Staking my domain

I finally invested in a domain name--sure wish I'd parked a name years ago. I prepaid for two years' hosting services to get the best deal. (Need to register another domain name so I can move my pages on UMUC's site; I expect they'll soon delete my account seems I've graduated.)

Not sure how I'll design my site. I've uploaded a placeholder index page for now. Need to look up file permission settings as I can't remember what the acronyms mean. Thought my FTP program listed them in plain English...will have to check again as I didn't look at the file level, just the directory level.

Book spree

Shopping for books online is time consuming when you aren't searching for specific titles or authors. I spent several hours searching Barnes & Noble's site for books about Wales and never made it a quarter of the way through the list of 4000+ hits. (With exception of the books about Wal-mart and New South Wales, most of the hits were relevant.) Parts of BN's site let you further refine your search to limit results. No such luck with my keyword search. As it was, I had to log in several times because I kept timing out. Very frustrating! Even so, it was more productive than searching for books in the local bricks-and-mortar store--I wouldn't have found any of the titles I selected online.

Plotting progress

At last I'm making leeway with my plot revisions. I printed my detailed outline and marked several scenes and a few chapters for deletion. I have no qualms with hitting the delete button!

I've scribbled revision notes in the margins, but haven't integrated the revisions I've noted elsewhere (notebooks, index cards, etc.) After I finish marking deletions I'll examine the plot structure and rearrange sections as necessary. Looks like I'll need to write several new scenes. So much work remains, and yet, I finally feel as if I'm making real progress.

Mystery readers' survey

Attention mystery readers: Sisters in Crime member Katherine Clark needs research data for her dissertation titled What is a Cozy? If you'd like to help, please complete her Mystery Readers' Survey.

Bleary-eyed

My eyes are too tired for proofreading today, either that, or I'm not awake enough yet. The dogs woke me before I was ready to rise...don't they always!

I've come across some interesting words while proofing:

• alcazar -- a Spanish fortress or palace
• caliph -- title of a Muslim ruler
• cannonading -- bombardment with heavy artillery

I particularly like the word cannonading as it perfectly describes the action. (I'd never thought about verbs for firing cannonballs until now.)

Forensic variables

A recent episode of Forensic Files made me question the accuracy of some forensic data. The forensic team tried to determine the distance a rifle had been fired from based on the absence of gun powder residue. They conducted a series of tests at six-inch intervals, concluding the gun had been fired from three feet--the distance that left no residue. However, their indoor tests weren't conducted under the same conditions that could have existed outside. In theory, wind could have affected the bullet's path and dispursed the gun powder. Granted, the wind would have to be strong to affect the trajectory, but it wouldn't take much wind to affect the dispursed gun powder. Did they overlook an obvious variable? Or simply fail to mention it? One would hope it's the latter.

Procrastination

I've been spending too much time proofreading existing texts--within a week I've reached the proofreading scholar rank and landed among the top 100 first-round proofreaders--and too little time revising my own text. It's always easier to spot errors in another's work, but that's not my problem.

My problem is that I receive instant gratification from the proofreading--I can see how many pages I've proofed and know that that text is one step closer to the final product--yet, when working on my own text, gratification is delayed, if not elusive.... I get frustrated when I don't see measurable progress. In the writing stage, I set myself a daily word goal--and can see measurable progress, but using word count as a quantifier doesn't work as well for the revision stage.

The revision stage is a back-and-forth process. I might delete a few words or pages of text. I insert notes about what should be moved where, what needs researching, etc., yet those words don't qualify as progress, per se. I rewrite sections and write sections from scratch.

How do I quantify progress when word counts plunge and soar? Perhaps I should measure progress scene-by-scene, or chapter-by-chapter. One thing remains certain: if I continue to procrastinate, I'll never make progress in any form.

Custom M&Ms

Did you know you can order custom M&M mixes? Currently, the company offers four assorted blends: wedding, party, especially for her, and spring into summer. Or, you can select up to two colors, from the 13 available, and specify two, two-line messages up to eight characters per line, printed in black letters. The prices range from $3.75 for party favors (minimum order 16) to $9.49 for an 8 oz. bag (minimum order 4). The preprinted blends are a better deal--$5.59 for 8 oz. They also sell M&Ms with customized Star Wars messages. Shipping rates are comparable to most e-tailers and mail order companies.

Publishing tidbits

According to statistics in Publishers Weekly, less than one-half percent of books published through iUniverse have sold 500 or more copies. Assuming the authors of the 18,109 published titles selected the least expensive publishing package ($299), the publisher made at least $5.4 million before expenses! No doubt the figures are far higher as that $299 package includes only one book, and a book publicity package costs $1500. I feel sorry for the authors who signed up for deals like this.

Power outage

Last night lightning hit a nearby transformer and partially knocked out power for three hours. I'd never experienced a partial power outage before. It was bizarre. The clocks and lights dimmed, the air conditioner started humming because it couldn't draw enough power to push it, and the tvs made similar sounds. Despite the reduced current, the electric meter whizzed as if we'd been running every appliance at once. (As if our electric bill weren't high enough already!) We turned off the a/c before it burned out, and unplugged all the electrical equipment and appliances, save the refrigerator and deep freezer. I prefer full outages because the partial outage made me worry about the appliances.

Summer thunderstorms have drastically reduced my writing productivity. A laptop computer looks more appealing with each storm!

Old writing styles

While proofreading, I've read a sampling of texts written about 100 years ago and noted the difference in writing styles. I've encountered words that have fallen out of usage, excessive hyphenation, Tom Swifties, and language reflecting simpler times. Some of the writing is terrible with flaws including stilted langugage, talking heads, and authorial intrusion; some of the writing, such as that by DeQuincey, is inspirational.

Paperwork quest

Apparently I've stashed some important papers in one of my "safe" places--so safe that I can't find them. However, I did find my son's social security card tucked in with his driver's ed certificate. Also came across a map that might help me with my manuscript revisions. Tossed a bunch of old paperwork--probably should have tossed more but wasn't in the mood to sift through stuff. Still have a few more places to search for the elusive papers. I'm sure I'll find them, though I'm not sure I'll find them in time....

Staggering sales

The local news reported that sales of the latest Harry Potter book have averaged 350,000 copies per hour! That's more than most books sell all totalled. Such an inspiring success story...

(7/19/05--Addendum: today's newspaper reported first days sales averaging 250,000 per hour in the US. Presumably, the higher figure represents worldwide sales.)

(7/20/05--Addendum: another newspaper article reported first day US sales exceeding 275,000 per hour. Are these different stats the result of different data sources or a different interpretation of the same data?)

On the proofreading front: I received feedback on the first pages I proofed--error free. I've proofed more than 100 pages now and have reached the proofreading apprentice level. I wonder what comes next.

Proofreading pupil

I've advanced from novice proofreader to proofreading pupil. I'm not sure what the page threshold between categories is--probably 25 or 30 pages. I've passed 50 pages and had planned to knock out more tonight but the site is down. Tomorrow, I'm back to my manuscript revisions.

Proofreading

So far I've proofed nearly two dozen pages. It's hard on the eyes but I keep returning for more. I've worked on various projects ranging from juvenile literature to biographies and travelogues. Sometimes it's a bit confusing because they've recently changed their proofing system.

Project Gutenberg

I've decided to volunteer as a proofreader for Project Gutenberg. Unlike similar sites, Project Gutenberg provides free e-books. From what I understand, each page is proofed at least twice by different proofreaders, and you can proofread as little or as much as you like. Just love their slogan: "Preserving History One Page at a Time."

Welshpedia

While researching background information for my story, I came across this Wiki, Welshpedia. Looks like a great resource for Welsh facts. Time permitting, I'll submit a few entries.

Plotting the old-fashioned way

Plot revisions should be easier with wordprocessing tools. After all, computerized cut-and-paste edits couldn't be simpler. And given my dyslexic typing skills, I'm thankful I don't have to retype each change or manually correct each typo. (I never took a proper typing class--these days, kids can't graduate without passing typing, rather, keyboarding.)

Overall, writing and revision are easier with computer tools; yet, I resort to old-fashioned methods for plot revisions and major text edits. I can't visualize the "big picture" on a 17" monitor. It's easier for me to visual a story on index cards. What's more, it's easier to rearrange plot points and scenes written on index cards. The downside: copying the details on cards is a time-consuming task. The upside: note cards aren't subject to power outages or computer infestations. No doubt, I'll resort to scissors before I finish revising this manuscript, pasting digitally, of course. Alternating between modern and old-fashioned editing techniques works best for me.

Power Writer has helped me visualize my story on screen. Within the limitations of my computer screen, I can view the story outline, story notes, and story text all at once or separately. It's a great organizational tool.

AdSense Placement

I'm experimenting with Google's AdSense program. Although I doubt it'll generate much income, it's worth a try. I'm still fiddling with the placement of the ads. Balancing design considerations and users' needs is a challenge. A three-column template would be easier to work with. I'll keep that in mind when I design a new template.

Motivation Lapse

I've resumed revisions of a mystery novel I wrote years ago. The manuscript needs extensive changes, primarily plot-related ones. I searched the Web looking for plotting tips and found myself on the site of a UK literary agency; their advice on plotting mysteries is solid, yet formulaic. Not quite the inspiration I was looking for. Actually, it's not inspiration I'm lacking, it's motivation. I'm frustrated because I've plotted myself into a corner and haven't found a viable way out. Revising a book-length manuscript is a daunting task, but the greatest challenge awaits—the submission process....

Inkslinging

An AP article in today's newspaper, "Bloggers learn price of telling too much," echoes my concerns about blogging. It reminds me of the warning I received when I first logged online in 1996: "Don't post anything you wouldn't want to see on a billboard." A Google search for blogging ramifications provides more cautionary tales, including "The Legal Ramifications of Blogging." Worry not, I'll keep any youthful indiscretions, proprietary information, and libelous thoughts to myself.

Despite any lingering concerns, I'm jumping on the blogging bandwagon, albeit rather late. (You know you're late when none of your preferred URLs are available!)

I almost changed my mind about blogging because tweaking the templates proved frustrating--the template tags resemble pseudocode, from what little I remember, anyway. I tried to change the archive links to titles instead of dates. The link titles appeared as desired, but when I clicked on the archived posts, the HTML template tags were visible. I moved the code to different sections without success. Suggestions, anyone?

After I brush up my CSS skills, I'll create my own template. In the meanwhile, I'll continue tweaking the design.