The Scribble Pad
The mental meanderings of a slightly loose screw.
Thursday September 24 - So much for killer speed
Remember my last blog entry? The one about me pounding out a personal best of over 3,500 words in one morning?
Yeah, well, That's ground to a halt. After my crazy writing streak of last week, I'm stuck again, my brain racing up and down multiple passageways like mice lost in a maze, trying to find a way out.
I've probably got another 4 chapters to go, and the end is always the hardest part. (No, not The Waiting; sorry, Tom Petty). How do I wrap this up in a logical, believable, emotionally satisfying way? How do I make my characters and my readers happy?
Monday September 14 - Personal Best
I hit my personal best writing output ever today: 2,865 words in 4 hours. Read 'em and weep!
I'm pleased, stunned, and a whole lotta stuff besides. I also feel like I've been kicked in the head. I'm exhausted.
And I never saw that coming. Usually, I can do a thousand words a day. I'm not too disappointed unless I dip below about 800, and when I cross 2,000, I dance the tango.
But over 2,800! Blow me down. And it wasn't even a sex scene!
Of course, the reality is that the reason I've been able to devote so much time to my WIP is that my other freelance work has all but dried up. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe people are just settling in again from vacation, and only now looking to do written stuff again. Whatever the reason, work better pick up again soon. I'm rather partial to the roof over my head.
Sunday September 13 - True Blood
Right. Remember how I was banging on a few days ago about getting into the series True Blood? Believe it or not, I actually bought the boxed set of Season 1 without ever seeing a single programme. Yeah, I'm funny that way.
Anyhow, there I was, settling in for a nice cosy evening with the vampires, when the opening sequence rolls up...and scares me so badly that I pack up my DVDs and go to bed.
I'm guessing it's not for me. Oh well.
Thursday September 10 - I think I'm in love with Lee Pace
Ya know, I think I'm really into this this Lee Pace guy. Or at least, obsessing about the Pie Man in Pushing Daisies. Never had the chance to see it on TV, but I did get the first season on DVD.
Before that, it was the first season of Heroes, which I also never saw. Hiro, the time-shifter, was my favourite. Tonight, I'm starting on the first season of True Blood.
Yeah, I realise I have a fascination with people who are able to
transcend
the human condition and become something we are not. People with special
powers, who can fly, travel through time, melt spoons. Bring people back
to life.
And the Pie Maker, oh, other than being gorgeous, he's my idea of a paranormal romantic hero. Not a were-slaying vamp, but a Beta hero who's alpha on the inside, as my critique partner would say. Gentle, decent, but strong. My kinda guy.
And oh, yeah, it helps that he's also gorgeous, like an over-tall, awkward, grown-up version of Halley Joel Osment. Nice.
Tuesday September 8 - Shelfari Safari
I joined Shelfari sometime in February 2007 - and promptly forgot about it. I wasn't very good at social networking, couldn't fathom most of the concepts, and couldn't figure out why the hell anyone would do such a thing.
I got back onto it less than a month ago, determined to make it work. I've never really been in touch with my readers; I always preferred to write than to talk. I preferred the company of my own fictional creations to real people.
But now that I'm on, I'm hooked! I can - and frequently do - muck around for hours on these sites. It amazes and humbles me to talk to people who've read, even liked, my books. Amazing.
Wish I'd done this before.
Wednesday September 2 - Time to myself again
I'm sitting here feeling a combination of guilt, anxiety and elation. My kids went back to school today, bless their little hearts. And although it was a financially trying summer vacation (who can work with kids running around sticking stuff up their noses?) I had a great time.
And I'm almost surprised at that. Sometimes I'm so busy thinking, oh my god! Kids here, so no work! No work, so no money! What am I gonna do? that I forget they're my kids, and if I'm lucky enough for the chance to go play in the mud with them, I'm damn well gonna play in the mud with them.
And it's September! Meet Me in Paris is on sale! How could it get any better? Well, maybe if you bought a copy...
