No end in sight....

Unfortunately, I had a day of distraction through trying to write today. I've got an interesting, fun story line that I can't seem to figure out a good beginning or end to. I keep writing parts in the middle, but I'm to the point where this one needs at least a vague thought of at least what I'm hoping for the end to have. This is normally the point where I'll put it down for a long period of time and pick up working on something else. I'm not going to do it this time. I'm going to work on this a little bit every day and find a way to resolve the problems I see in this story line.

Description excerpt

This is a description in the beginning of "Finally," the working title for the current manuscript. I liked it, so I figured I'd share. Enjoy!


Everything seemed to be perfect in my mind. I had a job, I had a great apartment. I didn't have friends yet so I knew that would have to be the first thing to fix. I thought there might be potential with Sarah, but she just handed me my badge at lunch and then quickly left to meet her husband for a quick bite.
When I got home that first night after work I unlocked the blue door and walked into my box infested living room. The boxes were in the appropriate rooms, but nothing had been unpacked yet. The clothing hanging in my closet were new work clothes that my mother bought me while my dad and brothers moved my stuff into my apartment.
My condo was really nice, a two-bedroom place on a long street of similar buildings. When I first arrived I was actually surprised that it was so nice. I didn't expect it to be a hole in the wall, but my dad always joked that my first place out of school would be small, dark and would have a smell that would remind him of his dorm days. This place had a smell, but it was more like flowers and baked goods than molding dishes and unclean athletes.

Revamp of one of my manuscripts

One of my current manuscript attempts has a great story, but I wasn't getting anywhere with the writing because there was just too much verbiage and not enough character development. I had 16 pages at the beginning that didn't do anything for the actual story. So, I've decided to save those 16 pages somewhere else and start the story from the middle.

Guess what! It is working!! The story flows so much better, and I'm able to pull from the other pages as background info or flashbacks. The story is about ten times better already. The only problem is it was a set back for the length so far, but that just means I have something even better to be working on in my down time, and I do have down time right now.

Job hunt is still going, but I had a phone interview with a company this morning. I didn't get a positive or a negative feel from her. She seemed distracted. She said I'd find out Wed if I'm being called in for another interview. I hope so because I'm really excited about that position.

I haven't forgotten about the song lyrics I'm supposed to be fixing up, I just got distracted with the manuscript. I'm sure no one can blame me much for that. I'll get on that soon for a fun, carefree project!

Okay, enough break from my story. I'll update again once I've got a good chunk of it done. :-)

Job Hunt

So, I've been living off of my savings while looking for a job in Dallas. I'm close to having one now. I've got two companies interested, and I'd be okay with either. I'll hear back from Starbucks tomorrow on a yes, no or she needs more time to decide. It's for a full time supervisor position. The other is a customer service job with Bank of America in their call center. A bit more money and benefits, but not quite as fun as the Starbucks position. It's going to come down to which one offers me first, and that's assuming they both want me.

I've got tons of other applications out there right now, and I'm just waiting to hear back from them. I follow up on the ones I can but most now have you fill out applications online and get back to you when they are ready. That's okay. I know that I will most likely be offered the position with Bank of America, it's just a matter of when.

God has something in store for me though. He always provides. :-) I'm in a masters program online now, which has definitely been some work so far and it's only been a week. I think I'm really going to enjoy this. At least it's something to do to fill the time while I'm not working. I'm also looking for volunteer work and a church to attend regularly here. I'm closer to finding the volunteer work than the church, but I'm going to continue looking.

I've been keeping myself busy with writing, that's for sure. I've got two manuscripts that keep growing and filling with fantastic information. At some point I'll have three full manuscripts. It's exciting. I just need to start making contacts in the publishing world. Keep getting my short stories and poems submitted into competitions and literary magazine entries. I'm enjoying following my dreams, and I'm glad I have so many people that support me in that. I'm a lucky girl, and I hope that I can do as much for other people as I've had people do for me!

Piece of "Finally" manuscript

This is a piece of my manuscript "Finally" (which is a working title right now). It jumped out at me today and I wanted to share it.

I leaned in when Eric put his arm on the back of the couch. He looked down at me and smiled. We both looked back at the t.v. while he flipped through to find something to watch.
When his arm fell on my shoulder I leaned in a little closer. “What do you want to watch?” he asked.
“I really don't care,” I said. “Just pick something you like.” I tried to get myself comfortable and just about found a spot when my phone rang.
I picked it up and saw Stephen's number. “It's been awhile since I've heard from him,” I said. “Sorry, Eric.”
“It's okay. I'll get us something to drink.”
As he walked to the kitchen I flipped my phone open. “Hello?” I asked.
“Megan? Hey, how are you?” Stephen asked.
“I'm good. How about you?” My brain searched for a possible reason he could be calling.
“I'm good. I've got something to tell you.” He sounded nervous.
“Okay, what's up?” I asked. Eric came back with a drink in each hand.
“You remember Nikki, right?” he asked.
“That's Johnny's cousin, I believe,” I said.
“Yeah, well she and I kind of been dating,” he said.
“That's real cool, Stephen,” I said. “You finally found someone you can stand longer than a day. I told you someone would eventually not suck.” Eric handed me a cup and I took a sip.
“Yeah, she doesn't suck,” he mumbled. “Megs, I asked her to marry me.”
“Wow,” I said choking on my drink. “Is she pregnant?” Eric gave me a funny look and started to ask what was going on. I waved him off and started pacing behind the couch. “Stephen, seriously, you don't have to marry her just because she's pregnant.”
I heard him panic on the other end and whisper to someone else. “Megan, it's not like that at all. I love her, as strange as that sounds coming from me.”
“Put Johnny on the phone,” I said. “I know he's standing there.”
“Okay,” Stephen handed the phone away.
“No, I don't want to, oh hey, Megan,” Johnny stammered. “How are you?”
“Johnny, what they hell is going on?” I asked.
“Stephen and Nikki fell in love, or some crap like that,” he said.
“So, she's really not pregnant?” I asked. “Be honest with me.”
“Megan, she is not pregnant, and I'm done talking about my cousin and Stephen. How are you doing?” Johnny asked.
“I'm actually busy right now,” I said. “Tell Stephen I'll call him later, or he can send me an e-mail if he's too scared to talk to me.” I hung up and sat back on the couch.
“Bad news?” Eric asked.
“Weird news,” I said. “My friend Stephen is getting married to the cousin of my friend Johnny.”
Eric laughed. “How is that so weird? People get married sometimes.”
“Stephen said the only way he'd ever get married is if the father was holding a shot gun because she was pregnant.” I took a quick breath. “So, I assumed she was pregnant, but apparently in a couple of months they fell in love.”
He pulled me to him on the couch and ran his fingers through my hair.
“Sometimes you know quickly, and sometimes you need time,” he said. I rested my head on his chest. “it really doesn't take much to calm you down, does it?”
“No, not really,” I said. “It is just a weird thought that they are engaged.” I enjoyed the feeling of my head oh his chest. “I'll call him tomorrow to apologize.”
“Okay,” Eric said. He started to move his finger back and forth along my ear. I twitched from the tingling feeling and shifted to look up at him. It had been awhile since anyone had kissed me, but I still knew the look right before. He ran his fingers from my ear down to my mouth and then back up towards the other ear. “You're beautiful, you know.”
“Stop it,” I said, turning my head away.
“So confident until someone compliments you,” Eric said. “Well, I don't take it back.” He kept brushing his fingers against my face. The only reaction I had was to close my eyes and enjoy it. Before I knew it we were kissing on my couch with the sound of the channel guide music playing.
When he pulled away and kissed my forehead I saw him grab the remote that had fallen to the floor. I sat straight up on the couch scared that I had done something wrong.
“Sorry,” I said. I stared into the television, not wanting to look at him.
“What do you have to be sorry for?” he asked.
“For whatever made you stop and pull away. I haven't really done this in awhile.”
“I stopped because I needed some air. Plus, I wanted to find a movie or something for us to watch. Or kind of watch.” He put his arm back around me. “You did nothing wrong. No apologies. I'm the one who went for it.”
“Are you sure I didn't do anything wrong?” I heard myself and knew I sounded ridiculous, but I felt so nervous around him.
He leaned back in and kissed me again. He pulled me forward to the point of being on top of him and held me there in an embrace while we kissed.