I’ve been on hiatus for so long; I really ought to re-introduce myself. Hi there, I’m Elle Strauss and I’m a formally overwhelmed, currently revitalized citizen of planet earth and sometimes I write…pleased to meet you.
I wish I could say I got big news while I was away, but alas, I’m still in submissions purgatory, with another pass to add to the list. But I also still have two books on submission and I’m working on revisions on a third book I hope to have agent ready soon. Got to keep looking at the positive, right?
I've been lurking, of course, so I do know about Laurie Halse Anderson's' writing challenge to write for 15 minutes a day, everyday, in August.
I'm in--are you? I have revisions to get done so, I'll be doing more than 15 minutes a day this week.
And I'm sure everyone knows about the free on-line writers conference coming up, but if you don't check out the widget on my sidebar, WriOnCon.
One thing that happened while I was away was the removal of my blog back ground by Cutest Blogs. Anyone else have that happen? So, this is my new look for now. Not as busy, bumped up to 3 columns—just a basic Blogger Template. My plan is to do an overhaul once I have a book deal and need to think about branding, etc.
I also made a decision on my blog posting direction (didn’t know you needed a blog posting direction, eh? Well, you don’t, only if you want to). I will be blogging Monday, Wednesday, Friday with themes. Here they are:
Monday Musings: Whatever writerly issue or other issue I feel the need to chat about.
Wednesday How To Write (Like I Do. Sometimes.): First, the disclaimer—I know there are a lot of people more qualified to write a How To blog, than I am—but, I have written a few novels and published one, so I think I have something to say, even if it’s just for me to figure out what the heck I’m trying to do and why it is or isn’t working. Second, talking about craft is part of the mission statement of this blog (see title).
Friday Free For All: This could be lists, contest news, out-of-the blue news, interviews, announcements, etc.
I reserve the right to change this up, write on off days or not write at all.
Which I’ll do right now: The funnest (spell check tells me “funnest” isn’t a word and wants me to say “most fun”, but that sounds weird) thing I’ve done so far this summer is kayaking on our lake with my family.
What’s been your best summer time fun, so far?
I just got back from my infinite hiatus, too. Oh, but my hiatus included a hellish writer's block that basically killed my MS revisions. I'm still in a funk. Anyhoo...the most fun thus far was a trip to Maine for my sister's wedding. It was absolutely brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry about the pass. I hope you get some good news soon!
ReplyDeleteI think the Wednesday writing blogs will be great. You definitely are qualified to write this! More than qualified, I'd say.
:)
Welcome back! Glad your break was restorative.
ReplyDeleteWhat book did you publish?
The summer has been low key, but there's an accordion music festival coming up later this month that's always lots of fun.
Melissa--I hope you can repair your ms! Or at least use it to write something else that's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteLydia--thanks for the vote of confidence!
Kathryn--I published a book back in 2000 while living in Germany, called East of the Sun, a women's fic about a woman who reluctantly cares for her mother who is ill with Alzheimer's. It never got published in English.
My husbands a musician so we tend to go to a fair number of music festivals. They are fun.
I like the new look! The same thing happened to my blog as well when I came home from vacation. Let's see...the most fun I've had this summer was at the shore with my family. My oldest son turned 4 in July. He actually wanted to ride the rides at the boardwalk- he had a blast and I had a blast watching him!
ReplyDeleteYeah, they had to move all their pictures to a different host site, so there were instructions on how to make your background stay the same on their website. Big pain. Oh well. Welcome back from hiatus! Hopefully one of us graduates from purgatory soon... right? ;)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! My funnest thing so far was chasing a roadrunner. Why did I think I could win?
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. I too have been traveling this summer (trip to California, then to the beach) and haven't written as much - but am getting back in the swing of things now. 15 minutes a day every day in August? Hmm . . . I'll try.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I like the blog look.
Glad you had a break, and glad you're back! I'm sorry about the submissions purgatory. Not fun, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd on a side note, I really like the look of your blog. Soothing colors, easy to navigate--it's got a great vibe!
I refuse to believe the summer's half over. It feels like it's just started! My favourite summer thing was attending the RNA Conference in Greenwich, east London. It was so inspiring!
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