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I used to think I was just MS Word stupid or a jinx, but after doing some net research I have come across many a message board with people ranting and raving about how MS Word sucks.

It is very hard to submit a manuscript in the format an agent asks for when MS Word has trouble even putting the manuscript in normal format.  My documents end up with these huge paragraph sized gaps at the end of the page, because MS word doesn’t want to break up paragraphs, and I end up having the manually drag the ruler down on each page.  I know some sites say: Oh easy fix, take off word wrap, make sure Widows and Orphans is on.  Well it’s off, and it’s on, and MS Word still sucks. 

Now, MS Word has decided that it’s forgotten how to measure margins.  I set it for 1 inch margins on all sides and it gives me insanity.  I am going to have to get a real ruler and stick it up to my monitor to measure my own margins to make sure MS Word is behaving.  I just don’t get it.  There’s nothing like getting 50 pages into a document only to notice… WTF… that margin doesn’t look 1 inch.  Highlight everything, check it, it says it’s one inch… BUT IT’S NOT! 

I miss Word Perfect.  That was my favorite word program, but nowadays they make it MS Word or nothing.  I used to take Word Perfect files and convert them to MS Word, but it ends up putting funny formatting into the document and I’d have to go through and manually edit them.  

Okay, enough of the MS Word rant… but hey, the reason why I’m ranting is because I’m… WRITING.  Yes, that’s right.  I have actually come up with the rationale behind the sequel to my first book, and am ready to outline the plot.  Funny thing about me, I usually get well into the bowels of a piece before I decide to outline, lol.  I know I’m backward, but writing the chapters inspire the outlines for me, not the other way around.  I used to write my papers like that, too.  I never outlined anything, and if teachers required for us to turn in an outline of our papers, I’d take my already written paper and use it to make the outline.

Well, wish me luck. 

Oh, and if the agent that requested my manuscript really only takes a month, then I should be hearing something about if she likes or hates my manuscript soon.  I’ll keep you posted!

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Literally.  Okay, so my new apartment is starting to look like someone lives here.  There are clear walkways, and I have a desk and chair.  I built them this evening.  (Yes, I have a tool box with real tools in them.  Okay, so the tool kit is pink and so are the tools, but hey, they’re awesome! And for your information I paid 10 extra dollars for those tools to be pink 😛 ) Anyway, as I built my complicated Office Max desk, I noticed that the screws and holes they were meant to go into weren’t quite the same size.  Meaning my hand drill vibrated and grunted while the screws said: Haha, sucker, I’m not going any deeper into this hole.  May your desk wobble!  And to top off the screws not all fitting in the holes, there were several screws missing.  I used substitiute screws… and there’s still one mysterious hole with no screw to go in it and no extra joint.  Hmm.   (The finished product looks good, though, and is still standing, even with my computer on it.  Now… it may fall down in the night, but I’m about to knock on wood).  

Tomorrow, I’m building my home entertainment center to put my itty-bitty TV on.  Everyone laughs at my 19 inch TV, but I think he’s cute.  Hmph. 

I’m starting to like it here in Florida.  I think I really just needed the weather to lighten up.  It had rained every day since I moved in on Saturday.  I went on a little walk to the store across the street, careful not to walk in the grass.  I’m still afraid of the Florida critters, and it might be a while before I’m brave enough to walk on the trails. 

Also, the people at my apartment complex might actually come in and fix my foyer light and give me new dishwasher racks (after coming in twice and doing nothing).  I also discovered that a cheap Bissel vaccuum cleaner that I bought for 20 bucks, works better than a Dirt Devil I bought for 49. Grr!

Er… and as for writing… hey, I thought about doing some today :D.  I have been brainstorming like crazy, and I think after my apartment is all put together, and I’m totally moved out of my apartment in Texas (I fly back this weekend to get the rest of my stuff), I’ll start cranking out chapters again.  I was on a writing roll right before I moved. 

 

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So… my new apartment is nice.  I love my new bed and awesome memory foam mattresses.  I love my view of the swamp…er…lake and those freakishly large ducks.  And I love the raccoon that lurks in the bushes by the stairs that I have to go up.  (Please sense my sarcasm on this one).

I also love that now that I’ve turned the air conditioner up to 78, the apartment complex had it set on 72, the carpet has developed a very seasoned aroma… of urine.  I also noticed crayon on the white plastic blinds.  So… did the previous tenant have a naughty, un-potty trained child… or a naughty child and a nasty dog?

I now get to fill out work orders about nasty carpets… oh, and a few other things.  I’m sure maintenance loves me :).

Oh well, other than that things are great.  Love the job.  I am going to be busy-busy, but my boss is cool, my co-workers are nice, and once the rest of my stuff gets here from Texas, I can start decorating my office.  Best news ever: I get internet and cable and modernity in my apartment on FRIDAY 😀 😀

Okay, and some writing news (since this is a writers blog): I have been okayed to teach teen writing workshops and to host adult and teen writing critique groups every Saturday at the library I work at :).

Overall Mood: Good Time!  (Now I just need pee-free carpets)

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Okay, so I am IN Florida.  My new apartment is nice.  There are some flaws, but I can overlook them.  (Just hope the neighbors don’t start shooting at each other, :D) 

My task now is plan ninja strike of getting the rest of my stuff to my new apartment, and getting furniture.  But hey, I’ve got great news.  I do have bedroom furniture now.  It looks like I will be building my office myself.  I know, yikes, but hey, I got my little pink tool kit and I’ve had a little practice at building book shelves at my old apartment.  So, they had a bit of a gangsta lean, they never fell down :). 

After the office, I’ll think on the living room.  I think I’m going to forgo having a dining area and make that little area my workout space.  I mean, I don’t cook, I don’t have anyone to entertain, and I just don’t eat at the table.  And also, I’ve got a bar, so barstools can work, too.

Anyways, I don’t have internet at my apartment yet, so I jump online when I can.  Right now, I’m in Burger King after dropping The Nicest Friend in the World off at the Ft Lauderdale Int Airport.  Geez… let’s not discuss that GPS made us get on the Florida Turnpike and how much the stinkin’ Turnpike costs.  I am taking I-95 back, thank you GPS.  You owe me 10 bucks, by the way.

Take care guys.  Maybe I’ll have a post about, I don’t know, WRITING (teehee), soon.  I have been itching to write for a few days now.  I always want to write when I can’t it seems.

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Haha, so I got my first rejection e-mail.  Wow, you know a few years ago I think I might have been choked up about it.  My baby was rejected, and with a form letter no less, but hey, the form letter had my name on it!  And they were so quick about it, too.  I sent it off yesterday, no joke, and got the reply today.  I was expecting to wait weeks for that first “No.”  Either the lady really hated it, or I did a major formatting “no-no.” 

Haha, anyway I think that was less nerve wracking than waiting for someone to call you back after a job interview.  Those guys can take forever to tell you “No way!”  This lady took 24 hours… that is, if she even read it.  I kinda think she didn’t because it just came back too fast.

So, now I feel accomplished.  I actually submitted my work to a complete stranger for scrutiny and I’m ready for more.  To rejection, I say: NEXT! 

 

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There is so much to do!  I’m reading this big, thick book known as The Writers Market that lets me know that finishing a book hasn’t even gotten me over the first hurdle.  I’ve got the blog, now I need the book trailer, the readings, the PR, and… finally… the agent.  After the agent, the game begins.

I’m loading up on carbs and watching my butt grow as I try to figure out how to do all this stuff.  Fun stuff, fun stuff, but hey I love it.  Now I know why some of my writing teachers say being a serious writer is a full time job.  Marry someone to take care of you so you won’t starve trying to follow your dream.

So, hey, I like long walks on the beach (not really), I like to cook and clean (HAHAHAHA, if you believe that go away now), and I’ll work out so my butt won’t be so big after I finish eating up all these carbs!  Marry me someone!

Anyways, book trailer up soon!