Celebrating a Friend's Success!

I first met Lori Armstrong online in an author's group. Then I met her in real time at the RT Booklover's Conference last April. Lori's the kind of person that you become instant friends with. She's also incredibly talented.
Today she's celebrating some great news.
A two book deal with Touchstone Fireside for a new mystery series. Publisher's Marketplace lists it as a "good deal".
*SQUEE*
You can check her out at http://www.loriarmstrong.com/
As for myself, I'll be writing sink copy today. Now, what's wrong with that picture?

I'm still here!
I got offered another copywriting job. It's like the old good news/bad news joke. Unfortunately the joke is that this time I'm writing copy for 154 sinks. At least they aren't all stainless steel.
Someday (soon, please the writing gods) I'll get back to my characters and stories. I just hope they haven't all forgotten what they're doing and why they're there and. . .I think I might have just given myself a headache.
But, seriously. Thanksgiving was wonderful. My daughter, Alana, and her family came over. Alana is a wonderful writer. But she has *completion issues*. She might outgrow them. She might not.
Anyway.
We all had a good time and lots of food. Somehow with a houseful of Buddhists and Pagans we ended up with a semi-Christian blessing. Although it did involve a "paws for Grace" which involves holding your hands up like kitty paws in memory of a cat named Grace. Pretty irreverent, so I loved it.
I had to laugh when Micah stood at the doorway of the kitchen and asked permission to enter. Then Alana explained that she'd told him the "rules" of my kitchen.
I'm one of those cooks who doesn't want anyone else in my kitchen when I'm cooking. I know where everything is. I know what has to be done and when (for the most part). Just stay the hell out of my way while I get the meal on the table.
I have a feeling I approach writing the same way. Evidently, I'll never give James Patterson a run for his money.

Slowly Hacking Away

At the TO DO list, that is. Copywriting is finished. Only one wall left to primer, although I still have 5 rooms left to paint. Starting the Business Plan this afternoon. Should finish the painting and the Business Plan by Friday. But, I decided I'm taking a couple of hours each day to write. Trying to break out of the "I can only do one thing until it's completed" mode.

And then there's promotion.
Some of my writer buds and I have been talking about promotion. We're all for it. None of us really has time to do it. I remember reading an interview with a fairly well-known, successful writer who said that she used to do book tours and signings and promotion but decided it wasn't getting her anywhere. It was much more important to write the next book and make it better than the last.
I have to agree. I really believe word of mouth is the most important promotion for a book. You can promote your ass off but if your book doesn't grab the readers, it won't do you any good.
Besides, I'm a writer, not a promoter. I'm happy to attend book signings, do interviews or whatever, but that's not my job. It's not my passion. I want to write. It's what I love. And if I'm good enough, the readers will seek me out. If not, then I need to fix my writing--not promote it.

The Day Job
I recently acquired a part time day job working at home writing copy for on-line retailers. The working at home part is perfect for me and the copywriting is something I did for years in a former life. Unfortunately I'm working on a fairly large project right now and the husband and I are painting and repairing our rental property.
Which means, I'm STILL not writing. Well, not writing fiction anyway. Soon, I keep telling myself. Soon.
Right after I primer and paint an entire house, finish the copywriting, oh, and write a business plan and update a website. By then, it'll be Thanksgiving. Wonder if everyone would be okay with frozen turkey dinners?