Yep ... we're in limbo here at the ranch. Waiting for a word on a job that the guy has applied for that would seriously change our life. We're up for it but we just need to know so we can start all the wheels turning (suddenly the song Proud Mary leapt into my brain pan).
My therapy is at its usual dog days of summer lull - the heat is terrific - first I've ever felt uncomfortably hot here in Nova Scotia - the new pooch is a treat AND it is time to focus on the novel. How do I do that?
First I tell you what it has been through. I wrote the bulk of it in June and July last year. I fooled around with my usual changing of point of view etc ... and worked it with my writer's group. I sent out a copy to a beta reader (thank you dear Tartlette) and got some very helpful advice on it. I've implemented that advice, which was basically to put it in the now - more action - less reflection. But still I'm not as happy as I want to be at this stage. Sooooooo...I'm going to do the Beat Sheet thang. Do you remember beat sheets? They come from doing film scripts but Roz Morris refined them for novelists in her book Nail Your Novel. I used them for The Rock Walker and found them very helpful for getting the whole structure and flow so you can see where you are off the rails. Well, I think Bright Angel is worth the time so I'm going to do it. I'll start tomorrow. I figure two or three weeks of writing them up and then going back to make the fixes and then on to the next set of readers. Then back for fixes - a real solid language and thematic polish and voila! Out into the world by September. Kay?
Now I'm going to go meditate as I didn't today and I want to before sleeping. Dang it's hot. Real hot. Want to know what me and the fella had for dinner? Ice cream and I ain't kidding.
5 comments:
I can't stand hot weather, but that's probably because our summer lasts for 6 months. Maybe if we had less heat and less sun down here I'd like it more than I do. ;)
I don't think I know anything about beat sheets. Might have to check out Roz's book.
Jan - Oh, how exciting that you have a new job possibility in your family. I hope it all goes for the best. Good to hear too that Miss Bella is doing so well. And about the book? It sounds as though you're moving forward and that is what counts.
Ice cream for dinner, yes! I'd pretty much eat ice cream for any meal. :)
Thanks for the tip on beat sheets.
Beat Sheets? I've never heard of those. They sound fantastic. Sorry to hear that it has been so hot up there. Hope you get relief soon.
Ice cream is the best dinner...
And if its hot for you in NS, it's 28 degrees C here and it's9am.
Icecream for breakfast?
love,
D
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