A little more time...

First draft of the WIP is closer to being done. I'll finish it, tomorrow, and then do a cursory edit, before sending it on to my reader on Saturday. I realized that there were some points that needed to be added, for better continuity. Done. A good day's work.

I also finished reading Carla Capshaw's The Champion. It's book three of a Steeple Hill Historical Romance, set in Roman AD. This one is in AD 84. I've never been a particular fan for this time period, but Carla tells a wonderful story, and the details are fascinating. I'm only sorry it's ended.

The Project has become more personal. Though I'd once thought of publishing it, I'm now more concerned about what I will learn. It's a challenge.

Almost there...

The first draft of the WIP is almost finished. I'm leaning toward the minimum word count of 70,000 words, considering the fact that when I did the deep edit of the previous WIP I added 5,000 words, so had to cut 5,000 words. I really don't want to go through that again. I'll pass the WIP along for an edit complements of a discerning eye. While it's going through editing, I'll do brainstorm and research for book 3. It's a joy.

The Project continues.

Desert Rose was interesting. The Table Topic I attended was on the Citizens Police Academy that some police departments offer. It sounds intriguing. Someday, I'd like to participate.

God doesn't care what happens in our lives nearly as much as He does about what we do with what happens in our lives.

Listening...

I need to learn to be better at listening to those pesky nigglings. The ones that keep elbowing me that something isn't quite right. I fussed over book 2 all weekend, and accomplished very little. Last night, I went to bed with the determination to work on an outline, summarizing each chapter with a single sentence and setting the dates, which won't be used but very generally, but they give me a timeline. I discovered a chapter that looked like it was in the wrong place, and then realized that my word choices had been all wrong. I corrected those, and now it fits as it ought. The outline isn't complete, but I'm back to where I was dithering at the end of the day on Friday. Now, it makes a lot more sense. The scene definitely wasn't finished yet. It made absolutely no sense going into the next chapter, so today is filling in those necessary details required in order to move on. Thanks God. I truly could not do this without God's promptings and nudges.

The Project continues along. I'm adjusting and reworking it.

Another bump...

I only added 500 words, but I've hit another spot that needs fleshing out. I'll work on it, next. I was going to take a short break, but the story is too much in my mind. I'll put it away, until tomorrow. The dark moments are coming, and they need to be given the time and attention due them.

Nothing is impossible to God.

The Project is coming along, not quite in the manner I had first anticipated, but I think it's the proper beginning for it.

Thanks God...

The scene had far more in it than I imagined, at first. I added 2100 words, and some surprises to me. I'm always amazed by what is revealed as I write. I had an event that needed to be seen from the heroine's point of view. I'd already written a version for the hero. That's it. That's all I knew about it. Then I started writing, and I learned quite a few unexpected things about the heroine, things that needed to be shared, but I hadn't done so yet. This was the perfect spot. I also learned a few new things about the hero.

The Project is well underway, now. It's taking its own shape.

My prayers are with all those who are in the path of Hurricane Irene.

Figured it out...

Writing has been a struggle, today. I did a bit of editing of what I've written lately, and fussed over the next chapter. It simply wasn't right. I did other things and kept coming back to it, with the same sense that something wasn't right. It's late, and I'm headed to bed, but at least I've figured it out. It's where I'll start tomorrow. I'm missing an entire scene. Tomorrow will see it done.

A Hopeful Day...

God works in mysterious ways. The last week or two, I've corrected a few minor errors in PoP. Word choices I realized weren't right for the time, including one I found as I corrected another. God inspired was the only way they were found. Today, as I picked up work, the office manager and I joked about needing more money to pay the bills. My heart whispered that I needed to truly trust God, so I said, "I'll sell my book, and be able to pay my bills fine." No, I haven't sold my book, but I have been asked for a complete manuscript. Done. I'm hopeful.

I also worked on the WIP, today. I didn't add a lot of words, but I neatened and tightened two chapters. They're much better now, and I feel better about moving on to the next chapter.

There's still homework to do for my synopsis class, but there's also still time to do it.

Pleasant surprises...

I'm reaching parts of the WIP that were written at the beginning. It's always fun to reach sections of the book that seem new, simply because I haven't seen them for a while, and enjoying how neatly it dovetails into the story.

My homework was done on time, this weekend. It was fun. Laurie wanted some brainstorming done. I didn't feel it would be particularly helpful for the current story, since it's almost complete, so I delved briefly into the next book. Laurie had warned that it was difficult to stop once you started. She wasn't kidding. Like Lays potato chips: You can't eat just one.

I'm learning how to use pages on my blogs. The more I learn, the more comfortable I am with the process.

Still making progress...

I didn't add a lot of words, today, but I needed to rewrite a scene written long ago. It was originally intended for much earlier in the story, but was pushed back and pushed back, until it no longer quite fit. However, it contains pertinent information, so I needed to decide how to re-write it. I'll need to do an edit, next, but the re-write is done.

Homework is done, and I even ended up doing some brainstorming for book 3.

Adding more...

I added another 1,600 words, comprising mostly of one scene, an important scene that's been waiting to be written for a long time. It's been a single sentence for a long while: Nan is dismissed. Yes, that started the addition of 1,600 words. I'm quite pleased with the outcome. It's a bit strange to realize that I have less than 15,000 words to finish the manuscript. It's a joy.

My synopsis class has been a huge help.

I can do this.

With God, all things are possible, even what seems impossible.

Coming along...

Completed an important scene, today. It wound up much longer than I anticipated, but I'm much happier with it now. I'll edit it, tomorrow. I added about 1,600 words. I want to continue to do this, increasing the number of words added a day. If I truly want to pursue this, then I need to stop holding myself back. I admit that I'm afraid of failing. What if I throw myself in wholeheartedly, and nothing comes of it? I was going to say that I've done it before and failed, but I'm not sure I've ever wholeheartedly thrown myself into anything. I tend to always hold at least a little bit of myself back. Or is that simply a habit from previous disappointments? I don't know. There's so much of my life I don't remember, for good reason. That being said, I'm trying to live in the here and now, fully, wholly, so I'll endeavor to do so. Today was a good day, by the end. Thanks to inspiration and God-given friends.

Good work done...

Another 10 pages edited, and over 1,400 words added to the current WIP. Homework done. The Project taking shape. Thank you, God, for a bit of inspiration. Only God would nudge my mind with the realization that my completed manuscript was missing a detail, and where it belonged. Done. God also blessed me with wonderful friends who lift me up, encourage me, and strengthen my faith in God's loving plan for me.

Tuesday already?

Don't you hate it when you look at the date and realize it isn't what you thought? Somehow a day has been lost, and it cannot be retrieved, because it actually wasn't.

I was struggling with a difficult scene, a turning point. I searched my Bible for the right verse, and found several I liked, but none quite fit. I had looked at the Book of Common Prayer, 1662, available online, hoping for inspiration, but couldn't find the study schedule. I explained the problem to God. That little niggle in my heart suggested that I check the 1549 version. And there was the schedule. More importantly, there was the inspiration I had been searching for, an apt fit for the situation, I think. We'll see what my first reader thinks; she has a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't.

Editing continues, clearly, and more words are being added. Thank you, God, for all the help.

Moving forward...

Edited/added another 15 pages. Added almost 1,000 words. It was a good place to stop. The scene was more difficult than I'd originally planned, but it's right for the story.

I'm staying on top of my homework, so far, and learning a lot. The Project is also coming along.

All is in God's hands. I try to remember that, but frequently find myself worrying anyway. It isn't that I don't trust God's plan for me, but more along the line of trusting myself to be listening and obeying. I'm so grateful that God has blessed me with such wonderfully supportive and encouraging friends.

Another amazing day...

I worked on homework for The Project, for several hours, this morning, with only a little progress, but it was good. I worked through a few problems I was having.

Fresh bread was another accomplishment. I was more careful about the amount of flour, and this batch was better. The pop and squeak when kneading is one of the things I really love about making bread. Enjoying the smell and the taste goes without saying, I think. :-D

Well over 1,000 words were added, today. Though it looks like I only worked on four pages, almost all of those four pages was new material. A lot of information was revealed. I may have to change it, later, but for now, at least it's in, because it is information that has to be shared sooner or later.

I pray for those who lost loved ones, this past weekend. May God bless our military and those who love them.

The good days continue...

After baking my favorite chocolate chip cookies, the rest of the day was open to some needed catchup and writing. Another 1,000+ words and 15 more pages added and/or edited. I'm so grateful for the friends God has brought into my life. They lift me and inspire me. I pray God blesses them as they have blessed me.

Another good day...

My homework is done for my online class. The Project was given an update. I enjoyed the effects of yesterday's experiment with cooking and writing, and decided to try it again, today, by baking three batches of biscotti. Making my own baking powder, I've discovered I need to use it right away, or it clumps. It was a fun exercise. One batch had almond flavoring, with chocolate chips. The second had dried lavender flowers and chocolate chips. And the third had lemon flavoring and chocolate chips. I also needed to use up the chocolate chips. :-) That being said, it took longer than I anticipated. It was evening before I was able to start my writing. I was sure I wouldn't be able to fulfill my 1,000-word goal. I did it. Thank you, God.

All is in God's hands...

Twenty-three pages edited, and over 1,000 words added. A productive day. The first 52 pages, which is about a third of the book, is done.

I was worried about being able to accomplish what needed to be done in my writing, today. Recently, I read a post on creativity. It started me thinking. I remember reading somewhere, sometime, about creativity leads to creativity. If you're struggling in one area, then work in another, and it will open the way to greater creativity. I discovered I was out of bread, so I baked a couple of loaves. A missing paragraph in The Project composed itself in my head as I kneaded the bread. Once the bread was baked, and the needed paragraph added, I was able to turn my full attention to the WIP. Thanks God.

Jumping back in...

I'm working on The Project, and I'm working on the re-write of what I have of the WIP. Interesting to me is that I have a much deeper sense of it being "right." The characters feel more real and settled. The things that need to be filled in seem clearer. So far, I'm able to edit about 14 pages in a day. I think that will improve as I become more comfortable with the process. I took years with the last manuscript, and this one I'm trying to finish in four months. We'll see how I do. I feel blessed. Each and every time I find myself worrying about my life and where it's going, I begin writing, and the fears fall away. My life is in God's hands, and He is mindful of me. I suppose tackling my writing is sort of like telling the mountain to move, and then it does, one word at a time.

A busy day...

I spent part of the day working through the emails from my PRO class, making little changes to the website for The Project.

For Laurie Schnebly Campbell's online synopsis class, I've read through all the day's emails. I plan to do my homework tomorrow. I have until Monday.

I looked at English mansions, online. It's helpful to have a bit of reality to fuel the imagination. Some of them are truly beautiful.

The continuity correction is well underway, on my WIP. I'm more than half way through what was already done, again. I see things here and there I'm not sure I want to keep. However, I'm endeavoring to teach myself to not fret over every word. This is the first draft, and it isn't even completed yet. Good editing will clean it up. Considering how much editing I did on the last manuscript, I really need to forge ahead and finish this. The first complete draft will be done by the end of the month.

God has richly blessed me.

Amazing God breeze...

I've been fretting about the lack of progress on my current WIP. Last night, my sister popped in. I told her about what I was working with, and blessedly she pointed out a problem I hadn't even imagined. More re-writing. What a blessing that I hadn't done more! Or I'd be correcting even more. Thank You, God.

There's a lot on my plate, for the next week. Today, I found out my PTBW will be "suspended" for a week, as my client goes on vacation. Another unexpected blessing.

Catching up...

I'm behind on my word count; however, I corrected a continuity problem, and it's taking time to read through what's already written. When I'm trying to figure out how to spell angel, as opposed to angle, I figure it's time to put it away and start over, tomorrow.

It's been a very productive day. I worked through more of the website lessons, for The Project. I also did my assignment for the synopsis class. I learned a lot, today. I also finished a book I was reading for one of my Desert Rose sisters.

The weather was supposed to be clear all week. Surprise. A storm is blowing through, so I think I'll take the evening to catch up on some reading. I'm still endeavoring to trust that God has a plan in mind. I love Cheryl Wyatt's "Wings of Refuge" series. One of the books focused on the message that God's way is not the easy way. It struck a chord with me.

Variety is good...

I spent several hours, today, going through the PRO lessons that had been offered online regarding building a website, with WordPress. Cynthia D'Alba and Gwen Hernandez taught it, back in April, but I wasn't ready to tackle it yet. I saved the emails, and I'm now working through the class. I'm pleased with the progress.

As to the WIP, the writing as slowed, but I'm not worried. I discovered a believablity problem, so I've done some re-working of the story, which, of course, required editing throughout. It's funny how little details suddenly become huge, glaring problems, but once the tiny change is made, it's barely noticeable again.

Feeling a little like Peter...

Last January, I began wondering if my job was going away. Losing my job has been a constant worry, for me. In February, my main client laid me off. I wasn't devastated. It was Jesus on the storm-tossed Sea of Galilee, beckoning me to come to Him. I stepped out boldly, trusting that Jesus would not ask me to do anything I could not feasibly do, even if I did it badly and even if I failed in the attempt. He asked me to take the step, and I took it. Last June, I sent in my query, and when the mail came, today, still with no reply, I began to wonder: What if it was lost in the mail, on the way there? What if it was lost in the shuffle on someone's desk? What if it was lost in the mail coming back? A viable possibility considering the fact that I had received in the mail, last Saturday, a letter I was supposed to have received more than a week before. As my worries circled and spiraled, a gentle prompting so clear and so strong it felt like it had been spoken in my heart: Are you going to trust Me, or not? As simple as that. So, I put my worries away, and say, "Yes, Jesus, I trust You. Wherever You lead, I will follow, no matter how much I stumble and fall along the way. I will always rise and follow."