J.R. Pearse Nelson's Blog, page 27
June 8, 2012
Crazy Weekend Ahead
I took the afternoon off of work because I have far too much life stuff to do at the moment. A very dear friend is getting married in four weeks, so the next two weekends are full of festivities to celebrate her single life, and that which lies beyond -- marriage. :)
I think our family's next free weekend is in mid-July. We have family scattered throughout the state that I want to see this summer/fall, so I know more weekends will be booked before long. That's the way the summers go. Add in extra outdoor chores and kids who want to be at the park every second...you get my drift. I know you do.
In the midst of the busy season, I'm craving time with my manuscript so I can do this revision justice and get this baby closer to publication. When I have the time the writing is flowing well. I hope other people like this book -- a part of me is sure no one else will get it. But I can't think about that now. What I need to think about is when to fit in writing.
Before I had kids, I used to write in the early morning hours, before work. That way I did my thing first, and felt good about it all day long. Back then it was a good writing time for me, because my internal editor was still waking up. But I've learned to ignore her when writing a first draft. That doesn't threaten the existence of mankind, or anything, like I seemed to think back then. I've learned not to take myself so seriously, and I credit that with part of my success in word count over the past few years. Maybe a little of that is age, too? I was more concerned with people taking me seriously in my twenties.
Back to writing time. Evenings aren't awesome, because my brain is tired. I get my best word count (quality and quantity) in the morning, and it seems like the earlier the better...which I guess means it's time to start getting up earlier. I do get more sleep these days, now that my youngest girl is one and a half. The way it's gone so far is that if I get up, the kids get up. (Okay, enough ranting J.R. -- didn't you say you had a busy weekend? Shouldn't you be doing something productive?) Sigh. Yes I should. And off to it I go!
I think our family's next free weekend is in mid-July. We have family scattered throughout the state that I want to see this summer/fall, so I know more weekends will be booked before long. That's the way the summers go. Add in extra outdoor chores and kids who want to be at the park every second...you get my drift. I know you do.
In the midst of the busy season, I'm craving time with my manuscript so I can do this revision justice and get this baby closer to publication. When I have the time the writing is flowing well. I hope other people like this book -- a part of me is sure no one else will get it. But I can't think about that now. What I need to think about is when to fit in writing.
Before I had kids, I used to write in the early morning hours, before work. That way I did my thing first, and felt good about it all day long. Back then it was a good writing time for me, because my internal editor was still waking up. But I've learned to ignore her when writing a first draft. That doesn't threaten the existence of mankind, or anything, like I seemed to think back then. I've learned not to take myself so seriously, and I credit that with part of my success in word count over the past few years. Maybe a little of that is age, too? I was more concerned with people taking me seriously in my twenties.
Back to writing time. Evenings aren't awesome, because my brain is tired. I get my best word count (quality and quantity) in the morning, and it seems like the earlier the better...which I guess means it's time to start getting up earlier. I do get more sleep these days, now that my youngest girl is one and a half. The way it's gone so far is that if I get up, the kids get up. (Okay, enough ranting J.R. -- didn't you say you had a busy weekend? Shouldn't you be doing something productive?) Sigh. Yes I should. And off to it I go!
June 6, 2012
Mid-Week Update: Queen Witch Coming Together
It turns out I'm quite satisfied with the way this draft is progressing. Fear is such a pesky beast. I'm happy to say I've been looking mine straight in the face and continuing on my chosen course anyway. So there, beasty fear. (Note: I'm talking about the fear of complete and utter failure, not being any good despite giving my all to my writing, etc. You writers out there know where I'm coming from. It can be distracting, if you let it.)
Since my update on Sunday, I've tackled two out of twelve scenes that still needed revisions/additions, and added more than 1,700 words to my manuscript. I'm past the 40 percent mark, and zeroing in on the mid-point of the action. Exciting!!
From here, my goal is to finish this revision, so that only the copy-edit and final polishing remains at the end of the round. That's ten more scenes that need serious work, and more than 50 percent of the pages that need an edit...Go team! (Team being, uh, me...a team of one. :))
Two weeks left, ROWers! Time to drive those oars deep and give it your all!
Since my update on Sunday, I've tackled two out of twelve scenes that still needed revisions/additions, and added more than 1,700 words to my manuscript. I'm past the 40 percent mark, and zeroing in on the mid-point of the action. Exciting!!
From here, my goal is to finish this revision, so that only the copy-edit and final polishing remains at the end of the round. That's ten more scenes that need serious work, and more than 50 percent of the pages that need an edit...Go team! (Team being, uh, me...a team of one. :))
Two weeks left, ROWers! Time to drive those oars deep and give it your all!
June 5, 2012
The Beauty of Sanctuary (Snow White and the Huntsman)
If you haven't seen Snow White and the Huntsman yet, and you're into fantasy, put down whatever device you're reading this on, and scoot on out right now to find a showing. I saw it over the weekend, and I'm still thinking about it.
This movie is full of wonder. The portrayals of the Dark Forest, and later its antithesis Sanctuary, are stunning. In general, the effects make me glad to live in this day and age, when fantasies really can be brought to life for viewers. It also gives me great appreciation for the visual arts, movies in particular, and all of the work that goes in to developing the details that make a movie like this really sing.
In case I haven't sold you, check out this preview...
This movie is full of wonder. The portrayals of the Dark Forest, and later its antithesis Sanctuary, are stunning. In general, the effects make me glad to live in this day and age, when fantasies really can be brought to life for viewers. It also gives me great appreciation for the visual arts, movies in particular, and all of the work that goes in to developing the details that make a movie like this really sing.
In case I haven't sold you, check out this preview...
June 3, 2012
Sunday Update: The Editing Life
Hi again, fellow writers and readers. This will be a short update, as we have a busy day full of family events.
Editing is a funny game. Let's be real. How much do I have to say? Not much. :)
A few weeks ago I pulled a whole section out of the novel I'm editing. Close to 10,000 words. But of course I didn't delete them -- I moved them into a "scrap" document, just in case I changed my mind. Lucky for me, because change my mind I did! While the novel's timeline has changed, I found I needed a lot of what I'd cut, just in a different form. That process resulted in bringing back a little more than 5,000 words of what I'd cut. Other than that, I've added about 2,000 words. But I also cut some stuff and tightened things up later in the document, so my manuscript is only 800 words longer.
There are twelve more scenes that need revision or additions (My husband said, "You counted them?" *sheepish grin* Yes. I counted them.) Other than that, it's all editing. I feel confident I'll have this draft complete by the end of the round. Then back to the shelf with it while I return to the Children of the Sidhe novellas. I will publish Queen Witch by the end of the year, but I'm not rushing it.
Anyone else noticed it's now June? What happened?
Editing is a funny game. Let's be real. How much do I have to say? Not much. :)
A few weeks ago I pulled a whole section out of the novel I'm editing. Close to 10,000 words. But of course I didn't delete them -- I moved them into a "scrap" document, just in case I changed my mind. Lucky for me, because change my mind I did! While the novel's timeline has changed, I found I needed a lot of what I'd cut, just in a different form. That process resulted in bringing back a little more than 5,000 words of what I'd cut. Other than that, I've added about 2,000 words. But I also cut some stuff and tightened things up later in the document, so my manuscript is only 800 words longer.
There are twelve more scenes that need revision or additions (My husband said, "You counted them?" *sheepish grin* Yes. I counted them.) Other than that, it's all editing. I feel confident I'll have this draft complete by the end of the round. Then back to the shelf with it while I return to the Children of the Sidhe novellas. I will publish Queen Witch by the end of the year, but I'm not rushing it.
Anyone else noticed it's now June? What happened?
May 24, 2012
Mid-Week Update: Exciting Progress!
Part One of Queen Witch is done! It's so hard to measure progress in revision, so I'm looking both at changes in total word count, and where I am in the manuscript. I'm at 11,200 words of cleaned up and revised manuscript. Yippee! That's 2,900 words further along than Sunday's count. However, my total word count is only about 1,000 words higher. I'm now at about one-quarter of the way through the story, having just finished Part One.
I'm starting to think about cover art. I'm also considering getting a few opinions on this draft of the manuscript. I'll have to see if I feel it's clean enough once this draft is complete. So far it is squeaky clean, and compelling.
Here's the cool part: I have a four-day weekend ahead of me! Yes, that's my second four-day weekend during May, and I'm loving these shortened work weeks. The next section of Queen Witch is where the major writing needs to happen as I pull together the revised timeline. Maybe I can get a couple of chunks of time (hint, hint, honey) and get some major word count down for those new scenes before Sunday.
I wish everyone a peaceful Memorial Day weekend, and a little sunshine to go with it.
I'm starting to think about cover art. I'm also considering getting a few opinions on this draft of the manuscript. I'll have to see if I feel it's clean enough once this draft is complete. So far it is squeaky clean, and compelling.
Here's the cool part: I have a four-day weekend ahead of me! Yes, that's my second four-day weekend during May, and I'm loving these shortened work weeks. The next section of Queen Witch is where the major writing needs to happen as I pull together the revised timeline. Maybe I can get a couple of chunks of time (hint, hint, honey) and get some major word count down for those new scenes before Sunday.
I wish everyone a peaceful Memorial Day weekend, and a little sunshine to go with it.
May 20, 2012
Sunday Update: Solid Start to Queen Witch
The first 8,300 words of Queen Witch are revised and edited. I could almost hear these pages squeak, they were so clean. I'd been worried about the start of the novel -- beginnings always confound me -- but I think I actually did a great job here.
That's the exciting part... Now for the hard stuff! I've reached the point where I need to make major revisions, including writing several new scenes, due to a timeline change from the first draft. So the next couple of weeks I'd better hear a lot of clickety-clack on my keyboard. My goal is 3,000 new words each week.
Memorial Day is next weekend, which is a complete stunner for me. From that point on, I have stuff on my calendar every weekend through my pal's wedding July 7th. That includes another show for hubby -- at a big festival in Bend. Okay, I was feeling proud and clicked though to the Bite of Bend website. They're linking to this YouTube video of a show hubby's band played last summer, at the Oregon Brewfest. If you like Led Zeppelin, check out this snippet of their tribute. Hubby is the furthest right; tall drink of water in the blue shirt.
Fitting in writing is going to be a challenge, as usual. But I'm up for it! Let's kick some springtime butt, ROWers!
That's the exciting part... Now for the hard stuff! I've reached the point where I need to make major revisions, including writing several new scenes, due to a timeline change from the first draft. So the next couple of weeks I'd better hear a lot of clickety-clack on my keyboard. My goal is 3,000 new words each week.
Memorial Day is next weekend, which is a complete stunner for me. From that point on, I have stuff on my calendar every weekend through my pal's wedding July 7th. That includes another show for hubby -- at a big festival in Bend. Okay, I was feeling proud and clicked though to the Bite of Bend website. They're linking to this YouTube video of a show hubby's band played last summer, at the Oregon Brewfest. If you like Led Zeppelin, check out this snippet of their tribute. Hubby is the furthest right; tall drink of water in the blue shirt.
Fitting in writing is going to be a challenge, as usual. But I'm up for it! Let's kick some springtime butt, ROWers!
May 18, 2012
The First Rose
When I saw this beauty getting ready to bloom a few days ago, I knew it was special, and just for me. My favorite rose bloomed first. Here's a picture of that bloom now. I wish I'd caught it yesterday, but I was too busy drawing a farm with my kids, and blowing more bubbles. They never tire of the bubbles. :)What's blooming at your place?
May 12, 2012
Sunday Update: Rewriting and Adding to Queen Witch
Short update today, as I'm vacationing with the fam on the Oregon coast.
Getting right into it: By Friday night, I'd finished dissecting my first draft of the fantasy novel Queen Witch. I know what needs to be added and where. I believe there are about 15,000 words to write, along with revising as I go.
For the remaining five weeks of Round 2, here's my precise goal: Finish the second draft of Queen Witch by adding at least 3,000 words each week.
Does that mean I'm soon to publish another book?.... Er, no. Sorry. I'm making large enough changes and adding enough new material that this manuscript is headed back to the shelf for another couple of months after Round 2. My eyes are just so refreshed by time away from a project, and I always find I've learned something about the story through that distance. I'm not going to rush it.
Good luck for a productive week, ROWers!
And all you moms out there -- Happy Mother's Day!
Getting right into it: By Friday night, I'd finished dissecting my first draft of the fantasy novel Queen Witch. I know what needs to be added and where. I believe there are about 15,000 words to write, along with revising as I go.
For the remaining five weeks of Round 2, here's my precise goal: Finish the second draft of Queen Witch by adding at least 3,000 words each week.
Does that mean I'm soon to publish another book?.... Er, no. Sorry. I'm making large enough changes and adding enough new material that this manuscript is headed back to the shelf for another couple of months after Round 2. My eyes are just so refreshed by time away from a project, and I always find I've learned something about the story through that distance. I'm not going to rush it.
Good luck for a productive week, ROWers!
And all you moms out there -- Happy Mother's Day!
May 9, 2012
Mid-Week Update: Sunny Skies and Bubble Buckets
Hello again! I hope your weather has been as nice as mine. Spring is ripe. Lilacs, my favorite spring flower, are blooming and filling the air with their lovely scent. I've been spending a fair amount of time in the backyard with my girls; blowing bubbles, drawing with sidewalk chalk, and playing on the play structure. Sweet time with the kiddos. Precious time.
Sidenote: I bought my three year old a bubble bucket so she could blow bubbles herself without spilling. Plus, there are three wands, which means when the nieces are over and there are four girls, we're reasonably well covered. :)
I have a lot of trouble believing it is May.
I don't have a real update. This is the tough part of my work week -- Monday through Wednesday are heck on wheels. I spent my commute home (and hour and fifteen minutes) frantically making phone calls because I have a lot to attend to right now. Besides the usual life stuff, I'm the maid of honor in a wedding in a couple of months, and as the bride is about the most wonderful friend you can imagine, I want her to have a fabulous wedding. Add in this general sense that the year is just fleeing before I can even reach out and grab it.... I'm feeling a little overwhelmed today.
Luckily, I'm getting out of town for Mother's Day weekend. We rented a house in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast. One setting in my novel Queen Witch is Cape Foulweather, so we'll be spending a fair amount of time in that area this weekend, since I'm working on revising that novel. I'm hoping to make some progress on the book before we go, but we'll just have to see. It has seemed like my kids are a little stressed out on lack of mama time recently. They're little, and I may need to make some adjustment in my balance. Plus, the chirping birds (yes, birds again) and bright sunny skies make me want to get outside. That's good for me, the human. Because I am human, not just a writer. :)
How about you? Achieving the balance you need between work and play? Needing to readjust?
I hope everyone has a productive week, interspersed with afternoons outside in the glorious sun, completely screwing off.
Sidenote: I bought my three year old a bubble bucket so she could blow bubbles herself without spilling. Plus, there are three wands, which means when the nieces are over and there are four girls, we're reasonably well covered. :)I have a lot of trouble believing it is May.
I don't have a real update. This is the tough part of my work week -- Monday through Wednesday are heck on wheels. I spent my commute home (and hour and fifteen minutes) frantically making phone calls because I have a lot to attend to right now. Besides the usual life stuff, I'm the maid of honor in a wedding in a couple of months, and as the bride is about the most wonderful friend you can imagine, I want her to have a fabulous wedding. Add in this general sense that the year is just fleeing before I can even reach out and grab it.... I'm feeling a little overwhelmed today.
Luckily, I'm getting out of town for Mother's Day weekend. We rented a house in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast. One setting in my novel Queen Witch is Cape Foulweather, so we'll be spending a fair amount of time in that area this weekend, since I'm working on revising that novel. I'm hoping to make some progress on the book before we go, but we'll just have to see. It has seemed like my kids are a little stressed out on lack of mama time recently. They're little, and I may need to make some adjustment in my balance. Plus, the chirping birds (yes, birds again) and bright sunny skies make me want to get outside. That's good for me, the human. Because I am human, not just a writer. :)
How about you? Achieving the balance you need between work and play? Needing to readjust?
I hope everyone has a productive week, interspersed with afternoons outside in the glorious sun, completely screwing off.
May 6, 2012
Sunday Update: Sickness, Stalling and Shorts, Oh My!
I fell off the face of the blogging planet for a couple of weeks, not even posting my ROW80 updates. We had a bad cold that took about ten days to work it's way through our household, including sick days for both my husband and me, and then the requisite catch up on life, work, etc... So the time just disappeared. It's bound to happen here and there, so I'm not going to spend time stressing about it.
What have I accomplished? Nothing further on Queen Witch. I still need to tear the mid-section of that novel apart, and make firm decisions on what I'm keeping and what I'm putting in the "scrap" document. I don't like to delete big sections, because I've regretted it in the past. There's often a use for scenes that didn't make the book: for instance, I might post some of the fun stuff on my blog. :) My problem right now is getting a big chunk of time to work on that section of the book. Things have been so crazy around here... I might have to get creative and come up with a trade for my overworked husband. I shall ponder that.
A few weeks ago I posted a short story I'd found in my writing files. I'd also found a second completed story. When I asked on this blog what folks thought of the idea of combining the two stories into a book, and whether they would pay for short stories in general, I got varied responses that really made me think. One comment struck me as a great idea: Julie Glover said she'd pay for a collection of shorts, stating maybe 3 would be a small collection. I liked that idea so much that I went ahead and made it a reality. :)
The third story actually compliments the others nicely, acting as sort of a bridge between them. The first story and title piece, The Harshlands and Eternal Summer, is about a world rapidly changing, and one boy's choices when he disagrees with the decisions of his elders. The story I just completed is called Mundane and Extraterrestrial Agonies, and it's about dealing -- or not dealing -- with grief. The final story (the one I posted here) is called The Giant in the Spruce, and it's an uplifting, very short story about balance and what's important in life. Together these three stories feel like a book...so thank you for the idea, Julie!
So that project is now sitting in a file at the moment, waiting for an edit. (And you ask, isn't everything you've ever written waiting for an edit?... Yes, sometimes it feels that way.) I'll release the book later this month. Fun!! Thanks everyone for your great advice. It's so nice to have a community to present such ideas to.
I hope everyone has a great, productive week!!
What have I accomplished? Nothing further on Queen Witch. I still need to tear the mid-section of that novel apart, and make firm decisions on what I'm keeping and what I'm putting in the "scrap" document. I don't like to delete big sections, because I've regretted it in the past. There's often a use for scenes that didn't make the book: for instance, I might post some of the fun stuff on my blog. :) My problem right now is getting a big chunk of time to work on that section of the book. Things have been so crazy around here... I might have to get creative and come up with a trade for my overworked husband. I shall ponder that.
A few weeks ago I posted a short story I'd found in my writing files. I'd also found a second completed story. When I asked on this blog what folks thought of the idea of combining the two stories into a book, and whether they would pay for short stories in general, I got varied responses that really made me think. One comment struck me as a great idea: Julie Glover said she'd pay for a collection of shorts, stating maybe 3 would be a small collection. I liked that idea so much that I went ahead and made it a reality. :)
The third story actually compliments the others nicely, acting as sort of a bridge between them. The first story and title piece, The Harshlands and Eternal Summer, is about a world rapidly changing, and one boy's choices when he disagrees with the decisions of his elders. The story I just completed is called Mundane and Extraterrestrial Agonies, and it's about dealing -- or not dealing -- with grief. The final story (the one I posted here) is called The Giant in the Spruce, and it's an uplifting, very short story about balance and what's important in life. Together these three stories feel like a book...so thank you for the idea, Julie!
So that project is now sitting in a file at the moment, waiting for an edit. (And you ask, isn't everything you've ever written waiting for an edit?... Yes, sometimes it feels that way.) I'll release the book later this month. Fun!! Thanks everyone for your great advice. It's so nice to have a community to present such ideas to.
I hope everyone has a great, productive week!!
