A rung on the ladder of life (or NEWS!)**Updated**

I'm going to post this announcement today, even though I suppose it's slightly premature... in that I haven't received my paperwork yet... but...

I am a newly minted Assistant Editor for Entangled Publishing! Seriously excited about this, folks. It's a tiny, bottom-rung job and I'll probably be making beans and doing tons of work for it... but it's an editing position with a publishing company! I'll be putting actual hours toward experience, learning more about the craft in the process, and helping authors achieve their dreams of being published!

I'm on one of the category romance lines right now. It's as good a place as any to start, I figure. I don't get to acquire anything (too low on the ladder as yet), but I'm hoping that this position will lead to bigger things in the future! I'm looking forward to posting more of my deep, dark musings about the editorial process from this new perspective. I hope you'll make sure to drop in and comment occasionally.

I have been freelancing as a developmental editor for YA and sci-fi novels for around 6 months now, as well, and I hope to continue doing that work... A girl's gotta have her pet projects. So if you know anyone who needs their MS edited, make sure to send them to Writing Refinery.

Coming soon:
Photos from a Roller Derby excursion. It was my first time attending a bout. Super fun!

**UPDATED**
No, Leslie, this does not mean we're staying in CT. It's a remote position that I can do from wherever I happen to live. :)

The Slow Cooker: A writer's best friend Blog Hop!!!

I totally just signed up for this awesome blog hop that will take place on March 2nd! I'm so excited!!! I love cooking in my crock pot (hands free, low maintenance and all...) and I just yesterday bought a cook book of slow cooker Indian food recipes!

I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with and to try some new dishes! If you want to join in, you can go to Rebekah Loper's blog and sign up!

In other news, I have now TWO exciting announcements that I'm on the cusp of being able to reveal to you. I know, I know, the wait is killing me, too! Just a few more things to finalize before I can spring my good news on you. I'm so excited!!! (Hints are in the post tags, if you want to take a guess or two.)

Can I get past the first page?

Seriously, though?

I'm awesome at editing for other people. I dive right in and get to the core issues almost immediately... I can do a manuscript in 2 weeks, even!

But when it comes to my own writing, I freeze. I am trying to do a rewrite of Lilith, my NaNoWriMo novel from 2011... but I can't seem to get past the first page yet...

I was hoping a year would have been sufficient distance from the 'script so that I could look at it more objectively, but alas.

Well... I AM going to get past the first page. I CAN! I WILL... and it will be amazing.

Insecure Writer's Support Group is hosted by Alex Cavanaugh. You can feel free to sign up and join us on the first Wednesday of every month. It's a great way to meet other writers who can help you through the bumps in the road to publication.

Personal announcement: Little Kitty needs a home.

Hi everyone! I just added a page to my blog. I need to find a home for this cute little kitty cat. Please visit this page for more information. I'm happy to drive her to the right home... so even if you don't live near me, if you know someone who might want her, please let them know. Help me re-home this sweet kitty.

Blogging events in my future (and possibly yours, too!)

There are a couple of cool events coming up that you may have heard of, or you may not have heard of. Anyhow, I wanted to let you know about them!

FIRST!!! IndieReCon (February 19-21)

"A small group of indie writers has pulled together and is hosting this FREE online conference on everything INDIE in Feb 2013! The goal? To make indie publishing a mission possible.

Are you curious about Indie publishing, but don't know where to start?  Or are you already a published Indie author looking to boost your sales or expand your reach?  Then you'll want to attend this exciting online conference happening in 2013 - INDIE Revolution Conference.  Or as we like to call it, IndieReCon."

and SECOND!!! AtoZ Challenge (The month of April)

Can you post every day except Sundays during this month?  And to up the bar, can you blog thematically from A to Z?

Also, coming soon... I have an exciting announcement... but you'll have to wait for it! The next couple of months are going to be busy! Life is always on the move, though... and so I'm determined to make space for the creative. I know I'll need it. What about you?

Breakthroughs

You know that moment? The one where you suddenly come up with an idea that will solve a major plot problem in that manuscript that you shelved a year ago... yeah... it's like a great big bolt of lightning!

And then you realize how much actual work it's going to take to rewrite and fix the plot problem. Sigh...

BUT! Having a solution is better than not having a solution... especially for a story you care about.

It's one of those days where I'm looking up at the mountain I have to climb and wishing for a cable car ride to the top.

Time to go take the first step up the trail.

A creative distraction

Today's sketch