Happy New Year's Eve

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Here's to a brighter, more productive, and happy new year for 2012

Swallowed up by Books

Have you ever gotten so into a book that you can't do anything but read? Sometimes I'm so engrossed that all of my free time is taken up by that book. When I'm away, I keep thinking about it and wish that I was turning pages instead of whatever else I was doing. Everything else is put to the side, and I have to force myself to do anything but read.

The Song of Ice and Fire books by George R. R. Martin are like that. Ever since a coworker talked them up to me and got me to start reading them, I've been hooked. It's like they're taking over all of my free time, but I'm not complaining. At least, not too much.

"Before he had lost his sight, the maester had loved books as much as Samwell Tarly did. He understood the way that you could sometimes fall right into them, as if each page was ahole into another world."

-A Feast for Crows, George R.R. Martin





It doesn't Shimmer

Well, I got another rejection email. It appears that Shimmer Magazine isn't looking for a story like "Enchanted Land". So I guess it's back to the drawing board for me. There is a place that I'm thinking of sending it off to, since their reading period just opened up November 1st. However, I'd still like to do some research for other markets just in case. I got the rejection when I got sick, so I wasn't able to send it right off again like I would have wanted to. The new goal is to get it out before the end of the week and hope for the best.

Back in the Swing of Things

It's been awhile since I've updated. It's also been awhile since I've written anything at all. I'm just getting over being sick, so I haven't been up for doing much else except for lying around and sleeping all day. I woke up the day before Halloweem with a fever and felt run down. When I finally went to the doctor they diagnosed it as sinusitis. Apparently it started as a cold, probably something I caught from going to Six Flags that weekend, and ended up in my sinuses causing me to have day and night coughing fits. All that that really means is that I didn't get much of anything productive done for the past couple of weeks.

So now that I'm starting to get back on my feet, it means that I'm going to start writing again. Here we go.

A New Tactic

*Written October 19th, 2011*

Well, I was going to work on my story today during my break, but I got halfway to work and realized that I had left my journal and printed pages at home. I couldn't go back if I still wanted to stop for coffee (which I desperately needed) before I headed in, so my break time plan went out the window. It'll just have to be put off until tomorrow, I guess. Hopefully the weather will clear up a little tomorrow so that I can be in the mood to walk to the Barnes and Noble Cafe to write instead of the chilly back room at work. When I get home tonight, I'll have to make sure to put the story and journal back in my purse so that I don't have another repeat of today. Not only that, but I left the books that I was going to return to the library today at home too. I guess the cold just made me scatter brained today. I mean, last night I slept with three blankets and a (Harry Potter) snuggie. That's just not right.

So, instead I've spent my break working on this blog entry. It might not be the story that I still don't have a completed draft for, but still a productive use of my time. Tomorrow I decided I'm going to take a new approach to this story. Instead of just trying to fill on the missing scenes, I'm just going to start from the beginning and write it through long hand there are some changes that I want to make to the story that's already done, so I'll be making those changes when needed or just copying the lines that are staying. This way, I won't let myself jump around to different scenes, and I can fill in all the holes. Maybe I'll even be able to turn out a draft by the end of the week. That would just be peachy.

In other news, I'm still waiting to hear back about the story I sent out. I plan on doing more market research just in case. But I'm staying hopeful.

Shimmer Magazine

I sent "Enchanted Land" out again today. It was to one of the magazines I found during my Google search on the train yesterday, Shimmer Magazine. They're another one that will pay for the stories they accept, so a lot of my hope went out in the email along with my story.

When I looked at the submission guidelines, they said that they required the submission to be sent as an email attachment. However, they said nothing about whether they wanted a cover letter or not. I didn't feel right sending the story attached to a blank email document though, so I just jotted down some of the generic lines I've put in other letters. I stated the name of the story, that I was a recent CCC graduate out of the fiction department, and thanked them for their consideration. It was short enough that they can take it in at a glance or skip, but it was also enough to make me feel alright about attaching "Enchanted Land" to it.

Now all that is left is to wait around for a few weeks to hear back from them. Shimmer Magazine doesn't accept simultaneous submissions, so there's not much else I can do with "Enchanted Land". While I'm waiting, I'm working on my other story's draft, and I've also sent out another story's first draft to a few friends to make some edits and suggestions.

Hopefully everything will work out as it should.

Possibilities

I'm on a train bound for Chicago and just did some Google research on new markets for my story. I actually stumbled upon some great sites that list magazines willing to pay for the submissions they accept. I wrote down some of the possibilities, but will have to go through all of their guidelines more when I'm home tomorrow. It seems like a lot of them won't take simultaneous submissions, so I'll have to weigh my options about which to send it to first. A few even have set reading periods that are almost up, so that further complacates the decision.

Tomorrow and Wednesday I'm off from work, so I'll use that chunk of time to be productive. Once I've researched the markets on my list, I can send the story to my choice. Then I'm free to try to finish the draft of the story I'm currently working on, "Drawings on the Wall".

Let's Try This Again

I heard from Clarkesworld Magazine this morning. It wasn't good news. However, the rejection letter was polite. It mentioned how they get a lot of submissions throughout the year and although they may like quite a few of them, they can only publish so many. Hey, at least they spelled my name right in the letter though, unlike when Reflection's Edge got back to me.

So the time has come to start researching other markets that are currently open to submissions and send it off somewhere else. This just must not have been the right place for it.

Time to start researching again.

Break Time

Nothing makes me feel cooler than sitting in the Barnes & Noble Cafe listening to The Beatles and drinking a dirty chai. All while writing in my Wonder Woman journal with the pen that may have been swiped from the Olive Garden.

It's the perfect break.

Productivity Strikes

I've tried to start this month off on a productive note. Today I did some market research in order to find a home for a fantasy story that I had finished awhile ago. I had some magazines in mind that I wanted to submit the piece to, but as luck would have it- the submission deadline for all of those places were over and the reading period had closed. So I spent a few hours with my laptop and Google and found a few other promising publications that might be good homes for my story, "Enchanted Land".

I settled on Clarke's World Magazine, and submitted my story. This is the first time that the story's been sent out since it was rejected from Reflection's Edge. So now it's time to keep sending it out until someone gives it a permanent home.

After my fairy story was sent off into cyberspace, I decided it was time to do something else productive. Ever since my last semester, I've been wanting to make business cards that I can give out for people to contact me, and today I finally ordered them. It took me a few hours to decide on the correct design that would go with my brand image that's in effect with my website, but after some work I made cards that I'd be proud to hand out to any new contacts I meet.

Now all I have to do is wait around to hear back about my submission and wait around for my cards to be mailed to me. The business cards should be here in about two weeks, and according to Clarke's World's website, I should hear back with their decision within a few days. They don't take simultaneous submissions, so I have to hear back from them before I shop it around some more.

In the mean time, I'm going to put this productive mood towards working on another story that's been in the works.

Fingers crossed for "Enchanted Land"!

Getting Older

I recently had a birthday, and it was different than any one I've ever had. Instead of celebrating with some big party, I had a ten hour shift at work. After work, I came home and had dinner with my family then watched some TV before going to bed. It was just like any other dull day in my life.

The conclusion that I came to is that I'm legitimately growing up now. I had responsibilities that I had to take care of, so I wasn't able to just run off and party with my friends. It's a bit of a scary thought. This was the most grown-up birthday that I've had so far, so is this what it's going to be like for the rest of my life? Am I destined to do nothing but work and take care of the things I have to take care of and never leave any room for fun? That's just depressing to think about.

When I did end up celebrating my birthday that weekend when I had the time off of work, it was all very chill. I went to visit some friends in the city, but nothing huge. We got a couple dinners, had a few drinks, and went to the aquarium. It was great and I had fun, but it wasn't the crazy birthday parties of my past. However, this year I didn't even want anything crazy. I was perfectly happy with just being with a few friends and hanging out together. Maybe that too is a sign that I'm growing up.

I've always said that I suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome - the desire to stay young and carefree forever. But who doesn't want that? I think that given the choice of being young or having all sorts of real world adult responsibilities, a lot of people would favor being young. This whole getting older thing is a tad bit frightening, but it's something that must get done. Think of what the world would be like if everyone refused to grow up and act like an adult.

This birthday just really opened my eyes to how much has changed in only a year. It was the first time that I've had a birthday and I was not a student, the first time that I've had to work on my birthday, and the first time that I didn't get to see any of my friends on my actual birthday. I guess I could and should see this as the start of something new and different for me. From here on out I'm an adult.

So I should start acting like it, right? I'm not too sure I'm ready for all that yet. People always tell me that I still look like I'm only 17, so there's no harm in being immature every once in awhile. As long as everything that's important gets done, I don't see any reasons why I can't still have some fun in my life. After all, it is important to have healthy balances in life.

Reading > Writing?

Whoever thought that reading would be a problem? I certainly never did, but it's starting to show itself as one lately. I love books, always have, but they've started to take over my free time. Normally, I wouldn't think much of it, but it's been taking away from time I would normally spend writing.

Lately I've been either at work or reading... no writing to speak of. You'd think that someone who just finished school for writing would be surrounded by piles of papers and full of fresh ideas for stories, but that hasn't been the case. I've just found myself surrounded by books, and each trip to the book store is a new strain on my wallet and more time away from my journal.

So is it a bad thing? I could argue (which I normally do) that reading is good for writing. It's no secret that good writers are also good readers, since books let us see what's out there as well as what works and what doesn't. But that theory only works if the writing comes after the reading. Since I've been doing mass amounts of page turning though, and haven't really lifted a pen - I guess I can't use the excuse that reading compliments writing.

Right now I'm working my way through the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris, and once I'm done with all of those I have plenty more to read. I've recently purchased the complete Chronicles of Narnia, the Sherlock Holmes stories, Lewis Carroll's works, Dante's Divine Comedy, The Portrait of Dorian Grey, Treasure Island, Freud's Interpretation of Dreams, and more that I can't even think of. Plus, there's always the Harry Potter series that begs to be reread at regular intervals.

With that ever increasing pile of books wanting to be read, how can I refuse them? I love my books (even if I am running out of places to put them), and just wish that I could make a career out of doing pleasure reading. Since reading is keeping my mind working, I guess I won't worry too much about my recent lack of writing. If it persists, then I have a problem, but as of now I'm going to go with it. There really is nothing better than curling up with a book after working a day of retail. Should I really deny myself that pleasure?

Get to It!

Real world working vs. my writing. Why must the two constantly bump heads? It's like, I want to write - that's what I went to school for and why I now will be paying student loans off for the rest of my life. However, I'm so tired after working that I have no energy to even think, let alone put those thoughts to paper.

I've started doing my 500 words a day regime, but I've also already started cheating with it. I'd come home from work, worn out, feet hurting, and have a headache, and want do do nothing but go right to sleep. "I'll make up for it tomorrow," is a common saying on those days. But what happens the next day, when I still have to go to work and the same thing happens all over again? What's going to happen is that all of my writing is going to build up and I'd have to make up for it on my days off. That's not what I want though. I want my days off to be my days. Days where I can see my friends or do large projects that involve my writing. While I should be able to do 500 words on a work day, I should use days off as planning days. Days where I can work out plots and try to find places to submit to. If I keep putting my words a day off like this, my days off will just be devoted to playing catch up, and I wouldn't be able to get anything substantial done.

Why couldn't I just listen when everyone was trying to teach me about discipline? Well, I guess that's not fair. I listened, I know what I'm supposed to do, but I can't seem to make myself do it. Maybe it's because I can't establish a routine? Everyone always preached the importance of routines, because they set a precident and establish discipline, but I'm unable to do that. I don't have set hours at work, so how can I designate specific times for things?

I'm just going to have to do it. I've started to bring my journal to work with me and leaving my books at home so that I can write during my break and not get tempted to read instead. The only problem with this plan though has been the distractions. Any time I sit in the back room and get ready to write while I eat my lunch, someone comes back to talk to me. It's like I can't get a moment's peace. Even as I write this now, I've had three conversations with the girls I work with when I should be writing instead of talking. I mean, it is my break. I shouldn't have to answer questions about work right now, should I?

But I can't blame it on them. The responsibility lies on me and me alone. Maybe if I journal about dedication and discipline enough I'll actually learn it? It could be like how I used to study for spelling tests when I was in elementary school- I would just write the word over and over again until I could remember how to spell it. So if I keep writing about how I need to be more disciplined and about how I need to work on my writing at every given opportunity, I'll learn to do it. I can see this plan working out. Especially since if I'm writing about those things, it means that I'm at least writing something. And that's the only real starting point that I need.

Let the Challenge Begin...

Once upon a time I had set a goal to myself to write 500 words a day. It was working really well, and I got a lot accomplished on my story. Everything was great... until I got promoted.

Yes, getting promoted is a good thing. It means more money, and more responsibilities and everything, and I'm happy for my new position. It just proved to be extremely time consuming, and my 500 words a day promise went out the window. The retail world became my life and I had to offer up my writing time to the fashion gods as a sacrificial lamb.

Well, I want to change that. Now that I'm out of school and no one's making me write for homework assignments, I haven't been doing it. So I'm reinstating the 500 words a day. It's not that much, so I still have time to work, socialize, and do everything else that I want as well as write. The 500 word blueprint is just something to strive for so I start picking up a pen and putting it to paper again.

So what will I write in these 500 words or more? Well, that will depend on the day. Last time, I had to dedicate my 500 words to working towards my novel, but this time I'm not going to limit myself like that. I want to work on short stories that I can send out in attempt to get published, I have to keep my blog updated, as well as continue to work on my novel.

I'm hoping that this excursion into a minimum word a day writing experiment will work. Since I've been working more, I'm used to the long hours and can now do more before or after work. There's also the possibility that my hours are going to be cut back in the near future, so I'm going to use the new extra time for something productive.

It's time that I start to put this degree in writing to some good use...

New Year, New Post

It's a little ways into the New Year, and I've realized that I haven't been very good about this whole blog thing. My friend's facebook said that her New Year's resolution was to keep up a regular blog, so that got me thinking. People have asked me what my resolution is, and I didn't have an answer. Sure, I've made them in the past- cut down on the swearing, eat better, exercise, blah blah blah- but I've never really followed any of them.

I've decided to steal my friend's resolution (is that wrong?) and take this blog experiment one step further and say that updating Peacocks and Fairytales on a regular basis is my New Year's resolution. What is a regular basis, you ask? As of now, I'm putting it out there that I'm going to be write once a week. That's the groundwork, but hopefully there'll be some weeks when I post multiple times. What a shock that would be, right? I thought about having a specific day a week that I'd have to post, but then I threw that idea out of the window. It just made it seem like I was doing homework, and I'm not Okay with that. I want this to be something that I want to do, not something I have to do.

So that's the plan. Hopefully I will be able to stick to it.