Cleaning House

I have this bad habit of taking on too many projects at one time. It's like, I know I have nothing planned for the next week, so I automatically start filling it up with plans. Then those plans somehow develop plans of their own and in the end, I'm left scrambling trying to find my brain. This month has been one of those.

So, I resort to the best therapy I know: cleaning. Seriously, folks. Cleaning is my version of spiritual cleansing. Something weighing heavy on your mind? Go scrub a toilet. By the time the toilet is clean, the problem doesn't seem so big anymore (especially if you clean a toilet used exclusively by two boys). When I have moments with my kids that make me want to scream, I weed. And I hate weeding. There's something about pulling out the junk from my flower beds that makes my frustrations with my kids more manageable.

This morning, I cleaned out my blog. I follow a lot of blogs. I don't necessarily read them all and I comment on even less (due to all the plans I unnecessarily make).  I checked my status and as of this morning, I was following over eighty. Eighty! That number just smells stressful. So, it's been cut. In half. And I can't tell you how much better it feels. Seriously. It even gave me inspiration to write a blog post for the first time in 2+ weeks (one I'm sure has been crazy boring. I mean, who wants to read about cleaning? we get enough of that already).

And by cleaning out my blog subscriptions, I have a prepared my brain for more "cleaning" on my first draft. These last several weeks that I've been quiet on the blog or twitter or facebook, I've been working diligently (sometimes) on project code name "MM" edits. To my dismay, I've cut just as many words as I've added. This round has been a content-focused round. It's long winded and full of passive writing, and I'm dying to get to that part. It's not time though. I have to fix obvious plot holes and confusions first. I'm halfway through the edits and have only six more days to complete them for my self-imposed deadline.  What does that mean for you?  It means, Heather is disappearing again. But I promise, I'll come back soon.  :)

The joy of first drafts

Oh editing. How I love (and hate) thee.

I love the moments when I tell myself, " That was brilliant!" only to be followed a few minutes later by, "Now what the hell does that mean?" And it's safe to say that my characters are straight up bi-polar - a side effect of writing a first draft over a 6 month period.  So much editing to do. I'm also cutting one minor character and one major character out and I have already marked 2 chapters that have be rewritten entirely because of those cuts. Several other scenes will have to be written as well. But its for the good of the story, right? I'll let you you know at the end of the month....

This post brought to you by a five minute editing break, courtesy of the "Underdog Radio" Pandora station. 

Recent Reads for 2011

Want to know a secret? *whispers* Formal book reviews are not my favorite thing to blog about. Yes, I love to talk about my favorite books, but writing up a review for every single one, whether I liked it or not, seems a like a time waster and that goes against my "new blogging attitude" :)

But at the same time, if I've read a GREAT book, I will definitely share it with its own post. All others will get a short combined update...like this one....

Candor by Pam Banchorz - If you like Dystopian, pick this one up. It's a quick read, one in which you won't want to put down. I read this one, start to finish, on one Sunday afternoon. I think I even recall telling my kids they couldn't have dinner until I finished it, so this one is a definite read.

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson - I was really disappointed by WW.  The main characters are 15 and 17 but talk and act like 12-year-olds. The plot was okay, and had the characters been aged appropriately, it would have worked. As is, it seemed like Patterson was trying to plug into the YA market and missed the mark completely.

The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner #2) - Wasn't as good as the first book, The Maze Runner, but I still enjoyed it. I can't wait for book three to release in October.

The Immortals Series - books 4 and 5 titled Dark Flame; and Night Star. - I have issues with this series. I did a review of book three, Shadowland a year and half ago. I put off reading the next two in the series because I was disappointed by book three, but I have to say that by the end of Night Star, I'm finally starting to like Ever again. I think there is one more left in the series and it comes out in June.

"It Girl" series - books 8 through 10 titled: Adored; Devious; and Classic - Oh how I love my trashy YA. It Girl is a spin-off series from Gossip Girl.  I read books 1 through 7 a few years ago and found 8-10 at Half Priced books not too long ago. All 10 books take place over September through March at a boarding school and it's nothing but girl and relationship drama. So great when you need a mindless or mean girl read.

The Cinderella Society - I'm not into girl power, but this was a different kind of book. I can see why it got the hype it did and can't wait to give this one to my niece in a few years.

Abandon by Meg Cabot - I didn't love the method in which this story was told, but it is typical for Meg Cabot.  I love the tale of Persephone and Hades and thought this was a decent read in relation to it. Ending was abrupt and I really didn't think it would get left off where it did (another Cabot trick).

Well....that'll do for now. Next up on my TBR shelf:

1. City of Fallen Angels
2. The Dark and Hollow Places
3. Paranormalcy
4. Divergent
5. Delirium
6. Matched
7. .......and so so many more!  Why can't I get paid to read all day???

The good part of NOT blogging

Blogs are fun. They're like an open ended email, full of the knowledge, opinions, pictures, jokes, and just plain utter nonsense that go through one's head. Blogging on a regular schedule teaches discipline and provides a forum for your daily writing, no matter the form. I've never been a wonderful blogger - I go in spurts depending on what's going on in my life - and as of recent, life didn't quite cooperate with my blogging long-term plans.

But a great thing happened when I stopped worrying about my blog...I was able to focus on my craft instead. I used to spend an hour a night reading and/or writing blogs. When you're a full-time-working-single-mom, never mind the other stuff going on in life, that hour a day is precious. For the last two months, I've used that hour to read more, to write more, to research more. I changed my priority for a short time period and I have to say that I'm really pleased with that decision. The first draft of my WIP, code name "MM", is finally complete! (Insert happy dance!) and I've had the pleasure of catching up on some of my TBR pile. In addition, I've discovered VERONICA MARS, GLEE, my favorite 90's drama, SLIDERS, and seen some other great old movies on Netflix streaming - all of which have been excellent for dialogue, setting and pacing research.

I also went to an art museum, where I came upon this 1860 impressionist beauty by Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Pena, titled A Wood Clearing.  I have a scene in "MM" that occurs in a place just like it. I saw this oil painting on the wall and felt immediately transported into my story, but at the same time, I realize now that I didn't catch every detail as I should have. As a result, I know what additional description it needs to truly shine.

It's amazing how relaxing on one thing can help you focus on another.

So, with all that extra work and inspiration, I can now use June to begin the first round of self-editing on "MM". Then it's off to my super-duper-fabulous critique partner, so she can tear it apart.Will I go back to trying to blog everyday?  Probably not. I love my blog, but I love expanding my horizons elsewhere more. Here's to a new start and a new focus!