How did so much time slip away?

Life turned upside down, for a while, but seems to have found its way right side up again. Today, I worked on THE PROJECT, the WIP, and the completed historical novel that needs serious editing. Not a bad bit of work.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I thank God for the gift of words. I thank God for all those who share their gifts with me, enriching my life, inspiring me in my journey back to God. I thank God He is in control, and no matter what happens that truth never changes. And what an immeasurable blessing to know that God is good.

The brain went on vacation...

...without me. However, it seems to be back, and working. I didn't take a break from writing, only from posting here. I've been working only sporadically on THE PROJECT, but I've thought about it a great deal, sorting things in my head. The first four chapters are done, and the next two are well on their way to being finished. All the chapters are set and in varying stages of being completed.

God's unexpected reassurances...

The computer is working beautifully, today, so is the internet. What I thought was a problem with my computer wasn't. Someone else mentioned that they had trouble with their internet connection, yesterday. It wasn't only me, which means it wasn't my computer! It was the carrier! Whew. :-) Back to work. Not a lot of writing is being accomplished as PTBW is a bit heavy, and there's a snag I haven't quite figured out how to use, yet.

Maddening...

I update the security on my computer, just as I ought, and suddenly it kicks me off the internet every time I go to a new site. Bah! Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how things are working, my computer is my lifeline to friends far away and research that would be impossible to do without it. Please, God, bless my computer; my friends are reached here and my work is held hostage... held safely here. :-)

Not forgotten, but yes, ignored...

I didn't tackle this blog, last night, as I sent the first three chapters of THE PROJECT to my counselor. No feed back, but not worried about that either. It's always unsettling to sending out your "baby" to be critiqued. I have already sent and received feedback from a dear friend. It was very encouraging, and yet I feel no less fear sending it out again. One never knows how others will receive what you have lovingly crafted. And yet this, I feel, is something I must do, something I have always been meant to do. But only with God's help.

More sorting...

Sorted through more notes that I thought I would use, but have now decided not to do so. I've created a separate document for all those notes. They may or may not ever be used, but I worry less knowing they are there if I need them. It was a busy work day. The PTBW was a bit discouraging, taking much longer than it should have, but it happens that way, sometimes.

Outline complete...

The outline appears to be complete. I wrote the first four chapters, building the foundation pretty much in a linear manner. Now, with the chapters outlined, I'm finding myself jumping between them as ideas pop into my mind. I actually prefer writing this way. Maybe that was part of the trouble with my WIPs: I was writing them mostly in a linear fashion. So, I need to learn how to write outlines for my WIPs... hmmm...

THE PROJECT...

...is now completely outlined, in that ever chapter is ready for fleshing out, with the first four chapters already done. Notes were re-arranged, lots of deleting, and an important chapter added to the list. There's always room to add, and I already know that it's important to be able to cut, but I feel like the framework is now complete. Wow. Praise be to God. Laus Deo.

Work...

...sometimes it simply takes over. When it takes twelve hours to complete what usually only takes about six hours, you know it's a rough day. When it takes twice as long several days in a row, it's a problem. However, today, I was able to work on the PROJECT. I sorted through notes and did a bit of editing and more in depth outlining.

Life happens, and then you pick yourself up...

...and go on. I'm caught up, finally, and starting to settle into a comfortable routine again. It helps with my writing. The PROJECT is the sole focus. It's outlined and being fleshed out.

This was unexpected...

I pulled out the WIP and found myself wondering if it still truly holds together. I may cut the prologue and put it somewhere within the story or, I may cut it completely. It doesn't really match the tone of the rest of the story anymore, at least not in my own mind. I have to finish the PROJECT! But if I do, will I be able to return to my WIPs and MIPs? I have over a dozen stories in progress, to varying degrees. Do I have the courage to trust God to lead me through the PROJECT and have something for me on the other side? I don't know.

Back on the PROJECT...

Add a bit and did a bit of editing. PTBW has been a bear, and yet, it does pay the bills, so trying not to complain. :-) Though I'd put in a full day, plus, I decided that I would not put off the PROJECT any longer. I feel the need to finish it, and finish it quickly because there are other things I want to write. And yet, my head is so full of the PROJECT there isn't room for much of anything else.

Really didn't fall off the edge of the world...

Last week was spent preparing for a trip to California. It refreshed and renewed my soul. I realized there were a few things I need to add to the PROJECT. I did so as soon as I returned home. However, I'm still playing catch up. Maybe tomorrow things will begin to settle... a little... maybe... hopefully...

Did not fall off the face of the earth...

...it only felt like it. Had a couple of bear days. Working was taking much longer to finish than typical. Frustrating. After working a couple of 12-13 hour days, I was done in. Feeling more rested now, so back to writing. Today, was some re-reading and cleanup.

Never guessed this would happen...

I'm having to schedule breaks in my writing.

Moving forward...

I've spent part of the day writing, and am quite pleased with the result. Fine tuning the first chapters clarifies what is coming later. Bonhoeffer said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” I'm choosing not to be silent anymore.

Disruptive storms...

After the recent storms, I find myself still playing catchup, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm debating whether or not to cut an entire section. This is giving me the opportunity to mull it over, try it with and without.

First thing to do: STOP LYING TO YOURSELF

With more storms, today, I learned something new about myself. Yesterday, I lamented that I turned off my brain as well as my computer. I found myself in the same situation, today, except that I learned something new, today. I really cannot focus on anything during a storm, except the storm. I gave up trying to read or do anything else, pulled up a chair in front of the picture window, and watched the rain and wind plow through, while listening to the thunder. Couldn't really see any lightning, due to the tree in front of the window. Now, the announcer kept warning about the storms and that you should stay away from the windows. Felt a bit like those poor bugs attracted to those bug light zappers. All afternoon, I watched the storms roll in and out. I am awed by the power and frightened by what that unleashed power is capable of destroying. They were also announcing possible tornadoes to add to the excitement. I've never been one much for gawking at traffic accidents. I have met my own version of the traffic accident: Storms.

Sometimes life is sidetracked...

Plans of writing were sidetracked by weather... okay, that's an excuse. I did have to turn off the computer due to lightning, but I turned off my brain to THE PROJECT for a few days. I'm doing a bit of re-arranging in another aspect of my life. Interestingly enough, I realize that I'm also editing the current chapter, in the back of my mind. I'll catch myself mulling it over at odd moments. Life is in a bit of an upheaval. My routine is in flux, and that always throws me for a loop and leaves me feeling out of sorts. I did discover an unfinished sentence at the end of a chapter. That's unsettling. Hopefully what I wrote today is better than what I'd been thinking before.