Monday miscellany.

Hmm, yeah, sometimes Mondays are just about like that. LOL

Fortunately for me today, not the case. It’s the first day of October, meaning Samhain is right around the corner. Last night I submitted the manuscript for DSMC-4 (“Out of Bight, Out of Mind”) to Siren, so keep your fingers crossed!

There is always a little bit of a mixture of relief, anticipation, belly-ripping terror, and joy when I finish a manuscript and submit it. I sweat every submission.

Every. Single. Submission.

Yeah, neurotic writer. I can’t help it. It’s just the way I am.

Went to my third hash on Friday night, and Sir got to make that one, too. For those of you who don’t know what hashing is, it’s a human hare/hound trail run, with lots of drinking, raunchy songs, drinking, fun, and drinking. With some exercise thrown in. They bill themselves as a drinking club with a running problem. LOL No, you don’t have to drink. I stick to water, and so did Sir, and they welcome you just the same. You don’t even have to run, and in fact, competitiveness is discouraged. There are groups all over the world, just Google “Hash House Harriers” and you’ll find out more than you ever wanted to know.

I’ve been meaning to put together a mash-up of stuff that’s come through my email lately, so I’m tossing the kitchen sink of links at you today. LOL And no, it’s not all writing stuff. Ready? Here we go…

From Copyblogger: “How to Become an Exceptional Writer”
Also from Copyblogger: “How to Beat 7 Common Self-Publishing Fears”
From Edittorrent: “The five bad habits of good writers.”
Also from Edittorrent: “Prioritizing Prepositions”
From Kristen Lamb’s blog: “The Trick to Inner and Outer Demons”
Also from Kristen Lamb’s blog: “Anatomy of a Best-Selling Novel — Structure Part One”
From the Fated Desires blog: “Worldbuilding”
From Brainpickings.org: “Zadie Smith’s 10 Rules of Writing”
Also from Brainpickings.org: “Neil Gaiman’s 8 Rules of Writing”
A poignant piece from Bayard and Holmes: “Hospice: Telling People I See Their Butts”
From Fastcocreate: “Why You Need a Creative Shift Instead of a Vacation, as Explained by Joss Whedon”
From Techinasia: “Japan’s New Anti-Dowload Law Starts Today”
From Discovery News: “Mars Rover Finds Bed of Ancient Stream”
Also from Discovery News: “Giant Crocs Ruled Ancient Seas” (not the shoes)
From The Digital Reader: “Penguin Now Suing Authors to Recover Advances”
From Prescription for Murder: “Hyphens and Dashes”
From Live Science: “Fox News Climate Coverage 93% Wrong” (Shocker!…eh, not so much.)
Also from Live Science: “Vampire Squid Are Sea’s Garbage Disposals”
From Writer’s Digest: “Who vs. Whom”

EDIT: Siren didn’t make me wait long! LOL They said yes to DSMC-4! Woot! Look for it in November. 🙂