Monday, July 29, 2013

Feeling Groovy

I am feeling groovy.

1.  We're launching the brand-new Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers blog on August 1st. Accessible through the RMFW website, the blog will feature a wide variety of contributors on a wide variety of topics. I'm one of the editors and will be mostly lurking behind the scenes, but might occasionally post articles of my own. But RMFW is a big organization with lots of writers, so I don't think we'll have any trouble finding guests to fill our open dates.

2.  I finished that first draft of that novel I've been working on forever. I've decided to put it aside for a while, let it ferment/cure/rest, while I return to another manuscript I want to play with a little more. For those of you who are writers, do you put a first draft aside for a time or do you jump right in and start revisions immediately?

3.  That Netflix original that got all the Emmy nominations, House of Cards with Kevin Spacey, is very entertaining. I'm watching one episode a day to make it last longer. I hear another of their originals, Orange is the New Black, is also pretty good.

4.  I'm reading Always Watching by Chevy Stevens. It's psychological suspense and hard to put down. What are you reading?

5.  The Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference is scheduled for September 20-22 in Denver. I'm already signed up. Do you have any conferences on your summer/fall schedule?

6.  I love my garden. We're eating Swiss chard and green beans this week. And it looks like I'll have a bumper crop of Concord grapes this year. I think I'll do freezer grape jam this year because last year's run at wine was a big musty flop.

7. And finally, we're getting a few days of rain here in Northern Colorado. It's called the monsoon season, and it's a welcome relief from our hot, dry summer. It's the kind of weather that invites me to take a longer-than-usual nap. I was on the couch for two whole hours yesterday. I think it's going to rain again this afternoon.

13 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations on finishing the first draft!
House of Cards is an excellent show. I think people will take notice now that NetFlix got all those nominations for the show.

Anonymous said...

Pat - It does sound like your week's getting off to a good start. And congratulations on getting that draft done. I can't wait for the chance to read it when it's ready. I wish you well launching the RMFW blog; it sounds terrific. And as to the rain? Where I live, we're always in need of a little rain...

Patricia Stoltey said...

Thanks, Alex. Netflix is on the ball with their new original films and series.

Hi Margot. I'm hoping to make the RMFW blog a top notch source of information as well as a promo opportunity for the members. We have a lot of outstanding writers in this state.

Good morning, Karen. I imagine you do have the rain...it's your monsoon that flows up here and gives us much-needed relief from the dryness. Even my skin and hair are loving it.

Unknown said...

I'm loving this rain-- finally the soil feels damp and healthy. It smells so good too!

Yay for the blog-- am excited to be a part of it. I'm looking forward to the posts.

I've seen the Netflix movies, but haven't watched one yet. Looks like it will be on my to-watch list. I too, let things sit and ferment, even articles or blog posts.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I do like House of Cards. I'll have to try Orange is the New Black.

Congrats on that first draft getting finished!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Julie -- The blog is going to be a lot of fun.

Hi Elizabeth -- Thanks -- it's now my third fifth unpublished manuscript, four waiting for revisions and one hopefully to earn a contract soon. Some projects never end.

Donna Volkenannt said...

Congratulations on finishing your draft!

The new blog sounds groovy!

Patricia Stoltey said...

I think it will be groovy, Donna. I'm expecting great things from the RMFW membership.

Angela Brown said...

Sounds like you have a great groove going there in Northern Colorado.

I tend to give a little breathing space to me and my first draft, even if just a few days so I can get back to it with fresher eyes.

Wishing you the best with the bumper crops this season.

I've also heard wonderful things about House of Cards.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Hi Angela -- groovy is good, that's for sure. Just heading down to snap that big batch of green beans. Yum!

LD Masterson said...

Kudos on getting that first draft finished. Here's hoping it ferments into the beginnings of a very fine wine.

Julie Flanders said...

I enjoyed House of Cards too, Kevin Spacey is such a good actor.

Congrats on finishing your first draft!

You've got me singing the Simon & Garfunkel song now and I'll probably be singing it the rest of the day. :D

Patricia Stoltey said...

Thanks, LD. It does need a bit of work, but it feels good to have something to work with now.

Julie, the Feeling Groovy song always makes me smile. Not a bad way to to face the day.