Monday, November 30, 2009

A Cry for Help...

We've established that I'm sort of a crazy Type-A control freak, right? Right. Well, She's Leaving Home is now safely in the hands of Major Agent and we probably won't get the edits for The Haunting of Pemberly Brown for another couple weeks.

Yeah, we're officially between projects and it's driving me CRAZY. The truth is we already have an idea for a new project (they don't call me the idea whore for nothing), but it seems silly to start something new when we have so many other irons in the fire. In a perfect world, once we're done with edits on Pemberly Brown we'll go ahead and draft the next book in the Kate Lowry series, so it looks like this fabulous new project that we've dreamed up will have to wait.

As of today, my TiVo is empty, I've cleaned my house from top to bottom and I've read three books over Thanksgiving. Any other suggestions for how to pass the time? I'm sorry, but I refuse to take up scrapbooking. And for the record I've already purchased one Christmas present, so I'm totally ahead of the game there.

HELP!

45 comments:

Rebecca L Sutton said...

What a lovely problem to have! One book in the hands of a fantastic publisher, the other with an incredible agent...lucky ladies. ; )

But I think I'd still be feeling anxious too. One thing that I cannot wait to do once I finish my revisions is read. I have a giant stack of books waiting for me like Catching Fire (*gasp* can you even believe I have lasted this long without reading it).

If reading won't do the trick then I say go for the new WIP. It can't hurt to get a head start so its there waiting for you when the time is right. I've got about four started so that the scenes I pictured won't be forgotten. Of course, they may be total crap when I actually get back to them in like a year.

Kristi Faith said...

Well, have you already alphabetized everything that can be? LOL Sorry-I'm not making fun of you, I'm totally empathizing. I would probably catch up on reading...or go ahead with the next WIP, maybe it will be fun and relaxing, knowing that it's just something to pass the time? I am sure you'll be VERY busy once you get your edits back. :0)

Kim Harrington said...

I think you should come clean my house. :)

Unknown said...

You crack me up!

How about writing a short story? Or a mom essay to submit to mothering or something?

S

Frankie Diane Mallis said...

Awwww! I envy you but I know how out of control that must fel (at least I think I do because I have a lot of empathy) but hmmm. Why don't you take a class or a workshop and learn something new, like a kind of dance? Or you could always netflix every season of Saved By The Bell and watch Zach's hair go from blond to blonder? That's always exciting.

You'll be fine!!

storyqueen said...

Enjoy it! Do lots of journaling, with no pressure to make any of it into a book. You might find some great stuff in there. When I finish my current project, I am going to take a bit of a breather...I envy that you guys are already there....

Have fun!

Shelley

Katie Anderson said...

This writing thing is addictive, no? I say write a little on your new idea. OR, cook.

That's what I did over the last week when my kids wouldn't let me write - I planned a bunch of fabulously gourmet meals and went and bought all of the ingredients.

but I have to admit, that this morning (when they went back) I saw my pile of ingredients I'm supposed to cook today and I thought, "uugghh who has time to make all that??"

Corey Schwartz said...

UGHH, I am ALWAYS between projects. Since I got my one idea of the year in January for 2009 (written and revised by March), it's been a LONG nine months!!!

How about going to Europe as research for your next book?

Conda Douglas said...

What I do is write short stories and articles--and sometimes the short stories are about characters from my novels.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I like Storyqueen's pressure-free journaling idea, but I must make the expected (although surprisingly unpopular among our blogger friends)suggestion... take up watching sports! Hockey and basketball are in full swing. I'm sorry, but baseball season is still too far away - sigh!

Little Ms J said...

1. I say macrame. I think I just like the way the word feels on my tongue. You could make little beaded cozies for people's plants. How perfect, no?

2. Start sketching our your WD plan. You can call it your marketing plan if you like, but we all know the truth.

3. Take a freaking nap, overachiever.

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Haha! Why don't you grab a great book and enjoy some down time? Or you can call it "research". :0)

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

I'm going to second the nap suggestion.

Unknown said...

Okay, have to share the word verification: unpaced.

Do you think the internets are trying to tell you something? :)

Unknown said...

Uh. I'm not too proud to say I'm jealous of your current problem. LOL!

Re-caulk the tub?

If I were you, I'd go ahead and start making notes for the new project. :-)

Tere Kirkland said...

Definitely catch up on your reading for "research" purposes. What a horrible position to be in, lol.

I'm re-reading The Hunger Games for first person present tips right no before I start revising my WiP. I'm really trying to pay attention to exposition and dialogue tags, but it's hard because Collins' writing really sucks me in before I can even start analyzing.

Or there's also beta reading. I'm sure someone out there has a revised novel that needs critting... *cough* ;)

Patti said...

Totally hate scrapbooking as well. Besides playing soccer, reading and writing, I have no other hobbies.,

Carolyn V. said...

Has anyone mentioned underwater basket weaving? Just wondering.

I'm amazed that you have gotten so much done! I say finish the Christmas shopping, find a new book and just enjoy. Things will pick up soon. =)

Tamika: said...

It sounds like you have a pretty solid regime working.

Maybe create a file of all the ideas swimming around in your head so you won't lose them.

Danyelle L. said...

Heh. I'm a non-scrapbooker too. :D

How about housework? I have plenty, so I could share if you're short on some. >:)

Annette Lyon said...

Learn to knit. It's delightfully addicting and relaxing. At least, once you can get past holding the needles in a death grip.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Sheesh! You are so organized. Looking for things to do??? Okay, I'm done ranting.
You could whip up a short story for the Literary Lab's Genre Wars contest in the next 24 hours. That'll keep you busy!
Sigh and sigh again.

XiXi said...

Read! Go read more things, you silly successful people.

Also, what the others said. Short stories are cool. Or you know, just freewrite. Or you could (I know this is kind of a shockingly radical idea) take a break.

Did I mention that I creeped on your website and have been eagerly waiting for "She's Leaving Home?" Well, the Kate Lowry too, of course, but that idea sounds fantastic. Hopefully, your agent likes it. :-)

Rebecca Knight said...

I'm thirding Ms. J's nap idea ;).

But seriously, what an exciting, although troubling, place to be in! Congrats and condolences!

I love the journalling idea :). Also, remember to take some time to rejuvinate. Bubble baths are always good!

Kerri Cuev said...

Can I have your problem? I have another idea that I am dying to start, but I'm the type I can't start it until I finish the first ugh!

Hey there is always Christmas shopping to do!

Kerri who can now take a breather because I finished nanowrimo!!!!

Donna Gambale said...

Finish writing my novel for me?

OR... since you admitted before that you never watched Buffy... start the seasons! (At least 1-3. It's amazing, despite low-budgety goodness.)

Unknown said...

Sleep!

I can't do it--so you can do it for both of us.

confused homemaker said...

I totally feel you! I'm having the same feeling now that the dissertation is done. I have a few minor edits but nothing else that HAS to be written right now. It's odd to just have time to enjoy.

I took a nap myself. And plan to take another! I know I'm wild.

Maybe a nap is in your futures?

Sherrie Petersen said...

It's cybermonday -- shop! Nothing like some retail therapy to take your mind off things :)

Stephanie Thornton said...

I had to start a new book to avoid being between projects. I just have to be working on something or I go stark raving mad!

I'd say a nap would be a nice treat. I could use one about now!

Tess said...

Nap, girl! For the love of pete - take a nap!

Krispy said...

I vote for nap! Sleep is scarce when you want it, so you should horde it when you can! Horde it like gold!

Or start the new WIP for fun. You can put it aside when your other projects come back to you, and it'll waiting for you when you do have time for it.

Or more TV. I don't have TiVo, so the internet is my go-to source. There must be some TV show you've been thinking about checking out? Maybe now is the time to finally do so.

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

Sounds in a way like the in between time you have right now could definitely be needed... :o)
I understand, I am someone who constantly has something going on. To not be currently working on something like crazy is bizarre for me as well.
Though I must say that you should enjoy the 'break'.
My current WIP has kept me from reading and I keep seeing reviews of new books - I am itching for those!! lol Enjoy the time before you have to edit again!
Anyway, I was awarded a few blog awards the other day and when it came time to pass them along, your site popped into mind.
Check out your award at: http://princesscourtneysbarr.blogspot.com
-courtney

Angela Ackerman said...

It's tough keeping the ideas at bay when the timing isn't right, isn't it?

Maybe start on the Xmas baking?

Elana Johnson said...

Yay for you guys! I'm glad you got your book in Catherine's hands.

What about cooking? Do you enjoy cooking? And not your children. ;)

I feel like you too, but with way less accomplishments. My house is clean. Shopping, done. Tree, up. Books, um, well, I could read. Revisions in. Waiting for...something.

Hang in there. No matter what, you'll find yourself busier than you want to be soon enough.

sunna said...

Here you go. This is possibly the worst procrastinator-trap-thing in the whole internets. It should work fine for any type of idleness.

http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/t4/microsites/M/makingfaces/yourface_createMate.html

Jemi Fraser said...

Ooo! I'd love to try out that problem for you :)

Christmas baking?? Scuba diving lessons? Start an ant farm? Rubik's cube? Have fun! :)

bryna said...

i agree with rebecca! i wish i had a book in the hands of a publisher! good on you girls!

Tana said...

I vote for sleep. That and catching up with the laundry but that's just my wild fantasy. Hmm... Read some books? Oh wait, I know,how about secretly writing another WIP? *I won't tell*

BTW, I'm not taking up scrapbooking anytime soon either.

Anonymous said...

Netflix. :)

Abby Annis said...

There's always salsa dancing. And they say it's good for the waistline, so there's a bonus! ;) Okay, so I'm sure you don't need to worry about your waistline, but I saw a video on how to do it the other day, and it was only $3 so you know it's awesome and it's a bargain. :)

I don't know. I'm useless for ideas. I'm super unorganized so I always have plenty to do. I say congrats on having so much accomplished.

JESSJORDAN said...

3 books over Thanksgiving? Wow ... You crazy speed reader!

My DV-R's empty, too, so I feel your pain!

Maybe you could at least take a bunch of awesome notes for your awesome WIP in the waiting? Or, ya know, you could just toss your idea my way! :D

~Jamie said...

Come to my house and help me unpack?

please...

Sarah Wylie said...

I think you should really look into licensing that d-bag meter. OR compile your most awesome posts thus far (and anything else you can cook up), submit to Us Weekly, and celebrate being another step closer to world domination.

If you still have too much time on your hands, will you package it and send it to me for Christmas? I'll send back Twizzlers, I promise.

JennyMac said...

LOL..I can appreciate this...Why dont you pass the time helping me edit my manuscript that I need to edit before giving it to a real editor. Its amazing how much I wont sit down and do it.

Don't call this a comeback

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