Mah Goals – wc 23/09

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Ileandra Young

Football goal posts from OpenClipArtTaking it easy… Hmm. Didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped on that front, but I can’t blame that for feeling a bit pooey right now.

Sprog2 had a temperature for most of the weekend and it was just so scary seeing him lying there in my arms. Gone are the days when that was a regular occurrence; Sprog2 particularly loves to investigate things. Take them apart. Put them back together. Stack them. Shape them. Push them. Pull them. You know?

And on Saturday (we went to a wedding) after collecting the boys from Mum and my sister, he just sat on my lap and whined. This low, kinda pitiful keening that went on and on and on. Then I realised how hot he was.

By the time we got back from Ware, everybody was shattered, but we only managed about an hour of sleep before he was up again and keening. Dave took him to see the emergency doctor (because I can’t drive alone yet and cabs are slow) while I sat downstairs and cried like a pitiful weakling. *sigh* Then I got the text that stopped me stuffing chocolate at an alarming rate; he’s fine, just a low-grade temperature, probably fighting off the last of a bug.

Relieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeef!

I hate when my kids are ill. I’m lucky in that it hasn’t happened very often, but because both of the boys are SO cheerful and lively all the time, it’s really obvious when they’re not feeling their best. He actually fell asleep on my chest; he’s not done that for months!

Anyway… he’s fine now. Running around the living room, ducking his brother and stacking Mega Blocks (thanks Mum!).

Me however? Sore throat, aching limbs and general lethargy. Darn.
So this week’s goals will be adjusted to fit how I feel. Last week however…

Start looking at editing the draft of the next story in the ‘Meeting Each Other’ series
Done. My first read through is complete and I’ve picked out some troublesome areas that need addressing in the next draft. It’s not due with the editor until October, so I have some breathing space there.

Finalise the last details of ‘Vicki & Lara’s’ cover
I keep changing my mind! Good thing I did shift the deadline, because there are so many wonderful options, and I want this one to be perfect. Or at least to successfully set the tone for the rest of the series. More thinking time on that one.

Write one article for an online vendor
I actually did it. Blimey. Just a diddy one, but more pennies in the bank really isn’t something to complain about. The electricity bill has just arrived, y’know. 😛

Complete at least one transcript for The Write Feeling
I started one. Does that count? A bit hard to do audio typing when you can’t hear out of your left ear (le sigh…) but maybe some more this week.

Lay out a plan for November and if I’ll be completing NaNoWriMo with a new novel, or an existing one that needs modifying
Oops. I knew I’d forgotten one.

Spend some time relaxing with my magazines (Writer’s Forum and Writing Magazine)
I’ve mislaid my copy of Writer’s Forum but I tackled Writing Magazine. 🙂 Or was it the other way around? o.O Meh, whichever it was, I’ve relaxed a bit in doing that. and I also powered through three more books of that series I love hate so much. That has been very relaxing, despite my confusion over it.

This week is odds and sods I think. Things that need to be done, but I’ve kinda been putting them off.

  • Organise my books and finalise Excel sheet to separate the three income streams
  • Make final decision on ‘Vicki & Lara’ cover
  • Lay out a plan for November and if I’ll be completing NaNoWriMo with a new novel, or an existing one that needs modifying – let’s try that again, eh?
  • Complete the two incomplete transcripts for The Write Feeling
  • Tidy my work space… the better to work, my dear
  • GET BETTER!

Lighter than past weeks, but just as necessary. Good.

How are you all getting on? September is nearing its end so it’s nearly time to look back, take stock and tot up how your month has been. Hope things are going as well for you as they are for me. 🙂

And don’t forget this is the last week for the competition through which you can win one of four free copies of ‘Vicki & Lara‘.
Just comment on any of my (or Raven’s) posts between now and September 26 (this Thursday) and be entered into a draw to win one of four free copies of the Vicki & Lara ebook when it releases in October. I’ll announce the winners on Friday.
Remember folks, its comments, not likes (though I deeply appreciate those too!) to be part of the draw. And, to make it easier on my brain, I can only include comments here on the blog, rather than those I occasionally see on Twitter and Facebook. My settings allow you to use an OpenID or name/URL to post, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get yourself in with a chance.

See you all on Friday!
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Hmm

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Ileandra Young

I’ve spent the day trying to decide what to talk about today. And being stuck.

Fail.

It’s unusual that I don’t have something lined up for the end of the week. Usually things happen and I want to gloat/bitch/rant about them. But not this week. Maybe because I’m taking it easy.

Hmm.

Oh well. In that case, let me regale you with a diddy excerpt from the upcoming ‘Vicki & Lara’ short story.

Lara’s bare body resembled a piece of fine art. Smooth and perfect, dappled with an ethereal glow sliced by shadows.
My hand hovered above her stomach, a finger’s breadth from touching. The tiniest motion from either of us would bring my skin into contact with hers.
The thought made me grind my legs together.
‘Lara?’
No answer.
A combination of drink and darkness made me bold.
I touched her stomach. Felt the gentle rise beneath my fingers as she inhaled. Her skin, as I’d imagined, was petal-soft beneath my trembling digits.
The lack of colour in her skin against mine startled me. So very pale. Or was I overly dark? I couldn’t tell, but I knew that touch alone couldn’t and wouldn’t satisfy my growing need. I wanted more.
I trailed my fingers towards her ribs, allowed my palm to brush the underside of her breasts.
She sighed.
Looking at her face again, I saw the little line of moisture between her lips stretch and break as they parted. A tiny piece of her tongue, pale, pink and wet, showed through the gap.
Common sense, what little I had, fled. It left a hole in my mind, quickly filled by a rush of lust that raged and roiled inside.
I kissed her lips.

30 days to go peeps 🙂 30 days to go! Wooooooooo!
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Mah Goals – wc 16/09

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Ileandra Young

Football goal posts from OpenClipArtSoooooooooo muuuuuuch paaaaain!

Ugh.

I’m sorry this is a late post, folks, but really, so much pain! Everything hurts. From my hair tips down to my toenails. Sleeping in a tent (on the ground), running up and down hills, squelching through mud and constantly ducking to get through tent flaps has taken its toll. What am I talking about? My first LARP in two years, that’s what. 🙂

I had such an incredible time! Yes, I cried when Dave drove off with the kids and left me behind, but by the time I got all dressed up and made up, I felt a hell of a lot better.

A new bunch of people to laugh and joke with, along with others I know and love. Without gushing and going into masses of detail (my brain can’t cope) I’d like to thank everyone who helped towards making my step back into LARP as enjoyable as it was. That’s it for this year, but I’ve done it once, so I’m very optimistic now, about what next year has to offer.

For now, I should be talking about goals. Last week, I did quite well and I really do feel that listing my week’s goals here is helping me achieve them. So thank you all for your patience and for your cheers. It helps me a great deal.

Complete at least one more transcript as part of my work for The Write Feeling
One and a half. Right at the start of the week, so I’m really pleased about that. I need to finish off the ones I have though, so I can be ready for the next ones as they come.

At least start looking at the suggestions for the short story I took to the Phoenix on Saturday
Done and done! Looked into the suggestions, made a string of changes that made the story read a hell of a lot better than it did and sent it off to a competition. ^_^ Wheeeeeeeeeee!

Finish making (hand sewing by the way!) my costume for Empire (the LARP)
Yep, done. I wore the costume this weekend and not only was it comfortable, but it got a couple of compliments too. Cold at times, since it was made from bed sheets, but beneath a wool cloak, I think it did pretty good. I’ll have to see if there are any pictures. If not, I’ll mock some up so I can brag properly.

Complete at least half a plan of the competitions I plan to enter for the next six month (that should stop me getting distracted and ensure that I can actually keep to the goal of one entry a month)
Hmm. I’ve filled my diary with the main competitions from WM, so that’s a start. I need to do a bit more planning, but I think with what I have so far I should at least be able to stick with my ‘one comp a month’ goal. Let’s see how we go, eh?

Not touch (at all!) the draft I did for the next Meeting Each Other story. I know that’s a weird goal, but I need to let it breathe so that when I come to edit it, my brain is fresh and ready to do so. Heh, that should be an easy one
This was so much harder than it should have been. Every time I sat down at my laptop I thought of more things I could do, more ideas I could try. Lines to incorporate. I feel better for having left it though. This week I can mess with it a little and see what happens when I do.

Write a blog post for Friday
Done. Nuff said, yeah? :p

Fantastical!

With all that behind me I think I’ll be a little easier on myself this week. I need recovery time, you know?
So… this week?

  • Start looking at editing the draft of the next story in the ‘Meeting Each Other’ series
  • Finalise the last details of ‘Vicki & Lara’s’ cover
  • Write one article for an online vendor
  • Complete at least one transcript for The Write Feeling
  • Lay out a plan for November and if I’ll be completing NaNoWriMo with a new novel, or an existing one that needs modifying
  • Spend some time relaxing with my magazines (Writer’s Forum and Writing Magazine)

There are a few other things I’d like to do, but these are all related to writing. RL or non-writing goals don’t go here, though I may change that in future. For now, this is what I’ll be getting on with.

And that’s that! See you on Friday!

Don’t forget, my competition is still running. Easiest thing in the word; just comment on any of my (or Raven’s) posts between now and September 26 and be entered into a draw to win one of four free copies of the Vicki & Lara ebook when it releases in October.
Remember folks, its comments, not likes (though I deeply appreciate those too!) to be part of the draw. And, to make it easier on my brain, I can only include comments here on the blog, rather than those I occasionally see on Twitter and Facebook. My settings allow you to use an OpenID or name/URL to post, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get yourself in with a chance.

Until next time!
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Jittery, Jumping Nerves

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Ileandra Young

Aww, hell!

frightened emoticon
The last time I was this nervous, I’m pretty certain I was about to go into labour. Yeah. I can’t think of a point since then comparable to this.

Ugh.

LARP is fun. LARP is good. So why am I bricking it?

Dave has made arrangements to take me there and bring me back, so even my time away from (all) my boys is less than I originally thought it would be. I’m packed. My costume is done (I’ll post pictures of when I’m fully made up, including horns and make up, when I get back), so what’s the problem? Who knoooooows.

Okay. Let’s talk about something else!

The final preparations for Vicki & Lara’s release are going swimmingly! I just saw the huge chunk of money disappear from my account for the ISBNs. Heh, I should be more frightened of that, but that excitement is doing a good job of balancing out LARP fear. I’ve also got one and a half of the next stories down.

Momentum, that’s the trick. Keep it going so you don’t falter in the middle, because once you do (or at least once I do) it’s hard to pick it up again.

Cover art is on the way. I can’t wait to show you all. I’m so pleased with it and how different it is from other examples out there. Believe me… I’ve been researching this… it’s all boobs, bums and thighs. It gets boring. Even with Raven at the helm of this one, it’s going to be more tasteful than that, as will the whole series.

I won’t be around for the weekend, so I’ll check in on you all when I’m back. Wish me luck, don’t forget to leave a comment if you want entry to the competition, and, in the meantime, enjoy this piccy of part of my kit.
picture of me wearing my LARP horns
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Goals – wc 09/09

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Ileandra Young

Hmm. I’m still trying to find a naming convention I like for these posts. What do you think of this one? Is it confusing enough, or do you get that it’s for the week starting today? Meh. If you have better ideas, let me know, will ya?

Football goal posts from OpenClipArtSoooooooooo. My first week of published goals is down. How did I do? Let’s have a look.

Complete at least one more transcript piece for The Write Feeling
Ha! Take that universe, I’ve done two and a half this week! Not only did that help Dave with work he was doing, but getting more of this work done means more money for fun staff. Like LARP weaponry (more on that later).

Write another article for an online vendor
Hmm. I knew one of these goals would slide and I’m not surprised it was this one. I’m putting so much focus into my creative writing goals that non fiction is taking a back seat. It was the transcripts or this. And I picked transcripts. Better for income really and the balance between writing for fun and writing for money is a delicate one that I’m still trying to figure out. So far so good.

Complete another 2,000 of editor’s edits for Vicki & Lara
Not only did I do 2,000 words, I did the whole lot! Done! Then sent it back to my editor for the final read. I’m on fire, yo! If it wasn’t for waiting for ISBNs to arrive I probably could have kept to the original release date. Oh well….

Write up blog post for Friday
Well I managed that one. In fact both Raven and I wrote a post, so that’s not bad going, right? 😉

Start writing next short story for WM or WF competition
Nope! Just nope! However… I did find an existing story which is more than suitable for the competition brief in WM. So I took it with me to the Phoenix crew on Saturday. Not only did I get a fantastic round of critiques (honest) but I have a new direction to take it in. I’m not certain that I’ll make the deadline, but even if I don’t, I’ll have a wicked story to enter somewhere else. So that’s not too bad.

Hmm. Looking at it all like that makes me very happy. And that doesn’t include writing a 5,000 word draft of the next story in the Meeting Each Other Series, completing a bunch of outstanding invoices (I do want to be paid, honest!), writing to my dear friend in Worcester, ordering my ISBNs, listening to a bunch of BRILLIANT music and drafting a set of interview questions for another feature I’m working on.Clipart lemon from OpenClipArt,I think I can afford to be quite pleased with myself.

So… this week?

The weekend is a complete write off. I’ll be at the LARP (gulp!) but before then there are some things I need to get done. So I would like to:

  • Complete at least one more transcript as part of my work for The Write Feeling
  • At least start looking at the suggestions for the short story I took to the Phoenix on Saturday
  • Finish making (hand sewing by the way!) my costume for Empire (the LARP)
  • Complete at least half a plan of the competitions I plan to enter for the next six month (that should stop me getting distracted and ensure that I can actually keep to the goal of one entry a month)
  • Not touch (at all!) the draft I did for the next Meeting Each Other story. I know that’s a weird goal, but I need to let it breathe so that when I come to edit it, my brain is fresh and ready to do so. Heh, that should be an easy one.
  • Write a blog post for Friday

Yep. I think that will do.

So how have you guys been? Well, I hope. Refreshed after the weekend and ready to roll, I hope.

Don’t forget, my competition is still running. Easiest thing in the word; just comment on any of my (or Raven’s) posts between now and September 26 and be entered into a draw to win one of four free copies of the Vicki & Lara ebook when it releases in October.
Remember folks, its comments, not likes (though I deeply appreciate those too!) to be part of the draw. And, to make it easier on my brain, I can only include comments here on the blog, rather than those I occasionally see on Twitter and Facebook. My settings allow you to use an OpenID or name/URL to post, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get yourself in with a chance.

Until next time!
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