Vacation day = Writing day
I'm taking today as a vacation day from my day job to get more writing done -- more to the point to get Chapter 11 of Bewitched & Betrayed finished. When I'm writing a book, some chapters literally dump themselves on the page/screen and it's all I can do to type fast enough.
Not this one. Jeez, but it's giving me fits.
Normally there's a good chance this would mean that I've made a wrong turn somewhere and my muse (in her infinite wisdom and annoyance) won't let me go any further until I've gone back and fixed what I've screwed up. I've sat and analyzed the situation, and I don't think this is the case. What I've got is good (hopefully); it's just coming at the speed of cold molasses trying to flow uphill. What's even more confusing is that it's a scene with Raine and Sarad Nukpana -- normally the snarky dialogue flows fast and furious. Not this time. I guess I'm having trouble tapping my inner Sarad Nukpana. Well, it's a little after 7 AM, I haven't had any caffeine, and I'm still half asleep. I'm on the last few pages of the chapter, so I think I'll take a run at it before my muse and inner editor are alert enough to screw it up for me. Wish me luck.
BTW -- An update on the NutriSystem diet: In a month, I've lost 14 pounds and Derek has lost 17. My goal is to lose 20-25 pounds, so I should reach that goal by the end of December. And what's amazing is that we ate Thanksgiving dinner at his parents' house AND went out to eat the next night and didn't gain any weight. I think Derek & I have discovered the secret to getting the weight off and keeping it off (at least for us) -- portion control. I'm wearing jeans now that I haven't been able to get into in years. Woot!
Some of what's coming this week and into next week:
- How to keep a story believable
- Say no to "info dump"
- Start with a hook, end with a cliffhanger
- Let every scene advance the plot
- Never stop learning
Have yourselves a great Monday!
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
7:06 AM
10 Comments:
:D Writing days are lovely!
The chapters not coming to me happened yesterday. I had worked out several plot lines for the trilogy, so I did give myself a break. Determined to crack chapter 6 tonight! (At least I don't (yet) have the pressure of deadlines. Yet to snag that agent...
I ran into the muse problem in my latest novel too. I finished chapter 12 and didn't know how to get where I wanted to, so I just skipped it wrote what came to my head and I managed to write the rest of the book, but now have a gap in time and haven't gone back to finish it yet. Do you ever do this with your writing?
Oh yeah, another question for you... how long did it take you to get your agent?
Hi Kathryn, I have to finish each chapter before I move on to the next because the action in the previous chapter affects what happens after that.
If I remember correctly, it took about nine months to get my agent. But it's a roll of the dice kind of thing. Some writers find that perfect match right off the bat, others (like me) have to search around a while.
I don't necessarily write in sequence anymore. This often means that I have to write in points B-E after I have a point A and a point F finished. It's weird, but it works for me.
Good luck on Chapter 11, Lisa!
Sarad Nukpana seems to be misbehaving (like you said)
Didja get unstuck?
Is the snarkiness flowing fast the free?
...er...I meant to say:
"Is the snarkiness flowing fast and free?"
Hi Ace,
I knew what you meant. ; )
Yep, the snarkiness flowed, creepiness ensued, and Raine is now in trouble up to her eyeballs -- Chapter 11 is DONE! WOOT!
Huzzah for the doneness of Chapter 11!
Huzzah! Huzzah!
That's great! I got worried for you when it was Sarad Nukpana
but we all have those days
bye!
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