But instead of having the high-energy work and cleaning day I planned for, I spent my morning in the doctor’s office listening to the lady who was taking my blood tell me how her mom and kids were at home puking.

Uhm.

She was wearing gloves, but I kinda wish she’d added a mask to that!  At least I got some meds that should take care of the nausea and ear pain I’ve been swimming through.  Remember my post a couple weeks back with the cute little girl sick in bed?  Yeah, it’s been that long, and I still haven’t kicked this.  But!  But, but, but!  Today is Friday, and I have faith in Fridays.

So, newsy bits and pieces for Friday:

• I entered my query for 13 Demon Days in Mystery Agent Inbox (entry #39) over at Mother. Write. Repeat.  If you go check it out, you’ll get a quick look at my first 250 words of immortal text, and feel very special for having been privileged with a glimpse, I’m sure!  Seriously, though, drop by and tell me what you think!
• I posted a blog on the Cabinet in which I touched on a few highlights from the SCBWI Carolinas Conference last weekend.  We also have an interview with Caleb Warnock available, which I’m tardy in mentioning.  But, Caleb’s insights are timeless, so no harm done!
• Lastly, congrats to fellow cabinet member Becca Fitzpatrick on the announcement of a fourth book in her Hush, Hush saga!  Woot, woot, goooo Becca!!!

So, that’s it for me.  Here’s hoping your fun and games for the weekend will be a monumental success, and your Friday only slides in the direction you’re trying to go!

Or that’s what I was thinking–hopefully I was smart enough to sound less cocky in public.  But I really did feel confident in the changes I was making to my novel and I still do.  The breakthrough was amazing and has totally restructured how I approach novel writing.  Here’s proof, in all its 3×5 card glory:

Ahhh, isn’t that the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen?  No?  Well, it was to me.  ‘Cause that breakdown of scenes represented a new way of looking at my book–all the way down to the bones.  And it made my very happy.

But, what is a writer without innovation and learning?  A corpse, that’s what, and I’m no zombie yet.  I dug deeper, read more, obsessed a little here and there–and came up with another fifteen or so layers to my novel that I hadn’t known were there.  This is the new board:

Many of the 3×5 cards are shifted around, and almost all of them has a sticky added which maps out the emotional changes the character is experiencing.  Then there’s the callbacks and continuity notes, the tiny bits of history to be woven in and the dynnamic signs.  It might look like gibberish, but it’s a thing of beauty to me.  A sign that this time, I’ve really figured it out.  I’ve broken the code and sorted out the puzzle pieces…

Oh.  Wait.  I said all that last time.  Guess I’d better save the rhapsodizing for the next breakthrough!

Just for comparisons sake, this is me before the cut.  As you can see, it’s gotten all scraggly and scary.  Small children have screamed and little old ladies have fainted.

The basics are pretty simple:  Comb all the hair up on top of the head, right at the crown.  Make sure you center this over your nose rather than, say, your left or right eye.  Unless you go around with your head always tilted to one side or have some paper bags you’ve just gotta find a use for.  Here I’m making that first brave snip.

You’re guesstimating how many inches you want lopped off, based on where you want the hair to land on your face.  Such as, cheekbone or nose.  Hint: Measure first, then snip.

As a second stage, I gather just a bit from the top and give it a twist, then cut it straight across.  This time I’m only taking off a little bit–maybe a half inch.  I then twist the other direction and even it up.  I do this to add to the layered look on top and remove the clear line between the old cut and new.

And, voila!  I have a new haircut!

I can’t remember anymore where I first learned of this cut, but here you’ll find a pretty good step-by-step guide, in case you want to try it yourself.

DISCLAIMER: I am not suggesting anyone use scissors unless they can do so safely, and without the poking of eyes or trimming of ears.  If you are underage (or drunk), get a (sober) adult’s help.  Don’t blame me if you hate your cut.  If you represent or advocate for brown paper bags, please note that I in no way discrimate against brown paper bags and fondly use them for many other things.  Like a peace-offering to my son when I cut his hair.

Luck to all the entries!

All those arms and legs–I just discovered how the instinctive species-wide need to nurture and protect a baby can be squashed.  Waaay too much of a good thing!

My deliberation process lasted just long enough to realize that pushing through to the finish tonight would mean forgoing my evening out with hubby and delicious Chinese dumplings, curry chicken, and wonton soup.

I’ll let next week take the honors.

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That’s just over the one third mark!

It’s growing out by the gate.  That’s my womens size nine shoe in the background providing perspective.  I’m tempted to use a black sharpie to draw on a door and little windows…what kind of tenants do you think I’ll get?

And this picture was taken after I sent it back to get the cheese melted.  Perhaps they predicted it would need some extra tlc and adjusted the price ahead of time?

I can’t wait to meet my fellow students, and I’m totally stoked to spend a whole week focusing on nothing but writing. Oh, and it’ll be cool to take classes directly from Orson Scott Card, too.

Instead, I’m going with the quick catch-up news blurb:

• We’re having the kind of thunderstorm during which one wonders if there is some truth to tales of angry gods and temper tantrums.
• Tonight my dh and I passed our testing on single-handed broadswords, and therefore qualify to fight with said single-handed broad swords.  Of course, we’re not yet allowed to fight with steel, and so are stuck with silly pieces of foam…but at least we can fight with them!
• I still have no news on OSC’s bootcamp. The news is not overdue yet, it’s just long-awaited. But I’m good at being patient, so I’ll keep waiting. Patiently. Really, really patiently.
• We’ve applied for the permits that will allow our home construction to go forward. Still haven’t decided on a contractor, but we’ve decided all we really need is a bold fellow with a bulldozer.  Who uses contractors these days?
• I think I’m leaning towards the wimp route. In Yellowstone, that is, and will forgo the tents for the cabins.
  First unarguably wise decision I’ve made all year!