Writing with Zette

So, I finally went to the doctor's today. The verdict is:

A raging sinus infection with aspirations of becoming walking pneumonia.

I now rattle when I walk from all the medications. I have two inhalers, an antibiotic and a nasal spray. Hopefully this will take care of everything and I can get on with life.

Hopefully.

Now to write - she wanted me to take tomorrow off, but I can't. I'm taking it easy this weekend, though - the law has been laid down, and I must comply. :p

Time to write more.

...from iTunes, since that seems to be the only place (at least where I have an account) that has it at the moment.

My first thought? Robert Smith needs to keep Porl Thompson in the group. Whenever he's in the band, they make really good-sounding music. And I have to agree with the reviews so far, it's very much harkening back to the Wish-era sound. Poppy and full of guitar wash. It hasn't quite grabbed me yet, but I like it, so that's a good thing. :)

Coming soon on 6/13: the "Freakshow" single!

This boy never ceases to amaze me. I just asked if he was having a good day and then he did the signs for "good" and "day." *love* I feel compelled to make a catalog of all of the signs and words he knows. I'm such a mom. lol

Good on you, California. Good on you.

The most unbelievable and amazing thing happened tonight. The Shadows of the Sun edit pass is complete, and one day BEFORE the revised deadline. This has been a crazy year so far. Even with giving myself an additional 15 days, some days it seemed like I'd never reach the last page.

All that remains is to do a copyedit pass, one more light crit pass to make sure I haven't broken anything big, and then Shadows will start making the rounds...I hope before December of this year. Guess I better get cracking on that submission package, eh?

My fears of a 150k behemoth did not come to pass. I kept an eye out for opportunities to cut, and so even with the added scenes, I increased the count by only 3,000 words. At 135k, it's large for what people are looking for, I know, but I hope the story balances that out. And maybe, if not, it'll balance enough so an editor or agent is willing to help me find the 10k to cull. At this point, I've removed anything that I thought unnecessary and everything that I thought weakened the novel (amazing how many shortcuts I'd taken :p). That leaves only removing something that strengthens Shadows but might not be 100% crucial. Sigh. But that's a decision I don't plan to make unless I have to.

While I'd be lying if I didn't admit to a very real sense of relief, and confidence that the story is much stronger than it was before, part of me is sad to reach this step. There's still work to be done, but I'm expecting it to be the fiddling type rather than anything massive. Then a project that has been with me in one form or another since 1988 will be out of my hands and launched onto the world. I don't know if I'll ever revisit Kyrnie's world, but I do know that I'll never forget my sojourn here and just hope that others feel the same way assuming they get the chance to explore.

Stats:
Edited Today: 2,829 words
50 Chapters complete - 102% of the novel
-15 Chapters remain (yes, I SERIOUSLY rechaptered in this pass.)
-3,016 Remaining word count
135,209 Current Total
135,209 Predicted Total

starting count: 60399
ending count: 61131
change: +732

starting line:
While he waited for the second bucket to fill, Tony made sure the liquidity spells on both buckets and the vials were effective, and checked to make sure all his other instruments were available.

ending line:
Alex, of course, said nothing. Tony smiled and laid the brush back into the case before sliding off the bed, carefully avoiding touching the newly-drawn spell. “Now for the final part.”

darling:
not really, but Alex is currently tied to the bedposts.

Oddest spam subject heading I've seen in awhile:

don’t you recognize a truth but do u want a basket

And another day off tomorrow - this one is paid (I'm blowing a vacation day), so I can go to the dentist and doctor's and find out what the hell is wrong with me. I've been sick for almost three weeks, and it's not getting better. Time for drugs.

Tonight, I'm writing and seeing how far I can go. I'm going to bed at 11 pm as normal, and tomorrow, I'm going to revel in my blue jeans and hit Panera for lunch (and free wifi). Then class tomorrow night.

Goal is 10-15k. We'll see how I do.

According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, apparently the new Cure single, "The Only One," is supposed to drop today (with a unique single mix and rare b-side!), with a new single coming out every 13th of the month until the album comes out in September.

So let's see: four singles on every thirteenth of the month. With an album supposedly titled "4:13". Makes sense to me. :)


EDIT:

From the The Official Site:


THE CURE TO RELEASE NEW SINGLES THE 13TH OF EACH MONTH LEADING UP TO THE RELEASE OF THEIR 13TH STUDIO ALBUM

BAND GEARS UP FOR US TOUR KICKING OFF MAY 9TH

Santa Monica, California, May 1, 2008- The Cure, one of the most revered British bands of the past quarter-century, have unveiled their plans to release four A & B side singles, one each month starting May 13th, leading up to the release of their thirteenth studio album, as yet untitled, which will be out on Suretone/Geffen Records September 13th. It will be the band's first album of new music since 2004’s self titled album The Cure. Physical and digital singles will be available for purchase in store and on all digital partners.

Why the 13th of each month? The forthcoming album is The Cure’s thirteenth studio album... A lucky number indeed!

First single “The Only One” (released May 13th) includes the b-side “NY Trip”; second single “Freakshow” (released June 13th) includes the b-side "All Kinds Of Stuff"; neither b-side will appear on the album. Both tracks were produced by Robert Smith and Keith Uddin. July 13th and August 13th singles will be announced shortly...



The bummer is that on this tour, they're nowhere near San Francisco... :( Ah well...I'm gettin' kinda old for shows anyway... :p

Yesterday and today I've been going through my friends list and removing friends that I no longer read. I hope this doesn't hurt anyone's feelings because I do like all of you, it's just that my interests and my available time have changed so much. For example, Jon and I are no longer involved in any reenactment groups in town, for various reasons, so many of the wonderful authentically minded bloggers on my list if that was the only thing we had in common. I don't currently have any time for sewing, so most of the dress diaries are gone too. With 180+ friends on my list, plus communities (which I've also edited), blogs on another site that I need to work on (three blogs, to be precise), plus a toddler and another baby on the way, I'm sure you all understand.

 

Much love to all!

Sorry about that quick post this morning...that was posted just as we were getting ready to head out for work.

Which reminds me...I'm quite happy that my workplace keeps the air cool but not cold, and there are enough windows (like the bank of them behind me) that keep the place from becoming a cave. Of course when I go outside for any reason it'll be a shock. Not that it's stifling hot out there (and this is not one of those overly-humid cities), but it'll be warm. And no, ying_ko_4, that is not a bad thing. ;)

Like I've said before, this time of year, at least weatherwise, tends to be my favorite time of year just behind autumn. It probably has to do with the longer days, but I always feel like I get a lot more done during this time of year. Already I'm getting a lot more done with my writing projects (still have a long way to go, but I'm getting closer...more on that in another eventual die_joncswerk post).

And now I'm sitting in on a phone meeting (and posting on LJ?!?? shame shame :p ), and the day so far has been well. Quite happy with that.

I REALLY enjoy this time of year... :)