Quote by Violet_the_Verbose

It's nice to finally have time with my partner, but also not so nice to find myself bogged down and busy with work and everything that needs to get done before the New Year. Looking forward to keeping it low key. Getting out all the blankets, making a cake together, and lots of hot chocolate to keep the cold at bay. Hard to find time to write and finish stories. I mostly just want to chill (read: hibernate) and light some atmospheric candles as the short days of Winter continue.

Hope everyone here is able to find something to enjoy for themselves or find something to enjoy giving over the next few weeks.

Keeping it low key has been the key to our Christmas being chill and peaceful this year. Enjoy baking and eating cake with your partner. I'm making chicken enchiladas today! And I'm blowing off writing until after the fat man comes down the chimney.

Happy birthday drunk Ping! I didn't know! Looking forward to hearing of your drunk projectile vomiting at a booth in Denny's! International incident!

Chores to do, food to cook - I'll see you all soon. Enjoy the season!

A coffee and a cookie please!

Quote by Violet_the_Verbose
Adventure Time

Okay, I may finally try and watch this.

I'm adding Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek and Twilight Zone to my list.

Ooh, good lists!

Mary Tyler Moore (we’re rewatching it now)

Cheers

Seinfeld

Friends

Scrubs

Justified

Sopranos

Six Feet Under

Game of Thrones

Breaking Bad

ER

X Files

Larry Sanders Show

The West Wing

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Long day, and it’s barely noon. I’d love a mug of the strongest thing you’ve got, even though I suspect that is only coffee. A cookie would be a nice addition.

Quote by DenimAngel

Hi peeps

4 sleeps til SANTA Claus comes:worship:

Pouring myself a cup of hot chocolate with a double handful of mini marshmallows in my favorite reindeer coffee mug and grabbing a couple of Christmas cookies and settling down in my favorite chair

No one has said a peep about all the Christmas decorations I put up

CHRISTMAS COOKIES tomorrow today got away from me

Giving the adorable critters fresh water and treats

Stay safe everyone

I LOVE the Christmas decorations you put up, and I look forward to tomorrow’s CHRISTMAS COOKIES!

I’ll have some cider and a Reindeer cookie please.

We're really digging Succession. Sadly, I'm scared to read ANYTHING about it, since I have to avoid two seasons worth of spoilers until I'm caught up.

Finished The Shrink Next Door. Very good, and Paul Rudd is excellent - best thing I've ever seen him do. He really disappears inside the character - every other time I've seen him he's playing versions of himself (I assume). Talia is listening to the podcast.

One more episode of The Outsider to go. Slow but well done.

Pingu, I think my advice was that "a bad writer blaming the reader is like a bad lover blaming his partner." But a good take on writing. I'm really finding that critique groups are helping me too, as you said. You have to find the right fit: a group that challenges you but doesn't break you. That's true of so many things. But I've found it very helpful. Not just for the feedback, but the support and comradery. Much like this place. Writing can be a lonely business.

I hope everyone is well. Still trying to wake up. I think today is the only day I'll write this week. Christmas is approaching quickly!

Coffee and many, many cookies please.

Termination Shock, by Neal Stevenson. Climate change sci-fi. He’s one of my absolute faves.

On deck: Megan Abbot’s The Turnout. She’s one of my absolute faves too.

Quote by AaronArcher

Unfortunately, no one seems to have much interest in discussing writing.

Dude, I will discuss writing until the cows come home! Watcha got?

Hit the snooze button only once this morning. It's a Christmas miracle!

Not much going on. No Talia Friday. Wah. We are going to a play tomorrow, one of T's faves: Cinderella. Wash the dishes, Cinderelly, mop the floor, Cinderelly! It should be fun.

A coffee and a banana chocolate cookie please.

They’re talking about rebooting Six Feet Under on HBO. Grrr. It would make irrelevant perhaps the greatest finale in television history. The show was a little uneven, but when it worked (as in the finale) it was perfect.

I gotta get that booster. We were all over the original shots, but we've been lax on the booster.

Nice day out, and my youngest's birthday! It'll be a chill but fun affair. I'm pushing for Thai food. We may well end up with pizza.

Not much else going on. Only hit the snooze button once this morning. Progress!

A giant coffee and one of those FABU cookies from Sara.

Nice cookies, Sara! (Not a euphemism.)

Hit the snooze button twice AGAIN today. I don't know what is wrong with me. Still, got my words in, got a birthday cake for my youngest, and survived the INSANE wind of earlier today.

Christmas shopping and Christmas prep is DONE. Gonna relax into the holidays from here no in.

I'll take a coffee and one of those delish cookies.

Quote by AnnaMayZing

I have submitted The Nurses. Probably not happen though. 🙄

Good luck. They mention something about providing a critique, so at the very least you might get some good feedback.

I got nothin, though.

Coffee stat! Cookies too! I can't wake up. Wah. Hit the snooze alarm TWICE!

Writing a little today, but lots of chores and lunch with youngest, so I won't get much done. And tonight listening to a video horror reading that has some friends of mine in it.

Nothing else to say, my brain isn't working. Should be a chill day. Everyone enjoy the season!

This rarely happens. The Berkley Open Submission Program (Penguin/Random House, one of the big publishing houses) is allowing writers to submit a ten-page sample of their completed manuscript, NO AGENT NEEDED. "We’re looking for commercial and genre fiction in the following areas: romance, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mystery/thriller, science fiction, fantasy, and horror."

Here's the link. It's a REALLY short submission window: Dec 7th, 2021 - Jan 9th, 2022

https://sites.prh.com/berkley-open-submission-program

___

Submissions must include a 1-page synopsis, the first 10 pages of the manuscript, an author bio, and a query letter with links to social media platforms, if applicable, and any other information you wish the editors to consider. A query letter is an introductory one page letter that tells an editor something about the story, something about the writer, and why Berkley should publish the book.

Got a ton of presents wrapped. Christmas prep--albeit WAY reduced from previous years--is nearly done.

It's been out a while, but The Outsider is really good (based on the Stephen King book, also good). A little slow, it feels a little padded, but it's thoughtful and grounded and takes its time to show you the characters.

It appears I have to avoid Succession season three spoilers for the foreseeable future.

Gotta work! Started late! Coffee and thirty seven cookies please!!!

Survived critique group Saturday. Two and a half hours, all spent on the first 50 pages of the new thing. They ripped it apart and suggested ways to put it back together, but in a very constructive way. As the leader-ish guy said, “We wouldn’t spend two and a half hours critiquing it if we didn’t really like it.” So I came away happy, but knowing there is a ton of work to do in the second draft.

They also all urged me to not go back and rewrite yet, but just finish the Damned Thing. So I will. Current prediction: end of May, 2022.

Chilling and wrapping presents today. Maybe watch something that doesn’t need my full attention. Hello, Lost in Space!

A coffee and a cookie please.

Quote by redwriter

Quote by verbal
This is my first Christmas with no kids in the house. Meaning, for the first time in decades, I can sleep late on Christmas morning! Also didn't have to hang lights or put up a tree.

I must be out of place in here---I still believe in Santa Claus!

Just a hot chocolate, I think. No cookies--I'm slimming.

And he believes in you! He's thinks I'm a hoax, though.

I will be less Scrooge-y next year, but it's just so dang refreshing to have an easy Christmas; for years it was always so much work! The year 2021 is the year I get to finally chill and take a breath. Next year maybe I'll take a more active role.

Larry, I guess saying Break A Leg for a dance doesn't make too much sense. I hope things turn out well. How's that?

Skies are dark. Snow is imminent!

From my favorite Christmas album, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble's Gifts

Ping, you are introducing them to foreign films but have yet to show them the original Gamera vs. Gyaos? Cretin!

I am beginning to understand all the hoopla around Succession. It's pretty frikkin good.

Break a leg, Larry!

We are finally getting some snow. Latest date of the year for first snow in history. Does that sentence make sense? Am I awake?

This is my first Christmas with no kids in the house. Meaning, for the first time in decades, I can sleep late on Christmas morning! Also didn't have to hang lights or put up a tree. We do have a Christmas Table with a few decorations on it, and presents underneath, as a sop to the Santa-Industrial Complex. But overall I'm finding the lack of Christmas screaming into my ears for a month refreshing. We'll visit my daughter for the whole Christmas dealio in mid-afternoon.

I think my cold is finally on the wane.

Okay. Time to edit. Coffee and a Christmas tree cookie please.

Quote by Rumple_deWriter
What is a 'Kreplie'?

Google reveals nothing, other than the phrase "K replies" might be somehow involved. Sorry.

Quote by Rumple_deWriter

How y'all are? I'm still aging disgracefully out here in the desert, even more baffled and confused than usual. Said 'Howdy' to Maggie this morning on FB which reminded me how much I miss all of you.

Jeff, mega-congrats on the sale.

Before I grab me some coffee and a few cookies, please tolerate me asking two question:

What is a 'Kreplie'? Now for the biggie: is there a place to gain wisdom and knowledge vis-a-vis the new software.

And in conclusion, Scott, sometimes messages do show up. I've gotten ones or two from da Bear and the Survivor and the Mandela unit who fired off one just a few days ago. Glad I am to learn he's gonna keep the venerable 'Comps and Calls for Subs' forum going. It was 'Dirty Martini's' forum and I tried to keep it going in memory of Alan.

Later, Inspirators. :glasses8:

Rumps! So glad to see you here. I'd be willing to work up a few cheat sheets for you. Would that be helpful? Spoken on text. Let me know if that would be helpful. Regardless, good to have you back. Thanks for the props - I'll hopefully be able to say more soon.

Facing a motivation problem today: I'm stopping forward motion on the novel and going back and rewriting the previous 100 pages (I'm at page 150), The problem is, seeing the thing grow a little longer every day is thrilling, and that 1000 word count is an easy effective daily goal. With no word goal, I feel less like working. Push through, i guess.

Saw the second episode of Succession last night. I may be becoming hooked.

Coffee and a...STEALS ALL THE COOKIES IN A FIT OF RECKLESS ANTI-SOCAL PIRACY!

I just started Succession too. So far, so good. I enjoyed it. It might be a little too mean spirited for Talia (despite her deep love of horror). Me, I have no soul, I can watch mean people til the cows come home.

Quote by redwriter

Quote by gypsy
Gift boxes with selections can be a good (safe) choice.

Thanks for your assist, Gypsy. Special teas would be fine, but I know our granddaughter always gets her those, also she is not a biscuit guzzler like me! I'm always in for a good (safe) choice so perhaps, if you have time, you could inform me what a gift box would contain and it could go on the list.

However, within the past two hours she has indicated a Van Gogh which has taken her fancy. Oh, yeah? Sounds grand, eh? His 'Almond Blossom.' Only it's a 76cm x 50cm print on wrapped canvas. I'm sure it will look great on our newly painted bedroom wall, and will certainly make up as a part gift. But I can't imagine her leaving it unwrapped until Christmas Day.

And I'm stuck for a surprise for her. Cruises and holiday specials are out these days. But thanks for your ideas, they have set the old brainbox buzzing. Glad to hear if any one else has ideas.

Oh, go on, I'll have another hot chocolate and choc cookie!

You could write her a story. Buy her a nice teacup and tea and a story that involves it.

What do I know? I give my wife Pez.

This cold is still malingering. Grrr. It's No Talia Wednesday, and the cats are clearly nervous. They may have noticed my internet searches involving trebuchets and low earth orbit.

Time to caffeine up and get this day started! Coffee and a Christmas-y cookie.

Quote by gypsy

Time to get things rolling in here, for those just waking up. 🙃

Those're very funny. Thanks.

Cold is beginning to fade. Yay! Nothing to do today but write. Amazon is supposed to drop off a million packages today for Christmas. Talia got my daughter a better present than I did. I'll take to bullet to preserve family harmony.

Very soon, on a clear night, I am goin to set the alarm for 5 a.m., grab the telescope, drive a short ways into the country, and go find Comet Leonard. I LOVE comet hunting. I used to do it a lot, back in the day.

Okay. Time to get to work.

A coffee and a monkey cookie please.

Okay, okay. The Great Talia-Verbal Compromise of 2021 is that I am going to watch one episode of Succession after she goes to sleep. If I think she'll like it I have to stop watching. If I think she won't I am free to add it to my mix of Anthony Bourdain and old Larry Sanders shows.

Man, marriage is WORK!

Quote by Molly

Quote by Ping
Squid Game.

I cried twice. I watched it because people kept telling me to so I didn't expect to get emotionally involved.

I finished season 3 of Lost In Space last night. I really like this series. There are a few people that annoy me to death, but there are enough positives that I can deal with the nonsense.

Has anyone seen Fleabag? I was thinking of watching it.

I just finished season 2 of Lost in Space. It's stupid fun, kind of in the feel of the original. I'll try season 3.

Fleabag is frikkin brilliant. Very funny, occasionally biting.

I keep trying to get Talia to watch Succession. She is luke-warm on watching it. I will give up and try it on my own soon.

Newest fave is The Shrink Next Door. Fascinating and disturbing. Ferrell is good and Rudd is other-worldly good. Strong recommend.

Oh, and yet one more note on the Beatles Get Back Project. One of the many reasons I am so taken by it is the friendship at its center: John and Paul. You can see the irritation and the fierce devotion, often in the same moment.

Ho. Ho. Ho. Now I have a machine gun shaped cookie.

Sorry Elyse. I was thinking of changing my avatar to Hans Gruber, but I didn't want to freak you out.

Still trying to wake up. The cold is much better, but it's lingering. And I have to write my way out of a corner I've ended up in today. Right now it's like my characters are wandering around aimlessly, checking their watches, waiting for the plot to start up.

Anyone watching The Shrink Next Door? It's really good. And really disturbing, considering the cast is two very likable actors. I never thought Paul Rudd could act before, but he really disappears into this role. Excellent show.

Time to pretend I know what I'm doing. A coffee and a cookie please.