When I was little, I was alone a lot so I played a lot of different games to keep myself entertained. So one day I found a set of dominoes. I’d spent hours carefully standing up one domino on it’s side, then another and another, building a complicated domino trail with multiple twists and turns. One of the reasons it took so long was because I kept REVISING my plan. I’d get part way into the masterpiece, and think, OH! I HAVE A BETTER IDEA, THE TRAIL SHOULD TURN LEFT NOT RIGHT! So I’d picked up one domino to change directions and inadvertently knock over the next dominio…
That set off the chain reaction of all my dominoes tumbling down in a horrifyingly beautiful wave until the last domino fell.
Or if I managed to build some design I liked, one of my brothers would come home and say, “Hey! You don’t need this first piece, take it out.” Then they’d move that domino, and ta-da the entire creation would collapse in that unstoppable wave knows as The Domino Effect.
This is exactly what happens when trying to revise the beginning of a book. No matter how simple the fix, we are still moving a domino and that almost always causes The Domino Effect.
And that’s why I’m changing the title of CAGED MAGIC to The Domino Effect.
Nah, just kidding I’m not changing the name, and I still love the characters as much if not more than ever. But that’s exactly what I’m dealing with in this round of revisions. Truthfully I spent too much time trying to figure out fixes that would avoid The Domino Effect, but that’s foolish. It’s better to just do the work no matter how intense or challenging. Because these characters and my readers absolutely deserve my effort, no matter how long it takes, or how arduous it is to accomplish.
But today, I get to do something even more fun <insert sarcasm here> and go to the oral surgeon to finally extract the baby tooth that has decided we are no longer BFF’s. I can’t wait <double dose of sarcasm>. Wizard is teasing the heck out of me about this because I’ve suddenly turned into a big whiny baby. He and Biker Witch both find this hysterically funny. I have chosen to ignore them because all other alternatives are frowned upon by all forms of law enforcement. Ironically, when I finally talked my self into doing this by promising I can have all the coffee ice cream I want — which Wizard bought me to keep me motivated – I’ve been hit by the allergy attack from hell. However, I’m about 90% sure I can get it under control enough to get the stupid tooth dealt with.
Okay enough of all that, here’s a Wednesday Worthy Candidate. We’ve seen him before (I think…my mind is on coffee ice cream, not hunks today) but let’s take another look:
So what do you think?
Also, not sure when I’ll be able to answer comments, it all depends on how it goes at the oral surgeon.
April 8th, 2015 at 5:08 am · Link
:hugs: Loads of witchy energy headed your way for an easy extraction and a quick recovery. I hope the coffee ice cream helps and that Wizard keeps supplying it – with a minimum of harassment.
Ugh, the dominoes. No fun. I’m sure when you put them all in place again, it’ll be awesome.
I don’t remember this candidate, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been here before. My brain is like a sieve. I think he’s worthy, but that has as much to do with the lack of visible tats as anything else. Ah, the unadorned human body is a wonderful thing. Oh, and the natural look with chest hair and everything. But that’s me.
April 8th, 2015 at 7:29 am · Link
Girl, you crack me up! You almost had me with the name change! Ha! Can I just say that I totally get the domino effect. One small change and you gotta change a whole slew of things.
UGH and UGH on the oral surgeon. I suggest using a very sturdy spatula to keep Wiz in line. I’ve found if you use the edge, no matter how big the guy, you get your point across. (seriously, it does work…hey I’m short so I have to get my fear into my guys somehow!)
Oh holy kit and caboodle! WORTHY. (also stole him for you know… research —yeah we will go with that)
LY, girlie!
April 8th, 2015 at 9:23 am · Link
In my house, dominoes were for playing…dominoes. You won’t be surprised that when I wasn’t outside running around like a hoyden, I was ensconced in my room behind a closed door making up stories. Wait…I still do that! And I hear you on that one little change. I made one in the middle and now I have to go back to tuck that thread in from the beginning. Stupid characters. Would have been nice if they’d told me when we started!
Why am I not surprised this guy ended up in your file? He’s in mine too because great minds! Darn tootin’ he’s worthy! And I lurve the chest hair and the little peek at the tribal on his biceps. *deep feminine sigh*
Now, go get that tooth taken care of because COFFEE ICE CREAM! I’d have to add chocolate sauce and whipped cream but that’s just me. Happy Hump Day, witches!
April 8th, 2015 at 3:01 pm · Link
I can see you lining up those dominoes and taking them down again and again until they “felt” right. You’re right, this method does transfer over to being an author. Heck you constantly have to re-do things until they are right for both you and the reader.
Yuck on the tooth. Any reason you waited so long? I hope it wasn’t infected. Well, I hope you’re resting. Stuff done to the mouth can be a royal pain in the “head”.
I like this one ;).
Feel better :).