Long time, no see

So guess it's past time to give a status report.  I've been looking for a job the past months and got one.  I'm a server at a senior living facility.  Once I get settled in to working again, I'll spend more time on my book. I haven't really been working on it recently, just a few words here and there.

I'm almost finished with my book. I've got about 3 to 4 chapters to go and I'll be done with my first draft. Then of course comes the editting.  I'm working on the leading-up-to part but the confrontation itself can go two ways with the same ending. The confrontation is the reveal of course so got to do it right. :)

I've also been re-reading some of my books at bedtime. It helps me relax since I've been restless and having trouble getting to sleep.  Murder mysteries, of course.  The puzzle's the thing, as they say. :)

The MO Lottery has that points for prizes thing going on.  I've used some points and got a set of Corelle wear.  I'm accumilating points, but I don't know what I want next. I have enough points for either a metal detector, a cd/dvd player, or a freezer full of meat.  What do you think?  Should I mention that I don't cook much? :)

What's happening so far...

First--status report: I've finished chapter 13 of my Earth book and started on 14. I plan to write 4 more chapters to finish the book. I hope to be done before the end of this month if I stay on schedule and write every night. 

The killer is leading them on a chase to his past where a secret is reveal.

Second--I'm giving away T-shirts with my book's proposed cover art for donations of $20 or more towards the cost of printing my book. The art is an elemental symbol for earth with a sand-painting like stick figure that reminds me of a douser, one who essentially 'reads' the earth.  

Third--Once I'm done with my book, I'll need a few beta readers. Interested?

I edit my book as I go along. I finish a chapter and re-read it, making changes before I move on to the next chapter. However, I'm terrible at spelling and run-on sentences. Also when I write, I tell the story mainly through dialogue.  I'd like someone to read the book all the way through though and tell me about it as a whole as well as correct my minor errors. :) 

I think that's all for now. I really should be working on my book, not procastinating with this blog/ :)

Jano & book status

JANO is over.  I managed 14,384 words, even though I was sick most of the month.  First strep-throat, then a cold, then sinuses acting up.  I was hoping to make at least 15,000, but maybe next year I can make it to 25,000 words or even the 50,000 words. 

The Jano Party was tonight. There were two books and a little gift bag at each seat. We ate, then got down to the contests.  I got second place in the best first sentence contest. It was the first sentence of the Fire book which I wrote on as well as the Earth book during JANO.

"The arson scene before Sara Phillips gave the words 'crispy critters' a whole new meaning."

I decided to call the Earth book, Earth's Cipher. Knowing me I'll probably change it again but I like it for now. I still like Earth Reader as well so...Anyway, Earth has 37,330 words and Fire only has 272 words--mainly the first page. I also wrote a scene for Water which I took to one of my book clubs and they said it needed a hook, but they loved the relationship between the characters.  So I'm 12 chapters and 148 pages into Earth book, and I just revealed the killer, but he's disappeared.  More chapters to come. 

Here is the blurb I did when I first started Earth.

Bodies with an unusual method of killing have been unearthed in a small town, and Sara Phillips is called in to consult by the local sheriff.  The FBI had shown up and claim there are others.  During the joint investigation, Death stalks Sara herself before the killer is revealed.  This discovery leads to the information that the killer and Sara have something in common.  Something which led them down the path they were now on.

As you can see it's a bit vague, but sums up the basic story idea I had when I first concieved Sara's gift and her use of it.  I figure to use the basic concept of unusual deaths to led the investigators into the story, using the four elements to start with, then perhaps still using the unusual death angle continue on. 

But of course I got to finish my first book. So I best finish this blog and get to writing on my story.