irrelevant (and sometimes questionable) ramblings

Nope, no Keifer here. However, the past 24 hours have been non-computer related.

In the past day we’ve:

• run errands
• had a barbeque
• had a bonfire with sparklers, glow bracelets and s’mores
• camped out in the backyard in a tent
• visited our local “ribfest” and feasted on ribs and pulled pork sandwiches
• played in a park sprinkler (well, okay, this was *mostly* the offspring…)
• had yet *another* barbeque
• watched Boy Einstein on TV

I know, not productive, story-wise. But a good break, nonetheless.

And in more distressing news, I’ve been typing so much the last couple of weeks that my right wrist has started to hurt. Not good. So once this deadline is past, I’m going to have to take it a bit easy. I have no choice, really. I don’t need carpal tunnel problems…

Story is close to completion. I will let you know what transpires. Stay tuned…

Next time I get a “brilliant” idea to jump in with both feet and do a last-minute, extremely-short-deadline project, would someone *please* whack me in the head with a wet noodle?

It has been a learning experience, let me tell you. I now know *just* how exhausting this sort of thing is. And I’ll tell you, I much prefer my slightly roomier deadlines, thank you.

Case in point — I am jonesing so badly for a nap right now it’s not even funny…but the remaining word count is hanging over my head, making me feel too guilty.

*sigh*

Anyway. I will soldier on. You’ll all hear me shrieking as I finish the story, so keep your ears peeled for that.

Truly, I don’t think I’m that bad of a pessimist.

However, I am right smack in the thick of this story, and it feels absolutely horrid to me. Right now, I am the biggest hack on the planet.

Things should be better in the light of day. I’ll let you know.

Deadline, ho!

I’m at 9,078 words tonight, ladies and germs.

I’ve got 4,922 words left to go, and basically four days (at most) to do them in. Frankly, I’d like to do it in three if I can, because I want that fourth day for edits, but I’ll take what I can get.

I take my hat off to those writers out there who push themselves hard to get things written. This story has been done at a forced pace, because the decision to write it was a last-minute one — the deadline is my publisher’s, not my own. If it were my own, I’d be dillydallying along as per usual. Or maybe not. Now that I’ve watched myself do this, I think I can be better, faster and stronger.

Wait. Wasn’t that the Six Million Dollar Man…?

ps. It’s still Mule Puke, but it’s Mule Puke that’s getting written…

For the last day or so, I’ve been trying to figure out just why the bridge of my nose is sore. Like tender to the touch. Weirdest thing.

Until I remembered that Saturday night the Offspring had crawled into bed with me, and at one point had given me a solid right hook in the nose.

Ouch. Dammit.

In other news, I am running on adrenaline. I forget now just what the exact word count ended up being last night, but it was approximately 1,275 or so. At this rate, things are going well. As long as I don’t have to rewrite the whole thing in the end!

I have the sinking feeling that the reason why Sweet Tart is…coming (no pun intended)…so quickly is that it sucks.

Really. I managed 1,250 words in 1.5 hours last night, folks, and that’s 1,250 words coming from an excessively overtired brain that wanted desperately to do nothing more than just crawl into a wonderfully comfortable bed. (Adverb much?? Sheesh…)

There’s no way those words could have been good ones. The deadline for this is September 1st, gang, and my biggest fear right now is that I’m going to have to rewrite this whole effing thing and I will run out of time.

I know, I know. I am fully aware of what you’re going to say. Don’t focus on that. Just focus on writing 14K words, period. Then do what you have to afterward to fix ‘em.

Eep. Well, we shall see. I’ll keep you posted.

*WHY* in God’s name are people letting me continue to write stories…?!?

I couldn’t write my way out of a paper bag!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

*pant*pant* 

So I’m now at 2,940 words on the story currently known as “SweetTart”. I didn’t make my 2,500-word goal yesterday, but I *did* manage 1,625 which — for a day’s total — is pretty fan-damn-tastic

Today is horribly humid and thunderboomers are threatened. The original plan was to go to the beach at one of the local lakes, but I’m not sure that’s going to pan out. Regardless, I am certain we’ll find things to do today without any difficulty.

I will attempt to sneak in an hour or two’s work sometime this afternoon, and then some more tonight. At least, that’s the plan, anyway.

Hope you all have a great Saturday!

(No, no Beatles segue here. Sorry.)

Writing: 0

Time with Boy Einstein: 1

Sometimes priorities just gotta shift. Y’know?

(Today: Word count goal of 2500. Wish me luck. *ulp*)

Why yes, yes I am.

You know, I really do enjoy having Thursdays and Fridays off, even if my bank account whimpers a little. It’s all good.

And today I really have been busy–

• up at 5:20 to play squash
• ran a number of errands (groceries, new running shoes for Offspring for school, etc.)
• washed and hung outside a load of laundry
• tried out a new potato salad recipe
• will shortly be making supper (including said potato salad)
• and after supper will be making chocolate chip cookies with the Offspring.

Finally, last night’s word count ended at 1,315. Not too shabby, methinks. I’ll keep you all posted. Especially about the potato salad. It seemed good when initially mixed…