I went to work. The first week was hectic, but productive and fun. I have a lot of old co-workers, the majority of whom I like, at the new job. Second week showed more progress on getting workflow and office procedures organized. By the time Friday came along, I had the rough process/workflow up and running, and we were testing it to make sure it would work. Seemed to be. However, Friday afternoon I was informed that myself and several others in another department were being laid off due to a budget problem. Ed, my boss, reassured me that it had nothing to do with my job performance, or anything personal, just a budget having to be met. He also told me he is going to work miracles to get me back on the payroll as soon as possible, give it a month or so.
Disappointment was inevitable. Frustration, a bit of anger, and hurt feelings also came with the news. How can you run a brand new shop without the backend, the office, running smooth or at all? You have to spend money to make money in a start-up. All the new division has to do is land one big account, and everyone will be so buried they will be in extreme jeopardy of failing. I still don't get it. Unfortunately, the powers running the company are reactionaries, not pro-active. My boss Ed isn't included in that mess. The decision to lay me off was made without his input. And he's supposed to be the VP of the division? Brilliant.
On happier notes, my diet and exercise plans seem to be working. So far, the scale says I've lost 7lbs. Clothes are fitting a little better, and I have more energy and motivation to do things. I have a doctor's appt today, so we'll see what he says about it.
One advantage to not working at the moment is that I have the opportunity to continue the fixes to my schedule. I'm going to try to get up at the same time as I would for work, and go to bed at the same time, too. I've slipped on that for the last few days, but I need to NOT go back to my old habits of staying up until all hours, and getting up later in the morning. I need to get up early, and go to bed at a reasonable time, that way, when I start back to work, the adjustment won't be as severe as before.
If I can keep on the work schedule, I have the perfect opportunity to plow away and finish the first draft of Null and Void. 2nd draft will be easier to do in pieces since I'll already have the hard part--the initial writing--all done. 2nd draft is all editing, with a little bit of new writing as a possibility in the event I missed something. I am looking forward to getting the first draft completed. I need to get it written before editing can commence.
Just finished reading: Inda; The Fox; King's Shield, by Sherwood Smith. EXCELLENT series. Engaging, absorbing, and the characters leap off the page. 3rd person omniscient, but extremely well done. All three books blend bits of humor, much action, and heartbreak. Yes, all three books brought tears to my eyes at multiple points. I can't wait for Treason's Shore to appear on the shelves.
- Mood:determined
My success has not necessarily followed as planned. Chapter 17 is coming out in pieces, none of them linear, and not even within a single scene. I spent the last two weeks distracted by everything but my writing goals: errands, chores, reading, being outside, new writing ideas, and a talk I'm supposed to give to the Boise Spec Fic group in May.
I wouldn't count that time as lost, however. The new story idea was worth it by itself. The talk I'm to give in May is about one of my favorite subjects: villains. My house is somewhat clean, and it is beautiful outside.
I've been reading Patricia McKillip's Od Magic for the last two weeks. I know, I know. What is wrong with me? The same book for two weeks? What happened to sucking one down in a day? Simply put, I can't afford to spend my entire day inhaling another writer's story, not when I have one of my own to finish. Besides, as good as McKillip is, she's like eating a Death By Chocolate cake. She's too rich to eat in one sitting. I like to savor her books exactly because language is so rich. And like that evil cake, I can only read her books ever once in awhile; they are my guilty, decadent pleasure.
I believe my next writing class starts next week, or the week after. Again, this one is from Margie Lawson. This class will be followed by the Master Class Weekend hosted by Murder in the Grove and the Popular Fiction Association of Idaho, Inc. Special guests are Bob Mayer (Novel Writer's Tools) and Margie Lawson (Deep Editing Power). www.murderinthegrove.com Thus will conclude my writing classes for the rest of the year, I think. Unless another good one comes up.
These writing classes are intense. I learn so much that is squeezes out of my ears. I've taken two now, and I still need to review what I learned from them. I'll be adding yet another class in a couple of weeks, and then the very intense master classes. I'm excited, but my brain is going to hit critical mass pretty soon.
- Mood:
content - Music:Breaking Benjamin
Let us start by saying that my ideal office would be more like a desk, good chair, and ton-o-books surrounding me. See: Library, but with better, more private, accomodations and accessories. The Man often teases me that he should be looking to buy a de-commissioned library for our next residence. I don't disagree.
Back to the office:
I always picture the room in the old world dark paneling and shelving, an oriental rug on the floor in dark shades of blue, green, red, gold, and browns, perhaps a sprinkling of white. A sitting area with comfortable dark leather (not black) furniture--perhaps 2 chairs and a love seat set for conversation facilitation?--with tables and lamps that don't produce more than 60-75 watts each. Desk would also be a darker wood, with drawers on either side. Desk chair would be VERY comfortable, because, after all, I will be sitting in it for probably 3-8hrs, depending on how hard the Muse strikes me. Books on shelves, art work on the walls. Shelves perhaps freestanding or bolted floor-to-ceiling so there is no risk of them falling over and creating a domino effect as witnessed in The Mummy with Rachel Weiss and Brandon Fraser. Behind the desk, or somewhere within easy arm's reach is a smaller book shelf. This shelf has all of my writing reference books, current research books, dictionaries, etc on it. Ok. Perhaps a medium sized book shelf. There may need to be a work table, or I could use a large size coffee table, just in case I need to sprawl for editting or research.
I don't see a desktop PC in this office, only a laptop. I see French doors that lead out onto a private patio or some such, and perhaps another window on another wall, or another door leading out onto another patio.
Perhaps I dream too much. Perhaps I need to hit the lottery. Whatever the case, I need to finish my book, get it sold. Perhaps I will hit the jackpot, and be able to afford such a happy space.
Currently reading: Hooked by Les Edgerton, a how-to-write-good-beginnings that grab the reader & never let them go like-type book.
- Mood:dreamy
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stefwithnf- Stefanie Hobbs
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