Carey Burns

I've received my copy of The Scroll of Anubis and it is lovely!! I have yet to read it because I'm reading The Zombist and don't read as quickly as I used to. A shame, really. I could knock out a book a day. Now I'm lucky if I read a couple books a month. The slimming program has been going rather well and I've been walking quite a lot and doing a ridiculous amount of squats. Financially, I've been lean as well and have already been reaping the benefits. I'm going to challenge myself to make no online purchases (except for the hubby's b-day present) for the next three months. I think I can do it rather easily. Still no writing, and I think that while I have been trying to not let a certain stressful incident a few months ago get to me, it has. I gotta shake this. Must get back to what makes me happy.

I knew it. As soon as I returned to work I was gifted a bag of Dove Dark Chocolates. I was gracious and said thank you and while I have put them in the candy dish at home, I have not eaten any of them. That was yesterday. Today, I was gifted a lovely box of assorted Russell Stover Chocolates. Again, I graciously said thank you and shared them with several of the ladies I work with. I did snarf the Roman Nougat because those are my absolute favorite RS flavor...but then I signed up for the gym afterwards. (that counts, right?) I've kinda hit a writing slump. It is weird because I like to play out my stories in my head in their entirety as I write and once I envision it all, I tend to lose interest. This has plagued me for years and has gotten worse lately but I'll battle through it. Just like all those other times. Half-hearted congratulations to Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer for their recent nuptuals. I'm forever heartbroken that he is off the market, but think i...

Ah, 2010 is drawing to a chilly close. It was a good year, all in all, I think. I worked like mad to find homes for several stories, I laughed a lot, and I found out that I'm a pretty tough cookie. What will 2011 bring? Well, for one I hope it brings even more laughter with people that I love. I'm making 2011 The Year of Slimming. That would be not only a slimmer waistline but a slimmer life in general. I'm challenging myself big time and cutting out the extras that I love way too much. We're talking sparkly things, spur of the moment "wants," sodas, sweets, rich and fattening foods, my beloved wine... (say it isn't so!!!!) I think that by slimming I'll have more time, money, smiles and better health. If I fail, I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Writing-wise, I'll keep honing my skill and send out at least 10 short stories, send out my novel to at least 5 agents, and write two novels. Hmm...10-5-2...maybe I'll play those n...

I'm over the moon that The Scroll of Anubis , featuring my story "Amun's Curse" is available for purchase! I have to be patient for my contributor's copy, but I really can't wait to read all of the stories in this book. I love mummies. Horrorology might be out soon and I just sent back revisions to the new editor of Baconology. My story is still in this meaty anthology and it looks like things are moving along. I've been working on getting a solid goal list for 2011 in terms of writing and I'm shooting for the stars next year. And why not? Life is too short to worry and be afraid to try new things.

Well, I've spoken with my beta reader and she is so much awesomeness that I can't get over how lucky I am that she agreed to read my book. I should have the manuscript with her remarks and lots of info on a cool forensic technique maybe in the next week or so. So exciting! (especially about this mystery technique...I can't wait to find out more and try to incorporate it in Molly's story) I love forensics!!! Ahem, sorry about that. So other writing endeavors are looking good as well: I received the edits for my story for Horrorology and The Scroll of Anubis might be available soon. *fingers crossed* Now to get back to crafting a respectable query letter. Hope you have a good Thanksgiving.

Well, I didn't see my beta reader so...I'm still waiting to get their final comments. This weekend I've been making ornaments and various polymer clay sculptures. Here is one such sculpture: The goal is to make more little snowmen and other goodies to sell them along with my jewelry. We'll see how it goes. Even if they don't sell, they were a nice distraction. I needed a little break from the pressure of writing. So, when December rolls around I'll get back in the writing habit again and perhaps (fingers crossed) The Scroll of Anubis will be out.

November is nearly in the can and if I could turn back time I think I would spend this month a little more productively. Ah well, live and learn. Anywho, my story for Cafe Doom's contest wasn't as much of a bust as I feared it would be. I actually got a 3rd place and a 2nd place vote and a few honorable mentions. It warms the heart and makes you want to keep plugging along. Who knows? After some revisions I might even send it out someday... NaNo is sooo not going well for me. I think I chose too depressing of a novel idea and it makes me dread writing it. Not good. Not good at all. I'll finish it though, in bits and chunks over the next few months I think. At least I've started. Tomorrow I ask one of my beta readers if they're finished with my novel. They've had it a while and I really want to get back into that project. *fingers crossed that they're done*