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| If you're gearing up for NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) next week, it's not too late to go here: http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=120;t=19905 and read Kelley's workshop on outlining. It's not too in depth and seems easy to modify to your own needs. I think I'll tackle it this weekend. Of course, I'm not starting from scratch, I've spent almost a month researching The Spell Breaker and know my characters as much as I want to before plunging into their story next Thursday. I scrapbooked more last night and will print pics of Iceland and castles the next time I make the long trek from couch to printer. If I did any more research, my head would explode. I want to write. The characters have been on a long leash, but they're yapping in my ear, and it's time to turn them loose. | | |
| Yesterday was Celebration of the Book - an all day celebration at our city's main library. I and three fabulous writers from our local RWA chapter took part on a panel. Our subject was the myths and misconceptions of the romance genre. That was the concept, but the thirty or so people who attended wanted to know more about the writing process, so we answered questions about ideas, writing times, formulas, etc. We could have stayed for an additional hour. Afterward, we answered further questions, and I handed out all the brochures I'd printed. It was invigorating and a reminder of another side of writing. The book sale at the library (25 cents a book!) yield five books that I doubt anyone else would have picked up, but are great for my research. I've gone through two of them already. Today's homework: Worldbuilding. The Science Fiction Writers of America have a wonderful tool on worldbuilding. check it out at www.sfwa.org/writing/worldbuilding1.htm for pages and pages of questions you need to answer if you're creating another world for your characters. I think I condensed them down to sixteen Word pages and have about a third answered. Other homework: A one page synopsis. Grrr. It ain't easy, folks, but I think I pulled it off. Blood, sweat and (almost) tears. I've also pre-outlined the first half of The Spell Breaker. Relax, it's only about twenty points I have to make, mostly centered on Turning Points and character arc. And, I've written Rue's first scene, but it needs rewriting, her voice belies her education, or lack of, as a slave. It's been a busy week. | | |
| Odd things I'm researching for the new book. The War of the Roses. Twins. Creation theories. Indigo children (a fascinating phenomenon) the history of the English language. The Highlander, my hero's placesetter. Medieval life. Iceland, a place I'd dearly love to visit. This week, I scrapbook my characters, sorting through all the pictures I've tucked away, filed, bookmarked. The H/H character arcs are done (one of my weekly goals) They are clear, tortured, and give me guidelines of what needs to be written. Not an outline, but at *this* point, Lissa has to have this change of thought, Richard loses *this* part of his kingdom. The best part is, their arcs are mirror reversed. Lissa begins alone, her magic supressed by her family and ends with empowerment and a new family. Richard puts family first but ends with his own needs identified. And the villian is delicious. Surprises surface every day. I've cleaned and polished Georgia and Harrison. There are only minor touches to be made - theme, refining their arcs, then I will be done. I've moved the file from WIP to Complete. Go with God dear story. The best piece of writing advice this week - write few sentences on what your character is like as the story begins and a few more of what he is like at the end. That is their arc. Hats off to the lovely prose of Shana Abe. | | |
| Mission. Accomplished. The last two words of "The Apprentice Fairygodmother." May 11 to October 2. Could have done it faster, but I like a life. Query and synopsis done, ready for review. Minor revisions next, then a thorough read through. Then submit. I'm held accountable now for weekly goals, already done this week's, looking forward to more. November is NIAM. Wooh-hoo! | | |
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