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Saturday at starbucks

August 22, 2009

TH and Tog sleeping in. Me and Tog at Starbucks. Double tall soy cinnamon dolce latte for me. Bagel for Tog.

Edits due for novel in ten days. I may need a tiny extension. I’m petrified. I know EXACTLY what needs to be done . I know which characters need tweaking. Which need to be completely omitted. I just have to sit down and barrell through it.

In the comments this week someone likened rewriting to math. You add multiply subtract divide. Finding the perfect equation of words.

I’ve never been good at math but I do feel like a mathemetcian or an architect when I revise and edit. I get this deeply satisfied feeling in my stomach when I read what seems like a well executed sentence.

I am very grateful to my dear readers. Blogging is helping me as a writer. I’m especially grateful to the eight members of my online writing group. Reading and commenting on your prose has helped me immensely with my own.

THings I Will Keep In Mind As I Revise

1. Keep it moving. Snappy pace is important. Don’t let the reader out of the room.
2. Don’t get attached. Certain sentences, plot points and even whole characters may have to be scrapped. Be ruthless.

3. Read your dialogue aloud. What sounds good in your head doesn’t always sound realistic.

I begin revising in earnest first thing Monday morning.

This weekend I write without writing.

Fellow writers: do you know what I mean by writing without writing? I’ll be thinking about my book all weekend. But no writing.

If you happen upon this random Saturday post tell me what you’re up to today. Are you writing? Thinking about writing? Wishing you were writing?

I’d love to hear from you…

Photo: Tog and her Starbucks crew

Posted in Random | 6 Comments »

Fashion Friday: Yay or Nay?

August 21, 2009

I am a fashion reject. Back in January, I wrote a post about how I wanted to step up my game and dress like a grown up–even though I work in solitary confinement as a freelance writer.

I’ve never been a fashionista. I like clothes. But I’m never sure what looks right on me. I’m too lazy to try things on and I feel like I never have the money to buy things that I think would make me fly.

Truth is, flyness is an attitude. A way of life.

And that’s not me.

I can pull it together for a night on the town. But in my day to day life, how I’m dressed doesn’t figure very prominently.

Until now.

A few months ago, I took a good long look at myself. (And my closet). And I did not like what I saw. Grubby sweats, ratty jeans, flats from Target that were run over, t-shirts that didn’t fit, dresses that were too big, too small, too old.

It’s frivolous, I know. And in the grand scheme of things, who cares what we’re wearing?

Work with me. I need a minute to be frivolous and completely gratuitous.

I asked my good friend, we’ll call her Little Miss Brown, to critique five days of outfits for me. Little Miss Brown is an executive at a luxury goods retailer. And she’s effortlessly fly. Always.

I told her to be no-holds-barred.

My goal is to look chic, pulled together and slightly sexy, (but not too sexy), every day. I’m almost 36. I have two children. And I schlep them both around a lot.

My hair’s going gray. And I can’t get in the gym as often as I’d like.

I’m getting old.

But that doesn’t mean I have to look like a schlub.

Herewith, everything I wore this week. And LittleMissBrown’s verdict. Gulp.

(more…)

Posted in Fashion Friday: Yay or Nay? | 23 Comments »

Testing testing one two

August 20, 2009

Gave up the blackberry for the iPhone. This is my first attempt at mobile blogging from the iPhone. This should be interesting. I’m gonna try to add a photo too. Here’s a pic of tomorrows blog post. It’s a good one. Don’t miss it.

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Journalism 101: What NOT to do

August 20, 2009

Reporter

I am a mid-career journalist. I was a teacher for several years before I jumped ship and tried to craft a career as a writer.

Because I did not have a journalism degree or many contacts in the field, I felt like I was starting at the bottom of a ladder with missing rungs and splintering wood.

I harassed everyone I knew for help. Tips. Phone numbers. Email addresses.

I hand wrote notes to writers I admired. I left voice mails after hours for editors I hoped to write for one day. (Too afraid to call during the day when they might actually pick up).

Getting on is a hustle.

Now, I’ve made my way a bit. And surprisingly, I’ve become one of those people that new writers want to know.

(more…)

Posted in Journalism 101 | 21 Comments »

Be My Guest: Live from Asbury Park

August 19, 2009

I should be home editing a Be My Guest column.

It’s actually my favorite section of the blog.

Two reasons why this is not happening.

(more…)

Posted in Be My Guest | 1 Comment »

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