Just kidding. I was reading my changes out loud when Diana decided to insert her own plot twists in my manuscript.
Tag Archives: #amwriting #writing
A haircut that ended my writers block
I had long hair, it was about halfway down my back. I had been telling my husband I was going to cut it off for months. Well yesterday I decided to actually do it.
I went short real short. Then as I was driving home something happened. My writers block lifted as I arrived at home. If I didn’t know better I’d say the hair was the cause of the writers block, but…. I think it was more the feeling of having done something fun.
My hair now takes 2 minutes to wash versus 10 minutes and there is something fun and freeing about not having to care for long hair.
It’s the same kind of hair style I picture my Kate my main character having, that may indeed have something to do with it. Well enough about my hair for now.
In other news I started a website, I know this is sort of putting the cart before the horse since I don’t have a debut date for my novel but… I took the plunge anyway.
Check it out.
Editing is painful
After much angst and many struggles I decided I need to rewrite some of the early chapters of my manuscript. It was painful for me to have to tear apart the words I had written and polished several times over, but it was necessary.
After some chocolate to strengthen my resolve to cut and splice my work sat down at the keyboard….
What happened?
I just couldn’t change it that much. So what I did was start something else. Yep I tinkered with another writing project. This got the plot bunnies bouncing. After toying with the outline for what will hopefully be a sequel to the first one. Still I could do nothing towards the editing.
Life went on and my husband had corrective eye surgery, so writing took a back seat. I was in the waiting room with him when it struck. A flashback was the answer to my issue.
Creative use of a flashback would give much needed backstory while at the same time allow me to move the novel forward.
It’s a compromise between totally rewriting the beginning of my novel and ignoring the advice of a professional in the publishing industry.
well back to stitching it all together…
Stitching together the old and the new.
What have I been up to?
Well I took a road trip. Why? I turned a simple trip that could have been done in 2 days and turned it into a 3000 + mile road trip. Why?
I decided that using the car and driving I could get more done.
I left my home in NC and headed out for OK. I did have a traveling companion, Philip our kitten.
Philip had never been on a long road trip before, but he eventually adjusted.
I stopped in OK to see my Dad. The went on to Fort Riley in KS to help another Army wife.
After completing this I stopped in to see Dad once more before leaving OK. Then I headed down to San Antonio TX.
I was headed for the Soldiers Angels warehouse.
Here I dropped off the extra items we had from the drive for items for the barracks rooms of single soldiers returning from deployment, and picked up the blankets I needed to complete this task.
Sidetracked note this is just a few of the coins and other items that are proudly shown off at the Soldiers Angels warehouse.
With my van reloaded with 75 handmade blankets, I once again took to the road. Next stop Huntsville AL. I was stopping there to meet a soldier I had adopted through a few tours.
The next morning I took off for home, only to be struck by the desire to get my husband some of his favorite bagels. When I realized I would not make it to the bagel shop in time I had to call in the reinforcements.
My in-laws were more than happy to pick up my last minute order and meet me just off the interstate. Now having the bagels, and a few other goodies secured in my van I rolled for home.
I arrived tired but pleased with everything I had accomplished on this trip.
Now I need to get back to my Novel. Another chapter awaits, a freshly created one that was not in the original outline.
Attention to detail….
Observing many of the people around me I have noticed something. There are many who seem to pay little or no attention to detail. Now none of these people are writers, they are just your average person.
Perfect example: cashier and cigarettes
Customer: I want a pack of x brand 100’s, in a box.
Cashier: Ok, then walks to the display behind her to get them.
Customer: I asked for the 100’s
Cashier: oh sorry, returns to rack, comes back again
Customer: I wanted brand X 100’s in a box, this is a soft pack
I will said on the third try the cashier did get it correct, but the customer and everyone else behind him was totally frustrated at this point. What should have been a two minute transaction took almost six minutes. I was the person right behind this customer as all of this was going on.
When writers and others read a book or manuscript what do they love and pick apart when critiquing it?
The details.
Another great example, I volunteer at the local Airborne Museum. There is a real plane suspended from the ceiling. There are lights and sounds coming from the plane. I watch at least 10 people walk right under it and never notice it every time I am there.
One day after a tour a guest said “I thought there’d be more planes.” I responded: “did you see the one on the ceiling?”
“there’s a plane on the ceiling?”
Yes follow me.
I walk them back in and after a few feet point up.
Oh wow I never noticed that. I proceeded to walk with them through the museum pointing out various other items I find interesting and have taken the time to learn about.
At the end of this the guest thanked me and commented: “wow I never noticed half that stuff, I’ll have to come back again.”
All in all I am amazed at how many people go through life just not paying attention.
If there is one thing I’d like to see is people being more aware of their surroundings.