You know you've played Myst too long when...

...you are walking through the mall and see a valve on the wall, and have to stop yourself from going over and turning it just to see what might happen...

What to do...

I'm beginning to think my books aren't publishable. I've tried to make the first book more plot-driven because that's what SF publishers require.
But these stories aren't really plot-driven. They are character-driven. And that doesn't fly in SF.

I am lost.

Myst V

Only about a month until Myst V is released! Whoo hoo!!

It's bittersweet -- I'm looking forward to the game, but am sad it will be the last...

*sigh*

Edit to post -- for those who don't know what Myst V is, here's two links to help:
http://www.mystvgame.com/
http://www.cyanworlds.com/

More about my garden...

Despite needed to be weeded (severely!), my garden is beautiful.

The mimosa tree in the center of the garden has grown and the waving fronds lend an exotic look to the place. The yarrow has grown as tall as the monarda and the sedum is tall and green, soon it will begin to turn red. The hyacinth beans have taken over the arbor entrance to the garden. A sweet scent often wafts across the yard from the honeysuckle overgrowing the fence between the front and back yard.

As I set about doing a little weeding this morning, I wondered if that's how my Heavenly Father looks at me. He sees the overall beauty first, then focuses on a patch that needs to be weeded.

Rechargeable Can Openers

They stink.

We have one -- very nice looking, ergonomic hand grip, cute little stand to put it in to recharge.
Trouble is, it has no 'strength.' It can run for minutes if you just push down the lever, but stick it on a can and give a load, and no go. It might make it around a small can, but something like a large coffee can -- no way. It starts off with a loud growl that grows into a shrill whine then the whine slows and it...comes.....to.......a.........grinding...........halt.

I think I'm like that sometimes. I can talk a good talk, but put load on and do I keep going and finish my work, or do I growl and whine, slow up, and eventually come to a stop?

Ouch.

just a little gardening...

...makes the day go better.

Between the heat and humidity, it's been impossible for me to work outside this summer. Guess it's old age.

I really prayed yesterday that the both would let up some, and today for awhile this morning, the L-rd granted my prayer. It was cloudy, the heat seemed to hold back, and the humidity was low. I was able to work outside, deadheading the monarda and yarrow, trimming back the pennyroyal, and pulling weeds.
It felt sooo good.
By afternoon the weather was back to what has been normal this summer.

Tonight I'm really sore. LOL But I wouldn't mind the heat and humidity letting up again tomorrow morning...

Discouraged

I am so disheartened right now. I feel I don't have what it takes to get published. I'm worn out and don't have the drive to keep editing and working on my ms.

It's to the point when I try to write a sense of dread, almost fear, comes over me. No matter how hard I work, I'm going to have to revise and edit and revise and edit, and the end of the road seems so far beyond the horizon.

How much is "good enough"-- and will I ever get there?

getting something done

I don't think I've ever had this much trouble trying to get started writing. But I have about ten pages of a tentative new book for the series. It's more character-driven than the one which I'm using as the first book. We'll see how it goes...