settling in for some serious stuff

The snow stuck through yesterday despite the above-freezing temperatures.  It's still on some of the trees, and with the gold sun rising, it makes for a singularly white/gold/blue morning, very much like a greeting card.  My dogs are content with their snow-free area, and the bird feeders are clear.  But the one thing I'm happiest about is the fish in the pond.  They are up at the surface of the water, meaning they are happy.  I worried about them last year with my makeshift heater, and now that I've got something that's actually made for the job . . .  Well, I feel better about it.  It can snow now all it wants.  Though I do probably need to get the last of Thanksgiving off my front porch.

NaNo is over, and I truly enjoyed the exercise.  Congratulations everyone who took part, and a big high-five for those who reached the goal of 50,000 words.  It is not easy, but now that you've done it, it will be easier to do it again.

I find it interesting that I had another plotting issue fall into place yesterday, there at the final hour.  I'm at page 190, which is usually just shy of my halfway point, and only now did a few things fall into place, encouraging me that yes, I am doing this right.  Two characters, one in particular, are now firm enough in my mind that they are showing me ways they can round the story out.  I found the humor yesterday, and the foils upon which Peri's character growth will fall upon.  I've always said that if I can't laugh while I'm writing, then what's the point?  So a huge happy sigh of relief for me as I start forward again on this first draft.  It's ugly.  It's rough.  It's so not right yet. But it's coming . . .