Life Keeps Knocking Us Down

Lauralynn Elliott — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:27:55 +0000

As if we haven’t been through enough. After my husband recovered enough to go back to work, he was assigned to a new position at his work. It was a $3 an hour pay raise working on the only machine like it in the country. He has been doing fine on the job, but his supervisor, as well as the next boss up the command chain, told him today that he wasn’t cutting it at the job. This is not true. Their shift is producing better than any other. The supervisor has had it in for him for awhile, and the other boss is a real jerk (all the people in the plant feel this way). The boss wanted my husband to use his vacation days for while he was out of work instead of actually taking vacation. But he was on sick leave. He NEEDED a vacation. Now the boss is getting back at him. So he got bumped down to the job that people just starting in the company get hired to do. But here’s the worst part of all. They put him on second shift. He’s always worked thirds (except for a short stint on day shift). When he’s on thirds, I get home from work, he is either up or will be up soon, and we spend the evening together until he goes to work about 10. Now that he’s on seconds, he will be gone before I get home from work, and he will come in after I’ve already gone to bed. I won’t see him much at all except on weekends. This is a big deal for me. We’re going to have to tighten our budget even more (it’s already squeezed to the limit), but that’s a minor thing compared to the horrible work hours.

There’s no chance of him getting back on the other job because the two bosses are determined to make his life miserable. Now he’s going to have to be careful or he could actually lose his job. But, there is a chance that at some point he MIGHT get back on third shift. Please send good thoughts and/or prayers that he will soon be back on third shift. I can’t stand the thought of being away from him that much. And he will miss church every Wednesday night as long as he’s on second shift. They KNEW he hated second shift, and that’s why they put him there. The only bright side to this whole thing is that the second shift supervisor on this particular job really likes him and has wanted him on his shift anyway. At least work will be easier for him there. The bad thing is that he’s considered a “utility” person now, so they can move him around anywhere and on any shift at any time. As a Christian, I’ve always tried to keep my faith strong and believe things work out like they are supposed to. This is really hard for me right now. I feel like we’re being kicked just as we’re getting up from the floor. I’m trying to stay strong. I’m trying not to cry. I know life isn’t all rosy all the time. I KNOW there are people who are struggling with much bigger and more serious issues. I feel selfish even feeling this way. But I can’t help it. I’ll miss my sweetie while he’s on second shift.

WIP-So Far, So Good

Lauralynn Elliott — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:14:57 +0000

Well, so far, my plan for the week has been adhered to. EVEN with obstacles. I had everything all planned out, workout, supper, cleaning the kitchen, reading my WIP and making notes. Then hubby comes up with “We need to watch something on the DVR”. (It’s getting full.) With an exasperated sigh, I acquiesced, stating that I had my evening all planned out, but that I would adjust things and just work a little later. Then, during an episode of Falling Skies, he FELL ASLEEP. Yeah, he really wanted to watch this with me.

Anyway, I did read my WIP and DID take notes. I wrote up a character list, which I should have already done, but I usually end up introducing characters as the story goes on, and it’s easier for me to add them to the list later. I wrote up some notes, which really means, I wrote up a list of questions, some I could answer, some I couldn’t yet.

Okay, so tonight I planned to do some rough outlining. Then I remembered I was supposed to work late tonight, trying to fix our computers. The last time I tried this, I was here until after 8:00. *head desk*
Oh well, if this doesn’t go smoothly tonight, I’m not staying that late. I hope not, anyway. Grrrrr.

Writing Plans for This Week

Lauralynn Elliott — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:51:06 +0000

Well, it’s time to jump back in the saddle and start treating writing like a job again. My plan for this week is Monday – reread what I’ve written so far on my WIP and take notes. Tuesday – outline a little (I’m a pantser, but this story is so complicated, it needs a little outlining). Thursday-Saturday – write!

Do you all ever plan your week, or do you just fly by the seat of your pants and try to wedge in some writing time between everything else?

Sunday Update 6/16/13 and Words of Thanks

Lauralynn Elliott — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:59:35 +0000

Finally, Vacation Bible School is over! Whew, I was exhausted every night. It’s amazing how dealing with 6 and 7 year old boys can wear you out. But it was also a very rewarding time. I was the “cool” teacher who let them sit ON the table instead of AT the table. Except the last night, which was punishment for being rowdy the night before. I know, I’m so mean. Imagine punishing first and second graders by NOT letting them sit on the table. LOL. It was a fun week, but I’m glad it’s over.

Now it’s time to get back to writing. I have NO excuses not to do it now. Hubby is back at work and doing well. VBS is over. Work is slowing down, and I’m caught up from being on vacation. NO excuses. Plus, the two good reviews I posted about yesterday has upped my motivation a bit. So I look forward to start back on my WIP. It’s a complicated plot, and it’s going to be hard and slow going, but I can DO this.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who contributed to the fund for me that Kait set up when my husband was in the hospital and then out of work. I keep trying to find words that are adequate to express my feelings, but they all just fall flat. Many of you contributed. Some of you bought my books. And so many of you sent me prayers and/or good wishes, and that means so much to me. I just can’t say enough. I don’t know HOW to say enough. Hospital bills have started coming in, and the $1800+ that was raised really helped. The writing community is made up of good-hearted people. And the readers are awesome, too. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Reviews for Haunted Lake

Lauralynn Elliott — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 22:31:04 +0000

I had someone message me on Facebook today and tell me they enjoyed Haunted Lake and that they were going to write a review. I was so happy that I had to hop on over to see it. Well, when I got there, it hadn’t come through yet, but I saw a review that was written yesterday. A review that made my heart feel good. Then the other review came through. I’m not going to quote the two reviews in their entirety because they are both long. And that sounds kind of, I don’t know, bragging or something. And I don’t usually list my reviews anywhere like many authors do. But I just wanted to share a little bit of what was said, simply because I’m SO deliriously happy about the reviews. This is what can sometimes jump start us as writers if we’re struggling.

The review by B.J. Robinson (the person who contacted me) says this: “I loved the characters John and Daniel and the heroine, Rachel.” and ” I loved the way the author wove in the theme of friendship and how powerful friendship is.” and ” If you want to be scared and love ghost stories and mystery, check out Haunted Lake. You might learn how to brave a few demons of your own.”

And the review, by Genevieve, that I didn’t know about that surprised me. See, I’ve often wondered whether or not readers could relate to my characters. I’ve had a couple of bad reviews that say they couldn’t relate. But when I read this…well, you can see why I feel good about the characters in Haunted Lake. “It had me in tears from the emotion that poured from the pages. Emotion is this author’s strongest quality in her writing. She conveys emotion so clearly and realistically that it is almost impossible to not act like an Empath and feel the emotions at the same time as the characters. Her writing, like a lot of great writers, makes you feel like you ARE the characters, but at the same time aren’t.”

/end of squee

I know we shouldn’t, as a general rule, read reviews. I used to get depressed over bad ones, but I know that reading tastes are subjective, and not everyone will like all books. I just hate the reviews that are kind of nasty. But when I know for sure I’m getting a good review because someone contacts me, I can’t help but go look. And what a surprise to find I got two good reviews two days in a row. So here’s a question for my fellow authors. Do you read your reviews and do you let them affect you?

Fitness Friday – Still Working Things Out

Lauralynn Elliott — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:53:48 +0000

This week has been so hectic with Vacation Bible School. My usual schedule is to work out during lunch 4 days a week at the gym, alternating arm work and leg work. Today is arm day. I HATE arm day. I feel like such a wimp. I LOVE leg day. I feel more powerful on leg day. Anyway, I usually walk on the treadmill at home in the evenings for about 45 minutes (long enough to watch a show on Netflix). With this hectic week, I’ve skipped two days of walking. By the time I get home, and get stuff done, it’s 9:30, and that’s way too late to walk if I plan on getting any sleep. So I’ve been walking about 10 minutes in the mornings to make up a little of it. I actually RAN for one minute of the 10 this morning. My legs didn’t like it. LOL

I mentioned last week that I had gained 6 lbs. My weight has gone up and down all week long. I learned in my 15 years experience at Weight Watchers, that it’s not good to weigh every day while losing weight. Once a week is best. But I just had to know what was going on with my weight. This morning, I was back down to within 1/2 lb. of my lowest weight, so I’m back on track. I would REALLY like to get down into the 160′s next week. *crosses fingers*

Okay…time to go work out those arms! Ugh.

Film Review: Cabin in the Woods

Lauralynn Elliott — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:22:49 +0000

For another review of this film, you might want to check out Emma Meade’s post HERE. Emma mentions that Joss Whedon is loyal to his former staff, using other Whedon actors, but she fails to mention Tom Lenk, who played Andrew in Buffy.

I won’t go into too much detail about this film because I want you to read Emma’s review…she reviews so much better than I do. But I didn’t really like the film as much as she did. My son loved it, so I was expecting something spectacular. These friends go to this cabin, and you think it’s going to be a typical slasher movie, but then you see that they are being watched and everything that happens is being controlled by those who are watching. That part is weird enough, but kind of a cool premise. That’s nothing, though, compared to the REAL reason this is all going on. I can’t tell you that part because it’s a major spoiler and one of the strangest twists I’ve ever seen in a movie. And that’s when it gets really bloody and gory.

The thing I liked least about this film is the darkness of the scenes. There were times when things were happening in and around the cabin, and I simply could not see anything. Total blackness. All I could do was listen. I have a real problem with this in modern day films. Older movies are easier to see AND to hear, but these days, not so much. I got so frustrated trying to figure out what was happening. This kind of turned me off for the whole film. The film was also too gory for my taste. There was a reason it kind of had to be, but things just happened too fast with not enough suspense.

What I liked the most about the movie was the instances of humor. Even amid the blood and gore, there were things that were funny. A twisted kind of humor. Would I watch this movie again? No, I don’t think so. Am I glad I watched it? Meh…I guess so. But it just didn’t do it for me as a good horror movie.

What do YOU think? Did you watch it? Did you like it?

One Tiny Secret by Adam Kunz

Lauralynn Elliott — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:29:01 +0000

This book was recommended on a Facebook post by J.L. Bryan. I often get ideas for books to read on FB, Twitter, blogs, etc. Since J.L. Bryan is such an awesome writer himself, I figured a suggestion by him would be worth taking.

Oh, man. This book was beyond awesome. I don’t read a lot of YA, but this one is REALLY good. It’s basically about a girl who’s a senior in high school and is getting texts from an unknown number, and people are dying after the texts. Her father, the sheriff, doesn’t believe her, because the texts disappear from her phone shortly after they are sent. I thought I would be annoyed by the present tense writing (I usually hate that), but after the first page or two, I didn’t even notice. Because the story drew me in immediately. All through this book, I switched who I thought the killer was. I know who I hoped it WASN’T, but I kept waffling. I will say this book kept me guessing “whodunit” until the very end. The actual killer was someone I had suspected, but later thought it COULDN’T be. I can’t tell you why because it’s a spoiler.

If you like murder mysteries, you need to check this one out. It’s ONLY .99! You can find it on Amazon HERE.

Adam is the “A” in the mother/son writing duo known as C.A. Kunz.

Some of Life’s Joys

Lauralynn Elliott — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:06:18 +0000

There are just some things in life that are beautiful.

Duke – 8 or 9 months old

Chipper – 13 years old

The only bad thing is…it’s hard having two alpha dogs. LOL

Sunday Update 6/9/13

Lauralynn Elliott — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 12:41:28 +0000

I remember the days when the words just flowed out of my mind and into my fingers typing at the keyboard. I remember when I could have a novella written, edited, and published in three months. A novel, slightly longer. Where are those days? Where, I ask you?

I haven’t written since before I went on vacation. I spent last week catching up on work, dealing with a computer problem and working late one night. Yesterday, I spent all day on my house and working on Vacation Bible School stuff. And I’ll be teaching at VBS all this week, so it will be late nights for me. And I can’t write during lunch because that’s when I work out. *sigh*

Writing used to be easy. I’m wondering if this WIP is giving me more trouble because the plot is more complicated than my usual work. Am I just burnt out? Am I scared this WIP won’t be up to par? Am I just extra busy with no energy left for writing? All of the above? Only The Shadow knows. (Some of you younger people might not get that, LOL.)