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Posts Tagged ‘proofreading’

ROW80 Update 5/20/15

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on May 20, 2015| 8 Comments »

I’ve had to let my writing go just a bit. I have two proofreading jobs I’m working on right now. I’m about 3/4 finished with the first one, and I’m a little way into the second one. I hope to wrap up the first one by the weekend. I just can’t do all three things at once.

I probably wouldn’t have to set my writing aside, but I have a bunch of things going on besides the proofreading. I went over some of these in my last post, so I won’t bore you with all of that. The only change is that one of our church elders who was very sick has now passed away, so there will be a funeral tomorrow night. Life just gets all kinds of crazy.

I interviewed someone yesterday to replace my assistant, and I really hope she takes the job. This will be the first time in a long time there’s been another female besides me working here if she does. I guess I’ll have to share my bathroom. The upside is, she seems to be very organized, and none of the guys here are, so I’ll have a kindred spirit in that respect. *keeping fingers crossed*

I really hope life slows down some. Not the proofreading jobs. though! I want them to keep coming! 🙂

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ROW80 Update 5/18/15 – A Day Late

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on May 18, 2015| 6 Comments »

I almost didn’t post at all. I’m so overwhelmed. But I know that keeping a routine is always good. Here’s what’s going on.

1. I got a book I was supposed to proofread late, so now it’s bumping up against another proofread.

2. I’m trying to keep up with two pen names, which means writing two books, maintaining two Facebook profiles, maintaining two websites, checking yet another email and trying not to mix everything up. (This doesn’t include my personal FB and email.)

3. One of the elders where I go to church is at death’s door, and it’s really sad.

4. The father of one of my best friends is very sick.

5. A person on my husband’s side of the family is being abusive to another family member, and we’re having to deal with that.

6. I’m teaching Vacation Bible School in June, which hinders the proofreading and the writing. I envision a lot of late nights.

But…

1. I’ve started drinking Shakeology shakes which have a bunch of awesome ingredients, and I already feel like my energy level is up. (I hope it’s not just the power of suggestion.)

2. My blood sugar is down, and I’m hoping this is a good sign for me trying to get off my insulin by the end of the year.

3. I’ve lost a couple of pounds.

4. When I don’t feel like writing, I’ve been making myself sit down and write anyway, promising myself it’s just for at least 500 words or so, but I’ve ended up writing more.

5. My husband is awesome and understands that when I have a lot to do in my proofreading and writing business the housework might have to wait (and he does it).

6. I’m teaching Vacation Bible School in June, and it’s a very rewarding and uplifting experience.

7. I have proofreading jobs, for which I’m very thankful.

8. Even though book sales for Lauralynn are in the toilet right now, the Catherine pen name is doing well.

9. I have the most awesome friends in the world.

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ROW80 Update 5/10/15

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on May 10, 2015| 8 Comments »

Writing is still going well. I finished the novella for the anthology under the Catherine pen name. It’s not due until late summer, so I’m going to set that aside a little while, then go back to it for editing later. I might add a scene or two at that time, depending how I feel about it after letting it simmer.

I’ve written a couple of scenes in the second Hemlock Ridge Mysteries series under the Catherine name. I actually started that novella with pen and paper since I was at a diner with no laptop with me. Wow, now I remember why I love my computer.

I’m going to try to write the Hemlock Ridge novella and the sequel to Soul of a Vampire simultaneously. I’ve tried to write books that way before and have never been able to. But I love a challenge, so I’ll try once more. I really need a book for both pen names.

I have FOUR proofreading jobs coming to me soon. It’s going to be challenging to write every day while that’s going on. My deadlines on these jobs are going to be tighter than I’ve had to deal with before. What I’m going to try to do is, during the time I’m proofreading, only write about 500 words per day. That will take me 20-30 minutes, and I’m going to take that time if I can. I can’t put my writing completely aside while proofreading like I’ve done in the past. I have an hour at lunch and somewhere around three hours at home (unless my eyes give out sooner). That will leave me about an hour to spend time with my husband. As long as I use my time wisely, I think I can pull all this off. You probably won’t see me online at night for awhile. And housework? Forget it!

That’s about it. I’ll be overwhelmed for the next month and a half, but I’ll get through it. This might just be good for me. 🙂

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End of ROW80 Round 1 2015

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 25, 2015| 16 Comments »

When I stated my goals in January, I had two goals I wanted to accomplish during the round and one I wanted to accomplish sometime in 2015. Here is a recap and the outcome.

1) Finish and publish the novella written under my other pen name for the anthology I’m doing with another author. Goal to finish: January 31 Finished this January 20

2) Finish the mystery I’ve started and publish under that same pen name. Goal to finish: Mid to Late March Finished this in early March

3) Write and publish at least one title under my Lauralynn name. I have three ideas and don’t yet know which one I’m going with. Goal: Sometime this year. I’ve chosen the story (sequel to Soul of a Vampire) and have started some plotting with some help from Susan Bischoff This one wasn’t a round goal, but a 2015 goal, so I think I’m doing fine. 🙂

I know I didn’t have MAJOR goals this round, but I honestly think I did really well considering I have a full time job and a proofreading business.

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ROW80 Update 3/22/15

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2015| 10 Comments »

I almost didn’t post because I didn’t have a whole lot to say. I already talked about my sub-plot issue on my Friday post.I haven’t been writing because 1) I’m proofreading for a client and 2) I’m still plotting another book. I feel like plotting, planning, etc. is still part of writing, so I’m okay with that. I have a novella written under my other pen name almost ready to publish. The cover is almost done, and I have just a few corrections to make. But I can’t think of a TITLE!!! I have the title for the series this starts, but not the actual book. Titles are so hard for me unless the title comes to me, and I write the story around the title. That’s happened a couple of times, once with Soul of a Vampire and again with Fire Wizard. But most of the time, I’m struggling with that title. And since it’s my first mystery, it’s more of a challenge than my paranormal romances. It’ll come to me. I must have patience!

And since this post is pretty boring, for your viewing pleasure, here’s Willow. 🙂

willow 3-22-15

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ROW80 Update and Southern Stuff

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on March 18, 2015| 17 Comments »

I’ve written a few words here and there, but I’m behind my goal for the year. I like to get my proofreading jobs behind me first. Sometimes I can write some words during that time, but I don’t want to take away from my client’s time. I should be done in about a week, then I’m going to try to catch up on word count until the next job.

I’ve gotten feedback from my five beta readers and editor on my mystery written under the other pen name. I’ve gotten everything from “I LOVED it!” to “Mystery isn’t my thing, but I liked the romance in it”. The feedback was mostly good with very few changes suggested. I’m waiting mostly on the cover.

About the Southern stuff. I’ve noticed from time to time that my editor makes changes in my manuscript that I don’t quite understand. And, occasionally, so will a beta reader. And I try to figure out WHY it’s wrong. And it finally occurred to me that some of the words and phrases I write are used a lot here in my area but probably aren’t where they’re from. I’ve tried to take some of the southern stuff out of my speech and writing, but some of it I refuse to let go of. I’m Southern, and I’m proud of that heritage. But when it’s REALLY local, I have to decide whether to keep it or ditch it. One such phrase I remember writing is “sick at my stomach”. My editor changed it to “sick to my stomach”. I fixed this one because I assumed the way I say it is probably localized in this area. But I have NEVER said “sick to my stomach”. I’ve always used “at”. So then, hubby and I talked and decided if you were physically ill, “at” is used, but if you were appalled at something, “to” is used. “I’m sick at my stomach.” “That just makes me sick to my stomach.” So what do you think? Which way do you say it? And are there things that are local to your area or your region that editors or betas call you on? I’d love to hear them!

By the way, when I proofread, there are sometimes things that must be local to where those authors are from since I’ve never heard some of the phrases, or they sound wrong to me. So it’s not just the South. 🙂

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ROW80 Update – A Day Late

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on March 2, 2015| 8 Comments »

forge badgeThings have been going along smoothly, but I’ve suddenly found myself with three proofreading jobs coming up (already working on one). I always sort of have a dilemma with this as pertains to my actual writing, but I have to look at my client jobs first because that brings in more money that my writing at the moment. That might change someday, but right now I have to be practical. I can easily work on 2-3 proofreading jobs simultaneously (or back to back depending on their deadlines), but to do that AND write is tricky. However, I have a goal of 150,000 words for this year, which averages out to 12,500 per month, and I intend to make that goal. I made the January goal, but fell a little short (by about 1100 words) on February. I can still make that up later. In order to make the goal of 150K, I have to write 411 words per day. I usually write more than that, and I take a couple days a week off. So my plan is to just try to make the 411 (15-30 minutes) a day while I’m proofing for others, then when I have no proofing jobs, I can write more and try to get ahead. That’s the plan right now.

So…my lunch hours and my after work hours will be spent proofreading. I’ll be a busy bee. 🙂 And I’m very thankful for the jobs.

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ROW80 12/17/14

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on December 17, 2014| 9 Comments »

the christmas card
What a crazy month! I fell so far behind on Christmas shopping, but I think I have everything except for the money and gift cards I plan on giving. I keep thinking I’m probably forgetting somebody, though!

I bought the movie “The Christmas Card” this year. It’s my favorite holiday movie, and Hallmark decided to put it on their movie channel instead of their regular channel, so I couldn’t get it. Amazon had it for a great price. This movie (and other great Christmas movies) were written by my friend, Joany Kane. She’s such a great person! And she write amazing movies.

I’m still working on proofreading, so I haven’t touched my own WIP. I’m okay with that, though. I should be done fairly soon, then I can get back to it in the next round.

I’m still excited about my secret project I’m doing with another author. 🙂

That’s all, folks!

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ROW80 Check-In 12/14/14

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on December 14, 2014| 8 Comments »

I don’t have anything to report on my own work right now. I’m working on stuff for proofreading clients right now, and they have to come first. However, I’m very okay with this because I know I’ll get back to my WIP when I can. I actually worked pretty much an eight hour day yesterday, which shows I could actually do proofreading AND writing for a living if I quit my day job. I often wondered if I could actually put in that many hours if I was working on my own, but I’ve proven I definitely can. Of course, my boss need not worry, because it takes a long time to build up a client list, so it won’t be enough for a full time job for years, I imagine.

There’s another project in the works with another author that I’m pretty excited about. I think it’s a secret right now, but there will be more about that at a later date. It will probably be under a different pen name.

I’ve finally gotten some of my Christmas shopping done. It’s times like this when I really love Amazon. I also have ideas for a couple more people, but that will entail actually going to a store. I dread that with all my being. I went just to get some basket wrap and ribbon for fruit baskets we’re doing at church Friday after work. The traffic was HORRIBLE. The actual craft stores were almost empty, but GETTING THERE was awful.

On a really good note…books sales are up a bit. 🙂 The UK doesn’t hate me anymore.

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ROW80 Update 12/3/14

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on December 3, 2014| 10 Comments »

Fire Wizard Just a reminder about my recent release. *end of shameless plug*

I don’t know why I keep skipping out on my check-ins. Not to mention the fact that I’m not blogging at all aside from that. I think part of it is I used to have a better following and lots of comments, and now, not so much. So it makes me lose interest in doing it. See, I don’t blog just to get things out of my system. I blog to interact with other people. I’m not one to feel the need to keep a journal or write down my thoughts (unless it leads to fiction!). Yeah, I’m not the typical writer.

Anyway, I’ve been piddling around again, not getting much done. Using the excuse of being too busy. But I look back and see some things I could cut down on (but they’re FUN) so I can work more. I have two proofreading jobs right now, so I AM pretty busy. Anyway, I sat down last night and wrote almost 1000 words on my WIP. I’m trying to figure out how long the shero is going to hold out (she has reasons) before letting the hero back into her life. Plus, I need to get back to the murder mystery part of the story. It’s hard to balance the romance with the mystery. I’m also beginning to wonder if this is going to end up being a novella instead of a novel. I hope not. But I’m tired of trying to force a shorter work into a longer one. I generally write shorter stuff, and it’s mostly because that’s what I usually like to read. There are exceptions, of course. Anyway, I’m glad I started writing on my WIP again. I’m liking it again, so that helps.

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