pat esden

Nonfiction Sale-yay!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:04:29 GMT

I sold another article to Vermont Bride Magazine. This one’s about wedding bouquet trends for 2010. I like writing trend articles because I get to talk to wholesalers and dress vendors about upcoming colors and styles. Not only does this help me with the article, but it also prepares me for my own consultations with brides. Speaking of which, I better run. I’ve got a bride coming in a few minutes to talk about the flowers for her July 2010 wedding. Sheesh, it’s time to start working on July already!

Freedom, Booyah! and Bats

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:18:14 GMT

My husband left at midnight for his yearly Canadian vacation. Yay! I have eight days of writing freedom. Well, I still have my normal job to do, but no worrying about dinner or staying quiet because he goes to bed early--lots of loud music and tea. Best yet, I finished an updated outline and now have a final outline for the last chapters of SAH.

By the way, I used to think I liked bats, but the last chapter I wrote made me realize how uncomfortable they make me.

Here's a tease:

Quickly, Ella pointed the MagLite's beam down the passageway to double check that she hadn’t missed anything. She scanned the walls for paintings, only dark soot, dripping ground water and drops of gray slime. She shone it upward. Bats!

The ceiling was crawling with them. Hundreds, maybe thousands. The freaking bat mother lode! How had she missed them when she came in? Nick obviously hadn’t.

As if in response to her panic, the bats began to squeal and screech. They writhed faster and faster. Wings snapped open and in an instant they were in the air, circling and dipping.

Ella dashed for the rubble pile. She grabbed a solid hand hold, readying to climb. She glanced up. Most of the bats were flying around near the ceiling. If she started climbing, she’d be in the thick of them before she reached the gap. But if she didn’t she’d never get out.

At 56,000 words of what used to be 65,000 and now looks like it is going to run a bit longer.

Query Dissection

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:31:19 GMT

Mary Kole of Andrea Brown has begun announcing the winners of her query contest. She will be posting and dissecting the winners (well their queries, that is) all week. Check it out. The queries will blow your socks off, and Mary Kole's comments are straightforward and insightful. http://kidlit.com/

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:37:34 GMT

We're having a wild day around here. A pig--a large pink pig--just ran through the traffic light in front of the store. A bunch of men are now chasing it past the bakery and a hay wagon full of kids in costumes. Rural Vermont at its finest :)

Costume Countdown

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:52 GMT

A while ago I promised to match marshallpayne1 's lovely class photo with one of my own. The trouble was I couldn't find my old photos. I finally have, but now Halloween seems much more important ( though less scary than class photos). This is me as a young werewolf. I'm not sure how old I was, but I recognize the heating grate as being in the gym of the school I attended in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Back then we gathered pillowcases of candy without fear, except that Mom would find out how much we'd gathered and insist on freezing part of it to eat later. I even remember going trick or treating at the Williams Collage frat houses, Mom would have really loved that.

Reading as a Writer: THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:28:43 GMT

I read THE THIRTEENTH TALE with a notebook beside me, jotting down lines I wanted to think about and passages I wanted to go back and reread—and still, my enjoyment of the story was not lessened. The novel is simply amazing and deserves a slow, thoughtful read.

The characters and mystery at the beginning of THE THIRTEENTH TALE drew me in immediately, but when I hit the chapter ‘Arrival’ (page 37) I knew I was in the hands of a master storyteller and hooked for the duration. What hit me at this point was Setterfield’s use of setting. Not only could I picture the landscape the main character was moving though, I also felt like that landscape was another character, closing in on her, threatening. And it didn’t stop there. As the main character went inside the manor house, the setting continued to squeeze and muffle, simply delightful writing.

Besides enjoying Settersfield’s skill with setting, another reason for reading this novel slowly is that there are repeated details and comparisons that might be missed in a quick read. For example, early in the story (page 24) the narrator says, ‘Tell me the truth. The words from the letter were trapped in my head, trapped, it seemed, beneath the sloping ceiling of my attic flat, like a bird that has got in down the chimney.’ Near the climax of the story this comparison is repeated, ‘My words flew like birds into a pane of glass.’ I think these kinds of details register on the readers’ unconscious, serving to add layers to the story, make the overall flow smoother and the end satisfying. But, as a writer, it is nice to take note of where they occur and how they are used.

Above everything else, THE THIRTEENTH TALE is an outstanding example of a writer using voice to its fullest, in particular narrator choice and point-of-view. In the chapter ‘ Gone’ , which is about half way through (page 205), there is an abrupt switch from third person omniscient to first person. It jolted me when I came to it. Usually, this would have brought me out of the story and made me stop reading, but in this case the jolt was intentional and took my breath away. It is an epiphany moment and vital to the story, but it is not until the end of the story when the reader understands its whole importance. Here it is so you can see just how abrupt it is, ‘For in the bath—John took a sharp step back and would have stepped on me if I had not, at that same moment, taken two steps back myself. ‘This is the first time this narrator uses the word ‘I’. However I should mention that I may have been mistaken about this being the moment the switch to first person occurred. It may have occurred earlier, I just didn’t notice until I went to find this quote. Damn, Setterfield is good.

If I were a writing teacher, this would be on my must read list. Actually, I think a writing class built around this one book would be phenomenal.

Hey, did you notice I didn’t even go into the characters yet? This story is above all else about them. Read it if you haven’t, reread it if you have. You may squirm and get the creeps a bit, but it is well worth a few nightmares.

No Writing Sunday

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:25:47 GMT

Usually, Sundays are for writing, but I took a break and drove to Quechee, Vermont to have lunch with my sister and mother. Turned out we picked the perfect day for a drive. This photo was taken from the parking lot of the Simon Pearce restaurant and glass works. They are famous for their blown glass, but the food was wonderful. http://www.simonpearce.com/

Then, we went to one of my favorite places, The Vermont Institute of Natural Science. We saw a great program on owls and their calls--complete with live owls (which is why I love going there). Today was yearly checkup day for the raptors. The vultures were pretty cranked up about having their blood drawn--can't say as I blame them. http://www.vinsweb.org/ Oh, and there were cool blue frogs that definitely weren't local.

We hit a flea market as well and picked up a few things.

No new words added, but it was a good day.

SAH--50,500 words of appx 65,000

(it seems the date on the photo's a tad off)

Short Story accepted and available

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:53:24 GMT

AnthologyBuilder has accepted my story “The Braiding” and it is now available. If you aren’t familiar with AnthologyBuilder , check it out. http://www.anthologybuilder.com/library.php

With AnthologyBuilder you can create custom anthologies from a huge selection of new fiction and classics—and it’s reasonably priced. It’s great for gifts and for collecting favorites stories into one neat package. Not only can you pick the stories you want, you can also choose your own cover, layout and title . . . it’s just plain cool.

It’s also an exceptional way for writers to keep previously published stories available to readers.

*"The Braiding" is a story about a young woman glassblower must travel to Venice with a powerful magus to create a glass heart for the Doge's dying daughter. But she soon suspects the magus has other plans as well.

Links: Query Contest and New Historical Fiction Ezine

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:28:39 GMT

The first issue of LACUNA , a historical fiction ezine, has been released into the wild. It's free and should help fill the hole left behind by PARADOX's demise. Don't miss the wonderful story "Breath of Amun" by Karen Kobylarz..

http://lacunajournal.blogspot.com/

Mary Kole of Andrea Brown is having a query contest. Even if you aren't interested in the contest, check out her wonderful blog: Kidlit.

http://kidlit.com/kidlit-contest

A WIP Nightmare

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:35:54 GMT

I had a nightmare about my WIP last night.

I woke up, pulse pounding, afraid to move. I was certain an evil from SAH crouched in the darkness beside my bed. It was so wonderful to be terrified--and a relief to be in the world of my WIP instead of dreaming about query letters and agents.

Hopefully, if my story can scare me, it will do the same for readers.

Expectations and Style

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:43:26 GMT

I haven’t talked much about my full time business, but I own a florist and antique shop. Lately, I’ve been working on a lot of custom arrangements for funerals. To avoid being overcome by depressing thoughts, I started contemplating how arranging flowers is very much like writing.

A customer tells me what they want (which is similar to a reader’s genre expectations) and I work within those parameters. Still, what I create with that customer’s order is different from what another designer would do with the same flowers, dollar value and restrictions. Pretty much the same as a writer’s style and voice coming though despite the same ideas being used over and over again, eh?

There are tons of other similarities and maybe I’ll come back to them, but right now I have to leave or I’ll be late for work--and then I’d have to fire myself.

This picture is of a funeral arrangement for a maple sugar producer who loved the woods and gardening, and whose family wanted a classic rather than a country look. It's in an antique sap gathering pail and has imported and local flowers.

Happy Release Day: Becca Fitzpatrick's HUSH, HUSH

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:01:42 GMT

Yay! Patch and Nora have now officially been released on the world!

Congratulations bec_fitzpatrick .

What's Pink and White and Covers My Bedroom Wall?

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:16:39 GMT

I thought I’d share my outline of SAH. Yup, it’s a pink and white wall of index cards. The pink represent one POV and timeline, and the white are the other timeline and main POV. This method felt right for this project because the events in the pink POV had to happen on specific dates (aka from 1314 to modern times).I knew I could slap those cards up on the board quickly and that they wouldn't change. Then, I added in the white cards starting with set points for the main POV.

The best part for me has been that the board is right next to my desk. When a brainstorm for a scene comes to me, I grab an index card, dash down a few notes, then pin it to a place on the board that feels right.

Just because a scene or idea is up there, it doesn’t mean I use it. What it does give me is a way to track the flow between the two timelines and POVs, and it allows me to check set points and scene ideas when I go blank. It also allows me to quickly get distracting brainstorms out of my head and filed where I can easily find them if need be.

The X marks where I'm at right now. 45,700 words of appx. 65,000.

So, how’s everyone’s writing going?

BALLAD in the Wild

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:02:51 GMT

Maggie Stiefvater's novel BALLAD has just been released into the wild. I chased down a copy this morning at Barnes and Noble in Burlington, Vermont.

In order to enter this irresistable contest http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/128429.html I had the King take a photo of me with the book. Then, to qualify for another entry, I forced an employee to become my blood sister. She squirmed a bit when I pulled out the knife and her blood got smeared on the last remaining copy of BALLAD, but she thought it was worth it--and I suspect she may buy the bloodied copy.

See how happy she looks now that I put the knife away.

The second random ~~victim~~ woman was willing to pose and she was interested in BALLAD, but she refused to become a member of the sisterhood.

At this point the King went off to find coffee and the photos ended, but the promotion of all things Stiefvater continued to the children's section.

Twitter--any advice?

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:23:45 GMT

Tuesday night kidlit chat finally sold me on joining twitter. Any advice? Any thoughts on particularly good tweets that I should follow?

This is where you'll find me. https://twitter.com/PatEsden

SAH--42, 000--words and moving slowly forward.

HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick: An Interview

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:11:35 GMT

Becca Fitzpatrick answers questions about her debut novel, HUSH, HUSH, about her journey to publication and about bad boys. Be sure to visit Becca’s website http://beccafitzpatrick.com

Pat: Hi Becca, I have about a thousand questions for you, but before we get to those would you mind giving a quick overview of HUSH, HUSH?

Becca: Sure! It's a darkly romantic story about a girl who falls for a fallen angel with a dark agenda to become human. It's being labeled as a paranormal romance, but it has a strong psychological suspense element.

Pat: HUSH, HUSH centers on angel mythology. Can you tell us why you chose to write about angels and a bit about the mythology behind the story?

Becca: Truth be told, I didn't set out to write a book about fallen angels. I set out to write a book about a really (really) bad boy. Not only that, but a really (really) bad boy who used to be...good. A boy who fell from grace to become someone sinister, sexy and dangerous. Over time, the metaphor of “falling” that I was carrying around in my head became something quite literal – a fallen angel. And when you think about it, fallen angels are the original bad boys. The ultimate bad boys.

Pat: One of the main settings in HUSH, HUSH is an amusement park with a dark underbelly. Personally, do you find parks and rides, like roller coasters, horrifying or fascinating?

Becca: What a great question! I find them horrifying. My earliest memory of riding a roller coaster is from when I was about five or six. It was one of those old rickety wood roller coasters, and when we came to a jarring stop at the end, my body slammed forward and I got a bloody nose from hitting the safety bar. The teenager sitting next to me told me that the monsters living beneath the roller coaster loved to eat children, and would be drawn by the scent of blood. I lived in fear of monsters for weeks.

Pat: HUSH, HUSH’s main character, Nora, demonstrates amazing strength when faced with tough situations and decisions. You showed equal strength by sticking to your writing goals even when things became difficult. Can you talk a bit about perseverance and finding strength as a writer?

Becca: I wasn't exactly a stellar role model, but I think it's important to be patient. Learning takes time. So does growing. Yes, there are authors who write and sell their first book in ten days, but the truth is, that won't be the case for most of us. Now that I've been through the process, I understand how hard it is to get published. There's nothing easy about it. Even after the book deal, it isn't easy. Yes it's rewarding and exciting and a huge accomplishment, but it still requires persistence and hard work. The writing-rewriting-submitting stage is good training ground for what comes later. Hopefully this isn't too cheesy, but writing is a lot like training for a marathon. There are good days and bad days, and days when you just want to give up. There are days when you feel like the work will never end. There are days when you wonder why you're doing this, and there are days when you feel on top of the world. If there's one thing I've learned, though, it's that the most rewarding things in life require the most work. So keep at it!

Pat: During your agent search and before submission to editors you went though several rounds of extensive revisions. Can you talk for a moment about melodrama, suspense and kicking your novel to the next level?

Becca: You know me too well, Patty – I'm the queen of melodrama! For the most part, I enjoy plot-driven novels over character-driven, so that probably explains my tendency toward melodrama. (I tried to keep it at a minimum in HUSH, HUSH, I promise!) For me, plot is the hardest aspect of writing, but also the most rewarding...when you get it right. I learned a lot about plotting over the course of the five years it took me to write HUSH, HUSH. I learned a lot about suspense, and how to create it. I wish I had a secret formula I could share, but I think it comes with practice. Outlining doesn't hurt, either. Ditto on intuition.

Pat: HUSH, HUSH is your first published novel. Have you previously entered writing contests or had short fiction published? If so, do you feel these things were an important part of your success or not?

Becca: After I finished one of the earlier drafts of HUSH, HUSH, I took a break from it and wrote another YA called THE TORNADO INTERVIEWS. It won second place in the Utah Arts Counsel’s writing competition, which took me by complete surprise. Winning was one of the catalysts that pushed me to continue rewriting and submitting HUSH, HUSH, so yes, I think it was instrumental in getting me where I am today.

Pat: Enough serious questions. Let’s talk about Patch. Will the reader ever find out the whole story about his mysterious past? And does Patch really like to cook or is it a put-on?

Becca: Readers will scratch the surface of his past in HUSH, HUSH. They'll figure out how he came to be where he is today, and why he is who he is. As far as figuring out the whole story, I don't think he wants you to know! Yes, he's into cooking. It's fascinating to him, because he can't...well, I won't ruin it for you!

Pat: So what is it that makes a bad boy so darn sexy and irresistible?

Becca: Laughing! I think it's different for every woman. I've always been drawn to the intelligent and thoughtful Boy Scout types, so I guess, for me, the bad boy draw has to do with curiosity and novelty – they're so different from everything I know.

Pat: When you were in high school which of your characters were you the most like: Nora, Vee, Patch . . .

Becca: Let's see. I was nothing like Patch. Nothing like Vee. I liked to do well in school like Nora, but that's where the similarities stop. I can be a bit of a slob, and I don't believe in eating organic. Although I did drive a brown Fiat Spider at one point, so I guess I'm going to have to default to Nora.

Pat: Aside from action and suspense, HUSH, HUSH is an unforgettable love story. What are your favorite fictional romances?

Becca: OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon, FLOWERS FROM THE STORM by Laura Kinsale and WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte.

Pat: I understand you are working on a sequel to HUSH, HUSH. Can you tell us a bit about it? Will Nora be the main character and are any of the secondary characters returning?

Becca: Nora returns as the narrator and main character, and Marcie Millar returns to play a much more vital role in the plot. Another minor character gets his big break in the sequel, CRESCENDO, but you'll have to wait to find out who. Also, we find out what really happened the night Nora's dad was murdered...

Pat: Here’s a topic that’s been floating around lj and various writing groups lately.

From the genres they write in, to the colors they use on their websites and what they wear to conventions, some writers actively work on branding themselves. Have you made a conscious effort to brand yourself? Do you have any advice for writers about developing their public image?

Becca: I've heard this. To me, it makes sense. After all, if you write crime fiction, your website probably shouldn't be pink with stars and rainbows. People are more likely to remember and understand authors who have a strong and consistent brand. Readers are smart and savvy, and know what they're looking for. If an author doesn't have a clear brand, they might be overlooked by readers who aren't sure what they write.

Thank you so much for answering my questions. Would you be willing to stop by later and answer any additional question readers might have?

Thanks for having me here, Patty! Absolutely – I'll check back throughout the day.

Burlington Book Festival--Children and Young Adult Panel

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:15:20 GMT

I snuck out of work early today and went to the Children and Young Adult Panel at the Burlington Book Festival. How could I resist this line up :

tanyaleestone jbknowleskmessnerjulieberrylurban ? I've been trying to get to one of Kate Messner's readings or talks all summer and was thrilled to finally do so. I also had the chance to talk to wordsrmylife about the 2010 Vermont League of Writers Conference at Mt Snow. I've already cleared my calender for that weekend. http://www.leaguevtwriters.org/events.htm#four

As always, I was amazed how inspiring listening to a bunch of enthusiastic writers can be and how it inevitably leads me to solving a writing problem or seeing something I need to tweak.

And it appears that my TBA has grown by two more books. It's so hard to resist when they're sitting on a table staring at you.

FYI: Next Tuesday I'll be posting an interview with

bec_fitzpatrickabout her debut novel HUSH, HUSH. She'll be answering questions throughout the day, so if you've been thinking about dark angels or writing in general be sure to stop by.

Needed: one 14th century sounding word for slow-witted

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:20:49 GMT

I'm not getting my writing done because I'm obsessing on one word.

I need a word that sounds like it might have been used in Scotland or Ireland in the 14th century to describe someone who is a slow learner. I’m not looking for a crude word or a technical word. I want something a frustrated upper-class parent might have used to describe a child they believed to be not that bright—and it needs to be a word whose meaning is clear today. I’m not worried about being PC. I’ve been tempted to use the word dullard or slow-witted--which are probably perfectly fine if I'd just quit obsessing about it.

Any suggestions?

(word count update: SAH--38,000 of estimated 60,000)

Matey, It's Talk'n Like a Pirate Day and Almost Dark Angel Time

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:37:45 GMT

Aye, it be only 25 days until the release o' by Becca Fitzpatrick's HUSH, HUSH.

You'll want t' be orderin' it now. If you need a bit more coaxin', then check out this wicked fine re'iew. http://laurasandersen.blogspot.com/2009/09/hush-hush-pre-view.html

Me? I'm o'er half way through me first draft o' SAH--37,500 words and still in lo'e. Ye'll ne'er get me buried booty!

Help--Calculating Date

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:37:15 GMT

I'm trying to calculate the date of the winter solstice in 1314. I know there are sites on the internet that can help me do this, but I seem to be suffering from Google-failure.

Can anyone tell me what the date was or how to figure it out?

Jim Hines Made My Day

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:38:36 GMT

After a particularly rough day at work I came home and found a wonderful surprise. It seems I won a contest jimhineshad to celebrate the addition of his #1,000 lj friend. The prize is one of his books (hopefully signed). I've wanted to read THE STEPSISTER SCHEME, but have been restraining myself from any book buying until my TBR pile shrinks. So, I'm delighted to get a book I've been wanting, and for free.

If you're feeling jealous and would like your own hit of Jim Hines, check out his website for links to free short fiction and novel chapters http://www.jimchines.com/novels/princess/

So, are any of you fans of his princess series or his goblin books?

Agent Querying Trick #101

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:47:45 GMT

A little while ago, I started the agent querying process once again. As a rule I don't talk about querying on my blog. However, it occurred to me that I've failed to use a querying trick I learned from bec_fitzpatrick .

It's called incentive.

I need to have a reward system, a way to treat myself in order to keep my spirits up. So, in honor of Becca's shoe-aholic nature, I'm making a promise to myself. And, since I've already had a couple of full requests, I'm taking the promise to the next level.

If---fingers and toes crossed, knock on wood---I get a revision request or something better like an offer, I will celebrate with shoes and I will wear said shoes while reading Becca's soon to be released novel HUSH, HUSH. Hmm-mm, I think my taste in footwear and Becca's may differ:)

http://www.pyramidcollection.com/search.asp?scat=Y&c=01&SKW=apparel+foot&GEN1=Shoes&Nav=1

Heck with it--If I get an offer I'm going for the matching outfit as well.

By the way, this post is also a hint about who I just did an amazing interview with. I'll be posting it in a couple of weeks.

The Fair: lions, mushrooms and high wire walking dogs.

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:05:03 GMT

I love fairs. And the Champlain Valley Expo is one of my favorites.

This year the Expo featured a tiger and lion show . I wanted to see the lion because I have a character in SAH whose hair is described as being the color of a lion's mane. The coolest thing was that lion tamer's hair was dyed to match the lion. Totally, perfect.

There was a high wire walking dog. The little guy strut his stuff across the wire with a huge smile the entire time--show off. He reminded me of Skippyjon Jones. I know Skippyjon's a cat, but believe me Skippy'd want to be a high wire walking dog if he saw the show.

The next thing that got me excited were these shiitake mushroom growing kits which are made from natural logs. I've grown button mushrooms in my closet (yes, on purpose), but these kits are truly awesome. I'm sending one to my mom for Christmas. The tiny pink oyster mushroom kits are pretty and a fun kids project. The guy who creates them really knows his stuff when it comes to stalking the wild. Organic and a Vermont product--Vermush: http://75.68.162.110:8888/prod02.htm

I could go on all night . . . there were psychics, the giant pumpkins which soon will be turned into boats for a race, the burro that fell in love with my husband, the sand sculpture, the hypnotist--and most of all the people. The crowd today was huge. Totally, wonderful.

Tuesday Teaser

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:51:54 GMT

I'm done tinkering with my outline and am once again moving forward. Right now, SAH stands at 30,000 words.

I think my last few snippets have been from Ella's pov, so here's a snippet from the other half of the story.

Coll

Tor Woods 27 June 1314

I cannot recall the words the priests spoke as that long night wore into dawn, I was not listening then and it no longer matters.

I do recall my father’s somber eyes flickering to fear at the mention of deep sorcery and dark communes. And I recall my brother standing, repeating his offer to protect the Stone and his argument of why he should be chosen as its guardian.

His speech was elegant. It was seductive. In truth, he was as skilled a fighter as any of our best warriors, as skilled as I. But whereas my battle skills were honed with ferocity and determination, my brother’s were sharpened with wisdom and honor. In all ways, he was the most sensible choice for guardian . . . But he was other things as well: my father’s eldest, my mother’s heart. He was the husband I would never be.

So, during the silent second between my father’s compliance and the priests’ blessing, as my brother knelt to pledge his life--I rose and offered myself in his stead.

It was the only wise thing I’d ever done.

But then again, in that heartbeat between night and day, in that most righteous moment, I did not know Luis and the other priests had told only a portion of the truth.

(The warrior is thanks to m_stiefvater 's create a novel cover distraction. While I didn't totally fall for Maggie's trap, I did discover him on http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/index.php?terms=warrior&edit=yes&page=1 )

The Plot Snake, She Bites

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:25:08 GMT

Remember my plot pretzel snake? Well, she's been causing trouble.

Yesterday was a perfect day for writing. I got out of work early, the house was empty of people (aka: silent), sun and a nice breeze were coming in through the window in my writing room—but I couldn’t make any headway. Argggg!

After like four hours of writing a scene, deleting sections of the same scene, deleting the entire scene . . . screaming, eating a bag of sour bright gummy worms and drinking the world’s tallest ice coffee, I realized I needed to write a detailed plot outline for the rest of the story or clean off my plot card covered wall and reorganize (remove the unneeded scenes and bad ideas and create cards to fill in the gaps).

SAH is written in two parallel timelines. One of the timelines is very linear and takes up less physical space in the story. The other timeline is dominate and has a host of threads. Obviously, the two timelines have to be in sync, revealing just the right amount of information at the right moment. But the less dominate one moves at a much greater pace time wise—and that’s where I ran into a problem. The dominate timeline was getting ahead of the fast paced one. Sort of like a skeleton racing ahead of its backbone—it isn’t going to hang together unless I slow down one and speed up the other.

SAH—29,000 words and holding until I get a fresh outline worked out for the rest of the story.