on a roll

So, I'm for-real revising. I've moved things. I've added things. I've even deleted bits.

It feels good, but weird. The first couple chapters have been written for so long, so changing anything in them is strange. I think it'll be easier revising the newer stuff, just because I'm not as used to it.

I'm just excited to make things better. I really, really like this draft, but I know that there are some bits missing. (And not just the scenes I skipped over toward the end.) There are some things to change, some things to clarify.

I can't say that revision is the most difficult part of the process, but it's definitely a challenge. I shift between being convinced that what I've written is right and doesn't need any improvement and thinking that I'll never be done fixing it. And then, of course, there are the thoughts of impossibilities: How do I differentiate my characters' voices so that they don't all sound like the same person? How do I keep readers interested throughout the whole story? Throughout the whole series?

It'll be worth it, though. That's what I keep telling myself. Everything I do is making my book better. I hope.

I really don't want to put out something mediocre just because I'm so excited to get something out there. As much as I want to get started with ebooks, I want what I put out there to be great.

Truth? I'm totally jealous of Rachel, because she's farther along on the journey than I am. (Though she is busy watching Fringe of late, so maybe that'll give me some time to catch up.)

So, in order for me to get things done, I've got to stop watching Stargate SG-1 (Walter Bishop's in this episode!) and continue the revising process. Chapter two! I saw two bunnies today, which is an auspiscious sign.

starting and stalling

Today is day three of the first annual Writers' Conference at Rachel's house. While it's been fun, I'm a little discouraged about my progress. I didn't write nearly as much as I'd hoped. But I did get the climactic scene written, which is saying something. (Now I just have to go back and make the scene fit.)

I also had some fun with cover design ideas. I went to http://www.dreamstime.com/ to check out some of their royalty free stock photography and I found three distinct possibilities for covers in the Naturals trilogy. I even came up with tentative titles for books two and three. I played around on http://www.fotoflexer.com/ and have three cover art ideas (one of which is now my computer's background image). So, that makes me feel good. Makes it feel a bit more real.

But before I can do anything with the covers, I have to actually finish the book. And I haven't yet.

(I know, I know...Poor me, right?)

I head home today, and, while it's sad for the conference to come to an end, I'm ready for it, too. I haven't seen the Fat Baby in days--I didn't even get to say goodbye to him before I left because he was hiding somewhere. I missed last night's episode of Fringe. And, if I'm lucky, I might catch the husband before he leaves for work today.

In other news, when I was stalled out on Thursday night, I spent some time reading over the 6,000 or so words I have in a WIP called No, My Sister is Not a Muslim, and Answers to Other Frequently Asked Questions About  my Dysfunctional Family. I laughed out loud at a number of places, which made me very excited for the day when that work is back on my front burner.

I love, love, love when things I've written make me laugh.

So, that's where I am. I still have about half my break left, which is exciting. And when I get back to work, it's almost the end of April. That just leaves May and a week or so of June before I can write all the time for a couple months. To say I'm excited would be an understatement.

Okay, back to working on Awaking. Wish me luck.

"i heard you were lookin' for me"

Note: This post was written on either Tuesday, 29 March or Wednesday, 20 March.

A few things:

First, guacamole is delicious. For real.

Second, I love Fringe. I'm rewatching season two right now, and I love it. I love Peter Bishop. And Gary Sinise. But that's another story.

Had my laptop at school today and was able to steal a few minutes to work on Awaking. I had been kind of stuck--just not sure exactly how to put into words what I wanted to say next. But I got through it a bit today, which was nice.

I think my problem right now is I'm thinking too big. I'm kind of scattered. Not only am I thinking about Awaking, but I'm thinking of the soccer story, and I'm thinking of Twice Over Water, and I'm thinking of future chick-lit. I need to focus.

I also need to eat more guacamole. And grade some papers. But that is neither here nor there.