Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Revised Goals and Serial Killers

Reality has finally hit me on the head. And it hurt. I'm not certain when this first round ends (I am sure it will be much too soon for me), but I have to face the fact that I probably won't be able to catch up. Hence, the revised goals.

Okay. Here goes. I'm going to forget about trying to catch up. I'm just going to go on from here, but I'll still stick to my two pages per day.

I'm considering another project, one that might help my productivity in a sideways sort of way. I'll be on spring break next week, so I'm considered converting my dining room into an exercise room for my treadmill, free weights, and yoga stuff. That way, if I don't have my butt in the chair working on my WIP, I will have to be on the treadmill working in another way.

I wonder how much my complete dislike for the treadmill will motivate my writing?

I'm having a lot of fun with my serial killer werewolf. I made some changes today, and I'm really excited to get home to get more on the page.

See you all Sunday for another update!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Where Did the Time Go??

The past few days have just blown by, and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't written anything. I've been swamped with students who are trying to get things done before spring break. Time just got away from me. That, and my math class.

I was supposed to take a math test on Friday. I've been unable to figure out a particular problem, so I didn't take the test. Luckily, it's an independent learning class, so I can take the test anytime I want. As of this posting, I still haven't figured it out, but I think I have a handle on it. I'm taking the test tomorrow afternoon, sometime between 1:00 and 4:00.

After that, I can concentrate on writing until after spring break. That will be refreshing.

I think I can take some time during the break and learn to organize things better.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm open to any and all suggestions at this point.

Oh, and somehow I need to fit some exercise time in. I just saw myself for the first time on Skype. Let's just say that on a sliding scale from unhappy to horrified, I'm sliding quickly toward horrified.

See you Wednesday!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

New Scenes

I had a really good day today at work. The moments between students (and there weren't many) I came up with a couple of new scenes that take place right before the climax.

In the first one, the heroine sits down and makes out her will - letting everyone know the legacies she wants to leave them. She has no hope left; she expects to die that evening. She knows there is no way to go up against an immortal who possesses the protection of a god and still survive.

In the next scene, she shakes everyone off and prepares herself before the ritual. It's only then that she actually faces her inner self and sees herself clearly for the first time. She's not happy with the revelations, but she does recognize the good things about herself as well.

Now, what can I do with THAT??

See you Sunday!

(P.S.) I'm still not caught up, but I'm still trying!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Free Therapy

Y'know, writing is therapy you don't have to pay for. And, if you spill your guts, it may even pay you.

Sounds like a good deal, right? (No pun intended.)

All we have to do is bleed copiously for the amusement of the reading public. That takes bravery, honesty, and luck. But not the kind of luck you think.

We're really lucky to be living in the midst of all these crises going on right now. Readers want to get involved with characters they can identify with, and who they can see fighting against tough odds. And winning. That helps them feel like winners, too.

Ultimately, we're charged with a sacred trust - tell a good story that people can believe in. It's awe-inspiring and exciting, all at the same time.

On a personal note, I've been going through a lot of crap lately. And I can't resent it. I can only be thankful because it provides such rich fodder for fiction. That's a true gift.

I spent several hours with a writing friend of mine yesterday, and I was able to make my pages from Wednesday to today. Whew! I'm still working on the catch-up, though.

I slipped into editor mode and cut some things that I didn't feel comfortable with. I thought some scenes/chapters slowed things down. I prefer to jump into the middle of things, so that's what I went back to doing. I feel better about the pacing, but it's gonna take a helluva rethink for some other pieces.

So, back to the salt mines!

See everyone on Wednesday...

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A Quick Note

It's been a productive few days - but not for writing.

It turns out Todd and I can stay, but my other roommate has to move out. He's leaving Friday. Unfortunately. He's one of the few people I know with whom I can have a lively debate. I'm going to miss that. And his extraordinarily dry British sense of humor.

If any of you out there have seen Jeremy Clarkson on the BBC's "Top Gear" you have an idea what my roommate is like.

I'm going to have to find another way to get my sarcasm fix.

On the upside, I'm back at my keyboard and my fingers have begun to fly.

Happy writing, everyone, and I'll see you all on Sunday!

Lara

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Personal Implosions

Yup, my life has just blown up. And it wasn't even my fault. But my core has been rocked to such an extent that for most of the week, I haven't been able to write.

Let me sketch out the scenario for everyone.

My roommate Andy is completely disabled - a virus attacked his heart. Now it only functions around 25%. He takes lots of meds, and he sleeps a lot. Understandable, right?

Well, last Monday, there was a notification from our apartment's management company saying they were going to do apartment inspections on Tuesday. Okay, fine. They usually do that twice a year to make sure that fire alarms work and fire extinguishers are all good. However, they didn't come on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, while I was at work, and my roommate was fast asleep, they came in. He woke up to hear banging in the kitchen (I still don't know what THAT was about). He thought we had been victims of a home invasion, so he got his gun and chased them out. Only as they were running were they yelling "Maintenance." They also weren't management people he recognized.

So, the upshot of the matter is that even though the cops said they would have done the same thing and they left without doing anything to Andy, we got an eviction notice on Friday afternoon. We've got a week to get out.

As of yet, I have no destination.

Life has gotten very interesting, in a Chinese sort of way. Crap.

Sunday, February 05, 2012

From Werewolves to Aliens...

The oddest thing happened to me yesterday. I saw my first alien. And I don't mean someone with questionable immigrant status. And I don't mean to be derogatory - just describing what I saw. I was walking into Publix to do my usual Saturday morning shopping, and this very odd woman walked by me on the sidewalk. At least, I'm pretty sure the individual was female.

She(?) was very short, shorter than your average human. That's even taking into consideration her slightly hunched posture. She looked at me and smiled, but it wasn't like any human smile I'd ever seen before. It was more of a grimace than anything. And every single one of her teeth were pointed. Yup. Sharp. Hair? Didn't see any, but she had a bandana on her head. It wasn't smooth, though.

Now, I know what you're thinking...maybe she had curlers under there, like our grandmothers used to. The shapes weren't predictable or symmetrical, or anything recognizable. It was just...weird. And bumpy.

I guess this is why people-watching is good. You never know what you'll see. And maybe it will be something that can be used later. (And I have to wonder - if she was an alien, what would she be getting at the grocery store? She didn't have anything in her hands. Maybe because nothing there satisfied her requirements? Hmm...taking a detour into Storyland again...)

I haven't caught up yet, but I'm still working on it. I have a plan for a quicker catch-up. I won't jinx it by talking about it, but I'll let you know next time if it works.

Happy and productive writing, everyone!