My Fault

Apparently it’s all my fault. Recently I was in a car accident. I got broadsided. 

Fortunately I was unhurt, at least physically. I have been hurt in other ways. What ways you ask? To start with, I’m being held completely responsible for the accident because I was pulling out of a parking lot. Did the other car pull out of a line of traffic to race ahead? Yes. Was the other driver texting? Probably for her eyes were not on the road. Did the other driver touch her brakes? No, she continued to accelerate, further evidence that she was not paying attention to the road. However, this is all meaningless. I am being held completely responsible responsible.

What does this mean for me? Well my car is gone and I cannot afford to replace it.  The insurance company gave me $4800 for the car, but now they want $4400 per year for insurance. 45+ years of a clean driving record means nothing. The fact that, during those years I have spent well over $100,000 on car insurance means nothing. The simple fact now is I live in a rural area and can no longer afford to own a car.

Thanks a lot, insurance company. I hope the payouts from hurricane Sandy drive you into bankruptcy.

Okay, I’ll stop whining now. On with the good stuff. Time for the ROW80 check-in.

Goals:

1.      Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

So far I have about two thousand words written. I should be able to make it.

2.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

I did actually agree to an interview at some future date.

3.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

This one was easy and a pleasure to do. Succeeded here!

Okay, I know I’m not the only one who is disappointed with their insurance company. Care to share, folks? Should we start a support group?

The Dreaded Cold

Hi folks, not a lot to report this Sunday. I came down with a brutal cold this week so I've been doing a lot of this:

Instead of this:

In truth I've been napping more than anything. I so rarely ever get sick that I take it personally when I do. I know all too well that the only cure for a cold is time and toddies. Time will cure the cold and the toddies will help you pass the time.

I did, however, manage to meet my weekly goals, so here’s my ROW80 check in.

Goals: 

1. Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

Got it done, just. I am right on track here.

   2.  Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

Didn’t get a request this time. (sad! Lonely! Feeling unloved!) tee hee

   3. Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

Actually managing three or four per day so far. There are so many great blogs out there I could spend hours every day reading them and never get bored.

So, that’s it for me folks. Let me know how you’re doing; I do love hearing from you. Talk to the old sicko.

Interview

Hey folks, it’s time for the Wednesday check-in at ROW80. 

First let me tell you that I am all excited. Today I am being interview by the lovely and talented Alberta Ross. You can see the interview here: 

http://albertaross.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/prudence-macleod-being-interviewed-on-the-red-carpet/#comment-1082

Check it out and learn all sorts of stuff about me. Alberta really digs in to see what makes a writer tick.

Okay, on with the check-in.

Goals:

1.      Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

I’ve managed 2K so far this week, so I shouldn’t have any trouble keeping up with this one.

2.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

Agreed to be interviewed by the University paper. Very cool.

3.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

This I did manage to do with ease. Reading blogs is fun.

Okay folks, so tell me how you’re doing? Are you reaching your goals? Have you had to re-evaluate any? Are you seriously kicking butt? Come on, share with Mamma Bear. Oh, and don’t forget to visit my interview and leave a comment for Alberta.

Re-Boot

Hi folks, it is time for the ROW80 check-in again. This past week has been slow for the writing. Why? Well, let me show you. The weather has been spectacular so there has been much dog walking and Prudence dawdling around the island. It is hard to focus on the computer when it looks like this outside. Take a look!

Okay, time to report in. I did manage to get a few words written, so it isn’t all bad.

Goals:

1.      Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

I did manage to catch up here, barely. MS now stands at 10K words.

2.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

I accepted a request for an interview from the University paper. (Go me!)

3.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

This I did do.

Actually, poking around in the sunshine helped me relax and reset my mind. I now feel like I’m back on track again. I am fortunate to live in a place where this is right outside my door. So tell me, how do you folks get your mind and focus to re-boot?

Don’t forget, I’m always up for an interview.

Fail!

This past few days have been the days you don’t really want to face up to. Nothing really bad happened; it’s just that it is hard to admit that nothing really useful got done. I had to make several trips across to the city for unforeseen errands, spent way too much money, and accomplished nothing that I really wanted to. I spent way too much time here:

And not nearly enough time here:

So now I’ll fess up with the official ROW80 check-in:

Goals:

1.      Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

Complete fail here; not a word written. I will have to play catch up for the rest of the week to stay on track.

2.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

I did actually agree to an interview at some future date.  Could be fun for sure.

3.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

This I did manage to do. Reading blogs is fun and about all I managed so far this week.

So tell me, folks, how do you get your head back into the game after a few days where it all goes sideways? Any special techniques?

Don’t forget, I’m always up for an interview.

Fire!

It is a cold day today, the wind howling down out of the northwest chilling the air to near freezing. Like a fool, since the sun is shining, I took the dogs out for a walk. Two things became instantly apparent. One, all the cold weather clothes are still in storage. Two, I still haven’t replaced that fall windbreaker I lost last year.

However, all is not lost, good friends, for the wood burning stove installation has been completed. Observe the supervisor awaiting the first fire.

Here’s the fire keeping the house warm and cosy. I’m all warmed up with a mug of hot coffee in hand, so all is well in our world.

Now to the ROW80 progress report.

Goals: 

Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

5500 words written this week. I am right on track here.

1.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

Didn’t get a request this time. (Still sad! Lonely! Feeling unloved!) tee hee

2.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

Actually managing three or four per day so far. There are so many great blogs out there I could spend hours every day reading them and never get bored.

So, let me know how you’re doing folks. Are you reaching your goals or is life getting in the way as it so often does?

Changes

Well, it is Check-in time with ROW80 once again.  This is both an exciting time for me and a hard time for me. It is always hard to practice what you preach, but that’s what I have been up to lately. I will explain.

In recent months sales of my books have been slowly falling off. That is not so unexpected; it happens to every book and every writer. The thing is, as writers, we always question what we’re doing. “Why don’t they love me anymore?” we wail. “What am I doing wrong?” “Why have the gods of book sales abandoned me?”  These are the questions we wail to the Universe.

However, I have always said, “If you aren't getting the answers you need, ask a different question.” So I did. I contacted one of my more avid readers and asked her what was going on. That sparked a very enlightening conversation which gave me new insights, changed my focus, and got me excited about writing again. The results? I’m going back to my roots, writing what I started writing many years ago. I pushed a 46K manuscript to the back burner and started a brand new book. I’m having fun once again.

Goals:

1.      Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

3500 words written this week so far. I am right on track here.

2.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

Didn’t get a request this time. (sad! Lonely! Feeling unloved!) tee hee

3.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

Actually managing three or four per day so far. There are so many great blogs out there I could spend hours every day reading them and never get bored.

Okay, that’s it for me today folks. So tell me, fellow writers, have you ever dropped a WIP after months of work just to start off in a new direction? How did that work out for you?

ROW80 Check-in

Hi folks, it’s time for the ROW80 check in, but first I want to share with you a fan letter I got the other day. This one made my day, and reminded me of why I do what I do. So here it is.

“Good Morning!

   

            At least it's morning here in Maryland.  I've written you before to say how much I've enjoyed your books but I just felt that I needed to write you again to tell you how much I truly enjoy your stories.  I first came across your books in March of this year.  Not so long ago really but it seems like a long time as your characters have become well known friends that I keep going back to time and again.  I just finished reading the St. John's series this past week.

            I purchased "At Loose Ends" first and the very next day I picked up "Deliberate Love."  The day after that I grabbed "Return from Exile & Arctic Gale."  Two days after that I picked up "The Ghost Piper" (that I only just recently read), "A Time for Hope" and "Wildflower."  Your characters grabbed me and pulled me into their lives and loves, their joys and their pain and it was a roller coaster ride of emotions.  I have laughed, cried and even gotten angry wanting to slap some of those people up beside their heads for their bigoted attitudes and lack of tolerance. 

            I've come to consider your books as my "feel good" books.  Any time I want to experience the joy, happiness and wonderful emotions of people loving and caring for each other I head back to your books and begin to read.  I love the characters, their strength of character and their outlook on life.  I love their stories and can read them over and over and not get tired of them.  I know I've read the "St. John's" series at least 4 times.  Calan, Angela, Moira, the Twins ... Even Gudrun are wonderful characters and they always succeed in making me smile. 

            Since I first picked up the first book, At Loose Ends, which has become one of my favorites, I've purchased 19 of your stories.  The last few being "Phoenix," "Arranged Marriage," and "Fortunate Fire."  Each one making me want to stretch a bit more and see what else you've done.  I can honestly say I've enjoyed them all (some more than others *S*).  I haven't gotten into your Sci-Fi stories much as yet but eventually I know I'll get them too. 

               "Shelly's Turn" and "A Simple Twist of Fate" are also two of my favorites.  The characters seem to come alive and their stories reach out and touch your heart and mind.  I've read each book I have at least twice and some many more than that.  All of them a joy to read. 

            I read a wide variety of books, from Westerns (Louis L'Amour, Zane Grey, Max Brand) to Science Fiction/Fantasy (Anne McCaffrey, David Weber, Andre Norton, Isaac Asimov, Poul Anderson, Philip Jose Farmer, Fred Saberhagen), Romance (Robyn Carr, Nora Roberts), Paranormal Romance (Amanda Ashley, Lara Adrian, J. R Ward, Lynsay Sands, Kerrilyn Sparks, Stephanie Meyers).  I also like Patricia Briggs, Jeaniene Frost, Michalle Sagara, Elizabeth Moon, Georgia Beers, R. E. Bradshaw, Kim Baldwin, Dana Marie Bell, Gerri Hill, Barrett, Leah Braemel, Julie Cannon, Carrie Carr, Cherise Sinclair, Kate Sweeney and many, many others.  I read all the time and I like going back and reading favorite stories over and over again. 

            Again, thank you for sharing your stories and for providing me with many many hours of enjoyment.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of your stories and being introduced to many more interesting and wonderful characters.

Respectfully,

Skip”

Goals:

1.      Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

I managed quite well here. WIP now stands at 45K+ words.

2.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me! I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

Got this one. Accepted an invitation to trade interviews.

3.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

Exceeded this easily. There are some great blogs out there.

Well, that’s it for me this time folks. If I manage to accomplish all the non-writerly things I have on my plate I may add a few more, but for now, this is it.  I wish you all great success with your goals and if I can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask. Don’t forget, if you want to do an author interview I have to accept. Tee hee

Knitting While You Wait

What’s one of the drawbacks of living on a small island? One that really bothers most folks is waiting for the boats. If there’s a lot of traffic (e.g. hockey tournament) you might have to wait for another boat. I will admit it could be frustrating. Most folks spend their time staring at their phones or chatting with the other travelers.

Me, I usually have a notebook and write, or read from my e-reader, but sometimes I knit. Winter is coming on and I’m at the age where my joints don’t really like the damp weather. 

Solution? Wool! So lately I've been knitting something to get this writer through the winter in fine style. Finger-less mitts of pure soft wool; very much in style and super warm and friendly.

So what do you folks do when you are waiting at the doctor’s office, the train station, airport, or wherever else you are stuck for a while?  Come on, talk to me folks, share with Mamma MacLeod.

Making Progress

Hi folks, here we are in October already. I don’t know about you, but I seem to have lost September somewhere.  Anyway, it is time for a progress report, both on life in general and on ROW80.

First the preparations for winter; the wood stove installation is nearly complete. We are at the stage where we can actually have a fire in it if we choose to do so; just a bit of finishing work to go.

RWO80!

 I have to tell you folks, this group is what keeps me going. Over the past month or so I had lots to do and could easily have let the writing slide completely. It was that nagging thought that I had to check in to RWO80 twice a week that made me find the time to get a bit of writing done. This week is no exception.

Goals:

1.      Write 5000 words per week until first draft of WIP is complete.

The week is young and already I have managed 3000 words. I have great expectations this week.

2.      Accept more requests for interviews. (Currently I only do about one in five. Bad me!

I’m told I need to open up and get over my shyness.)

Okay, I’m ready folks. If you want an interview, I’m ready. Oh, if you would like to be interviewed, drop me a line and we’ll do it. It might be more fun to be the interviewer. Tee hee

3.      Read and comment on at least one blog per day.

I love reading blogs and am always on the lookout for something new. This one was easy and I may have set the bar a bit low here. Ah well, it was a success and I’ll take it.

So that’s it for my check in folks. Let me know how you’re doing and we can cheer each other on.  See you again on Sunday!

Oh, don't forget the interview thing, you -me or me-you. Could be a lot of fun!

Pet Peeve

I have a new fan. My new fan has purchased and returned eighteen of my books over the past five weeks. How do I know this? I watch the numbers on Amazon’s Author Central. I rarely have a return, but I started seeing them in late August. First one book and then another; one every few days.  Of all these returns, not a single book has had more than one return. Therefore I conclude someone is buying a book, returning it, and then buying the next. I expect to see him/her work through all thirty two I have published.

So, my dear new fan, I am pleased that you are enjoying my work, for there are many years worth of effort gone into those you have read and returned. I hope you tell your friends about how great they are, I hope they buy them for themselves (since they cannot borrow your copies), and I hope they have the decency to keep them once they have read them.

Oh, just in case you’re interested, here’s one you missed. I think it is one of my better works. Just follow the link.

 http://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Corelian-Guard-Series-ebook/dp/B008ZHNVW4/ref=la_B0079XOY8U_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1349202910&sr=1-7

So, here’s the thing. I have a big problem with Amazon’s return policy. That’s what the free pages are all about. You have a chance to read some of the book for free then you decide to buy or not to buy. If you go to a restaurant and eat the meal, do you suddenly get a refund? If you walk out after the movie is over do you get your money back?

Talk to me folks, am I wrong here? Am I out of line with this? It’s not the money so much as it is the theft of my work that bothers me. What do you think?