So, I'm finally in the very last section of the novel in progress--which is great, since I'm turning it in soon. I'm really happy with how this one is turning out. It's taken a lot of work and rework and rework and I'm sure there are loose threads still at this point--holy crap mosaic plot novels are a bitch, but I do love them. Just know that there's a reason that it takes George R.R. Martin to write those tomes. Anyway...yay! There's an end in sight! And I'll even have time to go over it once more before I turn it in. Mwhahahahaha! That said, I should be able to go back to blogging after the first week of June. Even so, I think I may change the blog to three times a week. It seriously takes up a lot of my writing time. And well...I'd rather use that time writing stories. They're certainly more interesting than me nattering on about politics or the cat.

And now...Feminist Monday.
Today's video is about Daria.

I loved Daria. (I'd buy the DVDs but apparently the original music didn't make it in.) Yeah. Yeah. I'm Gen X. Get over it.

And here we are again. Nine more days until the new manuscript is turned in. The word count is progressing nicely. And I'm in the midst of writing the last big scene that I need to write from scratch--a whole day earlier than scheduled. This, in spite of two very bad migraine days knocking me on my ass. [fist pump] I'm really loving how this manuscript is coming together too. Weebles wobble but they don't fall down, baby.

And now...Feminist Monday.

Today's video:

I'm still only blogging once a week until the new manuscript is handed in to the publisher. I now most of the folks that show up here are already aware, but I like to have a clear message at the top just in case, and I forgot to mention it in last Monday's post. So, here I am, mentioning it. See you next Monday. 

First...the update. Things are going really well [knock on wood] with this novel. As stated on Twitter, usually this is the phase of novel-writing when I'm writing like a rabid weasel inside an electro-shock stimulus cage. That is, I'm all terror, anxiety, and "Let's just get this over with, okay? I can't miss the deadline. I can't..." Over and over until done. Usually, I'm a mess. And...well...I suspect it shows in my writing. Endings in and of themselves are difficult to write well. (Just ask Stephen King.) Stick yourself in a situation where there's not a lot of time to process the ending--particularly if you're an organic writer and...yeah. Train wreck. Every novel is different. Every novel has its lessons to teach. That's why, for me, it never gets boring. There's no mastering all that there is of the art of writing. There's always something new. I love that aspect of it. However, the end of novel deadline terror has been the constant of my novel-writing-life. Not with Blackthorne. No doubt, part of the equation is that this manuscript is what was once my very first (written only for me) completed novel. Mind you, that has presented its own set of problems. Mainly, the years and years of tearing down and building and refitting and rebuilding until it resembled something close to the Winchester Mansion. There's very little remaining of what it once was, plot-wise. The themes are the same, however. That said, I'm hitting the last of the manuscript this time and am amazed at how the pieces are fitting together. Bits I never thought would smooth out have done so with very little effort. I'm not used to being able to do this at this stage. I'm having fun. Two weeks and change before deadline is not when this usually happens. Usually, I'm having panic attacks and tearing my hair out. This is, I hope a really good sign.

Well, that, and the fact that the test drive on the opening chapter got the same audience reaction the test drive of OB&H's first chapter did--again, from non-genre readers, no less.

Anyway, you're not here for all that blithering. You're here for Feminist Monday. But I wanted you to know the blog-break has been for a good cause and that it's worked out better than I'd hoped. And now...Feminist Monday behind the cut.

Stuff: I've this deadline thingy, and I'll be turning in a novel. And I'm so very close to finishing. All good things. However, combined with the health issues I've been having... this means putting the blog on hold for the month of May. I'm checking back in here once a week for Feminist Monday. That's the plan, in case it wasn't clear. So, more later.

Lets get this rolling...here is Feminist Monday, starting with today's video:

I'd heard he was awful. I had no idea how awful. Yikes. On the other hand, nice to know that the populist anti-intellect--[cough] anti-elitist movement schtick has been pulled before, and we survived it. (Just barely.) This article frightened me pretty badly. I'm still concerned. We should be. Still, it's good to know that my hunch about American politics staggering back and forth on a path between two extreme precipices is pretty much spot on. Hint: the super delegates and electoral college that I keep hearing people whine about are actually the reason we haven't plunged over the side already.[1]

Sorry about yesterday, y'all. Another round of storms came through which triggered migraines and they laid me out. Apparently, my entire brain hates Texas now--or Texas hates my brain. Or something. Either way...it was a bad 'un yesterday. Right down to the crying about stupid shit. (Who cries while watching a clip from Dante's Peak FFS?) I'm good with the fact that I haven't had one like that in a month at least. Here's hoping it doesn't happen again. Anyway...here's what you came for:

​Today's video is an interesting discussion about beauty standards:

I found it fascinating to see two individuals striving for different extremes in the same frame: alternative beauty and more traditional perfection. I'm probably going to watch more of these. It's really interesting to see. (Also? Those eyes are pretty close to how I visualize my kainen. I didn't know anyone had done that.)

Feminist Monday will have to be on Tuesday this week. Yet another storm rolled in, and I feel like hammered shit right now. Thank gods I took the migraine meds this morning or I'd be a hell of a lot worse off. Anyway...see you tomorrow.

This week I'm taking a break from blogging due to deadlines, signings, doctor's visits, and parental unit issues. I'll be blogging on Monday but that's it. Sorry gang. It happens. Count on this month being spotty re: internet presence. The good news? There will be a new novel at the end of all this. How cool is that?

Speaking of signings/readings: don't forget I'll be at Malvern Books on May 5th. Hope I'll see some of you there. Not only does reading to an empty room kind of suck...well...it sucks for the venue too. So, encourage small bookstores to keep hosting events, I say. I may even bring cookies--if it's allowed. 

In the meantime...have this kitten with lasers...because.