It’s not really Friday but I’ve been editing all week – staring at my computer screen so much that my eyes have begun to protest and I’m running late so late I feel guilty. Hence the title Friday Fess-up (late). Anyway, I have seven projects underway, so many that I’m starting to get a little confused by what I’ve done and to which project. I think I need to create a checklist. A really good one with reminders and all. Any suggestions?

The week that was:

New words – 3740 on His Man of Business
Chapters edited – 10 across two stories
Struggle and rewards – enjoyed a yummy breakfast on Friday with DH but couldn’t get back into writing when I got home. I know – bad Heather.
Biggest Disappointment – Australia Post has lost my Hula Hoop. Someone better not be using it right now. I don’t want it worn out and all the benefits worn away!
Unexpected Achievement – wrote a 1000 word short story for fun Monday Night and will post it later as a free read.
High Point – an editor is reading one of my stories so I did a little happy dance.

Fingers crossed and back to editing !

My Regency Romance Books

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Finding a blog topic this month has proved difficult. I was all set up to do NaNoWriMo again this year but while I waited out October a funny thing happened.

I couldn’t not write. It was so strange. After three days I started a new short story (to fill in the time, you understand) – that’s now stretched into a 20K novella. Oops.

I was still editing an older story but had planned to stop on the 15th. I was doing really well with that until I got a rejection. Rejections seem to kill my day. They shouldn’t – I know that but getting form rejections is frustrating.

So the next day, wondering what I could do better, I started reading the rejected story. With my head still in editing mode I got ruthless with the paper copy and a red pen.

A week before the 1st I put everything away and had a few peaceful days. That only gave me time to think up another novella, and its now stretched into a full erotica series centred around a family run brothel. *hands on head* Clearly, I shouldn’t be left alone with my imagination.

Editing what I’ve already written is my priority leading up to Christmas. I just couldn’t stay in the NaNo groove. If you’re not doing NaNo, what’s yours?

My Regency Romance Books

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I am currently between writing projects. Ah, the chance to breathe, read for fun, and let the mind stir up trouble. Yep, have already come up with another story line. Ménage this time even though I don’t read it and haven’t attempted to write anything involving so many limbs. The wretched trio have been given drinks, a plate of food each (although they seemed keen to share), and directed to the green room to wait out their turn. I might have to renovate that little corner soon. But, I can’t think about them now, I have to prepare for NaNoWriMo.

My plans are going well. I have my progress calendar printed – rewards picked. The first reward (50,000 words) is for me. I have earmarked Jess Dee, Maggi Anderson and Janet Mullany books to read in December. The second reward is for my family. I’m taking them on a full-on picnic lunch as a thank you. They might need buttering up come the end of November – I was a wee-bit manic by the end of last year.

My soundtrack is compete too – 70 songs, 4.8 hours of writing time. itunes rock! I like writing with music. It blocks out the rest of the world, covers the sound of the family conversations just outside my door, and helps me focus on my regency world. The music isn’t regency though, it’s energetic and fast to keep me going. The notebook sits pristine on my desk waiting impatiently for my mid-challenge thoughts. Pencils sharp enough to use as a weapon.

What about the plot?

The plot is still evolving. I’m writing a regency romance set at a Christmas House Party and I have to write a two week story. Last years project was set roughly at 30 days, the length of NaNoWriMo. Writing two weeks seems harder to pace.

So I’m researching regency games that might be played indoors, Christmas traditions that might differ from Australia. Don’t panic, I know the seasons are totally reversed, but there are some similarities my own family has continued since my ancestors changed continents. Oh, and I have to learn about snow. Don’t laugh at me, it doesn’t snow where I live, and I’ve never travelled to see it.

Do you have any tips for writing a regency period house party? Do you know any games, British traditions that you could share? Do you know about snow?

I would love to hear your thoughts.