The Cottage of Blog: September 2005

Friday, September 30, 2005

Friday morning from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Thanks all of you who responded to my whining yesterday. I now feel loved and appreciated LOL I think we all need to know there are people out there who love us. (or at least read our ramblings)

I only wrote an hour yesterday. I'm figuring out sections, but still haven't gotten the mathematical plotting equation into my head yet.

EVAN MARSHALL'S BLUEPRINT:

Lets see, for every block that would equal 5 sections at 5-10 pages each. There are 10 blocks (I have to go look them up) So, 10 times 5 equals 50 time 5 equals 250. That works pretty well. Assuming the sections don't go to 10 pages which would equal 500 pages. Woops.

Truth be told, I love the Vogler blocks, but they are a bit rigid. Although I'm sure you'd find them if you looked hard enough.

I'd be hard pressed to find 5 sections in my ordinary world. In a romance who's the ordinary world calculated by? Is that the meeting between the H/H? I always immediately think, inciting incident--but, I'm not sure that's true.

For instance, my heroine's ordinary world is smashed by the phone call in the first paragraph. Nothing is the same after that--unless you want to consider that as part of her terrifying ordinary world. In that case maybe her meeting hero would be the jump into the "Call to Adventure." Janie, I'll have to go check your blocks and put them up on my computer to see what they are.

I'm thinking the sections remind me of the card system whereby you put those happenings scenes, sequels etc on note cards and put them on a huge cork board. Let me tell you right now, that never worked for me, because A) I don't have enough wall space to still a huge cork board and B) Half of them got lost anyway. It's still easier to put them on a computer and make a list.

With sections as apart from writing chapters, you can change the individual happenings, scenes and sequels whereevver you want without worrying about your chapter breaks and page numbers. I'm beginning to see the wisdom of this.

Now, I think all of you are way to nice and law abiding citizens to answer this next question but here goes. If you wanted to hack into police records about one of their employees, how would you go about it? No, I'm personally not going to do this, but one of my characters is, and instead of just saying villian hacked into police computer records and found . . . I'd really like to show him doing it, preferable from the comfort of his living room.

I might have some time to write this afternoon. The kids will be going to a pep rally as tonight is homecoming. No, I'm not going. I probably should. They ask me to every year and, there's a dance tonight. I've never done the whole routine, pep rally, football game and dance.

I really should. I'm getting old I think. I'd rather be writing. i don't think I would have felt this way twenty or even ten years ago. Where has all my energy gone? Each year erodes just a little more of the stuff.

Last night I watched a portion of Black Beauty. I did miss some, the good news is I have this particular version on video. The 1994 version is supurb, but I can understand what the critiques said aboutit. It's a movie that should be a classic, it's that well made. But, it's neither fish nor foul. It's a children's classic, so adults won't understand that the social implications in this story are way above young viewers heads (I'm not sure even Ms Sewell wrote this entirely for children) and children will be restless because the Lion King tunes won't be filtering through the movies and the actors have, forgive me "English accents." Well, I'm not sure I agree with that last part. Harry Potter actors have English accents as do LOR. so--But were tehy really written solely for children either? I think those two are mainly for mainstream audiences. To me they are, anyway.

Anyway, if anyone of you are animal loves and really want to cry and laugh and feel cathartic toward the animals you love, go rent, or better yet buy the 1994 version (Sean Bean) of Black Beauty. It's a story told from the horse's point of view.

Happy reading, writing and revising from

The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Is anybody out there? From The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

What is you held a party and nobody came?

I think that's what it's like to have a blog where nobody comments.

Now, it could be the whole world is reading this (I sorely doubt it)
and not making comments, or it could be nobody's reading this. Maybe just a few.

But still, it makes me feel like--well, I think whoever's reading this knows exactly how I feel.

I worked on the back cover "blurb" for my WIP last night. Blurbling as I've discovered on many occasions in the past, is not an easy thing. And, I think it may be the most important part of your synopsis, the most important thing you write. Why? Because it's the first thing your editor will see. It will be right there in your query letter. If they hate your query letter, why would they bother reading the synopsis or the first three chapters?

No kidding.

So how do you write that? Your character The story is about Little Miss Muffett (what did she do) sat on a tuffett (why?) eating her curds and whey (conflict) along came a spider and sat down beside her and (what happened) frightened Miss Muffett away.

Lover: Little Boy Blue was blowing his horn why? his sheep were in the meadow, his cows were in the corn. (oops can't remember the res)

They come together. Despite his antagonism toward little Miss muffet who'd jilted him at the Nursery Rhyme's ball, Little Boy Blue still sees those blue eyes and comes to her rescue, sacrificing his sheep and cows to chase away that spider.

Now, will he be able to chase away the anguish of a broken heart and convince Miss Muffet that she'd rather be out chasing cows and sheet with him?

Sort of like that?

I have to go work. This has been cathartic.

Happy reading, writing and blurbing from

The Cottage of Blog
Pat

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Wednesday morning: The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is a title I'm becoming more and more fond of. I suppose I shouldn't get too attached. If this ever does "make" it, someone up there in the corporate ivory tower will probably want to change it for me. But for right now--

I worked on a character list sheet this morning and was surprised how many characters I hadn't even met yet. I'm sure I'll meet more. I have three main characters, three secondary, four or five minor characters, not to mention the towns. Still deciding whether it will be Chicago or a suburban town. I'm thinking suburban, but I mentioned that yesterday.

I believe I have a one track mind. Anyway, I'm going to have to turn that one track into facing the day with kids. sigh. And it will be a work day. grading papers, starting to place them into the computer. Next week--progress reports. And some are not going to be happy campers. there are also the inevitable phone calls to parents whose children are not attending class. Not ever a pleasant chore.

Happy reading, writing and revising from

The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Goal for the evening met from The Cottage of Blog

I met my writing goal for the evening. One hour writing 1158 words.
I took my interview with my pschologist friend and wrote a character sketch out for the antagonist (and a villian) I have a much better handle on his personality, and I believe a realistic one. Although, hopefully, one we don't see every day.

Although, I once had a boyfriend who had many of the same traits as this guy. Scary man. He dumped me after one month, married my best friend in a whirlwind courtship (she had some money) and she almost didn't live to tell the tale. I don't think her son ever recovered from their two year marriage. I won't go into details.

I've never written about someone quite like him. It should be quite an experience.

Pat

Tuesday evening from: The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

I got some research done this morning. I checked up on the Chicago Police Department website and downloaded some historical information and updated information concerning detectives. I'm still working on my city and/or town. I'm thinking I'd like a more medium size town, maybe suburban where the detective squad works as one unit (homicide, vice and organized crime) rather than fragments like in Chicago. Not, mind you, that it would make a great deal of difference except for maybe two to three sentences and maybe a conversation or two. But, you never know.

Speaking of research, I had an interview with a psychologist this afternoon after work. I was wondering about a specific diagnosis for the villain of the piece. We talked about the kind of background that would create his obsessive, possessive and abusive behavior.
I think I've found something. But the man definitely has a psychosis and his trigger was his beautiful young wife. (who's done nothing to him, by the way)

I'm committing one hour to working on this story tonight, then may go back into Marshall again and try and figure out Swain's interpretation of sections vs Marshall's. I'm confused. (so, what else is new? I'm always confused about something)

If this doesn't make sense, whenever you have three teachers teaching the same thing, they always seem to have different ways of presenting the material. All you have to do is look at our music department. We have five music teachers all teaching notation. We vary greatly on our presentations.

But, in music, a note cannot be called anything but a note (except when it's a pitch) a piano is definitely a piano except when its a keyboard, note values vary depending upon how long or short you hold it (except when it's a steady beat) Heh. I'm thinking about my poor kids learning a totally new language full of symbols. Because that's what music is. Symbols. Written on five lines and four spaces. There are notes that have stems, notes without stems, notes whos stems go up and down, stems that appear on the right side and stems that appear on the left side, noteheads that are shaded in and noteheads that are not shaded in. Poor kids.

No wonder they leave my class shaking their heads. I try to keep them laughing. It's the only way.

But, once they're handed that sheet music and there's some kind of "aha" moment, and all of a sudden they're playing a real tune, well folks, that makes it all worth while.

Not much different than writing a novel, is it? (well, maybe a little)

Happy reading, writing and revising from:

The Cottage of Blog
Pat

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Thought I'd do a little impromptu analyzing of a Harlequin Intrigue. It's a toss up whether I like them better than Silhouette, but because of my mystery background, I'd like to say, I probably do. Especially, when they're a bit different than all the other Intrigues

B.J.Daniels Howling in the Darkness "Mariah's Landing" a modern day Gothic. This novel was published in 2002. Believe when I say I keep most of them.

Ordinary World: Kat is goind on a blind "Online Date." She thinks he's arrived, even if a bit dishelved and seemigly unknowning about a great deal of her. He cools down is going to kiss her but doesn't. She refuses to let him walk her home. However, she hears footsteps following in the treacherous fog.

I believe that could be construed as hero's call to adventure and refusal of call/ or her call to adventure and when she turns him down to walk her home her refusal of call--but I think this might be all a foreshadow of things to come.

He comes blasting into town on a motorcycle only to be waylayed by the fog. In this mist he sees a man-he knows he must get away from him (we don't know why) He stops in the first store front he comes to and meets an attractive lady dressed for a blind date. She mistakes him for her date. To get away from the danger and because she's attractive he takes her out to the Moriah's Landing Inn. Because he never intends to see her again, he doesn't kiss her even though he'd like to. This too, could be construed at this point to go from his Ordinary World (going back home and looking for somebody--dangerous) to call to adventure (meeting girl) refusal of call when he refuses to kiss her.

But the fact that he wants to take her home--and does follow up to make sure she's okay, is a foreshadow of things to come. As is the man he bumps into on the street, and the "witch" Arabella, who warns him of danger and death, and the next day crosses the street and crosses herself when she sees Kat.

Arabella could be the threshold guardian/Kat heroine, Jonah hero, man in mist the shadow. At least as far as we can tell.

Chapter 1 is basically the "Scene" whereas Chaper 2 consists primarily (at least in the beginning) of her thoughts about the events in chapter 1. This would be the "Sequel"

I've noticed several possible mentors to Kat: One is Emily her seventeen year old half-sister and who gives her advice on dating .
One might be Clare and Brie both close friends (I read Brie's story)
and talk at the diner. JOnah, I haven't run into yet in chapter 2.

I'll analyze chapter 2 tonight if I have a chance. I'm really into the police detective thing.

Pat

Tuesday morning and researching

This is a photo of Annie O'Brien. (Gwenyth Paltrow) taken from one of the numerous website photo galleries of her. Some I've been successful downloading, other's I haven't. For now, this will have to do.

This morning I was up at 4:45 and discovered I needed to do an awful lot of research into the Chicago Police Department, if I want my hero to be a Chicago detective. Although of course, location can always change.

Research is the ban of my existence. And I'm never really sure how much or what I need to research until I've gotten a couple chapters into the story. Well, I have a good start now.

ie: what kind of cars do they drive? religion? I mean a religion or non-religion that would suit them, what kind of neighborhoods do they live in? resort towns along Lake Michigan, even though I'm making up a fictional town. Or--a river resort town?

So, for the next few days, I'll be working on characterizations, place settings and job descriptions, laws regarding stalkers, what the police can and cannot do and other stuff.

It's 6. I'd better get going now and get to work. Today is a "half day" for the kids. Full day/half day of in-service. I think I get to order a lot of "goodies" for my classroom. At least I'm trying. The line of command in ordering anything in any business or beaurocracy can be infuriating. Especially with places like "Best Buy."
Like being placed on hold for half an hour intervals.

I'll be ordering a new computer/printer and three keyboards complete with benches and stands for my room. If--and that's the big "if" I can get the order completed.
Sigh.

Well, it was eggs and rye toast this morning and left-over coffee.

Have a good day folks from
The Cottage of Blog
Pat

Monday, September 26, 2005

Monday evening: The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

this morning I managed several pages in the next section of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.

I'm hot to trot on writing, but I thought I might take a step back this evening. I might haul out a novel I read and re-read and analyze it for content. Maybe outline the chapters. Even if I know how to write the motivational units action-reaction-dialogue etc. and scene-sequel, blocks, etc. it won't make much difference if my plot line is way over the top in credibility.

I've been thinking about the outlandish plot lines that Janie was mentioning in her post this afternoon, and she could have been talking about me! Gee, wait a minute. Maybe she was! Giggle.

I also thought about the short story. I used to write them all the time. Had several published, won a contest with one. Got panned in a contest on another (oh well) But you have to been concise in a short story. The plot line has to be simple and for the most part, free of subplots. It's just not long enough to hold one.

I'm eating a porkchop and fries if anyone wants one.

Gonna go feed the dogs, then pick out a novel for rereading.

Take care all. Happy reading, writing and revising from:

The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Good Monday morning from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

I'm not staying too long. I almost forgot about posting this morning.

But, the coffee is fresh, it's cereal with raisins and walnuts and tomatoe juice and I'm hot to trot on the fourth scene.

I'm figuring out sections are not necessarily scenes--or at least, they may be but scenes can fill out sections. and sections are usually in one person's pov? I'll have to work that one out. I have a handle on motivational units. Although I might not do them correctly all the time, espcially in first drafts. But I do have the understanding that there's an order to things. an action, a reaction, a comment as a result of that reaction, then another action and moving right along.

My chapters are being written in 1. Block format. Well, the blocks are being pointed out. In this new WIP the ordinary world stops for heroine before it stops for the hero. Her reluctance to call comes before his -- they do seem to cross the first threshold together however. That's their first sign of unity. Even though, but that time, they distrust each other, but no longer hate each other like they did in call to adventure and refusal of call.

Do I mention I've been using Vogler? I believe thre was a bit more compact block somewhere, I might rather use. I think Chris is so detailed it doesn't always fit. But then, I'm great in stuffing square pegs into round holes.

My characters are up to crossing the first threshold and have landed in chapter 4. Scenes include: in front of house, cell phone call which is inciting incident for heroine and her motivation to do set up her bizarre behavior later in the chapter. Then the bar scene--his pov which goes on 5 pages or so (maybe not that long) then her POV. Then the motel scene that starts in her POV and shifts to his--then the gun fight in the motel parking lot. Then jwe move on to the ride back to her apartment in a seedy neighborhood and her finding her apartment trashed. and the following reaction scene at the police precinct, where the two detectives are stunned to find that it's not the previous drug bust at ALL that precipitated the gunfight, but something to do with the heroine. Go figure. The last scene and third chapter takes place in his apartment where we learn why she fears sex so much, why she couldn't go home to hers or anyone elses and why he feels like a cad. Good. he deserves to.

On to crossing the threshold.

Please let me mention that this is solely first draft stuff. If any of this is unrealistic content or doesn't fit--it can be trashed, quickly and mericifully.

I'm going. I want to write just a bit before I get ready for school.

Any comments are welcome from
The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Sunday from The Cottage of Blog

Morning everyone. It's 11:10. I've been reading from Mr. Swain's "The Techniques of the Selling Writer" again. Funny how whenever I re-read a chapter, I find things (many things) I missed the previous time.

This morning I was reading the chapter on "Preparation, Planning, Production" I love his philosophy on the writing life and what to do to make it and what to do NOT to make it LOL. And especially his advice to exercise. (groan)

So, just in case you didn't know. I'll give you a preview. There's only 5 essential ingredients to become a successful writer. Count 'em five.

Quote from Jerome Lawrence: "You've gotta get up very early some morning five years ago." Ah. Don't I wish I had.

1. You learn what it means to be a writer.
2. You learn how to recognize good story material.
3. You learn how to prepare to write a story
4. You learn your own best way to plan it.
5. You learn how to get out copy.

Ah back to #4. You learn your own best way to plan it.

And, folks, that's all there is to it. (Really laughing hard now)

Some interesting quotes from the chapter.

"To become a writer, you must first be capable of emotional involvement."

"You can't communicate that which you yourself lack. No feeling, no story."

"You must be enthusiastic . . . writing is murderously hard, lonely, frustrating work, upon occasion. Unless a project excites you to begin with, odds are you'll stand ready to slash your wrists before it's done." Oh yeah. Mr. Swain. I love you. Do you think Mr. Swain, Mr. Vogler and Mr. Marshall will let me take them home with me?

Enough. I'm excited about my new WIP. I really want to write that motel scene. I'm giggling over it, so maybe I can get write in the ridiculousness and stupidity of my heroine's behavior and how it contrasts the seriousness of her motivation.

Happy reading, writing and revising from

The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Saturday evening at a German Bier Stube

I think I just sent a picture of an Austrian bier stube and restaurant to my Cottage of Blog.

I lived in Germany and Switerland and visited Austria and France back in my former life as a singer. That's probably where I got the idea for a setting in Romania (that and the Dracula story) but I digress. I'm thinking Carpathian--Alps, Germany, Switzerland, Austria etc. Austria is a gorgeous country. It's been along time since I took out my old photo albums and toured in retrospect. This photo (if it made it onto the blog) was taken on the top of a mountain in Salzberg.

I got the idea for a setting in this new WIP. Not in the mountains necessarily, but set in a resort town settled by Germans. The local "watering hole" will be a German Bier Stube which promises to add great flavor and color to the story.

Bruce and I went to a Bier Stube for an Oktober Fest in a nearby town this evening. We sat outdoors in the middle of corn country, drank dark (dunkle) bier and had veal
sausages, red cabbage, German potatoe salad, beans, black bread and, best of all, warm apple strudle with whipped cream. Oh yum. I saved half of it for tomorrow. And, Bruce didn't want his other portion of apple strudle so I got that too. Tomorrow, Bier Stube part two--while I write. Maybe I'll work on the Bier Stube scene. Always fun to take a scene out of sequence.

I finished the first "Chapter" which is actually the first block according to Mr. Chris Vogler. (one of my craft idols) It is the ordinary world of three characters--hero who's only looking to get laid, heroine who's dodging her stalking ex and uses the hero, and the ex who's stalking his ex-wife (heroine) Some ordinary world, huh?

And boy don't they all get the surprise of their lives. At least that's what I'm planning for them. Yep. My more sadistic nature can come out now.

I'm going to go read a chapter in Swain again, then watch Mr. Jackman in Kate and Leopold. (sigh)

Everyone have a good evening.

Happy reading, writing and revising from
The Cottage of Blog.

Pat

Ready Set Procrastinate--The Art of Being a Writer

Julia Driscoll, Mark Driscoll's mother in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (title for now) This is, of course, Susan Sarandon, one of my favorite actresses.

I'm about ready to start writing for the day. I said that two hours ago when I first got up. Well, of course, I had to do chores; bills to pay, dog poop to pick up from the patio, dishes to wash, books to look for from Amazon. com (Evan Marshalls "The Eyes Have It" all about the study of eye communication, downloading section sheets from Marshall's workbook, and of course I had to download the latest version of Adobe reader (7.0. 6.0 would never do.) Now, I'm looking for the software that has aol read your ms. for you. I forget what it's called.

But now, I'm really ready to move on with my characters thoughts about their movements through the novel. I think I'm still on the police station-Mark's apartment scene although I might have finished that already. I intend to at least get to Mark's mother's house in the country.

I'm still looking up locations. Last night I watched a DVD documentary about Chicago's South Suburbs. If nothing else it was fascinating, especially since I pass these places on a regular basis.

It reminds me. When I was singing--way back in a former life--I was touring the Midwest with "The Merry Widow." We went from state to state, town to town. I was reading "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" and went by the very spots I was reading about. That was an experience.

So, on with my new "Heart."

Happy reading, writing and revising from

The Cottage of Blog
Pat

Friday, September 23, 2005

Nightmare morning from The Cottage of Blog

So, why do we have nightmares? I had a coupe of doozers last night.

Why do we suddenly dream of old boyfriends we have seen in 40 years? He, of course, looked much the same as he did then, I'm not sure what I looked like.

I was too much embroiled in a nightmarish scenario where I was escaping from a teaching convention where I was told by a group of teachers what a lousy teacher I was.

God, it's only Friday. I hope that's not an indication of a day to come. They're having a quiz today, and I never did get those lesson plans done.

Have a nice day

Cottage of Blog
Pat

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Thursday morning from The Cottage of Blog

Not a long one this morning. I'm running late.

While I type, I'm copying some lessons for some of my "late comers."
Do you know some of my kids are still trickling in for the "first time?"
It's kind of hard to believe, because some of them hadn't gone anywhere. However, maybe because of the power outage last week?

I've picked up PDJames Dagliesh "The Murder Room" to read "On the Road" in cassette form. Looking forward to her. Love English mystery.
I grew up on Dame Agatha.

I have a list of books that every suspense ought to have. I got it off the internet on the advice of someone in our workshop. I didn't get a chance to pick through them yet, but one I know was called "magic."
"Magic" was made into a horror movie.

I'm going to try and finish up my "Mark's apartment scene" from Annie's POV today. At the end of this chapter we're going to have another Change in Direction. I'd thought this would be Crossing the First Threshold, but, no. I think that happens at the beginning of hte chapter after her apartment has been trashed. I think the acceptance of the call came at that point. This is pretty close, but the hero definitely is committed to her safety at this point.

The Chicago DVD was lovely. Unfortunately, I fell asleep in the middle, not from boredom, I can assure you. I'll try again tonight.
but yeah, I definitely want to start the story in Chicago. Haven't yet decided where I want his mother to live. Small town by the river with a central "hang out." Sort of like the trendy bar across the street from the Wal-mart.

Gotta go get dressed.

Happy reading, writing and revising from:

The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Wednesday evening: WIP set in Chicago from The Cottage of Blog

I've decided to set this WIP in Chicago for the first part and Michigan for the second. I stopped by at the library and picked up two DVD's on Chicago neighborhoods from the "L" and one on the southside--steelmills etc.

I live in Chicago and have been trying to see its more romantic side. I'm sure there is one. The lake and skyline is gorgeous, not to mention all the lakefront treasures (museums, planetarium, parks etc)

But I'm trying to find more out about the bar scene here and the neighborhoods in general. So for the next couple of evenings, I'll be watching DVD's about Chicago.

For the past week I read: Suzanne McMinnis, Lori Handeland and Beverly Barton.

Although I do love wolf changers I found Beverly Barton the most enthralling and scary. It was real--it was in your face.

Happy reading, writing and revising from

The Cottage of Blog
Pat

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from The Cottage of Blog where the coffee's fresh and breakfast is Total Raisin Bran with walnuts. Yum. (and cranberry-applejuice)

So, welcome and pull up a chair for some brew and conversation. At least, for a few minutes. I am going to school today.

I got Mark's Account of the events in chapter 3 of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter done yesterday. Today, while the kids work I'll try and write Annie's account of the same events. Then Duncan's.

I'm trying to follow all three characters as the events of the story unfold right up to the end. Have I mentioned I've never done this before? Like about a 100 times? You're saying "enough, already?"

Worried about the folks in Galveston. Looks like Rita will explode into a cat 4 hurricane and she's headed straight for that island. Probably better than the storm-ravaged Louisianna--still, Galveston is so vulnerable. I just saw a documentary about the 1900 storm that hit Galveston with little warning and over half the population was sweapt away. Horrible.

Fortunately, today, thanks to our National Weather Service, we at least have a warning. Weather the population choose to heed that warning, or could do anything about it if they did heed it, is another story.

I pray for New Orleans that it won't get anywhere close to that city. As of now, (or last night) it looked like it wouldn't get anything more than the rain bands. But, can the levees even withstand that?

Today in music we're concentrating on the notes of the bass clef. I hope they understand the connection between the bass and treble clef and why the first line of the bass clef and the first line of the treble clef are DIFFERENT! (the little matter of those three notes that connect the two staves.)

My allergies are still ripping my head apart, but not as bad as yesterday. Maybe we'll get an early frost.

Well, I'd better go get dressed.

Hope everyone has a productive day.

Happy reading, writing and revising from

The Cottage of Blog
Pat

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Tuesday and I'm sick from The Cottage of Blog

Cary Elwes, doesn't he make a great villain type? He played the storm chaser in Twister and, among other things, Ted Bundy in a made for TV movie about the serial killer. He's my image of the "mad" professor in "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," a story about obsessive love.

I'm staying home from school today. I just called in. I am not feeling very well, might be allergies, might be a bug. Lucky Ms. McMinn's book "The Beast Within" arrived yesterday. (not there's no corrolation between the two events)

If I feel better later, I want to reformat the journals in chapter 2 and finish chapter 3 of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I'm hoping these journals will act as a kind of preliminary first draft, and also act as a basis for action-reaction scenes. I think I mentioned that yesterday, so I won't go in it today. Especially since I feel so punky.

I'm really not sure how many actually words I'm writing a day. When you scribble them out in longhand, you're never really sure. I could probably put the word count together when I get finished with the journal each day. But, I didn't get a chance to transfer the work I'd done in school yesterday, so I'm not sure.

I hope everyone's well.

From the Cottage of Blog I just had a chocolate donut, coffee and cranberry apple juice. (and a bunch of tylenol) Did I mention coffee laced with cinnamon in its grounds is delicious?

Anyway, time to get back into bed. I'm shivering. Not a good sign.

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Monday, September 19, 2005

Monday evening and a successful writing day in SCHOOL! The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good evening everyone from The Cottage of Blog.

I'm exciting about this new WIP. I wrote 15 pages I thought I'd written 10, but when I rechecked it was 15. Hand written, so I'm not sure what that would be typed. I'll probably find out later this evening. I finished Annie's account of the second half of chapter 2. I finished Mark's account of the second half of chapter 2. then I wrote several pages of Mark's account of chapter 3. So I'm pretty pleased with myself. Later this evening, I think I'll type it up into my journal folder and transfer it to our SIM Team folder.

School was fairly routine for a change. we're still running from back-up generators and my outlets don't work, but at least I have lights. That's something. Last week we didn't even have that.

I heard the Mayor stating in a one sentence bulletin on a radio station that they were overhauling all the Chicago high schools. Sure. I'll believe that when I see it. I think that was called damage control.

I hope everyone who's reading the blog is doing well. Bruce and I went out to eat tonight so no goodies at the cottage this evening.
Probably raisin bran with walnuts for breakfast if anyone wants to stop by for some coffee (with cinnamon in the coffee grounds-if you haven't tried it you should)

I finally got my IM The Beast Within by Suzanne McMinn. Took long enough to get here. I'm tempted to put away the writing and read the book. I also got the Creole Giselle put on by the Dance Theater of Harlem. I'm so looking forward to watching that. I'm thinking maybe I'd like to write a romance based on the Giselle legend--but how to make it happy? Hmmm don't know.

Happy reading, writing and revising from
The Cottage of Blog

Pat (that's me)

Rainy Monday Morning from The Cottage of Blog

It's raining. I woke up to the patter and the pattern of the rain trickling on my roof and down the gutters and wanted to stay in bed forever. No such luck. Monday morning is upon us once more. School.

I don't have to be in class until second period. That's the good news. The bad news is I have to stay until 3:45 in steady of 2:50 and brings me home later and tireder. (is that a word? If not, it should be) Oh well. Little darlings will have to relearn the notes of the staff I'm afraid. They were all well into it when the power outage hit last week. So, even though we won't start at the beginning--still

I was pleased with my work from this weekend. I might continue in the first person journal vein for a while. It's almost like an extended synopsis, maybe. But it's giving me new incites into the characters feeling and their goals, motivations and conflicts as they tell "their" story.

More later. I don't think I'll have a chance to write at school, but I think I'll bring Mr. Swain with me and read him when I get the chance.

Have a good rainy day. Happy reading, writing and revising from
The Cottage of Blog and

Pat

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Sunday night, a productive weekend from The Cottage of Blog

This weekend has been a productive one. I've finished my tentative synopsis for my new WIP, worked on a character list, but am already finding a few new characters along the way, am now am writing a character journal. I thought I might attempt a first draft in first person, giving each character a thought process through each scene.

Why? First of all, it will help me determine which scene should be written in which POV. Second It will help me realize when I've gone off track. But I think the most important, it will help me give my people reactions to the events unfolding, even though they're not the pov character.

So, it's an idea. It may work. It may not. If not, I'll know soon enough.

Want to go finish an old Intimate Moment I haven't read before.

Pat

Sunday night, a productive weekend from The Cottage of Blog

Sunday morning from: The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

It's a beautiful day. Actually, the second in a row around here.
I really need to be outside playing with the dogs, riding and/or grooming Socks, walking with Bruce--doing Sunday things.

Instead? I'm slaving for my muse. And not the muse part that's creative. The muse part that states I have to get my information correct. In other words, research.

I'm delving over my head in this story. I'm entering the world of the insane, unstable mind. And, I'm trying to find exactly what kind of unstable mind I need to fit my character's profile.

I read Beverly Barton's Killing Her Softly yesterday (after finishing my synopsis mind you) There is a marvelously insane character in there, who for all intents and purposes, appears completely sane. He has a history of evil child abuse--of a horribly unstable single mother. The child is the product of the hero's philandering. So, the hero has a tragic flaw. Great, I'm learning. I've been looking for fatal flaws myself. this man is too charming to women for his own good and it gets several of his lovers killed and him nearly framed for murder. His saving grace? He's really a nice guy. And yes, he can commit and does.

But that's Ms. Barton. Read her if you get the chance. You won't be sorry. I couldn't put the book down.

Maybe I'll go watch "A Beautiful Mind" and see if I can come up with anything there.

It's characterization day. The day I give my babies a resume.

Take care. Maybe I'll write their journals.

Pat

Saturday, September 17, 2005

First synopsis done. Saturday night from: The Cottage of Blog

Well, it's finally done. The first synopsis for The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I still love the title, but I still probably will have to change it.
If I keep it, I will include heart in a lot of areas. this story is about love: obsessive love, reluctant love, and striving for love. Each heart is striving for love and doesn't know how to reach that elusive goal.

I'm currently working on a character sheet.

I've just started reading "Killing Me Softly" by Beverly Barton, so you'll excuse me, if I go back to it. It's at a good part.

Pat

Friday, September 16, 2005

Finally the new story line comes into brain: from The Cottage of Blog

Good evening from The Cottage of Blog.

I'm psyched. I finally have the new story line in my head, and it's making some sense. It started with a very cliched plot-woman in jeopardy running from abusive ex-husband. How many times have you read THAT story?

But, I'm incorporating some issues that are near and dear to my heart--things I personally care about. I hope they work. I want the reader to empathize with the villain. Feel bad for him and be angry with him. Hate him and pity him. Realize what a waste of human life he has made of himself. And, I want the heroine to cry over his ultimate demise. Probably won't go over real big with the hero, but he'll get over it. I'm sure.

I'm on a roll. I'm writing. Talk to you all later.

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Thursday, September 15, 2005

fragmented factions in the school system from The Cottage of Blog

Good evening everyone from The Cottage of Blog. It's been several days before my last report. (I feel like this is a confession) Things have been bizarre to say the least. One thing I can tell you about teaching, especially in the city is there is NEVER a dull minute. Sometimes you're so tired you can't see straight, even to find your bed at night.

On Monday, the electricity went out at school. Yes, I believe they did pay their light bill. It was a switch/parts/wiring/what do I know, situation. These are old schools and it's hard to get replacement parts.

I actually held two classes, one of which I bonded with for four hours. Tuesday, the students stayed home. Teachers came. As the day progressed we were told the school would be broken up into two groups. The freshmen and sophomores would temporarily be going to one school and juniors and seniors to another. I was fortunate. The school that I went to was amazing. Completely and newly renovated. Classrooms were clean, beautiful, bright, modern and airconditioned. (didn't know there was such a thing! LOL) The seniors and juniors went to another school. Well, wouldn't you know. It was plastered all over the new. (although I'd already gotten a few rumored accounts) Students from the two "rival" schools started a fight in the cafeteria. I believe a wrist was broken, egg crates (the plastic kind) were thrown, students slammed with broom handles, the principal knocked over.
Funny though. The official account by principal and CEO of the school district was totally different than the accounts from the students who were eye witnesses. Guess who I believe?
Somehow, the school managed to get backup generators over to my school in a hurry, and we're all going back to our original school building tomorrow. I will be SO interested in hearing first hand accounts.

I've been working on a synopsis of a new WIP. It's starting to come along. Not nearly as plain and cliched as it started, although the premise is still the same. I'm incorporating some secondary characters I'd written into a novel I shelved several years ago. I'm making my hero somewhat of a womanizer in the beginning, who changes during the course of the story. And my mistrusting heroine will learn to trust by the end of her story. She'll have to. If she doesn't she won't live to see page 250.

I'm hoping that all my creative energies won't just go into my synopsis and that I won't get bored with the story before I start writing it. On the other hand, once I get the story solid in my head, there will be little room for the middle sag syndrome. I'm expected maybe a halfway medium here. I'll write the synopsis and the characters will change the story, bless their hearts. Maybe he won't want to womanize and maybe she'll really want to trust someone. But--I've given her every reason not to. And him, i've given him reasons not to want a commited relationship, at least from his prospective. We'll see. Of course, maybe she could be the one who flits from man to man and him the one who doesn't trust. Oh well. We'll see what these two want to do. Meanwhile, I'll tell MY version of the story in the synopsis.

Friday. Tomorrow. TGIF.

I'm committing to 2.5 hours of writing time tonight. I must have written--well, lets see, I write small, didn't have my computer and wrote three notebook pages of synopsis, some of which I'll use, some of which I won't.

It's raining.

Take care everyone and happy reading, writing and revising from The Cottage of Blog.

Pat

Monday, September 12, 2005

Plotting headaches from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Well, this is fun. I just worked all weekend on my WIP and discovered that the plot design is not realistic. Darn it! Maybe I can taper it down a little. Simplify. Keep the romance and sexual tension in and play less with trying to catch a bloody serial killer.

This has been quite a day in Chicago. My school's electricity went out once during first period-- for about an hour, then during fourth when it went out for the rest of the day. I got to bond with my fourth period students for about four hours. Whew. They made fun of my toenail polish. It's sort of a pearl color. I wore sandels.

I'm going to go plot again. replot-rething-restructure. I'm trying to get this synopsis done by Friday. I have about five started. None get past a certain point. So, something ain't working folks.

Take care from The Cottage of Blog

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from The Cottage of Blog where I'm rushing out the door (as soon as I finish this post) to go back to school.

I did not leave my house this weekend. I managed 8 hours of writing and read two Intimate Moments. I searched Harlequing and found a new line I hadn't seen before, a detective series, only to find it was only available in reprints. Too bad. I'm a mystery buff. I might have had a mind to target that line. Maybe someone could pursuade them to go back to it? (doubtful)

I have discovered my new work of choice. This time the FBI is a she and she has to search for a serial killer who may very well be the man that betrayed her an left her pregnant in high school.
There we have old love betrayed and mystery. She's a feisty heroine, or at least I'm trying to make her that way. Most of the weekend was spent working on the h/h characterizations and the character list. Who's what. Not an easy task. I've started the synopsis several times and am working out the sagging middle now. Better now than when the book is half written. There is something to be said about preplanning.

I've just discovered my sidebar is gone. Totally. It wasn't that way last night. I wonder what happend now?

Work is calling. Have to go.

Happy reading, writing and revising from

Pat

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Sunday morning and pancakes from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from the Cottage of Blog where the coffee's on and we're having walnut pancakes with syrup. Yum.

Last night I managed to watch a half hour of devastated, lost people from New Orleans. I've listened to how much our government could have done and somehow missed the mark, from the boxes of supplies to the heliocopters not sent out on the rescue missions. Now, the big question is why? What got screwed up and how in the world could anyone forget about something as big as a heliocopters? Paperwork not withstanding.
Think of the lost people who could have been saved-the pets left to drown in houses because there wasn't room enough for owners to take them. It breaks your heart.
And now the clean-up and the realization that many, many have no home to go back to. Everything that meant anything from their entire lives wiped out.
It reminds me of Sophie's Choice. I'm sure there were more than one family who had to choose which one of their sons or daughters they could save/or which pet. I have four collies. And, although animals would never come before a person, still--which one of my babies would come? Which would I leave behind to die? Oh my God.
I hope I NEVER have to face such a choice with loved ones either human or animal.

One headline on America Online. "President rallies nation" yeah. Well, I have news for you Mr. Pres. The nation is already rallying.
There isn't a site or organization that doesn't have a relief fund that can't be contributed to. It's not the Pres who's doing it. It's the nation-its people-its energy to laugh disaster in the face and conquer it. Think 9/11 now Katrina. We've had two disasters of cataclismic proportions withing 5 years. I can hear my inner mind saying "It can't be happening to us." Well, it can. It has.

Today, I'm perfecting (?) my character list for my new WIP. As it will be a category I'm keeping major characters to three, the rest secondary and minor characters. Although I do have a few secondary characters who might have a thing or two to say about that.

I've worked on premise, themes, log lines--brief character analysis with goals, motivation, conflict, character growth and personal mottos for the three majors. I'm trying to keep it to a minimum of ten although --

My setting is beginning to take shape. A university with a professor dorm that has suites and a dining room. Sort of like a renovated mansion turned bed and breakfast. That will put my H/H in close proximity. We will have a local watering hole (pizza and beer with peanut shells on the floor) The town will be a university town. Some characters will have dual roles as students/workers in town and professors.

Personally, I love college towns. Especially Itaca around Cornell University and Evanston that supports Northwestern University and University of Chicago and its campus. Maybe my town will combine some features of each.

My backstory is worked out. I may not include that in the synopsis proper, but will write a separate account--maybe as a journal from the characters POV.

I'm going to start pinpointing my blocks today. What's happening where and expand from there.

Happy reading, writing and revising from The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Yeah! Four hours of Writing from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Got it together finally. I've worked the past four hours on characterization for my new WIP. Think I have it plotted out in my mind, if not quite on the page yet. Mystery, secret baby and confronting the past. Not bad work for a few hours.

I've downloaded dark courier. I'm so pleased with myself. I just dragged and dropped and voila. There it was.

I've been out of the news mode for a few days. Allergies are bothering me something fierce. But that's not what's keeping me reclusive from the state of the nation. I think there comes a time when your mind and body can no longer stand the depression and horrors from real life. I truly believe if I wrote Hurricane Katrina's history in a novel, it would be rejected as "unbelieveable" with a "convoluted plotline." They say truth is stranger than fiction, and I believe that.

I think I'm ready to tread back to CNN now and find out what's going on.

And poor Natalie Halloway. What's happening with her case? It's doubtful she'll be found alive--hope against all hope. But, for the sake of her family, I hope to God they find her body. (and put the bastards who did that to her away for good.)

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Saturday and no writing yet from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

I really have to get my act together and get some writing done in The Cottage of Blog.

Funny, I feel totally free to pick any topic I choose to write a brand new category romantic suspense. It's like being a kid in a candy store. I have a couple of ideas--always dangerous for me. I can spend hours agonizing on which way I should go. Is it serial killer or poisoner? Hmmm. What shall my protagonists journey be, I wonder? revenge to justice? Doubt to decision? Greed to corruption (great villian journey) self-delusion to self-knowledge? I can think of one character who might make tht journey.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Shall we have a secret baby? Marriage of convenience? Woman in jeopardy? Or man in jeopardy? Amnesia? Pregnant heroine? And then, of course, is the mystery, which can incorporate any of the above into its threads. Hmmm.

Gotta go try and download courier dark. I'm having a heck of a time installing this. Then work out a few plot lines and see what sticks.

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Friday, September 09, 2005

Reading and finding my niche from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

I've been indoctrinated to a new author (for me) Lori
Handeland. "Dark Moon."

"Under a dark moon, temptation is just the beginning." Yes indeed.
It's tempted me to buy Hunter's Moon and Blue Moon. (except I'm not sure how much I like Jesse (Blue Moon) considering all the times she held a gun to Elsie's head in "Dark Moon."

What I loved about this book was-- even though this book is a "dark paranormal romance." Ms Handeland contrasted the darkness with a first person account by a protagonist who's has a wry sense of humor in the face of severe (monster proportion) affliction. (she's a werewolf) Ms. Handeland's voice is light, witty and suspenseful all bundled into one neat package tied with a red ribbon of a hero who's lusciously sexy, sexual, brooding, troubled and sensative. Sigh. (Did I mention a hunk?)

Thanks to Maddie Black for recommending this.

Now, related thoughts. Reading this third in Ms. Handeland's series of "Moon" books (I haven't read the first two yet) reminds me how much I love sequel novels who continue with family and/or place.

Braun's "Cat Who" mystery series features reporter/journalist James Quilleran, who's cat Koko is constantly solving mysteries under the nose her dedicated readers. Half the time Quilleran solves the mystery, then realizes the cat already did that about five chapters ago. LOL I can hardly wait to see how his relationship with his librarian is faring.

In Susan Conant's malamute (dogs) series and her relationship with her veterinarian, Steve. (Yes, after all kinds of bumps she gets her man after about seven books) Or how about James Patterson and John Sandford and his detective's relationships with their wives--not wives when they began their Alex Cross and Lucas Davenport suspense thrillers. Anne Rice and her Lestat series. (Although I kind of lost her when she got to "Queen of the Damned" although I read the book. I did not like the movie much. Nora Roberts excels in her trilogies. I love reading them one after another. She makes me part of their family and I love her for that.

And a new one for me. Robin Cook's "Marker," with Laurie Montgomery and Jack Stapleton. Their third novel together. this latest was a douzer not only in terms of their mystery (hospital serial killer) but in their relationship.

I also love books that leave one happy couple together and take up another at a detective agency, of some sort of special force divsion of the FBI/CIA/DEA. Harlequin and Silhouette writers do that all the time.

So, why am I so excited? You may well ask. I'm looking for a new novel topic. Yes, it will be romance in that a man and woman will woe and win each other by the end of 250 pages. Beyond that? Legends? Dark paranormal? Mystery" Suspense? Lions and tigers and bears, oh my?

I'm pulling out Beverly Barton's "Killing Her Softly" tomorrow. (another serial killer) I'm so glad this is the beginning of the weekend. The title sounds closely aligned to many Mary Higgins Clark novels. An author,whose tales I love, but haven't read nearly enough of.

Anyway. To bed. I've pledged to my RWA group eight hourse of writing. Okay well, I wanted it to be a lot more, but decided it was time to do some "research."

Happy reading, writing and revising

Pat

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Thursday evening. Tomorrow is Friday. Thank Heavens!

The Cottage of Blog

Good evening from The Cottage of Blog.

This evening I'm chilling out with a good book. Probably another chapter from Dwight Swain, but the more I delve into him, the more "up" I need to be. I'm struggling to stay on the same wavelength. The other is Lori Handeland's Dark Moon. I've never read her paranormal suspenses. I've been told I'm in for a treat.

I'm trying to expand my "classical literature" library. I've asked my writing colleagues to come up with 5 classical works they love and cherish. I'm trying to think up some myself.

I have to say I loved Hemmingway's "The Sun Also Rises," although why, I'm really not sure. It was very depressing. The same goes for Summerset Maughn's "The Razor's Edge." The Russian's depressed me no end. Crime and Punishment (I think I'll commit suicide if I read that again, especially the dream about the horse)
Chekov's The Cherry Orchard (oh the pain)

Do I really want to get involved with Jane Austin? I really loved Dracula, but how many vampire tales are truly considered classic literature? (Anne Rice? Maybe, someday. Now? Really?) I did love Carmilla. As far as Frankenstein goes, I love the Koontz version (forgive me Mary ) better than Mary Shelly's.

I do have the complete works of Shakespeare. But, he's so much more fun to OBSERVE! There. I said it. I think he'd agree. He wrote his plays to be produced in the theater--on a stage. I just noticed Dr. Faustus in my bookcase.

Anyway, I'm procrastinating. I'm going to read Dark Moon.

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good evening from the Cottage of Blog.

I haven't much to say tonight. Just that I'm exhausted, and you'll probably hear that complaint often in the next ten months.

The kids are back. The first day went smoothly. Pretty nice in fact. I have some lovely kids.

I have a nineth period class, which goes to 3:40. I'm not happy about that--last year I was out by 3:00. But, okay, I'm easy to get a long with (Hah) and the good news is I don't have to arrive until second period. (about 8:30 instead of 7:55 or so)

So no, that isn't the problem. It was the influx of forty new students into my nineth period class that was the shocker. I have kids everywhere short of hanging out the window (I expect that any day now) and swinging from the rafters (good thing I don't have rafters in my classroom)

I now remember back to last September when I complained about having "writer's block." Yeah, well no wonder! It wasn't writer's block I was suffering from. Oh Lord help me, I hope I don't go through that again.

I will spend some time this week just reading my assignments and meditating on story ideas. Only two more days 'til the weekend.

My RWA group has a "sprint" weekend where we all pledge either a certain amount of time or pages-project to accomplish. I'll have to think about a new project and will commit about 15 hours I think.

It's a bold ambition. But, if I do, I should accomplish something toward knowing where I'm headed.

Take care everyone. Thanks for taking your time to read from
my "Cottage of Blog."

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Wednesday morning--new line at Harlequin and their newsletter from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from the Cottage of Blog where breakfast was two scrambled eggs and Italian break with butter a marmelade. Yum.
Pull up a chair and have some coffee. Folger's is my brand of choice and I usually put just a sprinkle of cinnamon in the grounds. Hmmm. Delicious.

I'm about ready to head for school. I read another chapter of Swain last night. Unfortunately, I was so exhausted, I have no idea what I read. Maybe during one of my breaks today, I might peer back into the chapter.

EHarlequin has a newsletter in case anyone is interested. (see listing on sidebar) Today they talked about the importance of research. They mentioned that Harlequin has arranged tours of the FBI building, and especially for Intrigue (and some other lines) stressed the importance of taking courses on the firing range (learn to shoot a gun) forensic courses and other continuing education that will make your murder mysteries come alive.

Speaking of Harlequing, I learned they have a line called "World Wide Mystery." From what I could gather by their example, these are not romances rather straight mysteries. Wow. I am definitely interested in this new line.

If you're interested in series, I suggest you go to EHarlequin.com and look it over. They have a critique service (yes you pay) a "Writing a novel in a year" site and detailed publisher guidelines for each line.

Everyone have a great day.

Pat

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Just a quick Tuesday evening note.

School started today, so I'm back in the trenches again.

I bough Laure Hildebrand's Dark Moon and Beverly Barton's Killing me Softly. I'm going to start reading Dark Moon tonight.

Hope everything is going well with everyone.

I'm not writing tonight, but will feed my dogs and put up my feet and read.

Happy reading, writing and revising from

The Cottage of Blog

Pat

Monday, September 05, 2005

Labor Day Chapter 3 Swainisms, auctions for charity and homeless pets. From the Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Good morning and happy Labor Day from The Cottage of Blog, where the coffee is warmed over this morning and the cereal is a bit stale. You don't notice when you sprinkle walnuts over the top.

I thought I'd start my day be re-reading Chapter 3 of Dwight Swain's Techniques of the Selling Writer. I love the way he explains what every other craft writer tries to explain. Is there anything new in his book? Hmmm. Well yes, if you haven't gone through 10 other craft books. Does he say pretty much the same things? Yes-in a different way. So what makes this book special?

It's the way he explains his/our craft that makes it so outstanding. A whole chapter on feelings and emotions. Wow. I finally understand that feelings and emotions are the most important aspect of story telling. And it's these feeling and emotions that make up your actions-reaction or motivation-reactions and create the "changes of directions" "call to adventure" "acceptance of the call" "black moment" "turning points" etc.

Excerpt: "What is a feeling?
A feeling is private interpretation of data. It's a man's uniquely personal and individual response to his world: I love this woman, I pity that dog, I hate hot cereals . . ." etc.

"For significance, remember, starts within the individual in feeling."

"Things don't have feelings. Events don't. Places don't. But people do. And things and events and places can create feelings in people . . . trigger an amazing frange of individual reactions."

Chapter 3 was (and is, I'm not finished) an amazing chapter.

"1. you decide what's good and what's bad.
2. you give your reader a character for a compass
3. you create a story world
4. you draw motive power from cause and effect
5. you inject an element of change
6. you pin down development to motivation and reation
7. you make motivation-reaction units shape emotion
8. you meansure copy length with tension
9. you learn to write in M-R units"

And that's all there is to it, you ask? Gosh, we get to play God.
Yeah, well maybe. As far as our characters, their author-given backgrounds, and their inner conflicts allow. It's when their outer conflicts and their reactions start turning against us that we, as God-players lose control. Just like a class of unruly kids.

Today, I'm working on chapter 1 of my new WIP. Then, I'm going out and actually ride a horse. Why am I sooooo tired?

This weekend I read: Robin Cook's Marker (CD's) Frankenstein (book 2) Koontz,
Techniques of a Selling Writer (rereading)

I wish I didn't feel so punky though. Exhausted to the bone, and I haven't done anything.

Maybe tomorrow when the adreneline hits along with the kids, maybe I'll forget about aches and pains--and New Orleans.

I donated to Noah's Ark, a foundation that specializes in displaced animals during disasters. If anyone is interested in those pets that lost their loved-ones, the Humane Society is also taking donations. I'm sure there are other charities.

Someone on Cataromance or RWClist is auctioning off critiques by well-known agents, editors and writers. I just wish I could remember who was organizing it.

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Dwight Swainisms from The Cottage of Blog

I'm re-reading chapter one from Dwight Swain's "Techniques of the Selling Writer."

QUOTES:

"You need to know only four things in order to write a solid story:

how to group words into motivation-reaction units;
how to group motivation-reaction units into scenes and sequels;
how to group scenes and sequels into story pattern;
how to creat the kind of characters that give a story life.

"ONLY" HE SAYS.

Look to the reality of the writing situation. You can write stories. You can learn to write well enough to sell an occasional piece. Can you write well enough to sell consistently or reach the brass ring of publishing? that's another story. "Beyond that, the going gets rough." "At the top, it's very rough indeed. If you get there . . . you know it's because you have talent in quantity; and innate ability that sets you apart from the competition."

"Salable . . . presupposes that you know how to write, how to plot, how to characterize, how to intrigue readers; how to make skilled use of a hundred tools."

Forget the hunt for magic secrets. There aren't any-or very few. Forget them, because they will waste your valuable time. Face your reality. "What is reality? Reality is the acknowledging the complexity of fiction." In other words, learn your craft and pay your dues. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. Then go out and make some more.

"Emotion and the Writer"

". . . Each of us experiences and presponds to life differently, in a manner uniquely and individually his own. Now all this is ever so important to a writer. Why? Because feeling is the place very story starts. Where do you find feeling? It springs from the human heart."

"As a writer, your task is to bring this heart-bound feeling to the surface in your reader: to make it well and swell and surge and turn."

And here, for me has been my dilemma in many of my past stories:

"The trouble with rules"

"No writer in his right mind writes by a set of rules. At least not by somebody else's rules. Why not? BECAUSE RULES START FROM THE WRONG END: WITH RESTRICTION; WITH FORM; WITH MECHANICS; WITH EXHORTATION ABOUT THINGS YOU SHOULD AND SHOULDN'T DO."

Where does Mr. Swain think you should start? "With feeling. YOUR OWN feeling."

"You start with an urge to write" What goes wrong? "The fear of being wrong."

"Formula for failure: Try to please everybody."

Valuable to a writer: "Spontaneity. Freedom. The opportunity for unstudied, impulsive roving through the backlands of his mind." (beautiful Mr. Swain.)
Detrimental to a writer: "Inhibition. Self-censorship. Restraint.

"Feeling dominates . . . encourages spontaneity and takes advantage of it in the initial excitement of storytelling."

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT (up to page 19)

"ONLY IF YOU STAND READY TO MAKE MISTAKES TODAY CAN YOU HOPE TO MOVE AHEAD TOMORROW."

So, why am I writing this? Because, I needed to reinforce all those points that I seem to be moving away from. Self doubt, restraint and inhabitions are circling me like sharks. The spontaneity and freedom get me back into the safe quarters of my boat--the life raft, the shark cage. I hope by writing this, it will help me remember these points.

Mistakes: The singular most important porthole to success. (or at least one of them)

My lecture for today through the pen of Mr. Dwight Swain. On to page 20.

So, today I will write a chapter one and will allow myself to make mistakes riddled with emotional and physical conflicts.

Pat

Sunday morning from The Cottage of Blog

Good morning from the Cottage of Blog where the coffee's on and chat and remarks are welcome.

It's 8:30 in the morning and it's clouded over. My mood is such that I wish it would rain all day. My house has needed cleaning forever. the computer is much better than it was before the new memory was put in, but it still won't print directly off the "net." I have to copy and paste into msword to print anything. Which is--very inconvenient since I have to print out photos of rap and r&b stars to hang around my room for school.

Speaking of school, I wonder how my students will be this year? I've just found out that I will be going through 9th period instead of 8th. That brings me home an hour later. The good news is supposively, I can leave an hour later in the morning. In reality, I still leave at the same time and leave an hour later. I am going to have to figure out a writing schedule. Maybe it will be in the morning--then early in the evening. It depends on how tired I get.
If I didn't get interrupted so much, I could write during school hours. (LOL Yeah, right) or maybe, right after my last class, rather than waiting until I'm too exhausted when I get home. We shall see.

Today: I'll read some more Dwight Swain. Probably go back and re-read chapter 1. I'm still waiting for my Marshall books to arrive. Amazon.com has stated between Sept 6 and Sept 10. Why? I think it's because I ordered two Loreena McKennit CD's and one of them might not have been in stock.

If any of you love Celtic/Irish music and beautiful clear soprano voices, you will love Loreena McKennit. "The Visit" and "the Book of Secrets." One of the two has her version of "The Highway Man."
I was sobbing (almost) by the time I finished listening. She writes haunting and beautiful melodies.

I've finished all Maddie's assignments for August starting with the various points of view used in literature through reading Dwight Swain. Some of the assignments were posted, others were posted on my blog.

I definitely think we need a file where everything can be stored. I have files stored in my personal "Collie Writer's" Yahoo!groups site, but don't remember what's on there anymore. Today, I will go find out. Sort of like attacking your attic.

Can't think of much to say. I'm not feeling too well today. Probably because of everything that's happened that week, personally and nationally. The hate, hostility, resentment and sadness has penetrated every phase of life. I've experienced it during the workshops in school.

I'm ready for an assignment. Chapter 1 is still daunting as I don't know where I'm going and need a little help deciding. But, perhaps no one can decide that but me. There are basically 4 choices. Have I mentioned that before? About 5 times or so? LOL

I'm going to do the dishes and read. I can put off my decision for another Swain chapter or two.

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

Friday, September 02, 2005

Extra sensitivity during these trying times from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

I'm so glad some of you responded to my Black Beauty blog. I've been pretty down over the Gulf States situation and wasn't going to blog today.

School has started with teacher meetings this week. It seems everyone is extra sensative. Much of it stems from the portrayal of New Orleans poor by the media. It's hit a lot of nerves. Today words were said out of innocence and it was blown all out of proportion and made in to a "racism" remark. (Not by me) He didn't mean it in that context.

We talk about words and connotations. What's an innocent word to some of us might bring strong connotations of condensation and racism. (there's that word raising its ugly head again) When we work with such a diverse group of people, not only black-white-hispanic but also relgious, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist you really have to be careful what you say and how you say it. Some people just can't let things roll off their backs.

So. That's my lecture for the day. Be sensative to people's feelings. I was glad I wasn't the one who said it (I won't repeat it--it's not important, and in of itself was not at all bad) but I learned from it.

I'm not sure where I'm going right now with the writing. Yes. I think I'm through with Arms of the Enemy. (have I mentioned that about 600 times?) Maybe a few things-an open back end of a trailer was one. Who and where I'm going to market it has intimidated me. I had it rejected by Harlequin so I don't want to send it there directly. It's romantic suspense about 71000 words or so.

Legacy is on the shelf for a while (again) maybe that will be my "on the shelf novel." I've heard that every author has one.

I have three other story ideas in mind. One involves the horse community, one the dog community and the other a university setting (or church setting where it was set originally)

I think I'll read for a little while. I'm still reading Frankenstein book 2. And started Marker by Robin Cook on audio cassette for a "little light" car reading. (light. Yeah right.)

Tomorrow I'm putting some time in school to help in their program office. The kids come on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, I'm exhausted.

Goodnight sweet world.

Happy reading, writing and revising.

Pat

The Cottage of Blog

Friday, September 30, 2005

Friday morning from The Cottage of Blog

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Is anybody out there? From The Cottage of Blog

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Wednesday morning: The Cottage of Blog

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Goal for the evening met from The Cottage of Blog

Tuesday evening from: The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Tuesday morning and researching

Monday, September 26, 2005

Monday evening: The Cottage of Blog

Good Monday morning from The Cottage of Blog

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Sunday from The Cottage of Blog

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Saturday evening at a German Bier Stube

Ready Set Procrastinate--The Art of Being a Writer

Friday, September 23, 2005

Nightmare morning from The Cottage of Blog

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Thursday morning from The Cottage of Blog

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Wednesday evening: WIP set in Chicago from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Tuesday and I'm sick from The Cottage of Blog

Monday, September 19, 2005

Monday evening and a successful writing day in SCHOOL! The Cottage of Blog

Rainy Monday Morning from The Cottage of Blog

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Sunday night, a productive weekend from The Cottage of Blog

Sunday night, a productive weekend from The Cottage of Blog

Sunday morning from: The Cottage of Blog

Saturday, September 17, 2005

First synopsis done. Saturday night from: The Cottage of Blog

Friday, September 16, 2005

Finally the new story line comes into brain: from The Cottage of Blog

Thursday, September 15, 2005

fragmented factions in the school system from The Cottage of Blog

Monday, September 12, 2005

Plotting headaches from The Cottage of Blog

The Cottage of Blog

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Sunday morning and pancakes from The Cottage of Blog

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Yeah! Four hours of Writing from The Cottage of Blog

Saturday and no writing yet from The Cottage of Blog

Friday, September 09, 2005

Reading and finding my niche from The Cottage of Blog

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Thursday evening. Tomorrow is Friday. Thank Heavens!

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

The Cottage of Blog

Wednesday morning--new line at Harlequin and their newsletter from The Cottage of Blog

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

The Cottage of Blog

Monday, September 05, 2005

Labor Day Chapter 3 Swainisms, auctions for charity and homeless pets. From the Cottage of Blog

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Dwight Swainisms from The Cottage of Blog

Sunday morning from The Cottage of Blog

Friday, September 02, 2005

Extra sensitivity during these trying times from The Cottage of Blog

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