So, writing's done today. Got the word count up. Now I have to go back and make the stole that goes with Secondborn's dress. And make a top for me to wear with my suit. Out of gold lamé, no less. Nothing like being demure, and tasteful at a black tie wedding, I say.

Oh, but I did do a blurb for the Chaos Crystal that the publishers needed for a directory someone is putting together.

So, if you're interested, *SPOILER ALERT* here it is. If not... well, stop surfing the net and get back to work, you slackers! LOL

Chaos Crystal Target Daily Word Count

 

1,787 / 1,630 (109.6%)

Chaos Crystal Total Word Count

8,479 / 160,000 (5.3%)

New Target Word Count Per Day

1629

Good news... I made Secondborn a glorious cobalt blue ball gown today, for her to wear to her brother's wedding next month (curse these people who want black tie weddings). But it fits her. And looks gorgeous. I am feeling very smug.

Bad news... Because I spent most of the day sewing, I only got 941 words done on the Chaos Crystal today.

Good news... In between all the sewing, I got the movie review written on time for Die Hard 4.0 and even got to the studio on time to do the on-air stuff. Yipeeki-a:)

Bad news... Orbit emailed me to this morning to inform me the UK release of the Hythrun Chronicles has been put back to May 08 for Wolfblade, July 08 for Warrior and September 08 for Warlord because of "artwork issues".  Whatever that means. Sorry, UK readers. You'll have to wait a little longer, or order the US editions off Amazon UK.

Good news... I finally figured out why the overlocker wasn't sewing properly.

Bad news... it took me two freakin' hours to figure out why the overlocker wasn't working properly.

Good news... Secondborn actually found a pair of cobalt blue shoes to go with her dress. In Kmart of all places.

Bad news... they're a size too large and she's decided my sewing machine should be strong enough to sew through leather to fix them.

Good news... Secondborn has been telling all her friends what a fabulous mother and brilliant seamstress I am.

Bad news... Secondborn has now volunteered me to make a dress for one of her friends on the weekend, too.

So, between sewing, writing and cursing all things mechanical, I've had a very busy day. But now I have to write 1630 word a day to catch up. Oh, well...

I worry sometimes, that I'm not doing anything terribly useful or important for the betterment of mankind, sitting here in my office, pounding away on a keyboard, playing in imaginary worlds, while I write down the stuff the voices in my head are saying.

But then I hear about something like this and realise that there are people out there who do care and who are obviously doing their bit.

At least, I'm assuming that it was for the betterment of mankind that the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester brought together 67 home-made Daleks last Sunday afternoon in a bid set a new world record for the biggest number of people dressed up as Daleks in one location.

Yup, 67 people who have made their own Dalek costumes lined up for the count. All, one assumes, grown-ups with responsible jobs and nice families.

And to think, people laugh at me because I own one itsy bitsy remote-controlled Dalek.

At least I don't think I'm a Dalek. Much. Well, maybe sometimes...

Anyway, if you want to have a look, you can view John, the Super Person's photos of the event as a slide show here.

I'm off to exterminate the cat:)

Ok, time for a bit more shameless self-promotion. This is the Dymocks National Sci-fi/Fantasy Bestseller list for the week ending 25 Aug.

1. Metal Swarm
   Kevin J. Anderson
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
   J.K. Rowling
3. The Gods of Amyrantha
   Jennifer Fallon
4. Renegade's Magic
   Robin Hobb
5. Sandworms of Dune
   Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
6. Heaven's Net is Wide
   Lian Hearn
7. Blue Dragon
   Kylie Chan
8. Forest Mage
   Robin Hobb
9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
   J.K. Rowling
10. Elves of Cintra
    Terry Brooks

And in a bit of a  "don't blink or you'll miss it" moment, Warlord has been jumping around the Barnes and Noble and Amazon bestseller lists, too for the past few days.

Trouble with those lists is that you have to keep checking them all the time because they update them so frequently, that it's very easy to miss your moment in the sun if you're hoping to get any other work done:)


And speaking of getting other work done...

1,759 / 1,642 (107.1%)

5,751 / 160,000 (3.6%)

In a perfect world, I will deliver the manuscript for The Chaos Crystal, Book 4 of the Tide Lords series, in December this year.

Did I mention this is what would happen In a perfect world?

It has occurred to me, however, that if I plan to do this, I need to pull my finger out and get a wriggle on. 1 December 2007 is only 96 days away.


So I sat down in a much more ergonomically suitable fashion and this is today's word count...

2,436 / 1,666 (146.2%)

This is the total book word count...

3,992 / 160,000 (2.5%)

So, now, I only have to write 1642 words a day. Sweet.