Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Work in Progress


I just thought I would give you a glimpse of my WIP, tentatively titled Safe Harbor.  I am really proud of myself, because I've spent months feeling like a  big faker, like a poser, like someone who just wants to be a writer without actually doing any writing.  I've started and abandoned several projects, but keep coming back to one in particular.  I have the opening scenes, I know the characters, but have been dragging my feet because I didn't really have the plot clear in my mind. It was really hard to come up with scenes to write when I wasn't really sure what the point was.  To quote my boyfriend, Toby Keith, "If you don't know where you're going, you might end up somewhere else"

Anyway, as of last night, I have FINISHED AN OUTLINE!

That's it:  That little brown notebook, the flash drive and the post-it notes.  My outline and first few chapters. 


 I realize that I do not deserve a Medal of Honor or anything.
Thankyou, Leroy, you are my hero!
I don't deserve a brownie button, or even a brownie.  But I can pat myself on the back today, because I know where this story is going, and I am not afraid to put on my sneakers and keep it moving.  There is a line in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous about Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny, and I totally love that imagery.  They weren't talking about the road TO Happy Destiny, as though happiness were a destination, but I think they were saying that being on the road, trudging along, IS happiness.  And it's so much easier to trudge if one can see a few steps ahead on the path. 

So.  What are you working on that is giving you some sense of purpose and accomplishment today?

2 comments:

  1. Well, I think a pat on the back & a brownie are in order here.

    I love the post it notes all stuck together in a little line!

    Oh, and Toby is MY boyfriend!

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  2. Congrats! That's a huge accomplishment -- totally brownie-worthy. :)

    It IS about the journey. If you don't like the path, the destination doesn't really matter.

    I just turned in my edits for Book 1 (doesn't mean I'm done with it -- only another step along the way until it's deemed ready for print by Tor), and trying to pick up where I left off with Book 2.

    Actually, I love this part of the journey. For me, it really is about the fun I have creating my own world. Not that I won't be thrilled when I get the chance to share that world with readers, but the creation...well, you can't beat it, IMO.

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