reviewing – Textploits of the Writerly Persuasion

WRITING:

So, I’ve had this pain in my left thumb for about six weeks now. Probably should have gotten it checked out sooner than I did (almost a month after the first day of pain). Got the results of the x-rays a couple days ago and it turns out that I fractured my thumb. Better yet, by the looks of the x-rays, it is a healed fracture. They don’t know when the fracture first occurred, so I’m not sure that the day I woke up to the pain was the day it fractured or if it was already on the road to recovery.

Six weeks later, the pain is still as annoying as it was on probably Day Five. That’s not good, but since it’s already ‘healed’, there’s little else the docs can do but tell me to keep moving it. It’s slow going but it’s hard to function. My left hand is probably 30% functional.

Not fun.

That said, I managed to edit 132 pages for Revision Hell. Those were easy to accomplish because it was mostly reading and minor typing. I haven’t been able to get far in terms of revisions, though. Extensive typing burns me out even though I’m not really using my thumb. It’s like someone’s poking hot needles into my joints.

Wish I could say dictation software helps. It’s fine for drafting, but when I need to take chunks of existing words, reorder, restructure, and rephrase them, it just turns into a hot mess.

Fingers crossed for my thumb, I hope to get back to full speed soon.

READING:

When it rains–you get really wet. Nice to have everything happen at the same time. Fractured thumb, compromised vision from allergy issues. I suppose I really like to put the challenge in ‘Writing/Reading Challenge’. The work I have to beta read, critique, and review this month is slow going but is getting done.

NETWORKING:

A flurry of activity on the WFWA Forums. Good stuff there. It’s nice to be a member of such a nurturing community.

Speaking of, this coming Wednesday I’ll be co-modding an author chat over at SavvyAuthors. My other home away from home.

I find that getting more active within these communities has helped me. It’s good practice for future networking opportunities. Oddly enough, as chaotic as schedules are and the number of posts to deal with, it keeps me sane because I know the countless of writers out there who feel the same way I do on any given day. Writers unite!

LEARNING:

I’m still on Level 9 in Spanish and Level 5 in French on Duolingo. I am making progress though. I try and do at least two lessons each per day. It’s nice to take a break from other writerly duties and activate different parts of my brain.

I haven’t jammed for the last few days because my thumb’s being extra finicky–and that was before I got the results back from the doc. I’ll take it easy and work my thumb on the Uke because it’s just too painful to maneuver through chords on the guitar. Soon, though.

Dare I jinx it and say the weather is finally at a climate I can enjoy?

Have a great writing week, everyone!

WRITING:

Over at SavvyAuthors I’m in the midst of Revision Hell. Workshop name aside, I’m actually having fun reading my Spec Fic Thriller Imprint again after all this time. So far, I’ve done surface edits for 95 pages. That means, I’ve fixed typos and minor structural issues.

Per the RH rules, there is a difference between edits and revisions. Revisions are more detailed, such as rewriting entire passages, writing POV shifts, that sort of thing. I revised seven pages.

They also have a thing called BICHOK which means But in Chair, Hands on Keyboard. I did three hours in the morning and three and a half hours at night.

We’re in teams so all these numbers are totalled up and we compete to see who can get through RH with the most points. It’s a fun way to keep accountable and motivate other writers. Everything I’m learning in these classes is works wonders for my other projects, including my YA Fantasy Aaralyn’s Song.

READING:

I’m beta reading, critiquing, and reviewing this month. Those take priority over my personal TBR list. But it’s all good stuff. I’ve paused Daniel Tammet’s Born on a Blue Day but will get back to it as soon as I’ve done the reading that has a deadline.

NETWORKING:

I’m a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. What I like about this group is that it’s a community of writers that write about a woman’s emotional journey regardless of genre, so it’s not confined to romance. I’ve nothing against romance. In fact, I’m trying to write stories with romantic elements, but I appreciate how the group’s definition of Women’s Fiction has expanded to accommodate other writing styles.

On Monday, the WFWA launched its shiny new website and we’re hoping to have a great line-up of workshops. I’m a forum moderator for the Aspiring Author, Debut Author, Craft, Marketing, and Business of Writing boards. Lots of activity since we launched. So much fun.

LEARNING:

Duolingo!! I’m on Level 9 in Spanish and Level 5 in French. The higher the level the more lessons there are. I was hoping to crack Level 10 by this update, but I’ll get there soon. 🙂

And my beloved Bilbo has returned safe and strung. While dealing with my allergy shot regimen and how it’s messing with my vision, I can close my eyes and jam. Which is what I did with the Sisterhood over the weekend. I like to squeeze in at least twenty minutes a day and it helps me unwind from everything else.

Hope everyone’s in a creative buzz (despite how hot the weather’s been lately. At least in these parts!) and enjoy the rest of the week!