Southern Writing

Yes, Cthullhu loves me!

About three years ago, I commissioned a pink Cthullhu with daisies from a sculptor and a book cover illustrator I know from the One World by Night organization. For the past three years, I've seen him once a year, and for the past three years, I've asked about the pink Cthullhu with daisies. This year, he said he'd almost finished it when I saw him at Megacon, and a couple days ago he wrote me to tell me it was finished! As soon as it arrives, I will have a new mascot!

Help me name my Cthullhu!!!

I'm hoping he'll keep me in writing shape. I need someone to take me to task for procrastination. Lately, I've been focused on writing for newspapers and websites, so my fiction has suffered.

In the past three days, I've written about 3,000- 4,000 words worth of news and features, and 200 words worth of short stories and pieces of my novels.

Someone help!

If you know what my new pal here should be named or have a suggestion on how to keep up with placing the fairy tale worlds in my head on paper, feel free to leave a comment or two.

Some exciting news

Over the last week, I started writing for a national blog based in DC. As soon as I get some of my stuff up, I'll start linking to it.

Also, I discovered the site Write or Die, which has really helped me get back on track as far as writing goes. I've been working on a short story rewrite and adding more to my novel. I've worked out quite a few of the kinks in my novel, too.

Soon, I'll add an update for March, which was a pretty slow month. And, I've been thinking a lot about finances, so I think I'm going to write a Freelance Writer's Disaster Guide post.

Financial realities of a freelance writer

About a month or two ago, I had to have my brakes fixed. And, when I mean fixed, almost all of the parts had to be replaced. The repairs pretty much decimated my bank account, so I was more than happy that I paid off a loan around the same time, which filled my credit with the glow of responsible decision making.

Because my account now has the brakes deficit, and because a publication I write for is more than a month late in paying me, I decided to ask my credit union for a loan. And, I discovered that since my day job only provides about 25 percent of my income, and that's what they go by, I won't qualify for a loan until I "make more money."

My response was to ask what I should do in case of an emergency. The credit union rep's response was to "make more money."

Fortunately, the payday advance rep at the seedy office a few blocks from my house was more understanding. 

I also realized while doing my taxes that things are a lot more complicated this year. I am now considered the sole proprietor of my freelance business and should have been saving my receipts on just about everything I bought last year, from gas to notebooks.

Soon I will be posting an account of my battles with tax season during my first year as a paid freelance writer.

More to come soon. 

Leaving, on a jet plane

Tomorrow I'm leaving for Milwaukee Wisconsin. I'm going to be at Midwinter, a big deal for crazy, geeky gamer girls like me. Basically, a group of hundreds of One World by Night Vampire: The Masquerade players will take over a hotel for three days.

This means I won't be online or around my computer.

Being a freelance writer is interesting, because it means I'm always working. I've been known to pull my car over to conduct an interview by the side of the road or take a call during dinner in a restaurant and have it morph into a Q&A session. So, in some ways being unplugged will be good (at least when it comes to my computer- I'll still have my notepad and phone with me), but I keep trying to justify bringing my laptop with me. Every time I come with a reason why it's a bad idea (I don't want a lost, stolen, or broken computer) my brain whines about it and tries to come up with an excuse, like "You need your computer so you can do a little work in the hotel, which probably has free wifi."

I know I won't actually get work done in Milwaukee, because I brought my laptop to St. Augustine a few months ago and didn't get any done then, but I did have to either lug my computer around in its case or worry about it sitting alone in the hotel. So, instead I'm going to enjoy my weekend of being semi-unplugged and work on a short story or two. I also have a stack of books I'm bringing, so I'll be updating the book list I've been neglecting on this blog.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. And, if there are any fantastic places I should visit in MIlwaukee while I'm there, let me know!

First acceptance of the new year

My short story Monica was accepted by a magazine provided I do some rewrites. I really need to rewrite the stories I have floating around in this computer. I'm on a roll!

I'll post more information after my rewrites are accepted.

Author Profile- AD Hudler

I just finished reading the novel Southern Living by AD Hudler, which actually inspired the new name for this blog. I did a little research and found out Hudler is an author living in Fort Myers, Florida. Not too far away from my own neck of the woods.

If you like Southern comedy, or chick lit with a bit of feminist bite, or just to read about Southern debutantes trying to keep up with their fashionable neighbors, then this is the book for you. And the author for you.

Hudler provides a lot of insight packed into his books, probably because being a Colorado boy he's been able to see the South from fresh eyes. A lot of his observations remind me of my own dealings in The South from living in North Carolina and rural Florida.

I have a feeling I'll be reading his other three books in short order. For more information on Hudler and his books, check out his website.

His blog is also filled with witty snippets of sourthern living.