FRIDAY STIR FRY - Progress

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Writing a book is like solving a crossword puzzle. The words have to fit or you spend all your time erasing wrong choices. That's not to say first drafts aren't a mess, but the more you can figure out the first time through, the less complicated re-writes are going to be.  

I've actually added a few words to my second book, Coming Home. Yeah! I'm not going to tell you how many, because it's pretty pathetic, but for me it is progress.

And I figured out a plot problem. How do I keep my heroine in town long enough for stuff to happen between her and the hero? In Beyond the Horizon, Katie's car broke down and she was forced to spend time with Josh. While car problems are a common occurrence in most people's world, I didn't want to use that again. I've been racking my brain trying to figure it out. And, of course, the answer came to me in the middle of the night. Luckily, I remembered it the next morning, which doesn't always happen.

Now, all I have to do is write it. But, that's really the hard part. Last night after working at my day job, I went to bed at 7:30. That's how tired I am. I am taking Monday off, so here's to hoping I will sit my butt in chair and write. 

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Big Plans and Lists and Such

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So, last week I promised I would let you know what resolutions I have already given up on. I actually didn't officially make any. I've muddled things over in my head, but I haven't written anything down. If you have ideas in your brain, but nobody is there to hear them, do they still make noise?

I have hopes. Yeah, let's go with that.

• I hope I can finish and publish another book. I have three drafts. Surely I can complete one of them? Of course to do that, I will need to actually write.
• I hope I will write. 
• I hope I can start a freelance career. I got the idea a few months ago when I wasn't sure about the future of my day job. I've spread the word some, but I still have a lot to learn and obviously I need clients.
• Get back to being consistent with posting to this blog.

That's pretty much it. In order to accomplish any of these hopes, I will need to be less lazy. Which reminds me, I need a nap.

What are your hopes this year? I would love to know.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - These Are A Few Of the Things I Love

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I decided to write about some things in life I love. Let me just preface this by saying - this is not easy for me folks. A lot of people think I am pretty negative. I tend to think I'm realistic. I hear you laughing. Shut up.

I love being off work on a work day. It feels like playing hooky from school except I'm getting paid for it.

I love how people who don't really know me at work, fear me. And the people at work that do know me, keep the secret that I'm really a nice person.

I love the fact I wrote a book and it got published.

I love the fact that when my publisher closed shop, I learned how to self-publish so my book is still out there.

I love that I've met so many supportive and wonderful friends by belonging to writer's groups in my area.

I love summer. Don't go away, please, please, I'm begging you.

I love baseball. Go Cards!

I love beer. Nothing like a cold beer, at a bar, talking to strangers, to make you feel alive.

And finally, I love my son and I can't wait to welcome his son into my unhappy life sometime around Christmas.

Please tell me what you love.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - My Muse Needs A Watch

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The end of CampNaNoWriMo is near and I can guarantee you I won't make my word count. Mostly because I've deleted more words than I've written. Which is a big no no.

But . . . in my defense, if I didn't fix this thing by re-arranging and removing words, it would languish in my computer until the end of days. And nobody wants that. I know you all are anxiously awaiting this book. Right?

Back to the real reason for this post. My muse really needs to pay attention to what time zone I'm in. When I'm struggling with my story, she tends to show up at 3:00 am. Really?? You know I have to get up in a few hours and go to work. If I turn on the light and write your idea down, I'll never get back to sleep. And nobody wants to deal with a sleep deprived Wanda.

http://www.morguefile.com

Sometimes I remember what she told me. Sometimes not. This time, I retained it. Maybe because it was a perfect twist and ending to this story I've been struggling to finish.

Many people say their muse hits them in the shower. That happens to me, also. Not nearly as annoying as 3 in the morning. I usually remember those ideas until I can dry off and get a pen and paper.

When does your muse hit you up side the head?

FRIDAY STIR FRY - the writing life

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I've often said on here, at work, at the bar and anywhere somebody will listen that I would love to quit my job and write full time. What a wonderful life I imagine that would be. Ahhhh .....

A writer friend of mine did just that a few weeks ago; quit her job and is staying home. I so envy her. If only I had the balls.

Unfortunately, some sort of income is needed. Although, I've published a book, my royalties so far would buy a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon. Barely enough to survive a week. I'm still several years away from drawing Social Security. My meager pension wouldn't last me long. What to do?

I need to win Powerball. In fact, I'm going to go buy a ticket right now. See ya later.

(if any of you have some ideas for me, please comment)

Friday Stir Fry - Re-writes

If somebody tries to tell you writing is easy, slap them in the mouth and walk away. They obviously don't know what they are talking about.

I'm currently trying to add 20,000 words to Beyond The Horizon, my book that I thought was finished. I've found out that at 56,000 words it is way too short for a single title contemporary romance.

There are so many writing rules to follow. Not only do I have to follow the rules of grammar, stay in one point of view and limit the use of 'ly' words, I have to follow some industry standard concerning the length of my work. But, if I ever hope to see this book of mine published I have to do this.  I must do this.
"But, how do I go about this monumental task?" you ask.

I am a pantser not a planner, so I'm kinda floundering. I started by adding a couple of scenes but,  in order for them to fit, I had to change a few things. Well, obviously that wasn't going to work. I could just see the lack of continuity baring it's ugly fangs. So now, I'm going through it word by word, page by page. Adding a word of description here and there; which isn't adding up to much. At this rate, I may have 76,000 words by the end of 2014.

If anybody has any words of wisdom or tricks of the trade, feel free to share them in the comment section. You'll be helping this writer in distress and possibly some one else.