OUCH!

I thought I was back. I really did. Honestly. But the fact was that I still didn't have a clear vision of where I was going in the story. The major problem was an inability - a complete paralysis - about cutting any of my precious words.

You see, I really liked what I had written, thought it was clever and sharp. Maybe it was. But that's no matter because if it doesn't move the story forward, then OUT it goes.

Slice, chop, eliminate!

OUCH!!!!!!

I may be back now. Stay tuned...

I am back!

I did it! 883 words in just about ninety minutes. Again, I don't know whether it's any good. (In fact, I may be heading in a complete new tangent.) But at least I put myself in the chair and wrote.

I'm Baaaaack! (I think...)

Finally, I'm here. This has been a crazy mixed up year, but I think I'm back.

In May of 2012, as some of you may know, we moved from Ketchikan Alaska, to Valley Ford, California. Then, in May of 2013, we did it again. No, not from AK to CA, but from CA to OK.

We're now living in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and loving it! It's a great smallish town with fabulous people. The pace is s-l-o-w-e-r which I love and people have time to talk. I have met more "friends" in the nearly 4 months I've been here than I did in one year in CA. (And probably even more than in AK and Ketchikan was also a small, friendly town, too.) There are just more people here like me, I think.

As a result, with all the traveling back and forth, house hunting, packing, driving out, unpacking (still some of that needing to be done...), I sort of stopped writing in March 2013. That didn't stop the yearning to write or interest in writing, but it did put a bit of a lid on the creating. Once you get "out of the story," it's always a push to get back in.

So that's where I am. Trying to get back in. Last week, I wrote 100 words on Wednesday. Most of them were probably awful. The next day, I did better - 595, and I think they were better.

There are still 1,000 things to divert my attention from CCK (my Work in Progress), but I am determined - right after Bible study - to sit down this morning and get out those 1,000 words. And why not?? I did my exercises, took my walk, made granola, and ate breakfast.

And now I'm ready!

Popcorn

Does popcorn make you more creative?? I'm not sure, but I do know I've got the snackies this morning. I had a bit of a slow start which means I did all the things (and some additional things as well...) I usually do after I write - pay bills, answer email, check out the fog rolling in over the fields, place an order (new ink cartridges), talk on the phone, wander around the house, think about signing up for Audible.com, check out the fog again which is much less now and makes me feel like the sun will be out soon, etc.

Yesterday I bought one of those antennas which supposedly allow you to pick up digital signals for free over the air. I did not install it, even though as I passed through the living room, I did look at it and think about it. 

But I finally got serious and I'm now at nearly 600 words and in a good scene which means I can definitely get to 1,000 words today.

That calls for a treat, right?

Nope. I've got to stay here until I hit 24,459 words. 

Super Week!

I have been remiss with blogging, and I promise to do better. Last week was a steller occasion as I logged in over 5500 words. It was the most ever for one week. I also learned that although it's best to start writing right away in the morning, I can also do other things, get motivated and still crank out 800 words before lunch.

But today, I'm a slow starter. This is mainly because I have a slew of errands to run and since I live 10-18 miles from the nearest town/grocery store, I am preoccupied. I can't decide if I should write first or run the errands. Since I'm at the computer typing this - maybe writing has won?

The other thing on my mind is that I want to send another 50+ pages to my agent so she can see where the story is going. And since I'm obsessive about it being right, that means I have to review/edit which may mean no real word count today - or maybe not. 

I have to say again and again that I just LOVE this new genre of romantic fiction. It is so much fun to spend time with these zany characters I've created - to explore their hopes and dreams and to watch them change and grow.

I've been reading a new romance author, Robyn Carr. I just got a Kindle for Christmas (mainly because the closest library is 10-18 miles...) and although I will ALWAYS prefer paper books I can hold, I can see the benefit of a Kindle. Easier to read in bed, for example. Great on trips so I'm not lugging numerous books. I stumbled onto Robin because her books were available on the ebooks site of my library. (Another bug-a-boo with the Kindle is that there are so FEW bestsellers available - and yes, I know, I should buy books. As a writer, I should especially buy books, but.)

I had previously read Debbie Macomber and Sherryl Woods, both of whom I like a lot and both are excellent in creating towns and characters. But Robyn's work is especially interesting since she is writing about Northern California where I am currently living and that's fun.

The other wonderful thing that happened last week is that I found out about a local writers' group I may be able to join. That support is so critical especially since life on this dairy farm is very FAR from anyone...

Are you sitting at your computer writing?? If not, go to it!