One chapter into three...

But all three chapters are done, with a synopsis for each. I love this story, and I love it even more now. It's so much better. I wish I didn't have to sleep so I could keep working. It's been a long time since I've felt this way about anything. It feels good. It makes me smile, from the inside out.

Another chapter divided...

...and both rewritten. Much of the work is in having to maintain POV. I used POV from several different characters in the first writing. Now, each section has only one. I'm endeavoring to be flexible with it, but it means cutting a lot of material because it simply doesn't work in another POV. I do like it better now. And I've had ideas bubbling for the two books following. I think I've mentioned that previously.

The days are such a startling contrast. I worry and fret, until I start to write.

Slightly off schedule...

...but I think it's all right. On Sunday, BFF did some fantastic editing for THE PROJECT. I'm putting it aside, for a few days. Then I'll do a complete re-read. I noticed places I'd like to add more, which is good.

Today, I divided chapter five in two, and did the editing and synopsis for both. I'm much happier with how the story is coming along. I cut several pages of material. It's being moved to the third book in the trilogy. I also made some notes for the third book.

God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

My purpose in life: To love God, and share that Love. I'm not very good at it, but I'm learning.

Another chapter...

...cut and rewritten. I'm not sure it will stay, even now. It might be better used in another context elsewhere, but I've changed so much already. There comes a point when I have to tell myself to STOP. It is much, much better than when I started the process, today. I had to completely cut quite a bit, information about secondary characters. There was that pesky problem with POV, again. I may post the part that was cut, as bonus material, once the book is published.

Synopsis for this chapter is also written. I'm a bit surprised that I'm actually finding the synopsis quite helpful. As I wrote it, I realized that I needed to do a little clarifying and fine tuning.

THE PROJECT is also going through it's first edit, from a dear friend, and it's been very helpful.

A productive day. I'm so grateful to God for the inspiration, and encouragement from dear friends through emails, my other blog, and a morning walk.

Chapter three...

...is started but not finished. I wrote a completely new opening scene. It's going to change coming chapters as well, but it was necessary. It was taking much too long for the hero and heroine to meet. It's still probably longer than most would like, but it's much shorter than originally written. So chapter three is only half done. I'm not discouraged because I'm very pleased with the new material.

I struggle with my trust in God and His plan for me, but only when I'm not writing. Once I start writing, peace sweeps over me, and more and more often I find myself feeling joy. My prayer is that my love for God is evident in my writing, so that others feel that love as well. No matter how bad things are, God is there. We are not alone.

UPDATE: I couldn't resist. I've finished chapter three, along with the synopsis.

Well, that was a bit of a surprise...

I began working on chapter two, and found myself re-writing almost the entire chapter, and it is now divided into two chapters. I'm still worrying that the hero and heroine haven't actually met yet, though they will right off in the next chapter. We'll see how it goes. Maybe I'm over-thinking it... not that I'd ever do anything like that. LOL! It truly does help to have a sense of humor with this endeavor. I'm going to be doing a lot of cutting soon, material that I love but doesn't move the story along.

And learned another thing about my writing habits. I do better if I have music playing while I write. Right now, I'm listening to Josh Groban's Awake album, along with his Illuminations album, and Donny Osmond's This is the Moment album.

Decisions, decisions...

How to use my pen name. I love the name Laurel Hawkes. I love the persona I've created for Laural Hawkes. I've thought about legally changing my name to Laurel Hawkes, but there is that part of me that feels like I need to learn to love who I am, not just my Brand. There is my non-fiction and my fiction. Oddly enough, after a heart-to-heart with one of my best friends in the world, I'm thinking I'll publish the the non-fiction under Laurel Hawkes, and the fiction under my real name. I needed to face the fact that in this information age, it won't be long before anyone who wants to know will know the connection. I might as well own it.

Another realization, today. I love reading contemporary romance. I love dabbling in writing it, but I definitely can't carry off a serious undertaking, at least, not yet. I hope to reach the point where I'm able to express those stories in my head, maybe even later this year. But right now, I feel like there are some things I still need to learn. I also love reading historical romances, particularly Regency. I also really enjoy writing in that time period. I love the language and being on the cusp of change from the old world to the new. The world was starting to make some significant changes.

This month's plan is to overhaul my inspirational historical romance, one chapter a day, including the synopsis for that chapter.

Interestingly enough, I've come to the realization that mornings, for me, are great for the practical things, paying bills, catching up on emails, running errands, PTBW, etc. Around two or three o'clock in the afternoon, my creativity seems to kick in, and I am able to work on my writing for the next six to eight hours. Who knew? Oh, God knew, and has been waiting for me to figure it out. I'm so grateful God is patient.

What's next?

I'm working on the edits for the manuscript I finished two years ago. It's an inspirational historical. It suffered the horrible rejection letter, which means I suffered with it. However, there was no one to blame but me. I wrote a horrible query letter. This time, I'm enlisting the service offered by Desert Rose, the local Romance Writers of America chapter. They offer a mentor program. I'm in a place of increased security within myself to accept help and guidance from another writer. I hope. LOL! I was thinking, today, that I now have two completed manuscripts and a half dozen in varying stages of completion. PTBW is up in the air, but rather than wallow in worries, I'm diving into my writing, heart and soul. When I ask God what comes next? My writing immediately springs to mind, so that's where I'm going, hoping that I'm following God's gentle guidance.

THE PROJECT is finished...

Thank God. At least the rough draft is done and sent to my friend who is editing the first draft. It's odd to know it's done. My first question to myself is, Okay, what next? But I'm going to save that for tomorrow. Tonight, I'm going to take a break.

Progress report...

I intend to finish THE PROJECT by the end of the month, at least the rough draft anyway. I'm well on my way to exactly that. I also worked on my completed manuscript and sent the first 300 words for a drawing to be critiqued. Whether or not it will be picked is anyone's guess, but the important thing is that I screwed my courage to the sticking place and sent it in. Interesting to realize that I think it's now much better because of the need to keep the entry so short. The manuscript needs a good overhaul, but THE PROJECT needs to be finished first.

I'm also reading books for the Golden Quill Contest, offered by Desert Rose, a chapter of Romance Writers of America. I've discovered some wonderful writers that I've added to my yes list, but it's tough with the stories I don't really like. I can't simply stop after the first chapter. I can only judge it fairly if I read the whole thing. I have several reward books lined up for finishing. :-)

THE PROJECT... what it is...

THE PROJECT is a self-help book, gathering in one place all the tools I wish I'd known about when I decided it was time to learn how to be healthy, instead of continuing the insanity I grew up in. I think I have all the chapters outlined now, and more than half of them are written, including the end. It's been a struggle deciding how much information to share. I hope to have this whole thing done by the end of the month.

Okay, God, now what....

Over the last few days, I've added several thousand words to THE PROJECT. I'm using the time being given me by my lack of PTBW. I'm now more than half way through, and I've written the end.

Accepting the opportunity...

With the PTBW changes, I decided to take advantage of the essentially free day. I read and worked on THE PROJECT. It's now half finished. I don't think I would have accomplished all that I did any other way. We'll see what the next little while brings.

Life is an adventure...

...and it's been a bit more adventurous than usual of late. PTBW has taken an unexpected turn. Where I'm headed, now, I do not know. I am taking it one day at a time. Everything, ultimately, is in God's capable Hands. I'm endeavoring to trust Him. In truth, I should have known this was coming.

My Christmas Gifts to myself, this coming year:
1. Physical Health
~more fresh foods
~fewer frozen dinners
~walk/move 30 minutes 5x a week
2. Writing
~finish the self-help book
~publish
~finish two novels (this isn't as spectacular as it sounds, since I have a completed manuscript that needs editing and a dozen other stories in varying stages of completeness)
3. God's Plan
~endeavor to trust and follow Him
4. Forgive myself
5. End negative tapes
~replace with counting my blessings
6. Continue Just-Because-It's Tuesday Presents
7. Use food storage.

So far, so good. I knew I was setting myself up for a bumpy ride with #3, but it's a non-negotiable. The only way to affect positive change is to allow God in, as all good things come from God.

Happy New Year!

Time to review the past year, reflecting on what was accomplished, and consider my plans for the coming year. Then, remind myself that God plans are always better than mine, and turn my life over to Him.

Merry Christmas...

And in the words of Charles Dickens, "God bless us, every one."

Life is a struggle...

Clearly, I wasn't handling my counselors departure as well as I thought, but I seem to have finally come through, I think, in large part, because of Christmas. There is much I do not understand about love, especially God's perfect love, but I do know that Christmas is an expression of that love, as is Easter. I'm baffled by a world that demands Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Is there any greater lie than denying the reason for the season? How is it possible to be happy if one lies to one's self? So, Merry CHRISTmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ, God's only Begotten Son. Christ is the reason for the season, and I am daily grateful for that gift given to each of us; we decide if we will accept or reject it, but it was given just the same. Praying for the peace that only Christ may give.

Slowly settling again...

After the slow death of my modem, and the tension of intermittent internet service, all is back to normal. It's taken a few days, but I'm re-establishing my routines. I worked on The Project, and made notes for another book. That is one of the frustrating things: Keeping my focus on one thing at a time, but if I don't write down the other ideas, I find myself unable to think about anything else. Maddening.

Breath in, breath out...

I did it. I cut the scene the judges all said seemed out of place. I saved it to another document. It might be useful in another story, or later in the trilogy. I don't know. The joy of cut and paste: I don't have to say goodbye to things I love for ever. Keep breathing. A part of me reasons that I'm being silly. It's not a critical scene. If it were, the judges wouldn't have wanted it axed. I like the scene, but then I remind myself that it doesn't actually move the story along. It's done. Now, onward to more editing.

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.