Lookin' Up AKA Writing Update AKA Schedule

NaNoWriMo.org is still working on its updates, so--for now--this blog, photobucket, and my deviantart page is the only place to see this cover. I'm not sure if I love the cover--I don't hate it, and I definitely like it better and better the more I look at it--but I just like my banner--soon to be added to the bottom of this blog page--better. So, catching up, let's get this blog post on the road.

Writing Related

I totally finished a novellette length work that will appear--unless something happens, nothing is ever set in stone--in an anthology (I really shouldn't say which one until the TOC is final). It ran a little over 13k, thought will probably be a couple of hundred under 13k after proper edits--which is totally cool. If you'd like, the title is over there ---> in my sidebar, and I'll leave its progress bar up until the work sees print. Then I'll replace it with a link to where the antho can be purchased.

So, let's see... what else? Oh, well, I have two other deadlines I wish to do for this month, one due in a couple of days and one due on the 31st. Also, I signed up to partcipate in several challenges/writing group things. First, there's the Pill Hill Press's Fall Shootout. It's currently closed for people to sign up to participate--sorry for the late advertisement, I'll do better for the Spring one, promise. But my good friend, AD Spencer, is also partcipating, as well as a couple of those that were also in the very first Shootout I'd ever partcipated in--2011's Summer one.

Next, of course, is NaNoWriMo. They finally put up the partcipation badges on the site--which is still being booted up from their updates--and I have mine added at the top of the sidebar ---> My synopisis is up for the novel I plan to attempt, and as soon as writing buddies are back up, I'd love to be added and/or to add you. Just send me an invite on the site (again, when it's up) and I'll return the favor. You can find me here.

Hmm... what else? Oh yeah, I joined in a fanfic challenge called The 50 States of SPN. See my LJ for more on that, but basically you sign up for states (two, in mine and Ariyana's case) and choose a ghost/monster/whatever story that actually exist for that state and write a fanfic where the Winchester Boys hunt said ghost/whatever. My two states are Alabama and Alaska. (AD's are Alabama and Mississippi). I have a good idea for both Alabama and Alaska, I just need to work on it. Posting of the finished fics begins on Dec. 1st.

Following that same train of thought, AD and I also signed up for The Wishlist Challenge which was advertised on Twisting the Hellmouth. Basically, you sign up for a full round (24) half round (12) or a quarter round (6). Then, on October 15th you make a post on your LJ, announcing the fandoms you will write for and what you will absolutely under no circumstances write for. Then, on a first come first serve basis, you accept prompts and write fanfics. Starting (again) on Dec. 1, you post one fic a day as a Christmas gift of sorts to readers. AD and I signed up for a half round. When I do my post on LJ, I'll do a blog with a link so you can prompt too, if you'd like.

I also have another novella due soon (Winds), but I'm not worried about it (yet... see me about this in November). Not to mention any other short story deadlines I want to meet, and Aftershock, another novella, I want to finish and try to find a home for.

And finally, in an attempt to make some pocket change--at the very least--I signed up for Hubpages to write articles. I currently have none written, but that will all change soon. I'll link to them here, but keep an eye on my profile for more info. I'll put a link to it at the side as well. And please, feel free to click an advertisements and links... I think that's how Hubpages pay me. I know all the Amazon advertisements are legit.

And back to fanfiction for a final moment, I've made a slight change to my plan. I've dropped trying to finish The Funny Thing About Keys so soon. I mean, it's definitely still one of the fics that I'll be finishing soon, but not as soon as Trials. I'm on a roll with Trials, and I need to outline on Keys, so for any Keys readers who actually keep up with this blog, please be patient. I don't want that fic to suffer just because I'd rather be writing on Trials. It's not fair.

Lookin' Up

Just a quickie here. Things are definitely looking up. Savannah and Tyler were kind enough, one day, to take me around the Galleria to apply for jobs. Because of that, I have already interviewed at Bath and Body Works--fingers crossed--and I have an interview at Michael's Arts & Crafts tomorrow. Now, all I need is to hear back from Godiva and Hobby Lobby and I'd be estatic. Any wishings of Good Luck are very much appreciated!

Oh, also, Preston is doing very well in his classes, and he has an interview as well tomorrow. Good Luck wishings for him as well, please!

Schedule (From 10/13 to 10/15)

Oct. 13:

--Edit Galley from SW (code, of course, lol)

--Finish NaNo Calender

--Work on Hub Article

--Update Craft Blog

--Work on Winds

Oct. 14:

--Edit for SHP

--Work on Shootout Story

--Work on Deadline for the 15th

--More applications to fill out

--Work on Hub Article

--Work on Winds

Oct. 15:

--Post for Wishlist Challenge

--Shootout Due

--Deadline Due

--Start Outlining for HoR I: FA

--Work on Winds

--Outline more on The Funny Thing About Keys

Schedule to be updated next on Oct. 15 (late) or Oct. 16 (early).

That Ol' Knot Is Back

By that, I mean the knot in my stomach. Yes, this isn't an update on my writing so much as a personal rant/seeking advice. I have a lot of things on my plate that are worrying my at present. I mean, really. I'm still searching for a job--although I totally just applied for a Tech Writing job that I am oh-so qualified for. And I need money. Now.

Enter the desperation. Now, I'm not "selling illegal stuff" desperate or "selling an organ I'm still using" desperate, but I'm pretty bad off. I've applied and applied, and barely got a nibble. I'm tired of not bringing in any cash. I mean, don't get me wrong, most of the stories I've submitted and got accepted have a payment attached, but these are short stories. They don't pay much, and they only pay when they're in print/online. And I know what some might think: "Well, just finish the any number of longer works you're working on." Yeah, well, I kind of need money to do that. Can't write if I don't have a place to write in.

But let me get to the seeking advice part of this blog. I stumbled across Hubpages.com and I've done a little research. They're legit. However, I don't know if doing this would be a waste of my time. Do I sign up and go for it, or what? I think I might just.

Anyhow, my point is thus: I'm a college graduate with a BS in English (haha, I know). I've been working in the independent publishing (fiction) game practically since I left UNA's doors. I have library experience, as well as experience dealing with massive amounts of teens at once. I can write like nobody's business. Wanna know what I'm not good at? Job hunting. I could use some help there. I don't want to work in fast food--or food at all, if I can help it. Not because I think I'm "above it," but because I think I'd be the worker that everyone would mutter, "Are you freakin' serious? She messed up that?" in those situations. I'm not a terribly confident person sometimes, so I'm not sure I can handle that. But there are 9 to 5 jobs I'm pretty sure I could do. Retail, for example. Why the hell can't someone just hire me? I feel like I've gone in the same circles, round and round for nothing.

So, if anyone out there reading this knows of someone who might be interested in an English major with a history minor who has a crapton o' library experience, give me chat. Meanwhile, screw it. I'm signing up with hubpages.

Mythical Experience and Other Job-Related Rants

Okay, so I had promised myself that I wasn't going to blog until I got a job. Well, I'm breaking that promise to myself to have a nice and healthy rant that, in the present company at the moment, I don't feel I can have.

So, I've been out of college for months now. Months. Preston's starting an awesomely awesome job tomorrow that pays GOOD. Which means that worries such as bill money and wedding funds are really a thing of the past. The wedding can proceed as planned (and, folks, it was rocky there for a while) and although there is about a two-week limbo between tomorrow and his first paycheck, there's really not a lot to worry about.

Which leads into two feelings: 1. First and foremost, I am very, very, very happy for him. This job will bring so many opportunities for him that will help in future career-type plans. 2. I'm so freakin' pissed at the Universe. I have a DEGREE!!! I have spent nearly 20 years of my life in an education facility. Where's my job? Where's my opportunities? Where's my random email from a company who just happened to find my resume (and it's out there, trust me)? (Seriously, for those new to this story, that's how he got this job). No, I, so far, have none. Or the few that I do have are either in cities that I can't live in right now (more on this later) or months and months away.

No, nothing. So then there's the family. I mean, on all sides. Asking the horrible question, "So what's Trish doing?" or my favorite, blunt variation of this, "When's Trish gonna get a job?" This coming from people who either have not worked a day in their life, are pleasantly retired, or have job security of some type. One of my relatives--and the one I'm referring to might surprise some--suggested that I go out and work at fast food or something to get "experience." Hello? I mean, uh, I've only held 3 jobs, but that's given me experience. And I'm going to play my degree card one more time (seriously, does that thing mean anything? I'm moments away from folding it into a paper airplane and playing with it). But yeah, mythical experience... I have experience in clerical situations. Also in dealing with about 100 kids, at one time. I think I can pretty much handle anything a job might throw at me. But no, I need "experience." Jobs that I think are really cool require at least "2-3 experience in this or a related field." Every single one! If that's the case, how am I supposed to get this mythical experience?!

Do they think I like sitting at home all day, doing nothing? Like having no money to call my own? No! I'm used to being relatively independent. I love Preston to death, but I hate to depend on anybody like that.

So, then I've noticed all the really cool jobs that are the highest earning for my degree (and again, really cool)... are all in Huntsville, Montgomery, or Birmingham. Okay, yeah, that would be great. Let me sign right up... oh, wait... I can't do that. I don't have my license (neither Mom nor Preston's car is ready right now for me to take the test that I'm so willingly to take now) and then, I don't have a car. Not to mention no way to save up to live in those cities, considering that I MUST get married this year if I want everything to work out at least a little close to what I want in my life.

Which leads to the car rant. I want a car. How do I get one? Well, get a job, of course. How can I get to said job without a car? Hmmm... quite a paradox that a lot of people don't seem to get. Preston's job is going to take him all over the Southeast. Even if I had my license, I have no way to get a car anytime in the near future, and Preston must have his car o do his job.

And then there is this sincere lack of jobs. I mean, there's this one job... but it's not until May that I can even start it. It's awesome, pays well... but again, may and lack of transportation. I'm so limited I can scream!!!!!

I think I've covered my whole job rant. I have other, little, tiny annoyances, but that's for another time. Except that, right now, I feel like crap. I scalded the roof of my mouth--at the very back, almost my throat--with pizza sauce so now it hurts to swallow or even talk. My stomach hurts, my head hurts, and my back hurts. I'm tired, but, because I sleep with my mouth open, it dries out where I got scalded, causing it to hurt.

Worse of all of this, if I try to tell the people who keep ramming these problems down my throat about all of this, I get either "automatic comfort" or "you're just making excuses" types of reactions.

So, if you excuse me, I'm gonna go throw up now.