The Journal of Michael Merriam

Back from a short vacation in the land of chocolate—aka Hershey, PA— where we learned that the secret to making Hershey Chocolate is apparently singing cows. Saw the Hershey Museum and Chocolate World. Pennsylvania is very pretty at this time of year, all fall colors and cool days.

Now that I'm home, despite the head cold, I am ready to get to work on something— anything—new. I'm starting to get that twitchy feeling that overcomes me when I'm not writing. I still haven't received the first round of edits from Carina Press for Last Car to Annwn Station and I'm not quite ready to hit the second draft of the Steampunk Mystery Spy-Thriller novella, so I'm considering what to work on in the meantime. I'm a big believer in having a project or three going at all times. On to the next thing, I say.

I have the opening of a handful of short stories, all of which I intend to write at some point and none of which I'm ready to tackle for one reason or another. I could get going on another novel, but the ones that want writing are both sequels to the Monster-Hunting Barista novel, and I'm a little leery of writing a sequel to a novel I haven't sold yet, though I'm more inclined to go that route now that I've at least proven to myself that I can sell a novel.

I guess I can open all my works-in-progress and poke at them until one takes flight.

Question: I see that Scrivener has a beta-version for Windows now. Those of you who have used Scrivener, what are your thoughts? Is it something useful to you as a writer? Why? What do you think are its strengths and weaknesses?

...before my internet connection fails again. Comcast is coming to look at it tomorrow afternoon.

But now, I give you careswen and mmerriam's (  Stillwater Trip Report )

careswen and I will be heading up for a long weekend mini-vacation to Stillwater starting tomorrow. We are both looking forward to getting out of town and having a little private time together. We've picked out some things we both want to do, though we will be pleased with any serendipitous finds and discoveries.

Last night, while we ate dinner, I told careswen that I was really looking forward to this trip. I need to get away from the house for a bit. I need to recharge, step away from the internet, news, politics, and yes, from writing. I've been feeling tired and worn and generally off. Not quite depressed, but hovering near it, I think. More like out-of-gas and stretched really thin.

It's kind of an odd situation, because when I don't have a writing project going (which I don't right now) I tend to get antsy and grumpy. But this time I'm so worn out and brain dead from the busy last couple of months, that I don’t want to write, except not having a project going is what? If you guessed "Making me antsy and grumpy" you'd win a prize, except I'm not giving anything away. Sorry.

I'm hoping that this little retreat will give me chance to recharge properly. I intend to play tourist during the day and soak in the whirlpool at night. And read. After we leave tomorrow (late morning, I think), I won't have access to the internet (no email or LJ all weekend), won't turn on a television, and probably won't even turn on a radio. I'll take my pen and notebook, but if they never get opened, I don't really care. I might do some personal journal work.

Just thinking about getting out of town and spending a long weekend relaxing with careswen make me feel better. I'll be back on Monday.

We had a great time this weekend up at Bay Lake, celebrating akillianna's birthday. We found a faster route up than just taking 169 from the Cities to Garrison. Friday night the group of us (akillianna, bedside_trauma, careswen, glass_eye_01, greykev, pezwitch, williamofoccam, and me) played an 8-hour round of Arkam Horror and ate a half-dozen pizzas we brought up for the occasion and the ice cream cake for akillianna's birthday. After dark we went out on the dock and enjoyed the big bright full moon and lonesome call of the local Loons.

Saturday we ate breakfast (muffins, pastries, and fruits) on the deck, and played games. After a light lunch of cold cut sandwiches, some of the group took the pontoon boat out, while others stayed in the cabin and relaxed. I wrote about 1000 words during this time.

That night we stuffed ourselves silly with fondue. Each family group brought one of the courses (a cheese and bread appetizer course, the main meat and vegetable course, and a chocolate and fruit dessert course). We went back out on the docks to listen to the Loons some more, and to watch the sunset and moon rise over the water. The cabin got a little warm that evening, but we soldiered through and there were cold drinks and games. careswen had a mild migraine, but lost it after taking her medicine and a short nap, allowing her to sit outside and watch the neighbors shoot illegal fireworks over the lake. I crashed a little early because the heat wore me out.

Sunday morning we got up late, had leftover muffins, pastries and fruit for breakfast. The gentlemen played a round of eXtreme Croquet while the ladies cheered. bedside_trauma won in dramatic fashion (yelling "THIS IS SPARTA!" and smashing his croquet ball from deep left field to bounce of williamofoccam's ball and set himself up to win in two easy shots). Afterward, careswen and greykev took the canoe out on the lake. Once they were back, there was lunch and a couple of rounds of Zombie Fluxx before everyone packed up and headed home.

All in all we had a great time and I hope we gave akillianna a fun and happy birthday!

Dark Water Blues

We are back from a fun-filled weekend at Bay Lake with friends. Perhaps there will be a full report tomorrow. Tonight I just want to rest.

I will be staying up at Bay Lake this weekend, celebrating a friend's birthday. I will have no access to the internet or email, and cellphone coverage is spotty at best.

I'll be back on Sunday night or Monday morning. Don't break the intarwebs while I'm away, okay?

I know I've been quieter than usual. I'm locked in a do-or-die struggle with the end of my novel. I know how the novel ends, I'm just not sure of the path. Until I get these last 8k of so words down, I'm going to be a little distracted. I'm pretty sure I've haven't killed enough characters or blown up enough stuff.

I've got everything set to finish the repairs to my walls, I just need to fax the quotes over to All-State tomorrow. The bad news is, I've got the bill for the plumbing (after hours Saturday rates) and while the pipe that broke was only half my responsibility, according to the Home Owners Association rules, I have to try and get the other half from the other owner myself. The HOA will provide arbitration and mediation, but that's all. This after they told me they would pay the bill and then bill me and other owner for our halves. I am…unamused.

Working on reserving a room at a B&B in Stillwater for careswen and I. We need a little getaway. If any of my flist has stayed in Stillwater, your input about a good place to stay would be welcome.

Changed the Reverend's diet on the recommendation of a vet. She seems to be adjusting easily enough.

I did not get the job at the café. I do have an interview tomorrow with a place that sells memorials, monuments, urns, and that sort of thing for a customer service and shipping position.

Now I'm off to do a little writing, sort out my notes concerning all the home repair, and prep for this weekend's trip to Bay Lake. We are staying with friends at a cabin on the lake for a weekend-long birthday party.

Dark Water Blues

Nothing says Christmas in Oklahoma like the smell of lighter fluid and burning mesquite. I'm just sayin'

Vacation has ended. careswen and I had a lovely time, though we didn’t get to do everything we planned. There are several things that people suggested we do that we just did not manage. I promise we will eventually.

I promised myself that during this vacation I would set aside the writing and just relax. No working on the novel. No tightening up short stories. No writing crits. Just relax and recharge.

So I sent my muse off on vacation, giving her the metaphorical credit card and ticket to the Bahamas as it were. Told her to have a good time, drink a few rum drinks for me, watch out for those wacky Greek Gods, see you in a week, and all that jazz.

She came by and visited on Monday. Said she'd left her toothbrush behind, and oh by the way here's 700 words on the novel. She waved bye and headed out the door again.

On Wednesday, she dropped in unannounced. Didn't have the right dancing shoes she told me. While I'm here, why don't you write that one scene, then do some quick revision on a couple of short stories. She swished out around midnight, humming some disco tune.

Friday she sneaked up behind me, covered my eyes and said, guess who? Turned out she had the wrong bathing suit. And what the heck, how about another 1000 words and some more revision, just for fun.

Today she came home, luggage in hand, new sunglasses, and a big goofy smile, giggling about someone named Dionysus. She looked tanned, fit, and ready to tackle the world. 5000 words burst from the keyboard. Then we sat down together and concluded that Move Along Home doesn't fit the novel anymore as a title. It does, however, work for a novella I am about to start at any second.

The plan is to have the first draft of what I am, for the moment, calling Novel A finished by New Year, then a round of revision or two.

Vacation's over, back to work.

In Peace
Michael