We all know I've been desperate to move into my own home where I wouldn't feel guilty about sitting on my butt writing all day....
What we didn't know was that as soon as we moved in I would get hit with my first legitimate illness in years. Not just sinus issues but knock-me-on-my-rear-good-thing-you-didn't-let-it-go-on-longer-or-it-would-be-pnuemonia bronchitis. I've never had bronchitis before this but now I feel so bad for all those times my mom had it and I just didn't get why her cough was making her so tired. Bronchitis is awful. And now I'm on round two of antibiotics. Somebody should have gone to the doctor a month ago when everyone was telling her to go.
Also ironic, all that time I spent desperately wishing for new contacts because my glasses were crap? Well now I have my contacts but my eyes are so dried out from all the medicines I'm taking that it feels like buckets of sand in my eyes. And I'm wearing my glasses Ben Franklin style because the arms broke off and I don't know where they are and my optometrist is out of town until tomorrow. And I'm desperate for new glasses.
The other night I was stomping around the kitchen, thoroughly irritated by all of this nonsense when I poked my head into the living room and remembered exactly how blessed I am with my wheezing lungs and scratchy eyes. All of my menfolk were lined up on the couch, laughing and having a good time. The cats were snuggled together behind them on the back of the couch and the dog was spread across their feet. We have a small home. 1,000 square feet. We have a truck with a taped-on taillight. I have Ben Franklin glasses and no energy to write or read at the end of the day. My books are never exactly what I want them to be and I only sold four books this entire month. Most people don't even actually regard me as an author. I'm not even cool enough to be considered a local celebrity. And this is a small town. But dang it, seeing them all there, comfortable and happy...well being me is a wonderful thing.
Showing posts with label author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author. Show all posts
Friday, February 28, 2014
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Unruly Characters
I understand that the voices in my head are not real.
The problem is: they don't.
When first beginning a story, it is usually one line of dialogue that runs through my head continuously until I let it out. If I continue ignoring said voice long enough, it gets louder and usually some friends come to join in.
It isn't unlike that great book or movie or song that gets stuck in your head and won't get out. Except this is all coming to life inside my thoughts.
Well, I had my ideas about how to write book 2 of The von Strassenberg Saga. But every time I sat down to write the contemporary part of it, I would hit a brick wall. ALWAYS with the brick wall. Finally one day I threw my pen and paper down, that's how I write when things are difficult because that's how I wrote when I was a kid, and picked up a Grisham novel. There is no greater muse than getting lost in a good book. At least for me. Quite suddenly, the problem presented itself. I was fighting the characters again. This was something that happened while I was writing Filter and I fought it through 80 pages until eventually I realized that it would all be crap if I didn't give in. So I gave in and started over. Fortunately, it is still early in the game for book 2. And where the brick wall stood is exactly where the story needed to diverge from my expectations. And WOW! The contemporary thread of the story is completely different from Filter. If you loved William Drexler III in Filter, and I know some of you are literary crushing, you will catch your breath at him in book 2. His story is tragic and lovely and oh, sigh. He is William Drexler, isn't he? :)
So things are now going very well with book 2! Thought some of you might like to know that!
The problem is: they don't.
When first beginning a story, it is usually one line of dialogue that runs through my head continuously until I let it out. If I continue ignoring said voice long enough, it gets louder and usually some friends come to join in.
It isn't unlike that great book or movie or song that gets stuck in your head and won't get out. Except this is all coming to life inside my thoughts.
Well, I had my ideas about how to write book 2 of The von Strassenberg Saga. But every time I sat down to write the contemporary part of it, I would hit a brick wall. ALWAYS with the brick wall. Finally one day I threw my pen and paper down, that's how I write when things are difficult because that's how I wrote when I was a kid, and picked up a Grisham novel. There is no greater muse than getting lost in a good book. At least for me. Quite suddenly, the problem presented itself. I was fighting the characters again. This was something that happened while I was writing Filter and I fought it through 80 pages until eventually I realized that it would all be crap if I didn't give in. So I gave in and started over. Fortunately, it is still early in the game for book 2. And where the brick wall stood is exactly where the story needed to diverge from my expectations. And WOW! The contemporary thread of the story is completely different from Filter. If you loved William Drexler III in Filter, and I know some of you are literary crushing, you will catch your breath at him in book 2. His story is tragic and lovely and oh, sigh. He is William Drexler, isn't he? :)
So things are now going very well with book 2! Thought some of you might like to know that!
Monday, February 8, 2010
52 pages of Viktor and Katherine!
Yes, his name use to be William. But, ethnically, it didn't fit.
And now, despite their protestations, I have dragged their story out to 52 pages. They want very badly to be together. But it's just too soon. It takes a lot of restraint as an author to not just jump in because your characters want you to. It's kind of liking being a teenager and refraining from doing what your hormones demand you do. It's better for them this way.
Funny, writing is both exhilarating and tiring. I'm a little emotionally worn out now. And ready for more.
Props must needs be given to the sounds that drown out reality for me whilst I am writing.
Special thanks to: Michael Buble, Debussey, Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and, yes I admit it, Bella's Lullaby from the Twilight soundtrack. Hush.
It's funny because the one voice prefers the classical and the past voice prefers the jazz. Odd.
Things are starting to get complicated and I needed to come up for air.
Back to work.
Accidental Genius
This was supposed to be easy, writing this little teen romance. Granted, I knew some research would be necessary. Unfortunately, things started clicking and the story has grown more and more interesting without any effort on my part.
Any effort on my part, yet...
Someone will have to weave together all those pieces parts in a believable and exciting way. Although, fortunately, the setup of my story already meshed with actual historical facts.
This happens to me with video editing as will: accident genius. And I don't feel it would be right to take credit for such brilliance. It's really a God thing.
And, unfortunately, the amazing blessings of last night's research just means: more research. And some field trips! Part of my story takes place locally, in St. Louis. I don't want to give on too much, but it's very exciting. And now I'm considering an internship in one of the places that will be part of the stomping grounds for my characters. It only makes sense.
The other location is in Europe. Fortunately my parents and grandparents traveled extensively in this area. Even my husband has been near there. One day, I will make it there. Although, my novel will have to be a success before I can afford to travel there. Not going means so much more time Googling and reading and asking my husband to recreate authentic cuisine from that region.
Writing is a full time job.
Blerg.
Again, this is why God wasn't telling me yet.
Any effort on my part, yet...
Someone will have to weave together all those pieces parts in a believable and exciting way. Although, fortunately, the setup of my story already meshed with actual historical facts.
This happens to me with video editing as will: accident genius. And I don't feel it would be right to take credit for such brilliance. It's really a God thing.
And, unfortunately, the amazing blessings of last night's research just means: more research. And some field trips! Part of my story takes place locally, in St. Louis. I don't want to give on too much, but it's very exciting. And now I'm considering an internship in one of the places that will be part of the stomping grounds for my characters. It only makes sense.
The other location is in Europe. Fortunately my parents and grandparents traveled extensively in this area. Even my husband has been near there. One day, I will make it there. Although, my novel will have to be a success before I can afford to travel there. Not going means so much more time Googling and reading and asking my husband to recreate authentic cuisine from that region.
Writing is a full time job.
Blerg.
Again, this is why God wasn't telling me yet.
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