A Whole Bunch O' Things.

[mmerriam]

The Weather: Snow! How I love the snow! More please. I don't even mind shoveling. We spent yesterday lounging around the house in our pajamas, drinking hot cocoa and watching the snow fall.

The Latest SFWA Dust Up: I don't have a dog in this fight, but I can't help but wonder why SFWA would do something so stupid. Mr. President, you have made a mistake in allowing Mr. Burt to head this committee. That said, I've made up my mind about SFWA (and SFWA has made up its mind about writers like me), so I suppose my opinion doesn't matter.

Flag That Journal! Chris McKitterick talks about it here: http://mckitterick.livejournal.com/471201.html

During my last visit to the doctor I discovered that the 20 pounds I have lost by January of 2007 had returned. Ah, well, maybe I can try writing by talking into the micro-cassette recorder while walking on the treadmill.

I'm reading a friend's first novel. It has some shiny stuff!

According to my user page, this is my 999th post. I suppose that means I should do something, I don’t know, special, different, or profound for post 1000. I suppose.

November Stats:
Submissions Made: 0
Sales: 0
Rejections: 3
Other: 0
Publications: 0
Crits Given: 12
Approx Word Count: 5631
Stories Circulating: 8

Kind of a disaster, truth be told. No sales, no publications, low word count.

Comments

[materia-indigo.livejournal.com]

Um, so what's up with SFWA? I'm not a member, so I'm not in the loop.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

These posts and comments should give you an idea

http://matociquala.livejournal.com/1262352.html

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/009662.html

http://community.livejournal.com/sfwa/36429.html

[takrann.livejournal.com]

They are stats that are a hell of a lot better than mine for November, Michael. Although I can boast no rejections (the fact that I made no submissions is a minor detail!).

All I set myself the task of doing today was finishing a chapter and I didn't even make that. I could have cheated and made it in only a few hundred words. But I didn't make it. I blame it on SAD! Time for the St John's Wort, I think. The winter, the short days, the rain (UK) - the capricious and petulant kind. A vertical deluge would be better, at least you know where you stand with that. It's all like another set of weights fitted to your wrists.

Incidentally, there is quite a debate going on about the SFWA on George R. R. Martin's latest LJ Blog entry. Comments are sixty and counting.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

I've been following the thread on GRRM's blog. It's interesting. Charles Coleman Finlay replies in his own journal here: http://ccfinlay.livejournal.com/107606.html

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I have refrained from posting there comparing SFWA to the Elks' Club. But boy howdy have I ever been tempted.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

I understand. I've pretty much decided to eat my popcorn and watch the show, but it has been tempting to jump into the fray.

However, I think there are enough intelligent and articulate people talking about SFWA's latest screw-up as it is.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

We spent yesterday lounging around the house in our pajamas, drinking hot cocoa and watching the snow fall.

That sounds absolutely wonderful.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

It was a great way to pass the day!

Stats

[a-r-williams.livejournal.com]

I like your monthly stats counter. I was thinking of doing something similar for monthly word count goals ( partially to make certain I write everyday ).

I was just wondering though, do you think it helps you get an idea about what your average monthly writing rate is ( or should be )? Do you try and keep to that average number of words or do you try and increase it in order to improve your "productivity"?

Re: Stats

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

What I try to do is keep a steady pace, something between 250 to 1000 words a day.

When I'm in the middle of creating a first draft, I look for higher daily word counts.

When I'm in the middle of major rewrites, such as right now, I don't worry as much about the number of words written as, did I make time to write at least a little on something new?

I think the important thing is to write daily. The more you write--the more of a habit you make it--the faster it goes and the better quality it becomes, in my experience.