I feel like a slug. I’m trying to get started on my agent’s suggested revisions of my proposal, but nothing is happening.
Okay, that’s a lie. A lot is happening IN MY HEAD where it all needs to happen before it goes onto the page. Yet it makes me restless and cranky when I’m not seeing any proof of my work.
Crap, now I sound like a math teacher telling students to “show their work.” Which makes me think, it’s a good thing readers never demand to “see the work” that goes on behind the scenes of a book. I usually have folders, a notebook, computer files and random pieces of paper that would make zero sense to anyone but me.
In fact, back when I was writing SINFUL MAGIC, Wizard was doing something at my desk, when he found a sheet of paper. Since my office is in the room that’s supposed to be the formal dining room, I could see him from the kitchen when he swiveled around in the chair and looked at me. “What is this?”
I look at the item in his hand. “Looks like a sheet of paper, Wizard.” Seriously, them man has multiple degrees, you’d think he know what paper looks like.
“Funny. What I mean is when did you start writing poetry?”
I blinked. Me? Poetry? Was he drunk? Then I realized what he was holidng and said, “It’s not poetry, it’s Dyfyr’s story.”
The blank look on his face was priceless. “Whats’ a Dyfyr?”
I’m totally amused now. “He’s a dragon. He lived centuries ago, and now he’s waking. Of all the things I’m unsure of in this book, Dyfyr is the one absolutely thing I am sure of.”
Wizard carefully put the sheet of paper down where he found it, then he got up, came into the kitchen and poured a couple glasses of wine and then handed me one. “You are scary, Witch.”
“Your fault for looking through my work.”
He lifted his wine glass. “Touche.”
Which is why I really don’t think anyone really wants me to “show my work” that leads up to the actual book.
Got any random musings to share today?
September 13th, 2011 at 2:26 am · Link
God your funny :). Love the math teacher comparison. I’m an engineer and showing your work has always been very important for me. But like you l structure it all out in my head first too.
Looking forward to when this is in a book ;).
September 13th, 2011 at 6:58 am · Link
I’ve got a “to do or not to do” thing going on. Last week I let little bit ride the bus for the first time, it was only home from school. So me and the little one are waiting at the bus stop at the appointed time and we see the bus coming. It stops at the stop ahead of us and a couple kids get off. It stops at our stop and a couple kids get off, no little bit though. So we follow the bus through the neighborhood thinking he got confused since it was his first time. All through the neighborhood no little bit. So I’m panicking now. I call the school and they track little bit down – low and behold he is safe on the bus, the correct bus he just didn’t get off because he wasn’t paying attention. So panicky mom says “no more bus, ever!” Everyone else says, “give the kid another chance.” So, what to do, what to do……
September 13th, 2011 at 7:01 am · Link
Heh… I totally hear you. If anyone looked through my old drafts and notes and scribbled chunks, they’d think I was nuts. Especially the notebooks where I’m trying to talk myself through a rough patch and it’s all stream of consciousness written out in red pen. Plus, I have total serial killer handwriting. LOL
Random thought… A pair of Great Horned Owls has been hooting outside my house since I got up. Too cool. Especially since she lost her first boyfriend a year ago when his wing broke during a windstorm. I’m so glad she found love again.
September 13th, 2011 at 9:32 am · Link
Ha! I have Lawyer Guy totally trained. He never approaches my desk. He stands at the door to my office like there’s a force field only me, the dogs, and the lolcat can cross. He asks things or talks to me from there. For some reason, my combo white board/bulletin board and all the different colors of marker and post-its fascinate him. I even explained the system to him but his eyes glazed over.
Random musing….*thinkthinkthink* Ahhh! Yes…. Ice cream, like revenge, is best served cold. Now…where did I hide the Ben & Jerry’s?
September 13th, 2011 at 10:44 am · Link
nothing but random. Cant think strait. Who made it tuesday already?!!! Papers flying in tornado like formation around my desk. Ok must channel the wind witch- papers to file cabinet. what do you mean I have to do it the old fashion way not real super powers. Bet Ram’s desk is organized and filed. Send him my way I need an office mate. He can share my chair with me. See so very unfocused Random run on racey ricochiting thoughts.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:27 am · Link
Viki, you know, it’s weird, I’m very organized, except in my writing. I mean, you are correct that I’m thinking it out in my head–but it will change as I write and become this unmanageable mess. Then the real battle begins to tame it into a cohesive, emotional story. I am constantly frustrated that I cannot control my process in a more organized structure.
But it’s never going to happen. Ever. Once the characters come to life…my control lessons significantly.
And that was WAY more than you wanted to know! Especially since you’re an engineer
September 13th, 2011 at 11:29 am · Link
Shiloh, LOL!!! Okay, it wasn’t funny to you, but kids…I swear we either laugh or they kill us, right? Giving him another chance sounds reasonable from my end, but it all depends want YOU think your little bit is ready for. Every kid is different. Let us know what you decide!
September 13th, 2011 at 11:33 am · Link
Silver, I’m going to email you back today, I swear
When we moved it, we put my office in a communal area of the house so I could watch the kids and work. All our bills, etc, are in the same place. Let’s call my office the “brains” of the household. So Wizard is often working in the area. And I really don’t care–unless I can’t get work done.
What’s stupid is I have a completely empty bedroom waiting for me to get a small work area and chair in there. I plan to make that a quiet area I can escape to, but haven’t actually done it.
Any random musing about ice cream gets my attention! I think I’d take ice cream over revenge
September 13th, 2011 at 11:34 am · Link
Kat! You cracked me up! You really know how to do “random”!!!
And Ram’s desk would never be a mess. You are right about that! I’m pretty sure he’s willing to help you out, but just remember, he expects obedience. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
September 13th, 2011 at 11:37 am · Link
B.E. wow I answered you in my head, but not in reality, LOL! That two owls are so cool! Can you get pics of them? I’m amazed you know she lost her boyfriend to a broken wing in a wind storm. They must be very visible. What a story!
IT sounds like you “think on paper” same as I do! When I’m work on actual plot, my notes tend to have some structure, but when I’m working on characters and internal conflict, they are wildly random and scary
Serial killer handwriting–LOL!
September 13th, 2011 at 1:18 pm · Link
We only had two local great-horned owls. Someone found the male in a park nearby after the storm with his wing all broken. The county wildlife official took him up to the raptor program at CSU but he didn’t make it. But now we have a new owl that I assume is a guy, since they hang out together. (I tell them apart because one’s call is a bit higher than the others.)
What can I say… I’m a bird nerd. ;o) I’d get pics, but my cameras don’t work well in low light.
September 13th, 2011 at 8:28 pm · Link
B.E., I think it’s really awesome that you get the opportunity to see them!