>Good things from bad

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>You’ve read my whiny-butt crap here last week about being sick and such. During that time, I could not seem to get my head into my WIP to save my life. In order to get something productive from my writing time, I opened a couple of other WIP’s that are in my “on the back burner” section. I did some tweaking on two, adding 1-1/2 pgs overall, and was reinvigorated about Bittersweet Obsession.

BO is a dual-romance story, and a light paranormal EroRom. Two couples, two stories entertwined. When I left it, some months ago, I was too mired in the details to see the big picture ending that I needed. Now that I’ve gained some perspective, I can see how it should end for both couples. I have a plan to finish it, which means I can write the synopsis and enter it in a contest I’d been contemplating.

Just saying that even when I’m stuck on one WIP, I try to work on others to stay in writing mode. Yes, forward progress slows down, but hopefully won’t stop altogether. 🙂

Posted in Books, Contests | Tagged , | 4 Comments

>This ‘n That

Posted on May 8, 2008 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>I’m starting to make some progress on the CataU challenge. Not as much as I’d like, but I’m feeling much better the last couple days, less coughing and sniffling has helped a lot.

I did a bit of blog-hopping this week, feeling the need to do some catch-up. What I found was what I needed–a swift kick in the butt. Some of the posts were a tad militant for my taste, but the jist was about BICHOKing, no matter what. No whining. No excuses. Just write.

One problem I have is that I can’t find the OFF switch for my internal editor. I’m thinking she’s an Alpha female and doesn’t have one. Years as an Exec. Admin, typing fast and having to produce the end product immediately, programmed me to correct grammar, punctuation and spelling as I go. I’ve learned to just accept it as part of my process and keep going.

Occasionally, I’ll post a line or two from the WIP that I like. These came from today’s writing:

J.T.: He just needed one freaking break. Just one. Was that too much to ask?

Cass: Yes. Well. A schmaltzy Doris Day and Rock Hudson they were not. More like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed duking it out in a boxing ring.

Yep, Hero’s having a pity party and being an ass. He’ll get a wake-up call soon. Heroine is plucky. I like them both, but her more than him right now.

Okay, break time is over. Back to the WIP!

Posted in Excerpts | Tagged , | 3 Comments

>Feeling challenged?

Posted on May 4, 2008 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>I’m writing. Working toward that challenge, making progress every day, though I’m already behind thanks to this lousy sinus infection. Ugh! Hopefully, the first day was my worst and the rest will only get better.

I’m starting to feel a teensy bit better. The allergy meds make me drowsy, so it’s a fight to stay at the computer without falling asleep, but I’m determined to make some real headway on HPP this month. If you check out my sidebar, you’ll see the red bar move during the month of May, which will also make the HPP bar move.

Anyone else out there taking part in this challenge or another? Weigh in. How’s it going for you?

If you’re not working on a challenge, is it because they don’t work for you, or you’re currently pushing yourself enough that you don’t need one?

Posted in Everyday blather, Goals | Tagged , , | 4 Comments