Category Archives: Writing

Crazy Making

I say it every year, but, really, this time I mean it — this has been our busiest Summer ever.

Not only did we have the usual stuff with kids home and hubby working (4) 10 hours days and home on Fri, but also unexpected oral surgery (and the outrageous cost), a yard sale, creating a new website, and then my work schedule changed about every other week, so had to frequently rearrange all the doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments I’d carefully set up.

Oh, and in between all this, I finished my novel, sent it out to beta readers, then outlined the second book and started writing.

If I wasn’t so frazzled, I’m sure I’d feel a great sense of accomplishment.

I wish you all a calm, peaceful few weeks. Hopefully, a little of that will head my way, too.

 

Brass Tacks #10

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The busy season is here! Lots of concerts, holidays, doctor appointments, and changing work schedules going on at le Chateau Carmel lately. Not to mention five days recently without the Internet, compliments of Mother Nature and a falling tree branch.

I’m sure you’re probably in the same boat. It’s a challenge to find enough quiet time and mental space to work on creative projects, isn’t it? Well, if nothing else, it’s comforting to know we’re dealing with similar issues.

C’est la vie, right?

While my overall output has decreased recently, my spirits haven’t. Well, not too much, anyway. The difference this time is that I keep coming back, working a little bit each time. I see that gorgeous light at the end of the long-ass tunnel I’ve been in and want to get to the end.

It’s so close now.

After finishing the big, big revision I’ve been working on for months, I realized that working with one word processing file was unwieldy and truly awful. Now was the time to buy Scrivener. After all, people have only been raving about it for years. I wanted it not only for breaking the one huge file down into more manageable chapters and scenes, but also for the compile and format features when I want to publish. After that, I can’t wait to dive into the great stuff available while I’m drafting my next story. (Ideas are already pinging in my skull!)

So, I imported my file into Scrivener. It took me a while to separate the scenes and figure out how to print it. Now, I’m reading through (for the bazillionth time), mainly for grammar, spelling, flow, etc. Along the way, I’ve caught a couple of things I missed, rewriting a paragraph here and there. But, I’m this close to finishing!

And then it’s on to beta readers!!

I can’t tell you how freakin’ happy this makes me. I’ve been working at this writing gig for nine years. Granted, I’ve worked on two major projects in that time, but I’m seriously ready to get my work in front of readers.

Anyway, that’s what’s going on with me. How about you? What projects are keeping you busy?

 

Brass Tacks #9

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Hmmm. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Well, I’m back and Happy Friday to you!

Despite my lack of blog posts, I’ve still been working on my WIP steadily. Here’s what I’ve been doing:

  • I finished writing the new climax and ending. Wa-hoo!
  • I did the type-in of my first revision which I had hand-written on the printed pages of my first draft.
  • After a read-through (which was fun, because now it’s starting to take shape!), I wrote a list of things I needed to fix. So, now I’m filling plot holes and seeding the new characters and situations that support the new ending into the rest of the story.

I’ll continue that last one for a little while, though I’m almost done. Then, I’ll switch focus to language. I can’t have everyone sound the same, now can I?

Though my life doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon, I’ll attempt more regular updates. Thanks for reading and thank you for your encouragement!

Brass Tacks #8

I’m on a roll now.

I got 1724 words for the week, which was two and a half scenes. While last week’s total was all written in one day, this was written over the course of five days. Sadly, no Friday #writeclub on Twitter for me today. I had too much other stuff going on.

This week, I’d like to finish the lead up to the climax, which will be one and a half scenes long. Hopefully, I can get started on the climax itself.

Have a lovely weekend & Happy Easter!

Brass Tacks #6

A day late, again. Honestly, I’m getting a little tired of this roller coaster here lately.

Both kids were sick this week. Every weekend this month has been busy. My work schedule keeps changing. My main computer is old and on it’s last legs, so I’m researching new ones to buy before I have no choice. My novel ending is giving me fits and starts and I can’t find the headspace to work it out properly.

Needless to say, I didn’t accomplish a damn thing this week, writing-wise.

Next week I want to work out a satisfying and exciting ending, tying up all the loose ends, then get started writing it.

That’s not too much to ask. Right?

Brass Tacks #5

Sorry I’m a day late with this post but it’s been a crazy week.

Thing 2’s musical, Shrek, was last Saturday. (The kids did an amazing job, and it was a great success.) I worked on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. Thing 1’s been sick off and on for about a month, so finally convinced her to go see the doctor. (He proscribed an antibiotic but she’s still feeling like crap, so I guess it’s viral and will have to work it’s way out.) Yesterday was her birthday, so I cooked her favorite meal and baked a cake. Today, Thing 2 has a concert and then my husband and I have a retirement party to attend. Tomorrow, we have shopping in the city to do. Then, the roller coaster starts again.

My writing goals last week and what I accomplished:

1. Finish scene 37A and work on scenes 37B and C. I finished Scene 37A and some of 37B then ran into some problems. I needed to stop and think through some character issues and research a worldbuilding issue. The first was resolved but I’m still working on the worldbuilding issue. 

2. Write the next Brass Tacks post. Done

Goals for the coming week:

1. Resolve the worldbuilding issue and finish scene 37B.

2. Write the next Brass Tacks post.