Weight: 147.5

Yesterday was 145.5

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I got the first half of the novel manuscript today and started working on it.

Work on Holroyd Cookbook
No, but we're going to Liege tomorrow (Belgium), so we may come back with another recipe or two to make our own and add to the list!

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Nope

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope

I went to the KMCC yesterday, to the bookstore there. I bought a little pocket French phrase book and a travel guide to Brussels, because the original plan was to go there this weekend. But it's a 3.5 hour drive, so we're going to save it for sometime when we have a longer weekend. Liege is about 2 hours and 40 minutes from here. Not a big difference, I know, but we both want to see Liege, too. Anyway, I bought the books, then went to the food court and got lunch from Subway and leafed through the books while I ate. It was a nice afternoon. Even though I was alone, I didn't feel lonely or depressed, because there were people around...Americans...speaking English. It was stress-free and nice.

On an aside...there were like four or five books in the fiction section that I really wanted to buy (some that I didn't even know were out now!), but I didn't. I was good, and just bought my two travel-related books.
 

Weight: 145.5

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
Waiting for the first part of the novel to start working on that.

There was a post yesterday in a copy editing email list to which I belong about a scholarship for the UC Berkeley Extension Professional Sequence in Editing. It's essentially a four-course program that leads to a certificate. The scholarship covers the costs (minus books) for all four courses. I have to write a 200-word (really short!) essay that incorporates the answers to three questions. That's it. They'll make their selection based on one, very short essay. I have until 1 December to try to come up with something...It would look good on my resume and website to say that I have this certificate...

Work on Holroyd Cookbook
The camera functions beautifully, so now we're ready to start making recipes to get photos.

I did some pricing research on Lulu.com last night...and the way I'd like to do this book would be prohibitively expensive. Ideally, I'd like a full color hardcover, but even full color spiral-bound paperback would be $27 for 100 pages, and this will likely be longer than 100 pages! So I need to rethink this project, and perhaps settle for black and white with the very best full-color photo on the cover. I tried to find other options besides Lulu, but I don't want some package, just a POD that will allow around 10-20 copies for a reasonable price. *sighs*

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Perhaps today...

George didn't want to get up today, so my routine is a little off. He stayed up late, playing with the camera. He's getting ready now to go in to work, and just take a half day off, so maybe I'll try to focus on writing after he leaves.

UPDATE: I did write...one phase of Ludicrous, 380 words, for a current total of 77,856. My manuscript at this point is 247 pages long, and still a ways to go!
 

Weight: ??

I forgot to weigh this morning, but yesterday was something like 148. *shrugs* after everything I ate this past weekend, that doesn't surprise me. (See my blog entry   for details.)

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I just finalized the contract yesterday morning for another novel copy edit. I should receive the first half of the manuscript by Thursday.

Work on Holroyd Cookbook
Hmmm...I haven't been working on this so much, but we still don't have the camera, which puts a damper on the whole project. I'll need the camera to get good pics for each recipe before I can really start working on the layout of the book itself.

UPDATE: The camera finally arrived today! (Ordered from Amazon.com 14 Sept., sent to my parents', Mom mailed it to us 22 Sept.) George said the box looks a bit beat up, so I hope the camera is okay. Perhaps this weekend we'll start making some of the recipes and trying to set up good photos for the book. I would really like to get this thing together and ready for Christmas!

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
*shrugs* Eh...maybe today...don't hold your breath...

In other news, I just received last night (and submitted this morning) my very first Textbroker DirectOrder. I'd written a previous OpenOrder for this client about the Psychology of Nightmares. They liked it so much, they requested that I write one about Postpartum Depression. The audience for both articles is psychologists. Yikes! Here's me, only had a couple introductory psychology classes in college, have never given birth...but hey, that's what the internet's for, right? Hopefully they like it!
 

Weight: 147.5

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
Meh.

Work on Holroyd Cookbook
This is a new goal. George and I are working on a cookbook of our favorite recipes, which we plan to publish on our own, probably through Lulu, as a Christmas gift for my family members. We've got a collection of standard recipes that we've been making for years, and we're trying to add some from Germany, too. Actually, our goal is to try to do a bit of a "gastronomic" tour of Europe, collecting recipes along the way. So this may just be Volume One of our cookbook series! If anyone is interested, I'm thinking about making it available for purchase on Lulu, or you could just contact me and I can include one in my family order for you.

In line with that goal...I'm making shortbread cookies today! Hopefully our Canon DSLR arrives SOON (that's a whole other drama story), so we can start taking some really quality photos of the results of our recipes. I plan to have a pic for each dish.

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Meh.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
This is canceled entirely. One of my two students pulled out, and the other has an unpredictable schedule, so I just canceled the whole thing.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Well, I haven't written anything in almost a month, but I did post the first three chapters here ("News From Ludicrous"  [18+]). I'm trying to get my head back into this story, and maybe some feedback on the first bit will help. I've also pretty much decided to forego NaNo for this year, unless I can come up with an idea in the next week that excites me more than my initial idea. I should really try to write something about my current life experiences and struggles. It could be cathartic...I'll have to think more about that...
 

Weight: 145.5

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I finished copy editing the anthology I was working on (go me!) and sent it back to ε╟╢я . He should have another couple for me in the near future...but I've still got plenty of room in my schedule for other work...

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
*sighs* Both students canceled again. At this rate, I might as well cancel the whole thing! If they both cancel on me again next week, I will.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
No. And by default, I'm out of the NaNo prep, too. Thinking I may not even try it this year, and just try to finish Ludicrous. Or not. Too much other stuff occupying my head right now.
 

Weight: 145.5

Yesterday was 145

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I got the latest anthology from http://utilityfogpress.com to copy edit, so I started on that. There should be a few more following, too. No word back yet from the local air force sergeant.

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Well, not really, but George and I walked around the Mobel Martin furniture store a bit, then went downtown.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
I was all ready for this week's class, but had to cancel because neither of my two students could make it. So I'll have to see how much I can cover next week. Fortunately, the last two of the eight weeks aren't scheduled for too much discussion, so I can push some stuff back a bit if I need to.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope, but on track for NaNo Prep.

George and I went shopping today and he bought me a pair of black boots and skinny jeans - early birthday presents.
 

Weight: 145.5

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I responded to the local woman...we'll see if she's still interested, given that she sounded as though she wants a developmental editor, and a personal (phone) relationship with that editor, and I had to tell her that I copy edit, and that I work through MS Word's Track Changes and email.

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Not today, but yesterday I walked over to Otterbach, got a nussplund and a Coke Light at the baekerei, got my hair cut (on a whim...but it needed it), and walked back.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
I made my notes yesterday for tonight's class, and printed out the handouts I'll be using.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope, of course. But I'm still in the running for the Prep Challenge...although I haven't done today's yet... I'll probably get to it tomorrow.
 

Weight: 146

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
Heard back from the local author, but she seems to want a very personal relationship with her copy editor. I need to think about how to best respond to her and explain the way I work, and the difference between copy editing and developmental editing.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
Nope. I really need to do quite a bit of work for this week, so I'd better get on this.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope, but I'm still on track for the Oct. Prep Challenge.

Started laundry this morning. Dried one load okay. Went to check on the second load...still wet. It seems that the drum is no longer turning, like the belt has slipped off or something. And FMO can't get here to fix it or swap it out until next Thursday, the 15th. Great. I've got damp clothes hanging all over the laundry room, and there's not really enough air movement in there to dry them very quickly.
 

Weight: 147

146.5 yesterday

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I haven't heard back yet from the air force sergeant who emailed me. Still waiting for another project that I thought I'd be starting on this week, too...

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
Week 1 went well, I thought. It was great to have George there, and to have his feedback on the drive home. I think I'm going to drag him with me every week so he can help me nail down the details of this first go 'round of my workshop, so then I can try to present it in the spring through a program that will pay me. As far as that goes, I'm meeting with the director of the program on Tuesday. I'm going to try to teach (in addition to writing) a semi-precious gemstone bracelet class and a chain mail bracelet class. I'll have to find the materials and probably enough tools for the students, or perhaps make a set of jewelers pliers a prerequisite for the chain mail class. Lots to sort out.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope, haven't worked on it in days, but I'm keeping up so far with the October NaNo Prep Challenge.
 

Weight: 146

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I got an email yesterday afternoon from an air force staff sergeant here in Kaiserslautern who found my name on writers.net and is interested in my services for her fantasy romance novella. Woot! I emailed her back with more info and a copy of a blank contract, so now I just have to wait for her.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
I just found out this morning that I actually have two students for this workshop! So I've been working this morning on finishing up my notes for tonight. I also found a handout and a writing exercise to use in class. George is going to tag along for moral support.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope, not today. I've been busy getting ready for tonight, and I also managed to get today's NaNo Prep challenge done, too.
 

Weight: 147

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
I wrote another email to the SKIES program contact with some questions. I'd love to teach PMC here, but that'll only happen if I can get them to buy a 220V PMC kiln and maybe some other tools for me. I had to leave my 110V kiln back in Ohio. I also want to know if local nationals who work for the US government can attend, because one of George's German coworkers would like to attend a short story workshop with his teenage daughter. It would be so cool to be able to teach both, and to allow LN employees and their families, too!

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope. October starts tomorrow, so I'll have to start planning the next novel without finishing last year's. *shrugs* I have yet to finish any novel, so I shouldn't be surprised. But with only four more chapters to go, I will actually finish Ludicrous at some point.

I just finished a batch of "Madeleines"  [E] to surprise George when he gets home from work.
 

Weight: 148

It was 150 yesterday, but that's not surprising, given the weekend we had: http://holroyd.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/our-first-real-bierfest/

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
I called yesterday, and no one's signed up, so I doubt there'll be a workshop. On a positive note, though, I contacted a woman this morning about the possibility of becoming a contracted instructor of creative writing and jewelry for after-school programs. I need to come up with a list of questions for her, and think more about how it would work. It'd be cool to get paid for it!

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Umm...no. I wrote a *little* bit yesterday, but had trouble getting into it. *shrugs*
 

Weight: 147

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
Nope.

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
No, but I mowed the back yard.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
Nope.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope. Just one of those days with no motivation for much of anything. I'm surprised I managed the mowing.
 

Weight: 145

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
No, but the latest Utility Fog Press anthologies are nearing the copy editing stage, so they'll keep me busy for a bit. Also, I requested testimonials from a few people to add to my site, since I currently only have one on there.

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Heh...no.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
Nope here, either.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Wrote 1,092 words for a total of 76,710 words and I finished chapter 16! Only four more chapters to go...

I took the "get rid of stuff" goal off here, but I managed to get rid of an extra set of dishes today, so that's something outta here.

I went to the new Kaiserslautern Military Community Center (KMCC) today. I'd been before, but they finally opened the BX part of it this past Monday. It's HUGE!!!! The whole thing is like a mall, but the BX part is just massive. While there, I finally found a curtain that works in the kitchen window, although I'm not quite done with that window. I should take a pic of it and post it tonight on http://holroyd.wordpress.com...Now I need to bust a move on getting new furniture and dressing the rest of the windows!
 

Weight: 145

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
Passive marketing: the author of the epic historical novel I just copy edited copied me today on two emails he sent to writers' organizations to which he belongs, praising my work and rates, and recommending me!

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Nope, but I walked some glass jars and bottles down to the recycling bins, took a jug back to the wine shop to get the deposit back, and stopped by a little shop and got a decoration for the kitchen window.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
Nope.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Wrote 903 words today for a total of 75,618 words. Not as much as I should've written. I should've finished out the chapter. *shrugs* Eh, well...

I forgot to note yesterday that I wrote another Textbroker article, for a client for whom I'd already written two other articles.
 

Weight: 145.5

Saturday 145.5, Sunday 146.5

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I have another potential project in store, but I have to wait on the author to have the time to get organized.

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Umm...nope.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
No, but if I even end up having a workshop, I'm just about ready for the first class.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope, didn't get any writing done today. There was a traffic jam (stau) on the A6, so it took a while to drive George to work. Then I had to clean the house and take a shower...and then George and I had an adventurous afternoon! http://holroyd.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/note-to-self-avoid-rodents-on-leashes/
 

Weight: 148

Research marketing/promotion methods for copy editing
I seem to be copy editing a novel piecemeal at the moment. She started by sending me eight pages because she said she didn't have enough money for more than that. Okay, so I edited those and sent them back when the eCheck cleared. Now she's sent me the next six pages, which she'll get back when this new eCheck clears. I'm going to get nickel-and-dimed to death with PayPal fees at this rate, but I don't want to totally scare her off. {e:frustrated}

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Nope.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
No, but my ad finally appeared in the Announcements section of the Kaiserslautern American newspaper, both in print and online. Maybe someone will actually sign up now...

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Nope. I had a busy morning, attempting to get my international driver's license, only to get to the downtown German license office and find it closed today. So much for driving to Cora (giant store in France) tomorrow. George and I will try for our licenses again next week.
 

Weight: 146.5

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Nope and nope. Rainy, crappy day.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
Nope.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Wrote 1,048 words for a total of 74,715.

Not a great day. Feeling lonely, depressed, missed George. But it was very nice when he came home from work.
 

Weight: 146.5

Walk for at least a half hour or go to the gym
Not today, but I went to the gym yesterday and did 30 sit ups and rode a recumbent bike for 30 minutes, burning around 230 calories.

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
I called the library yesterday. Still no one signed up. I tried to request an interview on AFN Radio, but they told me that a member of an official organization has to make publicity requests. So the library would have to send it, not me. But the librarian hasn't responded to my last email. It's looking like this workshop may not happen at all. I'll have to try to find other venues, and I think I'll make it 13 and over next time around. Maybe teenagers will show more interest than the adults have.

UPDATE: Okay, so I've started making notes. I've got most of what I need for my first week's lectures on elements of a good story, and a discussion of fiction genres. I'll probably keep adding, and I need some examples...but I also need to come up with an exercise to help attendees find their preferred genre...any suggestions? I suppose I could leave that out, and just let them see what they come up with as they start writing. Do you think it would be too restrictive/pigeonholing to have them think in terms of one genre as they start writing a short story? Dunno...Hmm...

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
I didn't write today, too busy researching getting our international driver's licenses. But yesterday I wrote 820 words for a total of 73,667 words.
 

Weight: 146

Yesterday it was 145.5!

Walk for at least a half hour
Nope. No time, and it's a nasty rainy day today. I plan to try to get to the gym tomorrow, though...

Prepare lectures for Short Story Writing Workshop
Nope. Still hard to get excited about something that may not even happen.

Finish 1st draft of News From Ludicrous
Wrote 1,233 words today for a total of 72,847. I was mistaken about where I'd stopped being detailed enough with my phase outline. It's the last half of chapter 19 and all of chapter 20, so I'm still good for a while.