First of all, a big thanks to all of my wonderful guest bloggers this past week! It was fun for me to have some fresh insights and ideas to read about.
I did not get H1N1. But I did start feeling horrible Sunday night. Discovery #1: Something I took helped me fight off the swine flu that my son has had for over a week now. The only problem is that I took so much stuff, that who knows what it actually was! In the mix was Airborne, herbal tea, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, zinc supplements, and some products that claimed they had antioxidants in them.
Discovery #2: Fumes from Clorox wipes,Lysol, and all the other cleaners I was desperately using to keep the rest of the household well, apparently make it impossible for me to blog, write coherent emails, or pen anything longer than 140 characters.
Discovery #3: Hello, Twitter. I cozied up to Twitter and Facebook when I needed a stress break and once I realized that 140 characters was my writing limit.
Discovery #4: Twitter lists. This is apparently a beta that Twitter is letting some users try out. I wondered why they picked me as one of their beta users and worried this means I tweet too much. Anyway, ‘Twitter lists’ means that you can sort out your followers on Twitter’s app and head them under lists (like you do on TweetDeck.) It also means that someone who is interested in following writing industry types can just follow your entire list in one fell swoop, if they’re interested in your labeled follower group.) I predict this is going to result in a huge writing community on Twitter. I’ll admit to being excited by the idea.
Discovery #5: Blockbuster. Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions on movies for my sick son who is still contagious but bored to death.
Discovery #6: I needed to add 10,000 more words to my WIP (the Midnight Ink one due today.) This was a bad thing to discover on a week where my productivity and coherent thought dropped to an all-time low.
Discovery #7: If you read back through your entire manuscript, it’s amazing how many unfleshed-out ideas you’ll find. Easily 10,000 words worth, without needing to add filler. Whether it’s a scene that ends a little abruptly, a conversation that could turn into an argument, a red herring that could be dropped—there are usually multitudinous opportunities to elaborate and in a way that doesn’t result in too much flab.
Discovery #8: If your child has H1N1 and has been sick for over a week, they do want you to check back in at the doctor. But they may want you both to wear a face mask. People will stare at you at the doctor and carefully move away. Then you’ll discover that swine flu frequently leads to bronchitis and more days of quarantine for your child. But at least you can get antibiotics for bronchitis. Now he’s much better.
Discovery #9: The most important discovery? The writing community is incredibly supportive. I knew it already, but it was really demonstrated to me in so many ways last week. Thanks so much everyone!
Wow! You really *have* had a week! I hope that things easae up and that you get back to all of you feeling well soon.
It would be really nice to use Twitter lists for a writing community. Like you, I’ve found the members of the writing community to be so helpful and supportive, that it’d be nice to have a really easy way to reach everyone and learn from everyone. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if Twitter moves that beyond beta.
I’m so glad you were able to flesh out your manuscript in time to meet your deadline. Hang in there and here’s to an easier week for you!
Good to have you back! I enjoyed all of the guest posts, but I’ve missed your own posts. What a week you’ve had!
I hope the Twitter lists will take off. I’ve used this feature on the desktop app I use for Twitter (Seesmic) and love it. I’m just not sure how I feel about other users being able to access my lists. But the potential is amazing.
And I LOVE today’s picture!
All I can say is Whew! So glad everyone is doing better and you even managed your writing deadline.
I am still struggling with Twitter. Can’t even figure out how to do the tweetdeck thingie. Ah well.
Karen
Yikes! What a week. I’m so glad your son is feeling better and you didn’t catch it. I’m trying most of the same things to stay healthy. So far so good!
It’s onderful that your son is on the mend. Bored means he’s almost back to normal. I’m glad you stayed H1N1 free and got the words added to your manuscript. Two gold stars for you!
That’s a crazy week! I’m glad you and your son are doing better!
That Twitter app sounds cool. It might be enough to convince me to actually use my account… :0)
Aren’t those masks embarassing? News photos of SARS go through my head when they hand me one a the doctors, just because I cough!
Seriously, glad things are better. It was fun guest blogging, and finding new writers out there. But it is good to have you back.
Good luck with your latest MS! Hope to hear the fleshing out goes well.
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
I enjoyed your guest posts, but it is good to have YOU back. And I am really glad you didn´t catch the flu.
Yes, Elizabeth, thank you for including me in your guest blog posse. You are a a gracious and helpful host to those who follow you. And a good example to us all in how you serve your community of readers and fellow travelers.
Well I do hope your next week improves!
I wish you all well and hope the masks can be binned soon :)
I am a bit slow with Twitter, I use TweetDeck and am on a list apparently. It will take me a little while before I work out the lists. I agree with you about the great support we get from our writer friends from around the world.
Well now – that’s a whole heap of discoveries! With you all the way on #9. I’m also about to start toying around with the new twitter list thingy – seems like a good idea and way to make twitter a bit more focused and effective.
Marvin D Wilson
Oh – and glad you didn’t get the full blown swine flu!
Glad to see you back posting! Sounds like a very long, long week. Hopefully you have some Halloween candy around to at least make it a little bit better :)
I didn’t know the H1N1 often led to bronchitis. Explains why I can’t get rid of the cough.
Hope you’ll be up and running soon.
I was put on the Lists thing with Twitter too. I started a list called Bookaphiles. I’m not tweeting much though because it’s Texas Book Festival time.
Helen
Straight From Hel
What a week! We’ve been sick too. Blockbuster to the rescue. Sure wish they would stock more discs of Dexter season three though as they have been checked out from all three local stores.
Stephen Tremp
Elizabeth — Glad you’re back, and I’m amazed at all those discoveries, even with the week you’ve had(!) It was great to do a guest post, and I really appreciate the writing community connected to your blog and others. I think there’s story there, truly, about online communities. Anyway, something is percolating with me, and maybe I’ll pick your brain more in days to come. Now I just have to get my act in gear with Twitter in case my household succumbs…
This online community of writers continues to astound me. Thanks for including me in your ‘guest posse’ and I’m so relieved to learn your son is on the mend.
You were 10,000 words short of your deadline which was today? You were able to write 10,000 words in one week? In the week you just had?
I have no words.
Elspeth
so glad everyone survived. I’m suffering with sinusitis again and just emerged from the bedroom. I found the wood stove doors open but no fire started, the bread started but no sweet patootie. A mystery? think I’ll go back to bed. I like your fleshing out the book bit – so true. keep on keeping on.
Margot–I think that Twitter lists looks like it’s going to be a great application. I’m kind of lumping everyone together in my list right now, but I can see ways it could be better organized (agents/editors/writers/book bloggers).
Ingrid–Thank you! I love the picture, too. I’d like to pretend that my hiatus was as restful as the picture. Not!
Glynis–The lists will take some sorting for me, too. I definitely see the potential there.
Yeah, those masks aren’t much of a fashion statement. :)
Marvin–Thanks. Your power of positive thinking helped me, too.
Karen–I’m glad too. :) I really didn’t think I was going to make the deadline, but then put in a last-minute drive and was able to knock it out.
Jemi–It really does seem to help…whatever it is!
Carol–I’ll proudly display my gold stars!
Kristen–I know what you mean. I had a period of time where I was really just ‘meh’ about Twitter. I’m a believer, now!
Helen–Get thee to a physician. I can recommend Azithromycin in a Z-pack over amoxicillan, just from my child’s experience with it.
Michele–I felt like my son and I looked rather freaky. Sigh. The fleshing went well, thanks! And thank goodness. I wasn’t up for creating whole new scenes. Elaboration seemed to work well and added a little depth to what I already had in place.
Dorte–Thank you so much!
Stephen–Hope y’all are better, too. It’s ROTTEN when the family gets sick.
Glen–Thank you! And thanks for helping me out. I enjoyed reading your post.
Janel–We didn’t get QUITE as much Halloween candy, since my son wasn’t trick or treating. But my daughter got a ton. I’ve…um…sampled it. Just to make sure it’s safe, of course. :)
Jan–A nice mystery! Hope your sinusitis is better soon. That’s no fun.
Martha–Thanks to YOU! And you’re right…I feel like there’s this big breakthrough on the way with a huge writing community. Maybe it will be on Twitter, I’m not sure. Shoot me an email anytime.
Elspeth–That’s sort of how I felt at first, too. :) The thing was that the book was DONE. I didn’t need any additional scene additions, etc. So elaborating seemed to work well. I know that could also be a way to get some serious flab in a book, but I think I’ve avoided it. Oh well. I guess Midnight Ink will let me know if I have or not! :)
What a crazy week you had. Glad to hear your son is on the mend. I’ve been fighting something too, and not sure what has helped keep it away, the zinc? the immunity booster? Either way, I hope it/they continue to work.
Carolyn–Stay strong and keep guzzling that stuff!