The day in Salt Lake was very enjoyable. I was only able to watch three shows instead of five, as I had to hunt down my cell phone. I finally discovered my eight year old had taken it to school with him. Needless to say, he was in a bit of trouble when he got home. I was too tired to watch the last movie. My bedtime is normally 8:30 with such an early job, so by the time 9:00 rolled around I could hardly keep my eyes open and had to drive forty miles home.
I did enjoy the movies, though I'd seen them all before: Transformers, Evan Almighty, and Ratatouille. They were some of my favorites of the summer and definitely worth revisiting.
I started outlining The Golden Breastplate today, though I'm considering renaming it The Armor of Light. It's been so long since I started a new book, I'd forgotten how much I hate beginnings. Some people can jump right in and know exactly how they want to start a project, but I am NOT one of those people. I get pictures that form in my head of where things are going throughout the middle of the book, and sometimes the end, but the beginning? I sweat and write and sweat some more and write it over again and again and again. Why are beginnings so scary?
I think part of the answer to that is the fact that we're so often told you've only got thirteen lines to grab an editor's attention. Now, I know full well that I will probably rewrite my beginning a dozen times before I'm ready to send it anywhere, but knowing that it has to catch somebody's attention more than any other part of the book sends me into a panic. I'm not sure what to do about it at this point, but knowing what is in part causing the problem does help-a little.
Back to work again tomorrow and actually looking forward to it. For some reason, working so early makes my day feel more productive. At least I can say I did something, even if my house is a wreck and I don't have anything more done on my book than a title, knowing how many chapters I want, how many days the book covers, and what happens in three of the chapters. It will come, I know that. Somehow it always does. I've just got to be patient and make sure I ask the Great Creator for his input. He's a much better writer than I am.
I'm sure things will look better after a good night's rest. Maybe it will help me remember how to be creative again.
Quote of the Day: "Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences. They are the ones who keep writing."
- Bonnie Friedman
6 comments:
Thirteen Lines??? Wouldn't the fact you have one published help? I mean there are some books that take me over 13 PAGES to get into. Heck, sometimes I'm over halfway through before I even get interested in it. (I obviously have a lot of time on my hands, I blame the commute) Anyway, don't stress, as you said, you will likely rewrite the beginning multiple times.
- Michael
Karen,
Good luck with the new book. I want to read Sapphire Flute now that you are done with it, okay?
And a BIG CONGRATULATIONS from me!!
I like "Armor of Light." Very catchy!
Holy cow, three movies in one day? I'm impressed. The most my hubby and I have ever done is two.
Good luck with the new book. I know you'll do a fantastic job.
so start right in the middle. i really think the important thing is to write every day. as you write you'll discover exactly what you need to do in order to see the book up. good luck sweetie!
and why didn't you come and visit while you were in town? ;-D
I have no problem with beginnings . . .I have a gazillion fabulous beginnings . . . those darn endings mess me up every time. Sigh. Glad you had fun with the movie day. Sorry I've been MIA lately. Trying to figure out the ending to the book I just finished nearly sent me to the strait jacket.
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