Weekly Wrap-Up #2

This is a day early since I sent the last one out on Sunday, but I’ve already had it in my head that I need to do it sometime today, so you’re getting it now. 

This has been an interesting week.

Highlights:

• Agent – I found out I have an appointment with a literary agent at the Ozark Creative Writers conference October 11-13.  I’ll find out exactly when it is on the 11th.  I’m trying to get “Kiernan’s Curse” in shape to present to her.  (More about KC below.)
• Axia – I received an e-mail interview from Axia College, a branch of the University of Pheonix.  I have until October 5 to complete and return the questions.  I am over half done.
• Presentation – My presentation was this past Wednesday.  I had a small audience, but it was interesting and fun.  (Interesting because I learned some stuff too.)
• “Devon’s Wish” – I am now on chapter 17 of DW.  I would guesstimate I’m close to 55,000 words.  Not bad.
• “Kiernan’s Curse” – I’ve edit up through the end of chapter 8.  At that point, I have 33,000+ words.  I’m not going to include the wordcount in chapters 9-20 because that will undoubtedly change quite a bit, as the first eight chapters have.
• Farmhouse – On Wednesday after my presentation, I moved from the Spring Garden suite where I was staying to the Iris suite.  Spring Garden was down by the office on Spring Street where I could watch the horses & buggies go by in the evenings.  Downside was a few tourists stopped in to ask questions.  The Iris suite is down the hill and up another hill in the farmhouse.  It’s much quieter here with a prettier view.  I still haven’t taken pictures.
• Neighbor – I have a new neighbor staying in the Rose suite, which is right directly next door.  She got here yesterday afternoon.  We’d been corresponding via e-mail for a while before I left to come here and before she got here.
• Submissions – Earlier this week, I sent four envelopes off.  Each envelope had 2-3 poems except for one, which had a short story.  They went off to four different magazines.

I think that covers it.  If I think of anything else I’ll either send it separately or just tack it on to next time.

Filed under: editing, revisions, writing , Jen Nipps, jennipps, WCDH residency

“She’s Pretty Well Known”

That was said about me in my introduction Wednesday when I went to do my presentation.

My automatic response was, “I am?”

I wasn’t being sarcastic or snarky.  It honestly always surprises me when someone says they’ve heard about me or they know of me in some way.

I always want to say, “You do?  How?  Why?” 

I don’t, though.  I’m going to have to either get over or hide the surprise to some degree though.  It probably doesn’t look good to have a surprised “I am?” coming from the person who’s giving the presentation or reading or whatever.

I’m not widely published, so perhaps that’s one reason why it surprises me.  I have, though, been 1st and 2nd Vice-President for the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc., a category chairperson for the OWFI contest a few times, chairperson for the autograph party, a member of Romance Writers of America, had one poem published online, another poem pending in Writers’ Journal, and written several (7, I think) website reviews that have been published in the OWFI newsletter.  Maybe all that has something to do with how un/known I may or may not be.

It’s an ego stroke, yes.  At the same time, to me, it’s a little uncomfortable.

Filed under: writing , Jen Nipps, jennipps, organizations, OWFI, poetry, RWA, verse, WCDH residency

Counting Down

I haven’t given a true progress report about either one of my projects here in a while.  I’ll mention both Devon’s Wish and Kiernan’s Curse in passing, but that’s been the extent of it.

So to summarize:

• “Devon’s Wish” – I’m starting chapter 16 today.  I didn’t hit a lick on it yesterday because of my presentation and moving from one apartment to the other.  I’m currently sitting at approximately 50,500 words.  I expect there will be about five or six more chapters, counting the one I’m starting today.
• “Kiernan’s Curse” – I’ve edited up through chapter 7.  After I do some work on DW, I might do another one or two.  It wil give me some leeway for if I don’t make my chapter-a-day goal plus will give me some extra time to do the query and get ready for the pitch to the agent in October.  My chapters pre-edit/pre-second POV were running about 10 pages.  Now with adding in the second POV, even though I’m taking out other stuff, they’re running closer to 15 pages.

I’m still working on looking for markets and the like for poems, articles, and essays, but the above are taking precedence at the moment.

Filed under: editing, revisions, writing , Jen Nipps, jennipps, poetry, queries, WCDH residency

So Today Was Interesting

Today was the day for my outreach presentation for this residency.  It was interesting.

We got there and apparently the executive director of the place had forgotten all about us.  Nobody knew where she was.  One person said she came in the front door and went out the back.  Someone else thought she was on a Meals on Wheels route.

Who knows.

They made an announcement that I was there, though.  After about 10 minutes, two ladies came in, so we had our little presentation and nice little discussion.  They asked when I could come back.  *s*

When I’m back here in November, I don’t know that I’ll go back there or if I’ll do a different presentation, but we’ll see.

Additionally, I moved.  I was in an apartment down by the office.  Now I’m in one in what they call the Farmhouse.  It’s really cute.  I haven’t taken any pictures as yet, but I hope to soon.

If I haven’t mentioned it before, there is a nightly dinner during the week for those of use staying here.  There are always interesting discussions regarding our work, religion, politics, etc.  Tonight, though, was a little bittersweet because one is leaving tomorrow.

Paula, I’d like to publicly say I hope your book sells to a big house and goes gangbusters on the bestsellers lists!  As hard as you’ve worked on it while you’ve been at the Writers’ Colony, you deserve it.

Filed under: writing , creative, creativity, Jen Nipps, jennipps, WCDH residency

Welcome to the Jewelry Minute

Last night when I got back from dinner, my mind was a little muddled/mushy from writing and the like all day. Instead of looking up guidelines like I had been doing, I made a bracelet.

I don’t have a display to use for the picture, like I would prefer (they’re actually packed in a box at home).  But I think you get the idea of the bracelet laid out like this.

It has 2.5cm mother-of-pearl donut squares, 4mm ecru Swarovski bicone crystals, 4mm x 6mm cream rice-shaped freshwater pearls, and a sterling silver clasp.  $35

If you want it, I’ll sell it.  E-mail me and we can come up with payment and shipping arrangements.

Filed under: writing , Jen Nipps, jennipps

Crossing Eyes and Dotting Ts

Yes, I know I said that backwards.  And with the wrong kind of “eye.”  I did it on purpose.

Last night, as you no doubt no if you’ve read the “Bonus Post,” I found out I have an appointment with an agent at a conference in October.

The novel I want to pitch to her is “Kiernan’s Curse,” set in Ireland toward the beginning of the Middle Ages.  It’s not in presentable shape as yet.

I brought it with me to the Writers’ Colony to work on in addition to “Devon’s Wish.” 

The way I have it figured, I need to edit at least a chapter a day on KC to have it in presentable shape. 

Today I’ve plowed through some of it, fixing mistakes and making repairs to my timeline as I go.  I had forgotten how screwed up my timeline is in this. 

It’s enough to make me want to pull my hair out. 

It’s fixable, though.  And I still like the story.  I’m also adding a second point of view so it’s more than just his POV now.

Rather, it’s developing that way.

I’m at a point today where I can now put KC to the side and work on writing DW.  I’m not even going to think any farther ahead than that.  I kind of feel like I need a nap or a shower or something to clear my head before I get started again though.

Maybe another ride on the trolley?

No.  Better not do that one.  Especially since I’ve already been to the post office and to buy ink for my printer.  I don’t have any other errands that I need to do so I need to stay here to do what I came for.

On that note….  Hasta luego.

Filed under: editing, revisions, writing , creative, Jen Nipps, jennipps, WCDH residency

Bonus Post: 8 Things About Me

I’ve been tagged by Mother’s Home for this meme.

What 8 things can I say without boring you all to tears?

1. I’m current a writer-in-residence at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
2. While I’m here, my family is moving and I feel guilty for not being there to help.
3. I really like to cook.  (My dad’s favorite thing for me to fix is a casserole dish that we call chicken south of the border.  He likes mine better than my mom’s.)
4. I would dearly love to move to Eureka Springs.
5. I’m legally blind so I don’t drive.  (Sometimes this is OK, other times it sucks rotten eggs.)
6. I’ve had 7 website reviews and 1 poem published.  (Another poem will be published in a matter of months.)
7. I have one paranormal historical romance completed in first draft form and am working on a second (same family 100 years later).
8. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN AGENT IN MID-OCTOBER.  (Ahem.  Sorry for yelling that but I couldn’t help it.)

Who to tag?  Let’s see…

Nita’s Notes
From My Brain to Yours
The Write Snark
Boomer Chick
Down River Drivel
Light Green Stairs
Chit Chat & All That
Stella:  Diary of a Mad Drag Queen

Have fun. 

(By the way, I’m copied this exactly over from Confessions of a Fat Chick, so you really haven’t been tagged twice.)

Filed under: writing , Jen Nipps, jennipps, WCDH residency

Monday Poetry Train

OK, here’s the Monday Poetry Train.  It’s a bit of an old one, but what the hey.  I tried to find something new but kept drawing blanks today’

Vowel Complaint

Always first, never last,
Everyone uses me.
I feel so neglected, abused.
One by one, people used me
Until you acknowledged me for me.

(Take a ride on Rhian’s Poetry Train, no reservation required.)

Filed under: poetry train, writing , Jen Nipps, jennipps, poetry, verse

Writing Begets Writing Begets….

Yesterday, I stopped writing for the day around 7:oo in the evening so I would be able to go to sleep last night. For some strainge reason, it didn’t work.

But it wasn’t “Kiernan’s Curse” or “Devon’s Wish” keeping me awake.

It was “Confessions of a Fat Chick.”  (Not the blog but the book/story idea that inspired the blog.)

After an hour and a half, I finally got up, got my notepad and a pen, and wrote down what kept going through my head. Then I was able to go to sleep.

I hated what I had done with CFC. I decided I was going to completely scrap it and start over. I think what I put together last night is the new opener.

It’s risky. And probably risqué. But it jumps right into the heart of the matter a lot faster than what I had written before did. You know, come to think of it, even after five chapters, I don’t think I had gottne to the heart of anything related to it yet.

I’m keeping the characters of Jerica and Erin (the main character). The others could well be scratched. I don’t know if she’s going to have the same job or something different. I’m leaning toward the same, though. Oh, so then her boss would have to be the same character because he’s such a total asshole that needs to be ther to generate change(s) she’ll need to make.

Have I rambled enough yet?

I’ll type it up later and put it in my CFC notebook under the “notes” tab because I have more than enough on my plate at the moment with the writing and editing I’m already working on.

(I haven’t forgotten that it’s time for the Monday Poetry Train.  Give me a little time and I’ll have something up for that.)

Filed under: editing, poetry train, revisions, writing , creative, Jen Nipps, jennipps, poetry, WCDH residency

Scattered

That’s a good way to describe today.  Scattered.

Today, I have:

• Written some.  I’m guessing I’m halfway through chapter 13 on “Devon’s Wish.”  I’ve accomplished most of what I want to do other than breaking some bones.   (Seriously.)
• Edited some.  Chapter 2 of “Kiernan’s Curse” has been edited.
• Napped.  After editing this morning and going down to the kitchen to get a sandwich, I was getting fumbly and feeling a bit off, so I took a nap.  It was difficult to get remotivated after that.
• Did some research.  I found some good information about hunting in Ireland that I can use in “Devon’s Wish.”
• Did some marketing.  I found some places to send some stuff, which will be a very good thing for my Just Hit Send goals.
• Acted as an information broker.  Two people stopped by here today asking me about information on the founder of the Writers’ Colony.  Um…  Like I know?  I know very little about her other than her name and the fact that she now lives in a different state.  Google is your friend, people.  So on Sundays I either need to keep my door closed or wear shoes.
• Visited with my neighbor.
• Went for a walk.  I didn’t go very far but I didn’t take into consideration the steepness of the hill and the fact that my back isn’t 100% yet.  I was sucking air big time by the time I got back.

That basically says it all.  Huh.  Despite feeling so “scattered,” the list written out like that looks like a lot.  It didn’t/doesn’t feel like it though.

Filed under: editing, revisions, writing , Jen Nipps, jennipps, WCDH residency