rain

Mystic Blessings, Luis Ricardo Falero

Rain this morning, air crisp and cold, energizing in the way of wintry weather. Did good work this morning at Starbuck’s, mostly notes about Raeve, and I’ve been thinking about my approach to the narrative, thinking about the voice that tells the story, thinking about narrative style, thinking about what I want to say in the opening chapters, thinking a lot about the omniscient voice and how it’s used in books like Susannah Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell”, and in nineteenth century novels like Stendhal’s “The Red and the Black”, which I’m currently reading, and the novels of George Eliot, Gustave Flaubert, Thomas Hardy, Emile Zola and Wilkie Collins. There are some contemporary writers who have adapted the nineteenth century narrative style in their novels, without the “dear reader” author intrusion. I’ve seen this most often in fantasy sagas, where a world of information must be presented.

While writing my notes, a conversation between Ferrant’s mentor, Gadiel Rachor, and Ferrant came to me. It was only a bit, but it added another facet to Ferrant for me. Gadiel was cautioning Ferrant about the over-reaching curiosity of the judiciary inquisitor Rijjan Mira, and Ferrant’s reply was “Do you want me to kill him?” Ferrant just spent some time in a mountain monastery. It must’ve made him peevish.

one would think, were it not an invitation to disaster

The Tambourine Player, Luis Ricardo Falero

One would think my long and tedious drive home would be prime time for story planning, for romping through the field of the imagination, but no.  Not that I can’t be enticed to listen in on an intriguing conversation between characters, but conversations tend to go on longer than traffic allows. My mind tends to step aside, turn its back to me and have a group meeting. My right leg has developed a nervous twitch from abrupt slamming on the brake, as the rear end of the car in front of me approaches rapidly, and my heart leaps in outrage. Driving while writing…no-no.

no time like the present

Destiny, John William Waterhouse 

Started reading Michelle Rowen’s Stakes and Stilettos last night, found myself laughing out loud and enjoying it as much as I did her first book.

Lisa Gates is offering two free introductory calls in December to give people a taste of the group telecoaching process:

Tuesday, December 4 at 5 p.m. PST

Friday, December 7 at 12 Noon PST

 

and complete information on the two groups is available here:

Group Telecoaching Info

As I mentioned a little while ago, I did the 20 big questions for writers at her site and it was good for me. If you want to write but can’t figure out how to create the space and time or if you are writing and wrestling with the doubt demons and the frustration devils, or if there’s something creative you want to do, or if you’re trying to find a new direction, I recommend giving Lisa a chance to help you achieve your dream.

Happy writing, d

persimmon is a lovely color

Thank you all for the congrats! I’m greatly relieved to be done with it. Not sure if I’ll do it again next year. Prospectus mentioned a happy dance in the end zone–if only I knew how to get a dancing icon on this page! But, imagine, me in front of my writing desk doing the cabbage patch doll dance. There you go! Do stop laughing–you’ll hurt yourself.

I’ve returned to work on A Lamentation of Swans, starting again from square one. Gaius is no longer my main character. Ferrant finally got my attention. He’s not given to speechifying, and he did wave his sword at me a time or two, but I was enamored with Gaius and ignored the poor guy when all along he’s the one with the compelling story. He’s the one whose going to undergo the most profound change, and the one whose viewpoint provides the right perspective. As soon as I led Ferrant into the limelight, a crack fractured the Block.

 I also gave up my long-held, long-cherished time travel plot angle. It was not necessary and I finally recognized it for what it was–a gimmick; a cute gimmick that I thought added shine to the story but it was mere glamour–nothing but dross beneath. Another crack in the Block and a chunk of it fell away. I’m taking December and January to outline the new vision of ALoS, and I hope to start writing it in February. We shall see.

This morning’s weather news mentioned a return of the Santa Anas tomorrow. Today turned out balmy, so methinks we’re in for more days of warm dry winds and bright sunshine.

As a treat to myself–the first of many to come–for finishing the November novel, I picked up Michelle Rowen’s Stakes and Stilettos. Treat-wise, I’m just getting started. In December I get extremely self-indulgent. It’s a wonder I give away the gifts!

Oh yeah–I submitted  Lost and Found to an e-zine. Pushing the “send” button was a little scary, but I closed my eyes and pushed the little bird out of the nest. It really is a good story; it deserved to try its wings again.

Did it!

 Final count: 51,011. Yay me! 

words!

Jewel in her Hand, Warwick Goble

40,905. I can’t believe the number of words I can produce in one month of steady writing. Why can’t I do this all the time? Doing Nano requires I push myself harder than usual every day. If I tried that as a matter of course I think I’d crash and burn in short order. But there is a lesson for me here. I’m at work on the Novel Formerly Known As Isabella and I’m actually trying to hit the 50K today! Maybe I’ll make it…

peel me a grape

 Prezziosa, Warwick Goble. 40,905.  I cannot write another word today.

rabbit hole

 33,324. I’m at the bottom of the rabbit hole. The delightful clock is from the white rabbit.

smelling the roses

Fairy’s Tightrope, Arthur Rackham

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

worker bee

Le Retour, Alexandre Seon

Nano novel to date: 31,676. (Mopping brow, brain is bleeding.)