Ready for 2009?
Holiday Greetings!
I hope you’re having a Magical Monday. Me, well . . .
‘Tis the season to be panicked . . . falalalaaaa, lala la la.
Shopping done? Deadline met? PR done? New proposal ready? Galleys read? Review done? Groceries bought? Cards sent? Cookies baked? House cleaned?
Universal prayer this time of year: Give me strength, puh-leeze!
The weather answered some of these questions for me. We’re snowed in, maybe for another four days. Gifts not purchased won’t get purchased, at least, not until we can dig out of our cul de sac. Deliveries aren’t being made, either, which means I might not have a single gift for my husband. The kids all live away from home so I bought their gifts online. Online shopping is the greatest thing since Double Bubble. It eliminates fighting for a parking place at the mall, fighting the crowds in the mall, and hours standing in line at the post office (also the procrastination of going to the post office because you know you’ll be standing in line for hours).
Also, not a single one of the parties we planned, or planned to attend, will be held. I have to admit being a little upset that we probably won’t get to see Justin Saragueta play at Egan’s Ballard Jam House on Dec. 23rd at 9pm. Justin wrote and performed the theme song for the Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues book video.
Where did the pickup go???
So what an amazing year-end. I get to be alone with my husband with nothing to do but watch movies and write. 
Sounds like manna from heaven to me. I’m a little (okay, a lot) behind on my goals so this will give me a chance to catch up and give me a little breathing room. In fact, even though I looked forward to the holiday season–seeing my friends and family, the wonderful food, the tree, the gifts, and I love the lights–it’s almost a relief not to have to spend hours a day cooking, wrapping, cleaning, and otherwise preparing.
So on this Magical Monday, I decided to ask what craft or research topics you’d like me to cover in 2009. Yes, I’m already working on a Show, Don’t Tell workshop (but that’s not the title). That topic came up more than once during the plotting workshop. Other than that, I don’t have a whole lot of craft topics planned. There are a few things that would be fun, though. I’d like to interview a variety of authors about their opinions on certain writing topics. Does that sound good?
Or how about getting into the PR arena as well as craft. Do you know how to make a book video?
Or would you like to have more information on research topics? By this, I mean things like subgenre settings (Medieval, Old West, etc.), or advances in civilization (plumbing, communication).
Or would you like to know more about other types of writing: screenplays, songwriting, poetry, etc.?
And while you’re at it, I’d love to know what your special holiday plans are, and what tradition you carry on that you treasure.
One commenter will receive an autographed copy of Faery Special Romances. Winner will be chosen Sunday at 10pm Pacific Time, and I’ll make the announcement on my next Magical Monday article on Dec. 29th. Please be sure to include your email address or a way I can reach you. If the prize isn’t claimed by Jan. 5, 2009, then I’ll choose another winner.
Jacquie
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues (See the Book Video)
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Faery Special Romances *** Book Video
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I would LOVE articles on screenplays! I’m branching out into new markets. I have a contract offer to make an RPG of one of my series worlds. I’d like to work on screenplays of a few of my books, as well.
BTW, I’m with you! I am all over the online shopping thing. Saves your sanity, gas, and time.
Thanks!
Brenna
What about uncommon uses for everyday things, like 20 ways to use your panty hose, besides wearing them? LOL
Our favorite holiday tradition is putting the ornaments on the tree. Each of our three kids put up their own ornaments, either purchased or made at school over the years. It’s fun to remember and reminisce over the story of each one.
Happy Holidays, Jacquie!
Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com
Ooh! An article on making a book video would be great! (I’m such a video/photography junkie.) Or marketing and PR.
The holidays are fairly quiet around here. I’m making gifts for a couple of friends and hoping to finish in time for Christmas. Hope the roads stay clear of ice and snow so I can deliver them. I grew up in Wisconsin, so you’d think I’d be used to inclement weather. Ha! XD
Have a safe and happy holiday, everyone!
Pamela L
plturner2 at insightbb dot com
I would love to have someone explain how to make the book videos – that would be great!
Merry Christmas, Jacquie and everyone!
Jacquie, I do so much of my shopping online, it’s just so much easier to order what you want and have it delivered straight to your door;)
I do wish we had some snow going on right now, but it’s supposed to be in the mid 40’s and rain on Christmas:(
I also wanted to let everyone know that I made a book trailer tutorial back in June and you can find it at http://www.textyladies.com/?p=96
Happy holidays!
Brenna, congrats on your RPG contract offer! I wouldn’t even begin to know about that. I have taken screenwriting workshops, but haven’t written one myself, but I have two friends who are primarily screenwriters, so I’d rely on them.
Deidre, we’re doing the 20 uncommon usages for common things right now, since we’re snowed in and have to make do. (I’m so grateful we still have power, though!) I could use this theme in an Old West research article. Those folks were ingenius.
Pamela L., Jane’s article is excellent! I could write about other aspects, such as script, length, and that sort of thing, but the how-to is covered very well. Wish I’d had a tutorial like that the first time I did a video.
Jane, wow, you did a GREAT job!
Thanks for the info! I like working with video projects to keep my skills up to date.
Congratulations to Deidre, who won an autographed copy of Faery Special Romances!