Zealous resolution

This is the final weekend I'll be able to entirely dedicate to writing, since Monday I start "school" again and there won't be much free moments from then on. So I decided to square my shoulders and (at least attempt to) finish The Phoenix.

Working toward that goal, I borrowed a laptop (yes, I still use the old-fashioned "tabletop", but I have all intention of purchasing a laptop soon), forsake Internet for a weekend (it's a distraction), and stay cooped up inside my apartment (if I face away from the window maybe I won't notice what a nice day it is outside).

No matter what it takes, I will write more than a couple of lines. I solemnly swear!

I'll tell you how it went on Monday. Cross my heart.

Blockage ranting

I had an epiphany this week. On Thursday, I think. ... I'm stuck. Yet again.

Yup, I have the writer's block. Although not the real thing, mind you. I'm not experiencing the temporary loss of ability to begin or continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity. I'm just lazy. I know exactly how the story should evolve, have everything planned in my head, but just don't find the "oomph" to put it all on screen.

And I finally figured out why that is.

Usually I write the whole story and then bang my head against the wall in search of an appropriate title. Then I use the first that comes to mind, because all others are even lamer than the first, and then I bang my head against my desk trying to create a decent cover.

In The Phoenix's case the title came easily, the cover even easier, and apparently my fuddled brain registered this as the finishing process and now I'm stuck in the middle of the story without an incentive to keep going.

I even downloaded the writing report card from Zokutou hoping it might "spur" me into action. Alas, it didn't work.

I'm sick of ice-cream

As it happens occasionally, it's once again time for a feel-sorry-for-myself post. It has nothing to do with writing, editing, publisher-hunting... In short, it's not book related. I just need an outlet for my inner turmoil.

My current turmoil is mildly inner and mostly outer, since I'm moaning my butt off. My mandibular third molars a.k.a. wisdom teeth have chosen this year to take a look at the world, and apparently they don't have much space to take that look, hence it's an all clear sale in my mouth, just to be safe. Two months ago, I had one pulled and everything was just hunky-dory.

Yeah, right. One down, three to go.

And those three are not as accommodating as the first was.

Today, for example, I had one of those pesky three left surgically removed. The stitches are coming out next week. At first I didn't feel a thing - duh! - but after the local anesthesia wore off... Ooh, boy.

Half of my face is swollen, it hurts to open my mouth, and I'm considering getting a bib, my jaw hurts, and I keep brushing against the stitches with the edge of my tongue. And I have a nasty suspicion my eye is going to hurt like hell in the evening.

So basically, I have to keep my mouth shut, my family and friends love that one, and ice-packs on my cheek to keep the swelling down - good luck with that one, I already look like a balloon.

So why the strange post title? Well, the only thing that numbs the pain - besides painkillers, which are scheduled just before bed time, I don't want to get too high - is ice-cream. Gallons of it. I've probably gulped down more ice-cream today than in my whole lifetime, and I'm pretty sure the ice-cream industry will owe its annual profits solely to me. My hips and bum are already protesting and the ice-cream has long ago lost its taste, but I'm stubbornly hanging on.

So yeah, I'm having one heck of a day.

Mid-August update

It's been more than two weeks since I last posted anything, so I figured I should at least let you know I was alive.

I'm alive.

And since I've been promising it for a while now, here's the Shadow of Revenge teaser.

Despite its length it's a teaser, since it shows only a little part of the story. There is more to it, trust me.


So what I've been doing lately? Beside catching up on my reading, I've been writing again. I'm in the middle of a medieval novella. I know medieval isn't exactly my favorite era, with all the hard work going into taking off the armor and the chain mall (*wink*), but still I'm quite excited with how the story is progressing.

Yes, knowing me, I'll develop a block the size of Mt. Everest and the whole deal will extend beyond the novella word-count, but I'm trying to stay optimistic.

I already have two possible covers planned. You can tell me which one you prefer.

I'm partial to the first one.

A reader's "rant"

The reading challenge is over. It ended sooner that I thought it would, since it’s been quite a long time since I’ve read anything longer than a chapter or two. I realized when it comes to books I’m terrible at multitasking. I cannot read multiple books simultaneously and I cannot read and write at the same time, which IMO is good, since it would be a real feat not to incorporate what I’m reading into what I’m writing.

Funny, since I’ve decided to dedicate this summer to writing and not reading, a certain book released in three days notwithstanding. But since I wanted to be up to date when it hits the shelves I had to catch up.

Then I discovered a great site http://www.goodreads.com where readers exchange book recommendations and reviews, and now I’m slowly but steadily “filling up” my virtual bookshelves (I have a long way to go before I succeed) and reading everything I’ve had on standby since last year. I’m lazy, I know!

Also, I’m working on my book reviewing skills which I’ve been lacking my first years on Amazon when all I could write was “cool book” or “so not worth the money”. Well, I still do that, but at least I’m trying to argument my choices. *wink*

Anyway, I have no idea why I’m even writing this. Maybe because this blog looks a little sad and desolate with my damn sporadic updates.

I just wanted to brag about my reading achievements, since I pulled the reading challenge from the sidebar.

And I wanted to tell you I’m squealing with glee because there are only three more days until the release of Acheron. *drool* I’m all set to go, with extra boxes of tissues just in case. I’m also squeezing in some extra hours of sleep every night so I’ll be able to read it all in one sitting. I’ve even warned by friends and family not to call me or, heaven forbid, come to visit.