Now I Can Resume Housework

It's strange the memories your mind will remember - and how one situation can mentally call up another.

Because, you see, a publisher's promise in 2007 was the "reason" why I stopped doing most housework for the last few weeks.

Here's how my mind made that connection.

In September 2007, our family was still delivering thousands of newspapers each night in the middle of the night, every night.

And at the end of September that year, newspaper distribution was moved from the Chicago Sun-Times to the Chicago Tribune.

That's actually how I met Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara. But that's it's own special story.

Now, when one transfers a large distribution system to another large distribution, a few hiccups should be expected.

So our publisher at the time went on record - in the newspaper - that he would not shave until the distribution hiccups were resolved.

Each day the newspaper published a photo of his face with his beard getting longer.

Eventually the hiccups went away, a smoother system of delivering newspapers was established, and our publisher shaved off his beard.

Funny how that came to mind as I worked through edits of "House on Top of the Hill" (the third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy) and ran out of time each week to tackle anything other than the most basic of housework/laundry/food necessities over these last few weeks.

For I was determined to finish the edits and publish the book at the end of 2024 since I'd missed my 2023 deadline, all understandable, as we've had a couple of heartbreaking years.

But by September of this year, I was so very close to getting it done.

And sometime this past month, I swore off any additional housework until I completed the task.

Mostly this resolution was to keep me from getting distracted by the need to, oh, say clean the bathroom mirrors (I'm pretty sure my face is among the water spots somewhere) until I finished the job.

Well, I am happy to report I finished editing "House on Top of the Hill" on Saturday night.

Rebekah started formatting the book around ten o'clock on Saturday (her choice, since she's had insomnia anyway) and worked far into the night.

The proof copy for "House on Top of the Hill" is expected to arrive on Wednesday (HURRAY), so this week I'm working my way down a very long list of neglected tasks.

As you can see, decluttering my desk isn't one of them (yet). And I still can't find my face in the bathroom mirror (not necessarily a bad thing).

But housework is a major goal for this week. In fact, it's the main priority in my life after work.

For next week, I'm taking my fourth and final at-home writing retreat of 2024 - at which time I'll be reading through the proof of "House on Top of the Hill" and working my way through the edits of the third book in Ed Calkins Steward of Tara's "Ruthless" series.

And then I have the second round of another client's manuscript, too.

Yet, I feel pretty good about my decision, too.

We can't do all things at all times.

But we can do some things some times.

The trick is deciding what's immediate, what can wait a little while, and what can be avoided forever.

I'm sure those choices are as individualized as the person making them, right?

Happy Monday!

Latest Update for "Call of the Siren"

Writing a novel, for me, is slow work.

And my latest novel has given me LOTS of trouble, until my muse finally sprang into action around the Christmas holidays.

This novel isalled Call of the Siren and it's the second book in the Limbo trilogy. (The first is The Phoenix, and you can find a copy of it here).

But I just compared this update with the previous one on January 11. And I'm truly amazed at the tremendous progress in such a short periods of time.

Everything in bold is ready to go, editing-wise

Everything in italics shows where work is still required.

But when the editing is done, I have a couple more passes over the text to make.

One is a granular pass to ensure the new characters are properly developed.

And then I need to make a "feng shui" pass over the entire book, which is a new type of editing for me. In fact, I might have invented this type of editing. Maybe it's worth its own post.

My goal is to have the book ready for formatting by early April.

Cover art is by Nancy Calkins, wife of Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

CALL OF THE SIREN

Sue Bass is haunted by dreams of her father, who died in a boating accident before she was born, alluring dreams of water and song. But then a soft-spoken outside man with an inside plan comes to town, and Sue's sleepwalking stops, only to resurface with greater magnetism when he leaves.

Two voices beckon. Which one will she heed?

Prologue:

PART ONE: WATER

Chapter 1: Lullaby

Chapter 2: Music or Madness

Chapter 3: Town Mouse

Chapter 4: Country Mouse, Monday Sept. 13, afternoon (spot places to fill in)

Chapter 5: Water, Butter, and Wine

Chapter 6: Little Girl Lost

Chapter 7: The Lure of Their Eyes

PART TWO: FIRE

Chapter 8: Flames and Frost

Chapter 9: Even The Sparrow 

Chapter 10: Bewitched By Her Sweetness

Chapter 11: House Calls, Saturday 

Chapter 12: Coin for the Passage

Chapter 13: Plaintive Cries 

Chapter 14: As Sharp as Spears

Chapter 15: The Meadow of Skeletons

PART THREE: AIR

Chapter 16: Gates of Horn and Ivory

Chapter 17 Ask, and It Shall be Given You

Chapter 18: Seek, and Ye Shall Find

Chapter 19: Knock, and it Shall Be Opened Unto You (1/3 edited, 2/3 drafted)

Chapter 20: The Stain No Storm Could Wash Away (1/3 edited, 2/3 drafted)

Chapter 21: A Stone and a Serpent 

Chapter 22: Treading Water 

Chapter 23: Last Dream of my Soul 

PART FOUR: EARTH

Chapter 24: On Solid Ground 

Chapter 25: Ideal – and Worthy of Envy  

Chapter 26: Sue’s Diner (edited)

Chapter 27: In Dark Depths Lurking (2/3 edited)

Chapter 28: The Abyss Beckons (drafted, a few graphs edited)

Chapter 29: : No Breath of Wind, No Ripple of Water (1/3 edited, 2/3 drafted)

Chapter 30: Ferry and Scythe

Epilogue 

Can Ya Help a Writer Out?

WriteOn Joliet is starting its ninth year supporting writers over eighteen in their writing journey. 

I don't know if the founder emeritus of this group had longevity in mind when she persuaded me into this venture with her, but I, for one, am amazed at our growth and the wonderful writers I've had the honor to meet along the way while we grow in our craft.

Now ever since the inception of WriteOn Joliet in February 2012, members have expressed a desire to attend the annual Printer's Row Lit Fest in Chicago.

The cost for a double, covered table for all of our books is expensive, and we, as a group, would like to cover all of the costs through sponsorships and fundraising.

So last year, I had an idea for a permanent fundraiser for our group, which we finally put together this month.

Yes, I'm selling a book.

The book is called Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers and it's exactly as its says. 

Except for some definitions of terms, each page has one editing prompt. The rest is blank, so the writer can make notes about things to check and revise.

All proceeds (meaning everything except the actual cost of the physical book, taxes, and shipping) stay within WriteOn Joliet for WriteOn members.

If you write fiction or know someone who writes fiction, this book is perfect for you.

Below is a formal description. And below that is the link for ordering, along with a link for WriteOn Joliet, so you can learn more about the group, too.

Many writers are familiar with writing prompts, a few lines to spark their inspiration to get the words flowing. It’s hard to find revision prompts. Writers know they need to revise their stories. But sometimes writers need a few editing prompts to help them look critically and objectively at their work. 

That’s the reason for this workbook. 

Each page highlights one area of the story to check. The rest of the page is blank, so writers can jot some notes on trouble spots and possible ways to revise.

Buy Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers here.

For more information about WriteOn Joliet, visit writeonjoliet.com.

What Rewriting Actually Means

When editors harp to writers about the necessity of rewriting (and rewriting) their stories, that doesn't necessarily mean scraping the entire piece and starting from the beginning each time.

Although it can mean that, too.

Usually, however, it means examining all the elements and rewriting to create prose as smooth as glass. (or as jarring as a bumpy road, depending on the reaction in the reader you wish to create).

It means analyzing the the structure as a whole and questioning if relevance of the information, along with its placement and whether or not too much or too little is provided.

It means pruning and rearranging dumpsters of information, filling plot holes, and tightening sagging middles.

It means weeding out unnecessary words or replacing weak words with strong words (or weeding out words that are too strong and replacing them with gentler versions).

It also means plucking out cliches (unless they occur in dialogue, see below) along with overused phrases (including yours).

It means refining each character's dialogue and actions so they are true to that character.

It means removing passages that are too long - and lengthening others that are too short.

It means adding and removing details from your setting until the reader lives in your story's environment, too.

Rewriting and self-editing is like building a house.

The frame is your outline.

You need a tight plot to keep readers from raining on your writing.

With subplots running through like electrical wires to make your story shine.

Words that flow are like good plumbing. Sometimes plots  heat up, something they cool down. And sometimes you ramp up tension with well-calculated drips.

However, readers will spot weak writing like mustiness coming up from the basement through the vents.

Make sure real people live in your story. Don't cheapen it with stand-up cardboard paper dolls. Even great clothing with good tabs won't hide it.

Writing a genre story can be similar to an owner completion home. Even though the stories have basic similar elements, each owner/writer transforms those similarities with unique details.

Revision and editing is like picking out the curtains and deciding the best spot for artwork (or the comfy chair).

A good story is like a good home, a place readers will enjoying visiting.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff 

Unusual Motivation

Most of us need an inner cattle prod from time to time, and I'm certainly no exception.

I love my job and work a lot of hours at it. I have a large family, and I love spending time for them.
Which leaves not huge amounts of time for working on my own version of War and Peace.

Here's my "inner cattle prod," summed up in a word you've probably never heard: pheochromocytoma. 

This pesky thing nearly took me out back in 2002. Fortunately, I prevailed, and it did not. Mayo Clinic even sent me a surprise photo of the post-surgical enemy before it was chopped to bits, and I got the satisfaction of shaking my fist at it and exclaiming, "You lost, sucker!"

However, it can bite back. Meaning, it can return.

If it bites back, it bites harder because that generally means malignancy. The only way to keep pace with it is yearly screenings for life, and, trust me, I am compliant. And the screenings have always been normal.

Until this past spring, when the values came back slightly abnormal.

It was a sobering, sobering moment. 

But not a horrible moment. My endocrinologist decided to redo the test in six months as opposed to 12, unless I had symptoms (which I have not). And I decided to delay panic until I had a solid reason for it.

However, knowing circumstances could be get interesting this fall, I decided to use vacation time this year to churn out the rest of Before the Blood, just in case, well, you know. In case life got busier dealing with "it."

And scheduled my annual physical to match that schedule. 

I am happy to report this second screening was completely normal. However, I am officially prediabetic again (I was out of those woods for two years). 

My yearly appointment with my endocrinologist is the day before Halloween (how appropriate). I have a list for her because I'm ferociously attacking the prediabtes.

But unlike many of the characters in my BryonySeries, I'll be hanging around on the life side of the grave for awhile. Or so it appears.

And the prequel is written and in editing. YAY!

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

It is Finished (Almost)

My editor Colleen Robbins had nearly read the first four books of the BryonySeries prequel Before the Blood when I visited her table (Robbins is an author, too) at the 2nd Annual White Oak Author Fest on Saturday.

Meaning she very well could be done by now.

On Saturday night, I completed the self-editing for the last book. On Saturday night, Sue Midlock finished the covers.

On Sunday night, I sent the final manuscript to Fast Printing in Joliet. When it's printed, Colleen will pick it up.

For those curious about word counts, the entire thing (all five books) is, at the present time, 474,008.

Of course, that number will go up or down in editing.

The sense of accomplishment I'm feeling right now is indescribable.

Have a great Monday readers, writers, and vampire fans! :)

Priorities

I often say my to-do list is bigger than my ta-da list, and it is true.

But I suppose even if I was working with thirty hour days, I'd just make longer lists.

This past weekend, I let some things go to accomplish a goal.

And that was finishing Before the blood, the prequel to the BryonySeries trilogy.

I've talked for so long about my working on it that the words fade into the wallpaper. But it's a real book, and it's really finished.

My editor Colleen Robbins was in the fourth part of the five part book when I saw her last Thursday. My goal was to finish editing the fifth this weekend. A series of two unexpected cancellations opened up some extra time, and I used that time to edit.

I'm plan to read through some of the chapters while over the next few days I'm working out (because I work, write, and edit on my phone when I'm working out; it's the only way to get it all done) to see if any final tweaking is needed and then - off to the printer and Colleen.

It meant letting the blog go over the weekend (a new recipe from Sue's Diner will be posted tomorrow).

It meant letting yoga go over the weekend

Heck, it even meant letting some WORK go over the weekend (making this morning a little stressful).

But it's done. And the sense of accomplishment is huge.

I plan to release one book every other month in 2019, starting in January, until all five are out. And so far, I'm right on task.

What's up next?

Well, I have one more novel in me before I call novel writing quits (a werewolf story).

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer chapter books and the Bertrand the Mouse series will continue.

I'm planning some companion short stories to the BryonySeries and Before the Blood that I'll publish in separate volumes (Blood Tales).

And I'm planning to read more. I've read less since 2013 when my last child graduated from homeschool, where reading was built into our lives, and because I was focused on writing one very complicated story.

At the top of my reading list are titles from WriteOn Joliet authors. As I read, I'll share.

Have a great Monday readers, writers, and vampire fans! :)

The Case for Multiple Views

I opened up chapter 23 of the fifth book of Before the Blood on my phone last night, and within the first few lines I realized the chapter is not quite edited.

I'm not talking about typos (although I did fine one) because I don't get too concerned about them early in the editing game.

I'm talking about flow, scene structure, beats, all which had flaws and made for a rocky reading.

It's too easy to think a piece is "finished" when it really is not.

The most dangerous time for such faulty thinking is shortly after it's written or edited.

Melissa brought her report to her bedroom, three-hole punched it, and threaded it into the purple folder her mother bought to display it. She leafed through it with satisfaction, admiring its layout. It really looked professional. 

“It will be the Pulitzer Prize next,” Steve teased her.

Read your work again. And again.

Open it on another screen. Your phone. Your desktop if you wrote it on a laptop or your laptop if you wrote it on your desktop.

Wait a few hours. And then a few days.

Read it from the bottom up.

It's done when you enjoy the reading for reading's sake, when you can forget you've written it.

At that point, it's ready for your editor.

And when he/she's done with it, you can repeat the process.

This morning, I'm soooooo tempted to open up chapter 23.

But I have an especially busy work Monday. 

And the chapter and some space.

(Grumble).

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Nothing Irish

How this for neat and compact?

This morning: worked on editing Before the Blood.

Noon: A very long lunch (and way to short of a visit) with one of my best friends from eighth grade. We had such a great time, we forgot to commemorate the occasion with a selfie.

Afternoon: Finished up some of last week's "real" work and tackled some of Monday's work since I have a big project to do that day.

Early evening: Household chores with two of the kids.

Somehow, I still managed to log in nearly 12,000 steps. Not the 23,000 I try to hit most days, but I'll take it.

Tonight: Rebekah brought home a medium Gloria Jean's. It's just me, the coffee, and the manuscript until my energy tanks.

I really, really, really would like to complete the editing by Oct. 7.

But Oct. 7 is a busy day. So I need one very good night tonight as it's impossible to get much done fiction-wise during the week.

Hope your weekend is/has been full of many blessings.

Into the Words

This morning I woke up about an hour earlier than usual.

I had missed a dose of medicine last night (got busy, thought I'd taken it) and felt its lack. After taking the next one right on schedule, I debated the merits of either going back to sleep or getting up and editing chapter eighteen of the fifth book of Before the Blood.

I chose the latter.

Work and life keep me busy enough that I never, and I mean never (if fact, my discipline surprises even me) open up my manuscript during the week. Thoughts and ideas often come to mind while I'm walking, and I will jot them down.

But writing or editing fiction of any substance? Never.

Today, I chose pretend over sleep. And I'm feeling the tired effects of it now, along with the elation of spending two hours into an extremely magical place where consonants and vowels are transformed into an alternate reality.

It was nice to break from routine.

And I'll keep reminding myself of it through every yawn and swig of dark roast coffee.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

The Best Writing Advice Ever

I found this in my "drafts" section. I wrote this on Sept. 14, 2015.

I no longer recall what prompted me to write it, or where I was heading with it. But the advice, as written, is solid, it stands. And I still follow it.

So here ya go!


You've heard it say that most writing is rewriting, and it is true.

Second to writing is learning about writing. Keep learning and relearning.

Learn how to construct a great first chapter, scene, characters, plot. Learn about development, point of view, perspective, world-building, avoidance of cliches.

Even when you learn, you forget. Relearn it again. Learn something new.

And then write again, And write something new.

And if you can't write something new, write something old, but write it differently.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

At-Home Writing Retreat: Day Six, Recap, Some Numbers

Yes, I'm officially sick, not horribly, but enough to be blech. 

In light of my sluggish mind and body, I altered my last day of my at-home writing retreat.

I worked less on book five and finished editing books three and four. 

I'm hoping, over the next six weekends (which should be interesting because I have some "life" things going on), I can finish the remaining arcs and flesh out the details so I can hand off books one through four to my editor around Labor Day and finish editing book five by the time she is ready to read it.

The goal is to release the first book in January 2019.

Also, as a little birthday present, Rebekah finished formatting Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness today. So I'll scroll through that today, too. Maybe swap out the recipe in Sue's Diner.

For anyone who is interested in word counts, I presented them here in total for all five books (so far), each book by chapter and total word count (one through four is fairly stable) and book five (so far).

Plus the prologue and the epilogue.

For anyone who's read the entire BryonySeries trilogy and want to know how that compares in length, the total  of those books are at the bottom.

For anyone who wants to compare the length to other books they might have read), here's a couple links to check out:

https://www.wikiwrimo.org/wiki/List_of_50,000_Word_Novels

https://indefeasible.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/great-novels-and-word-count/

Basically, Before the Blood, the prequel to the BryonySeries is five full-length (but incomplete) novels, with the last two being about the length of Bryony. Together as a whole, these five books tell an incomplete story.

What does that mean?

It means each book, on purpose, when finished, will not be finished.

Each book's cliffhanger prepares the way for the next novel (if read in order; they do not need to be read in order), but each book's cliffhanger does not flow into the next novel.

Again, all five books together tell one incomplete story. The trilogy (Bryony, Visage, and Staked!) finishes the story.

And yet

Each incomplete novel is a developed novel in its own right, complete with plot, unique cast of characters (although a few characters do cross multiple books).

How long have I worked on this? 

I began outlining the prequel in 2010 and pecked out the structure and research into January of 2014 when I began writing i earnest. Each novel has taken me approximately a year to write (some a little more, some a little less).

This is the most complicated story I have ever written. I no longer remember why I chose to write it this way.

But I am very thankful for the freedom to try an experimental way of telling a story, whether or not anyone agrees with the style or enjoys reading it.

Was it worth it?

Yes!

With the finish line in sight, I can honestly say I've learned a tremendous amount about about writing, structure, plot development and character development, dialogue, self-editing, revision, and, mostly, discipline: making myself write when I didn't feel like writing or when ideas did not come. I feel the things I've learned will help me in my job and future projects. This alone makes the entire effort worth it to me.

By Wednesday morning of this past week, with writing on average of 15 hours a day, I hated everything about writing, including this story. I was pretty sick of coffee, too.

Anyway, for the curious, here it is.

And for those who think this is a lot, it's not, really. The Harry Potter series is over a millions words in seven books, whereas my eight would need another 250,000 words to approach it.

So, you see, nothing so remarkable. And I'm certainly no JK.

BEFORE THE BLOOD

TOTAL: 368,441 (so far)

PROLOGUE:  481

JOHN SIMONS:  54, 739  (55,220)

CHAPTER 1: ONE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS: 2,680

CHAPTER 2: TASTING IMMORTALITY: 4.456

CHAPTER 3: KEYS TO HEAVEN: 8,468

CHAPTER 4: MAID TO ORDER: 4,284

CHAPTER 5: POST-GRADUATE STUDIES: 10, 551

CHAPTER 6: SHEDDING THE COCOON: 5, 663

.

CHAPTER 7: MUSIC HALLS AND GARBAGE CANS: 6, 644

CHAPTER 8: ONE FOR THE MEMORY BOOKS: 4, 648

CHAPTER 9: THE CONTRACT: 2,197

CHAPTER 10: CROSSING THE RUBICON: 5, 148

KELLEN WECHSLER:  55.473

CHAPTER 1: ASHES: 2,007

CHAPTER 2: FORBIDDEN FRUIT: 2,095

CHAPTER 3: THE VISION: 1,736

CHAPTER 4: BEATEN DOWN: 4, 127

CHAPTER 5: BLACK DEATH: 3, 797

CHAPTER 6: ANGEL OR DEMON? 11.985

CHAPTER 7: STARTING FRESH: 11, 106

CHAPTER 8: JUST SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE: 6, 517

CHAPTER 9: THE SUITE LIFE: 9,707

CHAPTER 10: THE VACATION: 2, 396

BRYONY MARSEILLES: 78.098

CHAPTER 1: WORM IN THE APPLE: 2, 786

CHAPTER 2: THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH: 9,482

CHAPTER 3: BREATH OF LIFE: 1,824

CHAPTER 4: BABY STEPS: 3,249

CHAPTER 5: A MOST PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE: 26, 598

CHAPTER 6: THE MIRACULOUS MEDICAL BAG: 2,776

CHAPTER 7: DOUBLE VISION: 5,748

CHAPTER 8: THE DARK SIDE OF PROGRESS: 21,353

CHAPTER 9: THE DREADED CURSE BEGINS: 3,206

CHAPTER 10: FREEZING TIME: 1,076

HENRY MATTHEWS:  89,770

CHAPTER 1: EATING CAKE: 744

CHAPTER 2: THE GYPSY: 3,700

CHAPTER 3: DEADLY NIGHTSHADE: 5,642

CHAPTER 4: REST FROM THEIR LABORS: 4,058

CHAPTER 5: MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: 2,034

CHAPTER 6: HAUTE COUTURE: 26,759

CHAPTER 7: SHOT IN THE HEART: 28, 127

CHAPTER 8: ANTIQUE LACE, PURPLE ROSES, AND VALENTINE HEARTS: 10, 127

CHAPTER 9: SEWING OATS: 7,035

CHAPTER 10: MEETING AT THE CROSSROADS: 1,724

BRYONY SIMONS:  89,419

CHAPTER 11: THE STRANGER:  4,236

CHAPTER1 2: ICE CREAM SOCIAL: 7,572

CHAPTER 13: PSST! BRYONY HAS A BEAU: 3,323

CHAPTER 14: THE DAM BREAKS: 2,284

CHAPTER 15: THE HOUSE IN THE WOODS: 5,742

CHAPTER 16: UNTIL DEATH: 8,774

CHAPTER 17: WHERE HEARTFELT DREAMS COME TRUE: 18,523

CHAPTER 18: THE SERPENT: 5,691

CHAPTER 19: SHATTERED GLASS: 2,479

CHAPTER 20: SHADES AND SHADOWS: 4,385

CHAPTER 21. THE SENTINEL: 8,096

CHAPTER 22: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SLEEP: 3,321

CHAPTER 23: BRAVING THE WILDERNESS: 2,187

CHAPTER 24: DOWN THE STEEP STAIRCASE OF DESPAIR (STORM CLOUDS): 4,385

CHAPTER 25: STORM CLOUDS (DOWN THE STEEP STAIRCASE OF DESPAIR_: 1,816

CHAPTER 26: ENCHANTED TWILIGHT: 1,386

CHAPTER 27: BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD: 1,680

CHAPTER 28: SHACKLED: 878

CHAPTER 29: DR. GOTHART LEADS THE WAY OUT: 1,366

CHAPTER 30: BLOOD BATH: 1,297

EPILOGUE: 461

By comparison:

Bryony: just under 100,000

Visage: 130,589

Staked: 149,167

At-Home Writing Retreat: Day Five

Brief update. The kids have been sick for the last week and half, and I think it might be my turn. (Blech).

Edited chapter eight of the third novel (all eighty-four pages of it) and worked on some of the remaining arcs of the rest of book five. While scrolling through, I was surprisingly pleased to find the bulk of chapters 27 through the epilogue are written.

My goal was to get through chapter 27. As I stand on the precipice of the final day of my BTB writing retreat, I really did better than that.

Here's what's left to do for book five:

1) Write half a dozen (or so) story arcs.

2) Fill in the blanks of dense details I bleeped over to save time.

3) Write most of the sexual scenes and one intense death scene.

4) Do the best I can do to fix the epilogue.

5) Edit the book.

Scrolling through book four, I found most of it in very good shape. Depending on time and energy tomorrow (if I really am sick), I will finish editing book three and four. Going forward, that will leave six weekends or so to address one through five in a major way.

At least three of those weekends have other stuff planned, so this can be challenging as I tend to stay away from most of the fiction during the week, preferring to put most of my time into my job.

Granted, book five doesn't have to be perfect to give books one through four to my editor.

But I do want to be certain it's structurally sound. And while she is reading the first four this fall, I will continue polishing five.

I think being able to release the first book in Before the Blood in January 2019 is very doable.

For those of you who find any value in my dribble, thank you. Your support is greatly appreciated.

BTW, I spent most of today on Fisher Farm, and I don't have an existing illustration for it. So here's a photo Sarah Stegall took a few years back and sent it to me because it reminded her of Simons Woods.

At-Home Writing Retreat: Day Four

When I logged on this morning for a quick pass at social media, I had this surprise: a shout-out for Bryony from someone who has not read the book and someone I do not know.

Here is the link:

https://mistralkdawn.blogspot.com/2018/07/apc-spotlight-bryony-bryonyseries-book.html?zx=b37d49aaad0d6930

Today I accomplished more than I anticipated.

Last night, I decided to modify my goal to only chapter 25. Trying to make up two days felt impossible and it was stressing me out.

But I peeked at chapters 26 and 27 anyways. And they felt do-able.

So I moved around chapters 21 through 27 all day.

I skipped over a few parts (brief details that eat up time and slow the composing pace. Those can be added in spare moments), one really intense death scene, and anything sexual and/or romantic (requires a different type of mood and time commitment).

Tomorrow: I'll fill in the rest of the blanks (layers, subplots, certain arcs) and patch up what I can on Saturday before my granddaughter's birthday party.

From that point on, I'll be gradually resurfacing, although not full swing until Monday (Sunday is my birthday, after all). I'll still be in at-home writing retreat mode, but it will be finishing up editing book number three from that point on.

Sunday afternoon, I' may even reward myself with a dip in the pool.

Now, the quality of all this writing is a little rough. I imagine it resembles a NaNoWriMo novel, although I'd hope not THAT rough, due to the fact chapters are well outlined and parts previously written.

Now if you'll please excuse me, I have chapter seven in the third novel to edit before I can call it quits for the night.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

At-Home Writing Retreat: Day Three

My brain hurts.

I didn't quite get two entire chapters done today but not for lack of trying. I'm averaging about fourteen hours of writing time a day, so the process can only move so fast.

Tomorrow, some of the grandchildren are coming to swim for a couple of hours, so I will lose that writing time (and gain even more precious time, I know).

Before closing out for the night, I labeled the different "arcs" in chapters 21, 22 and 23 to help keep me focused. I will concentrate on each arc and then take a short break before moving to the next. I'm hoping this will help.

I doubt I will get all the way through chapter 23 tomorrow. Chapter 24 is complicated, but chapters 25 and 26 are short and straightforward.

The goal was to complete chapter 27 by Sunday night.

I'm keeping in mind I lost last weekend. And I absolutely refuse (to quote Henry is chapter 27, heh, heh) to "rush it."

If I can finish through chapter 26 and edit most of novel number three, I will consider the retreat successful.

And with that, I have chapter six in novel number three to edit before I call it a night.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

At-Home Writing Retreat: Day Two

Ran out of time to post yesterday and veered a bit from the schedule.

Instead of writing chapter 21, I edited chapters three through five, nearly 100 pages of text I had written from June 2015 through early January 2016.

I veered for two reasons.

These two chapters form the basis of Bryony's earliest years and set her personality and environment. As I ventured deeper into the fifth novel, I felt I needed to reconnect with those early days so I didn't lose my way.

However, it does mean I will need to write two chapters today and two on Friday, the only two complete days I have left for writing. Joshua and the kids are (in theory) coming over Thursday afternoon to swim; I have Riley's second birthday on Saturday afternoon; and church on Sunday morning.

I'll post my progress of Day Three at the end of today.

Armed with coffee, imagination, and drive, here I go.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

At-Home Writing Retreat: Day One

So my plan for a nine-day retreat shrank into a seven-day retreat when I spent the last two days catching up with other projects. (Ha! As if one is ever caught up!).

Undaunted, I launched into the retreat at 9:22 last night by opening the chapter I intended to write on Saturday.

Basically, my goal was to write one chapter a day of the fifth and final novel of Before the Blood.

This translates to chapters 19 through 27, leaving only 28 through 30 and the epilogue to complete the series.

I also hope to self-edit all ten chapters of novel number three. The first two are ready for my editor.

While the task seems insurmountable, I do have the structure and some writing for each chapter completed. Today, I worked hard at chapters 19 and 20 and, for the most part, have them ready for editing.

Tonight: edit the first chapter (maybe two) of third novel. Tomorrow: write chapters 21 and 22 and edit one more in the third. I do have a book signing to attend tomorrow night, so I'm hoping for either a late night tonight or an early start in the morning, however it works out.

If you've read Bryony, the illustration I post each day will reflect some theme in these current chapters.

I'm going to be a social media and email hermit this week. But I will blog to keep my accountable.

Wish me luck!

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

One Great Editing Tip

While taking some acting lessons from Devon Ford, we spent one day working on one character in the piece at a time.

The scene we were practicing had seven speaking roles (and a few non-speaking) all in the same twelve-minute piece. It makes for a dynamic reading, but crisp differentiation in all the roles when delivering it is essential when the author is portraying all of them.

So Devon had me read one role at a time, while she spoke the lines of the rest to help with proper pacing. This way, I could work on the "voice" of the character without the other ones in my head.

Since the BryonySeries prequel Before the Blood is composed of several novels, each story arc has its own cast of characters. When I'm making my editing passes, I'm going to remember this.

Here's the tip: read through the novel's dialogue one character at a time to ensure that each "voice" stays true to the voice.

Two Quick Proofreading Tips

Want to weed out pesky errors from your edited work? 

Try this:

1) Read your story aloud. You'll catch errors and clumsy writing.

2) Read it backwards, same reasons.

Stay safe, stay warm, and may all your prose be smooth and error-free!

Character Development in Novels: 10 Questions to Ask When Self-Editing

Characters:

1) Are lead characters interesting and fully developed?

2) Do they have strengths and weaknesses? Quirks, habits, and interests?

3) Do they have clear goals and dreams?

4) Are they motivated in ways appropriate to the plot as well as their personalities and goals?

5) Are all characters vital to the story?

6) Do you have enough characters? Too many characters?

7) Do they grow with the story? If not, give them plot-appropriate challenges.

8) Are they appropriate to target reader age, era, and genre?

9) Are they believable?

10) Make sure responses/actions/reactions are character-appropriate.