If I Had a Snow Day

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A wintry saga in six parts.

October 2013

Oh glorious winter, how I love thee. Your wintry white is ever so beautiful and I can’t wait for snow. Everything’s so fresh and clean. Why, each snowflake is Mother Nature’s way of teaching us how unique and special we all are. The colder months really force me to appreciate the warmer months and ensure my house is in working order, too. What a lovely time of year for reflection, contemplation, and reading.

If I had a snow day, I would act maturely and responsibly to clean the house, do the laundry, feed the cats, clean their litter boxes, spend all day in the kitchen baking fresh muffins, scones, and brownies to perfection, try out my tart pan, get caught up on my filing, clean my office, respond to those niggly e-mails I’m a year behind on, and spend the rest of the day writing and reading without any distractions from Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube!, GTalk, Tumblr, WordPress, my phone, my cats, my frog, my lover, my neighbors, and whoever else happens to drop in. Not only that, I would clean my car off before the plows came and make sure I’m out there, right when they come, to move it for them. Yes, that is the least I can do for this beautiful time of year. I shall do all the things I’ve been putting off the other nine months of the year and revel in the glories of domesticity and socializing with friends and yes… It will be so nice. Looking forward to it.

November 2013

THE SNOW IS HERE! THE SNOW IS HERE! THE SNOW IS HERE! I shall love it and eat it and play in it and toss it around and make snow angels and throw snowballs and make snow forts and shove it down my boyfriend’s pants and dress my cats up in winter jackets and did you hear me? THE SNOW IS HERE! What’s a bottle of Windex? Can’t you see the snow is here? Who cares about the car? The plows can move around it–that’s what power steering is for. Screw the laundry; I’ll just buy more underwear. (That is the secret to not doing more laundry.) I will buy a new vacuum cleaner that’s powered by hamsters. They can clean the carpets for me and entertain the cats at the same time. I AM A SOOPER GENUS. The kitchen can wait, too; it’s not a big deal. I cooked last month. We’ll just stock up on seventy billion boxes of mac-and-cheese and Glass Nickel pizza like I do when I’m on deadline. (I’m always on deadline.) That is cooking, right? THE SNOW IS HERE! YAY! SNOW!

December 2013

Two months (that’s sixty days if you can’t do math) of snow. 100,000 chili macs and buffalo macs and… Ooooo… Maybe I should write a book about 1,000 ways to make mac-and-cheese. Would that even sell? I’m so proud of myself for holding up against this terrible winter what with all the ice-scraping and snow shoveling I made my boyfriend do. SERIOUSLY. I’ve gotten a lot of work done but the house? Meh… Not so much. It can wait. Spring cleaning, right? Heh, heh. Dust bunnies! Still, should probably do something about those stark-raving mad furballs because they can wait to eat until I drag my bum out of bed. Can’t even get to the bird feeder. I wonder…

What’s this? Watch a show I normally don’t? I’ve heard about Game of Thrones but never saw it. Huh. Okay this first episode is kind of slow but I’m into this whole blood-and-honor thing. This is actually pretty good but wow, Joffrey… And that pompous Viserys needs his head checked. OOF. Yeah, I REALLY hate Joffrey. Why do all those nice people have to die? NOOOOOOO BOROMIR! NOT AGAIN! NOOOOOOOO! Okay, what about Doctor Who. Has to be a Christmas Special. Right? That always… WHAT?!?! NOOOOOOO!!!!

Maybe watching the most depressing television series I’ve ever seen in recent memory was a bad idea. I must escape to a land of sun (e.g. that strange country called “California”) for a short period of time to ensure I can survive the rest of this winter. I wonder if I could charge HBO/Martin for the therapy? PROOF: Winter is coming. SHEESH! Why is there so much snow? This is so much more than last year. Right? I know this mini-break will help my mood tremendously. Yes. Escape. That’s right. It’ll be like having two tiny winters instead of one long one! Hooray!

January 2014

Awesome! Great mini-break. Rocking the word count and the edits. Made it through… Phew! Wait. What? Hold the butter on my mac-and-cheese.

…temperatures in Wisconsin have dipped below those at the South Pole in Antarctica.

Colder than Antarctica?!?!?! You’re kidding, right? Better up my Vitamin C and watch the coffee addiction. Winter can end any time now. ANY TIME… Has to be warming up soon. I’ll take 30 degrees, Alex, for $100 dollars. P-p-p-p-p-lease, Eddy. Ah well, I can make it for a few more weeks. Good time to start going back to the gym.

Yeah, let me get right on that. More mac-and-cheese, please. Oooo…with Sriracha. Yeah, baby. Sriarcha rules. What’s this Pepsi Max stuff, anyway? Ginseng is good for me. Right?

February 2014

February 17, 2014. 7″ inches of snow expected. Snow emergency declared until Wednesday.

F-Bomb

October 2014

Oh glorious winter, how I love thee. Your wintry white is ever so beautiful and I can’t wait for snow. Everything’s so fresh and clean…

    Mood: Well, if that ain’t obvious, you’re name t’ain’t CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! OBVIOUSLY!
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Keep that coffee coming.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: There was shoveling. (Crap.) And laundry (Double crap.) And interruptions (Triple crap.)
    In My Ears: Don’t You Want Me by The Human League (Yes, it’s an 80s channel. Don’t judge me.)
    Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed
    Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology
    Movie Last Viewed: The Man from Tai Chi
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


February 18, 2014
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Back on the Short Story Wagon

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Last year I made a conscious decision to pull back on writing short stories so I could focus on larger scale projects. Just the rough draft for the Firefly RPG was almost 300,000 words and that, combined with a slew of words for the Exclusive, Friends in Low Places, and some upcoming releases… Well, I just didn’t have any room in my brainpan beyond the online workshop I took.

Now that my big projects have shrunk and shifted around a bit, I’m chug-a-chug-chugging along again. Finding a moleskine is a posh lifesaver for recording ideas. Well, and doodles. Because really… Life isn’t complete without the space to doodle and record quotes. (Apologies on the lack of attribution on the one below. I can’t seem to ferret out the proper source. Multiple say-ers on that one.)

Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.

Anyhoo, I find a lot of value in putting pen down to paper. To that end, I took some recommendations for non-bleed pens (I’ll be trying them out before doling out suggestions. I can say with certainty that the Pentel Wow! series does not bleed.) Placed an order via JetPens.com. If you’re mildly creative (or just like free swag), they post contests regularly on their blog.

Now that I’ve got room to think and time to work out again, I’ll be duct-taping noise canceling headphones to my head this week. I’m excited, yes, but also happy I’ve had the chance to tighten my neck screws.

Yeah… So maybe I should have vetted THOSE analogies prior to blogging this… Ah well!

    Mood: Should I feel guilty about liking Queen of the Damned?
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Less than I have fingers.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: 30. That’s right!
    In My Ears: Redeemer by Marilyn Manson
    Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed
    Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology
    Movie Last Viewed: Transylvania 6-5000!
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


February 17, 2014
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Women in Horror Month

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Not sure if you heard, but besides being Black History Month it’s also Women in Horror Month. That link was yanked from the esteemed Kat Richardson and lists 92 female authors on it who lurk in the dark.

Of course, you may be wondering why it’s important to point out women who write horror. As a writer and game designer who also favors the genre, what I’ve found is that lists like these are great for readers and puts a dent in the stereotype that only ‘X’ type writes horror. I may write about cultists, for example, but that doesn’t mean I want to be one. Overlordess? Maaaaaayyyyyybbbbeeee… Why think small? HAH!

Every writer is unique–especially when it comes to a genre that explores what we fear. I hope you take advantage of the reading festivities if you’re into the genre. Huzzah! Or… Should I say… Booooooooooooo…

    Mood: T-minus how many days to Spring?
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Well…
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Suh-weet! Gym time, baby.
    In My Ears: Beam Me Up by P!nk
    Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed
    Book Last Read: Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
    Movie Last Viewed: Transylvania 6-5000!
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


February 16, 2014
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Happy Saturday

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Wow, it’s been a crazy week. I lifted my head up to resume blogging; I’ve got a requested column I’ve been thinking about that’ll address topics similar to what I’ve written for the SFWA. Annnnnnd I didn’t realize that folks were charged up until I read Chuck Wendig’s post on the subject. (I agree with what he said, by the way.) Sadly, a consequence of keeping one’s head down is not realizing how emotional everybody is. Talk about bad timing!

[Insert Mercury in Retrograde joke here.]

Annnnnnd… We’re moving on. Last night I did put in an order from Fusion Beads for those skulls I was telling you about. You can see them on their home page. As part of that, I also picked up the components for Beadwork‘s Feb/March issue cover photo. It’s a Dewdrop necklace designed by Leslie Frumin; I’m aiming to stitch this up with garnet and onyx black beads. Hee.

Here’s a picture of it:

Dewdrops Pendant Beadworks Frumin - Copy

Hope to finally get some pictures taken this weekend in advance of National Craft Month. In the meantime, the writing, writing, writing continues with some seasonal frustration. REALLY hoping this cold weather will let up. Supposedly next week it’ll be in the 40s! I did start taking a B vitamin complex which has helped quite a bit, but more to the point — to do lists. I just can’t live without them anymore.

Better get back to the list. I’ve got Firefly game material, vampires, and alchemists to write. Hunters and Cthulhu to edit. Having a blast!

    Mood: Yay for Saturday!
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: A lot. Not going to lie.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Yooooooogggggaaaaaaa.
    In My Ears: Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolf
    Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed
    Book Last Read: Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
    Movie Last Viewed: Transylvania 6-5000!
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


February 15, 2014
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Talking Procrastination and Process Today

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This morning I’m back on the timer. Artificial chaos in a device of small size? I’ll take it. Now that projects are moving in a forward direction again, social media can be reduced to a half-an-hour a day.

This is Blaze.

Blaze the Timer

He can be really scary sometimes. Enough to frighten the worst sort of procrastinator! Anyhoo, as the headline for this post suggests I said I’d talk to you about process and procrastination today. So… Getting right on that… after this really awesome Waterstones Lego-and-Literature contest…

Annnnnnnd we’re back. Phew! It’s a lot harder to get back off the Procrastination Train leading to Productivity Station than it is to board it. I think everyone has their trigger points; mine happens to come in pairs. Research and the dread waiting game. Ideally, when one project stalls for whatever reason, I should be picking up another one and moving on down the list. When I don’t have a to-do list or have the vaguest idea of what I’m working on for the next month or two, I procrastinate. Basic project management techniques reduces any anxiety I might have because a) I know what projects I’m working on to earn my keep and b) I can safely have the space to think about those projects. Any new ideas that come in I write down in a journal – which helps me plan ahead. The minute I start thinking about all the non-essentials like quality, popularity, social media kerfluffles, etc. is the second I stall. It’s just not worth filling my head with crap that gets in the way of doing what I love.

Okay, that’s the project management side of the equation. I also can’t stress enough how smaller tasks help get bigger projects done. Setting milestones, for example, even when I’m working on fiction helps keep me on track – especially because I know research can impact not only what I write but how.

But what about research? I feel a lot of writers have a different tack on this leg of the process. My background is that I’ve worked a lot on other people’s properties and research is a requirement to get those projects done right. Reading scripts and previously-published materials with a critical eye, understanding the difference between characters and characterization, iconic and not, rules of the setting, tropes, etc. taking notes and figuring out the sides of the box… All of that is part of the job – which is why I don’t like to research for research’s sake. I don’t like to dive into a project on spec and read 10, 20, 30 books just to come up with a pitch, because I can guarantee you I will do all that and more when I’m in the trenches.

What this means is that because I love to research and problem solve on projects, this can be a trap to procrastinate–especially when it comes to my original work.

My original work is different because I view it to be on spec. I take an immersion approach in part because of my writing style. Oh, I want to write a book about fairies? Well, let me find novels about fairies and determine what’s already been written. I do that because I have to assume an editor and my readers will have done that, too. Then, once I figure out what I want to write about, let me pick a few non-fiction resources on the subject and go from there. (You should see how many books I’ve read for Violet War. It’s… Yeah…)

By reversing the process a bit between media/tie-in and my own work, I then balance the pros and cons of both to make each one stronger. Remember: I don’t have a deadline for my own work unless I set one. Ten years from now (Yes, I am budgeting ten years for this.) when my original work is primarily what I do? Well, then I’ve got a set of processes in place to handle that. Sure, if “success” comes sooner I’ll take it – the main thing is ensuring I keep focused on writing. Having processes in place and knowing where I’m weakest helps me do just that.

It should be said that I do love to read and read broadly, but when you’re a writer it’s a balancing act between get this amount of words down on the page and deadlines. Not having them – deadlines – is the worst possible scenario for me. Thankfully! I’ve got two for my original work which I’m really happy about. For the rest, though, yeah… Deadlines will eat me so I’d better get back to it.

P.S. Yes, Rimmon has recovered from yesterday’s breakdown. He moped around and avoided me until this morning. Normally when I call him, he comes running, but last night? Oh no. He’d lift his head up, shoot me an evil glare, then sink back into the shadows.

This morning, he decided I was worthy of his presence. Here’s a picture of him on his designated spot:

Recovered Rimmon

    Mood: 25 degrees. HEAT WAVE! Oh, crap. And snowing. FAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH.
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: I refuse to admit how much I’ve had on the grounds I will incriminate myself.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: I went for a walk. It was short. And cold.
    In My Ears: White noise. Zzzzzzzzzz…
    Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed
    Book Last Read: Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
    Movie Last Viewed: Transylvania 6-5000!
    Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.


February 13, 2014
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