Worrying with faith...

I worked on my budget, today. Like many people, right now, I'm struggling. My main source of income laid me off, at the beginning of the year. I decided to put my faith in God and pursue what I believed He had laid on my heart. It's been six months. I wonder if I've missed opportunities, because I've turned down a couple of potential offers, though none of them were sure. I felt I should focus on my writing. It seemed the timing was perfect. My savings is dwindling, slowly but surely, so I asked God for a breadcrumb as I drove home from dropping off work, with no work to pick up, today. It isn't that I don't trust God, I do. However, I'm not as good at trusting myself. In truth, I prayed for God strength my weakness, to help my unbelief. My blog hasn't been accessible since last night, so I thought I'd check again. Here it is, and this quote appeared in one of my widgets: "Rejoice at your weakness. When you are weak I am strong. Strong to help, to cure, to protect." --Two Listeners

Thanks God for yet another breadcrumb.

Missed the goal, today...

...but not unhappy about it. I only added 100 words or so. However, I re-arranged sections that no longer fit where they were. I also added a character who had been missing, not intentionally, but simply overlooked, and necessary. Every English manor needs a butler. Clearly, this one doesn't play a huge role, but it would be noticed if he weren't there. Now, he is. I also shuffled some maids, and their roles in the house. The changes smooth out some rough edges, and answer some questions. I will add more, tomorrow. With neatening up those few details, more of the story is surfacing. It's amazing. I feel so blessed. Thanks God. And The Project is off to another reader.

Surprise...

As I picked up work, this morning, I found myself wondering how to work out a snag in the story. I returned home with a firm idea, and started typing. I needed to complete my work for the day and used it as a break between writing sections. By the time I finished, I'd added over 3,700 words to the WIP and more to the short story. It's so exciting to see the stories reveal themselves.

Tonight, Desert Rose had their monthly meeting, and I had the opportunity to chat with new members and share my wonderful experience with the chapter's Mentor Program. I'm so grateful for this remarkable group of women, mostly, and appreciate their support and encouragement. I don't think I would have made it this far without them. God sends blessings, and it's often in the form of individuals who share our journey, even if only for a few moments.

Still on track...

I added over 1,200 words to the WIP. I also finished editing The Project. It's ready for the next reader. And I added more to the short story. For a grand total of over 3,000 words added, today. Wow. I could not do this without God's encouragement, lifting me every day.

Unexpected turn...

I added another 1200 words, but I lost 1500 words. However, I'm not beating myself up over that. I took those 1500 words and slipped them into a short story I have in mind. The scene simply no longer fit the current WIP. Rather than try to force it in, I'm letting it go. Once again, I wondered if I could possibly find all the words I needed to add to meet my goal. Little by little, they appeared, and then suddenly there were more. It occurred to me, today, that this WIP is one-third done. A part of me wonders, "How did that happen?" But I know: One word at a time. Thanks God for all the encouragement.

Well, that was unexpected...

...which suits the working title of my current WIP. I added over 1,000 words to The Project, with lots of re-writing. I also added almost 1,600 words to the WIP. I may have written the end. I'm not sure yet. There's still a lot to add and fill in, but it's coming along, better than I expected. God is able to accomplish so much more in our lives than we ever could, when we are willing to turn our lives over to Him.

Interesting...

I only added 1,144 words, today, to the WIP. However, I also worked through half the edits for The Project, which added almost 800 words, along with some serious re-writing. I'm not changing my goal to write 1,200 words; it's a goal, and I'm headed in that direction. I hadn't planned to write one of the near the end scenes, but it's what ended up coming out, today. This is such an amazing experience. Thanks God.

Amazing...

Today was another day when I wondered where the story would go. I had other things on my mind. I pulled up the document, but nothing came to mind, all day long. Then, this evening, something clicked, and I typed away. Once again, I exceeded my thousand-word goal. I'm thinking I need to up it, a little. I'm actually typing between 1,100 and 1,200 words. Maybe what I'll do is pursue this week by week. This week, the goal is to write 1,200 words a day. Can't hurt to try. God is good.

Again...

I opened the document on my desk top and wondered how I'd add another 1,000 words. My mind was a blank. I reviewed bits and pieces already written, and then started. One word followed another, and once again I surpassed the 1,000-word goal. It wasn't easy, at first, because the villain made his appearance. He isn't pleasant. He's made some really unsavory choices in his life, and is unrepentant. It's going to become worse, before it's better. I truly like the story unfolding, the growth of the characters and their deepening relationship.

Sunday, I rested...

...but I met my goal on Saturday, and again today. I'm amazed, and awed. Today, I was worried I wouldn't make it, because I wasn't feeling well, but this evening, it all simply poured onto the page.

The hero and heroine are a little feistier than in the last book. I dislike the couple that are constantly bickering, but with these two they have much they share in common, unbeknownst to them, but they also have a few differences of opinion. It's been fun. I'm so grateful for the inspiration with which God has blessed me.

So far, so good...

I did some re-writing and a lot of adding, about 1,300 words. It feels good. I met my 1000-word goal and pushed a little further, until I reached a good stopping point. Then I closed the document instead of trying to push harder. This is such a joy.

Back to the WIP...

I've been allowing the current WIP to take shape, with less fretting on my part. At this point, the story is revealing itself. I'm editing less, and opening myself to whatever comes to mind. The goal is to write at least 1,000 words a day. I'll clean up and tighten up in the editing stages. It's important to remember that pertinent details are sometimes uncovered late in the story, which might change earlier material, so I'm relaxing and enjoying the process more than ever before.

A break from the WIP...

I worked on The Project, today. I'm tackling the edits. More specifically, I'm endeavoring to clean up and rewrite the chapter on emotions. I knew it would be tough. Though it has been more difficult than I'd hoped, I'm still quite pleased with how well the process is going. The chapter is ever so much better. I would never had made it this far without God's grace.

More work on WIP...

Two more chapters are edited. One is put aside. I'm not sure it still fits with the story. A new chapter is started. What a blessing the etymology dictionary is!! I found more words I love to use are too modern! So, it's choosing different words or letting them go altogether. My hero and heroine are becoming more substance than shadow now.

Oh, wow. I started writing and a whole new section flowed onto the page. I've learned some new things about the heroine. I never expected what appeared on the page. I had to let go of what had been in that spot to make room for this new material.

God sees what we cannot, but if we will open the way for Him to influence us, it is amazing what He will share with us.

Moving along...

Over the weekend, my sister shared her edits on The Project, and today I completed one chapter's worth. I also re-wrote chapter one of the current WIP, cleaning it up the details I've been ironing out for the last several days. It's better. There will be more editing to come, but the bulk is done with all the new information I gathered. The work always goes better when I remember to include God as my partner.

More research...

The difficult part about researching a book is that you think the research is done, and something jumps out at you. The next thing you know you've spent hours looking through documents or maps, verifying and double checking. It is still important to do it, because you frequently discover that what you thought would work won't or there are details that will completely change the tale. For myself, I'd rather find out now, rather than later, and have to re-write because of continuity problems. I'm so grateful that God has blessed with with friends with whom I'm able to talk over what I'm doing. There is something about trying to explain what I'm doing that helps me clarify what I'm learning.

It's in the mail...

Nervous and excited, I handed over my query letter, synopsis, and SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to the man at the post office. I wanted to be sure it made it that far without being lost. Now, it's out of my hands and into God's hands, beyond my control. I know the hurt of rejection, and actually I'm really glad the first book wasn't accepted. It was lacking. I struggled to recognize that rejection for the gift it was. Self-examination is actually something I endeavor to do on a regular basis, but examining my creation wasn't as easy, or co-creation as Tolkien liked to say, because we are co-creators with God. God is the Master, and we the follower. I could not have accomplished what I have without God's guidance and inspiration, including the amazing and wonderful people God has brought into my life.

The waiting begins, but not idly. I'm doing a rewrite of what I have of book two, because in my honing of the plot things have changed. Sketching the outline for book three is also on the table, and maybe a Christmas short story as a bonus. I hope it's enough to keep me busy.

One more day...

The synopsis is printed and so is the query letter and the envelopes. Keep breathing. Tomorrow, it's into the mail, and entirely out of my hands. I'm endeavoring to turn my fears and my hopes over to God.

Today was spent working on the next book. I learned a lot about the main characters I didn't know. They aren't entirely what I thought. I'm liking them better. A character I thought was secondary, I've discovered is the main protagonist.

Little bit by little bit...

The envelopes are printed. I have printed the documents for review. I've also been working on the second book in the trilogy, editing and reviewing the plot. As I edit, I'm noticing a difference in my writing skills, improvement even in the last few months.

I always thought I was a panster (flying by the seat of my pants, letting the story take me where it may), but after some problems with Promise of Possibilities, I've discovered I really like to have a structure for the story to grow around and envelope, like building a garden arbor for a creeping rose or wisteria. The wood trellis disappears within the foliage, but maintains the basic shape.

All the feedback is in...

I've incorporated everything. Reworked everything. Fiddled and re-arranged and shuffled. I think the synopsis and the query letter are as good as I am able to make them. I'm going to put them aside for a couple of days, and then take one last look before mailing. I already know that rejection is a possibility, and it scares me, but it won't keep me from making the effort. God gave me a gift, and if I'm rejected this time, so be it. I can't MAKE anyone like my stories.

So much for sleep...

It's highly over-rated. I woke early, and have managed to complete the edits I have, so far, for The Project. I've also worked a little on the new WIP, book two of the Possibilities trilogy. The To-Do list was done bright and early. Papers have been sorted and shredded, as needed. Lost books were found. Overall, a productive day. What a blessing.

Remarkable what a little sleep will do...

I've been wrestling with my synopsis. It seemed flat. When it's about all a prospective editor is going to see it really needs to POP. I spent time, today, re-writing, choosing different words, emphasizing different points. It reads better. I'm going to put it away for a few days, and then come back again, and see if I'm still happy with it.

God is amazing...

I haven't accomplished a whole lot. I'm still recovering from a night of lack of sleep. That being said, I had brought to my mind a word I had used in my WIP, specifically snit. And I had this feeling that I really needed to check it in the etymology dictionary. Turns out, it dates back to 1939. Oops. Definitely cannot use it in 1816. So, I changed it. That was a God breeze, because it was a single word out of over 75,000 words.

The Project also received a little bit of attention, today. I needed to completely change an analogy. Another God breeze when I thought of using something more fun.