Courage Or Insanity

*Phew!* 


Just finished chapter thirty-five. I started it a few days ago and kept postponing returning to it. I hadn't a clue as to what was going to happen in the next few hours and that had me quaking in my boots. (Hmm - I used to be called Tex.)


I sat down tonight with the vow that I would write the chapter. I knew where it was heading. I knew the terrain. I knew that the characters were in the midst of confusion and horror. 


I sat and looked at the blank screen. A white Word screen can be quite daunting. Even with chapters completed and notes scribbled.... Daunting.


I put on some Bad Company and put my fingers on the keyboard and willed them to move. I have found, time after time, that if I just sit down and tell myself to start typing or writing (depending upon the medium I'm using) that the words come. They always do. 


Why don't I remember this lesson? I suppose I better put sticky notes all over my 'office' with the words.... THE WORDS ALWAYS COME. Then I wouldn't let fear or whatever keep me from writing.


Life is incorrigible.


PS - The chapter's pretty good, too!

Dragons And Story Arcs

It's been fun writing chapter thirty-five. The last few chapters have focused on the midpoint of the book. I finally got my heroes/heroines in line and traveling where they had to go. This next chapter is part of the last 'obstacle to overcome.' 


According to the powers that be, we have a start, an inciting incident, an obstacle to overcome, a midpont, the last obstacle to overcome, then the climax, and finally, the gathering of threads, otherwise known as the Denoument. (The Story Arc)


I've used this tool infrequently, but I like it. The one I have found is a sort of graph with arrows pointing from the start all the way to the finish. It works. 


I will tell you this. Though I have this graph at the bottom of my file, I only look at it on occasion. It serves more as a 'Wow. I did it right.' than a 'I must remember to do this part next.' 


It's gratifying to know that the Muse knows what she's doing. And that I listen properly. 


Life is splendid.


PS - You can find a couple graphs at these links. 
This is the one I use. 
http://letstalkromance.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/overcoming-the-muddle-in-the-middle/
This is one that a lot of other people show on their blogs. I like mine better. *g*
http://digitalworlds.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/story-arcs-and-the-three-act-structure/

I Don't Know

I sometimes sit at this computer and wonder what on earth is going on with me, with the world in general, with those I love in particular.


I've been fighting an illness for the last ten months. I decided to be positive about it. I'm telling my legs, 'You are getting better.' I think they're listening. They are getting better, bit by bit.


That's what I'm doing with 'Blue' too. I'm telling it, 'I know where you're going. I know what the ending is. (I really do, thank goodness), I know what my characters are thinking.'


If I stop and think about this whole writing thing, I'll be so scared, I'll stop writing. But I don't want to. You and I both know writing can be deliriously wonderful. Mind-boggling. Landscape stretching. 


Since I must continue to write, I'm going to add some of 'Blue' here. To keep me going. To keep me positive. Not word for word, mind you. But enough to push me further. To keep me inspired. 


'Course, having friends who giggle with you is really helpful. Hope you find some.


They are headed towards the mountain and the last part of the book is in full swing. I'd thought I had an idea of where it would end, but it's ending much sooner than I thought. *g* At least, I think it is. They will go to the castle, rescue the boy, and that will be it. I meant to have it end with the taking back of the heroine's own castle, but that doesn't seem to be the way things are going. But that's all right. I plan to make this a trilogy, but the powers that be say not to end with too much hanging. It will be up to the reader to see if he/she wants to go and read more. The book will end well. Perhaps. 


Life is puzzling.

Another Opportunity

That's the way I look at these things. I'm going to a small conference in a couple weeks. One of the authors has agreed to critique 'paid' participants. I can't help it. I've sent off the first eight pages of 'Blue,' along with the required coin, to have it critiqued. We'll see what happens.


Since I was only allowed to send eight pages, I couldn't send the ones that contain the dragon. And the dragon is such a neat character. Perhaps the reason why two writer friends have suggested I start the tale closer to the end of chapter one. Hmmm. Seriouser and seriouser reasons for that major change. 


I can't do it. I can't do it. I love the words; I love the scenes; I love the interplay between characters.


*heavy sigh* - If this author tells me to start it at that other part, I will definitely do it. I'll mourn for a moment or two and then I'll change it.


I'm good. *g* I'll find someway to get other stuff in there, somewhere further along the book.


There is always hope. *g*


Life is engaging.