Song of the day: “Taking back my love” by Enrique. Yay. Makes me want to bounce around the floor.
I am really, really late, and since it’s already 2:30 AM when I start writing this blog I am so screwed…and whoever is actually bothering to read this too, I guess since you’re gonna be stuck with a sum-up.
Worked on putting together, printing and then preparing a couple of query letters to go out to publishers on Monday. This always makes me nervous and today was no exception. I actually hate this part of publishing, but it needs to be done, so the letters get signed, checked one last time and then slipped neatly into their envelopes. Next they are stored away in a plastic folder, in which they’ll stay until they can be mailed.
Next, since we’ve been slaving away at the computer, luckily sharing a laugh or two, we head on out into the damp, somewhat misty day that somehow managed to be hot anyway. Rocks that have been piled in massive numbers all over the construction site need to be picked up, and carried down the mountain.
We’re too late to start building, so this is the next best option to get something done at least. For the next hour we go down and up and down again, figuring we might as well get some exercise out of it by going up at a slight jog and then hauling down rocks…well, us ladies did anyway. The brothers were lugging wheelbarrows. Hah.
The dogs love this kind of thing, naturally. For the first twenty trips or so they go along, back and forth, over and over again, and then when they start to tire, they’ll pick a spot somewhere in the middle…preferably right on the path where we’re walking with heavy rocks…to watch us like they’re at Wimbledon. Idiots!
Sita III is quite the cheering part too, dashing around our heels, looking all excited as if saying: “Oh, this is soooo much fun! Up, down, and up again. Look at me, I get there faster.” At one point she exhausts herself so much she just drops down and sleeps for a couple of minutes, just to start all over again.
We move at least 3 tons in total, which is starting to look like an impressive collection that will at one point be used for the fortification of the verandah. Not until the end of summer, hopefully, but before winter for sure.
Big brother, grandpa and I head out for another load of rocks afterwards (also a quick dinner of potatoes with red beats and cheese, yum) and by the time we return we’re pleasantly exhausted. Once I’ve dealt with the laundry, ate a cookie and swallowed down half a liter of cold water…man, was I parched…we settled down to do some more research online.
Well, that’s about it for today. I need to hit the sack, ASAP…before my face smashes my keyboard. Hah.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
LHC stuff.
Song of the day: "My Favorite things" by Julie Andrews (In the Sound of Music)I don't even know how it got in my head, but there it was, right in the middle of lifting a rather big rock from the ground. Hah.
Considering that today was a rather average day of: editing; building with rocks; getting rocks, and chores, (except that Clue had to go back to the vet because he was ill again, darn it) I figured today gives the perfect opportunity to share a rather cool article I read in an online science magazine “The Tech Herald” the other day.
Now, to give you some background, this all started out with the controversy around the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) testing where they are trying to locate the illustrious Higgs particle (AKA “The God Particle”), by blasting protons together with speeds nearing that of light.
I know, there’s a technical term for it, but this is my blog, so I’m going to look at it as some nifty special effects where to protons bump together and explode. Hah.
There debates going on, all over the scientific world, about the event-what with there being a one in a million (or so) chance that they create an “earth gobbling” black hole with the experiment-that has caused law-suits and whatnot. Personally, even a one in a million chance would be too big a risk for me, what with this being the only place we can exist for now-just to satisfy a curiosity.
Those for the experiment are saying: what if Columbus had let the risk of falling over the edge of the world stop him?
From some perspectives, it is debatable whether it was a good idea that he discovered “the New World”. Didn’t genocide occur due to that “stroke of genius”? Hah.
Also, the strong followers like to bring forth the argument of Nuclear power having had the same kind of opposition, and that there were zealots then too, who claimed that it would be the end of the world.
Why they think that this is a good example, I don’t understand to be honest. Sure, the power is rather comfortable but I do believe that they’re forgetting all those nifty little side effects like the radiation, pollution, and can anyone say Aaaaaa-bomb.
Ah well, there are lots of these examples that, at the moment, are completely beside the point.
In the end there is very little I can do about it and just figure, what the heck; you’ve got loonies walking all over place doing lots of crazy things. Some idiot could press a red button tomorrow and then a black hole here or there won’t make a difference.
Now, don’t get me wrong; stuff like this doesn’t get me down. It would make no sense if I let it. If I worried about these kinds of things, I might as well worry about being run over by a bus tomorrow. A total waste of time. It is fun to follow the progress a bit, though.
But enough about that, I got distracted again, didn’t I? Okay, here’s the article. Now read it through before drawing a conclusion. Look at it as fun…I know I did.
“The Tech Herald
A spokesperson for the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) has confirmed the fears of many in the scientific world after revealing that the reason for the sudden closure of the Large Hadron Collider, the world's most expensive physics experiment, was not due to "technical problems" as previously stated, but because its controversial particle collisions have sensationally rendered a "tiny black hole" in the fabric of space.
(Now remember, no conclusions yet. Just read.)
"I can confirm that, yes, the first stages of the experiment resulted in the appearance of a miniscule black hole," said the spokesperson to gathered reporters on Monday. "The black hole is being kept under quarantine and our scientists have been monitoring its progression," he explained.
(Doesn’t it read like an exciting fiction novel? I was thrilled.)
Situated deep underground on the French-Swiss border, the $10 billion USD Large Hadron Collider (LHC) had been opposed by many scientists who warned of the related dangers of the massive particle collision experiment.
The huge, ring-shaped LHC has been designed to give scientists an opportunity to re-create and study the origins of the universe and to end the search for the elusive Higgs Boson or 'God particle'.
(If ya haven’t already, you should look at the multitude of studies about the Higgs particle. ‘Tis fascinating.)
Many had bitterly said the consequences could be as extreme as the Earth being sucked into the black hole the LHC collisions may create as a side effect of the experiment. Others claimed time travellers with more sophisticated technology than ours could make use of the hole to invade the Earth and enslave mankind.
(If only. Imagine what would happen to pesky little disputes here amongst us human.)
The particle physics experiment began with great fanfare on September 10, 2008, only to be mysteriously closed down nine days later. An announcement by CERN blamed mechanical failure between two superconducting magnets, a reason deemed strange at the time by scientists and theorists not involved in the experiment.
After confirming the incredible real reason for the closure of the LHC, the CERN spokesperson went on to placate reporters present by saying that his organization did not, at this stage, see any danger to the Earth's existence.
(I was still on the edge of my seat. Doesn’t it read like a wonderfully exciting sci-fi novel?)
However, when asked by reporters at CERN headquarters how the agency kept a black hole under quarantine, the spokesperson admitted, "With great difficulty ladies and gentlemen, with great difficulty."
The Obama administration's shadowy Special Crisis Operations (SCO) executive, Mr. C. Norris, told Washington reporters at a hastily-arranged news conference that his elite team was monitoring the situation closely and was ready to resolve any emerging crisis once it had “sorted out this global warming business and the current financial mess.”
(And then the grand finish: )
“The staff of The Tech Herald wishes you a happy April 1”
Talk about a let down. For crying out loud! That’s like hanging a carrot in front of a fiction writer and then throwing it into the friggin’ ocean. It’s just mean. Here I was looking forward to interesting (or better yet, fascinating) news reports where we were kept up-to-date on how those “poor” scientists were working their butt off trying to keep the miniscule black hole contained. Yep. All very “Star Trek” images flashing through my head, only to be dashed with that final statement that totally ruined the illusion.
On the other hand, if it were true we might have been up shit creak for a whole of…a second or two. Hah.
But anyways…Clue went through the operations fine, and is back home, thankfully.
Considering that today was a rather average day of: editing; building with rocks; getting rocks, and chores, (except that Clue had to go back to the vet because he was ill again, darn it) I figured today gives the perfect opportunity to share a rather cool article I read in an online science magazine “The Tech Herald” the other day.
Now, to give you some background, this all started out with the controversy around the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) testing where they are trying to locate the illustrious Higgs particle (AKA “The God Particle”), by blasting protons together with speeds nearing that of light.
I know, there’s a technical term for it, but this is my blog, so I’m going to look at it as some nifty special effects where to protons bump together and explode. Hah.
There debates going on, all over the scientific world, about the event-what with there being a one in a million (or so) chance that they create an “earth gobbling” black hole with the experiment-that has caused law-suits and whatnot. Personally, even a one in a million chance would be too big a risk for me, what with this being the only place we can exist for now-just to satisfy a curiosity.
Those for the experiment are saying: what if Columbus had let the risk of falling over the edge of the world stop him?
From some perspectives, it is debatable whether it was a good idea that he discovered “the New World”. Didn’t genocide occur due to that “stroke of genius”? Hah.
Also, the strong followers like to bring forth the argument of Nuclear power having had the same kind of opposition, and that there were zealots then too, who claimed that it would be the end of the world.
Why they think that this is a good example, I don’t understand to be honest. Sure, the power is rather comfortable but I do believe that they’re forgetting all those nifty little side effects like the radiation, pollution, and can anyone say Aaaaaa-bomb.
Ah well, there are lots of these examples that, at the moment, are completely beside the point.
In the end there is very little I can do about it and just figure, what the heck; you’ve got loonies walking all over place doing lots of crazy things. Some idiot could press a red button tomorrow and then a black hole here or there won’t make a difference.
Now, don’t get me wrong; stuff like this doesn’t get me down. It would make no sense if I let it. If I worried about these kinds of things, I might as well worry about being run over by a bus tomorrow. A total waste of time. It is fun to follow the progress a bit, though.
But enough about that, I got distracted again, didn’t I? Okay, here’s the article. Now read it through before drawing a conclusion. Look at it as fun…I know I did.
“The Tech Herald
A spokesperson for the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) has confirmed the fears of many in the scientific world after revealing that the reason for the sudden closure of the Large Hadron Collider, the world's most expensive physics experiment, was not due to "technical problems" as previously stated, but because its controversial particle collisions have sensationally rendered a "tiny black hole" in the fabric of space.
(Now remember, no conclusions yet. Just read.)
"I can confirm that, yes, the first stages of the experiment resulted in the appearance of a miniscule black hole," said the spokesperson to gathered reporters on Monday. "The black hole is being kept under quarantine and our scientists have been monitoring its progression," he explained.
(Doesn’t it read like an exciting fiction novel? I was thrilled.)
Situated deep underground on the French-Swiss border, the $10 billion USD Large Hadron Collider (LHC) had been opposed by many scientists who warned of the related dangers of the massive particle collision experiment.
The huge, ring-shaped LHC has been designed to give scientists an opportunity to re-create and study the origins of the universe and to end the search for the elusive Higgs Boson or 'God particle'.
(If ya haven’t already, you should look at the multitude of studies about the Higgs particle. ‘Tis fascinating.)
Many had bitterly said the consequences could be as extreme as the Earth being sucked into the black hole the LHC collisions may create as a side effect of the experiment. Others claimed time travellers with more sophisticated technology than ours could make use of the hole to invade the Earth and enslave mankind.
(If only. Imagine what would happen to pesky little disputes here amongst us human.)
The particle physics experiment began with great fanfare on September 10, 2008, only to be mysteriously closed down nine days later. An announcement by CERN blamed mechanical failure between two superconducting magnets, a reason deemed strange at the time by scientists and theorists not involved in the experiment.
After confirming the incredible real reason for the closure of the LHC, the CERN spokesperson went on to placate reporters present by saying that his organization did not, at this stage, see any danger to the Earth's existence.
(I was still on the edge of my seat. Doesn’t it read like a wonderfully exciting sci-fi novel?)
However, when asked by reporters at CERN headquarters how the agency kept a black hole under quarantine, the spokesperson admitted, "With great difficulty ladies and gentlemen, with great difficulty."
The Obama administration's shadowy Special Crisis Operations (SCO) executive, Mr. C. Norris, told Washington reporters at a hastily-arranged news conference that his elite team was monitoring the situation closely and was ready to resolve any emerging crisis once it had “sorted out this global warming business and the current financial mess.”
(And then the grand finish: )
“The staff of The Tech Herald wishes you a happy April 1”
Talk about a let down. For crying out loud! That’s like hanging a carrot in front of a fiction writer and then throwing it into the friggin’ ocean. It’s just mean. Here I was looking forward to interesting (or better yet, fascinating) news reports where we were kept up-to-date on how those “poor” scientists were working their butt off trying to keep the miniscule black hole contained. Yep. All very “Star Trek” images flashing through my head, only to be dashed with that final statement that totally ruined the illusion.
On the other hand, if it were true we might have been up shit creak for a whole of…a second or two. Hah.
But anyways…Clue went through the operations fine, and is back home, thankfully.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Editing and hiking. :-)
Song of the day: “Democracy is coming” by Leonard Cohen. It’s an oldie, really. I grew up with Cohen so those lyrics will probably stick with me ‘till the end of time.
Feeling dreadfully lazy this morning, and more than a little too comfortable, I oversleep a solid forty minutes and take my time stretching and yawning before finally getting out of bed. I know that there were dreams, I was rather enjoying one while dozing, but regretfully the details slip from my mind by the time I go through the morning rituals and make my way down to the house.
The day starts up with pleasant sunshine and fresh air, which makes me hopeful of the intended hike, later today when we bring our bimonthly visitor home. We just might be in time to explore some of the nature preserve located some odd miles out of Marbella; it will be quite a trip to get there, sure, but also worth our while in the end.
First, there are the morning chores, breakfast and the read-through edit. I’m actually looking forward to this read through, now that the hard stuff is over, and as we make our way through the prologue and first chapter we are positively thrilled with the progress that was made during the rewrite. Only some typos and some tiny punctuation issues pop up in those first fifteen pages, so when it’s time to depart I’m in a cheery mood, to say the least.
During the drive, two separate conversations are held-loudly-and the trip is halfway through before we know it. Our guest gets dropped off at home and we (both sisters) head for the preserve. First place we hit is a small and very rustic hotel, located in the center of the preserve. What with the heat, we have a hankering for a cool drink followed up by a rare ice cream. Hah.
There are trees everywhere, and for the first time since living in this particular area of Spain I gaze upon a forest of chestnut trees.
I knew they were around somewhere…in autumn they are considered a treat ‘round here…and now the mystery is solved. It is rather beautiful to behold, after being used to pine woods, or cork oaks. The bright green is a rare thing around these parts that’s a fact.
We have only little time for the hike and considering that it is rather hot-summer’s definitely very near-we don’t actually mind. Some pictures get snapped, one mountain gets climbed and then we’re back in the car starting on our way home. Land inward (due to road constructions we have to swerve away from the sea quite a bit) the air is dry and feels like a hair blower hitting our faces full force. And to imagine that this will only get worse during the summer, hah.
Once at home, the tasks that have been planned these past few weeks, for when summer hits, are set into motion. What with the transferal of the washing machine to the courtyard, the pantry has been fully transformed for storage. For this a large closet was placed inside and a new rack put together.
The old closet misses the top, and since the old shelves that used to stand there, have suffered greatly from a large number of floods during winter, I decide to saw off the damaged part so it will fit on the bare top. Considering the shelving is narrower, I use the remainder of the cut off section to close up the rest of the closet, and nod my approval at the knowledge that a lot will fit now that storage is aplenty.
Bottles of soda, boxes of cleaning detergent and several boxes with a collection of chemical aids, soon fill up the new shelves, creating a rather pretty and organized atmosphere. What with the old door that we transformed into a window recently, the place is finally rat free, while allowing for ventilation through the grilled parts of the window.
That done it is time to head out for more rocks. I know, I already said that we were going to stop with that for a bit, but considering the wall that will need to be made come fall, we need to have many, many more. Due to shifting ground, there is a narrow break forming along the bottom of our enclosed veranda (a big cactus below it died last year, so we think that this is the cause) and to rectify the structural error we decided that some serious fortification. It will be a lot of work, sure, but since it is inevitable-and part of a long forgotten plan-it’s just the way things are; no sense complaining about it.
Anyways, we decide to try a different section of the road under construction this time…it’s ridiculous what they are doing, really. Here we have three tiny little villages, and they go and spend around 15 million Euros on putting down an actual highway between them. And for what? The hundred cars or so that cross there in a year? Nice to see how hard-earned tax money is being use. Hah.
We find a rather good load today, with many places to get more in the near future, so that is definitely good news for us. It takes only about an hour to drive there, load up and return home and after the rocks have been unloaded, we head inside to attempt another quick edit…for the synopsis this time.
This one too, is looking rather good at the moment, and while working on it, rearranging a sentence or two we’re discussing the variety of options that lay ahead. For sending the story to on particular publisher we might chose to go with the title change, making it “Broken” (it’s a romance publishers nonetheless) while with several others we’ll stick with the familiar “Saving Nina” just because that is the title that suits best after all. Hah.
There is a little mishap with Knight II (the elephant in disguise, hah) who decided to start a fight with Koefnoen, one of little brother’s dogs, and bit me in the shoulder instead. Bloody idiot! He’s just so hapless ones he gets excited.
So, with that the day has come to an end. The night is mild and pleasant, and I feel nicely tired. Can’t wait to get some shuteye. Hah.
Feeling dreadfully lazy this morning, and more than a little too comfortable, I oversleep a solid forty minutes and take my time stretching and yawning before finally getting out of bed. I know that there were dreams, I was rather enjoying one while dozing, but regretfully the details slip from my mind by the time I go through the morning rituals and make my way down to the house.
The day starts up with pleasant sunshine and fresh air, which makes me hopeful of the intended hike, later today when we bring our bimonthly visitor home. We just might be in time to explore some of the nature preserve located some odd miles out of Marbella; it will be quite a trip to get there, sure, but also worth our while in the end.
First, there are the morning chores, breakfast and the read-through edit. I’m actually looking forward to this read through, now that the hard stuff is over, and as we make our way through the prologue and first chapter we are positively thrilled with the progress that was made during the rewrite. Only some typos and some tiny punctuation issues pop up in those first fifteen pages, so when it’s time to depart I’m in a cheery mood, to say the least.
During the drive, two separate conversations are held-loudly-and the trip is halfway through before we know it. Our guest gets dropped off at home and we (both sisters) head for the preserve. First place we hit is a small and very rustic hotel, located in the center of the preserve. What with the heat, we have a hankering for a cool drink followed up by a rare ice cream. Hah.
There are trees everywhere, and for the first time since living in this particular area of Spain I gaze upon a forest of chestnut trees.
I knew they were around somewhere…in autumn they are considered a treat ‘round here…and now the mystery is solved. It is rather beautiful to behold, after being used to pine woods, or cork oaks. The bright green is a rare thing around these parts that’s a fact.
We have only little time for the hike and considering that it is rather hot-summer’s definitely very near-we don’t actually mind. Some pictures get snapped, one mountain gets climbed and then we’re back in the car starting on our way home. Land inward (due to road constructions we have to swerve away from the sea quite a bit) the air is dry and feels like a hair blower hitting our faces full force. And to imagine that this will only get worse during the summer, hah.
Once at home, the tasks that have been planned these past few weeks, for when summer hits, are set into motion. What with the transferal of the washing machine to the courtyard, the pantry has been fully transformed for storage. For this a large closet was placed inside and a new rack put together.
The old closet misses the top, and since the old shelves that used to stand there, have suffered greatly from a large number of floods during winter, I decide to saw off the damaged part so it will fit on the bare top. Considering the shelving is narrower, I use the remainder of the cut off section to close up the rest of the closet, and nod my approval at the knowledge that a lot will fit now that storage is aplenty.
Bottles of soda, boxes of cleaning detergent and several boxes with a collection of chemical aids, soon fill up the new shelves, creating a rather pretty and organized atmosphere. What with the old door that we transformed into a window recently, the place is finally rat free, while allowing for ventilation through the grilled parts of the window.
That done it is time to head out for more rocks. I know, I already said that we were going to stop with that for a bit, but considering the wall that will need to be made come fall, we need to have many, many more. Due to shifting ground, there is a narrow break forming along the bottom of our enclosed veranda (a big cactus below it died last year, so we think that this is the cause) and to rectify the structural error we decided that some serious fortification. It will be a lot of work, sure, but since it is inevitable-and part of a long forgotten plan-it’s just the way things are; no sense complaining about it.
Anyways, we decide to try a different section of the road under construction this time…it’s ridiculous what they are doing, really. Here we have three tiny little villages, and they go and spend around 15 million Euros on putting down an actual highway between them. And for what? The hundred cars or so that cross there in a year? Nice to see how hard-earned tax money is being use. Hah.
We find a rather good load today, with many places to get more in the near future, so that is definitely good news for us. It takes only about an hour to drive there, load up and return home and after the rocks have been unloaded, we head inside to attempt another quick edit…for the synopsis this time.
This one too, is looking rather good at the moment, and while working on it, rearranging a sentence or two we’re discussing the variety of options that lay ahead. For sending the story to on particular publisher we might chose to go with the title change, making it “Broken” (it’s a romance publishers nonetheless) while with several others we’ll stick with the familiar “Saving Nina” just because that is the title that suits best after all. Hah.
There is a little mishap with Knight II (the elephant in disguise, hah) who decided to start a fight with Koefnoen, one of little brother’s dogs, and bit me in the shoulder instead. Bloody idiot! He’s just so hapless ones he gets excited.
So, with that the day has come to an end. The night is mild and pleasant, and I feel nicely tired. Can’t wait to get some shuteye. Hah.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Stuff, and a serious question.
Song of the day: “Grace Kelly” by Mika, again. I wonder if my head has depleted its resources, sticking with the songs I actually know. I hate repeats in this sort of thing. Nice song, though. Very up beat, even though it was made out of pure frustration. Hah.
I had a most annoying dream. I cannot recall the exact details that led up to the event, but what I do remember is that I was running up the incline, to find my cabin on fire. Well, technically, it was already smoldering and while I was staring at the ravages, I saw the worst thing ever: My laptop had burned with it, and resembled a clump of molten plastic and tiny metal pieces. I stood there, feeling miserable, when I suddenly remembered that everything is backed-up on big brother’s computer…as well as on those of the younger sibs. Now, this realization is odd for me under those circumstances, since usually, when I have these kinds of dreams, I will be so desolated that I can hardly think at all. I definitely see it as a good sign, in light of not feeling out of sorts for the remainder of the day.
When the alarm goes off this morning-I actually wake three minutes before it-I’m feeling remarkably refreshed. The air is cool, the sun is shining, and I fully enjoy it all while I do my stretches and get ready to head for the house.
Trin Trin is being her monstrous self, of course. She just can’t learn to just quietly walk along; instead, she is ferociously attacking the rubber pipe I always carry with me for this very occasion. Better she hangs in the pipe than in my leg. Hah. Like I’ve said many times, the Monster Boxer is insane. I’ve tried everything, but once she gets that look in her eyes, she’s unstoppable.
Once we have gone through the usual morning routines big brother and I settle behind the computer to finish the edit.
Yes, we’ve finished it! At long last!…the rewrite-edit at least, and I am positively thrilled. With a little luck, we’ll be able to actually enjoy the read-through edit now that the hard stuff was dealt with.
We spent another half hour or so going over the query letter and then it is time for us to depart for town. We have an appointment with an insurance broker, and in order to make it, we have to hurry. We arrive right on the dot and go over the particulars of the policy with the agent. It is a simple thing, really; filling in some forms, getting the quote again and then signing the paper I get shoved in my hands.
We’re out of the place in less than and hour to quickly visit the supermarket…if we get a few essentials we might actually make it through to next week without needing to do the massive bimonthly shopping spree. Which would be grand, for all considered. There are so many constructive things to do than waste money on grocery shopping. Hah.
When we return home, fresh veggies and fruit loaded in the back, we spent a few minutes bringing it all inside, and then change into work clothes to tackle some minor outside chores. During the course of the day, the temperatures have risen considerably, and though in the shadows it is rather pleasant, no one is really in the mood to build.
Instead, we cultivate the new terrace, spreading the dirt that was thrown there, watering plants and doing some digging…well, technically little brother did the digging since my wrists are still a bit iffy. (They don’t hurt anymore, but feel a tad…ehm, fragile, if that makes any sense).
Since I’m using the hose anyway, I spend over an hour cleaning the four new stairs that were made over past few months. They look gorgeous, by the way, all sort of flat rocks, their colors ranging from black to bright reds and whites, now clear contrasts since the sand is removed.
I gotta take pictures tomorrow.
That done, I quickly tackle the laundry and do some more cleaning-in the courtyard this time-before heading inside to have a much needed slice of pizza. Cold and a day old it tastes even better, and I thoroughly enjoy it, prior to setting up the computers and starting on a planned search of the net. Though we have continuously researched publishers over the past few months, we want to make sure that none of the set “rules” changed over time.
Pretty certain about which companies qualify to receive a copy of the soon-to-be-fully-finished manuscript, we’re pleased to be up-to-date once again, and then take to re-reading the query letter that is supposed to “sell” the story to complete strangers.
I still don’t get why I have to sell it-I used to think that the story speaks for itself-but I’ll oblige by learning how. Hah. While discussing the intricacies of the publishing world, big brother and I ponder the possibility of changing the title of the manuscript. I’ve read somewhere that even the title can turn an editor/agent off, so it is an option that I’ve always kept open.
Once reaching my cabin, we start to brainstorm, going over all sorts of options, which we’ve brought down to a selection of choices.
If you have time, do read through them and let me know what you think would be a catchy title. Up until now, the working title is: SAVING NINA.
I like it well enough. No matter what this title will always be this book to me, but just in case it doesn’t ring “right” I want to have a back up.
I know, it’s a difficult question to answer; but, if you were looking for a psychological thriller (a bit of romance and humor thrown into the mix), which type of title would likely catch your attention?
1. Broken (the sad note)
2. All of them (romance but deep)
3. Out of bounds (the general note)
4. My turn (the funny note)
5. Unleashed (ominous)
6. Multiplicity (familiar, but fitting)
7. Turn (simple and catchy)
Or if you think of something else that might fit with spies, intrigue, sects, and a multiple personality heroine making life hard for the tracker hero, feel free to throw it in. I’m always open for suggestions.
I had a most annoying dream. I cannot recall the exact details that led up to the event, but what I do remember is that I was running up the incline, to find my cabin on fire. Well, technically, it was already smoldering and while I was staring at the ravages, I saw the worst thing ever: My laptop had burned with it, and resembled a clump of molten plastic and tiny metal pieces. I stood there, feeling miserable, when I suddenly remembered that everything is backed-up on big brother’s computer…as well as on those of the younger sibs. Now, this realization is odd for me under those circumstances, since usually, when I have these kinds of dreams, I will be so desolated that I can hardly think at all. I definitely see it as a good sign, in light of not feeling out of sorts for the remainder of the day.
When the alarm goes off this morning-I actually wake three minutes before it-I’m feeling remarkably refreshed. The air is cool, the sun is shining, and I fully enjoy it all while I do my stretches and get ready to head for the house.
Trin Trin is being her monstrous self, of course. She just can’t learn to just quietly walk along; instead, she is ferociously attacking the rubber pipe I always carry with me for this very occasion. Better she hangs in the pipe than in my leg. Hah. Like I’ve said many times, the Monster Boxer is insane. I’ve tried everything, but once she gets that look in her eyes, she’s unstoppable.
Once we have gone through the usual morning routines big brother and I settle behind the computer to finish the edit.
Yes, we’ve finished it! At long last!…the rewrite-edit at least, and I am positively thrilled. With a little luck, we’ll be able to actually enjoy the read-through edit now that the hard stuff was dealt with.
We spent another half hour or so going over the query letter and then it is time for us to depart for town. We have an appointment with an insurance broker, and in order to make it, we have to hurry. We arrive right on the dot and go over the particulars of the policy with the agent. It is a simple thing, really; filling in some forms, getting the quote again and then signing the paper I get shoved in my hands.
We’re out of the place in less than and hour to quickly visit the supermarket…if we get a few essentials we might actually make it through to next week without needing to do the massive bimonthly shopping spree. Which would be grand, for all considered. There are so many constructive things to do than waste money on grocery shopping. Hah.
When we return home, fresh veggies and fruit loaded in the back, we spent a few minutes bringing it all inside, and then change into work clothes to tackle some minor outside chores. During the course of the day, the temperatures have risen considerably, and though in the shadows it is rather pleasant, no one is really in the mood to build.
Instead, we cultivate the new terrace, spreading the dirt that was thrown there, watering plants and doing some digging…well, technically little brother did the digging since my wrists are still a bit iffy. (They don’t hurt anymore, but feel a tad…ehm, fragile, if that makes any sense).
Since I’m using the hose anyway, I spend over an hour cleaning the four new stairs that were made over past few months. They look gorgeous, by the way, all sort of flat rocks, their colors ranging from black to bright reds and whites, now clear contrasts since the sand is removed.
I gotta take pictures tomorrow.
That done, I quickly tackle the laundry and do some more cleaning-in the courtyard this time-before heading inside to have a much needed slice of pizza. Cold and a day old it tastes even better, and I thoroughly enjoy it, prior to setting up the computers and starting on a planned search of the net. Though we have continuously researched publishers over the past few months, we want to make sure that none of the set “rules” changed over time.
Pretty certain about which companies qualify to receive a copy of the soon-to-be-fully-finished manuscript, we’re pleased to be up-to-date once again, and then take to re-reading the query letter that is supposed to “sell” the story to complete strangers.
I still don’t get why I have to sell it-I used to think that the story speaks for itself-but I’ll oblige by learning how. Hah. While discussing the intricacies of the publishing world, big brother and I ponder the possibility of changing the title of the manuscript. I’ve read somewhere that even the title can turn an editor/agent off, so it is an option that I’ve always kept open.
Once reaching my cabin, we start to brainstorm, going over all sorts of options, which we’ve brought down to a selection of choices.
If you have time, do read through them and let me know what you think would be a catchy title. Up until now, the working title is: SAVING NINA.
I like it well enough. No matter what this title will always be this book to me, but just in case it doesn’t ring “right” I want to have a back up.
I know, it’s a difficult question to answer; but, if you were looking for a psychological thriller (a bit of romance and humor thrown into the mix), which type of title would likely catch your attention?
1. Broken (the sad note)
2. All of them (romance but deep)
3. Out of bounds (the general note)
4. My turn (the funny note)
5. Unleashed (ominous)
6. Multiplicity (familiar, but fitting)
7. Turn (simple and catchy)
Or if you think of something else that might fit with spies, intrigue, sects, and a multiple personality heroine making life hard for the tracker hero, feel free to throw it in. I’m always open for suggestions.
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