Month: August 2008

I’ve always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up. ~Beverly Sills

by Stefani

Waning Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde

I have been thinking, I am really liking this whole idea of titling every post with a quote.  Its entertaining to me, and god knows I have plenty of random quotes laying around.  This one is so true to my motto in life.  If someone expects me to do something, I try to do it better.  If someone expects me to succeed, I try to excel.  And as such, am the ultimate overachiever.  Which is probably why I am so tired all the time.  I go to work every day at the office, then go home and write all night…then get up the next day and do it all over again.  Such is life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s see, its been a very dull 24-48 hours compared to the past few weeks.  I have been spending more time than I should on Pogo, but everyone needs a bit of a break from working all the time.  Eventually the creative well runs dry and needs a refresh.   That was definitely the case in the last few days.  I could find zero creative power to write anything, so I took a break for a day or so.  I think it helped, I’m feeling much better and am back to being full of ideas. 

I talked to Stevie (the boyfriend) for a while yesterday, but not nearly as much as I usually do.  And I must say, I didn’t like it a bit.  I went to a meeting and he wandered off to bed before I got back.  That is one more reason why I dislike my office job so very much.  I am not used to not being able to say goodnight or that I love him before he goes to bed.  I did not like that, and I pouted for a considerable amount of time, but I am over it.  But during all this pouting, I did manage to write another article on Helium.  It’s another shark one.  I promise I will write something else soon, and not overload you with my science geek ways.

Eating Habits of the Mako Shark: http://www.helium.com/items/1156297-eating-habits-of-the-mako-shark

I am trying to think what else I have done in the last day or so, but I am drawing a blank.  Mostly I have sat around and and not gotten any sleep, and then sat around anymore and stared at the wall blankly.  Not the best way to spend time, but it works.  But, we are back on track, so I promise better stories next time…and as always, more articles and junk for you to read.  ~Stef

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I tried to be good, but I got bored.

by Stefani

Waning Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde

What a week!  It has seemed to be a flurry of writing, and rating on Helium.  I wrote 2 articles for their Marketplace.  This is where publishers make requests for certain pieces and allow submissions from the site’s writers.  Because the publishers haven’t made a decision on which articles to publish, I cannot provide links at this time.  If mine are chosen and published, I will do so.  And if they are not, they’ll be transferred to Helium and I can link you then as well.  I am also planning a few more articles for the Marketplace this week as well.  They are supposed to be a guide to the most interesting and haunted locations in San Diego, California and Charleston, South Carolina.  It should be interesting and I am working on my research for those now.

I finally managed to complete all the requirements for the Reward-a-Thon and have been writing up a storm for that.  I did 3 articles just under those categories today, and plan on doing more tomorrow.  I have a little over a month to get as many of those titles done as I can.  It will be a long month, but hopefully it will be rewarding in the end.  They promise rewards, so I will work like hell to get them.  I cannot wait to keep writing for the reward-a-thon, so many of the titles are right up my alley.  They have about 8 titles on sharks, which as many of you know I am a complete shark fanatic.  I can easily name a hundred topics that I can write on, if only I can find the time.

Also, if any of your know of somewhere that is looking for a part-time proofreader or copywriter, please let me know.  I could always use more opportunity to ply my trade, and this would be a great opportunity.  And a little extra spending cash can’t possibly hurt either.  The two stipulations I have for this are that i must be able to work from home, and it cannot take up more than about 20 hours a week.  Other than that, send me the info, I am always interested in new opportunities.  So, now for the shameless self-promotion that I seem to be getting so good at…my newest articles:

Physical Attributes of the Goblin Shark: http://www.helium.com/items/1155456-goblin-shark-appearance-of-goblin-shark-biology-of-the-goblin-shark

Eating habits of the Great White Shark: http://www.helium.com/items/1155844-great-white-shark-feeding-habits-great-white-shark-prey

Physical characteristics of the Hammerhead Shark: http://www.helium.com/items/1155844-great-white-shark-feeding-habits-great-white-shark-prey

And again, I will get you a link to those other two pieces as soon as I can.  I think you would like them, the topics are:  How dirty talking improved your relationship and the etiquette of a one night stand.  The first I have personal experience with, the second not so much.  But regardless, both articles were very fun and I am hoping that they get picked for publication.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, I will know by Friday.  ~Stef

Resisting temptation is fun, but giving in is better.

by Stefani

Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde

Sweet, sweet victory!  I have finally accomplished the writing portion of the Helium Reward-A-Thon requirement.  I have that writing star.  Ironically enough I earned the star when I published a poem that I wrote for my boyfriend a few months ago.  I figured that I was proud enough of it to publish it and dedicate it to him that way.  I could not be more excited, I am still a bit below the requirement for rating but that will be solved in another day or two.  Then I need to start writing on those eligible topics like mad for the next month and a half to earn the bonuses.  I am very excited as I have never been eligible for something like this on the site before. 

I also have been working on my assignment for my class.  And once again this priority has put my novel editing on the back burner.  I’ve gotten a bit more editing done, but not much.  My assignment and the added distraction of Pogo (yes I am a long time Pogo addict) have been keeping the novel far away from my grasp.  But I am hoping to remedy that this weekend hopefully.  I really want to get it done before November when Nano starts up again.  And I know that I will probably procrastinate it until the middle of October, then freak out and edit like mad until November 1st.  It is my pattern and I am used to it by now.

Now, on to links.  I have written a few more articles in the last handful of days, and I’d love to have you read them and let me know what you think. 

Temperament of the Blacktip Shark: http://www.helium.com/items/1142182-temperament-of-the-blacktip-shark

Poem titled Invisibility: http://www.helium.com/items/1144652-invisible-poetry-pain-loss

Poem titled Words: http://www.helium.com/items/1146125-love-poetry-i-love-you (this is the one written for my boyfriend, love you babe)

Well, i think that’s about it for now.  I better wrap this up as I can’t justify procrastinating my day job much more today to write this.  ~Stef

Love doesn’t make the world go ’round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile

by Stefani

Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde

It has been an interesting week to be sure, and I am ashamed to say that I have not gotten a lot done.  Once again personal life interfered with my creative life, and one or the other had to suffer for a few days.  I have not done much on Helium except rate like crazy.  I am still a bit below the minimum mark for my own articles to qualify for their contest, which is disappointing.  I am thinking of publishing a few of my poems on there to try and boost my score a bit.  I only need 5 more percent, that shouldn’t be too hard.

Also once again, editing my novel has not gotten done.  I am going to work on that this evening though.  I hope to get at least 2 more chapters done.  Just last night I got an idea for a whole segment I want to write in the middle of it….so the editing just got a bit more complicated.  But it will be absolutely awesome if I can pull it off right, so I have to give it a try.

I did start writing my short story for my writing class.  It is going to amazing.  It starts with a woman on her wedding day…..always a good place to start.  It will definately be a thriller/suspense and I can’t wait to finish it.  The idea hit me in the middle of the night last night, and I couldn’t not start writing immediately.  After I turn it in to my instructor I will probably publish it on Helium, so be on the lookout for a link.

Well, its that time again.  Time for me to stop ignoring my job and get back to work.  Feel free to comment…unless its spam, then I just delete it.  And yes, “Are you single” is considered spam…and to answer the question, no I am not.  ~Stef

Time to fly

by Stefani

New Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde
Lammas

First of all, happy Lammas to all!  This is personally one of my favorite holidays, and I plan on celebrating in style.  Also the new moon is great news for my writing.  New moon and a holiday?  I shall be in a writing flurry for the rest of the day I’m sure, talk about an energy peak.

Now for a novel update, I worked on editing a few more chapters and I think I’m losing steam.  I am editing, but finding that I’m not changing too much.  Whereas in the beginning I was adding about three times more stuff to it than I was taking out, I am not finding too much to add or subtract anymore.  I don’t know if that’s just a lack of focus or just that there isn’t too much editing to be done on this bit.  But regardless my beta *waves* has been indispensable for this editing.  Although he seems to think its all perfect, which I know isn’t true…but he humors my ego anyway.  At this rate I will be done editing this first time long before November when Nano rolls around.  And I have a pretty good idea what I want to base my novel this year on, we’ll have to see I could come up with something better later on.

This weekend I need to start working on my next writing assignment for my class.  Its interesting as I’m supposed to write the beginning only of a short story and give a synopsis of the whole thing.  That is difficult as I usually don’t write sequentially that way.  Usually I will write whatever scene strikes my fancy, then move on to the next scene I like…and so on.  Then I will string them all together during editing.  I can’t really do that this time, as I have to have the beginning.  We’ll see how it goes.

And now, for some shameless self promotion before I wrap it up for the day.  I’ve written a few more Helium articles, so links will abound!

Should couples live together before marriage? http://www.helium.com/items/1131438-cohabitation-marriage

Is racism learned or taught? http://www.helium.com/items/1132911-racism-learned-racism

Do you believe in love at first sight? http://www.helium.com/items/1134027-love-at-first-sight-lust-dating

I love writing the debatable topics.  I am overly opinionated so I love being able to choose a side to debate.  I wish you all a happy Lammas today, and a happy Friday…hooray for the weekend!  ~Stef