Year End!

Eleven days and counting until the cast comes off. I know it could be a lot worse, but I am not a good patient!

The good news is, I have to sit down and GASP! Work on my books!

Also good news is we were spared by the tornado's that ravaged Texas! However, the rain is unbelievable and our back yard is under water!

I have to laugh at the weather woman we always watch. Dallas has had over 60 inches of rain this year. As tall as a five foot person. And we're not done yet!

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Years!!!

Another Setback

I'm sorry to announce my manuscript, The Sin Bin, has been rejected by the second publisher.  The first editor rejected it because it wasn't Erotic or Amish genre. This publisher loved the concept but there were writing errors.

The editor gave me very good advice to correct the bad habits I've fallen into.

I have a tendency to tell rather than show situations. I also have used too many adverbs which made the manuscript way too long. Anything over 100,000 words is a flag to an editor that it's been over written.

I admit I felt crushed at first but then I felt a ray of hope. I sat down and opened up the document. Using the examples the editor had pointed out to me, I began my corrections, a paragraph at a time. Is there a more descriptive way to write this in less words? Do I really need that adverb?

It's a long tedious process, but I am determined to complete it and hopefully resubmit it.

This happened with my first book, When the Runway Went South. LazyDay told me what was wrong and I rewrote it and it was accepted. I hope this editor will do the same!

I've put my other two books aside for the moment so I can correct this one.

Things happen for a reason, I'm positive. Due to my broken ankle, I have time to sit down and complete this project.

Keeping Things in Perspective

Week two with the cast. I'm sorry I'm being such a big baby. There are people with worse problems so I must keep that in perspective!

So, on a brighter note, I've been really working on my writing! Since I can't properly work out and I can't drive, I sit at my makeshift office (the dining room and thank goodness no one is coming over for the holidays) and type away. It's quiet (with the exception of the twelve phone calls a day from telemarketers asking for the political polls) and I can concentrate.

I've done my Christmas cards and shopping, so this is perfect to get things done in the writing department.

Because of this, my daughter is exploring her culinary skills now she is responsible for making the dinner. My husband is helping out. Last week, I sent him to the grocery store and he came back with a two hundred dollar grocery bill with food that we don't usually eat.

This week, we went 'together' with my scooter and the bill was under one hundred dollars with food we do eat.

Because I can't use the stairs (because I'm a klutz), we now sit in  the same room and actually communicate with each other.

So, all in all, with the exception of a few things, this has been a positive situation!

Setback!

I don't know if you've been following, but the Saturday before Thanksgiving, I was on one of my power walks which I love to do because it's such a stress buster. Two blocks before home, I stepped on a pile of acorn nuts (we've had a ton this year) and when I came down, I slid and rolled my ankle. I didn't think much about it, thinking it was only a sprain. I could put my full weight on it and at least shuffle along. I could even wear low heels!

Come this Monday, I looked down on it and it really looked strange. It was swollen and if it was just a sprain, why wasn't it getting any better? I made an appointment with the doctor's office. I saw a Nurse Practitioner who thoroughly examined me and agreed something was not right. While having the x-ray, the tech confirmed it. My ankle was broken in two places. Here I've been walking on a broken ankle for ten days. Really?

They got me in immediately to the Orthopedic surgeon. Now, I have a non-walking cast on my right foot and will be wearing this for four weeks. I have to have an x-ray once a week to make sure it's healing properly. If not, they will re-break it and put in pins and rods. Let's pray it heals quickly.

You know, I'm an over achiever. I don't sit still for long periods of time and do everything for everyone. Do you know how hard it is to just sit here? Granted, now I have more time to write, but still. My mind is all over the board.

Oh, let me tell you about crutches? I am an exercise freak and consider myself pretty athletic. Nothing has prepared me for this. I've almost fallen more times than I can count and things you take for granted?  Showers? Sponge Baths. You can't carry things using crutches and no driving! Well.

I know it could be worse. I just read in the sports today where a Nascar driver is having surgery on his one leg and other foot. I just have to keep everything is perspective. I know.

I have my office set up downstairs in the rarely used dining room, so I can write. I pray for patience!