October Scene Break
October 31, 2023
OCTOBER SCENE BREAK
NOVEL UPDATE
I'm still editing UNDER THE BUBBLE. My reader/critique partner is diligently working to help weed out what isn't needed and get the MS cleaned up. Since it's almost November, I've adjusted my goal. At first, I'd said I wanted to be ready to query agents by the end of 2023. Now I believe that is premature. I hope to have the MS ready for beta readers by then. I'm looking for no more than 5-6 readers at that point, preferably someone who likes science fantasy but who hasn't laid eyes on any of my chapters.
Here is the opening to my query letter:
I'm excited to present UNDER THE BUBBLE, a 90k-word speculative fiction that explores one woman's trust in an alien life force when humanity has let her down. It offers the corporate avarice of Bell's Appleseed and Levien's imaginative human-made community in The World Gives Way.
WILL I FIND BETA READERS AMONG ANYONE READING THIS?
POETRY
I have some exciting poetry news! I'm a member of the Poetry Society of Indiana. We hold a contest every year and I entered poems in 23 categories. I won first place in two categories! I got a little money and my poems will be published in the upcoming Society anthology, Ink to Paper. When that happens, it will be on my linktree and I'll let you know in this newsletter.
I also submitted a third poetry book to Two Sylvia's Press. They accept poetry manuscripts from women over 50 for their contest. Cross your fingers for me!
I'll be participating in two open-mic poetry readings. One is November 10 at MOTW Coffee and Pastries in Carmel Indiana. The second is December 1 at Dull's Tree Farm in Thorntown Indiana. Check out my Happenings page for more details.
WHAT I'M READING
Poetry mostly, in the MODPO group online. I haven't been in the mood recently to read much else. I still have the Ursula book of short stories beside my bed. Every time I pick it up I read one page and fall asleep. I've been super tired recently. I also read the poetry and stories my reader/critique sends me. She's an excellent writer.
PUBLICATIONS SINCE LAST SCENE BREAK
Fountain, Oct 6 in Subliminal Surgery: https://subliminal.surgery/
Animals Within Me, Oct 29, in Honeyguide magazine: https://www.honeyguidemag.com/issue-7-online
MEANDERINGS
I wrote one time this month for Meanderings. It is about my nephew, Kenny. Reader discretion is advised.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED SO FAR
An interesting thing. I learned that even though I don't think I know much about writing, I understand more than the vast majority of people I've met who are writing. I don't mean this in a bragging way; but just in a factual way. And publishing too. Many don't have much knowledge about what it takes to publish traditionally. I attribute this to The Manuscript Academy. I was a member of that organization for two years or more. I would still be with them if I could afford it. Manuscript Academy is like an ongoing MFA program except you don't get a degree. Now MODPO is like that with poetry only it's free. I've been extremely fortunate to have learned as much as I have.
STAR TREK
Prodigy got picked up by Netflix! That is so exciting! I'm so happy that the show isn't dead, that people can still watch and enjoy it. Paramount messed up when they canceled that show. Netflix says they will air season 1 by the end of 2023, which we've already seen. Season 2, all brand new, is coming next year! Looking forward to that!
I'm still watching Voyager. I read somewhere that Kate Mulgrew wasn't too happy when Jeri Ryan was cast as Seven of Nine. Actually, no one was pleased especially, Kate. I keep watching her facial expressions for clues but I don't see anything. In the early episodes, Janeway is often frustrated with Seven so the exasperation I see in her face is appropriate. She is a good actor. When the Hirogen had them all on the holodeck in a WW2 simulation and Janeway pointed a gun at Seven—I just wondered.
I need to buy a new Roku. They have a lifespan of about 3-4 years and then they poop out. Without a Roku, I watch Star Trek and YouTube videos on my laptop and that's it.
TODAY'S CARD
Wise Dog Tarot by MJ Cullinane
The 4 of Wands
This card says I should do a happy dance like the dachshund in the foreground and let go of stress. That's really tough for me right now due to money issues. The card also indicates an opportunity coming my way. I look forward to that. Hopefully, I'll write something with this card.