Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Tuesday Monday Meeting: Waiting on Snow


We're waiting on snow. I have to admit--I no longer (if I ever did) believe the newscasters. They hype up a storm, and then only a few flakes fall. Our last snow storm produced about 9 inches, when we were promised twice that. I just heard an anchorwoman say that tomorrow's snow will "rage". That it will "cripple" us. Maybe they need to revise their story. Pick their words more carefully. Seriously.

Speaking of revision--I'm finally back to it. I owe $4 for my charity over the last 10 days. When that number starting creeping up this weekend, I decided enough was enough. So yesterday, I opened up my MG work-in-revision, and realized that I hadn't actually revised since July. July! Too long. Time away was good for me, and I needed the creative breath of fresh air of starting two new novels. But really. So, I jumped in, and realized (again!) that I like this novel. I'm ploughing through eight inch snow drifts of novel.

Thanks for all the great questions and comments on Terry Lynn's Friday Feature! Terry and I consulted an unbiased third party, who proclaimed Natalie the winner of a copy of Dogsled Dreams!  Natalie's comment:
Thanks for the great interview Heather and Terry. I mostly read fantasy but I can't wait to read Terry's book. And here's why: her blog. I follow it and really encourage everyone to. She shares her amazing adventures in the Canadian wilderness. It's all stuff I would never be brave enough to experience but it's wonderful to see her gorgeous pictures and read her stories. I know her book will be another way to experience the adventure.
Good luck Terry. You answered my question about how you started out the dogsledding. And your experiences with your agent and publishing in general have been helpful. Good luck!

All the comments and questions were wonderful, as usual. It was hard to pick a winner. Natalie--email me your address, and I'll send out the book!

I'll close with a batch of inspiration, for anyone waiting on a storm, whether in writing, or real life. Check out Christine's take on Resolution 2011. How awesome is that? And, I love this idea that if it won't fit on a post-it, it won't fit in your day. And, Kris shares an inspirational video, organizes a real life get-together for writers in Massachusetts, and shares her recent delivery of a box of her books!  Congrats, Kris!

And, check out Lee Wind's amazing interview with Lois Lowry. Oh, and Casey brings to light Leigh Bardugo's amazing success story. It does happen! (Okay, not normally in 37 days!)

What are you working on this week? Are you waiting on anything?

16 comments:

  1. I know! Those weatherpersons hardly ever get it right! We just got a few inches over night. But actually they did predict that. :)

    I'm going over my ms word for word this week as I'll be querying in a few weeks.
    Good luck to you, Heather, and I"ll check out your links!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unfortunately the weather person in my town was right... it is COOOOOOLD! But no snow!

    Have a great week, H! And that link from Kris... I watched it several times... SO very inspirational!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad you're getting back to writing. So am I...why are writing goals a little tough???

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your post reminded me of a Saturday Night Live skit where the news anchors are giving the weather man a hard time for getting the forecast wrong. In a fit, Seth Meyers as the weatherman says, "You know, why am I the only member of the news team who's asked to predict the future?"

    Well, he's kind of right... :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so excited to win. And I love Terry's blog.

    Don't beat yourself over the head about revisions. Hopefully you've been working on new stuff. I'm actually taking a breather from revising (yes I have to revise mine yet again) and starting something new. I'm hoping it'll give me new energy & perspective.

    Leigh's story is absolutely amazing, isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Heather, your kids are adorable!

    It's just begun to snow here in Virginia. This afternoon I'm curling up with a good book. Need a break!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks, Heather. Can't wait to see you in February!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. All of our evening activities were canceled on the expectation of snow. It's like 10:30 p.m. and we can't even have an inch on the ground. What a bust. Of course my kids have their clothes on inside out and backwards to inspire a snow day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, it might not be "crippling" but there sure is a lot of snow out there! And the husband is sick, so that means the dog and I will be doing the shoveling. Oh well. But I actually love being snowed in - it's a great excuse to drink tea and read/write. Happy snow day!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kelly--woo-hoo for querying!! Congrats for being at that point!

    M--I love that video--it feels like those are the kids that we are writing for... I hope it warms up where you are!

    Christine--I don't know! I think it is because there isn't an external pressure for me--I have to apply it myself. Let's get it DONE!

    Tracey--That made me really laugh. Thanks!!

    Natalie--you beat me to emailing me! Congrats! I'm glad you're taking a breather. That'll be good for you and your MS.

    Kittie--That picture is a few years old. The boy throwing snow is now 11!! And, curling up with a good book is happening with me too--since we do indeed have a SNOW DAY!! Woo-hoo!!

    Kris--I can't wait!!

    MotherReader--I hope your kids got some snow. We certainly did!

    Anna--I love being snowed in too. I'm so glad that the weather man got it right this time--hot chocolate, sledding and cozy reading/writing time!! Woo-hoo! Good luck with the shoveling out. It's heavy wet snow here. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's always nice to take a break from revisions and then come back and still love the story! Good luck with them! I'll be in revision land soon!

    ReplyDelete
  12. "I just heard an anchorwoman say that tomorrow's snow will "rage". That it will "cripple" us. Maybe they need to revise their story. Pick their words more carefully. Seriously."

    you're confusing a weather person's facility to communicate news about the upcoming weather and their primary function: to drive viewers back to the news station to help increase ratings (which then equates with increased revenue for commercials during the newscast).

    their language is chosen carefully, to inspire fear and bring back viewers.

    enjoy your novel snow drifts!


    -- Tom

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love how you compared revision to shoveling snow drifts! Glad you had some time to write and hope the rest of the week shapes up that way for you as well.

    Happy 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi! thanks for the shout out, I really enjoyed that interview with Lois Lowry! And I adore your "eight inch snow drifts of novel" image - it's lovely.
    Namaste,
    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lee's right about that image. And congrats to Natalie.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm waiting for it to be the day after MLK day because due to snow & ice I've been cooped up in the house ALL WEEK. Getting punchy...

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.