What an annoyance!  I opened up Broken Trails today only to discover the two scenes I’d edited weren’t saved properly.  I think they might have gone into the back up file, which I overrode with the current version of my project file upon opening.  * head palm *

Ah, well. I’d made the mistake last time of editing the wrong scene, but decided to go with it since I didn’t want to change the entire thing back again.  Now I was able to do the scene I’d wanted to do in the first place, and finish the other three.  (I also made absolutely sure that the project was saved in both the desktop project folder and the backup project folder in my documents.)

Watched the latest Stargate – Universe this morning.  Can I just say that Lou Diamond Phillips’ character is a BASTEHD!  He’s playing it well, lemme tell ya!  LOL!  I wanted to smack him on that last scene.

I think I’ll spend the next hour or so pulling data and stories from all over the place to compile in my Cyberpunk project.  After I message the twisted-sister-in-law on Facebook.  Then it’s World of Warcraft time!  WOOT!

Last week left a lot to be desired, let me tell you.  Work was weird with two crazy ladies on separate days to be evicted. My schedule was wonky due to a training meeting at the buttcrack of dawn.  All in all, this arthritic old woman has spent most of her time resting on her laurels rather than working.

That changed (for today.) I got two of the four scenes in Broken Trail altered from Lainey’s POV to Scotch’s.  I have two more to go.  Then seven more scenes to write to complete the novel.  I’m hoping to finish it by the end of this month.

I’ve also started plugging in my Cyberpunk projects into Scrivener. There are three—the CyberEpic one I wish to revise, the Japanese one I got stuck on years ago, and a Hawaiian one I started with a friend a couple of years back. That doesn’t count the two or three other plots I have in mind for my version of the genre.

Finally caught up on my television last night.  Stargate Universe and Heroes.  Saw V on Wednesday (rare that I have a Wednesday off!) and enjoyed it.  I’d hoped for a more drawn out premiere—a two hour one—but wasn’t disappointed with the flow or the characters.  This means it probably won’t last long as a series… LOL!

Received a DVD from my father yesterday. He found some old 8mm film he’d taken (and his father had taken before that,) which he’d converted.  I was able to convert it to a format I could see…  Good gods!  I wore a frilly, pink dress that Christmas? And the living room!  It wasn’t THAT small, was it? It was fun to see my dapper young grandfather and his two little boys, too.  Thanks, Dad!

Finished The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz.  Three thousand miles on foot, through Siberia, the Gobi Desert, and the Himalayas?  Whoa!  The afterword states that he never saw the men who survived the trek with him again.  I simply can’t imagine…

My next book is A. Lincoln by Ronald C. White, Jr.

I’ve finished entering the plot of Broken Trails into Scrivener, and have realized I’m not as close to completion as I’d hoped.  Instead of a couple more scenes to write, I’ve now got seven… and an additional four that can be swapped to Scotch’s POV rather than Lainey’s in order to even it out a bit.

This program is really Da Bomb!  By editing the labels for each scene, I can color code the corkboard view to show which scenes are concept (the race,) or specifically Lainey’s or Scotch’s POV.  There was a definite dearth of Scotch throughout the race itself, so I’ve done what I can to change that (hence the four changing POV scenes.)  Overseeing the entire manuscript as a set of index cards has been quite helpful on other books, too.  I’m glad I invested in the program!

Not much else going on.  Cool and rainy in these parts. Picked up my wife’s Yule gift yesterday (she’ll love it!) I think I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon plugging my Iditarod research into the Broken Trails project.

Spent today plugging Broken Trails into Scrivener, and can already see a problem.  While I wanted a lot of the focus to be on Lainey’s POV (she’s the vehicle through which the reader learns about the Iditarod,) I’ve completely skipped the majority of the race from Scotch’s POV.  Rather than expand the novel even farther than it’s already going to be, I think I’ll pick and choose the various scenes that I can, and take it from Scotch’s POV.  I’ll have to move them around some, since Scotch is ahead of Lainey in the race…

Had a blast last night on World of Warcraft (Steamwheedle Cartel.) Someone picked up an epic/elite dragon from a dungeon and somehow ported it to Ogrimmar.  While the tanks kept it occupied, about a hundred of us wailed on the thing for well over an hour.  Raised my dagger scores up almost to my max cap!  WOOT! A lot of people were able to get their unarmed combat achievement.

I think I’m going to start The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz today.  It’s about a group of prisoners escaping a Soviet labor camp in 1941.  They end up traveling hundreds of miles through Siberia, China, the Gobi Desert, and Tibet to find freedom.

Happy Birthday, Raven WOOT!

Cold’s still dragging me down.  Still not able to concentrate worth a damn.  Instead, I used today’s work time to transfer documents and research into Scrivener projects.  Wrapped up all the short stories, Slow Movin’ series, and fodder/character sketches.  Also built the technical tables for my future Freya’s Tears space adventure, and transferred what little I already have there.

I’ve still got cyberpunk, Sanguire, and fantasy novels to transfer.  In all three cases, there are multiple novels for each world.  I’m not sure if I should make each book its own project file, or put each manuscript into the world project (if you catch my drift.)  Example: I’d have one Cyberpunk project with CyberEpic, Kou Itten, and another novel I’ve played with over the years.  Or I’d have a CyberEpic project, a Kou Itten project, etc.

Found a new band—Alter Bridge.  Myles Kennedy is the lead singer (and sounds like Chris Connelly,) and the majority of the band are former Creed members.  Love ‘em!

Finished Duma Key by Stephen King.  Pretty good book.  Not sure what I’ll pick up next.  My To Be Read pile is double sized and fills up half a bookshelf…

This cold (?) is kicking my behind.  I can’t focus long enough to write; I just stare at the blank computer screen.  Nothing productive on that end.  Ugh!  Phlegm City.

Last Thursday I had a ton of errands, and the Safety Committee meeting at work, so didn’t get anything done.  Then Thursday night was poison night, so nothing on Friday.

Had a bit of a late start today. I must have been tired, cuz I slept in an hour and a half, so not as much writing done as I’d hoped.  Chapter Fifty-Six of Broken Trails is almost complete with the new scene – Lainey and Scotch bearing their souls.  Scotch’s secret is revealed, and Lainey confesses her alcoholism for the first time to anyone.  Oh, and lots of hot, monkey sex. While I didn’t actually get a whole lot written (654 words,) I’m working on a particularly emotional scene. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

Work was a freakin’ zoo!  We have about thirty rock garage bands in house for a function today in Old Town. My only saving grace is that tonight they’ll be mostly at the venues rather than drinking it up in our hotel.  I swear, I busted a party in one room and THIRTY people came out. THIRTY  It was almost like watching one of those circus clown cars… where did they PUT them all??

Whew!  What a strange few days.  Work’s been kicking my butt with all sorts of unexpected things.  Then on Sunday, I’m kicking it at home in my pajamas.  Get a call at 3pm.  It’s my boss.  Where am I?  Home…  “Guess you read the schedule wrong then.”

YEEKS! I was dressed and out the door in ten minutes!

I spent Monday and Tuesday (my real days off) getting my chi and wa back together (and kicking ass on World of Warcraft.)  Got some chores done that I’d meant to start on Sunday, as well.

Today I finished editing chapters fifty-five and six of Broken Trails for a 4878 wordcount.  Man, I can see why everyone hated me at the end.  What a let down!  Major facetree!  Where’d the rest of the story go??  To that end, I’m expanding the final scene (not the epilogue,) and will definitely have an entire chapter devoted to the Iditarod banquet.  Maybe two chapters, because Lainey has to bare her soul to Scotch as well as Ben Strauss regarding her alcoholism.

Manuscript’s total count is 128,861 at this point.  Here’s hoping my publisher will still take it!

Caught up with Stargate Universe, Heroes, and Flash Forward this weekend, too. I’m still liking all of them.

Saw a movie called ‘Saving Face.’  It’s a cool lesbian flick about two Chinese Americans dealing with falling in love, and their strict traditional community.  Very fun.  Lots of humor.

Off to do catboxes, then work.  Aloha!

Another 6470 words edited on Broken Trail.  Lainey’s almost at the finish line.  Changes here include Scotch’s Iditarod placement—she doesn’t come in third at all, it seems…  At this point, I need to write at least two more scenes for certain, both from Scotch’s POV on the trail.  I wanted to spend most of the Iditarod from Lainey’s POV —fresh eyes that the reader can connect with to view the race.  But I think I’ll insert a scene while Scotch is writing one of her love notes on the trail, and where she comes in to Nome.  Maybe a third after they have their phone conversation while Lainey’s still in White Bird.

Gina Torres is on ‘Flash Forward’??  All the more reason to watch, man!  WOOT!  I find it interesting that despite the obvious opportunities to change what they’ve seen in the future, those people who witnessed something dramatic that they might alter … don’t.  I mean, busting that fellah for drug paraphenalia would change the future, guaranteed.  But Demetrius didn’t do so.  Weird.

Still reading S.M. Stirling’s Conquistador.  It’s a book that’s interesting in concept, enjoyable in character and plot, but still easy to put down.  I’m only reading it at work for the most part…  I picked up Stephen King’s Dumas Key yesterday.  The first few pages intrigued me.  That’s next of my list.

My weekend starts tomorrow!  YAY!

Whoa!  A whopping 8276 words edited this time round on Broken Trail. WOOT!

Watched Children of Men last night.  Loved the way it was filmed.  Michael Caine’s character was a hoot!  The scene with the soldiers and the baby made me cry.  This is the second time I’ve read/seen something with this sort of premise—namely, the lack of ability for the Human race to procreate.  Childhood’s End by Sir Arthur C. Clarke has a similar bent, though not for the same reasons.  In both cases, the adults become depressed and violent. It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around the cause of their acting out, having never wanted to have children myself.

Got some new Vans!  WOOT!  No more sandals in fifty degree weather!  In a couple of months, I’ll look for a decent cold weather jacket, too.  Mine bit the dust last year.

No posting yesterday because I didn’t do any writing to note.  A friend I RPG with on a Star Trek ship moved here from California last summer.  We finally made arrangements to get together.  He now understands the Awe and Power of the Shrine, Powell’s.  (“And this,” waving to one half of a huge room, “is the science fiction section.”)  It was good to see him again, and reconnect face-to-face.  Now we need Shawn to move up here—we can get a real D&D game going!!

Broken Trails, chapters forty-one through forty-three completed today.  6151 word count.  The novel has broken the 102k mark.  Here’s hoping my publisher is willing to take it when it’s complete… With just the rest of the first draft added, it’ll top 125k.  And I’ve at least one or two more scenes to add later in the manuscript.

Got to see Stargate Universe last night.  SyFy (the idgits) won’t show a television show the night after its television airdate.  They want to wait a week and a day.  I was pretty bummed about that, but a friend (thank you, Stevie) found it on Hulu.com.  WOOT!  Anyway, I love it, of course.  Wasn’t too hot on SG:Atlantis, but SGU looks cool.  It helps that I like the actor playing Dr. Rush.  Hope he’s not a bad apple that’ll end up being killed off this season for whatever reason…

Still working on Conquistador by S.M. Stirling.  It’s good.  I especially like the fan-geek stuff he sprinkles throughout his manuscripts.  An Italian feudal style family with a priest called Father Sarducci.  LOLOL!  Is his first name Guido??

I’m off to Clackamas Towne Center and the Vans store.  I desperately need shoes now that the weather’s getting cooler!

Broken Trail, chapters thirty-eight through forty edited and tweaked for a total of 6701 words.  I’m about two thirds through the novel now.  WOOT! Total wordcount is over 95k.  It’ll break 100k, easy, with the additional chapters.

Watched the television show, Flash Forward, last night.  Still liking it.  “And then there were two…”

Finished The Lovely Bones Thursday night, and began S.M. Stirling’s Conquistador.  I’m liking it, too.

Today’s my Friday.  YAY!  I’ve got to bring our luggage back to the storage unit, buy some new shoes for the cold weather, and meet with Stevie at Powell’s!  Haven’t seen Steve since… hel, it’s been years!  He just moved up here from California last summer. I’m looking forward to the visit.

Didn’t think I’d have any today.  The wife started school yesterday, and today is a long day for her.  That meant I could get LOTS of chores done in her absence!  LOL!  Surprised the hel out of me when everything I’d wanted to get done was complete before it was time to write! WOOT!

To that end, chapters thirty and thirty-one of Broken Trail are edited for a total of 6011 words.  Still mostly mechanics of the race, edited for wording and technical aspects mostly.  Pretty soon, Lainey’s going to be hitting the emotional low point that occurs to everyone on the Iditarod.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to insert more angst and foreshadowing there.

Spent most of yesterday evening on WoW (World of Warcraft.) Tried to go through a dungeon with some friends – the Sunken Temple at Swamp of Sorrows for those interested.  Unfortunately, I realized too late that an item I needed was still in the bank rather than my pack.  Ah, well.  We’ll give it another try next week.

Hi. My name is Redhawk, and I’m a WoW addict.

Time to fold the sheets washed earlier today, and get dressed for work.

Thanks to Fran for reminding me to get a move on and update this site!  LOL!  Seems I’m a total slacker these days (which everyone here knows at this point, I think.)

The Sanguire novel is complete.  It went out on April Fool’s Day (no foolin’!) to Daw.  No word yet, but I wasn’t expecting it.  Their website states three months before a response, so I’ll wait until July before moving forward.

Edits to Iditarod are fair-to-middling.  We’ve moved into another apartment, and getting time to write has been difficult.  We’re still skirting around boxes and luggage and whatnot.  Tomorrow afternoon, the overflow goes to a storage unit (thank the gods!)  It’ll be nice to actually see the new floor, doncha know?  In any case, it’s been a little rough attempting to insert back story and alcoholism into characters that were initially trouble-free…  I will get there, though.
Work has been hectic, but what’s new?  The economy sucks, and more people are being hit hard.  It hasn’t helped that I volunteered to be the Safety Committee chair person.  I’ve been taking a lot of OSHA training courses to catch up to current regulations.  It’s been over ten years since I’ve done this job!  LOL!

Reading has taken up the rest of my time, mostly J/7 fanfic online.  Hmmm…  Can’t remember when I last picked up a book.  April?  March?  Ah, well.  I’ve about exhausted the online opportunities, anyway.   Just foolin’ around, I’ve written a first chapter to a J/7 fanfic.  We’ll see how it goes.

And recently?  Two words:  Star Trek  OMGs!  Whether or not you enjoy Trek, you really should see this flick.  Those that are into the series (especially the original) will have a great time!  Anyone who doesn’t care one way or the other will still enjoy themselves with the action packed movie.  Go.  NOW!

I’ll leave you with a snippet from that J/7 fanfic:

Tuvok studied her weary frame. He knew she’d never lie to him – though that didn’t preclude her from lying to herself. Unlike Vulcans, Humans needed to speak of their emotions with others for their continued good health. Voyager’s current circumstances didn’t allow her this opportunity. She held a rigid set of protocols when it came to command, something he had always respected regardless of her occasional brash actions. He suspected it was this inflexibility that caused her to remain aloof from the rest of the crew, and it was this emotional distance that caused her harm.

Of all the individuals aboard, he was the only one close enough to qualify as a friend. They had a long history that, while beginning on a somewhat adversarial note, had deepened into esteem and loyalty. Despite his distaste for the messy necessity of Human emotional discourse, he saw no other option than to elicit such a conversation. Over the past six years, Janeway had become more and more withdrawn. If the ship and crew were to survive their sojourn into the Delta Quadrant, they needed their captain mentally and emotionally sound.

“Kathryn.”

Her eyebrows shot up at his use of her given name. She blinked at him, biting the inside of her lower lip in what he knew as a subtle nervous gesture.

“It is 0326 hours. You are not scheduled for duty until 0800. You are in full uniform, imbibing in what I believe is your second cup of coffee.” A quick, skittish expression crossed her face. “Correction, your third.”

An unrepentant grin teased the corners of her lips. “Busted, am I?”

He drew himself up with a deep breath. “That would be an adequate term.”

I promised myself that I’d update this blog at least once a month.  I mean, why pay for a website that never gets updated? Waste of money—and with the economy in shambles, I can’t affort to let what I have leak away.

So … Happy February!  LOL!

The first Sanguire book is still in my hot little hands. I’ve been scouring it for recurring words, thereby beefing up the narrative. (At least I hope that’s the end result.) My wife has suggested that I’m procrastinating (true) because I’m afraid to send it out… Well, okay. She knows me pretty well after two decades. There might be a small iota of truth in that belief… Oh, alright, alright! I confess! I have a very wide yellow streak!

To that end, my personal deadline is the end of this month. If it’s not out by March 1st, everybody who reads this has my permission to nag, rag, cajole me, and beat me about the head and shoulders until it is in the mail.

Besides, Iditarod is beginning to burn a hole in my mind. I can’t ofer it to my publisher until it’s rewritten…

Speaking of procrastination, I’ve certainly found a lot of things to assist me in the endeavor! Singe Yule, we’ve acquired a Wii console, the Wii Fit board, and Band in a Box with Guitar Hero. Ah, bliss! We haven’t had a gaming cosole since the kids were little (read ‘fifteen plus years’!) I’ve already burned through Guitar Hero World Tour on the easy setting. The medium level is a pain! Whew. (Please blame this particular distraction on my best friend who hooked me on it last month.)

And then there’s Facebook and, by extension, Mafia Wars. Again, this isn’t entirely my fault. Certain individuals lured me there, and then stooped to addict me to the game. (Linda… Steph… uh huh.) So, that’s been a distraction, too.

Finally, there’s the Obsidian Fleet, a conglomeration of PBEM and SMS Star Trek role-playing simulations. After months of research—reading mission posts, studying ships and personnel, etc.—I’ve joined up. I’m playing a security officer on board a small vessel patrolling the Romulan Neutral Zone. I’ve only had access to their forum fo a week, but I think I made an excellent decision. My TrekGeek yearnings have been soothed, and I now have a venue to vet future characters. (The one I’ve created is one I have in mind for a future space smuggler series. By running her against other people in different situations, I can better write her in a book.)

So, that’s my month in a nutshell (no peanuts!) Hope everyone else is a little more motivated than me these days!  LOL!  I’ll try to curb my growing gaming habits.

Take care!