Karen GoatKeeper's Blog, page 38
February 12, 2014
The Aha! Moment
I've been plodding through Dora's Story Part 2. Under my radar the story was taking shape. This is a rewrite so I know the plot and the ending. It is a good ending but didn't fit the part.
This morning I woke up and KNEW the mother's motivation, the family's responses and why the ending fits perfectly. Now to finish the Part rewrite.
This morning I woke up and KNEW the mother's motivation, the family's responses and why the ending fits perfectly. Now to finish the Part rewrite.
February 7, 2014
Rewrite Ambivalence
My Dora's Story rewrite is fast getting Part 2 done. One year's worth of shows are over. The next year is starting up.
This begs the question: Too much or not enough?
The question dogs me through out this rewrite. It makes me wonder if the novel will work or not.
I will persevere. I must believe in this novel or no one else will.
This begs the question: Too much or not enough?
The question dogs me through out this rewrite. It makes me wonder if the novel will work or not.
I will persevere. I must believe in this novel or no one else will.
January 28, 2014
Delays and more delays
Cold weather takes its toll on everything. The goats are cold. The chickens are cold. I'm cold. Chores take longer. That leaves less time for writing.
Dora's Story Part 2 rewrite is at the point where I am totally discouraged. It sounds so dull. It sounds so in need of something.
Perhaps the worst is my impatience to get through the part but reluctance to just sit down and work on it.
I read recently: To be a serious author, the butt needs to be in the chair, writing on the screen.
I want to be a serious author. This week the butt goes in the chair in earnest.
Dora's Story Part 2 rewrite is at the point where I am totally discouraged. It sounds so dull. It sounds so in need of something.
Perhaps the worst is my impatience to get through the part but reluctance to just sit down and work on it.
I read recently: To be a serious author, the butt needs to be in the chair, writing on the screen.
I want to be a serious author. This week the butt goes in the chair in earnest.
January 21, 2014
Starting a New Year
Missouri winter weather has played havoc with my normal schedule this month. It did keep me home to get some serious background work done for my novel Dora's Story so I can again work on the rewrite.
I'm planning to release the novel on March 17th so I need to do some serious rewrite work. Part two has so many changes I am having trouble keeping up with all of them.
The trick is to keep working at least a little on the rewrite every day. That way it gets done.
I'm planning to release the novel on March 17th so I need to do some serious rewrite work. Part two has so many changes I am having trouble keeping up with all of them.
The trick is to keep working at least a little on the rewrite every day. That way it gets done.
January 14, 2014
Ozark Weather
Ten inches of snow and temperatures below zero tend to make a person stay home. And that is what I have been doing to the last ten days.
Ozark weather is like a yoyo. It dipped to twenty-one below on my thermometer on night. Now it's been flirting with fifty degrees so the snow is gone.
One thing about staying home with no distractions, things get done. My raised garden bed is constructed. My rewrite project - Dora's Story - is getting done. I read several books.
Now it's back to the regular routine. The yoyo Ozark weather may change that.
Ozark weather is like a yoyo. It dipped to twenty-one below on my thermometer on night. Now it's been flirting with fifty degrees so the snow is gone.
One thing about staying home with no distractions, things get done. My raised garden bed is constructed. My rewrite project - Dora's Story - is getting done. I read several books.
Now it's back to the regular routine. The yoyo Ozark weather may change that.
December 17, 2013
Holiday Time
Snowy weather is the norm this year in the Ozarks. I have prepared my website updates for a few weeks and plan to spend the holidays at home. Dora's Story feels neglected.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year.
December 10, 2013
Rewrite Blues
Dora's Story has six parts. One is rewritten. I am mired in Part 2. It is very time consuming to create a goat show let alone five of them.
There is the size of the show. One is a 4-H practice. Two are local. One is a county fair. One is a big regional show.
There are the exhibitors. Since Dora's owner/friend Emily meets and talks with many of them, all must have names, families etc.
There are the goats. Each exhibitor has goats belonging to one or more of nine breeds. The goats are various ages to fit into the various classes.
The only saving grace is that some of the same people are at more than one show.
Once the shows are outlined, I can go back to rewriting. Patience is important here. If only I have enough.
Dora's Story has a deadline of March, 2014.
There is the size of the show. One is a 4-H practice. Two are local. One is a county fair. One is a big regional show.
There are the exhibitors. Since Dora's owner/friend Emily meets and talks with many of them, all must have names, families etc.
There are the goats. Each exhibitor has goats belonging to one or more of nine breeds. The goats are various ages to fit into the various classes.
The only saving grace is that some of the same people are at more than one show.
Once the shows are outlined, I can go back to rewriting. Patience is important here. If only I have enough.
Dora's Story has a deadline of March, 2014.
December 3, 2013
End of 2013 NaNo
The first few days of December always seem a bit empty. Capri Capers has a completed rough draft. it was a lot of fun to write. Now it needs to sit for a time before I look at it again.
Instead rewriting will start up for Dora's story: The Life of a Goat. Six parts to go through. Part 1 is done. Part 2 awaits.
Instead rewriting will start up for Dora's story: The Life of a Goat. Six parts to go through. Part 1 is done. Part 2 awaits.
November 26, 2013
The End Is in Sight
November is wrapping up. So is NaNo.
Capris Capers is wrapping up.
It's hard to tear myself away right now. Capris has been kidnapped and ransomed. The kidnapper is himself kidnapped. The police are closing in on the really bad guys.
What will happen next? Will Arthur get his girl?
By the end of the week I, the author, should know.
Capris Capers is wrapping up.
It's hard to tear myself away right now. Capris has been kidnapped and ransomed. The kidnapper is himself kidnapped. The police are closing in on the really bad guys.
What will happen next? Will Arthur get his girl?
By the end of the week I, the author, should know.
November 19, 2013
Mid Month Doldrums
Capris Capers is barely shy of 25,000 words. This is fine.
What isn't fine are my internal editors. They have decided to pounce.
Editor One keeps nudging me with the notion Capris Capers is really dumb.
Editor Two keeps telling me to start rewriting Capris Capers and fix the weak cliff hangers.
Both will scuttle my chances of making 50,000 words this month. May they both go back to sleep for another two weeks.
Nubian kids Capris and Agate are ready to get into trouble. Dan is making a dastard but disasterous plan. Arthur doesn't know yet that he will soon be a hero. Poor Harriet is just watching events unfold.
Rewrite can wait. The story is too much fun to stop. Capris Capers will get written!
What isn't fine are my internal editors. They have decided to pounce.
Editor One keeps nudging me with the notion Capris Capers is really dumb.
Editor Two keeps telling me to start rewriting Capris Capers and fix the weak cliff hangers.
Both will scuttle my chances of making 50,000 words this month. May they both go back to sleep for another two weeks.
Nubian kids Capris and Agate are ready to get into trouble. Dan is making a dastard but disasterous plan. Arthur doesn't know yet that he will soon be a hero. Poor Harriet is just watching events unfold.
Rewrite can wait. The story is too much fun to stop. Capris Capers will get written!
