Get those numbers in!
So far we have McK on Smackdown (whoops), JJ and Robin both on a break (surprisingly neither of you have had one yet, so I have to let you get away with it...), and Sylvia on 5 - great effort for December!
Behind the scenes I'm totting up the numbers for the year and will post the awards tomorrow.
Next year... who's up for another Koala Challenge? As ever, there will be some revision in the rules. What will they be? Commit, and I'll tell you... Oh hang on, is that not entirely fair? Remember...The Koala is Always Right!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
November's up!
And I hereby declare that I will be smacking myself down in December. That always seems to happen after a big edit!
Annual round up and awards coming up! My favourite time of the year! Who's been naughty and who's been nice? AKA, who's slacked off the most and who's stuck faithfully to the keyboard all year? Who wins best excuse this year? And what 'special and yet incredibly appropriate award' will I come up with for everybody else? Oh, it's such fun! And mostly polite.
Annual round up and awards coming up! My favourite time of the year! Who's been naughty and who's been nice? AKA, who's slacked off the most and who's stuck faithfully to the keyboard all year? Who wins best excuse this year? And what 'special and yet incredibly appropriate award' will I come up with for everybody else? Oh, it's such fun! And mostly polite.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Furry, I mean, Merry Christmas!
Be sure to have a great time and check in here between Christmas and New Year for the annual round up!
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Last reminder...
Get those November stats in! Hurry, hurry! December lies ahead with all the fun of the annual round up!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Naughty November
Look out for our end-of-year awards, coming soon! But in the meantime...were you naughty in November? Or did Nanowrimo save you from the Claws of Doom?
So, in November, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
So, in November, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
In 2008 I was a better blogger...
...even when I'd just come out of hospital it was only a day or two between blogs.
"Still not quite firing on all cylinders here. Thinking about doing lots of things. Not actually doing any of them.
Grandma still in hospital with massive headache. Nobody knows how many stitches she has, because the consultant says he lost count half way. Hoping she'll get out later this week.
Mostly I'm reading. I have many intelligent things to say about my reading. Not actually saying any of them.
I'm popping up randomly here and there on the blogosphere, but this is not the time to look out for me. I think Paca's Teddies will lynch me for a woeful performance in the quiz this month.
Well, if I've been up for two hours, it must be time to go back to bed now..."
"Still not quite firing on all cylinders here. Thinking about doing lots of things. Not actually doing any of them.
Grandma still in hospital with massive headache. Nobody knows how many stitches she has, because the consultant says he lost count half way. Hoping she'll get out later this week.
Mostly I'm reading. I have many intelligent things to say about my reading. Not actually saying any of them.
I'm popping up randomly here and there on the blogosphere, but this is not the time to look out for me. I think Paca's Teddies will lynch me for a woeful performance in the quiz this month.
Well, if I've been up for two hours, it must be time to go back to bed now..."
Sunday, November 14, 2010
If I could turn back time...
...why yes, I can!
Pacatrue, the world's best Professor Alpaca, suggested we look back to 2008. We'll be spending some time over at Evil Editor and putting up some 2008-related posts - I'll put up a list of who's participating later. In the meantime, back in 2008, it turns out that I'd just come out of hospital after a minor operation - and family disasters, rather than writing were on my mind... Anybody remember this? Posted November 14, 2008:
"Here, but owie. Post surgery not quite as awful as I had thought, but a bit tired and sore now and mostly located in bed/on sofa. Got home from hospital yesterday; within a few hours mother-in-law had a fall and is now occupying my vacancy in the hospital. As my nephew put it, 'as soon as one comes out, another one goes in'. She's had many stitches in her head, but apparently no concussion and should get out later today. Her accident happened at the kids school where, bless them, an off duty ambulance officer and nurse (both parents) were on the scene. They worked hard, but they couldn't stop the bleeding that has traumatised half of the infants department; we're still getting calls from parents of freaked-out kids who want to ensure that Soccer Boy's Grandma didn't bleed to death. No, and she is issuing orders from her hospital bed about where her cane should be positioned, who to call and where her car should be parked etc., so we're hoping for a quick recovery.
It never rains but it...you know the one."
Also turning back time...
Pacatrue on http://pacatrue.blogspot.com/2010/11/2008-redo.html
Robin on http://theirishhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/retrospective-its-2008-again.html
Fairyhedgehog on http://fairyhedgehog.blogspot.com/2010/11/remembrance-of-times-past.html
The One True Paca (Prof.) (again) on http://pacatrue.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-ee-dedication.html
Whirl on http://abysswinksback.blogspot.com/2010/11/resurgoriffic.html
I'll add more as I find them. And keep your eyes on EE for some more old timer activity.
Pacatrue, the world's best Professor Alpaca, suggested we look back to 2008. We'll be spending some time over at Evil Editor and putting up some 2008-related posts - I'll put up a list of who's participating later. In the meantime, back in 2008, it turns out that I'd just come out of hospital after a minor operation - and family disasters, rather than writing were on my mind... Anybody remember this? Posted November 14, 2008:
"Here, but owie. Post surgery not quite as awful as I had thought, but a bit tired and sore now and mostly located in bed/on sofa. Got home from hospital yesterday; within a few hours mother-in-law had a fall and is now occupying my vacancy in the hospital. As my nephew put it, 'as soon as one comes out, another one goes in'. She's had many stitches in her head, but apparently no concussion and should get out later today. Her accident happened at the kids school where, bless them, an off duty ambulance officer and nurse (both parents) were on the scene. They worked hard, but they couldn't stop the bleeding that has traumatised half of the infants department; we're still getting calls from parents of freaked-out kids who want to ensure that Soccer Boy's Grandma didn't bleed to death. No, and she is issuing orders from her hospital bed about where her cane should be positioned, who to call and where her car should be parked etc., so we're hoping for a quick recovery.
It never rains but it...you know the one."
Also turning back time...
Pacatrue on http://pacatrue.blogspot.com/2010/11/2008-redo.html
Robin on http://theirishhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/retrospective-its-2008-again.html
Fairyhedgehog on http://fairyhedgehog.blogspot.com/2010/11/remembrance-of-times-past.html
The One True Paca (Prof.) (again) on http://pacatrue.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-ee-dedication.html
Whirl on http://abysswinksback.blogspot.com/2010/11/resurgoriffic.html
I'll add more as I find them. And keep your eyes on EE for some more old timer activity.
October stats
Is it just me or are there fewer and fewer people who I approve of each month?
Maybe Nano will bring some of you back up again!
And...
Merry
PJD
Travis
Cat of Arc
Laurel
Janey
Haven't heard from you! For a while, in some cases...
In other news, this blog, and a few others, will be returning to 2008 this week. So look out for some old, but juicy, posts!
Maybe Nano will bring some of you back up again!
And...
Merry
PJD
Travis
Cat of Arc
Laurel
Janey
Haven't heard from you! For a while, in some cases...
In other news, this blog, and a few others, will be returning to 2008 this week. So look out for some old, but juicy, posts!
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Awesome October
For you? Will you be trick or treating tonight, or sweating over your keyboard, trying to save yourself from The Razor Sharp Claws of The Koala? Eat your heart out Freddie - The Koala's here...
Or just for me? Six points for editing/rewriting over 32,000 words, plus a point for a short story submission (accepted too!), plus another for a thirty-word story (see below), has The Koala feeling slightly smug this month.
So, in October, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Or just for me? Six points for editing/rewriting over 32,000 words, plus a point for a short story submission (accepted too!), plus another for a thirty-word story (see below), has The Koala feeling slightly smug this month.
So, in October, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Bonus points!
This month, The Koala is awarding bonus points for thirty-word stories. Yes, a mere thirty words! Only one point is available for this - but only one point saves you from a shredding!
Allow The Koala to commence the proceedings...
When we married, my husband promised me a gold bangle for every year I remained faithful. Forty years later, his brother helped me bury him. Thirty-nine bangles jangled on my arm.
Allow The Koala to commence the proceedings...
When we married, my husband promised me a gold bangle for every year I remained faithful. Forty years later, his brother helped me bury him. Thirty-nine bangles jangled on my arm.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
September results up!
And I see a shocking lack of names under 'Approved'. The year is not yet over, my honeys. My claws are still sharp... yes, yes, I know I've had to smack myself down this month...but that aside. I think you'll see a big, big jump in my numbers for October. Oh yes. It's all action in the eucalypt.
The Koala lays down the claw-gauntlet. The goal is to get as many of us on Approved for October as possible. Who's with me? C'mon chummies, let's write!
The Koala lays down the claw-gauntlet. The goal is to get as many of us on Approved for October as possible. Who's with me? C'mon chummies, let's write!
Friday, October 08, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
September Statistics!
Is the steam hissing from the end of your pen? Are there blisters on the ends of your poor little fingers? Are the moths the only things left in your wallet after you've spent all your pennies on query stampage? Then the Koala is proud!
So, in September, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
So, in September, have you...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Start scrambling!
The end of the month is nigh! Get those last wise words slapped down on paper; send those last queries wafting out on the breeze of hope... the Koala Countdown is imminent!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
As requested...update from The Eucalypt!
The sun is shining, the weather is warming up...what's that you say? Autumn? Winter? Pah, I spit gumnuts on your seasonal misery! Spring is sprung and the weeds are riz, I know where the birdies iz. Third level of The Eucalypt, fourth branch, right at the end, in their nest.
The little Koalas will shortly start a two-week break from school. They hopped in the pool last weekend, but came out as if on springs, because the water was freezing. Yes, we taped it. Heh heh. Soccer Boy has started summer soccer and will also play Oztag; Princess is happy with gymnastics. She's finally cracked the cartwheel. Mr Koala slaves away daily in his place of slavery, then comes home and grumbles; I slave daily in my place of slavery, then come home and write stuff :-).
The Eucalypt is flourishing, but we are looking forward to a visit from Mr Electrician, who may finally be able to tell us which light connects to which switch and cease the random turning on and off that goes on every night.
This isn't a very exciting update is it? Well, you did ask. I promise you a more thrilling one in the future. In the meantime, I must go and hunt down a hairy haggis, for I have promised to introduce some of the local koalas into the wondrous world of Scotland's finer foods this Saturday...
The little Koalas will shortly start a two-week break from school. They hopped in the pool last weekend, but came out as if on springs, because the water was freezing. Yes, we taped it. Heh heh. Soccer Boy has started summer soccer and will also play Oztag; Princess is happy with gymnastics. She's finally cracked the cartwheel. Mr Koala slaves away daily in his place of slavery, then comes home and grumbles; I slave daily in my place of slavery, then come home and write stuff :-).
The Eucalypt is flourishing, but we are looking forward to a visit from Mr Electrician, who may finally be able to tell us which light connects to which switch and cease the random turning on and off that goes on every night.
This isn't a very exciting update is it? Well, you did ask. I promise you a more thrilling one in the future. In the meantime, I must go and hunt down a hairy haggis, for I have promised to introduce some of the local koalas into the wondrous world of Scotland's finer foods this Saturday...
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Get your critical chops around this
This is a song lyric:
"I've got six things on my mind
You're no longer one of them."
Question 1 - without Googling - name that band! And the song. No googling - I just want to know if anyone is as tragic as I am.
Question 2 - critique this little sentence - why do you think it's so effective? (Because it is, you know. Well, it works on me. Stuck in my head for many years effective.)
"I've got six things on my mind
You're no longer one of them."
Question 1 - without Googling - name that band! And the song. No googling - I just want to know if anyone is as tragic as I am.
Question 2 - critique this little sentence - why do you think it's so effective? (Because it is, you know. Well, it works on me. Stuck in my head for many years effective.)
August stats up!
Travis, PJD, Aerin and Janey - any stats for me? Or it's straight to Smackdown my luvvies.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Whirly winner (and report in below!)
Whirl forgot to let us know that he won Best Use of Prompt at Written's contest! See winners' announcement. Congrats to Whirl, and if you don't read anything else today, at least read his entry. It will cure you of any misery.
Meanwhile, report in, or you will need to read Whirl's entry many, many, many times...
Meanwhile, report in, or you will need to read Whirl's entry many, many, many times...
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Start totting up your August points...
You still have a few days to save yourselves! Then come here and let me know if in August you have...
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
Submitted a short story, poem or other short fiction submission to a competition or magazine (one point for each submission)?
Submitted an article (one point per article, no matter how many mags the article is submitted to)?
Written and/or edited at least 4000 words (one point)?
Written more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 2000 words of original writing (not editing)?
Edited more than the basic 4000 words (one additional point for each 5000 words of editing) ?
Outlined/plotted 4000 words or more (one point for each 4000)?
Beta-read read a fellow writer's novel and provided feedback (one point)?
Completed and published a new author website (one point)?
Written your query? (one point)
Written your synopsis? (one point)
Submitted a novel to an agent or editor? (Straight up to Koala Approves!)
(Anyone who's on Koala Approves while waiting for an agent response, remember that you must keep writing/editing/submitting short stories in the next month. Anyone sitting on their laurels drops down a stage. However, if an agent asks you to make changes to a novel, you get to stay on Koala Approves for the duration of your editing and negotiations, provided you get those changes to him/her in time and remember your manners. Ask for an extension or moan about your potential agent and you drop down a stage.)
A reminder... Points cannot be held over for a following month. The Koala wants consistent effort. The Koala is always right.
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