Listening to: Lucy - Anna Tsuchiya
Watching: Sgt. Keroro Ep. 31
Drinking: Green Tea
Reading: Bloody Bones by Laurell K. Hamilton

*** *** ***

Fell asleep reading a Resident Evil novel. Ended up dreaming up zombies. Eek. Double eek.

Almost done with the final touches on the fifth book of the Blood Martyr series, Blood Prison. It should be ready to get sent to my editor for the edits and I’m hoping I can get it out soon. It really does feel good to do work again.

Nothing much more to say except today’s going to be a pretty laid-back day, I feel. The weather is good, not hot at all, and I’m so ready for fall. And then winter. And then spring. Summer’s great in Korea, but I think I prefer my California summers more.

What season do you prefer?

Listening to: “Starry Sky - Air Raid Remix” - HAL & “Battle Ready” - Otep
Watching: Itazura na Kiss Ep. 22
Drinking: Iced Cappuccino
Reading: Cerulean Sins by Laurell K. Hamilton

*** *** ***

I drew in a breath and then flicked out the dull and rusty blade.

�??Remind me to get you a new pocketknife next Christmas,�?? I said, as I pressed the edge of the knife into my open palm. �??Or birthday, whichever comes first.�??

Latest excerpt from DM.

I’m not going to kid you. It feels good, damn good to be writing again. R’z is patting me on the head, saying, “That’s a good girl. You do what you do” and I’m happy that I’m writing. Sure, I’m only about 400 words into the next chapter, but it’s a start, and I don’t plan on sleeping until I’ve got another 3k down for the record. I’d like to start now, but I’ve got dinner plans with family and I might or might not go down to the local pub for some pool and poker. Hm. I may have to ditch plans for late night fun, at least tonight.

I’ve changed my location of writing. I used to write in my room, back to the windows, facing the door, because I used to be ridiculously paranoid that someone’s going to sneak into my room and look over my shoulder or something. It certainly didn’t help when I had headphones on, with Otep on full blast.

Now, I’ve moved my desk to the living room, facing window, back to the front door. And I think it’s better. More wide open spaces, which is definitely something I need. I find it’s ridiculously difficult for me to write in cramped, tiny spaces. I’m not claustrophic, far from it, but I find that it just helps with my concentration when there’s less crap around me.

Whoops, gotta go down and get a taxi to get to that restaurant. I’ll catch you folks, later.

Listening to: Northern Cross - May’n
Watching: Sgt. Keroro Ep. 24
Eating: Junk food. For breakfast!
Reading: Nothing. Just finished reading Terry Pratchett’s ‘Night Watch’

*** *** ***

Well…I’m a few days late from the end of my hiatus. Okay, so technically my hiatus ended yesterday night, since that was when I got back from Samcheok Beach with BF. But I decided, told myself, that the hiatus only ends when I get the feeling to write again.

After Walking in Shadows, and a slew of short stories, I think I really wrung myself dry. Only, I refused to give in and just kept plugging away at the computer, just typing, typing, and more typing. The problem was, now I had about three hundred pages of crap that went down the, well, crapper the first moment I realized how shitty it was. Excuse the language, I’m not exactly happy about two month’s work getting flushed. Argh.

I realized that I’m not one of those writers who can sit at a computer and produce workable prose on a consistant basis. I know there are people saying that you can’t wait for your muse to come and smack you across the face, going “Hey! PAY ATTENTION, DAMN IT!” but I’ve tried the slow, mechanical way and it just didn’t work with me. Granted, I haven’t been writing for a while, and I am still looking for something that clicks with me and doesn’t make me feel like crap at the end of the day.

Well…this morning, my Muse, otherwise known as R’z (and no, I don’t know how to pronounce it, LOL) took me by the shoulders and frantically shook me awake.

“Get up! Get up, you! I have a story for you and I want you to write it this minute!”

So.

I guess I’m ready to write.

Again, that is.

Man, it’s great to be back.

Still on my hiatus.

Listening to: Afro Gunsou (Afro Sgt.) - Dance Man
Watching: Keroro Gunsou Ep. 5
Eating: Pizza w/ Pepsi
Reading: Jingo by Terry Pratchett

*** *** ***

Oh yeah. Listening to “Afro Gunsou” right now, and man, I wish I could go to the disco right about now. Only problem is, it’s only 2 PM at the moment, and I don’t go dancing. Period. But, you know, if the clubs here played something as crazy like Afro Gunsou, I think I might just risk a visit just to see the spectacle of people dancing to a song about an Afro Sargeant.

Almost finished with Mr. Pratchett’s Jingo, and once again, as always, I can’t help but marvel at his writing skills. Nowadays, it’s ridiculously difficult for me to pick up a book and read, but Jingo was a fun, fun ride. I’ve always enjoyed reading about Sam Vimes and I think I might just be the slightest bit in love with Carrot. Who cares if he’s a redhead?

Anyways, back to DEMON MOON.

I think it’s time for another self-imposed exile from the Net. Lately, I’m spending so much time at RD, Smart Bitches, LOLCats, DA, and a bunch of fun, fun places which are, sadly enough, making it ridiculously difficult for me to continue writing. Really. It’s like, one line of DM, and then I mossy on over to some agent’s blog, just to see if they’ve posted something in the last twenty seconds since I last checked. Eeek. It sucks, but I’ve really got to do this.

So…it means no more emails. No more browsing the net. No more IMing with other writers/friends. But more importantly, it means no blog.

So!

ON HIATUS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15TH!!!

Listening to: What Shall We Die For - Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End OST
Watching: Van Helsing
Eating: Nothing, atm
Reading: Again, nothing

*** *** ***

Dun dun dun!!! *cue scary music*

Well.

I’ve hit it.

No, not that!

I mean, I’ve hit the 30k blues.

Eek.

It was hard enough getting this far. And I know it’s going to get harder still. But the knowledge doesn’t make me feel better. If anything, now I just want to take a break. The problem? I just took one, argh.

So for the next couple of weeks, I’m going to sludging through the next twenty thousand words or so, but I know things are going to get better once I hit the 60k mark. I just wish the 60k was NOW. LOL.

I’ve got edits for BM5 which…I know I should’ve gotten finished a while back. Crap. Eek. Argh. Blargh. Please insert any other um, whatchamacallits you see fit here.

Hm. Whatchamacallits. Another thing I miss about being Stateside, beside In N Out burgers and chili.

Well, that’s it for this entry. After I take a shower, I’m taking another wild stab at DEMON MOON and maybe this time, just maybe, the characters will actually listen to me now.

Heh. Yeah right. Ah well, it’s worth a shot, eh?

Listening to: When Angels and Serpents Dance - P.O.D
Watching: Black Adder “Head”
Drinking: Iced Cappuchino from 7-11
Reading: Jingo by Terry Pratchett

*** *** ***

I’VE BEEN TAGGED!

By fellow writer and friend Jennifer Shirk, no less. Who was, in turn, tagged by Chicki Brown…so…

I am going to list three categories of books.

5 MUST Read Books, 5 Books on Your Nightstand, and 5 Look For These Soon.

Anyone I tag should put these same lists on their blog but SUBTRACT one book from each list and ADD one of their own.

Then they should tag at least 5 more bloggers. It will be fun to see how the lists change as it goes around the blogosphere.

Please come back to this post and leave a comment so I can see how the lists are changing as they go around the blogosphere.

Since this is Book Buzz�?�please keep your lists to titles released in 2007-2009.

MUST Read Books:
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
A Mile in My Flip-Flops by Melody Carlson
Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
Yellow Moon by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Conception by Kalisha Buckhanon

5 Books on the Nightstand:
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
Pleasure by Eric Jerome Dickey
From Harvey River by Lorna Goodison
Trading Dreams at Midnight by Dianne McKinney
WhetstoneStill Dirty by Vickie Stringer

5 Look For These Soon:
Devil Falls by Angelle Trieste
Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins
The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
Midnight: A Gangster Love Story by Sister Souljah
Red Light Special by Risque

Now…I think I’m going to tag…

Okay, to be honest, the people I wanted to tag have probably been tagged by others, so I think this part of the tagging chain will have to end with me. Sorry!

*** *** ***

This is going to be a long entry. Or maybe not. Either way, just bear with me.

For the past week, BF’s friend and her friend came to Korea and it’s been great meeting them. They’re both really nice people so I hope that our association will go on for quite some time into the not-so-distant future. But, hot damn, I am tired. School is supposed to start on the 1st of September, but alas, I will not be attending this term either. Next spring, definitely, but I’m not ready to get back to school.

DEMON MOON is at a standstill. I can make excuses and say that it’s because I’ve been busy with life, but I suck with excuses, anyways. Basically, Kate’s come across someone from her past, and I have no idea what’s going through her mind. I think I’ve lost touch with my characters. Eek.

Well…I guess I’d better dredge up DM and see if there’s anything I can do about the current situation I’m in.

Listening to; Nothing. The car as it revs, I guess?
Watching; Muhan Doujun Ep. 53. Sort of like a Korean “Jackass”.
Eating: Nothing
Reading: For a Few Demons More

*** *** ***

Currently on my way to meet a so-called “close, personal friend” of Mom’s. He and I, apparently have some sort of past connection, but in truth, I don’t even want to think about it. I’m glad that Mom’s happy and I certainly hope she stays that way, but aside from that, I’m not sure what to think. All I know is I will be polite, but that’s all. I’ve got a Dad already, thank you very much.

Haven’t been able to write anything for the past few days, although the night before yesterday, I was able to get down about 1.7k for DEMON MOON and an extra 1k for an erotica, tentatively titled MY OBSESSION. And in truth, I don’t think I’ll be able to continue writing on a regular basis, at least not until next Monday when I’ll be, finally, free in the mornings and no longer have to wake up at the break of dawn.

It’s been surprinsingly cool here in Korea, which is a godsend, because last year, Seoul was like a steampot set on boil. And when I mean “boil”, I mean the type of boil when the pot’s already half melted on the stovetop. It’s probably because it’s been raining for the past week, and there’s supposed to be more rain on Friday or so, but I have serious doubts. The weatherwomen (in Korea, they’re very beautiful women. Hm.) here are rather infamous for being so inaccurate.

Well, we’re at the restuarant, and I do need to go and say hi, so I guess this is it.

Hm.

Listening to: The water boiling for my ramen
Watching: Macross Frontier Ep. 1 (Again. It’s just that good.)
Eating: Hopefully ramen in a few minutes…
Reading: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

*** *** ***

Used to be I would watch just about any anime and I would’ve been satisfied. Nowadays, it’s just not the same. I’ve tried the first episodes of Yatta Man, Gintama, Lucky Star, Keroro, Sekirei, and nothing interests me. Except for Macross Frontier and Itazura na Kiss. And that annoys me to no end. Since when did I start getting so picky? Sheesh, entertainment is entertainment is entertaiment.

/end rant

Back to DEMON MOON.

I think there’s a very small part of me that wants to admit this, but the bigger part of my conscience doesn’t seem to want to even contemplate this.

I’d thought the big climatic fight I was supposed to be working on…if I left it at a cliffhanger, then I’d want to continue writing. Man, was I wrong or what?

Well, long story short (although, to be honest, it wasn’t that long to being with), I don’t know where to go from here. We’ve got Kate pinned down (literally) by a witch and I have no idea what’s going to happen next. One of my good friends who also happen to be a writer, told me, “Just listen to some music. Listen to music that helps you think about the entire mood and atmosphere of your book and just type. Don’t think. Just type.” Certainly seems like sound advice to me.

So…I think I’m going to do just that.

Maybe it’ll work. Maybe it won’t. Either way, I’m still going to be listening to good music, so maybe it’s a win-win situation for me, after all.

Listening to: Zero Hour - Yoko Kanno (Macross F OST)
Watching: Sekirei Ep. 1
Eating: Grape Soda
Reading: Artemis Fowl

*** *** ***

MY THOUGHTS ON SEKIREI: It’s nearly the end, but I’ve just started the first episode tonight, since I’ve already seen Macross Frontier and Itazura na Kiss. So far, it seems like a combination of Fate Stay Night and Ah My Goddess, but to be honest, I think I prefer the originals to this one. But I’ll stick with Sekirei a few more episodes to see if it gets any better.

…currently waiting for a student to show up to her private lesson…

Well…I was away. I know I didn’t say anything about this, and to tell the truth, it was rather sudden. BF decided to go on a trip to Samcheok with four of his coworkers, who ironically all turned out to be female, and I asked to tag along. Not because I was suspicious or anything…surely not!

*shifty-eyed*

So, we left on Thursday night and it was about a 5 hour busride there. I won’t go into too much detail except for the fact that I’ll never go on another trip with him and his coworkers again. Came back a few hours ago, today being Sunday. Tomorrow’s an easy day for work, so I’ll be glad for that. Because I’ve got some major work piled up. Such as…

DEMON MOON.

Purposely, I left it at a very climatic moment, in hopes that it will be easier to pick up the next time. However, the problem seems to be that, now that I’m supposed to pick up where I left off, I’m left with a bunch of options and Kate and Aidan doesn’t seem to be available at the moment. I mean, they’re not exactly “talking” to me, like they usually do, and yes, I do realize how crazy that sounds.

*student is still not here and it’s already 30 past the hour. Starting to think she’s not going to make it at all*