deep breaths...

Okay, I just sent Summer off. They wanted electronic submission, so that's what I did. It's a much easier process than sending it by mail. I spent some time tonight going over it several times, checking for spelling and grammar issues, even though I've edited it about five times. I sent a cover letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters, which is what they said they wanted in their guidelines. I prayed over it before I hit "send." I did everything I was supposed to do and now it's out of my hands.

all about writing

I figured out that the extra hour will be enough to write what I need to write each day. I did a test play and it's actually kind of funny... I sort of like the direction it was going, so I might just have to continue with that idea some other time! Not that I'm going to give up writing novels and start writing plays, but it was getting sort of interesting, and my community theatre is always looking for interesting local work to produce. You never know, right?

In other news, I think Summer is finally ready to send out again. I didn't think the rejection bothered me that much, but I think if I'm really honest, seeing that letter made me lose confidence in the story, and in all the stories I planned for the series. I can't let that happen. It was the first of what I'm sure will become many rejections, and writers should have thick skin. Rejection doesn't mean your writing is bad, it just means it didn't fit what they were looking for at the time. Sure, it probably means you need to improve your submission packet, but one rejection doesn't doom a project. I have to keep telling myself that, because seeing that letter still makes me a little sad. But I keep going. I will keep submitting my work until someone, somewhere, decides it's good enough to publish!

But back to Script Frenzy, I'm really excited about doing something new. My first script. I wonder how it will turn out...

the Frenzy begins tomorrow...

I've got my character descriptions, my outline, my format, and my coffee ready! Tomorrow morning I will wake up an hour earlier than usual so that I can write before getting ready to go to work. My brand new coffee maker will be helpful, since it has a timer I can set. The coffee will be ready for me when I wake up, which is always good! Tonight when I get home, I'm going to do a test to see how long it takes me to write the required amount of words in script format. That will give me an idea of how much time I need to dedicate to writing each day. I thought an hour in the morning and then an hour in the evening would be sufficient, and then of course I have my lunch hour at work. I think three hours a day is pretty good, although I know I won't need that much time to write the required amount of words. But this is about getting into a routine more than anything, and I want to really work toward that. If I want to have any success as a writer, I have to get into a routine of writing every day, not just blog posts, but actual work on my WIPs.

My horoscope today said this:
The solar system is shifting gears today, dear Scorpio, and it is liable to trigger a great transformation that will last seven months. The change will center on the means you use to fulfill yourself, in terms of both your career and your love life. If you feel somewhat hemmed in by your training or your upbringing, you can expect to seek liberation from these inhibitions in the months to come.

I find that very interesting. I could actually use a transformation, something to shake things up. Although it isn't career or relationship focused, my involvement with community theatre is certainly shaking things up. I certainly find it fulfilling. Perhaps this renewed commitment to writing will also shake things up a little. Actually, I'm sure it will.

So here's to transformation! I hope it doesn't hurt... :)

the theatre (theater?) obsession

Okay, I am obviously suffering from an obsession. I knew it would happen. The minute I auditioned for Fuddy Meers I knew I would become hooked on being onstage again. I just found out a community theater is doing Guys and Dolls in November, so of course I'm trying out! I love that show! I have always loved it, and now I'm going to (hopefully) be in it! I'll take any part in this show, just to be in it.

We had a play selection meeting last night and it went very well. We're meeting again on Saturday to read some additional plays that were ordered last week and hadn't come in by yesterday afternoon. I'm looking forward to reading these plays too. The committee is great, and I really enjoy working with them.

So it looks like the rest of my year will be spent doing Hamlet in August and Guys and Dolls in November. I think I'm going to become a theater junkie!

Initially, I worried about this getting in the way of my writing, but as long as I continue writing and learn to balance everything I think it'll be okay. I'm going to start waking up earlier in the mornings so I can get my writing done before anything else. It's just a matter of training my body to wake up earlier. I think I can do it. But, of course, if it starts to get in the way, I'll slow down. Writing comes first. Always.

Memorial Day

Photo Hunters Theme: Colorful

For the "colorful" theme, I decided to take a picture of the yarn I'm using to make my mitered square blanket. I thought all this yarn was pretty colorful! I'm still playing with the color combinations for all the different squares. That's one of the best parts of the process, I think!

Getting to Know You Day - Create A Connection

Today's Getting to Know You question is: If you could have a redo moment in your life, would you do it and what would it be? Not changing history drastically-it's all just a what if.

My only "what if" is something that would have changed history dramatically (at least my own history!) My redo moment would be the day I chose to go to college locally instead of going to New York to follow my dreams. I stupidly chose to go to a local school because my boyfriend (who later became my husband, who later became my ex husband) was going there and I couldn't stand the idea of going somewhere far away from him. When I look back on my life, that is the one regret. I didn't follow my dreams when I had the chance. Who knows how it might have turned out? I might have been accepted into a performing arts program somewhere and I might have had a nice career in theatre, or I might have spent several years auditioning and not getting any parts. But either way, I would have tried and then I wouldn't have that one regret today.