Output Meme

So, lots of writers are summarizing their output for the year. I've been resisting doing this, because inevitably I will end up comparing my output to someone else's and getting depressed. I'm actually a fairly rapid writer, when I can work in a disciplined way. The Magic Process Trick, for me, is writing every day without fail. The closer I can get to that, the more time I spend in The Zone.

Of course, having kids screws this all to hell. The day job was predictable. The kids are not.

Kiera is finally in a bedtime routine that doesn't require my presence, which frees me to go out and write. Though I've gotten out of the coffeeshop routine, this seems to be okay. I am optimistic that once I start a new novel project (which I haven't yet -- I want to write a couple of short stories that have been nagging at me) I'll be able to get back into that routine.

Anyway, my primary output for the year was Freedom's Sisters. I started it in 2004, but wrote most of it in 2005. I revised it heavily, send it to beta readers, revised again, sent it to my editor, revised again. I also wrote one short story, The Good Son, which I handed out to my critique group and still need to revise. I have started two other short stories in the last couple of weeks.

Freedom's Sisters is 109,000 words. The Good Son is 5,400 words, and the two unfinished stories are 1,020 words and 666 words so far. I did not sell anything new this year, though I had a story see print (The Long Walk, which I co-authored with Lyda Morehouse) that I'd almost given up on. I also sat down with an SF novel I wrote in 2001 (after writing Fires/Turning but before selling them) that I haven't had time to deal with since, and was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was to read. I now know exactly what was wrong with it (the protagonist is really, really flat -- which is sad, because there are a ton of fun side characters) but I'm not entirely sure how to fix it (clearly, the protagonist needs to perk up and be more interesting. *poke* Hey, Connor. *poke poke poke* PERK UP, or you're fired.) I have no idea how many blog words I've written.

I also wrote the Kiera Sock Story because Molly hounded me relentlessly until I did. Seriously, every time she saw me with an open word document she would ask, "Is that the sock story? When are you going to finish that?" I have not tried to sell the sock story, though. I think its appeal may be limited to Kiera and Molly.

Cinda Wella II

We went yesterday to the Dayton's Marshall Field's Christmas display. The downtown store in Minneapolis does a big annual display on the 8th floor, with a series of scenes full of animated costumed mannequins, telling a story. Last year's was Snow White, and this year's was Cinderella. When we went in 2004, there was a long, slow-moving line to get in; Kiera was one, and wanted to take off through the crowd with the sort of determined agility that only a one-year-old has. We were there with two other moms, which helped; I left Molly with Nicole while I focused all my attention on keeping Kiera from getting lost in the crowd. It was still a pain.

We delayed our trip this year until after Christmas, in the hopes of dodging the crowd and also because this allowed Ed to come along. springbok1 and our mother also came. We got there at a little before noon, and there was a huge line. Fortunately, Kiera was much more cooperative this year. If anything, she waited better than Molly, who kept wanting to swing from the velvet rope they had marking off the line. The exhibit itself was a mixture of cheesy (the animated figures don't really look particularly human) and cool (like the scene where the Godmother appeared out of the darkness). The girls liked it a lot, especially Kiera, who was riveted by it.

We had lunch afterwards, then took the elevators back down, and noticed that the line had pretty much dried up. So memo for next year: lunch first, then display. We decided to go through again, since the line was so short, which made the girls very happy.

Kiera has gotten markedly more reasonable in the last few months. I was able to take her Christmas shopping to choose presents for Ed and for Molly, and she actually grasped that she was choosing presents for other people instead of choosing her favorite things off the shelf and then insisting on keeping them. (We take the girls to Dollar Tree to let them choose gifts, because that way we can tell them they can choose anything in the whole store without then having to veto something based on price. Kiera chose a car-shaped bank full of candy for Molly, and a bag of superballs for Ed. For me, she picked a snowman tree-topper.) Also, a couple of days ago, I got out the infamous Dora cups, and it was Molly's turn for the "cup with more characters on it," the newer cup that both of them always want. Kiera started to wail, and I told her, "Kiera, you had this cup last time. This time it's Molly's turn. Next time it will be your turn." And she instantly quit crying and was fine. It's such a shock when your toddler starts responding to reasonable arguments. (Not that anyone should expect that she'll do this consistently. She'll turn three in nine months. Molly got significantly less reasonable at three.)

Tack Strips I

Since we were re-arranging the study (home office, really, but my parents called theirs a study and I've never gotten out of the habit of calling it that) anyway (to accomodate a second computer), Ed suggested we tear out the carpet.

I have now assembled:

* Eye protection
* Small pry bar
* Large pry bar
* Pliers
* Large metal pot lined with plastic (for the tack strips)
* Large garbage bag (for carpet and liner)

I am current on tetanus shots.

Here we go...

Tack Strips II

This is easier when the room is entirely empty. Not practical, in this case, but easier.

I have now fetched kitchen shears. The better for lopping pieces out of the carpet.

Are you dust-allergic? Don't ever get wall-to-wall carpet.

Tack Strips III

West wall of study: done.

We ripped out carpet from one of the three upstairs bedrooms in 1996, not long after we bought the house. I had a different body nine years ago. It's kind of pathetic how creaky I am at 32. My ankle is messed up today and sends shooting pains through me when I squat, which is not good because my right knee doesn't like it when I kneel. It's less vociferous about it than my ankle, though, so kneeling it is.

The eye protection was a good idea. I don't think I used it nine years ago, but I should have.

The floor so far looks pretty decent. They should have put down dropcloths before painting, but the Sponge of Death (Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) will take care of that, I bet.

Tack Strips IV

Now comes the really entertaining part: the huge, heavy computer desk that currently has my computer sitting on it.

Probably should have moved this before Ed took the girls sledding, huh? Maybe I can get the cats to come help.

Tack Strips V

Desk: shoved aside far enough to allow access to tack strips, then returned to usual spot.

South wall is 60% done. Room is probably 40% done, not counting all the random staples that aren't along the edges.

Tack Strips VI

South wall: done.
Heating vent: done.
North wall (which has bends): started.

I am not sure how to pry out the nails that hold the metal strip by the door that held the carpet down. They are not responding as expected to the application of the pry bar.

And my God, this carpet is a filthy, disgusting thing.

Tack Strips ???

About 6 feet of wall left, and it's dinnertime, after which we're going to a party. Guess I'll finish up tomorrow.

Tack Strips VIII

11:29 p.m., and all the tack strips are gone.

The metal strip in the doorway is still there. The things holding it down appear to be threaded like screws, but without the little thing in the top where you stick the screwdriver. My father is going to bring a tool over tomorrow that might make it easier to remove them.

There is also some carpet pad still stapled to the floor, and those staples still need to be removed.

I am pleased with the overall condition of the floor. It's dinged up but not too badly. Molly's floor looks like someone spilled a can of paint thinner -- there's this huge SPLAT where the varnish was taken off. This floor doesn't seem to have anything like that. It's dirty and has lots of little holes in it, but it's basically in good condition.

Hardwood!

The carpet is in rolls (duct taped, not tied like the Solid Waste website says, but it's much easier to duct tape as you go; if they won't take them this way, we can peel it off and tie them properly later), leaned against the wall and the corner of my desk. All tack strips are out. The bulk of the carpet staples have been removed, though I expect I'll find more, probably by stepping on them.

It is disconcerting how easily my chair rolls now.

I am fighting the urge to go get the broom and mop and start cleaning.

Happy New Year!

(Oh, and lest you think I've spent my entire New Year's Eve doing home improvements -- we all went to a party after dinner, had a very nice time, and came home when the girls got tired around ten.)