Monday, December 8, 2008

More Fire

When I said I was looking for a spark of inspiration, I should have been more specific. Saturday after I posted here, a different neighbor went crazy burning things. These are the same people that caused me problems last spring. The biggest issue is they are between us and the bay so the breeze blows all the smoke inside. I ended up hanging out with Ibis at work to get away from it.







My writing was coming slowly after NaNo ended, but I'm getting back into it. I wouldn't say I'm tired of my story, I just got burned out (ha!) from writing every day. I know I need to get into that habit if I plan to make a career of this, but I put a lot of other things off that needed to be done (like my dad's website) and several things have come up in the past week (like freelance work).

I did write my first short story last week and I'd like to try to submit it this week. It's under 1000 words so considered flash fiction, and I've already researched quite a few places. I'm looking at paying markets, which may be a lofty goal as a beginner, but you've got to start someplace, right?

Word on the intrawebs is I'll have more edits on The Other Side in the next week or so. I cannot WAIT to hear what my betas have to say. I'll need to write another 15K words in the next draft, and I'm really looking forward to improving the story.

So that's where I'm at. How about you? Need a fire lit under your butt to get you going?

28 comments:

Janna Leadbetter said...

CUTE tie-ins with the fire! Just so sorry you have to deal with that nearly every day. What a horrendous thing!

WendyCinNYC said...

Ooh, good luck with your flash fiction! I think I'll get something like that going today as I wait (and wait and wait) for the cable repair guy..

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, it's making me worry for my health. :(

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Wendy! It turned out better than I expected considering I wrote it in twenty minutes. That's the "flash" for you, I suppose. :)

Jen said...

Lofty, shmofty! Send it to the highest-paying or best markets first. It might be flash fiction, but I for one think it's not at all easy to write, and you deserve to be compensated for your work, same as you would for a freelance graphics gig! :)

I'm at a standstill myself with the writing. I've been working on my interviews for AW's Day of Listening Project, but no new fiction words. Meh. I hope to be back into the swing of things soon.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmmmmm, fire wars.
Shame I am not down that way. I would have fun with that one.
The pyromaniac in me is screaming out right now, pick me, pick me.

Do you have a place where you can get large amounts of cattle manure?

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Ok Jen, you've convinced me. :) You'll get back into the swing of things. I'm sure the holidays make it hard. You're allowed a slow period, especially after the productive month you had!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Penguin, there will be no flinging poo! There is a lot of dog manure because of all the strays, so that could work, but again - no flinging poo!

Anonymous said...

No, no flinging.
Boiling and burning is where I was heading. Right outside the window of the offender.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Ew. Unfortunately I'm four floors above them so unless I camped out on the street, I can't get next to their window. But thanks, really. ;)

Janet said...

No, you don't have to write every day to be a professional. I know of several pros who take one or two days off a week. I think it's much healthier, myself.

And shoot for paying markets, why not? The only point of non-paying markets is self-gratification: agents tend not to take them too seriously.

Nadine said...

That sucks about the fires! Can you put a bucket of water on your balcony and when they start a fire, throw the water and then duck? (like water balloons as a kid)

Good luck with your flash fiction, that's awesome!!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janet, you're making me feel better. Thanks.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine, did you see my comment on the other post? I really want to throw water balloons at them! My only fear is that will cause even more smoke, but at least they'll get the point and won't be able to burn again until it's all dry.

Spy Scribbler said...

See, now, that must have been why they outlawed fires. Living out in the boondocks where I usually do, I've always thought it silly and it's a law often ignored.

But that? That's just pure rudeness and thoughtlessness. That's just common sense. Geeze.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Spy, we've talked to a few people here and they say the same thing. It wouldn't be a problem if it was in a rural area, but there are a lot of people living right here. I'm sure the people closer to the ground have it even worse.

My pictures from Saturday show that the smoke is surrounding another neighbor's house. I feel awful for them!

Nadine said...

I missed the waterballons comment. Just when I thought I was being creative... :)

I'm surprised the other neighbors don't complain and talk to the offending neighbor.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Me too. I can't be the only one pissed off about this.

Robin said...

Ha! Ha! I really do need a fire under my butt. I'll just sit on your neighbors' balcony!

I'm with Spy. That is so rude. It is plain common sense. I think you should find out their mothers' names, call their moms, and have their moms yell at them.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, I had to walk by them later in the day (I left the car with Ibis) and I was all ready to scowl and give them dirty looks, but the burning was over. Sadly, there was still a lot of brush in piles that will probably be burned soon.

*sigh*

Jenna said...

Too funny....your post...not the fires :(.

No thanks on the kind you have deal with but I could use a figurative one right about now :).

Zoe Winters said...

Wow, be careful what you say, Melanie! ;)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Jenna, today my spark seems to be in non-writing related things, but I just got burned out on that. Bad, I know... I'll stop. :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Zoe, no kidding.

Anonymous said...

From the picture your high enough so all you need is a hose with some pressure which may even get their attention.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

That's an idea. I'd feel bad spraying the people in between though. :)

colbymarshall said...

Strangely, I am going today. I am emotional from my Grandpa's passing today, but the emotion is making words of my WIP float out of me. It's my dealing mechanism.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I'm so sorry Colby. My thoughts are with you and your family.