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I'm having a lovely, quiet day... a writerly update.
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?
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?
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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 :-)
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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!::
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Vanilla latte huh? Ali writes to tell me she has hazlenut; strangely enough, my coffee is coffee-flavoured. (o:
::Danny from Withnail & I voice:: Stay calm man, don't rock the universe; all will be well... ::beams the groovy vibes at lui::
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I am calming, honest!
::smooches::
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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
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And the sewing and everything; I'm a needlework illiterate.
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How many more days of winter are there?
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I know which way I would go, but then I have a car through water phobia!
Unfortunately a few years ago we had the choice of main roads complete with 10 roundabouts and 13 rivers/ streams across or rural roads with not a chance and much swimming. There was much eeping and holding of breath and oh, thank the gods!
And too many.
(in answer of your last question!)
Good Luck!
♥
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Oh, btw; further to our previous discussion, I just heard *the* most magnificent bit of slashery on my Boosh DVD... I have posted about it...
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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!
Dammit all but ain't it WET?
I has wine now; I'm waiting for tatties to roast, writing fic... All is still. Life is good.
have a simply marvellous weekend, poppet. ♥
Re: Dammit all but ain't it WET?
I has wine now; I'm waiting for tatties to roast, writing fic... All is still. Life is good.
Oh yeah - it doesn't get much better than that!
have a simply marvellous weekend, poppet
You too babe - stay dry! ::blows kisses::
Re: Dammit all but ain't it WET?
::Ricky Gervais voice:: Are you 'avin' a laugh?
Man... It's *still* coming down! I must get my gutters fixed...
Re: Dammit all but ain't it WET?
::gurgle gurgle gurgle glug::
The gurgle is my overflowing drain... the glug is the wine making it better... *hg*
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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::
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I usually light a firelighter and some heather in the chimney about an hour before I light the stove, but the chimney here is *huge* and I don't really know how much good it does v/v warming it.
The fic is coming on but the next chapter is going to be massive. I've already written 2,000 words of notes for Blair; haven;t een started on |Jim yet and that's just the notes - so heaven knows how long it will take to write. (o:
Is that bloomin' baby not here yet? have you tried setting fireworks off outside the house in the early hours?
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LOL. No fireworks. She lives a two hour drive away from us. A little too far to sneak by in the night. *g*
Ooo! I'm REALLY looking forward to the next chapter now. *bg*
No gin! That's a sin! J. gave me a new bottle for Xmas, to make sure I had enough. Heh heh. I've been having mine 50/50 with cranberry juice and a slice of lemon. It is surprisingly tasty and refreshing. =>}
Merlot will certainly do in a pinch!
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What brand? I favour Tanqueray myself; Gordon's for second choice.
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I love gin and cranberry. Although right now, it's cranberry/cherry juice I'm using. I also love maraschino cherries and J. always spoils me by putting three in. Heh heh.
I'll use any "clear" mix that's sweet with gin. Tonic water, cranberry juice, raspberry punch, limeade is VERY tasty with it in summer, as is lemonade (and by this I do NOT mean a soft drink/pop/soda-type beverage, but REAL ade made with the juices of the fruits, or frozen versions thereof), Seven-Up if it's all they have and even orange juice if the "clearer" juices aren't available.
Always LOTS of ice and big slices of lemon or lime depending on my mood. =>}
I am a bit of a gin slut. I'll buy the cheapest going, since I always mix it. It might be Beefeaters or Gordon's but right now J. got me a bottle of Bombay Sapphire for Xmas. I love the blue bottle. *g*
Tanqueray is fine if available. Here, Gordon's is the cheapest and Bombay Sapphire the most expensive available, but only by about $6 difference. I've just seen that Melcher's is a bit cheaper than Gordon's.
Gins available at the SAQ (Sociétés d'Alcools de Québec).
J. prefers that HORRIBLE
crapstuff, Geneva Gin that they drink in Belgium. UGH! ; >}