Sci-fi Laptop for Sci-Fi writing

Loving my new HP laptop.  6Gig RAM, fingerprint scanner, and Beats Audio for ambiance.

The screen is wide enough to be able to work in two documents side-by-side. 

The keyboard is smooth and not too "clicky."  The touchpad has pinch-to-zoom capability.

And, if I really feel creative, there's an HD video camera built-in.

I've ripped some CD's for background music, copied in my book files, and even spent time going through all the updates (67 updates for Windows 7 and several reboots for HPupdates, as well).

I even did some family history research so that I wouldn't have anything to feel guilty about when working on my book.

Now, if I can just find someone to shop, cook, clean, and chauffeur, I'd have plenty of time to write.  ;-)

Feeling like I should start writing again

A friend asked me about my book over the weekend.  I had to explain that the book was on hiatus since last August.  I almost did that without apologizing.  Almost.

I've been thinking about writing again...  In the pondering stage.  Book ideas are starting to come to me again.  It feels good.  Not quite ready to type, yet, but soon. 

A break can be good.  Brings perspective. 

Now, I just have to decide if I'm writing a YA or an MG, and stick with it.

My Writing Process

Hi, I'm participating in Shallee McArthur's "What's your writing process" blogfest!  See the links at:  http://shalleemcarthur.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-whats-your-process-blogfest.html

My writing process has been a long haul, about 2 years now on the first book, and I have another re-write to do.  I've learned soo much!  I want to share what I did.

1) Have a dream, or idea, for a story.  Just a kernel will do.
2) Research how to write a book in your genre.  I use a couple of out-of-print guide-books by Foster-Harris. 
3) Analyze other "great writers" in your genre.  What works/what doesn't.  What do you like so much that you want to be sure to include something similar in your books?
4) Write first draft without self-editing, then Read your Book!  See my post on How to Start a Story.
5) Revise and send to beta readers.
6) Revise based on beta readers' feedback.
7) Send out a few trial queries.  Give it 3 months.  (I started ideas for my 'book two' during this time period).
8) Send to another beta reader.
9) Revise again (<--this is where I am now!)

Hope this is helpful to you.  Please comment and let me know.  (I moderate comments so it may take a day to appear).