ff The Cottage of Blog: July 2005

Thursday, July 28, 2005

When do you know a novel is done?

When do you know when a novel is done?

I think it must work in stages. Last year I was all hyped up when I pitched "Arms of the Enemy" to Silhouette and they asked me for a full ms. I was on cloud 9. You must have heard me whoop it up -- the shout that was heard 'round the world. LOL. Then I settled in and tried to make my self-imposed deadline. Finally sent it in and waited. For one month. Not bad huh? The news wasn't good, but constructive and there was an invitation to send more material. Uh--no mention of sending back THAT novel.

So, I put it away and worked on something else. Got stuck on chapter 15 and pulled out Arms again. I finally finished it (a second time) after getting stuck on chapter 15 (what is it about me and chapter 15?)

But, I'm too close to it. I have no idea whether it's in publishable category or not. Maybe I shouldn't even worry about it. Just dig out that old synopsis that enticed Silhouette to begin with--write a query--make a list of agents and go to town. Or maybe I . . .

To be continued. I'm going off to read Nora Roberts. I KNOW her novel is done.

Pat

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

To blog or not to blog, that is the question.

This is Anniecollie signing in from her Cottage Of Blog. I'm wondering if your website is like your mansion and your blog is like your summer cottage. Or, your website could be the mother ship and the blog the little lifeboats that are attached. Or? It's fun to speculate all the possibilities. For those who have nothing better to do. LOL

Maybe a website might be a good thing. I have some published short stories I could include.

No. All these tangents are keeping me away from my main duty. Finish two novels and start a third. I've made a decision. Once my immediate self-imposed writing agenda is out of they way, once I've honed down five agents or so, once I've sent out my queries and started on a new project, then, I'll look into a website. Meanwhile my Yahoogroups! (Anniewritinggirl) and this blog will have to do.

I will be in NY for at least another week. I don't seem to be getting any more done than I did at home. I wonder what that tells me? I came here to work--

Last night I worked on revisions of chapter 15 of "Arms." I had to put two versions together and decide which I liked better. I've taken some from this and some from that. No wonder it's taking so long.

I'm finding touch pads to be a colossal pain in the neck. I have short fingers and long nails. They're constantly punching in the wrong keys--even deleting paragraphs of text. Are touch pads becoming a trend now for desk top keyboards? I sincerely hope not. My brother has a wonderful Dell desktop with a keypad with a touch pad. It exhausts me. Much prefer a wireless mouse.

I hope to read some blogs today. Right AFTER I finish chapter 15.

Hope everyone is okay and staying cool. We're supposed to have another heat index over 100. The good news: thunderstorms are expected tonight.

Happy reading, happy writing, happy revising.

Anniecollie. Maybe someday, I'll download Annie's pawprint. LOL

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Update

For the past two days I've been working on chapter 15--if not on the computer, in my mind. It's the climate of the external conflict. Up the stakes-up the ante. If they don't come through this chapter, there will be no chapter 16 for them. No internal conflicts to ponder in chapter 16, no resolution, no marriage and certainly, no children.

I must be growing. I've realized I'm not writing in chronological order. I had her scene up to the point where he comes tumbling down the yacht stairs having just been hit up the side of the head with the butt of a gun--then I had his scene from the point of where he's found out where she is and makes plans to rescue her. I'm even wondering if I should have the yacht sink after the bad guy has been killed. (probably make the scene too long) I'll work on it. the worst that can happen, it could be dreadful. :-)

No, no NO! I have to break up these scenes. So that is what I did today. It's still not a hundred percent but, it's better. All this to the background music of Swan Lake. (sigh) I can hear the splashing of the the stormy lake waves in the background.
And, I can look out over Lower New York Harbor. Not stormy, but water, non-the-less.

there is one disadvantage about setting your computer at the window so you can look over the water. It's called sunlight and it blinds your screen so you can't SEE it.

I must be non-settled today. I got antsy reading the next Nora Roberts (The Three Fates) A very interesting account of the sinking of the Luisitania.

I might move my laptop onto the floor, under a window seat and see if I can function a little better. I really wanted to get this done today. I wonder if its a matter of--if it's not done, I can't send it out. If I can't send it out, it can't get rejected. If it doesn't get rejected, I can live under the assumption that I might just be good, hiding all that great talent from the world. Hah! There's a bit of rationalization for you.

Happy Reading, writing and revising.

Anniecollie's blogspot

Reading, Writing and Revising/and rules are made to be broken

Regarding contests and reading for pleasure:

The people who judge the first stages of most contests are the members of the RWA chapter or the club that's putting them on. That means the contest brings all levels of expertise and experience. Take it for what it's worth. I use contractions all the time in my narrative--because i consider narrative as an extension of dialogue.

I try to read for the sheer adventure of the story. I've been reading far too many "how to" books. But something I've learned in the technical world of music--rules are made to be broken. For years it was sacreligious to use parallel fifths in composition. Then, someone came along and said "Gee that's kinda neat." Voila modern--contemporary music. Took some getting used to. I believe the Rite of Spring by Stravinsky got booed in Paris during it's first performance. I was very lucky. I saw the man conduct the piece in the old Carnegie Hall. He was very old. I was very young. (that still makes me older than I'd like to admit to)

I'm digress. My point is: THE point of music, art and writing is to entertain in some way, shape manner or form. Yes, there are novels that educate. Any novel will do that even if its learning how others live and learning about where they live and how they live (history, geography and psychology all wrapped up into one nice, neat package.) But, it's still to entertain. Believe it or not, I like a non-fiction book to entertain me. Even text books. (that shows you something about my mentalit

I have two Nora trilogies I'm going to sink my teeth into as I sit in Brooklyn overlooking lower New York Harbor. The heat index is 105. No excuses now not to read, write and revise. My new three R's (Reading, 'riting and Revising.)

As much as I'd rather write in here--I'd better go and do something useful, like boil my last ms in oil.

Happy Reading, Writing and Revising.

Annie

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Saturday Nora Roberts, new ideas, old ideas, flat tires and poison ivy

"He took one look at the battered Remington and felt his stomach clutch. He wanted to sit down, to lay his fingers on those keys, just as desperately as a man wants to hold a loved and desired woman in his arms. He was as terrified of facing the single blank sheet of paper as he would have been of a firing squad."

Nora Roberts (The Calhouns: For the Love of Lilah.

I've always wanted to be able to describe the anxiety attacks I face when I sit down to write. Ms. Roberts wrote it for me. Thanks Max. (writer who faced that dilemma)

I finished reading the first Calhoun book (there's two) The first consisted of Catherine, amanda and Lilah. This was my first adventure into her writing. She mezmerized me. Yes. She headhops. For her it works. I had no trouble following the story, in fact I thought the story more colorful for the heads she was hopping. I wouldn't advocate it for everyone. The lady is a master. She writes some of the most beautiful descriptions. She made me a member of the Calhoun family for a short period of time. Thanks you for sharing your family with me.

The past three days were completely relaxing and rejuvenating of the soul. I didn't realize I could sit and watch a lake for hours and not get bored for even an instant. I read Nora Roberts, started playing with a new project--thought about the old ones (if a mast gets hit by lighning, would all the occupants get electrocuted?)
In my paranormal I'm almost to be point of unsticking. I know where my block lay (not the Vogler blocks either--more like writer's block) I need my ghost. Can ghosts move about with one person? Or do they have to stay in one place. I have mine following Elena around until the ghost is revenged and his mission complete. It works for me. Maybe paranormal experts would disagree.

Continueing vacation: So. I'm now sitting in Micki's living room typing the blog. My blower went out (in my newly serviced car) My tire blew out three blocks from her house and I got poison ivy when I went walking in the woods. I'm sure I can work all that into a novel somewhere. LOL

I bought "Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies." I've heard about the book from several writers and noticed the author was Leslie Wainger. She's executive editor for Harlequin Books. Yet another "how to" book to add to my growing collection

Happy reading, happy writing.

Pat

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Thursday's planned itinerary of a Romance Writer

It's 10:00 am. I've already had breakfast, walked Annie and have settle down to mhy computer. I've checked a few blogs, read my email, even responded to a few.

Now it's the demise of procrastination.

I have three projects currently working. Two are novels--one needs one more chapter, one is toward the end and the third I just started. It just came to me that I needed to write a novella--a romantica. I've never done this and it seems like a fun break in pace. I had fun with the set-up chapter. Chapter 2 got intersting last night. Hmm. I've never written those words in my life!

Today I try to finish up "Arms" and then get back to "Legacy" I'm sitting inn the mdidle of the setting for one of the Legacy chapters so I may as well write the scene.

Then there are the twenty or so books I've brought alone, just in case I need them.
Oh yeah. I brought a thesaurus, a grammar book, Chris Vogler, Evan Marshall, Donald Maas, a few Dean Koontz, Harlequins mahybe even a Sstephen King. Can't remember.

So off to work. I'm aiming for about 2000 words in this new romantica goodie. Then it's off to revision land.

Happy reading and writing.

pat

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Journey in New York



This is a picture of a restaurant where I had dinner. it's across the lake. Mode of transportation? Motor boat. Pretty neat huh?

There's nothing like a little R & R to refresh the mind and rejuvinate the soul, right? Well of course there is. If it wasn't just so darn difficult to get there.

What should have been a nice pleasant 12 hour trip, turned into a fourteen hour mess of detours and delays. My air conditioner decided it didn't want to blow when it got really hot, especially when it had to compete with a CD player non-stop from Illinois to Ithaca. Frustrated and hot, I finally switched from CD to my tape player and Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix tapes.

My blower works today just fine, bless it's sordid soul.

I read two books on the way up here. The first was Dorthea Braun's wonderful "The Cat who Went Bananas." She has made a mint on two siamese cats named Koko (a cat detective par excellence) and a sweet little vixen named Yum Yum (Of course named after characters in the Mikado.) James Quilleran's mustache must be her static trait. Why? Because everytime there's trouble,it itches. I had a great time trying to catch the clues that Koko left. The book "Othello" that he dropped onto the floor--the story of a man who strangles his wife. The book "Hamlet" about a woman who murders her husband then marries shortly thereafter. Then, of course, is the banana peel that Koko steals and leaves lying around so that the suspect (murderer) can slip on it as he's coming down the ramp of Quill's "Apple barn."

I've finally started on the fifth Harry Potter book "The Order of the Phoenix." The hard copy has been sitting on my coffee table for a year now. I figured that since the newest Potter is finally out, I may as well read the last one. I believe it becomes more alive with the spoken text.

My collie Annie came with me. She's getting older now--just like me. Annie's 11 now. She needs help getting into the van these days. She doesn't act old, but I can see the day to day things getting more difficult for her. (Sort of like me) Getting old is a bummer--especially since when we reach a certain age, we actually start getting smarter. What's wrong with this picture? When our bodies start going, our mind begins to come alive.

Needless to say, today was pretty much a wasted day. Last night around 1 my calf muscles cramped up so bad I wanted to scream. I didn't. I'm fine. But, it really hurt. I slept most of the afternoon. I might write tonight. On the other hand, I might just read on the dock looking over the water.

See lake at sunset.




I wonder how a romantic suspense novel would go over if it's about mental illness? I'm about to start, or re-start Kay Jamison's "Touched with Fire." This is about bi-polar disorder (manic-depression) and the arts. A subject I'm extremely interested in writing about, but haven't had the courage. Ms. Jamison has written her own account of the illness in "An Unquiet Mind." She's an amazining woman. A PhD, writer and clinician and patient with the illness. She accounts her life from childhood, the onset of the illness, how it manifested itself and her struggle to combat it.

Well, enough of that. I'm going outside to watch the sun set over the lake.

Happy writing and happy reading.

Pat

Monday, July 18, 2005

New York, New York


Thanks for your comments.

Right now my computer is working fine. It obviously hasn't woken yet otherwise it would be acting up. No sounds, no problems downloading the photos that my amazine computer guru put back ON the desktop. (yeah. Okay, so I admit. I had transferred my photos to my flashdrive to put them on the laptime. Instead of hitting "copy" I hit send to. Guess what? Yep. It deleted them from the desk top. Who knew???)



I'm going to NY to visit: my sister and her husband in Ithaca (photo of us on their power boat on one of the finger lakes. I'm hoping for three days of solitude in their cabin. Then on to Staten Island for the weekend to visit my dear writing buddy (you all know her from Writers Club Workshop) Micki (Mallie) We're going to be getting into blogging, culling out writing books, going to Barnes and Noble (I'm a dead woman) and maybe swimming. Thank you Micki for putting up with me. Then I'm going into BayRidge Brooklyn where My mother and brother live in a coop over looking lower New York Harbor. Lots of water in the next two weeks. I'll be a happy camper.

I'm bringing lots of books. My laptop. Trying to pack a limited suitcase (since I'm driving I'm afraid it will be a lost cause and my beloved Annie. Who's Annie?

If the picture took--that's Annie. Hopefully I'll have two photos on this blog. If I don't, I'll resend.




Back to packing, waiting for my computer guru and thinking up some amazing story or other to think about. Oh, I'm trying to get the CD disks for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for the trip to Ithaca. About time. Bruce promised me the newest Harry Potter for my birthday.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

The Journeys of a Romantic Suspense Writer Sunday

Not much writing today. I'm TRYING to get ready to go to NY on Tuesday. Talk about Murphy's Law (whatever can you wrong, will go wrong) My desk top is still under the weather, to put it nicely. Today it made moans and groans. Scared the you-know-what out of me. My computer guru came by. Of course it didn't act up when he came. But he's coming tomorrow with lots more memory. Yeah.

One bleak moment though. He isn't sure what the sound was, but he said it didn't sound good. Maybe a part getting ready to go. If it's the processor, I may as well get a new computer. Oh No!

I've transferred all my documents and files to my lap top just in case.

I worked on chapter 15 in Arms of the Enemy (isn't everything about chapter 15?) It just isn't flowing quite right yet. It's the "black moment." Thought maybe I'd sink the yacht while they're having the culminating battle. That should up the ante, as they say. :-)

Legacy is still close to my heart, but I've been mad at it lately. It got sent to bed without its supper for a while. I'll pull it out when I get to NY and hopefully, finish it. Then I won't be mad at it anymore.

So, hopefully, in August, Ms. Janie, I'll start a new project. Whoopie. It will be like getting a new job. grin.

Hope everyone is having a good writing day. Better than mine, at least.

I'm reading Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. Am taking descriptive notes. He's a master, even though some claim he's overly prosaic. Perhaps he is (he is) However, he puts me in a scene and pulls me in like I was a best buddy, or a family member. Can't get better than that.

Happy writing, happy reading.

Pat

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Saturday July 16th Where is the summer going?

I can't believe the summer has gone so fast. A blink of an eye and a month has past since my last day of school. I'll bet the kids are thinking the same thing.

What have I accomplished? I've worked on Legacy and have had three chapters critqiued by my critique group. (RWCCritiquegroups@yahoo.com) In case anyone's interested. I've tried others. I'm listed on the critique circle. Charlotte's group is overall the best I think. Not as many restrictions, although believe me, she has some. Charlotte runs a tight ship. If any of you are not on her RWCList--I'd highly recommend it. Some great authors on there who are will to spend their time to help.

Okay, that was a tangent. What have I accomplished. I've managed mto make it up to chapter 15 of Legacy. Someone suggested that since this is a paranormal after all, what in the world is my ghost doing during this time? What indeed? I'd totally ignored him. Since he is almost a secondary character--a trickster to some, a shadow to others and a mentor to my heroine, I certainly think he should take some part in this. In the Arms of the Enemy is almost done also. Just--okay, it's chapter 15 again. And it's the black moment (again) It's written, but just not to my satisfaction. In otherwords I almost hate it. I've managed to cull it by 6 pages. Better, yes. Even close to being as scary and well written as Dean Koontz? Not by a long shot. (do I compare myself to other writers Gosh, I try not to. sometimes it just happens.)

Today I have an RWA meeting. I belong to the RWANWIndiana group. Alician Rasley will be giving a workshop. Yeah, Alicia. I've just signed up for her Earthly Charms Workshop. The Glue That HOlds the Plot Together. I'm on my way (I keep telling myself)

The computer is running stronger not quite as crazy this morning. I thought it was going to crash last night. It froze on AOL. Trying to use my task manager I went from one task manager to thirty six. I kid you not. the CPU was going crazy. The little black and green grid was bobbing up and down like angry waves at sea. I got sea sick just looking at it. I was just going to show you another photo of the Queen Mary (inside) when I remembered I don't have them on my puter any longer.
God, I'm glad I downloaded them into my other computer.

Have a good day everyone. Today I AM going to do another clean-up of chapter 15. If I ever get off these blogs

Pat

Friday, July 15, 2005

Photos, computers and New York City



Thought you might be interested in this picture. This is the Queen Mary going into dock. She is is taller than the tallest buildings in the area. (Hudson River side) New York City is something else. She's on an island bordering another island, Long Island (where I used to live) and Staten Island, Ellis Island, Liberty Island and Governors Island.
I grew up on Long Island and lived in the city for seven years, going to college at Manhattan School of Music. Maybe I should go visit the school just for the heck of it.

I'm tooting New York's horn, because I'll be going there next week. Will visit Ithaca, Staten Island and Brooklyn.(Bay Ridge area) My mother's co-op looks over Lower New York Harbor. If you stretch just so much, you can see the Statue of Liberty. You used to be able to see the Twin Towers--sign. Alas, no longer. It's a constant reminder.

Today--I've been frantically working on putting my photos into my computer so I can make copies for family members. Unfortunately, I managed to scan them into the wrong files so I can't bring them up. I don't think I'll EVER learn how to do computer things properly.

Last night I cut 6 pages from chapter 15 in Arms of the Enemy. Still needs a bit of spit polish, which I intend to do today. It's okay as a novel, I think. I think there might be a tiny issue that might cause a problem. It's hero driven rather than heroine drive. He's the one who wants to avenge his father's death. She's his prime suspect. She's running away from the track life and someone's trying to kill her. So is this an acceptable premise? I thought so. Not so positive now. Oh well.

On to Legacy. I think I'm ready to go back, if I can ever get out from under all these darn photos.

Happy writing.

Pat

Thursday, July 14, 2005

The Thursday computer recooperation blahs



It's Thursday and the computer saga goes on. I virus' are gone. But this afternoon I went to turn it on and it wouldn't get past the "windows" sign again. I finally manipulated my way in. (There's more ways of doing almost anything)

I started reading Odd Thomas (Dean Koontz) Dean is my favorite author for descriptions. However, I'm on page 66 and he really hasn't started his plot yet. All this buildup is driving me crazy. I used to love his books so much. With Odd Thomas, I love his characters especially the hero (who sees dead people and knows it) But, I do wish he'd "get on with it." He's worth the read, if not for nothing else than his metaphors and descriptive passages. Genius.

No writing today yet so far and it's 5:10. Been doing all the puter problem aftermath things such as defragmenting both computers. Exhausted from all 'puter issues. I got some great ideas as to how to improve chapter 15 of Arms of the Enemy from one of the ladies in my critique group. I intend to implement those changes tongiht. Then, I'm going to put in the blasted prologue and be done with it. So there!

I thought I'd write an erotic romance short story. I have an idea. I thought I'd written the story several years ago (not as erotica) but it seems to have disappeared. Maybe I just thought it out. Never really wrote one. Should be interesting.

Of course, after that it's back to Legacy.

Thought I show you a picture of Socks. He's my prototype for Julie's horse in Matt's Murder. (my first novel and still the one closest to my heart) Sitting in "My Documents" -- Novels.

Back to work.
Happy reading
Pat

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

The Journeys of a Romantic Suspense Writer

The Journeys of a Romantic Suspense Writer

It's Wednesday. I had major plans to write today, but the computer has been having a major bout of the flu and I've been nursing it back to health. Had the computer doctor in. We've been working on some major computer issues and I think it will live. I did manage to eek out three critiques for my critique group. Not bad. Hope they liked what I said.

One major development. I'm switching users from AOL to Yahoo. Yahoo has a DSL--actually two. one for 14.95 a month and the other 24.99. That's about the same price as AOL but it will download a LOT faster. I've been transferring "favorite places" to Yahoo! and won't make the switch until everyone I need from AOL is on Yahoo!. I'll let everyone know about the new email address asap.

Last night I read Eloisa James Much Ado About You. What fun!
The story of four poor Scottish girls who have big time racehorses as their dowry. And the lords all fell in a line. Horses and romance all tied up in one neat and funny historical. What more can a gal ask for? Thanks Janie for recommending this. Great fun.

I will be reading blogs as soon as this mess is cleared up. They fascinate me. I'm going to have to be very careful. If I take too much time with critiquing and blogging and reading (whew) I won't have the time to write. And that's what this is all about.

Happy writing everyone. If anyone is on Yahoo.com and has anything to share, I'd appreciate it.

Pat

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

The Journeys of a Romantic Suspense Writer

J.K. Rawlings is coming out with a new book (Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince) and I haven't finished (or gotten very far in) The Order of the Phoenix. So, There you are. My task for the evening is assigned. I shall read the fifth Harry Potter book, so I can go out and buy the sixth one.

I love the world she's built. I really like the advice she gave to a budding young writer. She said to read everything you can get your hands on, write as much as you can, then throw the novels into a bin and when you write one that you feel doesn't belong in a bin--well, I'm still wondering when you write a keeper, how the heck will you know?

Today has been a dreary day up in the the Chicagoland area. It actually rained, and I was sooo glad. We've been having a major drought and needed the water. It didn't rain nearly long enough.

I have almost finished In the Arms of the Enemy. Everything is done except for chapter 15 which I put into the capable hands of my critique group. I couldn't do justice to the fight scene in the boat. It just didn't quite work. The other problem is, it's coming up short. Just made 68,000 words and if some of chapter 15 gets cut (which I'm sure it will) I'll have an even bigger hole to fill. With the prologue it hits 72000 words. I'm not covinced the prologue really belongs --- it's 12 pages. I was hoping I might put it as a first chapter in a new story sometime. Oh well. It does give some backstory.

So, how many words did I write today? No idea. I might have taken out as many as I put in. LOL

Sometimes things just work out. A friend whose work I critiqued several years ago, had that novel published in the Treskalion (spelling?) press. Congrats Jerri. She critted Legacy (in its infancy) so, maybe there's hope for that yet.

Well, enough. I'm going to go look for fantasy and horror mags where I can submit some short stories that have been lying dormant in my short story files. Bruce (my friend) is prodding me.

Happy writing all.

Pat

Added links to sidebar

With the help of a psychic connection to a witch living in Mississippi, I have added some links to my sidebar.

Look at the time. I am channeling in my sleep. *G*

Monday, July 11, 2005

Monday July 11, 2005. Summer is going by way too fast.



Good afternoon everyone

This is a photo of Nicole Kidman. Why is she on my blog, you ask? Ms. Kidman plays the part of Maggie McGregor in ARMS OF THE ENEMY and she also doubles as Marina Brancusi in Legacy of Danger. I love actors as role models. It's such fun doing "casting calls." In case you're wondering, Mr. Hugh Jackman plays Adam.

Taking a break from the revising office. I've been working on IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY originally targeted and subsequently rejected by Harlequin. I don't think I can resubmit there. I've been told they keep all submitted ms titles somewhere. But, I'm not going to turn it into something it's not. It's a category romantic suspense. Has 16 chapters and with all the editing out-it now has 46,700 words and I've just finished chapter 11. It might fall short. I might have to write in another scene or two.

When I wrote AOE, I'd been following the Pam McCutcheon's How to Write a Synopsis. (It was my bible) Now that I've become exposed to Chris Vogler (sigh) and a few other block templates, to my relief, I'm finding the story coincides with all the various blocks. (lucky me) It has a h/h who have conflicting agendas, a mentor, (Ken and Cullum) has a few shape shifters not to mention a nasty lurking shadow. I don't think I have a trickster, unless you want to count the horse. It has plot twists and a nasty black moment plus the returning home with the prize, refusing the prize, almost breaking up and then a resurrection where discoveries are made, guilt is vanquished and love blooms. Hey. What more can a gal want?

I can understand working from blocks and sections. My next novel will definitely be worked that way. But, I still will call them scenes. Sorry. That is what they are. It's the way I write them. When I rewrote Legacy, I took each chapter scene out and listed the scenes. Then made revisions. When I put the chapters back, they fell in the same place as they had before. Now, I haven't gotten past the kidnapping scene, because the novel has really changed a lot. (now a paranormal)

I do like my characters, my children (It's like a soap opera around here) Some of the things these kids get themselves into! Oh Boy! Like having a bunch of teenagers running around the house. Rescuing them for all kinds of things, having to make decisions for their promiscuous behaviors. Unplanned pregnancies. Putting in ads for missing persons when they get themselves kidnapped. Calling on the FBI, CIA, Sheriff Dept.

With Legacy, I became very aware of trying to keep my scenes to 5-8 pages long. It worked for that one. But with AOE, they vary. ONe goes 11 pages and I can't find a place to cut it. And even if I did, what in the world will I do when I reach the end and need 10,000 more words???? Oh the pain. Oh the agony.

Enough whimping and whining.

I hope everyone is enjoying their day.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Accomplishments of the day

It's only 4:45 on Sunday afternoon, but I feel I need to share. I've completed 10 hours of 10 committed hours, for my RWANWIndiana "sprint" weekend. Very proud of myself.

Last week, my friend Bruce patiently sat and listened to my entire novel "In the Arms of the Enemy" (yeah, the hero in that is Hugh Jackman too) I was frantically scribbling corrections into the rejected ms (from Harlequin) and realizing exactly WHY the thing was rejected. Susan Litman of Silhouette probably was tearing her hair out while reading the thing. I couldn't believe the errors I made--not to mention the plot problems. Hopefully, Bruce and I worked them out. I spent the better part of 4 hours reworking/rewording the sex scene today. I've managed to finish Chapter Nine.

So, how do you know when your story is finished? Really finished? Publishable finished? Or not publishable finished--maybe it's when you've done the very best you can and can't do any better? Last year, I thought I'd done that with "Arms" NOT!
So, how do I know this time, then?

I do have one major dilemma. I'm not sure how to do this. If you'd kidnapped someone and were taking here from the basement of a large restaurant to a yacht tied up in the harbor of Lake Michigan, how would you get her on board without her being seen? Granted a storm is brewing and there will be blasts of rain. But there's still no guarantees someone wouldn't see her. So, we've stolen a florist van (no windows) We've stuck her in there 'til we get near the marina parking lot. Yes, we hide the van in some trees. No. Nobody can see the van there. I thought of a garbage dumpster-Bruce said it would never work. I agree. I don't think it would either. We could hit her over the head again (sigh) and bring her in with some trees? Yuck.

So much for that. I'm starting to read Michael Crieghton's Prey. I'm not a techie freak. In fact, I'm having a rather hard time getting through that part, but I'm discovering that I'm intrigued with the relationships of the people. I might just continue on and discover whether or not Julia really IS having an affair, or whether something else is happening to her--to make her CHANGE so drastically.

Computer time: Why in the world am I eating at the computer while I type in this bog update? Especially when the dinner is rock Cornish hen and rice? (yum)

Blogging: So how DO you get to have photos on the right side of the screen that just stay there. I know there's a way. I've seen many bogs doing it. However, I'm grateful to have gotten this far.

Anyway, so much for updates.

Happy writing everyone. Some day it will come together. (And some day my prince will come.)

Pat

Alexander Brancusi--hero




If publishing this photo worked, you'll see my image of what Alexander Brancusi should look like. (Mr. Hugh Jackman)

Alex is smart, intellectual, a professor of Eastern European language at a nearby college. But is he? Appearances can be deceiving, for Alex is an undercover Federal Agent working for the DEA. His task? To help bring down a gang of heroin dealers who've been shipping drugs from the Middle East to Chicago through Romania.
He finds out how true this is, when his lifelong friend Elena Dkany inherits her family castle in Transylvania and all hell breaks loose.

Me with my collie Annie and Corgi Lady in Highland New York (Catskills in the background) Posted by Picasa

Second attempt--Fresh blog

Hello everyone. It's July 8, 2005. I was up at 6 am determined to make a blog work.
The last blog started in March. I put two posts on that and then abandoned it until about a week ago. My attempts to update it were the proverbial attempts from hell. I never could get that pink on pink background template off the "View Blog" spot. The nice new blue one came up, but not with all the posts neatly in a row like everyone else. Jeez. Why me?

So, I started from scratch. Let's see what happens.

So I enter the trial of fire and water in the land of Blog.

Happy Writing.