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Monday, I met with my local critique group. I went early to teach one of my friends how to format a story properly for submitting. The sticking point was, I use MSWord 2003 [which they will pry from my cold, dead hands before I will convert to another word processing program -- I once said that of WordPerfect -- if it was still made I'd still be on WP] and my friend has MSWord 2007. I have to say, using it was not a selling point for the program. Not at all. I am a fairly good software user, however, and did figure out where all the needed commands were hiding … finally.
Jeez, Microsoft. It’s like 2003 and 2007 are barely related. One of my computers came with a sample of MSWord 2010, I think it was. Yeah, not a selling point for that one either. I hated it. Is there a stronger word than hate? I don’t think those who make MSWord ever actually use it for anything practical.
Well, enough ranting on the lack of progress on word processing programs …
I gave my local group chapter two of Boomtown Craze and chapter one of The Augmentation of Hetty Locklear. Both were received well, with the usual helpful nudges that help me improve my stories. I use the feedback when taking the draft I give them to polished draft. The polished draft goes to my very talented editor.
Speaking of which, The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear came back from the editor last Friday. I took the week off from it. I will begin putting it into publishable form next week. The official release date will be Monday, November 12th. I’ll be putting all that useful feedback you all gave me on the blurb to use very soon, too.
Did some critique for a cyber crit partner this week, too. Great fantasy. Hope she ends up published so I can see the entire thing in print.
Last Saturday, I pulled a muscle in my back. Like, ouch. It made star gazing excruciatingly painful on Saturday. I kept those smelly patches on my back all Sunday and took lots of Advil. Then I hung out on the couch and watched all of Downton Abbey season two. :D It was so awesome. Now it’s over, except for the Christmas special which is on there, too.
Anyway, it was nice to take the weekend off and recharge my creative batteries. I’ve been dragging my feet some on the new projects. Like I spent two whole days creating a glossary on the computer for the Backworlds. I couldn’t remember whether I had named the planet Pardeep orbits or the other moons with it, which is what prompted creating the glossary. I should have done it while writing the first two books, but I guess I felt I was too busy writing them to be bothered. And since I wrote them at the same time, I guess I figured I didn’t need the memory prompts at that time. Yes, I’m rolling my eyes at my idiot self.
Any of you create glossaries for your stories? Mine include characters & their descriptions & relations, planets/solar systems, unique terms. For Backworlds there’s also a list of races of humans I’ve mentioned and spaceships. Because I’m sure all of you will call me on it if I contradict myself at some point.
Blue Moon this week. Full moon means poor viewing this weekend at the observatory. I can’t believe we move into our last month of the season. That went so fast. September? Seriously?
Don’t forget about the What’s Your Chocolate? bloghop on Monday, September 10th. Dip your keyboard in chocolate HERE
Monday is a holiday in the US, so I’ll not be posting again until next Wednesday. Have a great weekend everybody!
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I have several computers and several versions of Word – fun when someone emails me a .docx document and I try to open it on the computer with the older version of Word.
I made a glossary for myself with this third book. There are a lot more characters and several races – I didn’t want to misspell anything!
Word is a bit bloated. But 2007 is almost identical to 2003. But they converted to the ribbon thing with 2007. I hated it too, but we went to 2007 at work and I didn’t have a choice… we went to 2010 later but that wasn’t so big a change. I don’t mind it now.
All the praise I’ve heard for Scrivner has sold me on it. I’ll be changing over to it soon, I hope. I’m told the Windows version is a perversion of it though – so I might get a Mac first.
My critique group met last night. I love going, but that group has slowly morphed into a support group over time. I joined critters recently in hopes of getting more critiques – I think hurting someones feelings has become a bit of a worry with my real life group. At least a little.
You are really rolling the projects out. Good for you!
I don’t have a very formal glossary, or book bible as some people call them, but I have it written down in notebooks who’s who. I really should get organized one day and type up a real file for it all on the computer, or I probably will get tripped up one day.
And I’m looking forward to Shirley MacLain joining Downton Abbey next season. :)
I first hated the change from 2003 to 2007 but I’m used to it now and it’s actually easier…once my bloodied head healed from banging it on the desk.
So often I forget to change .docx to .doc before sending it to someone – sorry if I ever did that to you, Alex!
I have a running list in Word of names and stuff that I add to as I go along – if I remember. Needless to say, I’ve had to go back and re-read chapters to find what I wanted!
‘Jeez, Microsoft. It’s like 2003 and 2007 are barely related.’
This made me chuckle. And that first image was as good as a cup of coffee. Have a great (long) weekend, M.
I started making myself a glossary and then quit, but I know I have to go back to it. Do you ever have small, secondary characters that pop up from time to time that you’ve actually named? I do . . .and I forget their names. I think I should just stop naming them if they aren’t major characters . . .but that probably would be bad too. sigh.
WOW- a lot on your plate. I understand about using MS. I honestly don’t remember what year mine is- I think 2007. I’m not a giant fan of it- but I can still get the job done and I’ve been using it for so long now that I’m used to some of the things I have to do to make it work for me.
I hope your back feels better soon.
Have a terrific Friday!
I honestly thought about creating a glossary for the second book. I’m still thinking about it as a matter of fact. I just don’t know if one is necessary at this point. Maybe I should ask my editor lol.
As for MS Office 2003? I use 2010 and it’s wonderful. I always upgrade. I like the new stuff.
You can get a thingy from Microsoft for the older Word, Alex, that will allow you to open newer documents.
I wish WordPerfect would come back, Rusty.
I have notebooks, too, LG, but I don’t write everything in them & an alphabetical listing helps me find things quick. Can’t wait for season 3.
I had to go back and reread the entire book, Laura. So, I aim to prevent that in the future.
Thanks, Suze. I decided to feature some of my other photos on Fridays.
If the secondary character returns to the story, Tyrean, I name them. If they don’t, I don’t. I used to do the same as you, name everybody. But there’s no point if they’re only in one scene.
Thanks, Summer. I’ve felt like Dr. Smith this week … oh, my aching back. lol
You must embrace change better than the rest of us, Michael. If your stories overlap, you’re going to want that glossary. If you’re in down time, now’s a great time to get it done.
I’ve kept character charts before, that’s for sure!
Microsoft Word is very different these days MPax. Wait till we hit Office 2012. :) I didn’t know blue moons made for poor viewing.
I don’t remember ever using Word Perfect. Going from Word 2003 to 2007 is a bit of a shock, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually easier to use, and I love 2010, especially the find button and how it shows me the finds on the side instead of having to hop through the text or highlighting them. Plus, it tells you how long you’ve been working on a manuscript too.
I haven’t written a glossary for people to see of my novels, but I do keep a list of important things for each one.
Good luck getting your next book out soon!
Over the years I’ve read several stories that were presented in a series, such as Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, or Ringworld by Lary Niven, or Dune, or even Lord of the Rings, and others. And I ALWAYS love it when the author offers a glossary of some kind! Going from book to book, it really helped me, as the reader, to remember who’s who, and made the reading all that more enjoyable and rich, instead of that vague feeling of “now, who was that??”
All that to say, Yay to your glossary! :-)
You’ve had a lot going on! I like to update to whatever Word is newest, so I don’t wind up having incompatible documents in no time.
Sorry about your back. Enjoy the full moon, and have a great weekend!
Sounds like you’ve been a busy girl!
When I wrote my book I had to think long and hard about whether I’d use the 2007+ version (ribbon interface) or the 2003- version. Under the make-up that been applied to the 2007 version they are pretty much the same, it’s just a matter of digging around until you find what you’re looking for. I discussed it with my circle of friends and it seems most of them were of the same opinion as you – pry it from their cold, dead fingers. So I used the older version. If I do a revised edition, I can use the ribbon interface version and have all my bases covered.
Best of luck with the new projects.
I did such lists for the first [unpublished] series I wrote, and the second, don’t know why I didn’t continue the habit, Libby. But I learned my lesson.
The Moon is the worst light polluter there is, Maurice. Half moon is bad enough, full Moon … the moon & any planets are the only things that can be seen. There’s a horror film in the making, Office 2012.
Maybe the full 2010 version is different than the sample, Cherie. It was online all of the time, which I couldn’t stand. That blinking thing in the corner of my document was uber distracting.
I’ve seen them in books, too, Loretta. If I ever publish my first series, I would include a glossary. Mostly, I keep them for myself so I’m consistent and have those things in a place I can check on them without a lot of work.
There’s a MS add-on that lets me read later docs in 2003. Most times. Still taking a lot of Advil for the back, Theresa, but it’s improving. Standing on a cold mountain top tonight probably won’t help matters though.
That was my chief complaint about 2007, Doug, impossible to find what I wanted. I would assume there’s some way to change the default it opens on, so that it’s not doing its strange MSWord formatting? My friend didn’t bring his hotspot, so we couldn’t look up how to change that. I did figure out how to create a new template for him though.
I love Word 2010. I got very nerdily excited when I got my hands on it, and just played :-)
It took me a while to get used to the newest version of Word, and I like it now. Hey, I went to your HOME page. I liked your trailer and had missed seeing it. Also, it’s nice to see all your covers.
I had a massive glossary for my first novel, built up over the 1.5 years it took me to write the first draft. I also started an index, but that wasn’t very extensive.
I finally gave up on Word when they tried to convince me Vista was the bomb. They were right, of course. It was. But “a bomb,” not “the bomb.”
Sorry about the back. Hate that when it happens. All sounds like you’re systems are up and running. So many projects. Hurray for you.
See you Wed.
Happy end of summer.
With the different computers I’ve had, I had to upgrade to Word 2010. Now that I’m used to the program, I like it. Except that Smashwords won’t accept the docx. program when you download. You still have to change it to an earlier format. What’s with that?
I can’t wait for your next book. When November gets here, I’ll be waiting.
Sounds like you’ve been getting a lot done. I felt the way you do about the 2007 version of Word when I just started using it. Couldn’t find a thing. Gradually, I’ve gotten used to it. Weird thing is, I’ve bought several writing software, but the only programme I use for writing is MsWord. Am I a dinosaur or what?
Mary,
Thank you for your recent kind comments on my blog.
I use MSWord 2003 too, primarily because that’s the year we bought our computer and have not updated yet :) Maybe my laziness is a blessing in disguise.
Sounds like you have a wonderful critique group – good luck on polishing your story.
Have a good weekend!
you crack me up!
i agree that these techie people make way too many useless upgrades! leave it alone! ah well, thats how they make their money, thats so thirty seconds ago…
=)
I don’t so much have a glossary, but I do have little notes pages, character pages and setting pages. If I were writing high fantasy or sci-fi, I imagine I’d need a glossary.
Purdy flower.
I still use 2003 too and I know all to well how irritating and needlessly complex 2007 is. I have to use it at work and there are several writing projects I have done on it. Even after 2 years or so, I still find the damn thing unwieldy. I have 2010 is easier than 2007 but that ain’t saying much, is it?
Hope your back gets better! -Cheers!
Crit partners are invaluable. I seriously don’t know where I’d be without them!
Well, my tech-challenged brain doesn’t venture too far… as long as MS Word lets me type, then I’m happy. Lol.
I hope your back is on the mend, Mary.
Perhaps the trial is way suckier than the program, Annalisa.
Thanks, Brinda. I saw a few other authors with all of their covers on the home page. It makes sense.
I’ve used an index in my 1st, too, Golden. It’s not a bad idea to mark where you best described characters and places that recur in a series.
I agree, Lee. Vista was terrible. It came on the computer before this. I had husband erase it within five minutes and replace it with XP. 7 isn’t bad. I use that now.
Because most places want a more universal document, Karen. Some places still want .rtf or .txt
I use MSWord, too, JL. I loved the old WordPerfect. But it won’t run on any of the computers any more. Sniff.
It is a good critique group, Kim. Finding good partners is a tool a writer needs.
I guess it is how they make money, Tara. The bombs in the past make me hesitant to try any of their new stuff though. My husband still has nightmares about ME
In a series, it’s useful to keep track of what you name things and people, Shannon.
Thanks, Dannette. I took that picture in July. I think.
Good ones are invaluable, Nick. Bad ones are good, too. They toughen our skin and teach us when to use our own instincts and judgment.
I’m taking less Advil, Michelle. So, I suppose that’s a sign the back is improving.
Love the picture you used for this post! I can get very frustrated with different versions of Word. I like everything to be easy. :) So sorry to hear about your back- but glad you got to get caught up on some tv. I think it is great that you made a glossary- I have had to go back and make myself notes on characters and names of things from the first book in my series. Such a good idea to do it while you are writing. Maybe next time. :)
It is a good idea to make the lists while writing, Jess. I’ll do that with the next one.
Since this kept happening to me, I know just save everything to a lower spec version just in case…. a hassle, but avoids the going back and forth
I’ve used MS Word since the late 90′s and yes it’s changed SO MUCH! For the better.
I LOVE that photo. Gorgeous.
With my current project, I keep several glossaries that I update as I go.
I have one for characters (names and descriptions), all of the cities and countries (since my setting is alternative history), and the fun steampunk technologies that I’ve created.
There’s no way I could function without these.
Going back and forth is annoying, Tania.
Well, the trial version must have been a very poor representative then, Lynda. Nothing about it would make me spend money on it.
I kept glossaries as I wrote with my first two [unpublished] series, Jay. I’ll get back to doing that.
I’m not even sure what version of word I’m using. lol I know that I end up saving all of my documents to an older version so my counterparts can open it.
I was thinking about you during the “blue moon” and wondering if you got to go to the observatory. I’m glad you rested a little, at least.
It took me a while to get used to MS Word 2007. I got really frustrated at first, but now I really like it. I’m used to where everything is and it can do more than 2003. Like you, I used to adore WP, but I guess we have to move on with the times! I do have a Glossary of my people and places:)
I struggled with the new version for awhile, but I like it now.
I was at the observatory over the weekend, Miranda. I’ll have the report and photos on Friday.
I’m so impatient, Gwen, it angers me when I can’t intuitively use software. I get easily frustrated and that turns to hating it.
Someday I’ll probably have to convert, Ciara, but not yet.
Sorry about your back trouble! I hope all is well now.
Glossaries, maps, lists, soundtracks — all sound like great ideas to me! Whatever makes the world you create the most whole.