On the entertaining rollercoaster that is my life, I'm happily on an upswing this week!
I'm celebrating:
1) After a crisis last week about finding my heroine was a pile of poo, I'm happy to report I have a shiny new one! Yippie! One CP has given her a thumbs up so far. Others will chime in soon, and I'm very optimistic!
2) In Egypt, we had more rain than usual this past winter. As a result, something bloomed in April/May. A LOT of something. Something that I'm allergic to. (I don't know what it is - only that it is.) After sneezing for an entire month and producing enough snot to fill a swimming pool, I'm happy to announce that the something stopped blooming. My snot can now only fill a wheelbarrow -- which is better than usual for me, as I'm one of those weird allergic-to-everything-that-grows-or-dies-or-hangs-in-the-air people.
3) My husband's brother and his family have left Cairo and come to the Red Sea for a vacation. If you're expecting a sugary declaration of how lovely it is to see them ... Get real. There are few things I dislike more than sightseeing, shopping, sitting in coffee shops, lying on a beach or beside a pool and doing nothing. Luckily, I've reached the age where "No" is a new and exciting part of my vocabulary. (Seriously, try it sometime.) Consequently, hubby went off to ferry them around and entertain them, leaving me at home where I can get so much work done! Woohoo! I'm in revision heaven! PLUS, I sent my agent an email giving her my new novel's blurb, character POVs and arcs and she replied with ... wait for it ... "It sounds absolutely phenomenal!" Yes! All is right with the world!
Is there anyone else who gets excited about a staycation because of how much writing you can get done -- or am I the only weirdo?
This post is part of VikLit's blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is follow the link and put your name on the Mr.Linky list, and then be sure to post every Friday about something you're grateful for that week. It can be about writing or family or school or general life. This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever!
65 comments:
I refuse to believe that your former heroine was a pile of poo, but I'm happy that you're happy with the shiny new one! ;D
Yay for climbing over that writing obstacle.
The word no is great. We have to make me-time and not feel bad about it.
Yay for climbing over that writing obstacle.
The word no is great. We have to make me-time and not feel bad about it.
Yay, glad to hear that you no longer have to worry about your heroine! :D
And staycations are the best, so you don't seem weird to me at all!
I'm so happy you've figured out your heroine! And no is an important word. I wish I could figure out how to use it more often.
I love a staycation to get a lot of writing done. I've been doing lots of different things except writing lately and I'm looking forward to seclude myself to finish my latest book.
Sorry about all the snot. Congratulations on getting so much done and for the great feedback. That is definitely a reason to smile. I like a staycation because there are less distractions and i like the lack of people around me when write.
I look forward to staycations, however, every time I plan to get lots done, I don't. Sounds like things are looking up. Have fun and great news all around.
Glad to hear you're happy with your new MC, and that you have your agent's approval! :)
I'm so glad I'm not the only person who hates doing nothing! I spent my entire holiday two weeks ago writing and plotting, when I wasn't out doing other things. I can't deal with sitting still and doing absolutely nothing!
I'm always happy to get writing done, so I'm with you. I'm glad things are going so well. :)
The last 'true' vacation I had where we went anywhere, I had no problem lying on a beach and doing 'nothing', as I had just busted a hump to finish a draft of my last would-be novel and needed the break. What non-writers need to understand is it's not always easy to stop, especially if we're in the middle of stuff. Good for you for saying 'no', good for your husband for understanding!
Glad your agent was excited!
I can do nothing for a while, but not really long stretches. I get bored.
Glad you found your heroine...and that your agent is pumped about it! It's great to have an agent who is also a personal cheerleader.
Woo hoo! Lots to celebrate! Glad you're feeling better and figured out your character and learned to use the word no. That's something I still need to learn.
Have an awesome staycation!!
Haha, I totally get excited about a solitary staycation! But a pass on the Red Sea? Hmm, I'd have to think about that one. Congrats on figuring out your MC.
Never doubted you'd figure it out!
What a worker you are! I do nothing very well. But I do hate shopping and I will sight see if it's historical. Places like Disney? Meh. Not on my bucket list.
A quiet, empty house is a writer's dream come true. That's great news from your agent.
Saying no is a perfect solution. Staying home to do what you want and need to do, one great idea. Here's to that new and brilliant idea you're in the middle of. Hurray for you!
I know what you mean about hating doing nothing.
Grats on the positive response from your agent! And I'm glad your heroine is no longer a pile of poo. :)
I wouldn't have thought it rained all that much in Egypt. I'm glad you're happy with the progress of your latest novel. Take care.
Sometimes i would love a stay-cation, but only if everyone else would leave and take the kittens and let me get stuff done!
Congratulations on the new heroine and revision! Sounds like a productive week
I LOVE staycations for exactly the same reason. Enjoy :)
Yay for a shiny new heroine!
Hi Lexa,
Upswing is most encouraging, my dear friend.
Now your heroine is shiny new pile of poo! I'm kidding. And out with the snot, a lot :)
Staycation is a way of life for me. The truth is that I'm a virtual recluse. And yet, these moments of ongoing solitude do ineed help me find the inspiration to attempt some semblance of writing. You are not a weirdo. You have had the time to embrace the passion of the written word during you staycation :)
Be well and enjoy your weekend, Lexa.
Gary
Love upswings like this... enjoy as you deserve it:)
Yeah! Love that you have a new heroine and that she is fantastic. Sounds like things are really coming together. Awesome that you are learning to say no more and giving yourself the time you need to do what you need to do! So happy for you!
~Jess
So glad I stopped by. While your masthead always inspires me to continue my own "legends," your Friday post was positively uplifting - just stay on that Cloud 9 (but do come off that sneezing).
Best wishes with your WIP, Lexa. You did right to exert your power over an annoying heroine.
You're not the only one--I love staycations as well. Glad you're feeling better so that you can enjoy yours!
That's fabulous! So glad to hear your MC is much better now. ;)
Awesome response from the agent -- so glad your new MC is cooperating. I have to get out every now and then, but when I'm in novel edit mode (like now), I definitely appreciate time to dig in.
So happy your new project is getting high praise already and glad your allergies left. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Aw...writing without interruptions.
Great that you overcame that obstacle. What I would do for uninterrupted writing time!
OMG, I think we're related. Seriously, do you have relatives in Canada? I can fill a wheelbarrow with my snot too! I went for a 3 hour drive into the bush with dear hubby this morning to look for moose and deer to photograph and within a few miles, my eyes and ears started to burn. As for company... my sons and their families are here, and yesterday after everyone went boating, I stood in the middle of the living room and screamed. Okay, not a true scream, my voice is too deep, but a loud yell. Had my cats scattering to the far winds.
Glad your heroine is nice and shiny. I can't wait to read how she's changed.
Sorry about the snot. That's very unfortunate. :)
Enjoy your staycation.
Sounds like you had a great week and congrats on your new heroine. And thanks for stopping by.
I really need to learn that NO word. All the best with the revisions!
You have had an exciting week. Congrats on the "shiny new heroine." Congrats on the reply from your agent. You're on a roll. :)
Omigosh! We're much alike - from allergies to staycations.
Congrats on your new heroine!
And on learning the word No :)
Great on overcoming the obstacle!
'No' and 'phenomenal' is a fantastic combination of words. So thrilled for you!
Oh, the sweet sound of "No". Every girl should be encouraged to make it. Often. From an early age.
I'm sure you're heroine wasn't a pile of poo; she probably just needed to be brushed and polished up, and that's what you did. :) It sounds like you're similar to me in some ways. I'm my own worst critic. I over-analyze and over-criticize everything.
I'm also sorry to hear about your allergies. Dang Lexa, sounds like you've got them bad.
I only joined this blog hop at the beginning of this month at the new blog I created (just this month, she's in her infancy), My Miracle Life.
I still have my other one lilicasplace, but the new one will be focusing on life after my illness, recovery, and I'm hoping to use the site as a way to educate people on stroke and hemorrhage prevention, healthy living, and advocacy.
I just realized after I posted this one on Monday that it should've been posted on Friday. Doh! I hope this means we'll have double time together! Have a great day. Eva
Yay for finding a great character. I hear you on the allergies- unfortunately, my something isn't done yet.
:) Nothing worse than lying around a pool and doing nothing.
Doing a happy dance just for you!!
Nice. Looks like you have a whole list of reasons to be grateful. Thanks for sharing them.
Yuck with the allergies! They're never fun, but yay for the good news and having some revision time!
You are NOT alone, Lexa... I repeat... you are NOT alone! I love staying home, and dare I say it... being utterly ALONE. It's the only time I can really focus and get work done.
I need to learn how to say, "No" more often. Any suggestions? lol Congrats on receiving such great news from your agent! I'm excited for your story and new character!
Glad your snot output has decreased! LOL And you are definitely not the only weirdo...staycations are awesome!
~Katie
Pile of Poo - you crack me up! I'm sure it wasn't that bad, but I'm happy to hear you have a shiny new character. :-)
Hope you get a ton of work done on your staycation!
Staycations are the best. Pools filled with snot, not so much ;)
Glad it's down to wheelbarrows.
Yes, I definitely get excited for a staycation (great word!) to do writing and sometimes specifically take vacation time just for that reason. :)
And yay for all the good stuff going on with your writing. That's always an awesome feeling.
dang! lots going on! hmmm... I just did a post recently on shiny turds...
Allergies stink! We've had a lot of that here, too. Glad to hear your MC is working well, now.
My inlaws thought I was rude because I stayed in the master suite and rewrote A Missing Peace while they were here. *shrugs* They said they were coming to help w/ new baby. I took them seriously. LOL
Yay for climbing over that writing obstacle.
LOL! I may as well be a shut-in lately. *shrugs* I'm so glad you're getting a good response on your new MC. Way to go!
Woo hoo! Glad you're on the upswing. Keep it going! :)
"It sounds absolutely phenomenal!"
Well thank goodness for the above quote ... between the snot and the poo I wasnt too sure about the upswing! HAHAHA! Congrats on the new character and upswing of success!
I don't think I would want to swim in your pool:) Now I actually love staycations and i love it when i get to make my cards. As for your allergies. My ex is allergic to everything and one thing that helped him out was honey. You have to buy honey from your area with the actual honeycomb. Each day you cut a smal amount and chew it and the natural bee pollen will help your allergies. It won't take it away but it eases it. My ex would go through a whole kleenex box in an hour
I'm sorry about your allergies. I never had them until I moved to the U.S. There is nothing better than a quiet day at home sometimes!
Sean at His and Her Hobbies
I thought this post would be a little gross but it's snot.
I missed this last week (writing cave) but it's great to read it now.
Wehn I first got to Dubai I too have a nose issue (fish still swim in the depths of my snot) until I got the issue sorted with a special inhaler (which I rarely need to use now, thankfully). It's no fun, so glad you've sorted it out.
And hurrah for thrilled agnts (not that I'll ever know, but anyone telling us our work sounds phenomenal gets my vote!)
And yes, I know the word NO very well. After almost four years of visitors (we have the in-laws with us as I write this) I learned to use that word - WELL!! Plus, I'm not the best hostess as far as entertainment goes, so no one bothers to ask anymore :D X
shahwharton.com
Hey Lexa, thanks for your comments on my blog and for following. I appreciate it! No, a staycation does not sound weird. My fantasy is to have a week alone - here or at the beach - to simply do my own thing on my own schedule and to . . . wait for it . . . write. Let's make that 2 weeks. It is a fantasy, after all. I have this delusional idea of writing an (hopefully) inspirational memoir. Seems like I just don't get any quiet "me" time to do so. Oh well. Enjoy your time!
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