Awards, Health, Football, Rewrites, Meme. Five Things and All That...

[mmerriam]

I woke up this morning to find I'd been nominated in three different categories in the Preditors and Editors Reader's Choice Awards. The nominations are in SF/F Short Story ("Nor to the Strong" in Ray Gun Revival), Horror Short Story ("Secret" in From the Asylum), and Author.

Huh.

The nasty ick has moved from my nose to my throat and lungs. Yeah.

I wrote my first 500 words of the new year last night.

On a positive note, I woke up hungry for the first time in since the day we flew home. I've been eating because I know I need to, but I've had no appetite until today. I'll take that as a positive sign.

The plan today is to watch the OU/West Virginia game I recorded last night, then settle in and work on rewrites, punctuated by occasional naps.

And now, a meme:

In 2008, mmerriam resolves to...

Lose ten twin cities by March.
Find a better urban fantasy.
Go to the renfest every month.
Volunteer to spend time with sf conventions.
Give some writers to charity.
Give up scotland.

Get your own New Year's Resolutions:

Comments

[pezwitch.livejournal.com]

Dammit, I knew someone had been hoarding Scotland, somewhere.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well, more haggis and kilts for everyone!

I'll say it, because he's too humble to say it...

[careswen.livejournal.com]

Yay, nominations! That's completely awesome!

Everyone: If you enjoy Michael's work, please go vote for him!

Re: I'll say it, because he's too humble to say it...

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

That was my Malcolm Reynolds "huh" of surprise, you know.

Re: I'll say it, because he's too humble to say it...

[careswen.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's how it sounded in my head!

[keesa-renee.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were still scotlanding! I thought you gave that up last year! But when you find that better urban fantasy, let me know. I've been looking for one, myself. ;-)

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

As soon as I find a better UF, I'll let you know!

[wvchemteach.livejournal.com]

Cheers on the game! One of the best I've ever watched... and very poetic since OU apparently tried to use a little known clause in the BCS rules to get their opponent switched to someone more "worthy".

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Congrats to West Virginia on a game well played!

[wvchemteach.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping the Virginia Tech vs. Kansas and then the LSU vs. Ohio State games are equally exciting to watch.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

I suspect Virginia Tech will handle Kansas pretty easily. I had thought that LSU would be to much for Ohio State, but after watching Michigan take care of Florida, I have to wonder about that one.

[wvchemteach.livejournal.com]

I have to think that a lot of the Michigan vs. Florida game had to do with the emotion surrounding Lloyd Carr's last game. They had the reason to win... Florida instead was probably disappointed to even be there.

Still Ohio State has had a time playing SEC schools recently. Then again the Big 10 schools aren't much for scheduling tough opponents outside of their conference unless it is by accident like Michigan vs. Appy State.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Which the main reason I'm so down on the Big-10 (even though I live in Big-10 country) in bowl games. They don't schedule tough out-of-conference opponents (they play a lot of MAC schools), and since they don't play a championship game like all the other conferences (except the Pac-10) they have a longer lay-off between their last regular game and the bowl game, giving them too much time to get rusty and out of sync.

[wvchemteach.livejournal.com]

As it stands the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Conference USA, and MAC Conferences have a championship game. Out of those only the SEC and Big 12 could be considered "true" power conferences... the ACC raid of the Big East really hasn't panned out as both Miami and Florida State didn't continue to be the dominating powers they were 5 years ago... allowing teams like Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College, Clemson, and Virginia Tech the opportunity to rise... but with the exception of Virginia Tech none of them have reached that pinnacle

You do have the Pac-10 and Big East who don't have the championship game... but both have done well the past three years in the bowls. *shrugs* But then again USC is USC, but the Big East right now has 6 of 8 teams that are potential contenders... and a 7th Pitt that might be there in another year or so. I think the Big 10's problem more than anything is they have teams designed to play in the mid-west winter but then play the bowls in Miami, New Orleans, Glendale, or Pasadena against teams built around speed instead of brute force like most Big 10 teams are built.

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

Reader's Choice nominations --- that means somewhere out there you have fans! w00t to that!

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

It's funny. I know that someone out there reads the things I write and publish, but to have someone, obviously a reader and fan, nominate me for something...

It's feels odd. I suppose since I don't have any Big Time Publications (one of the Big Four magazines or a novel from a major publisher), it sometimes feels like no one actually reads the things I sell.

To be presented with evidence to the contrary is both humbling and a little boggling.

[retrobabble.livejournal.com]

Yay, nominations!

Now fork over Scotland and I'll give you some writers for charity...

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a good deal to me!

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

Would giving some writers to charity work like giving your nasty canned goods that no one wants to eat to charity? 'Cuz I could see the wisdom in that. *g*

Congrats on the nominations, Michael. That really is awesome.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

In truth, what is actually needed is charity given to writers, desperately poor bunch that we are!

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

Ironically, I'd have to say that's quite true for the many talented, hungry writers, yet I think there are a few mainstream, quite successful novelists that I'd like to see given to charity. How some people become successful while far more talented authors can't quit their dayjobs I'll never understand.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

it is a mystery. :-)

[redheadedali.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the award nominations! :)

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

YAY!

[eavanne.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on your nominations!!
that is fantastic news.
what a great way to start the year.

(and as far as the "ick" goes, I hope you get better soon. I've noticed that these things often start in the head and move downward before leaving the body. I suppose it's the drip. that's disgusting. well. it is the "ick". return of appetite is a very good sign. feed that cold!)

Re: YAY!

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

It is a great way to start the year.

The return of the appetite is a sure sign that the worst is over. I think if I could just get a decent nights sleep, that would push me over into a full upswing.

[ajjones.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the nominations!

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Thanks!