2008 at the gate

The music faintly falling, dies away, John Melhuish Strudwick

 

Outside my bedroom window, it appears a cold morning, pale sky and the sun a fist-sized blot of hard bright light shining through the tree branches. Yesterday I worked most of the day on “A Lamentation of Swans,” then a friend picked me up and we went to see ATONEMENT. This one joins my list of writer’s movies, right alongside STRANGER THAN FICTION. Brilliant film; romantic, tragic, and, like THE ENGLISH PATIENT, beautifully structured. I won’t give anything away but the full impact of the story doesn’t hit you until the end. I loved it.

So, last day of the year. I’ve invited a friend to join me for New Year’s Eve dinner, have to go to Trader Joe’s to pick up a bottle of fine champagne–reluctant to leave the cave today but must have something good to ring in the new year and to accompany the marinated salmon planned for this evening’s meal. And then, I’m going to work on ALoS until it’s time to get dinner ready.

Here’s to a happy new year! Happy writing, d: 

 

building blocks

Freedom, Walter Crane

 6,298. Chapter 1 sits for now, roughly hewn. I bought “Make A Scene” by Jordan E. Rosenfeld. What a find; the book’s a treasure, just the kind of writing book I’ve been hankering for–one that places scene writing under a microscope and breaks it down for me in a way I’ve not encountered before. There is so much to a scene, so much to writing one, that I’m only scratching the surface on my own. Some things I see; some things I don’t. The scene is the building block of story and if the elements are poorly handled, the story is damaged; the vision is marred. A part of me wants to take time off, celebrate and enjoy the close of the year, but I can’t. The novel tugs, the words march across the inner eye and I must write. Even though, I’m telling myself it’s not official; it’s just a head start, but I’m managing to keep the super critical super-ego from hogging the show.

On another note in my plainsong, the year is drawing to its close and I’m in more of a contemplative mood than usual at this time of the year. I think about Mom everyday. Her laughter, the sound of her voice, the way she would grin and wink and chuckle when she was really happy about something–all the little things about her have been drifting through my mind like snowflakes, each with its own intricate pattern, gleaming in the sunlight of memory.

In the past I’ve shunned doing the traditional New Year’s resolutions for making personal changes in my life. I figure I’ll do what I need to do or I won’t–like Yoda said, “Do or do not; there is no try.” Why set myself up for failure? Except for writing goals, I see no need to make promises to myself about other things. But for this coming year, probably because I’ve been thinking so much about Mom and how her life was, I’ve determined a single resolution for 2008: Get my financial house in order.

Last night and this morning I reviewed all my financial assets and liabilities. My debts are not terrible but they are weighty in the way of debts and I’d like to get them paid and done.In 2008 I resolve to handle my money better; be more careful with my spending. There’s always room for improvement when it comes to one’s finances. I’m not an extravagant person. I don’t buy stuff just because it’s out there. I tend to keep things I buy for a long time and don’t care about the latest this or that. I like books and I like food; I like movies–dvd’s; I love coffee and teas; and I keep an eye on tech toys and improvements but don’t go crazy about them. I love my Powerbook G4 and I recently bought a new cell phone–with a camera. I had my old non-camera one for years and only changed because my old cell phone company was sold to the big telecommunications cookie monster and their plans were too expensive for single me so I went with a new company and a moderate plan offering unlimited minutes and no contract. Suits my pocketbook. I don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Last night I created an Excel spreadsheet and laid out my finances to the last expense. I took a good long look at every expense, compared the outlay to income and saw that I’ve been letting over $700 a month just slip away; I also saw that I spend much money on miscellaneous impulsive things like Starbucks, lunch out, and pretty costume jewelry. I’m not going to give up my coffee habit but I certainly don’t have to spend $50 a month on coffee drinks–that’s two tanks of commuting gas for Junior. Last year I took lunch to work four days out of five; this year the habit went the way of the do-do bird, and let me tell you, even a cheap lunch is expensive in Century City. What it all comes down to is I don’t need to spend as much money as I do on non-necessities.I’ll buy my books and my dvd’s, but it’ll have to come from my monthly allowance which means it’ll have to be saved for ’cause when the allowance is gone, that’s it for that month. Luckily,  I got two Starbucks gift cards for Christmas, so I’m covered there for a while, but when they’re done–that’s it except for the occasional buy out of my carry-around cash. I don’t believe in needlessly depriving myself of the innocent pleasures of daily living, but I don’t want to waste my money either on impulsive spending.

Published or not, I want to give myself at least a year off to write and the way there means clearing my credit card debts and saving enough money to live on for 18 months while I write. And yes, I do expect to sell.

 

 

 

tinsel

Atlas Landscape, Maxfield Parrish

So, this morning, I’m looking forward to an easy drive in–good luck with that! An 18-wheeler turned over on the 405 coming out of Long Beach and when I got to the ramp, traffic was backed up four lanes deep. Nothing but a sea of red lights. (SIGH!) Can we PLEASE drive with a modicum of sense, people! I exited at Atlantic and went back home, muttering a few choice words. I waited an hour, and started off again. Smooth sailing this time–as it should be! I used the hour well and worked on A Lamentation of Swans–doing more of my “unofficial” writing, adding more dialogue to the scene between Ferrant and Gadiel.

Christmas Day I got up early and made peach cobbler. My sisters and niece arrived–after a traffic-locked drive from Moreno Valley. I greeted them at the door with a glass of Chardonnay in my hand and a big grin. I was so happy to see them–tears were involved. This was their first time spending Christmas Day at my house. (I wish my brothers could have come, but…perhaps in future.) I’d made our holiday dinner–roast chicken, a variety of vegetable side dishes (roasted green beans and onions, roasted beets, and corn, and squash), and a spinach salad with dried cherries. My sister Val brought a home-made pan of shrimp melontou (a tasty Louisiana dish made with the chayote squash). And for dessert, the peach cobbler with blackberry sauce and French vanilla ice cream, and also key lime pie, courtesy of Val. We talked much, laughed  much, and stuffed our merry faces. After dinner, we opened our gifts, and then off to the movies for the afternoon. Julie wanted to see THE GREAT DEBATERS, but Whitney wanted I AM LEGEND. LEGEND won. I read Richard Matheson’s novel years ago and it’s one of my favorites. All I got to say is the movie is not quite, but Will Smith is always a pleasure.

Since it’s the final week of the year, and most of LA is out of town, I get the pleasure of writing at home in the mornings. I’m not leaving until after 8 and expect to make it to work in record time until after the New Year. It’s only three work days for me this week and I’d like my zen to stay unruffled.  Let’s see if the 18-wheelers and the cars can manage to stay out of each other’s way tomorrow!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Damayanti, Warwick Goble

To all my blog friends, Devon, Adrian, Wynn, Carter, Jane, Joely, Lisa, Georgie, Gabriele, and the rest of y’all, wishing you all happy Christmas and a joyful New Year! d:))

bzzzz

Lorenzo and Isabella, Sir John Everett Millais 

That’s me, busy as a bee among the sweetpeas and honeysuckle. I’ve been lax in posting, but as energetic as a happy cat on a new rug this week. First of all, I’ve got to say to my friend Michelle, the image of Keats (one of the new kitties) bouncing three feet in the air after popping bubble wrap made me laugh until I choked. I wish I could have seen that!

I’m doing great with A Lamentation of Swans so far. My attention has been divided between Ferrant and Gaius. I do believe the right brain is kicking the stuffing out of the left. About time.

Monday night the company holiday outing was to The Magic Castle. It was my first time there and I loved it, and it was my first time watching real live magicians perform. I’m sure my eyes were as big as saucers.

I’m going to be “happy catting” for the rest of this week as my sisters  (and my niece and her roommate) are coming to my place for Christmas and I’ve got to plan dinner and clean house and wrap presents and get a few more ornaments for the tree and get everything all fresh and sparkly for a fun day together. Yeah, there’s the commute and the day job in all that too.

I’m so happy we get the ‘eves off this year (for the first time)!

into the country of the novel

Water Nymph, John Collier 

Finished scene. 1098 words. It’s a good scene, and I accomplish what I wanted to do in it. It conveys Ferrant’s conflict and shows him in action. It’s a good draft of a strong scene, and now I’m going to let it be until February.

Looking over the outline as it stands, and wondering what I should do next to develop and advance the story, I think I’ll not try to impose or contrive anything. I think I’ll write it from what I have and see what comes up in the writing. I’m not a deliberate plotter; I’m not a plotter at all–although a novel needs a plot. That is the bone structure of story, the skeleton upon which everything else stands, and every well written novel has a plot.

I think it is best for me to simply set my characters in motion. This first draft may not have the concrete plot points I’m aiming for because I can’t see them clearly right now, but I’m sure they are there buried in the details of the action I’ve sketched in outline, and when I get to the writing, I’ll learn what I need to know and the plot will come clear. Right now the details I’m writing are giving me a map to follow. They are directions into the country of the novel.

gift horse

Stonemason’s Yard, Antonio Canaletto

Well I couldn’t help it. Since last week I’ve had this one scene beckoning me–Ferrant’s execution of Adobo Calinora, the stonemason’s apprentice. This morning I wrote it. Didn’t finish ’cause I had to leave for the drive down Pico to the office.  Some mornings it can take half an hour to make that drive to Avenue of the Stars. My route takes me past Fox Studios where the red-shirted writers are marching, signs aloft. They have my full support and I hope they’re able to hold out until the studios are on their knees. The studios need to appreciate and respect from whence comes the bounty and give the writers their share. But I digress.

I wrote the scene in the way I wanted to–the pacing, the language, the action all came out right.  Nice to be in the zone. I used a painting by Canaletto as my inspiration for the setting–”Stonemason’s Yard”. I’ll finish it tomorrow.

candy cane

The eastwind flew more swiftly still, The Garden of Paradise, Edmund Dulac 

Yesterday, feeling that I was doing Gaius a disservice and missing a story opportunity, I changed his profession from merchant-banker to physician. He fits much better in the re-visioning of the story now and gives me a chance to throw light on another aspect of the plot. Also, it’s no longer necessary for him and Annasara to be married. He meets her and they become lovers. The marriage angle served the former time-travel plot idea. Since I’ve defenestrated that one, the marriage idea can follow it down. Not that Gaius won’t ask her; he will, eventually, but at the start of things, they’re not wedded already.

This morning I asked myself many questions as I worked with Ferrant’s storyline, and I’m looking forward to the coming change in Ferrant’s relationship with Gadiel Rachor, his mentor. I’m still searching for the Enemy. The secret society of the Chaelmaeca is a good possibility. They have a valiant mission, but are not quite what they seem. There’s always the Judiciat, too. We shall see.

And, oh yes, I have several new characters coming on stage–another assassin who may turn out to be quite interesting, a priestess with megalomaniacal ambition, and possibly an abbess (I’m borrowing the word ’cause it’s a good title description and will use it in a secular way. This Raevani abbess has nothing to do with religion.)

I want to develop the skeletal structure of the first five chapters. I think, if I can do that, the rest of the story will take care of itself.

seventy-eight

Cardplayers in a Sunlit Room, Pieter de Hooch


 I wrote 78 precious words today that came to me while I worked on my story notes for A Lamentation of Swans. Those words are the stepping stones into the story and have given me the narrative voice that has eluded me for so long. I’m not officially at the writing point, but I’ve moved through the gate and am standing in the garden.

rainy friday

Fairies on the Seashore, Warwick Goble 

As promised, rain came in the pre-dawn hours, but now it’s gone, leaving its calling card of cold biting wind and tarnished skies. Must’ve written at least ten pages of notes this morning during my ALoS session. New ideas popping up like dandelions. I’ve got Ferrant well in hand, and was wondering if Inquisitor Mira–who keeps getting “fired” and “re-hired”–ought to remain with the cast. I’ve got this image of Mira pacing back and forth in the gray matter carrying a sign, “LAST HIRED, FIRST FIRED, NO FAIR!”

Gaius isn’t altogether happy at finding himself demoted from “Star” to “Supporting Cast,” but hey, them’s the breaks.

 I’ve got a pretty good storyline for Mira but stilI I wonder. Also, I need an ANTAGONIST! Ferrant is in conflict with the Chaelmaeca; Mira is in conflict with the Judiciary (when he’s got a job); they both are in conflict with their society; but I’ve got no compelling connections between these conflicts. The big question this morning was: who is the Enemy? What will Ferrant and Mira ultimately fight against and will they do it together? (Hmm…I think so.) I’ve got the whole weekend to dream up the answer.