fast break

Some of the bookmarks I've received in response
to my shameless plea, from all around the world.
I was also incredibly touched by all the letters I received thanking
me for Waiting For Frodo.


Thanks for all the support re: my writing! Just to clarify: I do plan to continue Blathering; it just won't be nearly as often as before. Sometimes I may just post a photo or two.

My first solid week of working on my novel is going well, I'm happy to report. My current strategy is to spend a number of weeks on detailed outlining of characters, background, and plot, with the goal of minimizing the amount of time (and typing) I will have to do in the final edit. There will be a fair amount of rewriting, I can tell already; I've decided to change my main characters from an older brother and younger sister to an older sister and younger brother, for example. I've also come across a major plot inconsistency which requires some backtracking.

I'm not used to writing this way. My usual strategy is to hammer out a very rough version, with the goal of just getting everything on paper (or rather, the screen) without worrying about details, then multiple edits to finetune. With a limited "arm budget" and a voice recognition program which is agonizing to use for edits, however, I can no longer think this way. I'm considering it a good mental exercise, forcing myself to revise my writing habits in a way that might be beneficial even if I never had tendinitis.



Very cool handmade bookmark from Annie K.


For each character, for example, I'm outlining physical appearance, personality, background, motivations (this is a biggie), character development in the story, and the inevitable catchall, "Miscellaneous." Sometimes I do a rough sketch, sometimes include a photograph I have cut out from a magazine or found online which captures how I see the character. I used to lean toward more detailed character outlines, but found them a waste of time for me since I like to leave some flexibility; inevitably the character grows on its own as I work on a novel, sometimes developing in a way I had not intended. Sometimes I let it happen if the change fits in with the rest of the story and characters. Sometimes I relentlessly force the character back into the original outline; I have to show these characters who's boss, after all. :-)



Embroidered bookmark from Margaret S.


My arms continue to improve. I can actually type manually for several minutes at a time without pain now, but I am forcing myself to continue to rely heavily on ViaVoice to avoid another setback. Instead of launching into full-scale typing cold turkey, I plan to gradually we myself off my voice activated software. VERY gradually. My arms get tired pretty quickly, and I'm always careful to give them a rest whenever I sense I'm reaching my limit. This can be somewhat frustrating if I'm in the middle of something, but I've learned my lesson.

And it's so wonderful to be working on my fiction writing again. It's going much more slowly than before I got tendinitis, but at least it's going.

To those going to Confusion this weekend: hope you all have fun! Wish I could have been there.



Hand-painted bookmark from Clare G.


p.s. I haven't forgotten about my promise to send prizes to those who posted New Year's resolutions! If you haven't already, make sure you send your snailmail address to me with "resolution prize" in the subject header. Still haven't decided what prizes to send out, will do so within the next couple of months. So far I have addresses from Ana R., Lynn G. Beth B., Chris O., Erica N., Gary E., Mike W. and Lyanne Q.

Also, thanks for the postcard, Nan! Could you please send me your snailmail address?



I brought home a Reese's Fast Break chocolate bar
from Marietta for Jeff; I had never seen it before. Well,
he adores it and has declared it his favourite chocolate bar.
Only problem: we can't seem to get it here! Is there anyone out there
coming to FKO who would be willing to bring a few? (I'll pay
for them, of course!)

January 2004 comments: Read | Post | LJ