Rewrites and More Rewrites

July 31, 2007 | Writing

Today was fairly productive. I’m moving through my rewrite of The Witch’s Stone fairly quickly–hit chapter 18 today. I’m pleased that the version that survived the great crash of 2007 was closer to complete than I realized. There are some things that I lost, scenes and phrases that I remember enough to be annoyed that their missing, but not well enough to get back exactly as I had it. I know I said I was going to accept that, but saying and doing are two different things. On the upside, I do feel like I’m digging deeper into my characters as I rewrite this time around.

Also, continuing to rewrite Blood & Bone–working on chapter seven and should have it done and ready to post on my critique group by tomorrow.

I’ve decided to put any new things off until September. Trying to rewrite two books at once with DS home from school is tough, but trying to do it with a WIP on the go would be virtually impossible. That’s not to say that I’m not still brainstorming for my new story. I am, and I’m still very excited about it. Both my heroine and hero are there in my head, interacting together, telling me about themselves. I can picture scenes and how they’d behave in those scenes. Their GMC’s are starting to form. I’m really looking forward to getting started, but I’m going to wait until I’m ready to give it the attention I need to.

On days like this, I love what I do.

I Screamed Like a Girl

July 29, 2007 | family, life

This morning while in the bath I was attacked by a centipede. Okay, attacked might be a slight exaggeration. It must have been clinging to the back of my shampoo bottle. I’m not entirely sure because DS had distracted me. He was asking if he could have chips for dessert, since he’d eaten all his breakfast, and I was shouting to make sure he could hear me through the closed door that breakfast wasn’t a meal typically followed by dessert and that I felt 8:30 a.m. was too early for chips. (but I’m one of those strict moms) Then felt something scurry over the back of my hand. When I looked down, a two inch centipede was crawling up my arm. Ugh! What a way to start my morning.

Why I Don’t Drink Coffee Past 10:30 PM

July 22, 2007 | Books, Writing, life

Because I don’t fall asleep until 4:30 the following morning.

DS is visiting my mother this weekend, so last night DH and I went out for dinner. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. When we got home, DH made coffee and we sat out back playing backgammon until 1am. Once we went to bed, I wound up reading until it was nearly light out. My book (Bag of Bones, Stephen King) had hit the climax and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end. With the coffee keeping me from feeling drowsy, it was a hopeless (and sleepless) combination.

This makes two books in a row that not only made it to my keeper shelf, but that I would also call great. So what–according to me–differentiates a great book from a good book? A great book not only has me turning the pages, racing towards the end because I just have to see what happens next and how it all turns out, but when I do reach the end, I’m a little sad it’s over. A little sad to say goodbye to characters who had become like friends over the course of the story.

As a writer, this what I truly aspire to create–stories readers can’t put down and are sad to see end.

Oh, and the second book I read that I thought was great…Prince of Darkness by Barbara Michaels. An old contemporary gothic written in 1969. (I think.) I read it in two days. Loved it.

Last Night I Left the Hall Light On

July 21, 2007 | Writing

Yesterday, I spent the day researching an idea for a new book. I made some story notes and character notes. The story is really starting to take shape. I’m learning about my characters, I can see and hear them interacting with each other–admittedly, my hero is clearer than my heroine. That’s often the case when I start something new. Still, she’s coming along.

I love this part of the writing process. It’s like trying to take that perfect picture, slowly bringing it into focus until each line is crisp and vivid. This particular story looks like it’s going to be a spooky, romantic mystery with a supernatural twist. (How unusual for me )

As I said, I spent most of yesterday researching ideas, reading some pretty creepy stuff. Once, DH got home we had dinner and I didn’t think about it again. Later, after I put DS to bed and DH went to over to a friend’s place, I was laying in bed reading a book and started thinking about the stuff I had read earlier and some of the scenes I’d pictured for my story. I managed to spook myself enough to get up and turn on the hall light. I think this is a very good sign.

Mood: Great
Music: Downtown Lights – Annie Lennox

Waiting for my Face to Unfreeze

July 5, 2007 | Books, Writing, life

Just got back from a root canal and my face and top lip are still frozen. Ugh! I hate that feeling. DH claims that drinking something hot will help the freezing wear off faster. I’m not sure I believe him, but I’m willing try anything. So I’m sipping a cup of black berry tea and struggling not dribble it down the front of myself.

Finally heard back from the publisher that had Living Lies (or I thought they did) for the last year. Apparently there’s no record of the submission. On the upside I’ve been asked to resend it. At least it’s not a rejection.

I also received a a note from another pub that the partial I sent for Living Lies is moving on the next round of editors. Also good news.

Funny, this new flurry of action around a story I haven’t really done much with in a while. But that’s a good thing considering the mess Witch is in right now. My God, recovering from this computer disaster has been tough. For a while there, every time I thought of the work ahead of me on Witch I felt sick. But yesterday, as I scrolled through the pages trying to remember how things were before, I realized I would never get it back exactly the way it was. So instead I’ll make it better. Flesh out the characters more, speed up the pacing. Maybe I can turn this into a positive experience.

Not that I’d ever want to repeat it, of course.

The WIP is plodding along. Rarely do I get this far into something and look forward to finishing like this. I don’t know if I’m just bored of working on it, or that I don’t really like the characters, whatever it is I’m not feeling it like I was. When I go back and read, it’s not bad. I don’t know. I think I just want to get it done so I can start something new and fresh.

As for Blood and Bone, the rewrite is coming along fine though I’ve had to slow down a little to accommodate my problems with Witch. After all, I have queries and partials out for Witch right now, and the way my luck’s been running lately…

Currently Reading:

The Secret Garden – Because I never did when I was younger, and as I come to the end I wish I had.

Bag of Bones, Stephen King – Nice to read something where character development isn’t sacrificed for pace. Unlike the last two romantic suspense novels I read, but that’s a rant for another day.

Music: Trust Yourself – Blue Rodeo
Mood: Mildly frustrated.

PS. My tea is nearly gone and cold, and my mouth is still frozen. Less than when I started, but I suspect that is simply the result of the natural progression. My appointment finished two and a half hours ago.