Detours and Write Arounds

May 25, 2008 | Books, Writing, life

This week I hit my first snag on the WIP. I’m not terribly worried at this point. These things happen, and fortunately it hasn’t brought the story to a screaming halt. A definate plus. The situation however leaves me with a decision. Do I push on and fix the problem on the rewrite? Or do I stop, go back and fix then move on?

Truth is, I discovered there are two issues that have cropped up. The first, the scenes I wrote last week are leading to a major plot point, but it’s coming up too soon. I need for more information to be revealed before this happens. The second is the romance element has fallen by the wayside while I develop the mystery. Again, this happens. Sometimes I become so fixed on building the story I forget the relationship between the characters and I need to flesh that out some.

This is tricky. I don’t want to spend a great deal of time fixing things further back for fear of losing momentum. At the same time, making the changes now while the ideas are fresh in my head means less work on the rewrite. Hmm, what to do?

I’ll have to deal with the plot point problem immediately, and the write around will be minimal. It’s the fleshing out of the relationship that will be the most work. Hmm. I’ll think on it awhile.

Made a trip to the bookstore last night, and bought three new books because God knows I can’t leave the place empty handed. Today the weather is gorgeous, and what I really want to do is sit in my backyard with a cup of tea (This week’s tea is Bengal Spice, in case anyone cares.) and read one of my new books. What I should be doing is weeding my garden.

So many decisions. 

 Mood: Good

Music: Strawberry Fields - The Beatles

Page One and Stuff

March 17, 2008 | Books, Writing

Started my new WIP today. Hit my thousand word goal for the day too. Yay me!

I love starting a new story. Granted, facing the blank page can be a touch intimidating, but it doesn’t take long for the words to flow. And the excitement of discovering a story’s twists and turns, a new set of characters far out weighs any nagging doubts. At this early stage, everything is possible and I’m staggered by my own brilliance. By the end of the month things will change. Just you watch.

Also, finally finished up re-rewrites for Witch. Then backed it up six thousand different ways. Okay only three, but you get my meaning. This was a hard lesson to learn, but one I will not forget.

Tonight’s a lousy night for TV and I was hoping to slip out to the bookstore, but it’s getting too late.

I just finished Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning which I really, really liked and so now I must read the next book in the series. Yes, I have hooked myself on yet another series. Bad, Dawn, bad. The good news, the second book is already out. The bad news, the third book won’t be out until September and there’s fourth and fifth book without release dates. Sigh.

Random Stuff

February 26, 2008 | Books, Writing, family

DS is home with the flu. He’s been sick since he woke up Saturday morning. Today the fever is gone, but he’s still looking a little pale and hollow eyed. Still, he’s also feeling well enough that he’s bored with video games and TV. A good sign.

Obviously I’m not getting as much done on my rewrites as I would like. Sigh. I am, however, still making notes on a new WIP. I’ve come across two potential snags in my story, one I think I’ve solved and the other I’m still trying to work through. I’m also attempting to do a little more research at the beginning of my novel this time (rather than when I’m finished) in an effort to cut back on the number of write-arounds I need to between the first and second draft. This is the lesson I take from Blood and Bone.

I just finished reading Knaves Honor by Margaret Moore. I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I finished it in less than week. I don’t often read historicals, but I like hers. Now, I’m reading Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I’ve never read anything by her, but a friend recommended her. I’m only on chapter three, but so far I’m intrigued.

That’s it for now.

Patience

February 3, 2008 | Books, Movies

Have I mentioned that patience is not my strong suit? Recognising this particular character flaw in myself, I usually take certain steps to avoid situations where I must show considerable patience. For instance, when buying books to read, if a book is part of a pair or a trilogy, I usually wait until all the books are available before buying the first.

Sadly, I broke my own rule and bought Nora Robert’s Blood Brothers–the first in the trilogy and the only one out. I read the book over the weekend and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, now I have to wait until the second book comes out. And I must have read the release date for the second book wrong. I thought it was due out in March, but when I double checked, I learned that it was actually not due out until May. Grrr. When will I learn?

Okay, enough whining.

I’ve managed to catch some really great movies lately. Watching movies that I really enjoy gives me the same thrill as reading books that land on my keeper shelf. The first was a French film called Ils (translated to Them). This movie is non-stop tension from start to finish. I watched this at home alone and it scared the bejesus out of me. Loved it. The second was Half Light. A spooky mystery set in Scotland. My favourite. How could I not love it? And last, Hot Fuzz. Sooo funny. If you like dark, silly humor, you will love this.

That’s it for today.

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.

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.