the trick to being serious is never take it seriously...

2400 new words yesterday on PACK OF LIES, and a bit edited out -- and possibly saved for later in the book, we'll see. Progress...progresses. Only 9,000 words off-schedule. I could shove through and have a 5,000 word day, but I always pay for that in lack of productivity the day after. In terms of book-maintenance and self-maintenance, better to stay on a steady, if hard, pace.

Realistically I don't need to make up the time -- this book isn't scheduled until either late 2010 or early 2011, depending on how the Publishing Gods whim, so if it's a few weeks late I'm covered. But then there's the next two books I have to write, waiting hard on its heels, and we already know that Vineart 2 is going to take a large chunk out of my heart, brain, and emotional focus. So, best to stay on schedule

I have scheduled a deep tissue massage for Thursday morning. Knowing that keeps me at the desk.

But hey, apparently that's not enough for my brain. Woke up at 2:30 this morning with a rather odd dream. Having written my first (and hopefully only) talking cat story, my brain now thinks it's time to write a zombie story. I got the title, idea, and closing line written down (yay for the 'note' function on my phone) and went back to sleep. Yay for sleep.

The cats are fed, the coffee maker is making comforting noises in the background, and it's time to open the file and re-read yesterday's work....

The other thing on schedule today is to get a bunch of short stories back into the fray, and follow-up on a contract that seems to have gone AWOL. EtA: and put together a requested workshop proposal. Like anything, at least half the job is making sure your powder's dry and the muzzle's pointing in the right direction.

five things for a lunch break

First, a major *omg ouch hug* to my HarperCollins friends. May the reaper pass lightly over your departments....

Second: forget about the damned groundhog: just ask Boomer. The meatloaf came over, sat down on my lap, got up, and left behind an entire kitten-worth of fur on my jeans and sweater. Winter's over!

Third: The difference between Bonnie and Wren is that Bonnie not only knows what tête-à-tête means, she uses it properly in a sentence. And can spell it right the first time, which makes her unlike her author (I keep getting the accent hashes confused).

Fourth: The vamp results have come back and my TSH levels have once again gone into the "uh-oh" range. As expected, and it certainly 'Splains A Lot about my recent lack of focus/concentration. Hopefully, better living through chemistry will kick in soon. *kicks thyroid*

Fifth: There will be a galley slaves mailing soon. Stand by and prepare to row!

EtA: And a sixth thing being a major woot! to Mary Robinette Kowal, who just did a two-book deal with Tor for Shades of Milk and Honey (described as "Jane Austin with magic") and a sequel! Best Agent Evah Jenn Jackson gets another notch in her bandolier. *grin*

I have not been a Productive Writer this morning. That will change in the next hour or so, damn it.