Check These Out

So, I was shopping for jewelry findings today, for something fun to do on my two week September vacation (not really going away) when I’m not writing. I found such cool stuff. It seems that retro is really hitting mainstream. I bought up a boatload of watch parts for steampunk stuff, and then stumbled upon beads made to look like antique typewriter keys. I can’t afford the real things–they go for up to $100 for a few handfuls! Who knew??? But look at some of the cool stuff people are making! I also bought some really pretty crystal beads and antique whatnots to add to the jewelry-making pile. Let’s see what mess I come up with. Probably something only a quirky writer would enjoy!

I Are Not Cute These Days

I am in serious keyboard overload. I’ve been helping to empty an attic and identify/sell on ebay china from every era and country. I’m learning to distinguish between real and fake Nippon porcelain marks. Oy. Vey. So, cross antiques dealer off the list of potential retirement hobbies.

I am turning into a hermit, a curmudgeon. RWA Nationals blogs, photos and posts make me growl. It makes me feel better to think I’m a jealous bitch than an isolationist snob. But truth be told, I’m just not in the mood. I’m not sure my WIP is a romance, and I’m not sure where I belong these days. I don’t even know what convention would be right for me.

So I’m drifting, not becoming a Twit on Twitter, not doing Facebook, about to shut down Myspace (guh, what did that do for me?). I’ve noticed some other writers are complaining about the time it takes to be online and not writing, wondering what it’s doing for them. So at least I’m in good company.

The writing is slow, in fitting with this lazy, hot summer. I run in despicable heat, and have baggy clothes to show for it, at least. Running is my new crutch. Doing about 4 miles a day now.

My 51st birthday is next week, and I think I’ll just walk around Central Park, maybe scout out some cool historic stuff, lunch with husband.

Are you all a Twitter or are you a grouch like moi, not looking for the latest romance writing news? I think it’s time to finish this book.

What are you doing?

Do Great Reviews do Squat?

I’m wondering about reviews and sales. I have a theory, and I’d like your input. I don’t think they do anything, except perhaps stellar RT reviews.

Or…do I have to finally admit that I totally stink at promotion?

My beloved Mayan Secrets just received a wonderful review at The Romance Studio. This added to 5 Angels, Goose Eggs, etc., as well as some colleagues blogging about how much they loved this book and think it should be a movie! I had my first trailer done for this book. Offered amazing contests.

Sales? Flatulent. I trust that somehow, it will pick up, as Mayan Nights (the first in the trio) still sells more than anything I’ve written.

Or, is it that I don’t do super x-rated? I mean, I do explicit, but not super-duper menages, etc. My stuff isn’t very dark, does not include vampires or were-anythings (with the exception of The Biggest Kahuna).

Oh, and I don’t do cowboys. I don’t have major bookstore print releases. So no name recognition? I’m really trying to break this down.

Sigh.

I am writing, world-building. Have you ever done historical fantasy? So I have this real world (1890 Manhattan), in which I have to get everything right. Then I have this alternate 1890 (the Steampunk part) that’s super fun to write. But this is slow going, and the word craft (I really hate that word) is slipping into my vocabulary these days. I’m crafting. And not with wool or scrapbooks.

Spent a few days watching approximately 30 episodes of Cops with my mom, who is still home, still hanging on. Now, I don’t know anyone who has actually watched two days of Cops continuously, but it’s mindnumbing after a while. “Wow, I bet this guy runs and claims the crack in his pocket isn’t his.” “Wow, I bet that white trash couple starts arguing over who started the fight and one calls the other ‘baby.’” Don’t talk to me about profiling–I’ve got it down to a science now, at least filtered through what the producers of the show put on.

Now home, off for a few days, more world to build.

How about you? Anyone already dreading all the RWA Nationals convention talk?

Ciar’s Misadventures

It’s been a strange week. Someone tell me about the stars or moon phase or something, anything to explain things.

After spending most of Sunday trying to figure out what was wrong with my keyboard (sorting through a closet looking for CDs to reload, plugging and unplugging)–two hours of this–I finally realized that the freaking thing has batteries. Yup. How did I think a wireless keyboard worked without batteries? Cause I’m a moron.

Yesterday I put ice cream in the cat’s food bowl. He dug it, and at least I didn’t put cat food in the bowl I put out for my husband.

I was supposed to go to Baltimore today, but got caught up at work. So I’m going Friday to visit my mom. Okay, so tonight I’ll write! Not. Learned I sent the wrong packages to ebay customers. Yup, someone is getting a guitar who wants a camera tripod, and vice versa. Fun. This is what you get for cleaning out a closet of old stuff. Just let it rot.

Went for a jog in 95 degree heat. Moron. Got stung by a bee. Lost my watch along the path. Since it’s an old birthday gift (no, should not have been wearing it on my jog) with sentimental value, I’m going back before sundown to walk the three mile route. Or maybe not, since I’m running out of time.

Okay, I will get one of these books done this year. I was shooting for the end of March on one, the end of July on the other. Can I have a summer do-over?

Are you getting in your own way this summer, or is it just me?

On Agent Blogs and Today’s Mail

I’d love a great agent pitching my must-have novel. Really would. I’m working on the must-have novel. Damn, don’t you hate that order? When I get stuck, I kinda daydream–all writers do, I’m sure. Well, the ones who don’t have agents and bestsellers already. So you surf, and you read agent blogs (and I notice a lot of sucking up on those–”Oh, what a brilliant post about how I shouldn’t forget to look at the guidelines, really!”). You fantasize that said agent might be tapping her pencil, just waiting for your email or package. Bingo! she yells out to her assistant. Get Ciar Cullen on the phone immediately.

Yeah. Well, that’s a few months away.

In the meantime, I got a letter today, from an agent. It wasn’t a form letter. It was very nicely done, actually, with a lot of feedback. It was for a book that has been selling for oh, about a year at least. She didn’t quite love it enough (hardy har har), but she thinks I have a great fresh voice. Wow.

I looked at the postmark (of course, it must have been misdirected to Afghanistan or something). Three days ago. The letter was dated too. Three days ago.

It’s been so long since I sent that full out that I forgot who I sent it to.

So, Dear Agents. Ah, I’m speechless. Okay, not exactly, but I’ve been lectured enough about authors behaving badly to know better. Still, WT…? This isn’t first-time agent Susie Cream Cheese in nowheresville. I guess stuff happens to them too. But honestly, would you bother getting back to someone with a rejection after a year and a half? I simply can’t wrap my brain around this one.

On other, equally uninteresting fronts: I’m still pretty absorbed in family issues. My mom’s pneumonia and congestive heart failure. They are actually going to try to send her home again. That’s insurance for you. And my poor stepdad will do anything to make her happy. So it’s back to Baltimore in a few days to help her get settled in. The woman has something left to do or say, that’s all I can think. No one should have survived the ten life-threatening issues she’s gone through in the last two years. I can’t figure this one out either. I only know that I alternate between numb, productive, and tears in an endless loop. Not really condusive to writing.

Nevertheless, two chapters of my unnamed steampunk nearly done, some feedback from the Goddess of all crit partners, and a revise and resubmit from my Samhain editor.

I’ve managed to run about 20 miles this week. Not bad at all, given where I was a year ago with my health. Lost 8 pounds. My reward is a new pair of running shoes. I mean, the expensive ones. Woot! The Romance Divas go all out for heels and would not approve of my choice. Zappos, here I come.

My cat’s surgery will have to wait a little longer, as he gets very moody when I’m away.

My friend the gay state trooper (as I like to jokingly call her, although it’s accurate) called today and was on campus. Just wanted to wave electronically. I was trying to direct her where she might park, and she reminded me that she could basically park any damned spot she wanted. Right. State Trooper. See, my brain is not all it should be.

I’ll be back soon, hopefully with a peaceful heart and some good contests and junk that is better than my rambling.

Stay safe out there, all uze guys.

Gathering Characters

So, if you scroll down, you’ll see my (Asian) character, now named Screw. I know, I know, it’s not like that. In my quest to gather characters (without them knowing it–and how the hell could they ever know and find their way here?), I’ve settled on Datamancer (a guy who made that really cool steampunk computer and much other cool stuff–actually, he seems a little too cool for his own good, as if he revels in his own coolness…) as my hero and love interest, Jack. Or as he is called in Steam Age Scandals (coming to a fine bookstore near you this century), the Man. Now I need my chick, Fenwick, and Miss Pettigrew (Petti). I’ll track them down. It’s interesting when you use real people as models for characters. Makes you feel like a stalker, what?

In other news, still jogging, still nursing an aching heart over mom’s iminent demise, enjoying new wildflowers popping up daily in my garden, and planning a new pyramid trip before year’s end.

Happy Independence Day. Hope you find some new way to be independent this year!