Up to page 47 today and already at 10,400+ words. Introduced the murder in today's pages--there had to be one, of course. Also brought in another player, a cop who will figure prominently in the story. I had to stop and do some research about what particular law enforcement body would be called in on a crime at the place where this occurs.
Thank goodness for the World Wide Web! Once upon a time, a writer had to spend hours in a library or write letters to experts or amass tons of reference books which most likely became out of date in a hurry. Now, when I need a fact, I turn to a search engine, type in what I want to find out, and start picking through the hits. (Sort of like a detective?) You've got to be careful about what sources you choose to believe. Wikipedia is a good first stop for the overall. In the case of today's fact finding mission, I then turned to the website of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and read about their services and what they investigate.
I've also used mapping software and satellite images to determine if a locale I want to use is valid. Is there actually a beach where I need it to be? Are there buildings in the way of something? Is it feasible for a character to get from one place to another in a predetermined length of time? Can he/she stand in a certain spot and see the sight they need to see? There are so many possibilities for getting facts right and doing it quickly, there's really no excuse for getting it wrong.
On another subject, I heard from Shelley, the editor at Write Words, that she received "The Changeling Kill" manuscript I sent the other day. She said it might be 6 to 8 weeks before she can work on it, but I hope what I've sent is very clean and we can get through the galley process quickly.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
On a Roll
Chapter 3 and page 36 so far today. (Slow day at work, so I stole a lot of time there.)
Faces 2, as I've called it on my computer, is becoming a story of layers. I've set the stage for the mystery/predicament from which Tracy will have to extricate herself, but as with "Two Faces, Two Faced," Tracy is also on a journey of self discovery and figuring out what she wants her life to be. Already she is encountering conflicts in her personal relationships. I had not really planned it particularly, but the situation which generates the mystery to unravel is such that it causes her to re-examine her own daily life and the people in it.
I just love it when a story comes together.
Now, back to writing.
Faces 2, as I've called it on my computer, is becoming a story of layers. I've set the stage for the mystery/predicament from which Tracy will have to extricate herself, but as with "Two Faces, Two Faced," Tracy is also on a journey of self discovery and figuring out what she wants her life to be. Already she is encountering conflicts in her personal relationships. I had not really planned it particularly, but the situation which generates the mystery to unravel is such that it causes her to re-examine her own daily life and the people in it.
I just love it when a story comes together.
Now, back to writing.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Updates and Creating Villains
I just sent "The Changeling Kill" to Write Words, Inc., to be prepared as an ebook. At present, I'm not sure if there will be a third entry in the Jack Watson Mystery series (as it is currently tagged), but the door is open for it.
Right now, it's all about the sequel to "Faces." Writing is going along swimmingly; I'm into chapter 2 and on page 25. Tracy has entered the "lion's den" although she does not know it yet, and she has met one of the baddies. It struck me as sort of magical how this villain character came out of nowhere. I had reached a point where Tracy was to meet this person and I stopped to try to figure out things like appearance, attitude, mannerisms. And went from no idea to a full picture in a matter of minutes. It started with hair, of all things. (Starting from the top?) Then I decided an air of agelessness--someone who could pass for old or young--would play well into the mystery part of the plot. Clothing came next, a sort of uniform but with personal touches.
Anyone reading this might notice I am being extra careful not to reveal too much about characters or plot lines here. My goal with this now-daily blog is to talk about what the process of writing is like for me, and who knows? Maybe when I reach that stuck-point around Chapter 8 or so, the blogging will help me work through it and show me the way to go forward.
As usual, I'm using a working title of "Faces 2" until the appropriate final title presents itself. Of course, I'd like to have it follow a theme. For "The Dreamer Gambit," the sequel follows the pattern with "The <something> <something>". For this new novel, I'm not sure if I should pick up on the Face theme, or perhaps numbers, or both. Once I get an idea, I'll do a web search on it to see if there is any other book from the last several years with the same title. Don't want to create any confusion with someone else's work.
Writing will naturally slow down a bit when I get the galley of "Changeling" to proof, but until then, I'm stealing every minute I can to keep the rhythm going.
Right now, it's all about the sequel to "Faces." Writing is going along swimmingly; I'm into chapter 2 and on page 25. Tracy has entered the "lion's den" although she does not know it yet, and she has met one of the baddies. It struck me as sort of magical how this villain character came out of nowhere. I had reached a point where Tracy was to meet this person and I stopped to try to figure out things like appearance, attitude, mannerisms. And went from no idea to a full picture in a matter of minutes. It started with hair, of all things. (Starting from the top?) Then I decided an air of agelessness--someone who could pass for old or young--would play well into the mystery part of the plot. Clothing came next, a sort of uniform but with personal touches.
Anyone reading this might notice I am being extra careful not to reveal too much about characters or plot lines here. My goal with this now-daily blog is to talk about what the process of writing is like for me, and who knows? Maybe when I reach that stuck-point around Chapter 8 or so, the blogging will help me work through it and show me the way to go forward.
As usual, I'm using a working title of "Faces 2" until the appropriate final title presents itself. Of course, I'd like to have it follow a theme. For "The Dreamer Gambit," the sequel follows the pattern with "The <something> <something>". For this new novel, I'm not sure if I should pick up on the Face theme, or perhaps numbers, or both. Once I get an idea, I'll do a web search on it to see if there is any other book from the last several years with the same title. Don't want to create any confusion with someone else's work.
Writing will naturally slow down a bit when I get the galley of "Changeling" to proof, but until then, I'm stealing every minute I can to keep the rhythm going.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Using Personal Experience
Now up to page 15. Not too bad for a day which must also see household chores get done before the workweek begins again.
Back in the 90's, my husband and I made several trips to Florida on vacation, usually centered around Miami Beach. But we also made it a point to get out of the city and see more of what the state has to offer. One of those outward excursions was an air boat ride and tour of the Miccosukee Indian Reservation. While the current story does not have anything to do with the Reservation, Tracy's first stop on her new adventure takes her into the region, and I dug into my memories to incorporate them into her experience. She rides an air boat through the swampy Everglades region, and I recalled how loud one of those boats was even with earplugs inserted. I tried to recall and capture the feeling of heat and humidity, the sounds, the sights. It sometimes amazes me with how little effort I can bring it all back.
And in the middle of the reality that I remember, I get to invent the stage for the mystery about to unfold.
On a side note, I sent an email to my publisher regarding "The Changeling Kill." Hopefully, the ebook will be underway before long.
Back in the 90's, my husband and I made several trips to Florida on vacation, usually centered around Miami Beach. But we also made it a point to get out of the city and see more of what the state has to offer. One of those outward excursions was an air boat ride and tour of the Miccosukee Indian Reservation. While the current story does not have anything to do with the Reservation, Tracy's first stop on her new adventure takes her into the region, and I dug into my memories to incorporate them into her experience. She rides an air boat through the swampy Everglades region, and I recalled how loud one of those boats was even with earplugs inserted. I tried to recall and capture the feeling of heat and humidity, the sounds, the sights. It sometimes amazes me with how little effort I can bring it all back.
And in the middle of the reality that I remember, I get to invent the stage for the mystery about to unfold.
On a side note, I sent an email to my publisher regarding "The Changeling Kill." Hopefully, the ebook will be underway before long.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Already Editing
Barely 11 pages into the "Faces" sequel, I have already gone back to edit. Had to change the time of day at the start from late afternoon to midday in order to fit more action into the first day, i.e., the first chapter. I've gone back to modify paragraphs of exposition to move the information into conversation and vice versa.
In spite of that, I added 4 pages today, and Tracy is about to embark on her "case." She's using her skills as a problem-solver alongside her lover, lawyer Alex Laughlin, an idea introduced at the end of "Two Faces Two Faced".
Next up, setting the crucial scene that will lead Tracy into trouble--straight into the camp of some very bad people.
In spite of that, I added 4 pages today, and Tracy is about to embark on her "case." She's using her skills as a problem-solver alongside her lover, lawyer Alex Laughlin, an idea introduced at the end of "Two Faces Two Faced".
Next up, setting the crucial scene that will lead Tracy into trouble--straight into the camp of some very bad people.
Friday, March 2, 2012
"Faces" Sequel - Progress Report
Up to seven pages today and still rolling. Creating is fun!
One major point I've picked up in the last couple of years is the importance of getting the conflict out there as fast as possible. This one's got conflict aplenty--relationship problems, a budding mystery, self-discovery for my character. I've introduced a couple of conflicts already and am now into setting up the mystery part of it.
Tracy Wiley (for those who haven't read "Faces") has a smart mouth and likes to crack jokes. I let a friend read the first paragraph today, and I immediately got a laugh. I'm really surprised how well Tracy's humor has come in and taken over so quickly. I'm back in her head in no time at all. But then, I know her so well. She, like all my characters, is part of me. They must be since they come out of my imagination.
That being said, they are also amalgams of my traits and traits I wish I possessed, of what I am and what I might like to be or at least try. It takes me back to something that occurred to me a long time ago as a teenager trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. I knew I enjoyed writing, but I could imagine doing all sorts of things more exciting (and better paying) than that. Then I realized that by becoming a writer, I could be anything I wanted whenever I wanted. I could have every adventure I might dream up and always have it turn out just right.
Imagination is a beautiful thing.
One major point I've picked up in the last couple of years is the importance of getting the conflict out there as fast as possible. This one's got conflict aplenty--relationship problems, a budding mystery, self-discovery for my character. I've introduced a couple of conflicts already and am now into setting up the mystery part of it.
Tracy Wiley (for those who haven't read "Faces") has a smart mouth and likes to crack jokes. I let a friend read the first paragraph today, and I immediately got a laugh. I'm really surprised how well Tracy's humor has come in and taken over so quickly. I'm back in her head in no time at all. But then, I know her so well. She, like all my characters, is part of me. They must be since they come out of my imagination.
That being said, they are also amalgams of my traits and traits I wish I possessed, of what I am and what I might like to be or at least try. It takes me back to something that occurred to me a long time ago as a teenager trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. I knew I enjoyed writing, but I could imagine doing all sorts of things more exciting (and better paying) than that. Then I realized that by becoming a writer, I could be anything I wanted whenever I wanted. I could have every adventure I might dream up and always have it turn out just right.
Imagination is a beautiful thing.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Here I Go Again
"The Changeling Kill" is ready. Final proofread, spell check, and all that done. Still needs a cover, but it will need to wait until I have assembled all the essential props.
And now begins the sequel to "Two Faces, Two Faced." The ideas have been flowing almost faster than I can write notes to keep from losing anything. I created a new folder, opened a new document, and started on Chapter 1. I'm now on page 2. Very exciting.
Since I am starting this one from scratch--no rewrite, no earlier opening chapters, no drafts--I'm thinking about following its progress more closely via blog posts, so stay tuned.
And now begins the sequel to "Two Faces, Two Faced." The ideas have been flowing almost faster than I can write notes to keep from losing anything. I created a new folder, opened a new document, and started on Chapter 1. I'm now on page 2. Very exciting.
Since I am starting this one from scratch--no rewrite, no earlier opening chapters, no drafts--I'm thinking about following its progress more closely via blog posts, so stay tuned.
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