Plowing Through the Fields

*peeks*

Hi. Miss me? Well, if you did, I'm back! Yay!

I got stuck in design mode for awhile. I like multi-tasking, but apparently I can't multi-task in several different mediums at once. I guess I am human after all. Darn.

I fixed up the newsletter so if you haven't signed up yet, you definitely don't want to miss the October newsletter. I also designed a web page template for a friend. *waves at Stacy* Check out the new Gothic Gourds HERE.

(No one get the wrong idea. This was a special favor and for a good cause. So please don't bomb my inbox with web design requests, thank you).

Now, where did I leave off? Ah, yes, rewrites. Half of chapter 5 has been rewritten. It flows beautifully now. Chapter 6 only needed a few minor tweaks, all is good. Chapter 7 needed it a complete re-haul, but that's done now and I'm moving on to chapter 8. I'm quite happy with the story so far.

I've realized there's a disadvantage to plowing through a story I have in mind – rewrites. Now, I will freely admit I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so rewrites are normal for me. I think I mentioned this in another post, that for the manuscript I currently have in circulation, one of the chapters took 6 rewrites before it finally worked and I could move on to the next chapter. Plowing through doesn't account for rewrites.

I often change mind. The possibilities in fiction writing are endless and I could easily go in so many directions. I'm also the type of author that's fully capable of writing in different genres. My only criteria is dark fiction, that's my thing. Fluffy romance? Will never happen. In all fairness, I'm just no good at fluff. Some authors are, I'm not. We all have our thing. I feel as an author I should realize my limits in order to understand just how far I can go.

I'm a fast writer, I prefer it that way because I think fast and need to keep up with my thoughts. But as I've learned with this whole plowing technique, I can see the advantage to taking the time to craft every single sentence. If nothing else, it avoids rewrites.

Fast or slow? I've concluded like so many things when it comes to fiction, that it doesn't matter. I'll do whatever the story needs, whether it's fast, slow or needs 6 rewrites.

I'm a slave to my work... and I love it :D

The Lily Newsletter

I *think* it's all ready. The newsletter is designed and ready to be sent. The subscription is all set up. It all should, in theory, work. I'll give everyone a little time to subscribe before sending out the newsletter, partly to be fair, and partly in case there are any errors that need to be fixed.

The link for the subscription is on the top of my home page. But I've also inserted a handy dandy Subscribe button to this blog on the right side. *points to big yellow button on the right side menu* You'll be sent to page with a simple, short form to sign up. Seriously, it's very simple.

So, what you waiting for? Go subscribe!

So...very...close...

I'm THIS close to finishing the newsletter *motions with fingers*

I doubt I'll have it ready to be sent out today, but hopefully soon. Once I finish that, I can go back to writing.

Back to annoying coding...

P.S. Vote for the Eden Fell cover. Thanks.

I'm a cheater

So I've been slaving away, trying to get the newsletter ready to be sent out by Sept. 15. I figured out how and where to send it. I had a spiffy design ready for some time. Content is organized and I think everyone will like it. Just one little problem. Email newsletter coding is a completely different language. It's like, written by aliens on something.

Late yesterday night, I finally came to terms with the fact that I just don't know how to do this kind of complicated coding. So, I cheated. I downloaded a free template with the coding already in place. *hangs head*

Now that I have a template to work with, the newsletter design is getting there. Too bad I couldn't use my own design, but I'm doing what I can. I have no idea if it'll be ready by the 15th, but that's my goal, so we'll see how that goes.

New! Exciting! Fits in your pocket!

I'm working on a monthly newsletter. It's something I've been keeping in mind for when the need arises. The need has arisen. I love this blog, and it's so easy to use, but it's starting to get clogged up with too much info.

So. I've decided to create a newsletter which will contain info you won't see anywhere else. Contests and events will now only be in the newsletter. There will also be interactive features and a poll you can participate in. All votes will remain anonymous, and results will be in the next newsletter. Your vote counts!

I plan to send out the newsletter on the 15th of each month and plan for the first newsletter to be ready by Sept. 15th. So keep checking back to this blog or my website for the subscribe link. I'll post the link on the homepage, right on top. This will be a fun newsletter, you don't want to miss out!

I'm finally rolling again with chapter 5. My muse made a liar out of me, rather predictable. I'm about half-way done. I'm starting to parallel several sub-plots, yet trying to keep it simple. I always have too many ideas at once. Call it a tragic flaw.

And I have to say, who would have thought that I, a girl, would enjoy war games so much? Seriously, I'm having the best time with this. The story definitely keeps me interested, no doubt about that.