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I wrote only about 1,653 words yesterday. I spent a big chunk of the day buying and installing a new printer. I didn't have a printer before that, so sending out paper manuscripts was always a challenge. It involved getting it printed elsewhere. Fortunately, most of my submissions have been via email, which is much easier (and cheaper--no postage needed).
The printer is an HP Laserjet P2055DN, a fairly high volume monochrome laserjet. It's plugged into the router we use for the cable modem. Getting it connected to my wife's computer, and to the kid's computer, was easy. Just run the included installation CD under Windows. It worked like a charm.
Getting it to work with mine was a matter of considerable frustration and swearing. From everything I'd read while researching printers, I understand that getting the printer to work with linux was supposed to be a snap. And, when I finally stumbled across some instructions (on the online suse forums) that actually told me what I needed to know in clear English, it was. Prior to that I spent an hour or two trying and failing to get the computer to recognize the existence of the printer.
But in the end I succeeded, and now I have a working printer. Yay!
I feel like I've been flailing again of late. I was happy to get "Bound by Convention" off to market the other day, but now I'm struggling with what to write next. I've also let my exercise fall by the wayside, which is a mistake. It always makes me feel better physically AND mentally, but it's one of those things that the more you need it, the less you feel like doing it. I talked about that with my lovely and talented (and smart and helpful) wife on the drive to work today. We're going to brainstorm this weekend on ways I can try to keep myself more focused.
One thing I know I need to do is give myself a weekly goal. Two. Specific. Stories. One main story to write each week--and a backup story in case I stall out on the first one. Just "write a story, any story" isn't working. I need to decide what I want to write (finish if it's short enough, or begin/continue/complete as necessary if it's longer) THIS WEEK. Then do it.
In any case, I did go for a long, brisk walk this morning. And...it helped, as I knew it would. I really have to start walking or running every day. The time invested is more than made up for by being more productive afterward even if I get a later start on writing. Which, frankly, I don't really. On the days I don't run, I'm more likely to dither around before finally making myself sit down and work.
I spent an hour or two at the mall today. Went to the food court, bought lunch, then sat down at a table near one of the pillars...which has an electrical outlet on it. Plugged in the laptop and brainstormed on story ideas. I learned (again) that I need to strangle my mental editor in his crib. I keep looking at ideas and thinking, "nobody will buy into that!" when I need to remind myself that people will buy into ANYTHING if I can write it convincingly enough. It's my job to MAKE them buy it, even if only long enough to finish the story. If, later, while standing in front of the refrigerator looking for a snack, they think, "Hey...wait a minute--!" I'll have done my job.
And it's not like plenty of outlandish stories don't get printed or filmed every day! The most preposterous concept can work if you make it plausible enough, or even just interesting enough. God knows there are stories I love to read or watch that make NO BLOODY SENSE--but something about them (the characters, the dialogue, the action, something!) makes them too entertaining to ignore. I have to remember that.
Words Written Yesterday & Today: 3,778 (meh)
Words Written YTD (since May 1): 94,411
Stories in Circulation: 8
Rejections: 5
Stories Accepted: ONE!
The printer is an HP Laserjet P2055DN, a fairly high volume monochrome laserjet. It's plugged into the router we use for the cable modem. Getting it connected to my wife's computer, and to the kid's computer, was easy. Just run the included installation CD under Windows. It worked like a charm.
Getting it to work with mine was a matter of considerable frustration and swearing. From everything I'd read while researching printers, I understand that getting the printer to work with linux was supposed to be a snap. And, when I finally stumbled across some instructions (on the online suse forums) that actually told me what I needed to know in clear English, it was. Prior to that I spent an hour or two trying and failing to get the computer to recognize the existence of the printer.
But in the end I succeeded, and now I have a working printer. Yay!
I feel like I've been flailing again of late. I was happy to get "Bound by Convention" off to market the other day, but now I'm struggling with what to write next. I've also let my exercise fall by the wayside, which is a mistake. It always makes me feel better physically AND mentally, but it's one of those things that the more you need it, the less you feel like doing it. I talked about that with my lovely and talented (and smart and helpful) wife on the drive to work today. We're going to brainstorm this weekend on ways I can try to keep myself more focused.
One thing I know I need to do is give myself a weekly goal. Two. Specific. Stories. One main story to write each week--and a backup story in case I stall out on the first one. Just "write a story, any story" isn't working. I need to decide what I want to write (finish if it's short enough, or begin/continue/complete as necessary if it's longer) THIS WEEK. Then do it.
In any case, I did go for a long, brisk walk this morning. And...it helped, as I knew it would. I really have to start walking or running every day. The time invested is more than made up for by being more productive afterward even if I get a later start on writing. Which, frankly, I don't really. On the days I don't run, I'm more likely to dither around before finally making myself sit down and work.
I spent an hour or two at the mall today. Went to the food court, bought lunch, then sat down at a table near one of the pillars...which has an electrical outlet on it. Plugged in the laptop and brainstormed on story ideas. I learned (again) that I need to strangle my mental editor in his crib. I keep looking at ideas and thinking, "nobody will buy into that!" when I need to remind myself that people will buy into ANYTHING if I can write it convincingly enough. It's my job to MAKE them buy it, even if only long enough to finish the story. If, later, while standing in front of the refrigerator looking for a snack, they think, "Hey...wait a minute--!" I'll have done my job.
And it's not like plenty of outlandish stories don't get printed or filmed every day! The most preposterous concept can work if you make it plausible enough, or even just interesting enough. God knows there are stories I love to read or watch that make NO BLOODY SENSE--but something about them (the characters, the dialogue, the action, something!) makes them too entertaining to ignore. I have to remember that.
Words Written Yesterday & Today: 3,778 (meh)
Words Written YTD (since May 1): 94,411
Stories in Circulation: 8
Rejections: 5
Stories Accepted: ONE!
