The Writer Writes

I mentioned last week that I was writing and that's why I wasn't here. It looks like that trend will continue. Here's sort of an update of what's lined up.

Both of my submissions for Women Destroy Horror! and Women Destroy Fantasy! are off. I met my goal of getting them out the door before I head off tomorrow to go to TESOL in Portland, Oregon. I'd like to thank my many readers of first and second drafts.

Over spring break, I received some advice from Lawrence over at Paper Golem about a novella I sent there, and that revision will be my next project. I'm really ready to buckle down and get this sucker into good shape. I'd like to see it have a home somewhere.

I did start a troll revision initially for Women Destroy Horror!, but it wasn't going where I wanted it to, and it didn't seem adult enough for the magazine, so I shelved it. Since it's already in progress, I will return to it before the novel. Also, there's a Dieselpunk anthology that has a deadline of August 1st, and I think I'm gonna fold my superhero story into an Atompunk environment, which will be more fun for everyone.

So it looks like I've been sidetracked from the novel for a while. That's okay. I'll be right back to it ASAP, and it'll be nice to have some shorts circulating again.

***

I still have one story at the Kaleidoscope Anthology that isn't rejected, sitting at about 165 days (I sent early). In all fairness, I think it only counts after 12-31, which means 83 days. Hoping that's a good sign.

And in today's category of nicest rejection received in a while, an agent writes this about Abigail Rath:

I think this is wonderful. I do think you'll find an agent. It just didn't connect with me. I can't wait to see it in print and buy it for my daughter.

Alas. Always the bridesmaid.

***

I think I have enough battery to give you a weight update. Here we go.

I'm off to Portland, Or this week for TESOL, so I'd best put my professor hat on and tie it under my chin.

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.

Getting in Shape: End of Week 22

And we skipped a week, because I was really, really busy with fiction.

I weighed in yesterday, so I could spend some quality time tonight with the husband before I ran off on my TESOL trip.

Here's the stats:

eginning Wii Weight: 223.8 (My heaviest ever after this summer.)
Wii Weight on 3-25-14: 204.4 (a loss of 0.4)
Total: 19.3 pounds LOST

Weight Watchers on Initial Weigh In: 224
Weight Watchers on 3-25-14: 208 (a loss of 1.2)
Total: 16 pounds

Weight analysis: I actually lost about a pound last week, and gained 0.2 this week on the Weight Watchers scale, but that is overall down.

Exercise analysis: Just tuned into the Wii Fit Meter, and I'm trying to get up to 500 calories burned a day, which is doubling my physical activity.

Food analysis: No amount of exercise can counteract bad food habits. I'm still coming in on too many points, and you've probably noticed me hovering in the 203-206 range. I was hoping to be about 201 April 1st, and I don't think I can do that now. Today I weighed 205.5, for example, so that's a bit much to shed in a matter of days.

My adjusted goal, therefore, is to be below 200 by the time I go to Wiscon Memorial day weekend. I believe I can do that. I will be eating many more vegetables and substituting light popcorn for all afternoon munchies, instead of occasionally grabbing a cookie. It's the new plan, and it's still calories, but it's about 1/2-1/4 the calories. I will also try packing better snacks, but this seems a good place to start for now.

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.

Off to Portland!

And our final announcement for a few days...

I go to Portland to play professor for the next four days. In my day job I teach English to Speakers of Other Languages, and in a generous move, the college has decided to send all of us full-timers to Portland at the same time this year. I believe the word synergy was used.

***

It won't be all business. On Saturday night I intend to see some of my Taos classmates from 2012 as well. My roommate Catherine Evleshin, Sara Mueller, and Maura Glynn-Thami. So there'll probably be something about that.

You guys have a great weekend.

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.