I'm having a lovely, quiet day... a writerly update.

[panik]

The weather is filthy, I have no where to go so I'm having a day off, writing fic - which is so relaxing compared to writing the damn novel; it's like a holiday. I'm just brewing a cup of excellent coffee, about to start writing my next chapter and about to hit a deep well of massive angst, which is a pleasing prospect. (o:

I've been writing a lot of fic, less so the novel. I'm working on it - thinking a lot, jotting down notes in the middle of the night but not actually writing. I just don't feel I know the characters well enough to write about them yet. I'm worried about the time it's taking to get to grips with this story. I'm not really sure why, either, it's never happened to me before. I'm just hoping I can break through this block soon because it's really starting to bother me.

As for the other novel, the Cuban one - I still haven't heard back from the last agency I sent it to - it's been three months now and I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and self-publish, as a printed book and an e-book. The big problem there is publicity; believe it or not, *g* I'm really bad at the self-pimping thing. I can send a few copies out to some of my old press contacts and see if any of them take any notice; I'll have to do a bit of research on the best way to pimp for interest if I decide to go that route. ::heaving a heavy sigh::

But 'tis still and quiet here at home - Mark is busy applying for IT jobs, I'm writing; the house is warming up now the stove is burning brightly again. We've been having trouble with it since we lit it yesterday with a lot of smoke, and even had the carbon monoxide alarm go off once - had to open all the doors and windows which, in this weather, was no fun at all.

I carefully cleaned all parts of the thing before I lit it yesterday, but this morning I found a heavy fall of clinker in the chimney. There must have been a build up in there that was stopping it drawing and it's come down overnight. We only had the chimneys swept 3 months ago so, why is clinker building? Could be because we're here so infrequently so the flue gets cold - smoke can't rise because of cold air in the flue = smoky stove and clinker. It could cause a chimney fire. We can get the chimney cleaned again but it's so bloomin' expensive and wonlt stop the problem occurring again unless I can sort out what's causing it. it's a bit of a nail-chomper.

Such is my life this Friday, eighteenth day of January in the year of our lord, two thousand and eight.

How about the rest of you. Is everyone OK? Anyone in the UK been washed into the sea yet?  Hey folks, it's Friday! Is it time to break out the gin and olives yet?

Comments

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a very pleasant day!

How about the rest of you. Is everyone OK?

I am, thanks for asking *g* I'm about to leave for a little weekend with LJ friends-turned-RL friends; brilliant weekend ahead, if you ask me :-)

[luicat.livejournal.com]

If I actually like gin and olives, the answer would so be YES!

You wouldn't think it would be so difficult, would you? Orange, Sky and dentist. I need a bucket of valium or a big bottle of something alcoholic! I'm going to be a rebel and walk into town for a vanilla latte later to try to calm down. I was good. I did apologise to the woman at Sky when she finally gave me what I wanted and had been trying to do for an hour...

Ack.

::hugs you cos I can!::

[boogieshoes.livejournal.com]

::hugs:: hope you figure out the chimney thing.

myself, i got real good news at the dr's this week - lost a whopping 25lbs since october, yay! and also, last night i finished a cute cross-stitch piece, and i'm all excited over that. i can't bloody find a picture of it online to link to, and i'm sans camera again, or i'd show you what it is. suffice it to say it is teh cute. :)

::hugs::

- bs

[suemc.livejournal.com]

Another 4 hours before I can think about heading home. I'm only half way through my work day. Then I have to decide which way to go. Main roads complete with boring views and 14 roundabouts, or rural roads, only 4 roundabouts but about 10 new streams/rivers to cross. How many more days of winter are there?!!!!!!!

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

It's more than time to break out the gin and whatever else takes your fancy. After all, it's always past 6pm somewhere in the world. I've been sipping a cheeky chard tonight, for the last 4 hours in fact,and am currently feeling no pain.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Is it time to break out the gin and olives yet?

Oh dear god in a puddle, I vote yes!

Ack - I hate it when the chimney starts to fight back - I don't have one of my own in this cottage, but I've fought the good fight in the past. Sometimes the fuel changes without you knowing (if it's coal/coke/whatever) and that can cause sudden fits of temper in the upper regions. Or could the excessive damp (that's the polite expression for it, what I mean is the effing rain) be causing it to clog up? I always loved the Lord Peter Whimsey cure of firing a shotgun up it... but maybe that's a bit too extreme *g*

Have a good weekend sweetie. Cheers!

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

As my Dad used to say, the sun is always over the yardarm SOMEWHERE in the world, so break out the gin and olives. *g*

I'm still waiting, waiting, waiting... =>}

Always glad to hear you're working on the fan fic, but I wish you MUCH luck with the publishing of the Cuban novel and the writing of the new one.

When we light a fire, we always light some newspaper and hold it up the chimney to get the air going up. Only after that is done do we light the fire. Maybe you know this. If you don't, I hope it helps. Good luck with the chimney problems, too!

::hugs::