But we do not, at least, intend to put out a buggy beta—
Re the update to Closed Circle promised for the 13th, you will have noticed several events that have thrown us a bit behind: the unanticipated galleys; my computer failure; loss of five days on that while I’m trying to write on a 2000-vintage computer that doesn’t have a control interface I’m used to; the unanticipated galley crisis and, the day I get the computer fixed—Jane discovers the problem in the galleys, runs the conversion that gets the PDF comparison so we know what we’re into; then the total line-by-line re-do; the sudden discovery of a major bit I hadn’t written the scene for; Jane’s diversion from work on the site to help me get Chernevog in shape—her editing has been beyond brilliant—she read between the lines and got me to provide info the reader definitely needs, so this book will be so improved—and everything else that has gone on—then figuring how to get that color comparison scanned and into my editor’s hands along with the revised files, so we can make schedule—which just takes mega-time to shepherd through the machinery and make e-mails and send, because it’s huge and needs to be broken up. Then I have to add the ‘yellow’ color marker for the changes I will accept, and she has to redo all of that. Which she does cheerfully…
Let me tell you what Jane WAS doing from September 30 to now, before my work landed on her: learning a new ‘theme’ architecture in WordPress, equivalent of learning a new graphics program; doing all the graphics for the site, right down to images for backgrounds, logos, the things that make the site look good; and run well; doing new covers for at least 6-7 new books and reworking twenty others; revising the payment procedure; totally rewriting the site; reorganizing; making the site display correctly; doing new buttons; new arrangement/structure, down to how many pixels to make the border of the framing box, that level of minutiae—plus working on various books, helping me edit, taking down the Halloween decor, helping with records, tax reports, banking/accounting, and the whole home refi procedure, and helping me keep the house in physical order, plus winterizing the pond and yard, plus running various conversions, and I know I’m not remotely conveying it all: she gets up at 4 and gets to sleep at midnight: it’s that kind of work load, a lot of which involves writing to the authors of some of the software we use and getting technical answers or in some instances new little ‘features’ on those programs … she is absolutely exhausted. We are both real tired; and we have sworn once we do decorate for Christmas, it isn’t coming down until the spring decor goes up.
So thank you, Jane.
Aiee! I go away for a week to visit the parents, and come back to find that you have a copy editor that needs a swift kick, if not an actual Filing. I’m very sorry for all the hassles, including the Incredible Exploding Keyboard and the no-show tech. I spent a good chunk of the last week attempting to get my parents’ new laptop online, so I have nothing but sympathy for computer malfunctions. Dad ‘put away safely’ (read: left somewhere unknown) all the discs I needed to install everything, including the drivers for his new printer, and I had to download many things over hinky AOL dialup. I need a vacation to recover from the vacation!
Thank you, Jane.
I was reading last week on the New York Times last week a study that what seems to make for lasting partnerships and relationships is generosity between the partners: Jane for being incredibly generous with her time and energy and creative + technical skills, and CJ for being incredibly generous here with her thanks. Keep up the strong partnership!
We share the belief that if we would say ‘thank you’ to a total stranger we might never meet again, we certainly should thank the person we live with every day, for every meal, task, clean-up, or kind thought. That, and ‘you’re welcome.’ And ‘good morning’ and ‘good night!” Coupled with a favorite dish after one has had a really hard day.
So what is the favorite ‘comfort food’ in your household? 🙂
The wet season has officially started here, and I am listening to the comforting sound of a steady gentle rain after months without.
lovely to hear of such a generous and happily balanced household 😀 and yes, thank you Jane, we all owe you one, I think … 😀
Jane should be nominated for super hero status 😀
This could explain how she got the cape for Super Shu-Chan. Or it might explain the Lois and Clarke novel a few years back from an entirely new angle!
So, Jane is Wonder Woman? Kewl!
Hurray, Jane!
One urges caution on the invisible costume, however. 😉 Scandalous spandex!
I am thankful that you have each other. Blessings on all the heads at your house, furry and otherwise.