Category: Writing

Organizing, Writing

MPTA notes

I mapped out all the new scenes I need for Chapters 1-8. That took a while and one change I made affected several other scenes, so there’s new things to add into already written ones as well. It’s all good and I think it will make for a better story and some better flow.

I need my brain to cooperate and actually push out the words and scenes now. I’m having a bad hand month, it seems, so my typing is more erratic lately than it had been. I really have to concentrate to hit the right keys and that frustrates me.  Tomorrow I will start back to the actual writing.

Organizing, Writing

MPTA notes, Day 53

All my notes on this story that live in the computer are labeled with a number that corresponds to the book “90 Day Novel” because that’s the method I was using when I started this particular novel. I have other notes, of course, in longhand in a notebook from days when I was out and about in meetings or riding in the van on the way somewhere or otherwise trapped away from the computer – those are not numbered by day. So the system is…flawed. Ah well. Today was “Day 53” in the computer and here are the notes:

“I haven’t done any character building for this novel, outside of Sharon and Minerva, because that’s what the 90 day Novel focuses on – the hero and the antagonist. Today I am working on details for the main character’s daughter Katie.

From Katie’s POV:

  • One thing you still need to know about me is…
    • Beginning: I’m the middle child. Sometimes I feel left out. Nell is the oldest girl and she is nearly perfect. Jake is the only boy. I’m just in the middle and it frequently sucks.
    • Middle: I’m so jazzed about being the center of attention now. Mom is really paying attention to me. I’m special for once and it’s great. I’m mean, it’s still not how I dreamed it would be, but still better than how it was.
    • End: I don’t want this gift. It’s too hard. I have to make too many choices now. How does anyone live like this? Mom was so excited for me, but Grand-Deb wasn’t.  And Grandmother Minerva is just scary in so many ways.
  • The lie I continually tell myself is…
    • That it doesn’t matter that no one pays attention to me. That it’s my superpower: Unnoticeable Katie.”

And then a huge amount of research on Middle Child Syndrome in case that comes into play. I’m not sure it will.

Computers and Internet, Speaking, What I Love, Writing

Today’s Speaking Engagement at TPLWC

I spoke today at the Tyler Public Library’s Writer’s Club on “Building a Sustainable Writing Career Through Managing Your Creative Assets.” I know, a ridiculously long title, but when I was pulling it all together, that’s what worked for my brain. I felt like I had a lot of ground to cover quickly, but it went all right once Facebook stopped putting pop-ups in my way. If you are a member of the group, you can see the replay of the live video here: {link}

Everywhere But Home, Speaking, What I Love, Writing

Speaking Engagement on 06/24/20

I am once again speaking at the Tyler Public Library’s Writer’s Club Facebook Group on June 24, 2020 at noon. My topic is “Building a Sustainable Career Through Managing Your Creative Assets.”
Computers and Internet, Speaking, What I Love, Writing

Today’s Speaking Engagement at TPLWC

I spoke today at the Tyler Public Library’s Writing Club Facebook Group on “Character Creation.” I shared all my favorite character worksheets from various places and it went really well! If you are a member of the group, you can see the replay of the live video here: {link}

Computers and Internet, Speaking, What I Love, Writing

Speaking Engagement on 06/03/20

I am going to be speaking at the Tyler Public Library’s Writer’s Club Facebook Group at noon on June 3, 2020. My topic will be “Character Creation.” If you’d like to hear me speak, you can find us online at: {link}

Computers and Internet, Speaking, What I Love, Writing

Today’s Speaking Engagement

I spoke today at the Tyler Public Library Writer’s Club Facebook Group on “Writing Memoirs.” It went pretty well, despite my sinus infection and foster kitten shenanigans. If you are a member of the group, you can see the replay of the live video here: {link}

Everywhere But Home, Speaking, What I Love, Writing

Speaking Engagement on 05/20/20

I will be speaking at the Tyler Public Library’s Writing Club Facebook Group on May 20, 2020 at noon. My topic will be “Writing Memoirs.”

Computers and Internet, Speaking, What I Love, Writing

Today’s Speaking Engagement

I spoke today at the Tyler Public Library’s Writer’s Club Facebook Group on “How to Craft a Scene.” I think it went fairly well! I even made a handout for this one, like I did when I taught on the Snowflake Method earlier this year (in person). If you are a member of the group, you can see the replay of the live video here: {link}

Around the House, Organizing, What I Love, Writing

Morning Pages, Day Two

So it’s not morning. Morning was good.  Full of Animal Crossing and kids and happy, human goodness. David came over and we sat on the back patio and chatted online with Steph. We visited each others islands in Animal Crossing and made stuff for each other. We sat around and watched Community, I cleaned the kitchen, we ate some Shells and Cheese. A good day so far.

So now I’m at the computer and looking at my planner to see what I scheduled to write for today. Only I scheduled everything except for the writing. Oops. So here I am planning my writing in my non-morning Morning Pages.

Today: Finish critique for TCG

Tomorrow: Caro’s Quest writing – whatever the next scene needs to be

Wednesday: Getting class stuff together and writing ahead for that.

Thursday: Start work on Chapter 2 Magical PTA

Friday: Finish up work on Magical PTA for LCG submission

Saturday: Start work on The Dreaming end of Ch 5 or beginning of Ch 6

What else? I don’t even know.