Busy, busy

I have been busy. As you know, I've been working on getting Out of the Shadows polished. I plan to pitch to an agent at RWA National conference. As part of doing so, I'm participating in an online pitch class given by Bob Mayer. We're a week in and I'm still working on my pitch. It's hard work, but once I get it, I'll feel more confident about my appointment.

Also, I've mentioned that I crochet. Lately I've been working on a shawl. It's made with super soft yarn that is purple with a silvery shimmer to it. The shawl is a moebius design, which basically means there's a twist to it. Well, the good news is that I finished it. I planned to wear it over dress during the award ceremony. Below is a picture of the finished product, on me, with the dress I plan to wear it with. The skirt of the dress is a bit flirty, coming just under the knees. The pic of the shawl doesn't do it justice, so if you're coming to the conference, look me up to see it in person. Anyway, what do you think of the shawl with the dress? Does it work or should I just wear the dress without the shawl?

Last, but not least, I went back to college to get the last few classes I needed to get my degree. I finished the second one last week, with an A. That leaves me one more class, which should be offered in the fall. If so, I can apply for graduation for December.

So, my shawl is finished and I'm waiting on the pattern and yarn for the blankets I want to make for my brother's twins, so I'm trying my hand at crocheting socks. I thought it would be a fairly quick project, plus I got some great sock yarn at the German yarn store.

So, that's what I've been up. What about you? What's been keeping you busy? Are you going to conference? If so, we should hook up.

Home Stretch

Well, I'm in the home stretch. Regarding school, that is. I know I've mentioned I was heading back to school. Before this summer, I lacked 3 classes to fulfill the requirements for my degree.

I signed up for 2 this summer and as I posted a couple of weeks ago, I'd received my final grade for the philosophy class. My computer class ends July 2 so that's almost finished.

I took my midterm a week or so ago, a couple of days before the suggested due date. So I'm in the home stretch. 7 more lessons with their quizzes and the final. Actually, I almost have the next study guide filled out. Somehow, one page didn't print so I have to go back over those questions but then I'm ready for the quiz.

I work the part time job today and tomorrow. I close the shop both days and am usually left by myself from about 3:30 or 4 on. Usually, the shop is quiet. So I make good use of the time. If I have all my work in the shop caught up, I work on my study guides. For my goals this week, I aim to finish at least 2 lessons but I'm actually going for more. I'm hoping 3.

I'm hoping the last class I need is offered in the fall. If so, I can apply for graduation for Christmas. Then to continue on.

Between my school work and getting Out of the Shadows ready for edits, that's been my main focus lately. How about you? What are you working on? Are you in the home stretch?

Good news

Yesterday was a gray, rainy day here in Bavaria. Typical weather for this time of year. I find I don't mind the rain here so much. It's more of a soft, constant thing, and as long as I have an umbrella or a rain coat, I'm fine with that. I could use some sunlight though. I love it when the sun shines while it's raining. I know, I'm weird.

I also worked all day at the part time yesterday. It was rather slow, so I pulled out the study guide and text book for my computer class about 2:30 (shh, don't tell my boss) and worked on that in between customers. I was able to take my chapter 4 quiz last night after I got home. I'm hoping to knock out chapter 5 today and chapter 6 and the mid-term this weekend. The class ends July 2 but I'm hoping to finish up early. Then I just need one more class before I can apply for graduation. Woohoo!

Speaking of classes, I got my final grade for the philosophy class, Introduction to World Religions, yesterday. I keep a close eye on my scores so I knew what my grade would be, but still, it was nice to see the 'A' listed as final grade.

I got another bit of good news yesterday. Remember a couple of months ago when I mentioned that we bought furniture for the living room? It will be delivered on Monday morning! I'm so happy about that. I can't wait to see everything in place. All we'll be missing in there now will be the pictures on the wall. I guess I need to get into the frame shop and get to work getting them framed. Of course, I'll post pictures.

Last but not least, the letter that the attorney was supposed to send to my landlord finally went out. We got our copy in the mail yesterday, so that means he got his yesterday as well. It basically says that he needs to show up at the attorney's office with all the documentation that she asked for by a certain date or we'll be taking him to court.

So, there's my news for the day. I'm off to order shoes for national conference before I settle down with OOTS and get busy. I love dressing up but I hate heels. Hopefully the ones I found will be wearable for an evening.

College-inspired plot bunny decisions

I remembered another dream this morning. For someone that rarely remembers, this is two within about a week. This one is easier to interpret, however. As you know, I sent my Blood Diamond manuscript to The Wild Rose Press for their Jewels of the Night series that debuts in November. I dreamt that I had received an email from the senior editor in charge of said series to let me know that they thought my story would make a great addition to their line. Psychic dream or wishful thinking? I guess we'll find out soon. I'm hoping for the former.

I started my first college class this week. I needed one more social science credit for my degree plan so I chose something that has always interested me – the study of other religions. My class is a philosophy class called The Introduction to World Religions. It's an online class through the college I attended in Texas, so I can finish my degree with them even though I'm in Germany. It's self-paced with suggested guidelines, but I'm hoping to get ahead of the power curve this month with it. My second class begins in May (the online classes have staggered start dates) so if I can work ahead, it will be less stress next month. At least, that's the plan. There are 11 lessons and I've already completed the first. I plan to complete the second tonight after I'm done writing for the day.

I think it's going to be a great class for me, and that I'll get a lot out of it. Some that I can even use for my writing. Glancing through the book's Table of Contents, I noticed there will be some discussion of mythology of cultures I've never read before. This will give me a start on developing a new series that has been hovering in the back of my mind for a while now. It brings me to another decision, as well. Once I finished OOTS, I'd planned to work on the second book of the series. Now I'm wondering if I should complete the first book of the new series first, and then alternate between them. I've got some time before I have to make this decision since it will be summer before I'm finished revising and such. I just know that reading mythology that is new to me will generate lots of plot bunnies.

Have you ever had two series ideas that you had to choose between? What would you do if you were in my shoes?