THE DAY
Started off the day knowing that I couldn’t spend it all on the book because there are other things demanding my attention: an anthology proposal and the assignment for a cover design class that I began last night but which managed to spill into today. So the day wasn’t all that productive in terms of words, but that’s okay, because as I was swimming, I kind of made peace with the fact that what’s going on now is precisely what happened with THE DICKENS MIRROR. I’d written all this stuff only to finally understand that I’d been telling myself more than I was showing a potential reader. (I’m sure I’ve said this before.) Anyway, I keep finding new ways to show the information I’ve already told myself (like, if kids don’t like a certain character, rather than saying that, SHOW that). So that means looping back for more and better and revised scenes while KILLING all these words I’ve already done.
So there’s a lot of blood on the cutting room floor.
Couldn’t do that all day, though (which is probably good, or else I’d never have had the revelation in the pool). After my swim, came back and settled down to yet MORE hours futzing with this cover designs thing. Now, mind you, I worked four hours–yes, FOUR–on this yesterday, which included contacting one of the teachers for help. So I spent another several hours this afternoon and was on the phone with the teacher who helped by talking me through one thing. But she came to the conclusion a few hours later when I was still having trouble that the program might be corrupted–which meant uninstalling and then reinstalling. Which I’ve done. But I’m sure as hell done with this tonight. Enough already.
The frustrating thing is I know EXACTLY what I wanted and how I wanted this to look. EXACTLY. So I will give it one more shot tomorrow–but only after I finish working on a proposal that just has to get done. I’ve procrastinated on that proposal long enough. So I know that’s tomorrow’s work, which means that I’m unlikely to do much with the book other than to, perhaps, outline the chapter beats for the scenes I have to add and then rearrange the scenes I already have in outline form.
I know you’ll find this hard to believe…but as frustrating as it is to have to loop back and revise, it’s still kind of fun because there is a story here, begging to come out. I think it was Stephen King who once said that he tabled some stories–slunk off with his tail between his legs was how I believe he put it–when he realized he wasn’t yet skilled enough to tell the story he had in mind. I’m not sure if I’m at that point, and I sure hope not. But I like stories that challenge me.
Anyway, for tomorrow, fair warning: unlikely to be anything but a goose egg.
WRITING OUT LOUD
GHOST IN THE MACHINE
Day 1: 4326 Day 11: 2500 Day 21: 1800
Day 2: 2085 Day 12: 500 Day 22: 0
Day 3: 3011 Day 13: 1000 Day 23: 2700
Day 4: 2652. Day 14: 3700 Day 24: 3500
Day 5: 3210 Day 15: 5630 Day 25: 1500
Day 6: 3450 Day 16: 1060
Day 7: 0 Day 17: 130
Day 8: 2756 Day 18: 0
Day 9: 4580 Day 19: 3000
Day 10: 2670 Day 20: 2600
Blog Post: 660
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What I’m Watching:
Not a danged thing. Missed the Packers game then discovered I hadn’t missed a thing. (A playoff team, this is not.) Right now, the Giants are getting their butts kicked by Minnesota who looks awfully good this year. I know they’re in the wildcard slot, but…I don’t see how the Pack will beat them next week.
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What I’m Reading:
That antho. Done now, though. Looking forward to getting back to some reading for pleasure. (Although that is hard for me; I’m always analyzing and critiquing.)
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What I’m Listening to:
Finished up Episode 3 of Serial. I remain underwhelmed. Also listened to a bit more of Let Me In on the way to the pool.
And I’m having this insane urge to try going vegan. Where the hell is that coming from? Yes, I object to the way most animal products are brought to table (though I have always tried to buy from farmers I know whenever possible), and I think the damage done to our oceans by over-fishing means the oceans won’t recover for decades. I also object to how fish is caught and the animals that are killed and tossed (or even if they’re eaten), all so people can have their sushi. It is inhumane to drown a turtle or dolphin, period.
So I’m predominantly vegetarian to begin with, though I will eat eggs and dairy. It helps that we keep kosher, which means that our meat intake is pretty low to begin with: only the meat slab on Fridays, really.
I have no trouble giving up meat and fish, absolutely none. I don’t eat much chicken, so there’s no problem there either. But I do really like a good cheese. Cheese is my weakness. Take me to a restaurant and if they’re serving a cheese board, I’m there.
Could I give it up? Yeah, I guess so. Can I base most of our diet around vegetables and grains? I actually already do, pretty much.
I would still bake cakes, regardless. I’ve tried a few vegan alternatives, and either I don’t have the knack or they have no taste (I’m inclined to believe the latter).
But it just wouldn’t be that much of a stretch. I can’t see myself getting all militant about it. I figure to be as environmentally conscious as I can, I guess.
We’ll see.
