The world according to Sarchix

Too tired to come up with a title

Published on May 11, 2013, by sarchix in life, writing.

I can’t believe that it’s been so long since my last post. Work is still super busy, which is a good thing, but it has left me with very little energy when I get home. I like working, don’t get me wrong but for a while there, it’s just taking a bit longer to get up to speed.

Edits to Second Chances: A New Star are going. It’s taking more time than I want but it really is going to tighten up the story and polish it up so I don’t mind taking the time to do it. I learned a lot publishing Fire and Ice and I am making sure that I take those lessons and put them into practice. With this book, I hope to learn much more about marketing. Even if I got a sweet book deal, I’d still have to do the marketing so why not get a bigger piece of the pie.

I posed a question on Facebook a bit ago and hopefully later this week I’ll be able to post a bit of Second Chances: A New Star for you guys to get a taste of what is coming in hopefully very soon. Keep you eyes out for that post!

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone and I guess I should get back to editing.

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Tags: life, Second Chances, Writing

A quick weekend note

Published on April 27, 2013, by sarchix in life, Scary Things, writing.

I got my book back today and had a chance to look at the notes given. All I have to say is, WOW I have my work cut out for me. The story is not changing but there is much to be done to make this a great book. I learned SO much from Fire and Ice and I have taken those lessons learned and actually using them to make Second Chances: A New Star the best it can be. (Sorry if I sound like a broken record but that’s just how it is.)

Talk about doing something scary? I gave my book, something that has been with me for about 12 years and let not one but three people read it and tell me how to “fix” it. I don’t think it was broken but just needs some proper polishing. That sounds better anyway.

So, I’m going to get at least one chapter done tonight and post the rough, semi-final version when I’m done with it since my Facebook poll said to post the first chapter. If you like this little blog and are on Facebook, follow the link and like it. Feel free to comment or whatever there or here so I know that you guys are out there. (Or let me know if the link doesn’t work – stuff like that happens.)

Before I get to editing, I’m going to watch the new episode of Dr Who and get my geek on!

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Tags: life, Scary Things, Second Chances, Writing

Busy busy busy

Published on April 26, 2013, by sarchix in hockey, life, writing.

I started a new job a few weeks ago and boy has it kept me busy! Adjusting to a new schedule and just trying to find the best route to get there has been exhausting. Next week will begin my “set” schedule. I miss my friends from my old place but the ladies at the new place are very nice. It is nice to work with other therapists again.

This weekend I’m getting the second round of edits back from my other editors. (Hi Mom and Dad!) This should really tighten up the story and I don’t mind taking the time to make Second Chances: A New Star the best it can be. The weather is supposed to be beautiful so I might just take the computer outside and edit from there while my youngest burns off some of his endless supply of energy.

Fire and Ice is also still surprising me. I am so honored to see that people are downloading it and posting some nice reviews too. (Note: If you have read it – and liked it, please post a quick review with lots of stars.) I can not believe that its almost hockey play offs. Unfortunately, it looks like the Flyers will not be making it to the play offs. Because of the lock out, I’m rationalizing it as it’s not a “real” season so therefore it doesn’t count in my mind.

Finally, I found this article that works for my the massage therapist and the knitter that I am. It’s a nice article about how to stretch your hands and fingers to aid knitters due to the repetitive motion and holding the needles. This article will be good as it gets closer to the holidays!

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Tags: Fire and Ice, hockey, knitting, life

A few things

Published on April 14, 2013, by sarchix in BRILLIANT, life, writing.

It has been a crazy few days here so I’m going to try to sum them up here.

First, I need to advertize this cool Kickstarter project

These mugs are just so cool that how can you not want them? The people behind it are amazing with the communication both to the backers and to their Kickstarter site. I really hope they make it. My only problem is, do I keep them for myself or use it for a present?

Second, I found out that I came in second place in the SoJo Happening List as an author.

This is really cool and I am very proud that I did so well in the company I was with. And thanks to all who voted for me too!

Third, I found this cool site for women. It’s called the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club and it is what it sounds like. You sign up and they match you with someone of similar age and geeky interests. I have a lovely woman who lives in Wales and we are both Doctor Who fans.

The idea is that even in this day and age of technology, we are to write a letter. Pen and paper, reaching out to another person who you have something in common with. I’ve already exchanged two letters with my “pal” and it is so much fun! I can not tell you how awesome it feels to get something, besides bills and junk mail, in the mail. I’ll be sending a letter out tomorrow to her.

And finally, I have decided to go back to school! It’s going to take a bit of time to get into the program I want. There are two school that I will be applying to once I get the pre-requirements done but I am so excited. The grad school programs I am looking at are 3 years long but it’s going to be 1-2 years before I can start. Darn pre-requirements.

One last thing. Second Chances: A New Star is still in edits. It’s going to be a bit more to get it out but I really hope that it will be worth the wait.

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Tags: cool stuff, geek, life

Best Travel Mug EVER!

Published on April 10, 2013, by sarchix in review.

A few days ago, I was in Target and picked up a new travel mug to replace one that was leaking. I was looking for something that would fit in my cup holder and not much more than that. I bought this one.

It was around $12 or so. (Yes, that’s my car just outside work) As you can see the brand is Aladdin and I found it at Target. Online they have the same thing but without the handle.

I made my coffee, screwed on the lid and got in my car, placing the mug in the cup holder. As I turned off my street, I discovered that I had not securely place the mug in the cup holder and the dang thing flew to the floor, upside down. The idea of my car smelling like old coffee and floor mats stained jumped to mind. As I completed the turn, I reached down (safely) with the hopes that there was a tiny bit left since I had not even gotten a sip of my morning brew before the tumble.

I was very surprised to find that not a drop had spilled! This was because the lid had been closed. See how secure it looks!

It clicks closed and when open, the lid doesn’t flop in your face either! Very secure top.

I know that it’s just a travel mug but the design really works and does what (gosh) should do. My only minor complaint is that the base is a bit big but it does (barely) fit in my cup holder. If you are looking for a good but relatively inexpensive travel mug, I would recommend this one and would buy it again. Just my two cents.

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Tags: review

Brains are weird

Published on April 9, 2013, by sarchix in life, writing.

The brain is amazing. It is where our memories are stored and where brilliant ideas come from. At the same time, it makes us procrastinate and sometimes we have to fight against it. It can get in the way of ourselves.

Case in point. I’ve been working on getting Second Chances: A New Star through the editing phase. I got all the edits in as suggested by my first editor (Hi Kate!) and wanted to give it one more read through before sending it off to my second editor (Hi Mom!). It took forever to read through it! Every page or so, I found myself clicking on Facebook or something else. It’s not that the story is boring, just that I seemed to contract a temporary case of ADD. Even typing this post, I seem to click on other tabs and away from the post.

Why do I do this? I have no idea!

Next week, my career takes a bit of a change and it will open up a bit of time for me to focus more on my writing and all the business/marketing stuff that goes along with it. I’m excited but nervous that I don’t seem to be able to keep my focus. Focus will help my productivity (duh) and hopefully allow me to do more with my writing and publishing. At least today was not a complete bust. After I finished the read through, I fixed up the Facebook page for Sarchix. Please click the link and like the page! It should be directly updated from this site plus anything else I may put up there. If I ever get around to doing a video for one of my books, it will be put there too.

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Tags: Facebook, life, Writing

Feeling Creative – Sort Of

Published on April 3, 2013, by sarchix in life.

Today, when my to do list is a mile long, I get the urge to do something creative. I have no idea what that creative thing is and I know I have plenty of creative things to do, like edit Second Chances: A New Star or work on my aunt’s sweater. Do I want to do those kinds of things? NOOOO. I want to start something new. This is just a bit frustrating to me.

Why do I do this to myself? I don’t really feel like doing anything actually but the idea of starting a new project is so appealing, almost as appealing as the idea of taking a nap. I love checking things off my to do app and I know it would feel good to get the list down to a handful of things instead of almost twenty items but all I want to do is start a new (but unknown) project. I’m doing my best to stay off both Raverly and Pintrest because I know I would find some awesome project and waste even more time dreaming about doing it. I know I need to start my Christmas knitting, but I don’t think today is the day to do that. (I promised myself no more Christmas knitting until I finished the back of my Aunt’s sweater.)

Once I get started working on something, most likely working on Second Chances: A New Star, I’ll get into the groove and get that feeling of satisfaction. The hard part is getting started. I really wanted to get SC1 (My short hand for Second Chances: A New Star) finished and published ASAP but I keep getting in the way of myself. Yes, I want to put out the best product I can and that means lots of editing. Editing is BORING and points out all the errors I’ve made! Who likes to be reminded of errors made?

Maybe some of this odd creativity is due to the fact that life never seems to stay still for long. Lots of good things going on and hopefully not too many pot holes along the path. Or maybe because it is spring and the sun is out. The weather predictions for the coming days looks like there will be many days of good weather where I don’t need to wear my winter coat. I love my coat but it’s just time to put it away for the season.

Hopefully I can get my butt in gear today and get something off my to do list before it gets too late in the day.

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Tags: creative, life

Finally!

Published on March 30, 2013, by sarchix in writing.

I finally got through the first round of edits for Second Chanced: A New Star. There were times where I thought I’d never get done. Currently, it stands at just over 68,000 words. It’s probably my largest work yet.

I reworked the cover a bit (again) while I was procrastinating at one point. I loved the cover before but realized the title was just too light and a few other little tweeks that were needed. Here is the “new and improved” cover.

So, I think I am going to read the story again and do the fixes that I have been pondering since I found them in the edits. Not exactly sure what is going to happen but it does need some “fill” in a few places. The fill won’t alter the story line, just give it a bit more depth.

Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, I’ll be sending it over to go for the last round of editing. I’ve learned my lesson from producing Fire and Ice and want to make sure that Second Chances: A New Star is as error free as possible. Fire and Ice is good, but I know I can do better. Each book is a learning experience and will help me make the next one even better.

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Tags: Second Chances, Writing

I was bad yesterday

Published on March 23, 2013, by sarchix in knitting, writing.

Yesterday, I wrote about editing Second Chances: A New Star and how I realized I need to add up to an additional chapter.

So what did I do after I published the post? I spent the bulk of the day going over knitting patterns at Raverly instead of editing. It felt so good to look through patterns and plan out my holiday knitting. Yes, I am planning on crafting most of my Christmas presents again this year. I pretty much did that last year and it felt really good. Since becoming an adult, I have always had an issue with how commercial Christmas, and any other holiday, has become and this brings it back to what it should be about. It’s not about who buys what or gets what, its about family and giving the greatest gifts, time and love.

I’m in the process of knitting a sweater for my aunt and I have a few small projects too before I can really start my holiday knitting for this year. Luckily, I have a few kids to knit for so I can always whip out a baby sweater or hat to take a “break” from the sweater. It really is a beautiful sweater and the yarn is SO yummy but its a sport weight yarn so there are many stitches per row to do. The the record show, I AM NOT COMPLAINING about this project, I just need to take a break from it every once in a while. I’m almost done the biggest part - the back piece (which is at the moment pretty boring). After that I’m sure things will speed up and I’ll have to start paying attention to the pattern.

But today, after I hit post, I’m getting back to editing and then figure out how to fill that huge jump I made. Need more time to ponder this and maybe some knitting time after work will help.

Don’t forget to get your copy of Fire and Ice at Amazon. So many stories to tell and so little time!

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Tags: knitting, Writing

Why my editor is wonderful

Published on March 22, 2013, by sarchix in writing.

As I said yesterday, I’m working through the edits to Second Chances: A New Star and I discovered I am missing an ENTIRE CHAPTER. I know I didn’t write it but I need to add it to make the story not make a huge jump. Sure it would be okay to maybe put in a paragraph summing up what happened, but that’s just cheating everyone. Thank you Kate for finding that!

My question is, do I do the edits first and go back and add the chapter or write the chapter now and come back to the edits? I still have about half the story to finish in the edits and it is kind of boring work to do. I’m not in the characters world right now either because I’m more focused on making sure I catch all her notes and only getting snippets of the story at a time. And then I also am concerned that I won’t have the right “voice” and the chapter will feel out of place. I actually wrote the first draft of Second Chances: A New Star somewhere around 2001 or 2002 when my husband was working in Jersey City and had some crazy hours and even crazier commute. I know where my notes are from when I was writing this but I know I have no notes to go back to for this chapter. I really just jumped in the story.

So what to do, what to do? What I want to do is hop on Raverly and find a hat pattern to knit tonight. Talk about avoiding the situation all together. But that’s not going to write the chapter. The other pain in the butt part of all this is, now I have about 10 chapters to re-number as well. I know I am complaining but I really am grateful to my editor for spending the time to make my story the best is can be.

In the meantime, I highly recommend getting a copy of Fire and Ice from Amazon. Second Chances: A New Star is still slated for an early April release but I hope you get caught up in Fire and Ice because there is more of that story to tell too!

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Tags: Fire and Ice, Second Chances, Writing

Sarchix Finds

Too tired to come up with a title

A quick weekend note

Busy busy busy

A few things

Best Travel Mug EVER!

Brains are weird

Feeling Creative – Sort Of

Finally!

I was bad yesterday

Why my editor is wonderful

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