ff The Cottage of Blog: December 2005

Saturday, December 31, 2005

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Yes, that's right. I'm going to finally see "Pride and Prejudice." Although having heard glorious things about this production I can't see how it can be more wonderful than the A and E version which took 6 hours to run. We'll see. I'm excited.

Goals for 2006:

1. Finish draft of WIP by Jan 31st.
2. Finish all editing and have query ready by June 1st. or go to RWA conference and pitch to agent or editor.
3. Start preliminaries on a new WIP and finish first draft by Sept 1st. Use Vogler's Writer's Journey, character prototypes and general block form, using sections of Evan Marshall, prepare a character scrapbook which includes photos of characters, clothing and settings.
4. Read all study novels as due for workshop.
5. Read other genres ie gothic, horror, general mystery (Dame Agatha again?) light romantic comedy, historicals and ????
6. work on tightening text, MRUnits, decrease author intrusions, tightening point of view, and using less of: was, were, that, only, just, that, and a few others I can't think of right now.

Take care all and have a safe and prosperous New Year.
From The Cottage of Blog

posted by Unknown at 11:06 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Correction from The Cottage of Blog

Did I mention that I was not correcting the last chapters of "Interview with a Vampire," a work that needs no revions or corrections of any kind, but my very own Work in progross (known as WIP) a novel that does need all the help I and my creator can give it.

Cheers. Wish I had some right now. Hot buttered rum? Hot toddy? Glog? Tea laced with rum? Okay, okay. I am feeling a bit sorry for myself this morning and not unlike Camille. (not the vampire, the 19th century courtesan)

Pat

posted by Unknown at 11:43 AM 0 comments

A rainy and feeling punky day from The Cottage of Blog

Wicked Women Reading: "The Cottage of Blog

Just a quick note from The Cottage of Blog where the coffee is brewing, eggs are sizzling, toast toasting and bacon is -- well, its' turkey bacon, not the same thing. Not the same thing at all.

I'm feeling punky today. The weather isn't helping. Rainy. Lousy. Miserable day. Cold and damp. Any more negative adjectives you can think of that I haven't? A good day for "Interview with the Vampire." Yes. A perfect read for a perfect day.

Will try to rewrite the end sections today. I had already written a most 'brilliant' ending. But, sad to say, it didn't fit. I need a more wrapped up into the total picture ending. I you know what I mean.

Take care. Did I mention, I'm feeling punky today? Slept in until 10 am this morning. A real unusual occurrance.

Cheers. Happy reading, writing and blogging from the Cottage of Blog and

Pat

posted by Unknown at 11:29 AM 0 comments

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Ghost writers at The Cottage of Blog



My ghost writers wish all of you happy holidays from The Cottage of Blog.

Now to go indulge in some Anne Rice and Vampire Lestat.

Cheers and Merry Christmas

Pat

posted by Unknown at 8:02 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Sad tidings and other stuff from The Cottage of Blog



Finally. A computer that works. This is the first image I've been able to post in a while. The photo is a scene from my WIP. The lake where some wonderful things happen and some downright awful things happen. I do love lakes as setting--as I do the mountains, cabins, state parks and horse farms. Wonder what that is saying about me?

I managed 5 pages yesterday and 5 pages today. I'm on sections 22, 23, 24. How does one explode a boat without blowing up the people inside? Darned if I know. Just another thing.

In case anyone wants to know, I've just switched to high speed internet with Comcast.
By the end of January, AOL will be history. Sorry, AOL, you just aren't keeping up.
Now I will have my cable, telephone and internet all on one bill. One price. Each month.

christmas is upon us. I'm not feeling much like celebration--except the celebration of a life. My mother passed away on Sunday. I'm sure anyone who reads this blog has had someone close to them die. It's not like any experience you could ever imagine.
Even though I live halfway across the country. Maybe because I live halfway across the country. Don't know. Just know, the depression from the aftermath is something I don't ever feel like experiencing again. Really.

I'm going back to my writing and researching boating accidents. fun huh?

Cheers

Pat

posted by Unknown at 2:56 PM 3 comments

Friday, December 16, 2005

Oh dear what can the matter be? I've lost my blog. The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Just wrote a great thank you to everyone who's beein an influence in my writing life this year and managed to lose it.

Darn.

Will try again tonight.

Cheers

Pat

posted by Unknown at 6:00 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Wynoton Marsalis, School, Write Way software-The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from The Cottage of Blog.

I'm groggy this morning. it's 6 a.m. and school is shouting my name. I can hear it all the way from Chicago. (groan)

Today we watch Wynton Marsalis demonstrate the principals of rhythm with demonstrations of Nutcracker both in the original and the jazz version (Duke Ellington) amazing. Simply amazing how that comes out. The students have to re-inforce the words: meter, measure, rhythm, beat, tempo, dynamics, and two others I can't think of at 6 am. I want them to tell me the answers in HIS words. They've already heard mine. LOL

Writing: Back to the committment. Read Marshall Chapter 18 (action modes) and write a review. That should ease me back. It's been over a week and I really am antsy to get back to work. Can't stand not writing. Life simply gets in the way sometimes.

There's a software program for writers called "Write Way." I'd vaguely heard of it. Of course, it doesn't write your story for you, but does practically everything else. I mean it helps you stay organized. I might just go for it. Been wondering if anyone else has worked with it.

Take care

Pat

posted by Unknown at 6:08 AM 1 comments

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Saturday morning and the aftermath of the Dell Boxes: The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

It's kind of like Christmas without the clean-up. Dell boxes everywhere. Not tossed, just in case.

Bad news. They didn't send me the lock cable. Good news (or other bad news depending on how you look at it.) They sent me a computer back pack. If anyone can tell me how that can be advantages vs a regular case with shoulder strap, please, please do.
I can't. Paranoid me. Someone could easily push up behind you and steal stuff out of the back pack. It's cumbersome, might hurt your back. Fortunately, it's light.

Speaking of light. It's not quite as light as I'd hoped. Beautiful though.
I'm trying to figure out a way to brighten up the screen a bit. Found the resolution was already way up to high. The desktop is much more readable. But, I've never had a desk top that didn't have font that wasn't higher than about 8 (even though it claims to be on 10)

I'm not knocking my Dell. You know, for such a little machine (in the course of all things relative) it has a pretty big sound system. Very nice. Just wish the screen was a bit more brilliant. But--I did notice the plug had come out and others have said when working on batteries, the screen is duller than when plugged in. Will try again this morning.

It's grade time again. Papers will be graded this morning, if I have to glue myself to my chair. Then all grades must be entered into my new GradeKeeper. (did I mention that last night?) probably did. Won't go into it again.

Hopefully this afternoon, writing, writing, writing. And analyzing a book by Mallory Kane. Bodyguard Husband. If anyone hasn't read it, do so. It's a good old fashion someone stalking heroine, heroine force to marry (legitimatel) an FBI agent hired to protect her. Yes, her daddy's the local chief of police. Set up is bloody brilliant. You know exactly what the books about in the prologue--a letter from the killer (stalker) to his fantasy "heroine." No way could I put the book down after that.

Cheers

Pat

posted by Unknown at 9:13 AM 0 comments

Friday, December 09, 2005

The Lap Top Cometh from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

My computer arrived this afternoon. Poor Bruce spent all day waiting for it, while I was at schoo. Wouldn't you know the UPS truck arrived about 10 minutes after I arrived home. At least it arrived today. I wouldn't have wanted to make arrangements again.

I just wish--really wish--companies etc. could at least give you an approximate time of arrival. Like between 9 and 12 or 1 and 5 or something like that. Some do. Other's, like UPS don't.

It's a big larger than I remember. When I saw it in the store, it called my name. Working it was fun. But, I didn't get to carry it around much. The computer weighs 6.5 pounds, or something like that. It has a 15.4 inch screen, which I love, but the resolution is a bit duller than I'd like and the print (probably in all laptops) is too small. I'll have to figure out how to change to font to something a bit larger.

I didn't realize the new XP's are compartmentalized like the old NT's. One of my former schools provided us with Gateway NT. I didn't much like it and had someone come and restructure the harddrive. We'll see with this one. As I said, it's really lovely.

It's freezing in the land of blog today. The snow wasn't that heavy. We got about 6 inches. But the drive home last night was horrid. Drive home tonight was sbetter, but still not wonderful. (what drive home from work ever is?)

School: Progress reports go in on Tuesday, so much of my weekend will be dedicated to grading last minute papers (I really should allow that) and transferring the grades into my new computer software program "Gradekeeper." It's a great program, if anyone out there is a teacher and wants a good grade software program.

Writing: I'm resolved to write another two scenes this weekend. Where I left off, Annie had just met some of the ladies of Nager, one with a major crush on what will turn out to be, Annie's love interest. (although neither one of them know it at this point--in fact, they really don't like each other) Annie sticks up for a waitress who was being harrassed by a busboy. Her character seems to be evolving as a sort of crusader--nurturer. She can't stand to see other's belittled or harrassed without sticking up for them. Maybe it's her background. She's been abused, so she can't stand to see others treated that way. I think she may be beoming a real person.

I'm heading for bed right now.

So, saying good night from The Cottage of Blog.

Pat

posted by Unknown at 11:04 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Snow Storm coming from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Did I mention I'd like to live somewhere warm? (well, maybe not always) I'm on the heels of a snowstorm. I would dearly love to get to school before it hits.

So, this will be short. I've made a writing decision. I was looking for my voice and my genre, and I've found it. Actually, it was never lost.I've been reading H/S for years and have been writing with that in mind for years. My stories always start with that in mind, but usually go off track and become something else. Now, I'm committed.

Thank you Janie for sitting on me and letting me convince myself for once and for all where I belong. It's a load off.

Gotta go. Want to get to school early.

Pat

posted by Unknown at 5:42 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Just a real quick note. I'm running late this morning.

I've started back to the beginning of the WIP to start correcting what I've already written and to make sure all the sections are in the right place. I know there are some displaced sections and a couple of scenes I may or may not want to re-include after dropping them.
A couple of scenes can be stricken, never to see the light of cay again. LOL

I'm determined to finish Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat. I put it down and couldn't ( not by choice) pick it back up, although I carry it wherever I go.

Down to business and finishing it.

Take care. I'm off to school to find a worksheet -- No idea where the thing is.

Cheers

Pat

posted by Unknown at 6:39 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from the Cottage of Blog.

Well, it's test day today. 200 point exam. I'm wondering how many kids will show up. that's always the question, isn't it?When I was going to school we didn't DARE cut classes. It was almost unheard of. I did once. The teacher layed such a guilt trip on me--well, that's another story. And of course, a boy was involved. (tee hee)

Yesterday in my WIP (work in progress for those of you who don't know) I characterized the villain of the piece. I've made him more human more pitiable--and hopefully, frightening. A man descending into obsession and madness. I hope I can bring that to life on the page. A kind of "If I can't have you, nobody can."

The heroine's essentials haven't changed much. She's still the same, but as I draft, I'm trying to give her more background. I must be seeped in the tradition of fragile, helpless heroines, because that's how I always want to portray them. So I do. They all change gradually throughout the rewrites.

Well, it is definitely time for me to go and work for at least a half hour before getting ready for school. Maybe I can get in 15 minutes of blog and email time, half and hour of writing in the morning and about 1.5 - 2 hours at night. That would be a blessing.

Unless I want to stay a rank amateur forever.

Cheers

Pat

posted by Unknown at 6:06 AM 0 comments

Monday, December 05, 2005

Monday morning blues

Good morning from The Cottage of Blog.

No, I admit it. I do not want to go to work (school) today. There it is. That's my particular whine for the morning. I have to go. I'll go. Simple as that. I just don't want to.

Still a bunch of papers are ungraded. Today the students will be taking notes for the test they'll take tomorrow. Yes, it's exam time and "progress report" grades come out next week. Every five weeks my kids panic and make my, and all other teachers, life miserable demanding to know what their grades are, what they can make up, why not, and I must have lost their assignments. Oh dear. How exhausting.

Character archs and h/h opposition. Okay, so in the romance genre the h/h must be in opposition. It so happens in my WIP, they are from the first moment they meet. He hates her for recommending he be given a two week leave of absence from his job, she despises him for his hostility and making her first assignment a living hell. (she also doesn't respect the way he lives and he doesn't particularly like the fact she lives among prostiutes. (that must mena she is one?) But, all that is another issue. Then, of course, there's the little episode of the motel later on. They both have reason to hate each other even more. Then it escalates. He's forced to protect her on that two week "leave of absence." How humiliating.

I tried to give them good reason to dislike each other and plenty of room for them to come to appreciate each other's gifts and inner warmth and caring. He--who never knew he had it in him and her who always had it, but was too afraid to show it.

So there it is. My character opposition. I've put it in my character sketch. I'm going over it again before I go to work. It will give me some time to mull over changes during the day.

I'm not lingering. Gotta go do some work before I put myself up into the "front line" of battle.

Cheers.

Pat

posted by Unknown at 5:44 AM 0 comments

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Playing Catch UP from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning. Back to The Cottage of Blog where I'm having fresh coffee and juice and -- oh the heck with it. You don't want to know what I'm eating.

I've just gone through a week's worth of computer shopping and trying to grade two chapters from 150 kids, that (ideally speaking) would be about 300 papers. Fortunately for me, unfortunately for them, the amount wasn't nearly that. Now, one test to measure their knowledge in four chapters (yeah, yeah, it will be an open book test, although it shouldn't be) but it is four chapters and who around here has ever heard of Peking Opera or the INdian Tintal rhythm cycles? Some of my kids don't even know the great art form of jazz began in New Orleans. I certainly hope they know that now.

I'm trying to work out Mark and Annie's relationship. So, the week hasn't been a complete bust. He hates her to begin with, she grows to dislike him because of his pompous and abrasive approach to her, women and life in general. Then he does something so completely kind and on the other hand does it with such lack of grace, she can't make out what to think.

Yes, I think that's working. And, I haven't given away any state secrets. It's the pattern of over half the romances I've read. In fact, it seems to be a required element of the genre. To follow the new heroine trends, my heroine is feisty, willing to take on all comers, even in the face of ultimate peril. Okay. Check done.

Is there character growth? Yes, I think so. He learns what's been lacking in his life and why he acts so shitty. She learns that love comes in all sorts of packages, and that some types of love are not so positive. Especially, when that type of love kills the loved one.

So, have I given too much of my plot away? I don't think so. But, I'm glad to have had a forum to "talk it out" so to speak.

So, how many of you out there with a desk top and lap top use the desk top for home and the lap top exclusively on the road? Or, has you laptop become your main computer? It would be interesting to know.

Now, back to writing a two-unit test for my high school music class.

Cheers

Pat

posted by Unknown at 9:18 AM 1 comments

Saturday, December 03, 2005

BUSY but stagnant--The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Busy but stagnant? How can that be?

Well, stagnant in terms of reading and writing. I got the computer bug, realized I really needed one to transfer back and forth to schoo etc. It took me approximately one week of evening hours to compare online, in stores with friends and relatives and finally (yeah) I made a decision. And the decision cost me a great deal more than my price range. So why and what did I get?

I got a Dell Dimension 6000--upgrades: Microsoft teacher edition with all the MS bells and whistles, upgraded battery to 9 lithium (rather than 6) plus on extra to carry just in case, 80 g hardrive from 60. A cable lock for security and some other stuff I can't remember at the moment. Whew! It should arrive around December 12th or so.

Okay, okay. So, I wanted a smaller one (the 600 perfect size) but when I went to the Dell Direct store last night, the 6000 called me home and the 600 wasn't running. What can I say?

Then, this morning, I called Dell about the teacher discount and found out I had a lot more rebates and discounts than that. In all I saved 135 dollars and upgraded the "free" printer from a ho hum to a 3 in one. So, the bad thing is I have to buy my cartridges directly from dell. Bother. Maybe someone can get me some for Christmas.

This weekend: Enter grades into computer, finish grading papers (wrong MR unit there--grading papers comes first, then entering into computer) Party for our mental health patients tomorrow.
fix stopped up sink, shopping, laundry (what a boring blog) and maybe, just maybe, get back to WRITING! So much to catch up with.

So, why am I writing this? I'm outta here.

From The Cottage of Blog

Pat

posted by Unknown at 12:53 PM 0 comments

Friday, December 02, 2005

School, unloaded photos, writing and laptop from The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from "The Cottage of Blog."

I've tried to upload an image--but--since I managed to mess up My Pictures program (which seems to have disappeared) I haven't been very successful posting photos to this blog. ONe of these days, I'll have to get this taken care of (just like the laptop, my stopped up bathroom sink and grooming all my dogs to perfection)

Yesterday was a harrowing day. Because of an inch of snowfall, it took my 2.5 hours to get to school. I completely missed my first period class, someone pulled the fire alarm (again) and we were outside during 8th period (again) and I couldn't get anyone to settle down for the life of me.

And, yesterday was a day of criticisms. Or a day of kids trying to sweettalk -- no whine to get out of their assignments. (ah, shades of my own school days) Well, I supposed I'd rather be sweetalked than sworn out. (yes, that happened too) heaven forbid anyone should actually have to read something or even worse, WRITE in complete sentences!

Well, Ms. "G" is sticking to her guns. Complete sentences it will be, like it or not.

So, enough of my own whining.

I will be going to my nearest Dell Direct store on the way home from school. I want to try out the Dell 6000 and Dell 600 to feel the difference in the keyboards. I've read way too many reviews on way to many computers and still haven't made a decision.
I feel a bit better when some consumers mentioned in their reviews they've been looking for months. I looked for two years for this computer desk and am glad I waited. It was well worth it.

But, the WIP has suffered the past few days. I'll have to make up for it this weekend. My routine has been seriously challenged these past few days. Last night I was so tired I watched the last part of the "Return of the King" (again) before going to bed.

Tried the upload the photo once again onto this post. Maybe it's because I downloaded it to Microsoft Word. Maybe this program doesn't recognize that for its pictures.

Oh well.

signing off the Cottage of Blog

Cheers

Pat

posted by Unknown at 5:57 AM 2 comments

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Buying a new toy; The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

It's always such fun (?) buying a new toy.

I must apologize to my writing group and specifically to my instructor. I've been playing hooky for the past two days to do research for the "perect" laptop. It was and was not a labor of love.

It was frustrating. Initially, they all look so MUCH ALIKE! Except for the display screen which comes in different sizes. My agony is 15 inch or 14 inch, but I might have mentioned that yesterday. 14 is so much lighter, 15 is so much bigger. I'm getting older. My eyesight is not what it used to be.

So, now that I've decided to go with Dell, I'm looking for ways to protect it. I've come across a company called Lojack. It's the security for cars people, only for laptops. Its software tracks the conputer, (big brother you say?) and when you report it stolen, it can retrieve it--coordinating with the police. Pretty neat. Except, do I really want my puter telling everyone where I am? Well, maybe. I'm really pretty boring.

There are also "smart" cards (that can be stolen along wiht the computer, security cable locks (yes, I really intend to get one of those) and something else, which I forget at the moment.

The Dell Inspiron comes with Microsoft works (including word) bundled into the system. That's a first. Most come only with works and a light version at that. Word you have to pay extra for.

No microphone (acer had one) built in. But, I've been told there's software for writers where the macine will read what you've typed. That might be all I need.

This afternoon, after school, I intend to shop Dell Direct in Orland Park, Illinois. If anyone lives out that way and have an interet, in near the JC Penny out by the Mall. (my worst nightmare, but we won't go there)

There's also a little giszmo that makes it easier to transfer data from one 'puter to the next. I can probably do that just as fast with a flash drive. Well, maybe not as fast.

NOTE: In the new laptops, A drives are not coming standard. They're going away folks. Flash drives (and some other stuff such as CD's ) are coming in. I may be donating a whole STACK of empty A drives. I have them everywhere. growing off the ceiling, I suspect. LOL

Take care. I hope my playing hooky will be over as of this evening and I can get back to work. Maybe a novel marathon might be in order for this weekend.

Happy reading, writing and blogging from
The Cottage of Blog

Pat

posted by Unknown at 6:47 AM 0 comments