Woke up at 5 a.m because I've adjusted my internal alarm clock for the work outs I do 3 times a week at that time. It wasn't work out day, but I got up anyway, because Leah, the lead character of the current book, was jabbering away, playing the next scene I needed to write in my head.
So, in order to shut her up, I got up, made coffee, and booted up the laptop. I actually finished a previous scene and wrote the new scene. She's busily throwing new images behind my eyes for other scenes as I type.
This is a good thing. I'm not complaining. I need to write those scenes, and believe me, it's a hell of a lot better than when a character won't talk, and it's like pulling teeth.
So keeping my fingers crossed that she keeps talking to me. She usually does.
Tired though. Probably nod off early tonight.
It's the magic couch. I sit on that thing and I nod off. You know what I'm talking about, right? You have a magic couch or chair or some other piece of furniture that makes you nod off?
Worst part is that you don't really go right out. You kind of doze but don't fall asleep, but you're too damned tired to get up and go to bed, so you keep opening your eyes and then dozing some more, so then when you get up and actually go to bed you feel awake and can't fall to sleep.
Ah well. I'm going to bed early with a book tonight, so that when I nod off I'll already be in bed, nice and comfy.
This video of America's Sister Golden Hair from 1979 is for my friend Gary. We had a bit of music trivia today.
Twitter Updates
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Scribble Scribble
Nose down to the grind, my lovelies. So in an absence of nothing even remotely interesting to say, I'm leading you to Nathan Bransford's Ten Commandments for the Happy Writer.
His link to the Poe letter is no longer available but I found the letter here. Pretty funny stuff. Don't you just hate it when your friends pour booze down your throat and make you act like an idiot?
This guy rocks. Love, love, lovin' his posts.
Oh, thinking of changing the title. In a conversation yesterday with my mother, she said, "You've got a lot of dirty business in this book." And I do. But what she said made me laugh, and the two words stuck in my head. So I'll likely change the title to Dirty Business. Which is fine for a mystery/thriller.
And that's one of the many reasons I love my mom. She is way cool, and sharp as a tac, and Lord help anyone who ever crosses her.
*Smoochiez*, Ma
His link to the Poe letter is no longer available but I found the letter here. Pretty funny stuff. Don't you just hate it when your friends pour booze down your throat and make you act like an idiot?
This guy rocks. Love, love, lovin' his posts.
Oh, thinking of changing the title. In a conversation yesterday with my mother, she said, "You've got a lot of dirty business in this book." And I do. But what she said made me laugh, and the two words stuck in my head. So I'll likely change the title to Dirty Business. Which is fine for a mystery/thriller.
And that's one of the many reasons I love my mom. She is way cool, and sharp as a tac, and Lord help anyone who ever crosses her.
*Smoochiez*, Ma
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Eeek!
Wow. Looking at my mind map for Frost, I just realized I dropped a really important plot thread. Yikes! I have a few more scenes to write than I thought. Good thing I finally figured that out. Cripes. Working on that, so I'll leave you with this:
Retro Video by the Irish band The Cranberries.
Update:
Got an hour of writing done. That equals two scenes. What took up so much time was trying to figure out where the hell they go. I've been doing that a lot lately. Trying to figure out where scenes belong.
But I figured out some new stuff that fits perfectly into the plot. This is the stage of writing a book that I love the most, when things are coming to a finish and all the last scenes that I need just come to me, as if they were in my head all along, but just waiting for the right time to surface. It happens every time, too.
Weeeeeeee!!
Quote:
"You know, sometimes people push you away just to see if you'll actually go."
Three Rivers - Dr. Miranda Foster.
Retro Video by the Irish band The Cranberries.
Update:
Got an hour of writing done. That equals two scenes. What took up so much time was trying to figure out where the hell they go. I've been doing that a lot lately. Trying to figure out where scenes belong.
But I figured out some new stuff that fits perfectly into the plot. This is the stage of writing a book that I love the most, when things are coming to a finish and all the last scenes that I need just come to me, as if they were in my head all along, but just waiting for the right time to surface. It happens every time, too.
Weeeeeeee!!
Quote:
"You know, sometimes people push you away just to see if you'll actually go."
Three Rivers - Dr. Miranda Foster.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Blah Blah De Blah Blah
Not much of any interest to say. I've been quiet lately because scenes that I need to write have been looping around in my head, and another story idea has been tap tap tapping at the outskirts of my consciousness.
Something horrible happened involving a friend of a friend recently. Absolutely tragic and terrible, and it's cost me a couple of nights of sleep. It's one of those topics that I blogged about a couple of posts ago. One that makes me nauseous and dizzy with sorrow for the victims involved. A topic that I don't want to think about. . . and yet, there it is. I can't let it go. The creative part of me has latched on to it and is turning it over and over, examining it from all angles.
The two words that get the creative ball rolling keep repeating in my mind: What if? What if?
What if things aren't what they appear to be on the surface? What if it weren't so cut and dry? What if there were a whole bunch of other factors involved? What if?
And I just can't let it go, as much as I try to push the terrible images from my imagination, I keep hearing those words whispering in my writer mind. But really, what if?
I wondered what I'd write about next book. Now I don't know if I want to finish The Collectors or start on this one. Maybe I'll let this one brew for a while. Simmer back there. Take on substance.
I think I might write a short story or two after Frost is completed to clear out the remnants of it.
It's Friday! Lots to do tomorrow.
On an off note, I'm not known for my subtlety, but I'm also very private about certain things. Sometimes laying it out on the table is the most terrifying thing to do. It makes you vulnerable. But it's also liberating, because you toss the chips into the air and let the fall where they may.
In this case, my secrecy was hurting somebody. In my attempt not to burden someone with my own shit, I was actually hurting them.
The moment I realized that, I spilled it. And no matter what happens, I feel better for it. What a person chooses to do with your vulnerability is up to them. You have no control over it. If you aren't honest with somebody sometimes they'll draw their own conclusions, which may be inaccurate. But they have nothing else to go on. And in keeping something from someone, you aren't changing the truth. It doesn't make it go away.
And you know something? I feel good. The sky hasn't fallen. At least, not yet.
YAY! It's the weekend!
Something horrible happened involving a friend of a friend recently. Absolutely tragic and terrible, and it's cost me a couple of nights of sleep. It's one of those topics that I blogged about a couple of posts ago. One that makes me nauseous and dizzy with sorrow for the victims involved. A topic that I don't want to think about. . . and yet, there it is. I can't let it go. The creative part of me has latched on to it and is turning it over and over, examining it from all angles.
The two words that get the creative ball rolling keep repeating in my mind: What if? What if?
What if things aren't what they appear to be on the surface? What if it weren't so cut and dry? What if there were a whole bunch of other factors involved? What if?
And I just can't let it go, as much as I try to push the terrible images from my imagination, I keep hearing those words whispering in my writer mind. But really, what if?
I wondered what I'd write about next book. Now I don't know if I want to finish The Collectors or start on this one. Maybe I'll let this one brew for a while. Simmer back there. Take on substance.
I think I might write a short story or two after Frost is completed to clear out the remnants of it.
It's Friday! Lots to do tomorrow.
On an off note, I'm not known for my subtlety, but I'm also very private about certain things. Sometimes laying it out on the table is the most terrifying thing to do. It makes you vulnerable. But it's also liberating, because you toss the chips into the air and let the fall where they may.
In this case, my secrecy was hurting somebody. In my attempt not to burden someone with my own shit, I was actually hurting them.
The moment I realized that, I spilled it. And no matter what happens, I feel better for it. What a person chooses to do with your vulnerability is up to them. You have no control over it. If you aren't honest with somebody sometimes they'll draw their own conclusions, which may be inaccurate. But they have nothing else to go on. And in keeping something from someone, you aren't changing the truth. It doesn't make it go away.
And you know something? I feel good. The sky hasn't fallen. At least, not yet.
YAY! It's the weekend!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Embers
I finished Laura's first release Embers a few days ago, but haven't really had a chance to post about it. Let me tell you something. I loved this book. Excellent story. Fast paced. Original idea. Unique and elegant storytelling. Well drawn and interesting characters.
Anya is an arson investigator who is looking into a rash of arson attacks in the city of Detroit. She is also a lantern, a medium of sorts who devours demons and bad ghosts. Anya is a feisty, intelligent and genuine heroine. I liked her right away. Her familiar, a salamander named Sparky, almost steals the show, though, in every scene in which he graces the page.
Her relationship with Drake, who is also a lantern, is fascinating. Drake the antagonist, is a serial arsonist who is planning to summon a god-like demon and sacrifice the city of Detroit to him. Definitely a conflict of interest if there ever was one, but of course, Anya is attracted to him and the chemistry between them sizzles. Very nice.
This story had everything. Romance, a touch of horror, fantasy, myth. There wasn't a dull moment throughout the book. I think though, what I loved most about the story is that the characters were unpredictable. Just when I thought I had them figured out, they would do something surprising.
Laura is a skilled and imaginative storyteller, and her love of the craft shines through in Embers. The story was written with special care, and there is nothing ordinary about it.
If you want something wonderful and original, pick up Embers. Laura Bickle is the real deal.
Anya is an arson investigator who is looking into a rash of arson attacks in the city of Detroit. She is also a lantern, a medium of sorts who devours demons and bad ghosts. Anya is a feisty, intelligent and genuine heroine. I liked her right away. Her familiar, a salamander named Sparky, almost steals the show, though, in every scene in which he graces the page.
Her relationship with Drake, who is also a lantern, is fascinating. Drake the antagonist, is a serial arsonist who is planning to summon a god-like demon and sacrifice the city of Detroit to him. Definitely a conflict of interest if there ever was one, but of course, Anya is attracted to him and the chemistry between them sizzles. Very nice.
This story had everything. Romance, a touch of horror, fantasy, myth. There wasn't a dull moment throughout the book. I think though, what I loved most about the story is that the characters were unpredictable. Just when I thought I had them figured out, they would do something surprising.
Laura is a skilled and imaginative storyteller, and her love of the craft shines through in Embers. The story was written with special care, and there is nothing ordinary about it.
If you want something wonderful and original, pick up Embers. Laura Bickle is the real deal.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Down to the Bone
Morning parking lot session, then out to play with the little dude, then another writing session during his nap time. Such an intense one that after the last scene of the day I let my head drop against the back of the couch and nodded off within seconds.
This always happens when I get down and dirty with the writing. I dig in and let it spill. This post at Clarion by Mishell Baker explains it well. When you write down to the bone, you feel it. It's honest and true, and it's utterly exhausting. Baker describes it like this:
How do you know when you’ve picked the right topic? Because it will make you so miserable even to think about that you’ll feel it in your gut. Literally. It’s the one topic that has the power to put you off your breakfast in half a second flat. How is this a good thing? Because behind that initial revulsion is a window into a problem that you, better than anyone, will be able to stab in the heart.
I love this, because that's really what it's like. But every book I write has that effect on me because the things that really get to me on that level are the things that I'm compelled to write about. It's the reason I write. Thisis shit that means something to me, and I do spill my own blood onto the page. It doesn't feel true of I don't, and if it doesn't feel true, it feels too much like bullshit. And readers are smart. They know bullshit.
I'm glad she mentions Stephen King's Misery in this post, too. Many of his novels have the same truth to them. It's one of the reasons I love King so much.
But I'm talking fiction here. Not my real life experiences. But in the ficiton are the glimmers of truth. People. The way we are. The way we react to things. The things that make us human.
That's the stuff.
Goin' out to grab some food and then to a movie. Yeehaah! I'm getting out!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Book that Needs to get Written
In this post, Justine Musk so perfectly talks about why we need to write we want to know. I'm so glad that she discusses this, because I've also been plagued my entire writing life with the feeling that I didn't know enough to be able to write what I know.
Writing what I want to know is how I've actually been able to complete three novels (one which will never see the light of day because it's far too dark) and almost finished a fourth (crosses fingers here). The research I've done for every book has actually decided the direction each book would take. As I learn more about what I'm writing, I think, Oh yeah! That's why this happens and that's why that happens, and that's why so-and-so reacts this way or doesn't react this or that way.
Entire plot threads open up to me when I actually know what I'm talking about. Being a research geek, I get excited about what I'm learning. I love to learn the why and how of things. Especially when it has to do with people.
At first the amount of information can be overwhelming, and it is time consuming to do, but when you mine through it and pick out just the things you need, you really find your story. Too much information and your story gets lost in it or bogged down. I'm a firm believer in only using the tid bits you need to tell the story the best you can. Leave the rest. We've all read books that were jammed with so much research and info that we forgot what the story was really supposed to be. Not good.
But just the right amount of research can fuel the story forward and enhance it. Bring the characters to life. Give them more purpose. I've actually created characters because of the research I've done.
The trick, though, is to figure out what sets a fire within you. What are you burning to know? What unanswered questions are you trying to answer? For me, it's always why?
When you find that thing that impassions you start your research and you'll find your story. The one that needs to get written.
Writing what I want to know is how I've actually been able to complete three novels (one which will never see the light of day because it's far too dark) and almost finished a fourth (crosses fingers here). The research I've done for every book has actually decided the direction each book would take. As I learn more about what I'm writing, I think, Oh yeah! That's why this happens and that's why that happens, and that's why so-and-so reacts this way or doesn't react this or that way.
Entire plot threads open up to me when I actually know what I'm talking about. Being a research geek, I get excited about what I'm learning. I love to learn the why and how of things. Especially when it has to do with people.
At first the amount of information can be overwhelming, and it is time consuming to do, but when you mine through it and pick out just the things you need, you really find your story. Too much information and your story gets lost in it or bogged down. I'm a firm believer in only using the tid bits you need to tell the story the best you can. Leave the rest. We've all read books that were jammed with so much research and info that we forgot what the story was really supposed to be. Not good.
But just the right amount of research can fuel the story forward and enhance it. Bring the characters to life. Give them more purpose. I've actually created characters because of the research I've done.
The trick, though, is to figure out what sets a fire within you. What are you burning to know? What unanswered questions are you trying to answer? For me, it's always why?
When you find that thing that impassions you start your research and you'll find your story. The one that needs to get written.
Today's Reading
Courtesy of Facade. I'm always freaked out by how right on these are for me. I'm the otherworldy dreamer and my friend Deb is the Queen of Cups:
The card in the middle represents the creative force behind the project, be it a person, organization, or other entity. King of Wands: The essence of fire behaving as air, such as lightning: A great and daring leader who inspires others to rise to challenges alongside him. An artist who can take hold of an idea and make it a reality through bold action. One who is forceful, charismatic, and honest, leading by example, but unafraid to invest authority in others. A dashing and magnetic personality, carrying authority naturally, and striking at the world with swiftness and grace.
The card on the top represents imagination - the prophetic image that stems from the creative force of the previous card to initiate the project. This is the poetry or voice of the undertaking. Leo: Boldness and enthusiasm driven by a warm and generous heart. A commanding presence, born to take center stage. A faithful and loving partner, overflowing with expansive creativity.
The card on the left represents emotion - the feelings aroused by or surrounding the ideation of the project that takes place in the previous card. This is the music or scent of the undertaking. Pisces: An imaginative and otherworldly dreamer, selfless and empathetic. Inner duality, balancing loving tolerance and righteous anger. Kindness and compassion resulting from dedicated introspection. Mysticism and uncanny intuition.
The card on the bottom represents thought - the analytical process of organizing the project and capturing the emotional content of the previous card. This is the science or vision of the undertaking. Queen of Cups: The essence of water, such as a deep and placid lake: Spirituality, maturity, and grace. A natural counselor and healer, One whose relaxed presence seems to embody deep love and spirituality. A tranquil poet who reflects the nature of the observer. The embrace of all things dreamlike and receptive, such as perfect and unconditional love.
The card on the right represents manifestation - the real work involved in completing the project, and the form it will take upon culmination. This is the painting or touch of the undertaking. Six of Cups (Pleasure): Opening your heart to the simple pleasures of life. Fond memories fuel the playful embrace of love and life. Experiencing the joy of youth and sexual innocence. Engaging in acts of gentle kindness. Harmony of natural forces without effort or strain. Meeting an old friend.
The card in the middle represents the creative force behind the project, be it a person, organization, or other entity. King of Wands: The essence of fire behaving as air, such as lightning: A great and daring leader who inspires others to rise to challenges alongside him. An artist who can take hold of an idea and make it a reality through bold action. One who is forceful, charismatic, and honest, leading by example, but unafraid to invest authority in others. A dashing and magnetic personality, carrying authority naturally, and striking at the world with swiftness and grace.
The card on the top represents imagination - the prophetic image that stems from the creative force of the previous card to initiate the project. This is the poetry or voice of the undertaking. Leo: Boldness and enthusiasm driven by a warm and generous heart. A commanding presence, born to take center stage. A faithful and loving partner, overflowing with expansive creativity.
The card on the left represents emotion - the feelings aroused by or surrounding the ideation of the project that takes place in the previous card. This is the music or scent of the undertaking. Pisces: An imaginative and otherworldly dreamer, selfless and empathetic. Inner duality, balancing loving tolerance and righteous anger. Kindness and compassion resulting from dedicated introspection. Mysticism and uncanny intuition.
The card on the bottom represents thought - the analytical process of organizing the project and capturing the emotional content of the previous card. This is the science or vision of the undertaking. Queen of Cups: The essence of water, such as a deep and placid lake: Spirituality, maturity, and grace. A natural counselor and healer, One whose relaxed presence seems to embody deep love and spirituality. A tranquil poet who reflects the nature of the observer. The embrace of all things dreamlike and receptive, such as perfect and unconditional love.
The card on the right represents manifestation - the real work involved in completing the project, and the form it will take upon culmination. This is the painting or touch of the undertaking. Six of Cups (Pleasure): Opening your heart to the simple pleasures of life. Fond memories fuel the playful embrace of love and life. Experiencing the joy of youth and sexual innocence. Engaging in acts of gentle kindness. Harmony of natural forces without effort or strain. Meeting an old friend.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Just . . .
Somtimes you just need to step back and get some freakin' perspective, and remember the original reason you started something.
That's all.
No. That's not all. Sometimes what you think you need is actually not what you need at all. Wants and needs are two different things, many times. Just need to recognize the difference.
And sometimes you go off in the wrong direction, but you can find your way back, maybe having learned something, if you're lucky.
I'm in a bit of a funk. A dark mood. But I'll work it out.
On a positive note, Frost is still chuggin' along. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm feeling pretty positive about it at the moment.
After this second draft, I'll polish it within an inch of its life and hopefully be good to go.
Here's me gazing out at the landscape, focusing on the big picture. On what is real and what isn't. It takes a wise person to see the contrast.
I'm working on it.
That's all.
No. That's not all. Sometimes what you think you need is actually not what you need at all. Wants and needs are two different things, many times. Just need to recognize the difference.
And sometimes you go off in the wrong direction, but you can find your way back, maybe having learned something, if you're lucky.
I'm in a bit of a funk. A dark mood. But I'll work it out.
On a positive note, Frost is still chuggin' along. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm feeling pretty positive about it at the moment.
After this second draft, I'll polish it within an inch of its life and hopefully be good to go.
Here's me gazing out at the landscape, focusing on the big picture. On what is real and what isn't. It takes a wise person to see the contrast.
I'm working on it.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saturday in the Rain
Wow. So much rain here lately. Rained basically all day. Did my parking lot session, then some shopping, and didn't make it home before the rain showed up. At least I got myself and the bags inside the house before the serious stuff hit.
I was supposed to go see a friend play in his band at the Saratoga Arts Fest but I didn't want to take my little guy out in this. It's still raining.
Had another good writing session this afternoon. Been in the zone for the past few writing sessions. Love that. Sometimes it's like going uphill and others, it's like coasting down with the wind blowing through my hair. Today was one of those days. It's all flowing. There's no other feeling like it.
Almost done the second draft. The third will mostly be polishing.
Watching Back to the Future while I do the stuff around the house. Love that movie. Michael J. Fox rocks.
Over and out for now.
I was supposed to go see a friend play in his band at the Saratoga Arts Fest but I didn't want to take my little guy out in this. It's still raining.
Had another good writing session this afternoon. Been in the zone for the past few writing sessions. Love that. Sometimes it's like going uphill and others, it's like coasting down with the wind blowing through my hair. Today was one of those days. It's all flowing. There's no other feeling like it.
Almost done the second draft. The third will mostly be polishing.
Watching Back to the Future while I do the stuff around the house. Love that movie. Michael J. Fox rocks.
Over and out for now.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Books
Ugh! Rainy, cold and gloomy. Not bad if you're staying home on the couch with a blanket over you, but being out in this just makes me so tired. I hate to be cold. This sucks. Can't wait until it warms up, but it looks as if we have at least one more day of this to go.
I got a copy of T. Jefferson Parker's California Girl for a friend's birthday. I love this book. I have a copy of it myself, and am always blown away by Parker's ability to write a kickin' story. His characters are so real, and the storytelling so seamless. He's incredible. Definitely in my top two, beside Dennis Lehane. Love him.
I got his L.A Outlaws at the same time. Can't wait to get into it. It'll be a little while, though, as I have a couple I'm reading first. My TBR pile grows constantly. I'm sure many of you can appreciate this.
Okay, I'm outa here. I'm cold and tired and just want to relax. Night all.
I got a copy of T. Jefferson Parker's California Girl for a friend's birthday. I love this book. I have a copy of it myself, and am always blown away by Parker's ability to write a kickin' story. His characters are so real, and the storytelling so seamless. He's incredible. Definitely in my top two, beside Dennis Lehane. Love him.
I got his L.A Outlaws at the same time. Can't wait to get into it. It'll be a little while, though, as I have a couple I'm reading first. My TBR pile grows constantly. I'm sure many of you can appreciate this.
Okay, I'm outa here. I'm cold and tired and just want to relax. Night all.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
What Type of Car Am I?
You Are a Sports Car |
 You're a wild one! You love thrills, and you tend to be very impulsive. You never quite grew up, and you have a very youthful spirit. You're flashy and are a total showoff. You love to be noticed. You are eager to take risks. You can be reckless at times... you feel immortal! |
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Quick Post
Grim, gloomy day. Good for writing. Bean is napping still, so I'm taking advantage.
That's all. Not chatty today.
That's all. Not chatty today.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Blah Blah
Excellent parking lot session today. They usually are. The only thing I don't like about them is that they are too short. But, alas, there were other tasks I needed to tend to . I did get two writing sessions in. Well, more like editing sessions.
Getting close to the end, so of course I'm starting to suffer from the "I suck" syndrome once again. My mother says I go through this with every book. I know I do, I just forget about the last time I had to contend with the syndrome and wonder what I ever thought I was doing even starting this book.
I wonder how the hell I think I'm going to actually pull it off, even though the threads are all coming together. I wonder if the book is too dark, as it is much darker than the first Leah books. My sister loves this one best. She tells me it's her favorite. This is nice to hear and although I do value her opinion, I'm also aware that she's my sister and therefore may be biased.
I also know that not everyone is going to like everything that I write, and that's not why I do it. But I'm mindful that people don't have a lot of time these days. If somebody is going to sit down with one of my books and take the time to read it, I damned well want that person to be entertained and feel that they haven't wasted their time.
There isn't much in the way of filler in my books. I pretty much make sure that every scene has a purpose. I try not to go off in various meandering directions, and if I do, I cut, cut, cut, and cut even more of the stuff that isn't needed.
There is one character I like but am not sure that he is really required. I'm struggling with this because he has a purpose for a short part of the book, like three scenes, and then not again after that. Do I keep him or cut him? I don't want to ditch him but if he doesn't step up and make himself indispensable soon, I'm cutting him loose.
Maybe I can use him in another book some day. I like the idea of him, but he's not living up to my expectations and giving me what I need for the story. Cutting him will mean re-working the book some. I'll have to rethink some things. So it'll mean more work in the end. But maybe a better story. We'll see. I'll give him a bit more time to redeem himself.
Off to bed for me. I'm fading.
Getting close to the end, so of course I'm starting to suffer from the "I suck" syndrome once again. My mother says I go through this with every book. I know I do, I just forget about the last time I had to contend with the syndrome and wonder what I ever thought I was doing even starting this book.
I wonder how the hell I think I'm going to actually pull it off, even though the threads are all coming together. I wonder if the book is too dark, as it is much darker than the first Leah books. My sister loves this one best. She tells me it's her favorite. This is nice to hear and although I do value her opinion, I'm also aware that she's my sister and therefore may be biased.
I also know that not everyone is going to like everything that I write, and that's not why I do it. But I'm mindful that people don't have a lot of time these days. If somebody is going to sit down with one of my books and take the time to read it, I damned well want that person to be entertained and feel that they haven't wasted their time.
There isn't much in the way of filler in my books. I pretty much make sure that every scene has a purpose. I try not to go off in various meandering directions, and if I do, I cut, cut, cut, and cut even more of the stuff that isn't needed.
There is one character I like but am not sure that he is really required. I'm struggling with this because he has a purpose for a short part of the book, like three scenes, and then not again after that. Do I keep him or cut him? I don't want to ditch him but if he doesn't step up and make himself indispensable soon, I'm cutting him loose.
Maybe I can use him in another book some day. I like the idea of him, but he's not living up to my expectations and giving me what I need for the story. Cutting him will mean re-working the book some. I'll have to rethink some things. So it'll mean more work in the end. But maybe a better story. We'll see. I'll give him a bit more time to redeem himself.
Off to bed for me. I'm fading.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Fly-By Post
Working on the blog for Liquid Silver Books, then hopefully, if my eyes stay open long enough, on Frost. We'll see. I have high hopes. Been up since 5:15 this morning as I got up to do the work out.
So I'll do my best but I'm fading fast.
But I heard this song while I was in my car today and it cracked me up. I'm diggin' it.
So I'll do my best but I'm fading fast.
But I heard this song while I was in my car today and it cracked me up. I'm diggin' it.
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