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August McLaughlin, beta readers, blog, Blogger, blogging, challenges, critiques, dogs, edits & revisions, exercise, Facebook, Google, Jami Gold, Joely Sue Burkhart, link mashup, Marcia Richards, plotting, Raelyn Barclay, readers, reading, Tarot for Writers, Twitter, WiP, word count, Wordpress, writers, writing
- And we’re back to normal, well, as normal as it gets with four wild and crazy wee beasties, one faithful but bored dog, and a schedule no sane person would volunteer for!
- The writing: somehow I managed to get through the first round of rewrites. Cutting the MS down from 45+ K to 37,500…goal was closer to 30K but I’ll take it. In doing these rewrites I have realized a number of scenes need to be moved and a lot more summary type passages need to be cut or rewritten into action scenes. That is my next hurtle. I probably need to tighten up the timeline too. So I’ve printed this bad boy out and am playing around with the plot, because I’m on a deadline, I’m only giving myself this weekend to complete this step in the process. Gasp. Then for full-on revisions. I’m hoping to be ready for critique and/or beta readers in a week to 10 days so if you’re interested drop me an email at BuriedNWords [at] gmail [dot] com.
- Stating I’m hoping for critique and/or beta readers just gave me heart palpitations, LOL
- Which is probably why I loved Jami Gold’s post: What Makes You Feel Legitimate?
- The blogging: somehow managed to stay on top of my posts here. Spent some time yesterday getting more scheduled so I again have about a week’s grace on posts except for these Sunday ones. Whew.
- And ROW sister Marcia Richards did a fab post, Blog Better and Faster, on how to improve what I’ve already been doing. :high five: Marcia 🙂
- The social media: I’m slowly climbing back on that horse. I got around to a few blogs, made comments on some, even retweeted a couple. The other aspects of social media were so-so. But at least I opened them up.
- The health: oy, fail this last week. No dog walking. Even the water intake dropped. Tomorrow is a new day 🙂
- August McLaughlin gave me a nice kick in the arse with her Groovy Moving post. Thanks August 🙂
- And my fantastic mentor, Joely Sue Burkhart, brought up an interesting point in her Dressing for Success post. What do you think?
- I apologize. Blogger is not playing nice for me. For some reason, perhaps my Google profile is set up wrong, Blogger asks me to set up a Blogger blog whenever I try to comment with my Google account. Sorry, not doing that. Normally, I’ve posted under the OpenID WordPress option, however that hasn’t been working consistently since December. If your blog offers the Name/URL option I’ve been able to post comments. If not, it’s hit and miss. So I apologize if I’ve missed you.
Raelyn Barclay 
You have a daring deadline, Raelyn! Go for it! As for what makes us feel legit…that is the question, isn’t it? I can’t wait to read that post…haha.
Beta readers wanted? Ohhh…what kind of story?
It is a tight deadline but it’s also an opportunity to dip a baby toe into the big bad world, publishing-wise anyway. It’s a SFR, not sure where the heat level is going to come in at yet 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Nadja.
You’re stepping up to the plate and making some hits. Even though there are a few misses here or there, you’re swinging. And that’s what’s important. Keep it up Raelyn!
Super Bowl weekend and you’re talking baseball?! LOL
Thanks for stopping by Angela!
Your MS schedule scares me! You’re a better woman than I if you get all that done by next weekend! I bow to you!
Thanks for the mention and hope the tips helped a little. 🙂
I wish Google would fix Blogger. It must frustrate the heck out of all of you Blogger bloggers. *giggle*
I’m mostly pushing myself so I have a grace period before the sub is due, plus I don’t want to rush anyone willing to read this 🙂
Sheez, the Blogger commenting thing drove me crazy even when I had a Blogger blog. I feel bad when I want to leave a comment but can’t which happened a lot this last week! Grrr…
Thanks for stopping by Marcia.
Thanks for the link, Raelyn! Wow, with a schedule like that, I hope you *do* feel legitimate. 🙂 You’re working it! And good luck with your revisions!
Maybe when once it’s out in the world 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Jami!
well what to say:) – super all the best for coming week and keep smiling (take care of self)
🙂 Thanks for stopping by Alberta.
Wow Raelyn, what a schedule. But you’re making it happen. Right on. Awesome goals! I’m so glad I got to drop by and see how you’re attaining your goals. You’re an inspiration. Thanks! 🙂
Have a great week!
Well, I hope I’m making it happen, LOL.
Thanks for stopping by Karen 🙂
Thank you for Marcia’s link, I had it earlier in the week and then lost it. The first beta readers are scary, but I’m amazed at how helpful it’s been for me, and how supportive my betas have been.
Despite my nerves, I’m looking forward to the process, even if this piece doesn’t get finished in time 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Raelyn, I finally figured out, because of a comment on my blog, that I’m having to use the URL instead of my WordPress id when commenting on Blogger blogs. I don’t know why it’s starting doing that…and it’s not always the same problems. One of my friend’s blogs kept telling me I wasn’t keying in the correct letters in the captcha code!
The first time I used a beta reader that wasn’t my friend, I was scared to death she would think my story was awful. Luckily, she was very kind and actually gave me some good suggestions. You just have to be thick skinned and take advice if it’s good advice. LOL.
Your schedule is so crazy and you still find the time to comment on other people’s blogs. You rock!
LOL, laundry is suffering today. Hope the wee beasties have clothes for school tomorrow!
I know what you mean about the captcha code! But it’s frustrating if the blog doesn’t have the Name/URL because I can’t comment. What’s worse is it happened to me before when I HAD Blogger. Google really needs to fix it.
Even if the story sucks, LOL, I can only grow from the process so I’m looking forward to it 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Lauralynn.
Aw… I’m so glad you found the arse-kickin’ helpful! LOL Congrats on getting through those rewrites. I know too well the feeling of needing to move novel puzzle pieces around. The fun comes when they start clicking together. 🙂
This is one of the most entertaining ROW80 posts I’ve read, Raelyn. Love your spunk and spirit!
So crazy equals spunk and spirit?! Who knew! LOL
Thanks for stopping by August 🙂
Wow, Raelyn, you’ve done awesome work on your WIP. To be able to cut it from 45,000 to 37,000 words is an incredible feat. Congratulations. Wishing you lots of writing time this next week. 🙂
And I still have cutting to do as the max work count for the call is 35K but I am happy with this first round.
Thanks for stopping by Sheila 🙂
What a fantastic ROW80 check-in, Raelyn!! Hurry up and come into Triberr so I can pimp you out easier! 🙂
Did the initial set up this afternoon 🙂 Need to read through your posts to finish it.
Thanks for stopping by Jenny.
Gosh, best of luck with your MS deadlines! I would go crazy! 😀
Also, thanks for the link to the post on legitimacy, that was an interesting read.
LOL, I probably am crazy…just don’t tell the men in the white coats, okay?
Thanks for stopping by Emily.
does blogger every play nice? i’ve been wondering for awhile now!!
great week, and hopefully a great week to come! keep on truckin’ 🙂
I have no idea Gina. But when it gets a hiccup it gets a dozy!
Thanks for stopping by.
So I’m not the only one with Blogger issues. I confess, I use my Blogger ID for those rare posts that I can’t do the Name/URL thing with, but it doesn’t feel “right”, so I think I understand you’re concerns, Raelyn.
As for the rest of your successes… You’ve go a lot of things happening here and things are moving steady. Yeah, the exercise thing needs to start tomorrow–you’ll do it. And you’ll be happy you did. And that is some serious editing! 😎
I’ve reached the point where I’m going to use the Name/URL option whenever it’s available. Still feel bad for the blogs without that option.
Yeah, scary serious editing. And I still have to do the dreaded synopsis, LOL
Thanks for stopping by Eden 🙂
I’ve had the same issue with Blogger (truly dislike the double, triple steps to post) but the Name/URL or Google options tend to work for me.
Looks like you had a great week. Excellent news on your WIP, keep moving it forward. Jami and Marcia and both good friends and spectacular writers and August is a miracle when it comes to health and motivation.
Hope the coming week is superb for you, Raelyn 🙂
Add in the captcha code and it can become a frustrating experience that doesn’t bode well for commenting. I just wish my Google profile worked without being asked to create a Blogger blog, it’s not like I’m not signed into Google 24/7 :snort:
Yeah, it was good to finally make some headway, now to maintain the momentum 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Gene.
I wish I were as organized! 🙂
I don’t know how organized I am Liz, LOL. You’ve had other priorities recently {hugs}
Thanks for stopping by!
Fantastic week Raelyn!!! You are doing ahhhhmazing!!!! I also love how you work other great posts into your update….
Thanks. I like how it turned out this week and think I’m going to try for it each week…gotta spread the love 😀
Thanks for stopping by Natalie.
It warms my heart to see how fast that dog cozied into your family. She’s a lucky pooch.
Is she mostly your dog, or does she have a favorite among the boys?
Oh she’s definitely mine…even now she’s curled up at my feet dreaming of chasing something 😀 But she knows who the suckers are *cough* That Man *cough* and has them wrapped around her paw. She plays really well with all the boys. Can’t imagine the family without her.
Thanks for stopping by Maria 🙂
So excited to hear how your revisions and beta reading goes. Sending you good vibes. Sounds like you are having a great round so far, so I hope it continues!
Thanks. Exciting, nerve-wracking, LOL.
Thanks for stopping by Tia.