THE DAY
No, not the narrative kind. The feets kind.
After the very good day of writing yesterday, the pace kind of took a breather. Since restarting this book about two weeks ago (Day 42), I’ve had a good idea of where the thing was going because I’d plotted it out that far previously, even though I changed everything up. Now that I’ve gotten to THIS point in the narrative, I’m not as sure about what happens next. I mean, I kind of am but also kind of not. So I spent a very large part of the day thinking, pacing, and then doing chapter beats–almost explaining the central plot-plot ot myself: who did what and why and where they might be now. That’s okay, but it also drives me a little bat-shit because it means I slow down and that just makes me. . . well, bat-shit.
I was also a touch undecided because I know that I need to go back and loop in the other narrative thread at some point because these guys all have to meet up and they can’t do that if I don’t write the darned thread.
But this all points up what doesn’t work for me: this writing in the dark nonsense? It’s nonsense–for me. I must plan and plot; it’s the way I write. I also tend to write complicated, layered narratives–and I need to plot and take notes. Otherwise, I just end up either repeating myself or wasting time because I don’t know where the thing is headed.
Anyway, paced in the a.m.; spent two hours with contractors for a generator (!); then gymed, back home, began to write both chapter beats and then the actual narrative. I also think I slowed down today because I know I’m not going to be writing much if anything over the next three days–unless we’re talking only chapter beats–because I’ll be on the road. It’s a family thing, and yes, it’s driving me crazy, too. But there are just some things you have to do.
Oh, and 30 years ago today, Challenger exploded. I remember where I was when I heard: a first year child psychiatry fellow, getting ready to see a patient. I even remember that boy’s name.
WRITING OUT LOUD
Dark Side of the Moon
Day 1: 4326 Day 11: 2500 Day 21: 1800 Day 31: 745
Day 2: 2085 Day 12: 500 Day 22: 0 Day 32: 0
Day 3: 3011 Day 13: 1000 Day 23: 2700 Day 33: 4000
Day 4: 2652. Day 14: 3700 Day 24: 3500 Day 34: 2800
Day 5: 3210 Day 15: 5630 Day 25: 1500 Day 35: 4500
Day 6: 3450 Day 16: 1060 Day 26: 0 Day 36: 4800
Day 7: 0 Day 17: 130 Day 27: 0 Day 37: 0
Day 8: 2756 Day 18: 0 Day 28: 380 Day 38: 450
Day 9: 4580 Day 19: 3000 Day 29: 390 Day 39: 1000
Day 10: 2670 Day 20: 2600 Day 30: 380 Day 40: 2500
Day 41: 2600 Day 51: 1000
*Day 42: 830 Day 52: 1600
Day 43: 3600 Day 53: 2600
Day 44: 5000 Day 54: 3600
Day 45: 2600 Day 55: 3200
Day 46: 3000 Day 56: 4000
Day 47: 2800 Day 57: 1200
Day 48: 2500
Day 49: 1000
Day 50: 4600
Blog Post: 500
***
What I’m Watching:
Finishing up Fortitude–and YOU KILLED OFF MY FAVORITE CHARACTER!?!?! What the hell? So now I’m pissed.
What I’m NOT Watching: The Republicans. I suspect it’s a quieter debate but no less infuriating.
***
What I’m Reading:
Operation Paperclip.
***
What I’m Listening to:
What Simon and Garfunkel sang about so beautifully.
