Our family is going camping this week. We will camp for four nights. The longest I have ever camped is two nights. Also a first, we are taking our two and a half year old son. As adorable as the child is, he is a handful. My biggest concern is the fact the he has one speed, fast. Around, fire that could be an issue. I have decided it won't be much of a vacation for me, but the kids will love it so it will be worth it.
I haven't decided if I am going to write during our trip. I told my husband he wasn't allowed to work. When I told him I was going to take my computer, he didn't think that sounded fair. I think being out in nature could be very inspiring so I will at least pack several pencils and and notebooks. I may use the opportunity to read a book my friend got for me. She knows the author and got it signed for me. Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deanne Gist. She is one of my favorite writers now. Courting Trouble and A Bride Most Begrudging are some of her other books. Her books always have unexpected turns.
This is my farewell until at least Friday. I am sure I will have many stories to tell and pictures to show. Pray the weather will cooperate with us.
I am not sure who said it first but I have had quote pounding through my head. "Writers write, authors rewrite"
The writing is very easy, most of the time. Now I am looking at all 8o,ooo wds of my MS and I think okay I wrote it, now what.
Now I have to make the choice, do I want to be a writer or an author?
Of course I think all aspiring writers have the same goal, to become a published author. This is where the perseverance needs to kick in. I want to see this story completed. Does that mean it has to get published for me to be happy? Well of course that would help, but knowing I wrote something, as good as I could with the abilities I posses, I think that will be enough for the first novel.
I will not be able to end there. I am excited about writing stories. I love sitting and letting the story pour out. So yes, I will write and then rewrite and rewrite if that is what it takes to be an 'author'.
Living in Iowa for nearly my entire life has taught me that weather can be very unpredictable. My poor state has seen flooding for the second time in fifteen years. In 1993 the residents of Iowa were informed that a flood like that only happened every hundred years, they were off by 85 years. Some places in Iowa have seen worse flooding than in the historical 93 floods. I am blessed to live far from any rivers or large streams. Even our basement is dry. My heart goes out to those who may loose all of their possessions, even their homes in the raging rivers.
This spring has also been a year for tornadoes. Again, growing up in Iowa, I have been in the basement a fair number of times. This year however it seems every night we are watching the forecast to stay safe. The people in Parkersburg, and more recently Little Sioux have experienced nature more than they ever imagined. I feel so helpless as I see the footage of houses ravaged by the monstrous storms. I believe the last count in Iowa of deaths related to tornadoes was at eleven. I think it is easy to forget these people when we are continuing life as normal. Their lives are anything but normal. I pray that the Lord will help me to remember that no matter how rough things get for me their are people who are going through much worse.
Nothing can bring your writing to a halt faster than a migraine. My son turned seven and got presents while his mommy got her second ever migraine. It lasted for several days and my writing and my children received far less attention than I would have liked.
I am back to my laptop and was happy with the rewriting I completed today. I have been trying to find the 'moment of truth' in my WIP. Several things happen to the protagonist but not one of them directly brought her to that decision making process. I discovered it today and it really brings that defining moment into the story.
I probably have done the process backwards, I realize now that I should have established the moment of truth ahead of time but this is a learning process.
If anybody has any tips on the process they use to write I am open for advice. I know some people use an outline, others just write. I just started writing and plotted as I went. I have noticed a little inconsistency with plot lines and time lines. Maybe an outline would help.
I don't think anyone who is not a novelist would understand when I say, I can't hear the right voice.
I listened to a CD from CCWC about POV. Mary DeMuth talks about each character having a voice that is unique to them. While reading my MS I realize that I have a voice unique to the female characters and to the male characters but not to each individual character. They sound very similar, yet in real life each person has their own voice. A unique style, a certain phrase they use allot, even the way the structure sentences. My goal is to rewrite the scenes and give each person a voice of their own.
Off the subject of writing. I have had only my youngest child for several days. Ethan is a joy and a handful at the same time. He is two and a half and he is a reminder that God has created us each inimitable. We are designed for His glory. My older children have always been very agreeable and eager to please. Ethan is neither. That is hard as a parent, and I have to correct a lot of his behaviors but I think as he grows older those traits will be good leadership potential. It is important to remember that we are all created for a purpose. The personality traits we posses are not there by accident. God can use us all in wonderful ways.
Thank the Lord for the Sabbath. I have decided not to do any writing on Sunday. It is hard when you have an idea but I think the Lord will honor us when we honor Him.
It was a quiet weekend, the two oldest kids were with the grandparents. Saturday I used my time to sit by the lake and write. It was very productive and relaxing, minus the bugs buzzing around my head. Nature can be so beautiful, yet creepy all at the same time.
My goal is to have the rewriting of the first four chapters of my manuscript finished by the end of this week. I plan on sending it to an agent soon. (Please pray).
I am anxious to begin writing my second book. The idea is exciting. I need to finish this one first though. The first draft is written but needs loads of improvement.
All things are possible with the Lord. Trust Him to direct your steps and your dreams.
