Saturday, October 30, 2010

After a hectic week of checking the manuscript of Beyond the Gate, I’m able to get back to the thousand other things I need to do to get ready for this release. Okay, not quite a thousand but it is quite a few. One of the things I’m doing is working on two short stories that are prequels to The Futhark Chronicles. Then I have to decide where to post them. It’s been fun to revisit the world of Futhark. More about those stories when they’re ready to go.

I’m also still working on my blog tour. I’m not sure how long to make it. Five blogs, ten blogs, more? How long is a tour anyway?
In the meantime, I’ve discovered a few new blogs I’m really enjoying. One is Alex Cavanaugh, a recently published SF writer. Read about his new release, CassaStar.
I’ve found staying up to date on all the things I’m doing to increase my web presence is taking away from my writing time during the evenings. Not much I can do about it for the next two months as I really push the release of Beyond the Gate. So my writing goals will be to finish one of the short stories by the onset of daylight savings time renders the world dark before dinner every night. I believe that occurs November 7th.
Actually though I miss the many hours of sunlight during the winter, I do get more writing done without so many outdoor activities and chores to tempt me. I’m hoping for multiple snowfalls this season. I love shoveling the white stuff when the world is quiet, especially after dark. Of course, one of the neighbors will eventually power up their snow blower and ruin the peace.
So do you get more writing and reading done in the winter or are you disciplined enough to work like hours no matter the season?

13 comments:

Helen Ginger said...

I can't decide which time of the year I write more. Maybe the winter when there isn't so much to draw me outside. Right now, though, we're inbetween summer and winter. Too early to turn on the heater, but the house is so cold (I'm always freezing long before anyone else) I have to stop and warm my hands. Hard to get a lot done with your hands clasped between your legs.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

LOL. Me too, Helen! I've been freezing all week but I'm too stubborn to turn the heat on for real. I did put another blanket on the bed this morning.

Ava Quinn said...

Can't wait for Beyond the Gate, Sue. And I'm loving the prequels idea. Very cool!

Daylight savings is my favorite day of the entire year. It's even better than my birthday. One whole hour of more sleep! Doesn't get any better than that.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I love that hour too! And in the spring, even though I miss that hour, I love having the extra daylight in the evening.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey Susan! Thanks, glad you're enjoying my blog. If you need any help with your tour, let me know. I think a dozen or so blogs is best - mine was nineteen and that was really pushiing it.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Thanks, Alex, for the advice on numbers and the offer of help. I might take you up on that.

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,

I am hoping to get more writing done when the time changes, but most often what happens is that I just get sleepy earlier. What I'm doing mostly now is editing, so I don't need the same seclusion I did to get it written and I can work on small parts at a time. So usually I get in a little during lunch hours and right after getting home in the evenings and early mornings when I manage to get out of bed on time.

If you'd be interested in answering my 11-Question Interview, I can post it on my blog for November's interview. I don't get 1000's of hits per day, unfortunately, but it's a little bit of a plug that I'd be happy to do for you ;) You can see some of the past ones listed in the sidebar of my blog.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Madison, I did quite a bit of my editing on my lunch breaks last week and in the half hour I have before work in the mornings. It is tough for me to write during those short bursts.
I would love to do your interview. Thanks so much for offering.

Helen Ginger said...

I did the same last night - I put the comforter on.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I've done six tours now and would be happy to help as well!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Six tours! That makes you an expert to me.

Jemi Fraser said...

Good question. I generally write more in the summer because I'm mostly off then. But I probably write the most during November for NaNo - which is just nuts because it's also report card time!!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Jemi, I know what you mean about November. This week is report card time for me. Crazy times.