キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Captain's Log, Stardate 12.24.2005
Well, I didn't make all of my goals from 2005, but I liked making them and having them up for me to see.
How well did I do?
Long-term goals:
I completed only two manuscripts by the end of December rather than the three I was aiming for. Two completed mss is more than the previous year, which was one ms. Next year, I want to up the ante and write three manuscripts.
I didn't come up with new Chick-Lit or Suspense series proposal ideas, although I'm working on the Chick-Lit now, it's just not finished yet. I did find two new critique partners.
Short-term goals:
I don't think I wrote even one short story this past year, and I was supposed to write one a month. I wanted to spend the time focusing on my novels instead. I think that's okay--short stories are nice, but I prefer the larger projects. I didn't have a goal for it, but I ended up writing several articles. Maybe I'll change this goal to articles instead.
I didn't critique much on Writing.com, unfortunately. I did more critiques for my dedicated critique partners and for my freelance editing business. However, I need to be better about critiquing on time, doing a little each day.
I did update my website each month for my contest, and added some new content. I have new content planned for next year, too. It depends on if I sell my suspense series proposal or not. I had planned on embryonic stem cell articles that would fit my BITTER DRAGON novel, but if I don't sell it, I'll switch to other articles pertinent to my next series proposal.
I wrote on my blog at least once a week--usually more like 2-3 times a week. I didn't write everyday as I wanted to, for accountability. I'll need to do better next year, but not spend too much time on it. It's fun and a little addictive.
Daily goals:
I didn't always get an hour of writing done every weekday, but I think I averaged about that much since I tended to write in spurts. I have kept Sunday as my day of rest.
Project goals:
I finished my manuscripts late. Suspense ms and series proposal done in April, novella in September.
Learning goals:
I did read one writing book a month and at least one writing article a week. It was much easier once I hit on the stupendous idea of putting my Writer's Digest and RWR issues in the bathrooms. I've also been sticking writing books there to read a chapter while I'm otherwise engaged.
Did anyone else make 2005 goals? How did all of you guys do?
Well, I didn't make all of my goals from 2005, but I liked making them and having them up for me to see.
How well did I do?
Long-term goals:
I completed only two manuscripts by the end of December rather than the three I was aiming for. Two completed mss is more than the previous year, which was one ms. Next year, I want to up the ante and write three manuscripts.
I didn't come up with new Chick-Lit or Suspense series proposal ideas, although I'm working on the Chick-Lit now, it's just not finished yet. I did find two new critique partners.
Short-term goals:
I don't think I wrote even one short story this past year, and I was supposed to write one a month. I wanted to spend the time focusing on my novels instead. I think that's okay--short stories are nice, but I prefer the larger projects. I didn't have a goal for it, but I ended up writing several articles. Maybe I'll change this goal to articles instead.
I didn't critique much on Writing.com, unfortunately. I did more critiques for my dedicated critique partners and for my freelance editing business. However, I need to be better about critiquing on time, doing a little each day.
I did update my website each month for my contest, and added some new content. I have new content planned for next year, too. It depends on if I sell my suspense series proposal or not. I had planned on embryonic stem cell articles that would fit my BITTER DRAGON novel, but if I don't sell it, I'll switch to other articles pertinent to my next series proposal.
I wrote on my blog at least once a week--usually more like 2-3 times a week. I didn't write everyday as I wanted to, for accountability. I'll need to do better next year, but not spend too much time on it. It's fun and a little addictive.
Daily goals:
I didn't always get an hour of writing done every weekday, but I think I averaged about that much since I tended to write in spurts. I have kept Sunday as my day of rest.
Project goals:
I finished my manuscripts late. Suspense ms and series proposal done in April, novella in September.
Learning goals:
I did read one writing book a month and at least one writing article a week. It was much easier once I hit on the stupendous idea of putting my Writer's Digest and RWR issues in the bathrooms. I've also been sticking writing books there to read a chapter while I'm otherwise engaged.
Did anyone else make 2005 goals? How did all of you guys do?
Comments
However, just by SETTING goals, I got back to writing (which I'd stopped for over a year and a half as my mother was horribly ill and dying.) I got two short stories, one poem, and 4 chapters of a large novel done. I joined organizations. I started blogging, which forces me to think on writing and to write non-fiction. :) And I reconnected with online writers with whom I'd grown distant during the worst time of my life.
I also changed churches (leaving the one with the toxic pastor who messed up the congregation) and tried harder to be patient with siblings (success there).
So, yeah, I need to improve. A lot. And while I'm awful at discipline, at keeping goals, I know that if I don't set ANY, I do worse.
Here's a cheer for resolution making--because goals help us at least focus on what we need to change and any step forward is a good step.
HAPPY NEW YEAR all you lovelies.
Camy, you're one of my fave people on the planet. I adore you. May 2006 see you with a multi-book contract, sweetie. Hugs to Heather, Dineen, Robin, Marilynn and all the sweeties who come by here regularly.
Mir
Hey Camster!! Where's your Sunday prayer?? LOL I've grown to love it as well as fear it! :p