Eva Pasco's Blog, page 9
June 5, 2024
Eva’s Byte #475 – Chalking It Up
Whether chalking up an outline at a crime scene, or chalking a pool cue, the writer goes the extra mile to authenticate fiction. There are no boundaries when it comes to conducting “nefarious” research. What we can’t chalk up to experience must be investigated.
Along the execution of my current work in progress I’ve covered the gamut of: forensics, aspects of the Seventies, laws, local shorebirds, drug overdosing, maritime occurrences, mental instability, and suicide.
Included, but not limited to!
Approaching the light at the end of the tunnel of my near-future publication in the genre of Contemporary, I’m currently chalking it up in a game of pool along the draft of chapter 58 (1706 words thus far).
*May each of us chalk up creative output to our imagination.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Along the execution of my current work in progress I’ve covered the gamut of: forensics, aspects of the Seventies, laws, local shorebirds, drug overdosing, maritime occurrences, mental instability, and suicide.
Included, but not limited to!
Approaching the light at the end of the tunnel of my near-future publication in the genre of Contemporary, I’m currently chalking it up in a game of pool along the draft of chapter 58 (1706 words thus far).
*May each of us chalk up creative output to our imagination.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
May 29, 2024
Eva’s Byte #474 – What’s the Big Idea?
When it comes down to storytelling, the spark from a big idea fuels the writer’s imagination to create fiction with conviction.
Fuel for thought:
It’s no guarded secret, the big idea behind Etta’s Fishing Ground, my novel in the genre of Contemporary, took hold when I happened to scroll by a controversial post on social media pertaining to the topic of marital infidelity. Essentially, the question was, "If you discovered your best friend's husband with another woman, would you tell your bestie?"
The big idea fueling my current Contemporary work in progress sparked from a local news item pertaining to parents who jeopardized the safety of their child by exercising poor judgement. Of course, I’ve taken the big idea to go off on my own tangent in an entirely different direction.
I’m at the last stretch in drafting chapter 58 (1090 words thus far). One or two more chapters left to go.
*May the spark from a big idea fuel our creativity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Fuel for thought:
It’s no guarded secret, the big idea behind Etta’s Fishing Ground, my novel in the genre of Contemporary, took hold when I happened to scroll by a controversial post on social media pertaining to the topic of marital infidelity. Essentially, the question was, "If you discovered your best friend's husband with another woman, would you tell your bestie?"
The big idea fueling my current Contemporary work in progress sparked from a local news item pertaining to parents who jeopardized the safety of their child by exercising poor judgement. Of course, I’ve taken the big idea to go off on my own tangent in an entirely different direction.
I’m at the last stretch in drafting chapter 58 (1090 words thus far). One or two more chapters left to go.
*May the spark from a big idea fuel our creativity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
May 22, 2024
Eva’s Byte #473 – Late Bloomers
Just as there are late-summer blooming flowers such as the black-eyed Susan, cone flower, daylily, sunflower, and aster—to mention some-there are late-blooming writers.
Annie Proulx, whose first novel, Postcards, won the Faulkner award, started writing at the age of 57.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose most notable work is the children’s book series, The Little House on the Prairie, got started at the age of 65.
Raymond Chandler published The Big Sleep, his hardboiled detective fiction, at the age of 50.
Frank McCourt wrote Angela’s Ashes, his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, in his early 60s.
In the capacity of a writer, I wrote and published my first novel in the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction, at the age of 57, five years after retiring from a teaching career.
At this point in time I’m at the tail end of drafting chapter 58 (499 words thus far) in my current Contemporary work in progress.
*It’s never too late to come into bloom.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Annie Proulx, whose first novel, Postcards, won the Faulkner award, started writing at the age of 57.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose most notable work is the children’s book series, The Little House on the Prairie, got started at the age of 65.
Raymond Chandler published The Big Sleep, his hardboiled detective fiction, at the age of 50.
Frank McCourt wrote Angela’s Ashes, his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, in his early 60s.
In the capacity of a writer, I wrote and published my first novel in the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction, at the age of 57, five years after retiring from a teaching career.
At this point in time I’m at the tail end of drafting chapter 58 (499 words thus far) in my current Contemporary work in progress.
*It’s never too late to come into bloom.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
May 15, 2024
Eva’s Byte #472 – An Avenue of Escape
“There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book.” Marcel Proust
The Wonderful World of Oz by L. Frank Baum, springs to mind as one of my favorite childhood books. Considered the first official American fairytale and fable, I recall signing it out of my school library week after week in third grade so I could read it over and over. I loved it that much—still do. For me, it symbolizes the imagination’s unbound flight to magical realms where dreams come true on wings of belief and determination.
In the here and now, my time spent reading a book is tempered with adulting and writing my own books. At this juncture, I’m drafting the close of chapter 57 (1710 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us find our avenue of escape inside the wonderful world of a book.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
The Wonderful World of Oz by L. Frank Baum, springs to mind as one of my favorite childhood books. Considered the first official American fairytale and fable, I recall signing it out of my school library week after week in third grade so I could read it over and over. I loved it that much—still do. For me, it symbolizes the imagination’s unbound flight to magical realms where dreams come true on wings of belief and determination.
In the here and now, my time spent reading a book is tempered with adulting and writing my own books. At this juncture, I’m drafting the close of chapter 57 (1710 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us find our avenue of escape inside the wonderful world of a book.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
May 8, 2024
Eva’s Byte #471 – The View
In view of a marsh from my dining room window, I often get a glimpse of wildlife on the move. One of my spur-of-the-moment glances rewarded me with a view of two white geese making a landing as three whitetail fawns sprinted in the background.
A Kodak moment!
And, then:
An incident reminiscent of a 2020 occurrence when a baby chipmunk (kit) was on the loose in the corridors of my place of residence until finding its way out the front door into the wild by the week’s end. The other day, I espied a chipmunk scampering past me in a corridor. Unlike its predecessor, I don’t know if this critter made its way outdoors.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m scampering toward the end of the writing journey along my Contemporary work in progress. I’m currently in the throes of drafting chapter 57 (916 words thus far).
*May each of us find time to enjoy the views in our surroundings.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
A Kodak moment!
And, then:
An incident reminiscent of a 2020 occurrence when a baby chipmunk (kit) was on the loose in the corridors of my place of residence until finding its way out the front door into the wild by the week’s end. The other day, I espied a chipmunk scampering past me in a corridor. Unlike its predecessor, I don’t know if this critter made its way outdoors.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m scampering toward the end of the writing journey along my Contemporary work in progress. I’m currently in the throes of drafting chapter 57 (916 words thus far).
*May each of us find time to enjoy the views in our surroundings.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
May 1, 2024
Eva’s Byte #470: Much To-Do List
No doubt about it, to-do lists can provide focus, direction, and purpose for accomplishing goals. The satisfaction of checking off each completed item highlights a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-confidence.
Do you make use of to-do lists?
Other than composing a weekly grocery list as I go along—generally, I really on my memory of an elephant.
However, at this juncture, in the capacity of a writer, I happen to be checking off plot points on a short, scribbled to-do list.
With only a few chapters left to fabricate in my Contemporary work in progress, I want to be sure there are no loose ends, barring what I leave to the reader’s imagination. I finished drafting chapter 56 at 1328 words, and began the draft of chapter 57 (243 words thus far).
*May each of us attain our goals using whatever method works to our advantage.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Do you make use of to-do lists?
Other than composing a weekly grocery list as I go along—generally, I really on my memory of an elephant.
However, at this juncture, in the capacity of a writer, I happen to be checking off plot points on a short, scribbled to-do list.
With only a few chapters left to fabricate in my Contemporary work in progress, I want to be sure there are no loose ends, barring what I leave to the reader’s imagination. I finished drafting chapter 56 at 1328 words, and began the draft of chapter 57 (243 words thus far).
*May each of us attain our goals using whatever method works to our advantage.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
April 24, 2024
Eva’s Byte #469 – Revisiting Gothic Fiction
Conjuring elements of fear, horror, and gloom, as well as romance packed with emotion plotted against the backdrop of Gothic architecture—you have the makings of Gothic fiction.
Having settled in to watch Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940, black-and-white film version of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, published in 1938, I was transported back in time to my middle-school years when I became enamored with reading Gothic Fiction. Unique to the book and film, where Joan Fontaine portrays the second Mrs. deWinter, the character’s first or maiden name is never revealed.
Besides this classic, two other Gothic novels left an indelible impression in my mind at a time when holding a book in your hand was the only way to read:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, published under her pen name, Currer Bell, in October of 1847.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, published under her pen name, Ellis Bell, in November of 1847.
In the capacity of a writer, in the here and now, I finished tinkering with the draft of chapter 55 (1153 words). I’m now architecting chapter 56 (687 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May those of us who are writers create stories worthy of leaving an indelible impression in the reader’s mind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Having settled in to watch Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940, black-and-white film version of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, published in 1938, I was transported back in time to my middle-school years when I became enamored with reading Gothic Fiction. Unique to the book and film, where Joan Fontaine portrays the second Mrs. deWinter, the character’s first or maiden name is never revealed.
Besides this classic, two other Gothic novels left an indelible impression in my mind at a time when holding a book in your hand was the only way to read:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, published under her pen name, Currer Bell, in October of 1847.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, published under her pen name, Ellis Bell, in November of 1847.
In the capacity of a writer, in the here and now, I finished tinkering with the draft of chapter 55 (1153 words). I’m now architecting chapter 56 (687 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May those of us who are writers create stories worthy of leaving an indelible impression in the reader’s mind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
April 17, 2024
Eva’s Byte #468 – How Long?
“How Long Has This Been Going On?”
(Title of the debut single by the English band Ace, from their 1974 debut album, Five-A-Side).
A published author who writes at a snail’s pace, I’m in awe of the prolific fellow Indies among us who churn them out. Out of curiosity, I tracked down some famous authors and the length of time it took for each of them to write a book:
Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451 = 2.5 weeks.
Anthony Burgess – A Clockwork Orange = 3 weeks.
Stephenie Meyer – Twilight = 3 months.
Charles Dickens – Great Expectations = 8 months.
Mary Shelley – Frankenstein = 1 year.
J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone = 6 years.
J.R.R. Tolkien – Lord of the Rings = 16 years.
Since the publication of my last novel in 2021, I’ve been journeying along my Contemporary work in progress for 2.5 years. Having finished drafting chapter 55 at 1069 words, I’ve begun drafting chapter 56 (43 words for starters). I can see the light at the end of the tunnel via chapter 60—no more, maybe less.
*May each of us bide our time and savor the journey along our creative endeavors for however long it takes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
(Title of the debut single by the English band Ace, from their 1974 debut album, Five-A-Side).
A published author who writes at a snail’s pace, I’m in awe of the prolific fellow Indies among us who churn them out. Out of curiosity, I tracked down some famous authors and the length of time it took for each of them to write a book:
Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451 = 2.5 weeks.
Anthony Burgess – A Clockwork Orange = 3 weeks.
Stephenie Meyer – Twilight = 3 months.
Charles Dickens – Great Expectations = 8 months.
Mary Shelley – Frankenstein = 1 year.
J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone = 6 years.
J.R.R. Tolkien – Lord of the Rings = 16 years.
Since the publication of my last novel in 2021, I’ve been journeying along my Contemporary work in progress for 2.5 years. Having finished drafting chapter 55 at 1069 words, I’ve begun drafting chapter 56 (43 words for starters). I can see the light at the end of the tunnel via chapter 60—no more, maybe less.
*May each of us bide our time and savor the journey along our creative endeavors for however long it takes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
April 10, 2024
Eva’s Byte #467 – Zipper Dee-Doo-Dah!
Why are handbag zipper extenders needed in the first place?
You’d think these high-end designers would have enough pull to add a leather tassel for good measure.
Transferring all of my purse paraphernalia to a brand new spring-shade handbag, sliding the tab from one end to the other to close the deal was—get ready for it—like pulling teeth.
Call it writer’s ingenuity for relying on one’s noggin to pull the zipper out of a jam:
To the rescue, a complimentary Juicy Couture cherries bracelet charm I happened to save. I must say the adapted extender I’ve linked to the zipper opening works like a charm. Not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m zipping along the draft of chapter 54 toward the light at the end of the tunnel (1432 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us stay on track for achieving our creative goals.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
You’d think these high-end designers would have enough pull to add a leather tassel for good measure.
Transferring all of my purse paraphernalia to a brand new spring-shade handbag, sliding the tab from one end to the other to close the deal was—get ready for it—like pulling teeth.
Call it writer’s ingenuity for relying on one’s noggin to pull the zipper out of a jam:
To the rescue, a complimentary Juicy Couture cherries bracelet charm I happened to save. I must say the adapted extender I’ve linked to the zipper opening works like a charm. Not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m zipping along the draft of chapter 54 toward the light at the end of the tunnel (1432 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us stay on track for achieving our creative goals.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
April 3, 2024
Eva’s Byte #466 – The Mend
“Neither a sew-and-sew nor a mender be.”
That’s been my mantra ever since the importance of being earnest to write books took precedence. My previous days of crafting when I’d create my own patterns for designing and sewing clothes for various block dolls are long gone. That includes my sewing machine, stockpiles of fabric, and accessories after the fact.
Neither am I of the mindset to mend. Nevertheless, I do have one of those traditional tomato pin cushions with various sized needles jabbed into it.
The other day I removed one the size of a turkey basting implement. After slipping the thread through the eye of the needle, and knotting the double thread, I proceeded to actually mend a patchwork quilt mallard whose neck had sustained a tear.
Like bowing a violin with much effort to poke the needle through material and stuffing, I got my suturing done.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m stitching the draft of chapter 54 along my Contemporary work in progress (1072 words thus far).
*May each of us mend our ways as needed.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
That’s been my mantra ever since the importance of being earnest to write books took precedence. My previous days of crafting when I’d create my own patterns for designing and sewing clothes for various block dolls are long gone. That includes my sewing machine, stockpiles of fabric, and accessories after the fact.
Neither am I of the mindset to mend. Nevertheless, I do have one of those traditional tomato pin cushions with various sized needles jabbed into it.
The other day I removed one the size of a turkey basting implement. After slipping the thread through the eye of the needle, and knotting the double thread, I proceeded to actually mend a patchwork quilt mallard whose neck had sustained a tear.
Like bowing a violin with much effort to poke the needle through material and stuffing, I got my suturing done.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m stitching the draft of chapter 54 along my Contemporary work in progress (1072 words thus far).
*May each of us mend our ways as needed.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
