10 random things before dinner

[salixbabylon]

1) Pina coladas taste like suntan lotion. While I know it's supposed to be the other way around, my brain refuses to let go of the original info.

2) Motivating myself to do anything is easier with a rewards system.

3) I learned how to make a nice deep chocolatey frozen yogurt. (Because my husband thought making yogurt would be fun and now we've got about a half-gallon of it taking up space.) Sadly, it made me remember why I never buy froyo anymore - I don't actually like it.

4) My family is easier to get along with now that I'm on antidepressants. I kind of worked myself into a bit of a state the night before I left, but it wasn't too bad when I was there.

5) I finally have my summer trips planned and tickets purchased. Yay!

6) Is five months honestly realistic for writing 200 pages? On one hand, that seems like *forever*. On the other hand, I started the A-Z fic in January and now that I'm finished, it's May. And that's only 50 pages.

Thoughts from people who have written long stories?

7) It's easier to wash a 90 lb golden retriever if you just get naked and get in the tub with him. You're going to get soaked anyway, so just give in. Plus, it's easier on my back. And also, he thinks it's more fun that way, apparently. While I washed his back half, he licked my legs. And now we're both clean.

8) I'm going to start doing arts and crafts again. Any suggestions? I've got collaging, painting, sewing, and bath/body products. Oh, and cooking. And gardening, too. Since I am a libra and incapable of decision-making, you all might be called upon to vote in polls.

9) I finished watching SGA and then I missed Rodney's snark so much after about a week that I started watching it all over again. I ♥ snark. I think the main reason I got sucked into the show and fandom is because I've missed Snape-snark so much these past couple of years.

Is there a socially acceptable time limit you're supposed to wait between finishing 5 seasons of a TV show and then starting to rewatch it? I probably failed.

10) I ♥ you all too.

Comments

[chaosmanor.livejournal.com]

How many words is 200 pages? Do you have to take them to finished draft status in that time? Are you also trying to do Other Things at the same time (like, oh, work six days a week, because then it's doomed)?

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

My estimates indicate about 80k for 200 pages. Truly finished would be nice, but that's dependent on a beta, so it's not critical. And I'm not working at the moment, although I'm looking for work.

I calculated the time based on writing for 2-3 hours/day, 3-4 days/week. That would be about 10 pages per week. I've plotted out 35 chapters and have averaged about 6 pages per chapter with what I've already written, so I have about 180-200 pages left to go. Which means 20 weeks, or 5 months. Which seems like *FOREVER*, but maybe it's not? What do you think, as an experienced novelist?

Also, I had no idea you were still lurking around LJ! *smooch* I've missed you. ;)

[chaosmanor.livejournal.com]

Oh, I still read my flist most days. I'm posted unlocked with the same username on dreamwidth if you want to catch up with me. (I know! Unlocked! I'm experimenting with trusting again, which will last until the frist crazy-incident.) ~smooches back~

That sounds fine to me. Maybe too long, for sustaining momentum? If I'm not working, I write 1000 words a day, every single day. Allowing for distractions, migraines, outside commitments and so on, that gives me 300 000 words of finished material in a year, which is a professional writer's workload (of anyone is interested).

If you want a point of comparison, ladnews (that's Sean Williams) publishes about 300 000 words a year. Last year, he wrote a 100 000 word book in a month when the deadline was moved on him. Harlequin expects four to six 50 000 words novels a year from their writers.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Those are som intimidating stats. I guess I'd better get to work, then. ;) Thanks for the info, and apparently I need to start using DW, not just "squatting" on the name. *hugs*

[neros-violin.livejournal.com]

No, there's no time limit on rewatching a show series back to back! If there's shame in that, then I, too, am shamed.

200 pages is doable in five months, I think. 5 times 30 is 150. 200 divided by 150 is 1.33 infinity. You have to write 1.33 pages a day. Is that pacing okay for you?

I will participate in any arts and crafts polls you design. ;) I am not crafty, so my suggestion to make peanut butter pine cone bird feeders is probably not so stimulating.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Hehehe! Glad I'm not the only one who occasionally get obsessed with TV shows. ;)

I think the math guesstimate is good, on the novel. I just have to test it out and see how fast I actually write, and maybe adjust the numbers accordingly.

I will make some crafty polls soon! Thanks for being willing to offer an opinion.

[lisagems.livejournal.com]

You actually finished the seasons, before starting to rewatch. I didn't manage that with Bab5, I kept having to check things.

I've been trying to convince myself to try sewing. I have a machine now. And a few (brief) lessons.

I'm betting you could manage to combine the collaging, painting and sewing.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Hehehe! I think with Bab5, I was lucky enough that there was a website of commentary that I could read after each episode - http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/eplist.html.

Sewing is good so long as you are patient enough to not expect perfection right away. That was always my downfall. :P I think I might try gardening first... The outside seems nice.

[nverland]

I love random posts.

Hadn't thought about the dog thing, but it works great with the cats.

It takes me/us forever to write anything long. I think it depends how you feel and what you're writing.

Crafts! I recommend beading. Because you need another hobby, and it's one I do.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*smooch* I'm glad you like my babble. :)

"Naked with wet cats" sounds like "scratches in bad places" but maybe your kitties don't scratch you. I hope not.

I'm pretending the depression is behind me and that if I'm focused and motivated, I can write at a more normal pace. I used to churn out a decent amount of fic per year, but last year and this year so far have been pathetic.

Beading! My friend Deb is trying to lure me into it as well. The only downside is the expence of a new hobby where you have to buy all the supplies. Maybe I'll just go to her house and use her beads and give her whatever I make. ;)

*smooch*

[nverland]

My girls are declawed, not that they did in the shower anyway, they crawl in a bathtub too.

[hambares.livejournal.com]

#2 - oh yea, that it is!
#7 - yeppers. And then your dog thinks he has a done a good deed by cleaning you! :)

#9 - I fail too./

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I suspect almost *all* o fus fail at not-obsessing over TV/books/movies, here in fandom. ;)

[andolinn.livejournal.com]

2) *ears perk up* What kind of a rewards system?

5) YAY!!! Now if only I could get my one silly trip planned!

8) I would vote for gardening, but do what you enjoy most.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Rewards = bath with Expensive Bath Goodies, acupuncture session, massage, getting nails done (or doing them myself while watching a chickflick), clothing purchases. I'm trying to stay away from food as a reward, and I'd prefer not to spend money, but it's hard to find something free that's still a good incentive.

I think actually gardening *is* what I want finished most. I just need to get started and create a plan so I don't feel so overwhelmed by it. I want to be outside more.

[silkmoth101.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, SGA... I know exactly what you're talking about. Oh, same goes for anti-depressants and family. :)

How about that for a little more SGA obsession:

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

GUH

You melted my brain.

[silkmoth101.livejournal.com]

Good. That was exactly what I wanted to do. :P

[arieltachna.livejournal.com]

Love you too!

Let me know when you'll be in Cinci and we'll see if we can find an evening to go to the restaurant I was telling you about.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Oh right - need to email yuo and Jess. Will do that right now. :)

[dissonant-dream.livejournal.com]

*hugs* And also?

Is there a socially acceptable time limit you're supposed to wait between finishing 5 seasons of a TV show and then starting to rewatch it?

No ;D

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Excellent! Beucase I'm about 3/4 through season ! of the "John and Rodney are boyfriends, oh and some other stuff happens" show. ;)