What Happened in Your Novel Today

One of the NaNoWriMo forum questions asked:

What Happened in Your Novel Today?

Unfortunately, while having successfully reached the Inner Chamber, deep within the bowels of foreign planet, the surviving members of the last infiltration team were captured and are, one by one, being subjected to unspeakable transmutations and death. All done at the hands of the key prisoner and overlord of The Forbidden World. The title character [The Last Heartbound] has just learned what the most dangerous criminal in the universe intends to do with him.

 

Blessings, LL Abbott

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Caged Heart--The Last Heartbound / The Forbidden World Chronicles ~L.L. Abbott
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved -- Current Draft

My Muse has Returned

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Though Life has a way of interrupting even the best of a writer's or artist's intentions, my not following through in last year's NaNoWriMo had nothing to do with an unavoidable diversion. I merely began to question the relevancy of it all.
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What changed my mind from November 2009 to January 2010? I now know why the subsequent Fire Orbs were created!
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More soon. My Muse calls.
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Blessings

A 5K Day

NANOSTATS: 5029 words

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Yay! Though the breakdown of 50,000 words into 30 days means I should have, at very least, a little over 8300 words by today, I am quite happy that I made it to 5000.

But. This is Day Five and I should really want to be ahead of those daily goals so when Life decides to get in the way I won't feel so far behind. Yeah, well-- Life tripped me up before I even started. But. I've plenty of time to gain ground.

I finished up the Prologue and keyed out Chapter Eight ~ Allied Forces, which needs a definite boost. The gist of the storyline is there, but the required depth is not. For now though, I'm moving ahead and currently working on Chapter Nine ~ The Sound Check.
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This one's going to keep me busy for the next day or so. And I need to look for some old research notes, which I believe are in a box in the bedroom. Time to retreive some wayward files.
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That's it for me today. I need to get my back out of this chair and my legs up as well.
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Blessings

It's That Time of Year Again! NaNoWriMo.

Switching gears....

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NANOSTATS: 1992 words
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Never say die! I first discovered NaNoWriMo in 2006. The only year to which I can attach any sort of bragging rights. I won in 2006. Yay! Unfortunately not long after, a virus attacked my PC and I lost everything on my harddrive. Yeppers! All that work-- completely undone. In January of 2007, I fought off a serious SPAM and Malware attack.

It took weeks to get back to normal. And juuust as I was rolling along, ramping up for NaNo2007, my PC monitor died a most untimely death. I never had a chance. But it helped to reinforce my belief in the underhanded [yet purposeful], reasoning of why they 'just don't make things like the used to.' It's not that they can't! Or even that parts and/or labor are cheaper offshore. If they truly did make certain things like they used to, we'd have no reason [new and improved aside] to buy new ones! But that's a whole other Oprah show.
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Last year, due to health issues, I simply ran out of physical steam. I need to look up my final word count, but I don't believe I even reached 10K words. This year I'm relying heavily on that old adage about the third time being the charm.
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Sunday last [November 1st] was the ever-precious Day One. Where was I? Sleeping. Friday and Saturday I started coughing, and by Sunday I was a tad bit concerned that it might be the beginnings of the flu. I really don't want to have to deal with the flu right now. Therefore I reasoned it more likely to be a chest cold; as I'm prone [this time of year] to forgetting about a window or two being left open at night. I hate when it's time to start closing up the windows.
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Anyway! I digress. I made a trip to the drug store and have since stepped up my intake of vitamins. I pretty much spent Sunday and Monday curled up on the couch, dressed in warm sweaters; underneath a cozy blanket of down. And though I woke up hoarse, yesterday, I actually felt much better. But before I could settle in, and key with wild abandon, I had to address the c:drive.
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It started screaming at me again so I backed up and cleared out a few more pdf and Word.doc files. Late in the evening, I finally keyed in some roughed-out handwritten notes and updated 35o [and some odd] words into my NaNo profile. I was ON THE GRID!
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... And so it begins!
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Today, feeling much, much better, I started NaNo by finding where I left off last year and finished keying in the last half of Chapter Seven: A Run Through the Forest, which happens to be the end of Part One.
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I've got a mishmosh of scenarios for the Prologue to Part Two, and I've decided to just key them all in. I'll decide later where and/or how best to use them. For now, I'll close this post with the opening verse of Part Two, The Searching:

Where are you
.who sees this world
..through eyes of emerald green
Who lies in wait
.and shares the pain
..we suffer when we dream

..........~Perrie Stevens, Part Two of Caged Heart
..........~Dellasseea N'Syis, The FirstBorn Daughter of the Primal Elements, The First Ones.

That's pretty much it for me today. I do not intend fretting over being a few days behind at this point. Especially when, in 2006, I didn't even discover the world of NaNoWriMo [that's 50,000 words in 30 days], until almost an entire week into the month. That's the year a won! Remember? And seeing as how it's time for another break, I'll consider the makeup strategy tomorrow.
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Blessings

NaNo Day Eighteen Word Count:

NaNo Stats: 17,027 words [@ approx. 8:35 p .m.]

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With the exception of a few cumulus clouds, Southern Ohio finally has a relatively clear blue sky this morning. We haven't seen the Sun shine in a few days. And, though it was only 30 some degrees outside, I had the window open for a little while. I like to have fresh air circulating in through the windows, so when I can the windows are open. Through that opened window, a Chickadee sang. And rather loudly I must say. Had it been closed I might otherwise have missed its voice, and I truly love to hear their song.

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We had a barely-discernable flurry of snow Sunday morning. But, we had a lake-effect dusting pretty much all day yesterday. There is something quite beautiful about the first snow of the season; a little like comfort food and the best of childhood memories. As an adult though, my favorite walks were when it snowed.

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I did a little online research last week for a new chair, here at my desk, and am going to risk my already shaken budget and order it. It has a padded headrest [something I was looking for!], it swivels [that means I won't have to totally rearrange my workspace], and a 'detached' foot rest [that's what bugged me about the recliner idea]. Just not sure if I can handle next month or will wait until after the holidays. Not that I have any money for Christmas!

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Okay, back to business. Yes, I’ve been somewhat MIA of late. The first week of NaNoWriMo took every bit of effort I had to stay in this seat, stay focused and concentrate. And, though I finished out the week ahead of my word count goal, I accomplished next to absolutely nothing else. It was writing, and then recovery mode. Fight fatigue, back to writing, stuck in recovery mode. A vicious circle to say the very least.

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So, I took last week to get done what I could around the house—which was much less than I would like, because EVERYTHING requires recovery! Enough about that. I will take it all as a lesson learned and will concentrate next month on how best to set and achieve my future writing goals.

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That said, I had a very good NaNo day, yesterday. Also my new Moist Heat Heating Pad came in last week and I put it to work. Though I didn't meet my 15K goal, neither did I to beat myself up over the matter. Reaching 50K now, at this late date, does indeed seem daunting. But, I hope to have another good day of writing and that means I need to get started.

Not a Bad First Day

It's a beautiful November morning! I'll take the warmth, though I know it should be colder. But that's a whole other Oprah Show and blog.

I'm almost at a lack for words to say how thrilled I was to hear Clan Chickadee singing at the feeders today. They’ve been somewhat MIA of late. When I peered out through the upstairs window, I delighted in the sight of an entire herd fluttering in and around my humble little pine tree. They are truly an expression of cheer, and I welcome Chickadee as my Guide today.

The cupboards and refrigerator are finally restocked. I managed to get out to the grocery this morning; very early so as to avoid crowded checkout lanes. My treats for the coming week? Homemade berries, bananas, and cream smoothies. Yes! I bought some carrots too. I’ll churn up a few carrots and apples into smoothies as well. I also bought some fresh sage for a pot or three of tea. I have found nothing more soothing than the first swallow of sage tea.

And oh what Joy! On my way to and from the store, I marveled that the price of gasoline is now $1.97. That’s ONE DOLLAR and 97 cents. I've read where some believe the recent drop in price is nothing more than a tactic to buy our vote for Senator McCain. Can't say that's what I'll be thinking on when I head back out to fill up my tank.

No Mini Halloween contest winner announced yet. No matter. Moving on!

Now, to the essence of the post. As regards Day One? All in all it was not a bad first day effort. What surprised me was just how impossible it is to maneuver NaNoWriMo.org. OMG! I logged in yesterday [after half a dozen tries], and could see my profile. But entering my word count was absolute frustration. I couldn’t get into the forums, the word count widgets aren’t working— I’ll end my rant there. UGH!!!! Though I managed to eventually upload 2102 words to my NaNo Stats, I ended the day with 2127.

Since I uploaded the current draft of book one's Prologue onto a hidden page of my Chronicles website, and I believe I have Chapter One saved on a disc, I started yesterday with Chapter Two ~ A Mother's Touch. I’m pleased to state a fair amount of what I keyed is new; a more in depth POV of the mother and narrator. I also have a working Word.doc file up at all times, to note anything not necessarily revelent to the subject matter at hand. I have another one specifically relating to potential research.

And, during Muse2008, I signed up for Linda Jo Martin’s, Perspectives of Writing. I thought I’d share her beautiful November 1st post, A NaNoWriMo Moment: Stillness Speaks. I trust you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

I’m off now, to begin Day Two. I’m off to monitor my blood pressure, smudge and cleanse the energy, light incense at my alter of creativity, and to meditate on my chakras [as they are in desperate need of attention!]. And then? Well, there's a huge mug of coffee to savor first. Then! To write. To Create. To NaNo!

Blessings to you all,

And So It Begins!

Good November Morn!
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Yes. I didn't wake up from that nap yesterday, until around 8 p.m. And I felt just about as tired as before I laid myself back down. If it’s what my body needs right now, I intend to allow it. But! I awoke again, around 1 a.m., and seeing as how I’d intended to start at midnight, I came up here, set myself down and eventually logged in 257 NaNoWords. That was about all my brain could handle. [whine]It’s all just part of my challenge![/whine.]
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Before this current bout of fatigue set in, I shopped for and ordered my new programmable moist heat heating pad, and I am merely waiting for the site-to-store pickup notice. It should be here early next week.
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The winner of that Mini Halloween Contest will be announced today. It’s not like there’s a contract is in the offing, but— I’d like to believe I wrote something worthy of a win. We shall see. Regardless, I’ll post either a link or the snippet here and let the judging begin.
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Now, to focus on NaNoWriMo.

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Yesterday morning I managed to create a little NaNo graphic. And, as I thought on how to proceed today I am reminded of the tip, earlier in the week, about one’s writing not being set in stone. I wrote that I sometimes tend to leave things unsaid. Right now, I believe erring on the side of overdoing it would be of benefit. If I take nothing for granted, I can always edit out or rework a scene and weave descriptions into action or to flow with dialog in a subsequent edit.
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There's also the confusion over opposing critiques--too much description versus leave it to the their imagination--which also has me at odds. Not every reader will know the experience of hiking a mountain trail. It’s my responsibility to share what it’s like.

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Regardless the thinking process, music is a must today. When the moving-in-reverse beep-beep-BEEP! sounded outside and startled my girls from their respective windows this morning, I looked out to find that my next door neighbors are moving. Drowning out their goings-on is a necessity.

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As regards 30 Tips for 30 Days? Day One: Words on Paper!

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Ok! I fixed a good breakfast, took my meds and vitamins, and now I'm off to Tim Horton’s, for a large Cappuccino. Then? Back here to NaNo my quota for the day.

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Getting Organized for NaNo

Alright! I admit I hate the thought of having to write an outline. But I know it's part of the craft of writing. So. This week my goal is to outline Walks with the Moon. Even though I've got a fair idea of the storyline, and a substantial word count, there's a huge hole that needs to be filled.

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I've yet to fully develop my Antagonist. Oh. I know he gets shot. And I know who shoots him. Just last night I determined out how he figures in. But when and how he shows up, on the scene, I've not the first clue.

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Maybe it'll come to me during my attempt at an outline. Maybe he won't show up until a cold blustery day in November. Why is Mr. No Name the Antagonist? Well, one can't live his entire life being hunted and not be incensed at the hunter. There's a profile moment.

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As regards my Chronicles? This morning I pulled out all the hand-typed and hand-written notes for Book One of my FWCs: Caged Heart ~ The Last Heartbound. I used these files during NaNo2006. But. Somewhere amid those long-past days and nights a nagging concern arose. Something was missing. I knew there should be more files; with additional ideas for the storyline. Interviews and research. I took time, more than once, to scour through my file cabinets and drawers and found nothing to satisfy the angst.

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Not, at least, until one happy day earlier this year. During a purge of the studio closet [what am I never going to get to or use and can go out to the garage for a future garage sale], I pulled out a box that hadn't been opened in-- well, I don't know how many years. And right now I'm not even interested in being shocked by doing the Math. There were finger prints in the dust from this last move into the town home. And I know it hasn't been opened from the move before that.

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The problem is I thought I knew what I'd stored inside. I did not. When I found the files of the WIP I thought were in there [well after NaNo], the mystery deepened. But at some point I quite simply forgot about: The Box. In the meantime, I retrieved those newly-found files from their own years of darkness and worked on, Destiny's Heir, during WEB's J-WAT 2008. A few thousand words into the July word-a-thon, I determined this could indeed be a book worth further development. Well into the old hand-written notes, I found I had a very good plot line. I've since tried to get everything better sorted, labeled, and keyed into Word.

NOTE: Oh, how small my print was back then! I literally had to pull out my 3.75 mag. reading glasses to read fine print.

But! Back to: The Box. The day I removed it from the dark corner on the floor of the closet, my faith in the littlest of miracles was confirmed.

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With the girls busied elsewhere, and I at my best, I'd just settled in for a spring-clean molest, when out of the wardrobe dust rose with a flutter, I sprang with my Swiffer to clear up the matter, back to the mystery I returned like a flash, tore open the interlocked seal and threw up the flaps. Parts One, Two, and Three all laid nestled in a row, Oh my gosh! There they are! I cried to the objects below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but no better RX to alleviate my fear.

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Yes. What was lost is now found. It now boils down to being better armed for NaNo'08; with one less thing to worry on hanging over my head. And for the record-- I look forward to rediscovering what all the fuss was about. .

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But! There's more to getting ready than the mere collecting of one's thoughts. There's laundry to get done and out of the way. Groceries to be bought so I don't waste away. Trash cans to empty and bills to pay. And come Friday there's a costume so as to go out and play.

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Oka-a-ay-- So I'm not truly able. But if I were! Though I gave in and gave up my size 12 jeans [a good year ago], and no corset in the world is going to make me look any less plump, I'd still like to go out representing one of Amy Brown's whimsical and sumptuous depictions of the Fae.

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I found her work a few years back and fell quite in love, hook-line-and-sinker, with her charming dragons. BUT, I digress!

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There is still my workspace that needs to be organized, along with noting what I need to make NaNo'08 as comfortable an experience as possible. In '06 my legs/ankles/feet swelled terribly. I do not want a repeat. While it means not falling off my prescription meds, taking frequent breaks and keeping my legs elevated, it includes a new heat pad for my chair as well. It's also time to pull out my winter socks, a lap throw, and all the accoutrements to keep said girls [my cats] happy throughout the process.

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Though I spent the better part of yesterday, as much as my body would allow, I worked on that How Would You Live, Quill of the Heart post. No. It's not uploaded yet. But, I don't intend on having that hanging over my head, next month either. So, I've a lot to do. That means I'm signing off for now.

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It's a Wrap!

What a week! Though the Muse Online Writers Conference is over and done with, I've kept busy with a few of the goals I established during organizational forums with Cheryl Malandrinos and Susanne Rose.

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One goal for this week was to enter TWRP's Mini Halloween Romance contest. My goal was to submit an excerpt of Walks with the Moon. A piece I titled: Undeclared Love. Earlier this week I reworked another scene to submit in its stead. Yesterday I submitted Surrender. The winner will be announced on October 31st. If I don't win, I'll post it here and give you a little taste of the storyline.

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Another goal between now and November first is to get everything organized for NaNoWriMo. To help with that I'm going to read through Devon Ellington's 30 Tips for 30 Days. [Look the link on the side bar~after Writing Tip of the Day] I've read through Part One ~ Preparation. I like the idea of a creativity alter, and have the perfect spot in the far corner of my studio. One tip served to remind me of the music and CDs that I need to get in order. It's not just notes and files. There's an atomsphere that needs to be set as well.

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I also need to get another update posted to my Quill of the Heart blog, i.e., How Would You Live. That's a goal I committed to accomplishing this week. But, I have several entries sitting either in the blogspot draft folder, or hibernating in a Word.doc file. Not doing a bit of good sitting in either place. I need to get them moving. That's a goal for next year; regular updates.

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Claudia Suzanne's Before Copyediting forum truly opened my eyes. I will never look at editing the same way again. Charting the structure of a piece, whether fiction or non-fiction, was new ground for me. Before I take on the next major editing session I need to switch over, completely, to left brain logic. Editing is not necessarily a right brain function. Her sessions gave new meaning to the old addage, 'put it away for a few days to a month and look at it with fresh eyes.'

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Devon Ellington's lessons in Dialogue were invaluable, and Lea Schzias Short Story forum -- well, though I got a considerable amount of work done on my Beginning, Middle, and Ending [for Walks with the Moon], let's just say I came away with only half a hook! Not her fault. I believe I struggle most with what not to relay. Needless to say--it's just one more writing goal for 2009. I was in and out of many more forums, all of which I will talk about at later dates. But-- I already registered for Muse 2009. Lots to do between now and then.

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Oh! Here's the banner I did for NaNoWriMo:

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That's it for now. More soon,

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The NaNoWriMo!

Because of all the pc troubles of 2007 I missed NaNoWriMo last year; due specifically to my monitor's decision (back in June) to give up its ghost. Only with the passage of time can I now say, fair enough! It had, after all, served me quite well. I cannot begrudge its passing. A time comes for all things. But! It's 2008 and I've a new monitor, not quite a year old, and I'm ready for this year's challenge. And, I'm not without a fair amount of storyline.

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The most horrendous loss of 2007, what with all the techno woes earlier in the year, I lost all that I keyed of book one, Caged Heart ~ The Last Heartbound. So. That is my focus in November. Re-entering all that hand-typed Forbidden World Chronicles text into Word, and hopefully along the way, I'll remember all those new scenes I'd formulated throughout NaNo2006. There's a post somewhere below where I uploaded the book jacket I created that year.

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During all those said woes I concede to being down; all physically, emotionally, and technologically speaking. But, I was most definitely not out. The Writing Exercise Board (WEB) posted a contest-- something about a thatched roof cottage, an old world garden gate, and time travel. Well, needless to say it missed the deadline. But! I drafted out a substantial amount of handwritten notes and viola? I had, Vortex. Another storyline I really like but tucked it away inside a folder because I'm a tad rather inexperienced as regards ancient Scottish history. Yes, that's where my character traveled back to, and where the present day lord of the manor (For Rent) disappeared. My remedy? There's a forum next week (for Muse2008) that I believe may help in quelling my fear.

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Then there's plenty of writing yet to do for Walks with the Moon. Especially since I'd like to see a completed first draft before the end of 2008. So, as long as my ailing body holds out, I'm at no loss for achieving 50K words in 30 days. But before all of this, there's that mountain of handouts to get through for next week's conference.

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All of this though, depends entirely on how my body holds out. And right now, I'm not long for this chair today. I need to take a break after spending all evening reading through and responding to message board threads in the Muse forums. It looks to be an exciting and wonderfully exhausting week. One that will more than likely have me on the couch in recovery mode the following week.

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Oh! There's also the fact I'm late getting out my Fall update for Pearls of Wisdom. I've promised Calendar of Events updates and need to do that before the end of this week. They're coming people! I promise.

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That's it for now.

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