This past weekend marked the first annual Weekend of Awesome. If you lurk around here or around Kat's, Erinn's, or Pam and Quita's blog you might have heard something about it*. WOA was our version of a writer's retreat. Neat. So it was a conference? No, conference and retreat are entirely different. The purpose of a retreat is to focus on getting your project worked on. We scheduled a few non-writing activities like pitch practice and movie night, but everything did focus on craft in some form or another. Which, of course, is awesome. Ah. What was the best thing about the weekend? By far it was meeting Pam, Quita, and Kat in real life. (I've met Erinn before, but it's always fun to reconnect too.) It's always great to meet my "in the computer" friends. And as I've said before, some of my greatest friendships started through the internets**. The WOA Ladies However, there was more awesomeness to be had. Four For Friday, Special Mo...

I have plenty excuses for things: exercise, legitimate blog posts, laundry. When it comes to writing, I can't think of anything though I'm sure there's something I use. *racks brain* *plays Bejeweled* If I had one excuse it involves cash. Since I'm half of the Gregoire-Poirier super force, all finances are shared. This means that even if I want to take that 10-week course on short story writing, I need to weigh it against things like bills. That's one excuse I'd love to chuck aside, but my other half might get upset. Thoughts like that are depressing, not to mention it's Friday, so let's lighten it up. Only the classics help you become a better writer. I've thrown this out long ago. You can learn just as much about pacing, conflict, and tension from novels that deal with quivering members and heaving bosoms. Bejeweled helps me brainstorm. No it doesn't, freewriting works better. There's too much TV to watch. There is, but sacri...

Freaky Friday was a book and multiple movies where a daughter and mom swap places. Hilarity and Hijinks ensure. This was one of my favorite books as a kid. So when Paper Hangover dropped this week's Friday Fives topic , all I could think was "I'm titling this bitch as 'Freaky Friday'." This is kind of hard for me since I never am like "OMG I want to be them." At least, not from what I can remember. Like, I'd never want to switch places with Roland, even if it was a good day and he was still in training. And since it's so flipping hard, I've only managed to do four. You know what that means? Four For Friday: Friday Fives Edition Georgia Nicolson . It may be the way Louise Renison wrote everything, but things in Georgia's life seem pretty wacky, which I like. And in true Freaky Friday tradition, hilarity and hijinks would go on. The Cheshire Cat . One of my favorite books and one of my favorite characters. I'd love to be a...

Today's the day where my gullibility gets attacked yearly. Because of that (and the fact I have some conference memos to draw up), I figured it would be good to celebrate by sharing some pranks. Four For Friday: April First Edition 1. Paper Fish. According to my 9th grade French teacher, the French like to stick cutouts of fish on each other today. That this was an actual lesson is horrific*. 2. Aliens V. Paratroopers. When I was a junior, the senior class of my high school decided to stage a battle in the cafeteria that waged on through the final bell of the day. 3. Engagement. A now former friend decided to tell everyone that she was engaged. To a coworker and not her then-boyfriend. She let this go on for about 8 hours. 4. Gift Certificates. Definitely not an April Fool's Day thing, but still a prank. For my 25th birthday, a horde of people gave me a $5 gift certificate to Bickford's each. This is due to the fact that this is what my parents gave me for th...

Greetings from the Typhoid House! Okay, maybe not the best way to start a post, but I'm battling a head cold so my funny is on the lam. If you've tried to blog on cold medicine, you might know what I'm experiencing. That said, it's time for a Four For Friday. Four For Friday: Steampunk Edition   1. Steampunk Month . Susan Dennard declared February as steampunk month. She's giving away some books, created a quiz to find out your steampunk personality*, and more. 2. Exhibits . Back in October, Hubby and I went to a steampunk exhibit at The Charles River Museum of Industry** in Waltham. This was a big to-do because we're an old married couple and we're about two seconds away from yelling at kids to get off our lawn. Also, steampunk is pretty cool so why wouldn't we go one town away? Basically the exhibit, which has the complete name of Steampunk, Form & Function, and an Exhibition of Innovation, Invention and Gadgetry , includes submissions from...

With 59 minutes left until the long weekend starts, I'm flat out. The Tuesday/ Wednesday blizzard didn't deter my work effort, but the day after did. I didn't get to my desk until this time yesterday*. Today was only a drop better. My brain's buzzing with stuff*. Next week will be better I promise. Because of this full-brain syndrome, I thought I'd share a few random thoughts with you. I can't handle long blog posts. I start to lose focus halfway through. I also can't handle most prog rock. That's a case of "too many notes." It's difficult to edit your WIP when you stupidly forget your marked up pages in your office "to do" pile*. If you could lose weight by eating pasta only, I'd now be a size 2.  I finally found someone in this office who listens to industrial metal. What random thing would you like to share? * It's kinda hard to do work when you're not at your desk. * That I can't articulate ...

We've survived the first week of 2011, Lurkdom. *throws confetti and high fives all around* I'm slightly distractable today, not to mention that work has kicked my keister. That the 9-5 job has decided to do this on a Friday is awful because I can't keep my head on those projects when it's buzzing with these writing projects: Four For Friday: Literary Irons in the Fire Edition 1. Falling to Normal Current status: out for critique. I sent my contemporary YA out for another beta read, and, quite honestly, I hope this is the last time I need to. There's things that need fixing and I trust that someone who's kick ass and loves cookies can help. 2. Phoenix Rising Current status : revising My current WIP is an urban fantasy that came from my first NaNoWriMo attempt in 2009. My goal is to have this out to beta readers by April. To do that, I should invest in more caffeine. 3. Untitled YA Project Current status: taking notes What was originally going to...

It's no secret that winter and I are arch enemies. Every year it comes around and I'm miserable until March-ish. It's dark. It's cold. There's snow . Since I'm an eternal pessimist, it's easy for me to find the faults of living in New England during our arctic season, but it's much harder to focus the flip side. Today I'll do just that. Four For Friday: The "Hooray for Winter!" Edition My current scarf, via  Old Navy . 1. Scarves. I have a totebag full of them. They're warm, oftentimes snuggly, and full of awesome colors. I have a preference for bright colors these days. 2. Crochet. Now that NaNoWriMo is over and it's no longer too hot to be immersed in yarn, I can pick up my skillz where I left off. I'm nowhere ready to tackle socks, but instead will take on some bags, scarves, and possibly some critters. 3. An excuse to wear fleece pants. Not that I really need the excuse, but it does look silly to rock them in J...

This is it, kids: the final weekend to play catch up on your NaNoWriMo word count. Even if you're wicked behind, it can be done*. Without any more bullshit, I present to you... Four For Friday: Win NaNoWriMo Edition Word sprints. This may sound lame to some, or as Hubby calls it "extremely nerdy," but sprints are a great way to up your word count. By using a time or an online stopwatch, you can challenge yourself to beating your personal best in 15 and 30 minute writing sprints**. Writing Marathon. The Boston region already did their 24 hour traveling write in, but that doesn't mean you can't do your own. Load up on the caffeine and set up a good playlist and write until dawn breaks again. Alcohol. Not only can you become a raging jackass, you can push out that shitty draft in record time. Since boozing it up lowers your inhibitions, it also silences your internal editor***. Excessive and needless dialogue. There's nothing that fills up space more than di...

Welcome to the weekend, Lurkdom. I'm busy--too busy to even blog properly. Guess what that means? Four For Friday: Bathroom Stall Edition* Wednesday found me staring at some of the most entertaining bathroom graffiti I had seen in a while. This being the case, and because I love you all, I took pictures of my stall. Very dramatic, indeed. In green it reads "Voldemort has returned." The red PS reads "Pretty sure I'm an alcoholic." What was the best bathroom graffiti or art you've seen (or done)? * Not as awful as it sounds. ______ Last.fm hit of the day : Bother by Stone Sour

Saying this week sucked hard would be an understatement. I had repeat technology fails, waking nightmares at the 9 to 5 job, and three days of cold rain. There were only two highlights to the week: my 3 year anniversary to Hubby and 90s music references on the Twitters and IRL. With that and the disturbing mashup of Baby Got Back and Rico Suave rolling in my brain, I bring you Four For Friday: Musical 90s Edition!!!* 1. Good Vibrations by Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch.  (It takes a second to start. Patience, grasshopper.)   I'm not sure what was better for middle school Alicia. The beat of the song or the fact there were abs to stare at. 2. Bullet With Butterfly Wings by Smashing Pumpkins. One of the only songs where Billy Corgan's voice doesn't irritate me. Also it's *just* angry enough to sate the rage on those slow-burning days. 3. Black by Pearl Jam. 4. Creep by Radiohead.  Radiohead - New Music - More Music Videos My favoritest song by the...

TGIF, Lurkdom. It's a balmy 70-something in Boston with humidity that can make the flattest hair rival that of a French Poodle. A huge-ass rainstorm is on it's way and the sky is this awful dishwater gray. Basically, it's depressing. What better way to get undepressed than to think about the happy. Four Friday: Happiness Edition Giraffes. There's something about their faces that make me smile. Whenever I'm at the zoo, I spend a lot of time watching them. They're pretty and docile and have tiny horns on their heads. Also, I used to have one as an imaginary culprit. Comfy pants. I love snuggling into a pair of oversized lounge pants once I'm down for the count. As most writers I know can attest, nothing is better than being comfortable when working. It actually helps the brain relax too. The Stripey and White Ones. Like you didn't see this coming. They purr, cuddle, and do cute pouncey stuff with random house stuff. The Sun. It's true. Abov...

Sorry for the radio silence yesterday, but work deadlines encroach. It's been a while since I've talked about Phantasma, and I blame lack of communication from Tasma's new teacher.Still, I know she has fans in the Lurkdom. Because of that reason and because I love you all, I present Four For Friday: Little Phantasma Tuesday Edition The terrarium brought home from Beth lasted through July. When The Stripey One finally scared the final anole, we upgraded to hermit crabs. They are still kicking. During summer camp, Phantasma and Tessa Wolstein reached a shady truce so they could stand up to a grade 8 bully sadly named Buster. School has been in session for most of the month and Tasma hasn't brought home one assignment to date. Her new favorite lunch is open-faced Nutella and banana sandwiches. I'm looking for a volunteer to do email correspondence for Phantasma's 7th grade year. If you're interested in creating email notifications, email me at ragdo...

When I wasn't working while watching Friday Night Lights this week, I had VH1 on as my background noise and yesterday evening didn't disappoint. They covered the greatest one hit wonders, most of which came out when I was still in single digits and got me nostalgic about that era. Four For Friday: 80s Edition 1. Take On Me by A-ha. Greatest. Video. Ever. Turns out my love of Scandinavian music runs deep. 2. Strawberry Shortcake. I wasn't into her, but that didn't stop my mother from getting me the sleeping bag*. 3. Boy George. My introduction to gay men. Of course, my parents couldn't explain why he wore make up if he was a boy. Not the actual ones I had 4. Neon crayons. Even though I loved the colors, the colors never really shone through. What are your four 80s things? * Still in usable condition, it's slept on many a dorm room floor. _______ Last.fm hit of the day : Nightmare by London After Midnight

It's Friday, Lurkdom, and time to celebrate. Coffee is coursing through my blood and nervous system, so I'm in scramble mode to get stuff done. Four For Friday, Looking Forward To Edition New Murderdolls. It comes out on Tuesday, but I'm listening to it now and dancing headbanging in my chair. It's fucking awesome. I can't wait for it not to leave my ears for a very long time. Fan girl crush numero uno is totally killing it. The Plot and Paper Project. Glenna is going to plot and write an entire novel by hand and is looking for people to join in. I'm totally doing it. Well, I'll do the plotting and research by hand because by the time the actual writing happens, it will be November and NaNoWriMo. Cooler Weather. Last winter I picked up crocheting and can't wait to return. My goal this year is to learn the art of sock making. Cleaning and Organization. My working surfaces both at home and the 9-5 job are disasters and prime indicators of too ...

Work yet again is kicking my ass, but I have a lurkership (you) to entertain. So I'm inaugurating a new feature - Four for Friday. Easch Four For Friday will have a theme. I'm not planning this to be every week but more like whenever I'm scrambling at work and lists are much easier for me to construct. *a hem* Four For Friday, Firsts Edition Last night, Hubby and I went to our first ever book reading music. Steve Almond read excerpts from Rock N Roll Will Save Your Life and encouraged audience participation by singing the lyrics he supplied. The man is brilliantly funny. If you have the chance, see him speak. For Feline "Assistance" I earned a merit badge, or rather, The Stripey and White Ones did. That's right. It's for when they're being ever so NOT USEFUL . If you like cute little badges, you should check out Merit Badger, who I found from the awesomeness that's Janet Reid. Tomorrow I'll be seeing the hecklefest that'...