Wrote Chapter 10

I had skipped Chapter 10 in PSI Emergency. I went back and wrote it this morning. It's a bit shorter than most of my chapters, but it was one of those pop-up chapters anyway. One of those that need to be added, but hadn't been in the outline.

Now, on to Chapter 12!

Chapter 11 done

I just finished Chapter 11 in my novel, PSI Emergency. The characters are really coming to life. I'm very pleased with the story so far.

Next I have to backtrack and write Chapter 10.

Paying off

I have just finally paid off my student loan. Oh happy day!

Ready for Submission
I edited, formated and printed "A Case of Sticky Fingers". I'll send it to American Girl first.

To see what else I have in submission right now, check out my writer's page.

Phone Anxiety
I've been waiting for a phone call from Avalon Books. Even though I work nights and sleep during the day the phone will wake me up. When I awoke today around 4pm I checked the answering machine incase I missed a call. That's when I discovered that sometime during the day my cats had knocked the phone off the hook. I replaced the receiver and it rang immediately. Filled with instant anxiety, I answered and an unfamiliar woman's voice asked for me. I said, "This is she." She said, "This is a phone survey..." AAAAAGGGGG!

You may also notice that I am now adding headings to this Blog. I read Holly Lisle's Blogger and I like the way the headings make it look.

I managed to scribble out a little more on my PSI Emergency novel. Chapter 11 is about halfway done now.

Man, work has been very busy lately. I have not had time to sit down and write. I'm trying to get the paperwork under control just in case I get 'the call' from Avalon Books and I want to start the next novel in the series right away. I am SO ready to start writing it, but I don't want to jump the gun. I want to make sure the first one sells before starting the second one.

Writing the children's story last night was a nice change of pace. I'm giving it a day to 'cool' before double checking and editing it. Then it is off to the post office box!

I just finished writing a 500 word mystery for middle readers titled, "A Case of Sticky Fingers". I think it is cute.

I'm reviewing the market guide to see which magazine I want to send it to first.

This morning I wrote up a short list of things I wanted to remember to bring up with the editor and my agent IF I get THE CALL.

I also started picking through the writer's market for children's books and magazines. My goodness! I need to start writing some children's stories. The magazines buy LOTS of fiction and pay much more than I could ever hope to get from an adult publication. I mean, 25 cents a word? That's unheard of!

In my mind I imagined the editor at Avalon Books receiving my manuscript on Friday, taking it home over the weekend and spending all day Saturday cuddled up on the sofa with an iced tea and my book. On Sunday she would finish it up and write an evaluation of it for her bosses, giving it a glowing report. (Hey, it's my fantasy.) Then on Monday she would stop by the editor-in-chief's office dropping off the manuscript and report. The 'chief' would read the first and last chapters and the report and tell my editor. "Okay, call her up and make an offer."

I waited by the phone all day.

No one called.

I'm not discouraged.

I do think I'll hear from them before the end of the year one way or another, either with a call to discuss buying the book or by returning my manuscript with a rejection letter.

I'm trying to write at work today. Usually it is VERY slow and I can get as much writing done as I want. Today is not one of those days. I've only added 2 paragraphs to PSI Emergency Chapter 11. I'll try to squeak out a few more.

I'm such a slacker. I need to get back on a writing schedule. There. I admitted it, and admitting you have a problem is half the battle. (I wish!)

I've been getting good vibes since Friday. By my calucations, the manuscript of Complimentary Murder should have arrived at Avalon Books by now. I hope these good vibes are telling the truth!