifer Egan

Pseudononymous Bosch

Lauren Oliver, Kimberly Derting, Patrick Carmen (sorry for crappy quality...I was second row from front, no excuses)

Horned guy in kilt and a purple satyr...no idea

My goals for this round are on my ROW80-4 page.

The Linky site lists other participants’ progress reports. Give them some encouragement too.

OH! I guess we started. Oops. I haven’t done Jack Squat other than this post, been more into reading. Nothing to write home about. But at least there’s a Twitter party going on to cheer me up on 10/5. Just watch for the #ROW80 hashtag. Lots of virtual booze and snacks. I’m bringing margaritas and daquiris.

I’m still debating whether I CAN do NaNo this year. I have 40 hours of continuing professional education to complete between now and 11/30. Gulp. And I’m heading out of town all of next week for work. Double gulp. It ain’t lookin’ so good right now.

On a cheerier note, I plan to go to Portland’s Wordstock Festival this weekend. This will be my first writer’s convention evah and I’m super psyched about it. A lot of big name authors will be there–Ursula LeGuin, Lauren Oliver, Maggie Steifvater, Scott Westerfeld–and so will I, with my camera and my fangirl squee all tuned up.

My goals for this round are on my ROW80-4 page.

The Linky site lists other participants’ progress reports. Give them some encouragement too.