Readerly Things, Writerly Stuff, and Nerdiness

Today, I made a word cloud of the most common words on this blog. There are several online sites that allow creation of this kind of image, but they're all fairly similar. The larger the word, the more frequently it's been used.

My common words make me quite pleased, I have to say.

Speaking of things that make me pleased, I'm currently listening to the audiobook version of Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.

It's the second novel in her Outlander series, and I'm truly enjoying it. If you haven't read these books, you're in for a treat. The writing is wonderful, the characters are mesmerizing, the plot is riviting, and the audiobook narrator does a delightful job bringing it to life, giving each character a distinct accent that truly makes listening a pleasure. I am definitely hooked on these books and will be continuing on through to the end.

And speaking of bringing it to life, I'm very much looking forward to catching the Starz television adaptation of the book series which is produced by Ronald Moore, best known for my favorite sci fi show, Battlestar Galactica.

Now that I've seen some of the promos and heard the lead actor, Sam Heughan, say "Sassenach" (see the video link below), I'm certain he's plenty swoonworthy enough to portray Jamie Frasier. So long as they get the historical details correct, which from the looks of it, they are, I'm pretty sure I'll be watching for as long as they run this show.

As for why the audiobook version, I've linked it with my knitting hobby. I started with knitting a Doctor Who scarf for myself, and since then I've been making scarves for friends and family.

When I finish the Doctor Who one, it'll be 17 ft. long. Currently, I'm about halfway through. It's been a fun challenge. Not all of the original yarn colors were available, but this is my own interpretation, and I'm pretty pleased with how it's progressing.

Yes, I'm that nerdy. And?

Right. That's what I thought.

As for my own writing, I've sent my manuscript off and have begun Book 2. The outline is complete, I've written up plans for every chapter, and I've been doing research to get ready for what comes next. I'm really excited with what I have in store, and I hope my readers will be as well. Beyond that, I can't really say. Sorry. Spoilers.

Shout out to Yellow Dog Bookshop in Columbia, MO. Even though I haven't been able to get there to peruse the shelves over the last few weeks, I've been thinking of it and can't wait to get back.

Other readerly things that make me smile include this from author John Green. I always enjoy his Mental Floss videos. His books, while well written, always make me cry, however. This does not diminish my enjoyment, it's simply of a different kind.

Goal Setting for the New Year

Since I was a kid, I've always been a big list-maker. One of the most satisfying experiences, in my opinion, is making a list of all the things I hope to accomplish in a day/week/month/year and ticking them off one at a time till they're all done. I love that sense of completion I get from looking at a list upon which every task has a corresponding checkmark. I also learned early on to break up large jobs into small tasks so that I could simultaneously give myself achievable goals and positive reinforcement that would see me through to the end. This system has stood me well as a writer as well.

I have very ambitious long term goals, but the only way I'm going to see them to fruition is by setting a series of short term milepost goals that will lead me in the direction I want to go.

With this in mind, here are my goals for 2014 (yes, I realize this is a long list, but they're all attainable given the proper planning):

Writing Goals

• Find representation (In process) for the book series with the goal of publishing Book 1 within a year
• Meanwhile, write manuscript for Book 2 between January and May.
  • Write summaries for each character's storyline, with their key scenes detailed
  • Outline the chapters in order, interweaving those storylines
  • Organize the book into 3 acts (30-35 thousand words per part) in order to give the story structure
  • Create the Scrivener project for the book
  • Set a schedule for each week with a deadline for completing each of the parts (one per month?)
  • Maintain a record of words completed each week
  • When first draft of each section is complete, take a couple of days off and then do at least 3 rounds of revision
  • Update outline as needed until the entire manuscript is complete and ready to begin editorial process
• Write at least 2 short stories in the summer of 2014 (related to the novel? unrelated?) and shop them for publication in the fall
• Determine what manuscript I want to work on during The Stanley Hotel Writer's Retreat

Social Media Goals

• Set a weekly/monthly schedule for regular blogging/posting
• Learn how to use analytics to determine content goals
• Find an admin assistant for my FB and Twitter to help manage postings if needed

Personal Goals

• Schedule exercise into my weekly calendar 3 x per week and take it as seriously as I do my writing goals
• Expand my container garden to grow more than just tomatoes this year
• Reorganize my laundry room and consider purchasing new equipment
• Learn to crochet
• Dedicate one room for hobbies and organize supplies
• Spring cleaning during the week of Spring Break to sort clutter, then store, toss, or donate as appropriate
• Read 50 books using Goodreads to keep track of my goal

Notice that these are goals, not resolutions. Resolutions seem to always be broken. I am going to do these things, not just say I'm going to. Getting out my calendar now to make my plans. 2014 is going to be a good year.

What are your goals for the New Year?

Things You Should See, Read, Do!

With two jobs in addition to my writing (not including being Layla's dogmom, which she informs me should be a full-time career), I don't have a ton of free time to watch TV or movies or for recreational reading or shopping or whatever. Therefore, I'm pretty selective when it comes to how I spend that time. These are a few things I am glad I spend time on, and I think you will be too.

The new FOX television series Sleepy Hollow
If you're not watching this show, you're making a huge mistake. Fans of Supernatural, you should be tuning in. I guarantee you'll love it.

Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills is a strong, smart, capable woman, and we need more of those. Also, she's beautiful and sexy without having to be sexualized, and that is refreshing as well.

Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane has great chemistry with his leading lady, and his flashes of wit and humor are the perfect balance to the weighty "save-the-world-from-the-apocalypse" drama. Plus, ladies, just look at him. Seriously, go Google and take a look. I'll wait. ...................... Mmm hmm. Like I said.

The plot is intriguing, surprising, suspenseful, and not just a little bit scary. I'm hoping this show is around a long time.

Australian Musician Matt Corby
His soulful sound is nothing short of inspiring. If you give him a listen, I think not only will you agree, but you'll go right out to buy every song just like I did. Here's a sample.

 

Warning, he could become addictive.

John Dies at the End

The book is so bizarre and hilarious, I was pretty sure there was no way a movie adaptation could do it justice. Then I saw it was made by the same folks who did Bubba Ho Tep (one of my very favorite Bruce Campbell films), and I knew all bets were off. I ignored the reviews which were done by people who don't appreciate B cult movies, and man, am I glad I did. Did they include everything in the novel? Heck no. That would be impossible. However, they did stay true to the spirit of the book, and I loved every wacky thing that happened.

The BBC Radio Dramatization Broadcast of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere
I have loved Neverwhere for years. I don't know how many. Just trust me, it's lots. I've been a fan of Neil Gaiman since 1989 and have read nearly everything he's ever written. I say "nearly" simply because he's written SO MUCH, it is of course possible that I've missed something, but I never did so on purpose. But this dramatization is truly fabulous.

With readers like Christopher Lee, James McAvoy, Natalie Dormer, David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anthony Head, the tale comes alive and will remain in your thoughts long after you've finished listening.

Note: Unless you like having creepy nightmares, you might want to listen in a well-lit area in daylight since Benedict Cumberbatch's depiction of the Angel Islington is chilling. Then again, if you enjoy that kind of thing, well, then by all means go right on and ignore my warning. Just don't say I didn't tell you.