Seeing It Through

One of the Moxie is almost finished with her novel, and we're very happy for her; it's been a great adventure, as this is her first finished fantasy novel. Two of us are working on novellas that technically have the same deadline, although our personal deadlines are different. It's nice to have people to whom you can be sort of accountable; i.e. they know what your personal deadlines are and will know if you miss them. That's also where the regular writers' meetings come in handy. I don't think I could write in a total vacuum. Something would be missing without even the small bit of accountability that a writers' group provides.

Don't Open That!

If anyone thinks they may have received a Halloween e-card from me, DON'T open it. Someone had fun with my email address and is sending them. I know this because I just received one, apparently from myself! It's got to be a virus or a trojan, or something. If you don't open it or click on any links, you should be fine.

Now, here is my official Halloween sentiment: Have a safe and sane Celtic New Year. And while you're at it, be good to each other.

New Sub and New Venue

I found a different anthology wanting a different type of novella, and I like this idea and subject matter a lot better. I'm hoping I can write the novella in time to submit to this one. They sound like they're right up my alley.

One of the short stories went out on its second submission ever, to a market that I believe is perfect for the story. Now we'll see whether the market in question thinks the story is perfect for it. It isn't a pro market, but I chose perfect venue over potential money. It just felt right--so right it brought tears to my eyes, if you can believe that. The Huz was a little surprised at the miniscule amount of money I'd get if the story was accepted, and I know I usually try all the pro markets first, but this one was just...different. It felt as though the story was tailor-made for this market and all it represents. So we'll see. It all comes down to whether my instincts were right and whether my perceptions align with those of the editor. Cosmic stuff, here.

Now if the planets will align.... Just kidding.

In the Wings

Right now, all three of my short stories are in between submissions. I need to decide where to send them all next, taking into consideration things like length limitations, genre, response times, e-sub or snail mail, pro mag or semi-pro mag, etc.

I can literally spend hours online just researching markets--and I often do. Someone just needs to buy one of the stories, already.

I've come to a decision about one of the novellas--I'm not doing it. I was never especially enamored of the idea in the first place, and then I realized that I was just grasping at straws by writing it. It would have written up just fine; in fact, I had the first scene written already, and it was reading like a great example of its type and genre, with what I'm pretty sure is an entirely unique take on the theme. But if my heart's not in it, I shouldn't write it, because it makes me feel like I'm selling out. Up to now, I've always loved the stories I've written, and I don't think that should change. I'm not willing to do just any old thing to get published. If that makes me an artiste, so be it.

Plans

At today's Moxie meeting, I was able to figure out the next step in the first of two novellas, so that was extremely helpful. And I've decided where to send the science fiction story next. We'll see what happens. I love it when we bounce ideas off each other and help each other figure out where to go next with a storyline. It really is true that no one writes in a vacuum.

Val's first ebook, Blade's Edge, went to #3 on the Samhain bestseller list after it came out earlier this month, so that's very cool. Go, Val! That's Blade's Edge by Val Roberts, for those who want to read a good sci-fi romance. Now it seems we three Moxie ladies are all working on novels and novellas at the same time, and then there's my nonfiction project still going forward, so it's busy on the writing front. Now it just needs to get busy on the publishing front, and then things will be...busy all around. Bring it on.

Follower Followup

Apparently, the problem with the followers widget is a known issue, and Blogger is collecting data to see whether they can find out what's causing the problem. So for now, we sit tight. At least, even if I can't see you, you can still see the blog.

Blank Space

For those who signed up to follow this blog--I'm not sure why the widget isn't working right now. Whenever I refresh the page, the followers section tries to load and then just shows up blank. It was fine earlier today, and now suddenly it's not. I'm sorry about that; if it isn't working again within the next few days, I'll email Blogger about it and see what they can find out.

Prolific

New story alert. That's, what...two short stories in about two weeks? I don't plan to keep up this pace, but what happened is that I had one short story idea that had been percolating since spring, and then a new one burst upon the scene before I'd finished the earlier one. The result is that I have one short story still in consideration at a magazine, one that isn't at a magazine right now, and this new science fiction that I just finished writing.

The science fiction is a first for me. I usually don't do bolts and rivets, but this story was such an intriguing premise that I just had to give it a go. It's not set in space, but it is on another planet, and it does require technology in order for the plot to work. It was extremely fun and easy to write; once I got started on the body of it, I didn't want to stop. It came in under 4,000 words, so that's also a plus. And it does have an element of magic in it, just like I said it would.

Whenever Val tries to write fantasy, one of her characters is sure to pull out a blaster. Whenever I try to write science fiction, one of my characters is sure to pull out a wand. That's just a fact of existence in the Moxie. Stef...I'm not sure. She'd probably come up with a character who pulled out a wand that converted into a blaster.