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An old blog post from July 22, 2016 Before, during, and after writing-a bit about me. For about five or six years, my husband, Mike, and I lived in a 31' Class C recreational vehicle full time. We traveled south for the winter and worked during the summer months in different campgrounds. In that short time period I experienced many ups and downs. Mostly downs. (That's why we no longer live in an RV.) This story took place in Georgia, near Savannah, during our first winter down south. I still remember the day I decided I needed to wash the outside of the RV for the first time. It'll traveled all the way from Ohio to Georgia and was pretty dirty, so I figured it was about time to clean it. Not one of my better ideas! "We're going to have to wash the RV pretty soon. It's really dirty." I told my husband a few days later. "Why?" My helpful husband said, "It rained last night." I decided to keep my thoughts to myself, but couldn't help rolling my eyes at him. Love the guy, but sometimes... "Well, if you want to wash it," he said into the silence. "Go ahead." "I will." He worked first shift the following day, so I had the day to myself. (Mike was working in security at the time. I had the winter off.) I got the garden hose, a bucket, and this special RV washing brush with a handle that twists out to reach the heights of the vehicle -- and I started washing at the front end. I figured the cab part would be the easiest part to clean. I was wrong! After doing the passenger and driver side windows, I got this two step ladder we own and tried to do the curvy top of the cab. Nothing doing. For one thing the stupid special brush with the extension wouldn't extend out the way it was supposed to do. I twisted and turned it until the skin on my hands was raw. I threw it to the ground a few times in frustration, but I tried to keep my language respectable for the sake of the elderly people and children around me. I may have been able to curbed the swear words on the outside, but they were quiet in my mind. This is when I suddenly remembered I couldn't wash the vehicle until I paid the RV park the $5 fee, for the water use. figured I'd better go to the office and pay the lady before I got into trouble. When I returned from the park office a few minutes later, I felt a bit calmer. That's when I decided to gave up on the front and started washing one of the sides. I finally got the extension handle to work, but now it wouldn't stay secured in the longer positions. Every time I reached the brush up to the highest points of the RV, it would push inward. By the time I got done with that side, I was ready to throw the whole stupid thing away. But I still didn't swear -- too loud. Another wonderful thing about this particular cleaning tool is you're supposed to be able to attach it to your garden hose, so it'll be easier to clean the vehicle. At the attached end of the brush you're supposed to able to open and close a valve to control the flow of the water. But, you guessed it, that didn't work at all either. I did throw the brush into the clearing behind me, but retrieved it quickly. Mainly because the dumb thing on wheels was less than half clean. It looked worse now than it did before I started. By the time I finally got the entire 31 feet of my RV wash and rinsed, I was soaked from the middle of my stomach down. But I got the Four Winds cleaned. Well, except for the roof. When my husband got home, he came in and didn't say a word. I waited, .Nothing. "I washed the RV today." "Oh, you did," he said, going back out the door. "Yes." I said. "I got wetter than the RV did." "Like you were in a wet tee shirt contest?" "Oh, please." He laughed and wandered around the RV, touching places here and there. "You missed a spot over here." I should have known all my work wouldn't be appreciated. "Next time," I said. "You're going to be washing it." And when he does, I'm going to be sitting in a lawn chair with a cool drink in my hands -- and a camera. And, yes, we are still together. And, yes, over a decade later, we are still together.
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I sent in my self edited manuscript to my editor the day before yesterday. I should get the first edits by July 27. Maybe I'm weird, but I love editing. (Well, at least after I get done being upset with editor for asking me to fix stuff that I think doesn't need fixing.) The love part comes in after I read over the edits a few times and let go of my pride, I can see how much better the book will be.
Oh, and I already have my cover. I love it. More on that when I get my release date. Keep you posted. Well, I'm getting the self edit done on Benefits of Friendship. I'm doing one more using the Read Aloud on Word. Love that. It's catching all kinds of misspelled and wrong words, plus a bunch a badly written sentences. Usually I just delete the whole sentence because I can't figure out how to fix them.
Plus I just finished with extra sheets for the cover and other stuff. Oh, if anyone writes, I would recommend the Read Aloud. Works well. Will keep you posted. Oh, and if you would like to read a free story called A Ready-Made Family just go to my blog. I've got the first chapter up now. NEWS
Okay, so Harlequin said no to the manuscript I sent to them. Suggested that I read some of the line I sent it to, which makes a lot of sense. I haven't read even one of those books. To be truthful, i haven't read any Harlequin in years. Think I'll go and buy a few. Good news is that TWRP said yes to Benefits of Friendship. It's a Sweetheart Rose, and I'm in the middle of doing a self-edit on the manuscript to fit it into the company's standards. Cut the chapters almost in half, from about 15 to 25. I really like long chapters, I guess. Added in a new first chapter and a new scene introducing a secondary character. Actually, the first chapter was my original one. I took it out because I thought it wasn't necessary. it was. Now trying to write the blurb. Yikes. I promise to keep you posted.. |
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