Tedious to say the least……

This is only the third day of my new 10-3 schedule and already I’m struggling.  I was really excited on Monday when I sent out thirteen queries about WHERE’S DADDY.   I was excited about sitting down in my chair at 10 yesterday to get started again.

I had decided to go through a list of 1800 magazines markets I’d received…or I should say go through half the list.  Okay, okay…I admit it.  I made it through the “A’s” and halfway through the “B’s”.  Whenever I found a magazine or publication where I thought I could submit something interesting, I googled them, found out their submission guidelines, printed the guidelines and made a folder for all these guidelines.  I went through quite a few where I couldn’t find any submission guidelines or after researching their website felt that they weren’t a market for my style of writing.  I ended up feeling rather drained and empty by the time 3p.m. rolled around.  I was thrilled to be able to just set it aside and go make pasta salad for my book club meeting.

I know I need to stay focused.  I’ll go back to this list today and continue on with the “B’s” and hopefully make it through at least the “D’s”, but I have to admit…this is the part about writing that I truly HATE.  When you’re fairly new to all this…submitting your work and actually looking to publish your work…it’s tough.  In the past I have always written for the pure pleasure of the written word.  At this time in my life though, I need to take my writing more seriously and like fairy dust…sprinkle it out into the universe and hope for a soft landing.

Okay enough fun time blogging…let’s see…Bibliophilos (did you know there was a magazine with such a name)? NEXT……………

Is writing making me fat?

I started treating my writing as a business today.  I am dedicating the hours 10a.m. to 3p.m. to advancing my writing career.  This can involve developing plots, working on existing drafts, blogging, research, submitting to agents…what ever strikes my fancy and keeps me focused.

I’m concerned, however,  that this five hour, ass in the chair writing  may end up making me fat.  I started out really well this morning with my typical grapefruit, bowl of oatmeal and cup of coffee.  But by 10:30 I was stuffing my face with left over bisquits smothered in butter and grape jam and hot cocoa to wash them down.  A handful of dark chocolate Hershey kisses followed. Then another cup of coffee…and I take mine very sweet (2 heaping teaspoons of sugar)  and light (lots of creamer).  Some chips were needed around 11:30 and by 1:00 I was definitely ready for something more rib-stickin’, but didn’t want to take a break so I just grabbed more candy and a bag of Chex Mix.

I sent out thirteen queries today regarding my children’s picture book, WHERE’S DADDY, which I wrote for all the military children who wonder where their Daddy has gone when he’s shipped off.  I may have also gained about 10 lbs.

When I made my decision to set specific writing work hours, I also decided to exercise from 9a.m. to 10a.m.  After testing the waters today, I think maybe I should be working out AFTER I get done at 3:00, instead of before.  I need to shake off all those extra calories I may consumed.  My only other option is to keep all junk food out of the house and stock up with just fruits and veggies.  HA, this could cause me a divorce.  Not just cause my hubby would miss his sweet stuff, but because I’d be in such an ugly mood all the time…I’d be hell to live with.

Regardless of what I ate today…I’m keeping my eye on the prize…thirteen, count them…thirteen submissions!  It may be worth a few extra rolls of fat if I can keep up this kind of production.