One more chapter...

Heavily edited. Slowly but surely, I'm working through it. The characters have captured my heart, and I hope to share them soon. All is in God's hands. I don't know what His plan is for me, but I do know He has a plan. Each day, I endeavor to include Him in the journey.

Three more chapters...

...edited and/or rewritten. I'm much happier with the story. Each chapter, I'm choosing which character has the most to lose. It's a challenge, and rewarding.

And more chapters...

A couple more chapters edited, and one more divided.

I keep thinking about the advice I've been given: Write the best possible book. I'm certainly trying. As I've struggled, I finally came up with a perspective that helps me: I have written my very best book, so far. I hope each book is better than the last.

More chapters...

Five more chapters have been lightly edited, after checking for continuity. So far, so good.

At Desert Rose, I signed up, again, for the Mentor Program, only this time with the idea of serious work on the synopsis. I know how to baldly state what's happening, from chapter to chapter, but I don't know how to make it boldly state what's happening, without being boring. I paid, in advance, that way I won't chicken out later. Actually, I'm not chickening out, but I might procrastinate. Knowing that fee, small as it is, sits out there waiting to be put to use will niggle at me and keep me on task very neatly. Helps to know yourself.

Snap...

Three more chapters edited, though there really wasn't much to do. I'm keeping them as is. I've also worked on The Project, editing and exploring a possible website for it.

I am a writer.

I was reminiscing with my sister, exploring my early memories for any hint of my love for writing. I remembered writing some early horse stories. Then I remembered one of my elementary school teachers writing a paragraph on the chalkboard. This was a regular exercise. We had to use the paragraph as the start to a story. I remember the teacher looking right at me, in front of the whole class, and saying, "Let's see you make an animal story out of that! I've made sure you can't." I remember thinking, "Watch me." And I did. She seemed to hate my obsession with animals, and often took opportunities to tease me, even if it meant humiliating me. I wasn't encouraged to write stories, again, until I took creative writing in high school. My teacher wanted me to pursue it, but I was told by others that I couldn't make any money at it, so I shouldn't even consider it. Maybe I can't, but that doesn't mean the stories don't deserve to be told.

Happy Easter!!

Jesus Christ is risen! He lives!

How did that happen?

Wow. Three chapters done. Of course, two didn't need much work, and one was an edit. I printed off the next chapter, which will have to be re-written, from a different point of view. I'm feeling more confident about doing that now. The next book will be easier. I'll be planning ahead a lot more. Live and learn. I could not do this without the Grace of God, He has nudged me along all these years, encouraging me through friends He has guided into my life.

Work continues...

Another chapter edited, and another chapter re-written. I'm pleased with the changes, and looking forward to seeing the story re-shape itself. I like the characters better, and the plot is improved. Thanks God, for I could not do this alone.

Another step forward...

The next chapter has been re-written. With all the added information, I'm having to make a lot more changes than I originally anticipated. The story is much better, so it's worth it, but it's a little intimidating sometimes.

I've also discovered that my writing habits are nothing like I thought. I THOUGHT I needed a block of time. I THOUGHT I needed to focus and buckle down and "get the job done." Nope. I write a little, and then I need to take a break. Come back, and write a little. Then take a break. Write outside for a little bit. Then take a break. Enter what I wrote by hand. Then take a break. I'm thinking that this is only true with having to re-write all the material, because I need to think about how to change existing material, and then think through how it changes the upcoming existing material.

In the chapter I edited, today, the original material had the heroine as a complete unknown to the hero. In the new material, he knows who she is, but she doesn't know who he is. I'm going to have to edit the chapter again, but it's now re-written with the new perspective.

Whew...

Finally, chapter five is re-written, and it's better. Thanks to God for blessing me with friends who talk me through my questions and worries.

Keep breathing...

I've finally started to re-write chapter five. Some must be kept, but much must be let go. Funny, I can't really bring myself to say T-R-A-S-H-E-D. :-) I'm excited about the new possibilities for the story, but still a little intimidated as well. I'm so grateful God is patient and willing to work with me at my level.

Unexpected...

I'm finding myself faced with an unexpected problem with my plotting. The few who have read my WIP, who aren't already familiar with my writing, have expressed the same criticism: My heroine doesn't seem to have any goals. How do I share that the heroine is written from an abuse survivor's perspective? It's difficult to invest in dreams, when those who rule your life take pleasure in crushing your dreams. You learn to not have them, in order to protect them. The only goals you allow yourself are to survive one more day and not to turn out like your abusers. I'm really struggling with giving my heroine other tangible goals. I'm finding it painfully awkward because I DON'T GET IT. I haven't given up hope for working it out, but the joy of writing is missing as it feels more like pulling teeth. I'm hoping the joy comes in the accomplishment.

Why do I have to be special?

I'd chatted with a writing friend about discovering one's best way to write. This particular friend needs pen and paper, and then later inputs it all into the computer. I've done much of my writing on the computer. Today, I couldn't figure out how to re-work chapter four. After staring at the computer for far too long, I grabbed paper and pen, and the first line of the new chapter was there, followed by two pages of material. Then I was stuck. I input it into the computer, and then I had a whole new page, and I started cutting away the extra from the old chapter. Now, it's done. And on to a re-write of chapter five. What specialness will it bring? Can't wait.

Friends...

How grateful I am for friends, with whom I am able to discuss my ideas. They also encourage me and lift me when I'm wondering what in the world I was thinking. I've been so blessed with so many amazing people in my life. I tweaked chapters one through three, and printed out four and five for re-working.

Once more into the breach...

The Project is turned over to another reader. I'm not sure about it in any way, shape, or form. There is good material there, but it feels far from book ready.

Once again, the WIP is on the table. Chapter one and two are as good as I can make them, I think. I re-wrote chapter three, and like it much better now. It's funny how I worry about word count, and I really shouldn't. I'm several hundred words over right now, but I have some cutting coming up, in the next few chapters.

It's good to be writing again. I'm not quite well, yet, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and it isn't an orc with a torch.