I’ve been such a dud at blogging this summer as I try to pull my To Dos into a manageable list, determine my daily and weekly priorities as Colleen M. Story suggests in her new release, Overwhelmed Writer Rescue, and set some long-term goals. After all, I’m getting older and we only have so much time to do the things we want to do in our lifetime.
I’m not ready to quit writing yet, but I do recognize my tendency to wander off from my computer and do other stuff. Like mess around a little with that ukelele I impulsively purchased online. Or read a book written by someone else. Watch television (but only at night). File a few papers. You know what I’m talking about. Stuff that leads us to that state of being overwhelmed.
Today’s post is about a few little things that have my attention this week.
First, I just found out that a wonderful book review blog and mystery publishing discussion site will be ending its online reign at the end of 2017. Hey, There’s a Dead Guy in the Living Room: Mystery publishing from idea to bookshelf is going away. I’m sorry to see that blogging team say farewell, but I wish them all well.
Second, I spent last Thursday evening through mid-day Sunday at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference in Denver and had a fantastic experience. It was double the pleasure because I missed last year and had so many old friends to see and hug. And I made many lovely new friends that I hope to see again often. I had new author photos taken (by the amazing mystery author and photographer and all-around nice guy Mark Stevens) and need to get busy replacing the pictures on all my sites and social media.
Diana Gabaldon’s keynote address Friday evening was so entertaining I keep replaying her words in my mind.
And I ate CAKE! It was a delightful and sinful violation of my “no added sugar” diet — I’m happy to say I’m back on target now…but that CAKE was really good. All three pieces!!!!
Because I’m a fan of certain “reality” shows (Big Brother, Survivor, and Amazing Race), I must mention that the summer fun of Big Brother will expand into a winter experience this year: Celebrity Big Brother. Can’t wait to see who will be on!
And American Idol is coming back, this time on ABC. I love that one too. The other stuff I watch: Broncos football, Grey’s Anatomy, and Blue Bloods. There are some other things I’ll watch if they don’t interfere with my favorites, but mostly I want mindless entertainment when I’m too tired to read or write. Finding mindless entertainment on television is very easy, isn’t it?
Before I wander off to work on other stuff, let me remind you that there are Goodreads giveaways still active for (advance review copies of) Wishing Caswell Dead by me (now through Oct. 6) and (newly released) Colleen M. Story’s Overwhelmed Writer Rescue (this one ends tomorrow Sept. 13th–HURRY!!!)
Unfortunately there are just as many things online to distract us as offline – maybe more. Focus is key!
Glad you were inspired by the conference.
I am a Big Brother junkie, but in the UK we’ve had the celeb version for as long as the regular version – 17 years!
Hi Nick, and welcome to the blog. New dystopian novels always land on my my TBR list — and I read a lot of YA as well (actually, I read a lot of everything as long as it doesn’t interfere with Big Brother and Survivor). Good luck with the trilogy.
I usually wander off from my computer to avoid writing, much the same way I used to wander off from my school homework. I agree, there’s always lots of stuff to do around the house, which I conveniently blame for my writing inertia.
You belong to a very large tribe of writerly procrastinators, Prashant. I consider myself a master of the art, but I’m trying my best to reform. I’d like to finish another book or two before I’m too old and creaky to type. 😀
Patricia, I look forward to reading your books.
Thanks, Prashant!
Big fan of Survivor and The Amazing Race! I also enjoy Top Chef and Project Runway, which is on now. I often find it funny how much I enjoy shows that I would never in a million years try out for. 🙂
Hi Madeline! I’ve been watching Master Chef this summer, and I sometimes watch Hell’s Kitchen later on. I think it’s the people and their interactions that attract us because those dynamics pique our interest as we develop story characters. Imagine being locked in a house with a bunch of cranky, competitive folks eager to knock you out of the game as soon as possible. I also love analyzing the big game mistakes players make. It’s fun, even when the producers have edited the heck out of the scenes.
You are never a dud, Pat. You are just expanding your ukulele skills.
YOU are ALWAYS fabulous regardless of what you do.
LOL — expanding from zero is easy, right?
Hi Susie! It was great to see you at Colorado Gold. And thanks for the sweet words. I think you’re pretty fabulous too.
That’s sad when a site like that goes down.
I think I entered the giveaway, but let me check.
You probably already entered, Diane. I repeat myself a lot. 😀
It’s great to see you, Pat. And it sounds as though you had a great time at the conference, which is good to hear. Conferences can be such great ways to get the mojo going. So can cake. 😉
Yes, Margot, my mojo was dragging the ground. It’s a lot peppier now!
Thanks so much for the shout-out, Pat, and like I mentioned, I want to hear the ukelele! :O) I play at the accordion a bit…maybe a duet??
That would be fun, Colleen, as soon as I figure out what I’m doing with this uke. Piano seemed a lot easier…but maybe that’s because I was a lot younger when I took those lessons.
Sometimes other stuff is more important. Or more fun. I can relate to a lack of motivation to write.
America’s Got Talent ends soon. Who will win…?
I don’t know, Alex — I ended up dropping the series off my recordings a couple of weeks ago because I was watching too many programs. I did have a couple of favorites (like the young ventriloquist) but don’t know if they’re even still in the running.