Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "drafting"
Draft-y!
An Indie author at the forefront of my current work in progress, I spent the past two weeks proofing, editing, tweaking, fleshing, meshing, and messing around with my document. Heh heh—without advancing the story a single word, my future novel in the genre of Contemporary miraculously progressed from chapter 7 to 10 as a result of subdividing chapters.
A “pantser” who pivots solely from ideas ricocheting in my mind without a written outline or compendium of notes, the story has already grown in scope and depth through unforeseen twists and turns.
Shiver me timbers, there’s a draft coming from a blank page!
No longer giving the fabrication process of writing the bum’s rush, it’s been draft-y in my office as I compose chapter 10 beyond typing it as such in the document.
Typically during each daily writing session of 1-2 hours, I progress with the speed of a glacier. I advance. I retreat to either: research, use the thesaurus to find a lesser-used, suitable synonym, or monitor my word flow. Some would argue to draft and be damned, so as not to disrupt the momentum. That’s not how I roll. For me, each sentence is predicated on its predecessor as I weave my story.
Better to word build by taking great pains, rather than demolishing a shoddy setup, only to start over again, eh?
I may have only written 131 words in the first 2-hr.session of drafting chapter 10, but it’s a solid foundation for adding on. Rereading it will fire me up to fabricate what will logically follow.
Adhering to the principles of an indie author to the nth degree, I don’t set word quotas or publication deadlines at the risk of compromising my work, of which I’m very proprietary. It might be several more months to a year or more before this baby is road ready for publication. Whenever—you can be sure this diamond in the rough will be polished to a high sheen. That’s the cold, hard truth!
Eva’s Byte #507 – Over the Moon!
A purely subjective conjecture, in the capacity of a writer, a glowing book review brings on the metaphor of flying high.
Excerpts from the latest 5-Star review by talented author Susan Sage for Aileen’s
Guesthouse: A Heartfelt Contemporary:
“This is one of those rare novels that I truly didn’t want to finish! I’ve always thought highly of Pasco’s fiction, but this one is truly my favorite. It wasn’t only a ‘Heartfelt Contemporary’ as subtitled, but a keen psychological study of the connections between love and guilt. Through third-person personal voice, Pasco deftly and distinctly breathes life into her portrayals of Aileen, her mother Gert, retired schoolmarm Lillian Wright, the birdman Drake Lynch, Aileen’s boyfriend Ox, as well as one of the later guests—the deeply troubled Perla Moreno.
Pasco perfectly creates a rise and fall of tension as she weaves the common thread of connections made from guilty consciences. There’s a poetry in her word choices and an architectural complexity in the book’s development that turns this work into a most powerful read.”
In the here and now, I’ve completed drafting chapter 8 (1215 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun turning phrases in chapter 9 (152 words thus far).
*May encouraging words foster a belief in the merit of our creative endeavors.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Excerpts from the latest 5-Star review by talented author Susan Sage for Aileen’s
Guesthouse: A Heartfelt Contemporary:
“This is one of those rare novels that I truly didn’t want to finish! I’ve always thought highly of Pasco’s fiction, but this one is truly my favorite. It wasn’t only a ‘Heartfelt Contemporary’ as subtitled, but a keen psychological study of the connections between love and guilt. Through third-person personal voice, Pasco deftly and distinctly breathes life into her portrayals of Aileen, her mother Gert, retired schoolmarm Lillian Wright, the birdman Drake Lynch, Aileen’s boyfriend Ox, as well as one of the later guests—the deeply troubled Perla Moreno.
Pasco perfectly creates a rise and fall of tension as she weaves the common thread of connections made from guilty consciences. There’s a poetry in her word choices and an architectural complexity in the book’s development that turns this work into a most powerful read.”
In the here and now, I’ve completed drafting chapter 8 (1215 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun turning phrases in chapter 9 (152 words thus far).
*May encouraging words foster a belief in the merit of our creative endeavors.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #517 – The Spin I’m In
There’s the Spinners, an R&B vocal group out of Detroit who had a string of hit singles and albums during the Sixties and Seventies. One of my faves, “I’ll Be Around”.
Then, there’s the salad spinner, a kitchen gadget used to remove excess water from washed salad greens by spinning the leaves in a perforated basket.
That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Come Spring, my fancy turns to thoughts of preparing dinner salads for my evening meal. For starters, I’ll rely on my salad spinner for washing and drying lettuce leaves.
It’s a given, my salad days require frequent supermarket trips to stock up on fresh produce. At the bare minimum, my ingredients include: dark green lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, cheese, and a hard-boiled egg.
In this writer’s capacity of spinning a story in the genre of Contemporary, I’ve finished drafting chapter 11 (1573 words). I’m composing chapter 12 (357 words thus far).
*May each of us spin ourselves in the right direction for making healthy choices and wise decisions.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Then, there’s the salad spinner, a kitchen gadget used to remove excess water from washed salad greens by spinning the leaves in a perforated basket.
That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Come Spring, my fancy turns to thoughts of preparing dinner salads for my evening meal. For starters, I’ll rely on my salad spinner for washing and drying lettuce leaves.
It’s a given, my salad days require frequent supermarket trips to stock up on fresh produce. At the bare minimum, my ingredients include: dark green lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, cheese, and a hard-boiled egg.
In this writer’s capacity of spinning a story in the genre of Contemporary, I’ve finished drafting chapter 11 (1573 words). I’m composing chapter 12 (357 words thus far).
*May each of us spin ourselves in the right direction for making healthy choices and wise decisions.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #519 – Toughening It Out
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
(Quote attributed both to Joseph P. Kennedy, father of President John F. Kennedy, and football player/coach Knute Rockne)
As it remains to be seen just how tough things are going to get on the world stage, I’m toughening it out by embracing life’s simple pleasures within the sanctity of my own home, or close by.
Listening to ambient music while at the keyboard imbues a sense of calm.
Reading spirits me away to another realm.
As the weather becomes more user-friendly, I’ll resume foraging for sea glass at a nearby beach, enjoying the cacophony of seagulls squawking overhead.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m toughening out drafting my Contemporary work in progress. Chapter 12 is complete at 1404 words. Chapter 13 has progressed to 283 words thus far.
*As the going gets tough, may each of us implement our own coping mechanisms to foster peace of mind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
(Quote attributed both to Joseph P. Kennedy, father of President John F. Kennedy, and football player/coach Knute Rockne)
As it remains to be seen just how tough things are going to get on the world stage, I’m toughening it out by embracing life’s simple pleasures within the sanctity of my own home, or close by.
Listening to ambient music while at the keyboard imbues a sense of calm.
Reading spirits me away to another realm.
As the weather becomes more user-friendly, I’ll resume foraging for sea glass at a nearby beach, enjoying the cacophony of seagulls squawking overhead.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m toughening out drafting my Contemporary work in progress. Chapter 12 is complete at 1404 words. Chapter 13 has progressed to 283 words thus far.
*As the going gets tough, may each of us implement our own coping mechanisms to foster peace of mind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #520 – Making Inroads
As I make inroads drafting my Contemporary work in progress, I continue to slog the extra mile for bringing its local setting of Warren, Rhode Island to life. Besides integrating landmarks, culture, and geographical aspects, it’s important for me to “go the distance” with precision; i.e., walking a mile in my protagonist’s shoes.
Plotwise, this recently entailed finding out the number of miles between Warren and Millville, Massachusetts; Warren and Providence; Providence and Millville. I also looked up bus fares and cab fares during the Seventies.
“She’s got a ticket to ride.”
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 13 at 927 words. I’m making inroads along the draft of chapter 14 (114 words thus far), getting my protagonist road ready for what lies ahead along her journey.
*May each of us go the extra mile for making inroads along our creative journeys.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Plotwise, this recently entailed finding out the number of miles between Warren and Millville, Massachusetts; Warren and Providence; Providence and Millville. I also looked up bus fares and cab fares during the Seventies.
“She’s got a ticket to ride.”
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 13 at 927 words. I’m making inroads along the draft of chapter 14 (114 words thus far), getting my protagonist road ready for what lies ahead along her journey.
*May each of us go the extra mile for making inroads along our creative journeys.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #524 – Just Saying
“I look like the wreck of the Hesperus!”
“I feel like the wreck of the Hesperus!”
Two of mother’s favorite sayings. She often invoked these variants after toiling in the yard, or on days she didn’t like how her hair looked before leaving the house.
The buck didn’t stop there. If I looked the worse for wear from one of life’s travails: “You look like the wreck of the Hesperus!”
A state of disarray similar to the aftermath of a shipwreck bears in mind the poem, “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m sailing along the ongoing draft of chapter 15 (856 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*When called for, may each of us apply a tried-and-true saying that fits.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
“I feel like the wreck of the Hesperus!”
Two of mother’s favorite sayings. She often invoked these variants after toiling in the yard, or on days she didn’t like how her hair looked before leaving the house.
The buck didn’t stop there. If I looked the worse for wear from one of life’s travails: “You look like the wreck of the Hesperus!”
A state of disarray similar to the aftermath of a shipwreck bears in mind the poem, “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m sailing along the ongoing draft of chapter 15 (856 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*When called for, may each of us apply a tried-and-true saying that fits.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #526 – A Walk on the Mild Side
Pivoting from the premises of “never have I ever” lived dangerously, hither come I. There’s a glimmer of truth in the old adage, “slow and steady wins the race”.
While some health nuts fizzle out from raising the bar too high—er uh, dumbbells—I’ve remained steadfast with my exercising and walking routines for days on end throughout the years. My daily regimen includes a short series of Pilates, weightbearing exercises with a pair of 5-lb. weights, and two brisk daily walks around the scenic grounds of my apartment complex.
Let none of us overlook keeping up the pace walking the supermarket aisles, and lifting bags of groceries.
Low-impact exercising and walking on the mild side are equated with attaining success through consistent effort and persistence. Benefits include: improved cardio health; strengthened bones and muscles; reducing risks for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
In the capacity of a writer who advances through slow and steady pacing along my Contemporary work in progress, I’m rounding the bend drafting chapter 16 (986 words thus far).
*May each of us adopt a pace beneficial to our health and autonomy.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
While some health nuts fizzle out from raising the bar too high—er uh, dumbbells—I’ve remained steadfast with my exercising and walking routines for days on end throughout the years. My daily regimen includes a short series of Pilates, weightbearing exercises with a pair of 5-lb. weights, and two brisk daily walks around the scenic grounds of my apartment complex.
Let none of us overlook keeping up the pace walking the supermarket aisles, and lifting bags of groceries.
Low-impact exercising and walking on the mild side are equated with attaining success through consistent effort and persistence. Benefits include: improved cardio health; strengthened bones and muscles; reducing risks for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
In the capacity of a writer who advances through slow and steady pacing along my Contemporary work in progress, I’m rounding the bend drafting chapter 16 (986 words thus far).
*May each of us adopt a pace beneficial to our health and autonomy.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #528 – A Blessing in DisgEYEse
The revolting development of a stye inside the upper lid of my left eye put the kibosh on waving my magic mascara wand over my long, curly lashes. I not only tossed the tube, but got rid of a jar of cold cream makeup remover and a jar of night cream.
A stye can develop from bacterial infection at the base of an eyelash when one of the small glands lining the eyelid gets plugged. As suggested, applying a warm compress to the area helped to relieve the discomfort during the reddish swelling which lingered for a few days.
For years, mascara and lipstick have been my only go-to cosmetics. The stye may have vanished, but not my misgivings over applying mascara. Perhaps, this abstinence is a blessing in disgEYEse for warding off another unsightly and annoying infection.
Let’s face it, pun intended, I’ve subtracted two-three minutes from my morning grooming routine. I’m saving money by not spending any on mascara, cold cream, and makeup remover towelettes.
A New England summer with its fair share of heat and humidity is the perfect time for me to quit my addiction, cold turkey. I no longer have to check for smudges and rings around the eyes.
In the capacity of a writer drafting my Contemporary work in progress, I’ve split a chapter into two. Chapter 16 has 632 words. I’m at the tail end of chapter 17 (1519 words thus far).
*May each of us eliminate risks with potential to undermine our health and well-being.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
A stye can develop from bacterial infection at the base of an eyelash when one of the small glands lining the eyelid gets plugged. As suggested, applying a warm compress to the area helped to relieve the discomfort during the reddish swelling which lingered for a few days.
For years, mascara and lipstick have been my only go-to cosmetics. The stye may have vanished, but not my misgivings over applying mascara. Perhaps, this abstinence is a blessing in disgEYEse for warding off another unsightly and annoying infection.
Let’s face it, pun intended, I’ve subtracted two-three minutes from my morning grooming routine. I’m saving money by not spending any on mascara, cold cream, and makeup remover towelettes.
A New England summer with its fair share of heat and humidity is the perfect time for me to quit my addiction, cold turkey. I no longer have to check for smudges and rings around the eyes.
In the capacity of a writer drafting my Contemporary work in progress, I’ve split a chapter into two. Chapter 16 has 632 words. I’m at the tail end of chapter 17 (1519 words thus far).
*May each of us eliminate risks with potential to undermine our health and well-being.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #535 – Dizzy
Identifying with the “pantser” approach to writing, whereby the plot progresses through unexpected twists and turns, I found myself at a crossroads. Always plotting a few chapters ahead to keep up the momentum, the windmills of my mind had spun a minimum of three scenarios to consider further down the road.
I could relate to Tommy Roe’s bubblegum pop music song, “Dizzy” (1969):
I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning
Like a whirlpool, it never ends.
After weighing the pros and cons of each direction to take, I settled upon the most plausible to incorporate in my Contemporary work in progress.
At this juncture, the draft of chapter 20 is complete (980 words). I’ve begun drafting chapter 20 (249 words thus far).
*May each of us weigh the impact of our pending decisions.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
I could relate to Tommy Roe’s bubblegum pop music song, “Dizzy” (1969):
I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning
Like a whirlpool, it never ends.
After weighing the pros and cons of each direction to take, I settled upon the most plausible to incorporate in my Contemporary work in progress.
At this juncture, the draft of chapter 20 is complete (980 words). I’ve begun drafting chapter 20 (249 words thus far).
*May each of us weigh the impact of our pending decisions.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Eva’s Byte #537 - Since Sliced Bread
The greatest thing since sliced bread just might be a toaster.
Purportedly, the first electric toaster was invented in 1893 by Alan MacMasters in Edinburgh, Scotland. Be that as it may, the early-bird edition only toasted one side of the bread at a time.
Kind of what my heavyweight, stainless steel beast started doing after seventeen years of service. Henceforth, I purchased a new two-slice toaster. In comparison, this model is so much lighter in weight, leading me to question its longevity of servitude.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m slicing through life as it transpires along the draft of chapter 21 (840 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us savor our slice of life.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Purportedly, the first electric toaster was invented in 1893 by Alan MacMasters in Edinburgh, Scotland. Be that as it may, the early-bird edition only toasted one side of the bread at a time.
Kind of what my heavyweight, stainless steel beast started doing after seventeen years of service. Henceforth, I purchased a new two-slice toaster. In comparison, this model is so much lighter in weight, leading me to question its longevity of servitude.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m slicing through life as it transpires along the draft of chapter 21 (840 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us savor our slice of life.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
