Out-takes from the life of writer Karen MacInerney. Thoughts on the writing life, surviving the writing life with two young kids and a rabbit who chews through my laptop cord regularly, and whatever else strikes my fancy. Also an excellent procrastinatory (I don't think that's a word, but it should be) tool.
I just dumped a bowl of broccoli bits, mango peels, and tea bags onto a possum.
posted by Karen MacInerney @ 8:59 PM
6 comments
I currently write books and manage a household that includes two school-aged children. (Okay, perhaps manage isn't the right word. But we're all clean and alive, so that counts for something.) When I'm not slaving away over the laptop, I'm chasing or chauffeuring children, experimenting with recipes my kids won't touch... or reading books about renovating farmhouses in distant countries. I also spend an inordinate amount of time on Facebook (facebook.com/karenmacinerney) and Twitter (@KarenMacInerney); I love connecting with readers in both places!
6 Comments:
LOL. That poor possum. You know, you'll never know what you'll find outside. Or inside. I've found snakes in my home (yep, just after we moved in for about a year I found snakes in the family room & the basement - I was ready to call the movers) & there are brazen raccoons all around. A woodchuck lives next door and every now and then when I go out to my ducks I see him. There's a possum also. Going out at dusk to put the ducks away for the night is always an adventure.
As for my next project? I have planned to write 2 proposals for 2 more books in this series, then write the first draft of another series, submit current WIP to a whole new list of agents. I think that schedule takes me to the end of April.
Last night I read over 4 chapters. I plan the same for tonight and since it's suppose to snow (finally) tonight into tomorrow I'll have a snow day!! Finally. So I plan on doing at least 6-7 chapters tomorrow in between shoveling and drinking hot cocoa.
Have a great day,
Debra S.
Debra,
I think the possum made out better than I did. No snakes yet, just a scorpion. And the raccoons used to raid my birdseed canister (had to move it indoors).
And who are these ducks of whom you speak? And where are you that you have woodchucks?
On a writing note, instead of the two proposals, you might consider just writing a few short paragraphs on each (that's all the publishers have ever wanted from me) and then moving on along to that other new series.
Wait a minute. You plan to have the first draft of another book done by April?
Wow.
Hope you're not too snowed in -- and that the cocoa has lots of marshmallows. (Mmmm. Now you have me thinking of Hot Chocolate ice cream again.)
We can revise together!
Stay warm...
Karen
Hi Karen,
We have three pet ducks - Lars,Buzz & BeBe. We've had up to 9 at one point. We live in Connecticut and there's plenty of wildlife around us, woodchucks, coyote (thank God no scorpions) etc.
Thanks for the tip on the partials. That sounds easier, though for the next book in the series I'd like to write the first chapter at least. The other book in the second series I'd like to write would only be a first draft, very rough and I'd like to try the Book In A month thing to see how it works. Since I'm not on any deadlines I figure I can experiment.
No snow yet, it's suppose to start around seven/eight o'clock tonight and last right through tomorrow, 8-14 inches depending where in the state you live.
Yep, we'll be revising together alright because I won't be going anywhere tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your encouragement & support, it's very nice and I appreciate it.
Take care,
Debra S.
I used to live in Bethel many moons ago. Man, it got cold there! No wonder you take the ducks in! (We once had ducklings in the kids' bathroom for a few weeks, but once again, that's a story for another day.)
Debra, I think you're doing just the right thing to start work on another series, by the way. I have a post coming up in early March on the Bookends blog that deals with that issue specifically. Glad I can help -- but it sounds like you're well on your way already!
Tuck in, stay warm, and write well!
K
Karen- Aside from my reaction to the scary possum, my first thought was, "You compost too!" I don't know anyone else who does that in our neck of the woods except me. I would have had a heart attack if I saw a possum looking up at me. I love those kinds of animals if they are at least 20 feet away.....any closer and they magically turn into wild monsters! I'm even scared of the ducks at the Arboretum. Shh, don't tell anyone. Melissa B. PS Hello to Debra S, I'm originally from Bristol, but now live in Austin....
Melissa,
Yesss! Another composter! Ours is the heap in a wire cage variety, but it works. (They sell great compost bins at the Natural Gardener, btw.)
As for wild animals, I like them, even up close -- except for when I'm not expecting them to be there. Like at night. In the compost pile.
Not too fond of skunks, either, come to think of it, in any situation. Ducks on the other hand don't bother me. But I promise I'll never take you to feed the ducks at Town Lake -- or the Arboretum -- with my son. He would probably have dead fish with him anyway (apparently he believes that's their preferred food), so it's for the best.
Cheers... and you tuck in, too. I think we're supposed to have a freeze tonight!
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