Monday, August 23, 2010

Spiffing up the blog/changing the name . . . Then Going to Work

I updated the photo above with the view from my porch as I (pretend to) relax. The previous photo of my feetsies was taken at Caesar's Palace in Vegas, when my brother and I went there last summer. Boy, was that a strange and loud and colorful and exciting and "it's too too much of everything" trip--that's where some man mistook me for a . . . um . . . Call Girl! er . . . huhn, teehee. Lawd!






Wow. The evidence is shown in the pictures: I am a novelist. Definition of a novelist is "a person who writes novels" or "a writer of novels." Come to think of it, the definition doesn't read: "a person who writes novels and they are then published," so those of you who have written or are writing novels and haven't yet been published - what do you call yourself? And if you call yourself nothing, then why aren't you calling yourself something? Writing takes discipline and work - the publishing part is a separate issue - so give yourself a break and call it like you work it.

Its too late to change the blog URL (as far as I know), however I did change the "Name" of my blog to Writing from my Mountain  . . . that's certainly generic enough to encompass the whatevers of my writing and editing life.


Now, my friends, I have to glue my arse to the chair and become completely immersed in Virginia Kate. I have to have more time with this third Graces book than I did for the second Graces (Secret Graces) novel, for while writing SG there were family emergencies, illnesses of dear-ones, traveling to and fro, and my writing time was cut near-abouts in half! I made my deadline, but there are always worries the book suffers when you have to write your arse off in a smaller amount of time. This is how it is. This is what being a "novelist" means--sometimes stuff and life happens, but deadlines are deadlines. I understand this now, and, I am more inclined to give authors/novelists a break when I read their work.


I think there's also a weird thing that happens with a trilogy, or a series. The first book is exciting and wonderful and full of golden; the third book in a trilogy takes things to some fruition, a silvery ending that wraps the new with the old and there is the poignancy of coming full circle. Alas and alack, that middle book in a "series" is somehow sort of wedged in there - feeling like a stepping stone between the two. I've seen this phenom with books and movies-the middle child is sometimes outshined or outshouted by the oldest and the youngest . . . oh dear.

So, my friends, social networking will slow, my connection to reality will be even more tenuous (laugh) and my poor GMR will surely feel neglected as I listen to Virginia Kate storytell through me as she storytells through Grandma Faith and all the rest.

misty view on Kat's porch at Killian Knob
This writing of a new book, the creating of a new work large or small, is the most wonderful, exciting, fabulous, terrifying, hardest, beautiful thing I do . . . the only thing more important and more beautiful and wonderful that I've ever "created" is my son and from that comes his family -Sarah and my "Lil Boop" Norah Kathryn.

Now you all tell me: What are you up to with this winding down of summer? What projects or activities will fall bring?

Lil Norah Kathryn in the dress Granny Kat bought her

14 comments:

Diane said...

Love the makeover. That baby keeps getting cuter and cuter!!! :O)

Terri Tiffany said...

Oh your babygirl is so so pertty!!! Don't you love being a grandma??
I have been working hard at getting a proposal ready to go out and getting the book the best I can.
I can't wait to read number three in yoru series! I know it will be as great as the first two!

john bord said...

The grind stone is whirling, I can hear it all the way out here.

Novelist.... nah, content with being a part time writer.

Look at those huge almond eyes.

Yes deadlines are critical, just don't let it rule you, tweek the toes so ya can see the mountain beyond.

Waterfall said...

I love the new look! And your lil granddaughter is adorable!

End-of-summer projects--ha! For the first time since my daughter was born last December, I managed to wake up at 6 a.m. yesterday morning to write. So my end-of-summer "project" is to try to do more of that!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

New book, new name, new look, almost 'new' grandbaby - life is good!!! Look, book, blog and baby are all beautiful.

Glynis Peters said...

Well I finished the novel Ripper, My Love and it is out there on agent slushmail piles. Ripped Genes is in planning stages. November I will try the NaNoWriMo challenge.

Your grandbabbie is a cutie. I love the dress, you have great taste.

Karen said...

Great new look. And lil Norah has the biggest eyes--so cute! I'm trying to get myself back to regular writing and go to work, and life. (Just like you said.)

Unknown said...

Your blog is awesome!!! I love the banner and I think it's super cool I stopped by on the day you changed it! It seems like you have an excellent spot to chill, read, and write... I'm jealous!!

I have plenty of fall projects... lots of writing in the works!

Anonymous said...

It is certainly interesting for me to read the post. Thank you for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read more soon.

Kate Simpson

Debra said...

Actually late October I hope to visist the Smokies with a trip through Gatlinburg, Cherokee, Maggie Valley, Asheville, and onto to Charlotter!

Angie Ledbetter said...

Lil Boop is TOO PRECIOUS! Look at those intelligent eyes and sweet hand & face! :D

Love the new look, name, everything. Yeah...social networking: a full.time.job. LOL

Hugs & on with the WiP and other such things.

Angie Ledbetter said...

PEE ESS: Can't wait for Sweetie to hit the shelves!!!!!!!!! "She" looks so great in your header.

Jill of All Trades said...

I love it, love it all. The title and the pic. My summer is winding down to doing more time at the office and trying to squeeze painting time in. Have to get ready for a couple of shows...EGADS!!!

Deb Shucka said...

I love the new look and new title. The baby has sure grown - tall and beautiful. Best of luck on your writing - I look forward to reading the results.