Writing Schedule

Although I am between projects---well, actually finishing up the details of one book and starting research for another---you might think that I do not write in this in-between time.  Not so!  I look upon my writing as my job.  I write everyday, whether it is a blog post, a section of a family legacy book that I am working on, or on my current book project.

I have always heard that writers should write everyday.  Recently I read in a magazine about a daily writing schedule, so thought I would write down my own schedule.

  9:00 am   Wake up, breakfast, read emails and news
10:00 am   Write
   Noon      Fix and eat lunch
  1:00 pm   Chores and errands if any or Write/read blogs/do research/go for a walk
  4:00 pm   Begin dinner prep
  5:00 pm   Dinner
  6:00 pm   TV news and relaxation
  7:00 pm   Write/read books/ TV or movies
10:00 pm    Bed time prep and read in bed
11:30 pm    lights out!

Note:  Notice how many times "write" or "read" is listed in my schedule!

Whether I rise at a different time, or go to sleep much later than 11:30  (because I am reading a great book!) my basic schedule stays the same.  It is my job to write and it must command much of my day!

Writing Exercise

One's writing craft should be exercised much the same as one's body -- Both are health giving exercises.

If there is nothing else to write,  I write 'little stones'.  What are 'little stones'?

Little Stones keep my writing skills succinct and honed.  Writing them challenge me to not have extra words getting one thought down in just a few words.  Not really a poem nor prose, just a micro thought on one point or thing.

Here is one that I have previously written, which, by-the-way, is indicative of the tone of my new book.

          Living in crowded conditions brings a need for 

          order and restrictions--on you and me. 

          Rather than forfeit independence, 

          I'd druther have space.

Note:  You can read further about it here.  Small stones were originally published in my other blog.  (There is a tab at the top of the home page marked: Small Stones.)

  

Prologue Quotes

When one is putting together a book, all types of formats are considered. I had to formulate a design and devise my plan, especially if I end up self-publishing.  What size will be finished book be?  How does this affect the total pages?  How long should the chapters be? Will there be quotes to head up each chapter, as some books are presented.  Will there be simply chapter breaks or internal breaks from scene to scene or character to character?  Or will the book flow as one long chronological story?  What about a prologue and an epilogue?  How will these decisions effect the outcome of the finished work?  How will they enhance the readers experience?

One tiny decision in my book was to add two quotes to the preceding page of the prologue.  (When the physical book is open, it would be on the left with the prologue beginning on the right hand side). I have called this page the 'prologue facing page'.  I don't know if that is the technical name or not, but it is how I distinguish it!  Here are two quotes from that page of my novel:

Don't be afraid your life will end;

be afraid it will never begin. 

--Grace Hansen

If anyone builds on this foundation

using gold, silver, costly stones, 

wood, hay or straw, 

their work will be shown for what it is . . .

it will be brought to light 

---I Cor. 3:12-13  NIV

This 'prologue facing page' will be mostly white space with just these two quotes.

Thought you might need a teaser!  :)

road trip . . .

 . . . taking a road trip with my daughter to Cali!

               Going to visit my mom and aunt . . .

                                                                                  . . . be back soon!

Great Grandma!

Although, I am known as great-grandma to two great-grandsons in Missouri, which I have not seen in person (FB is great for "seeing" them),  I have just been blessed with a new great-grandson #3 in my area!

baby boy, Kelly Lee 

I know, I am too young to be a great grandma!  

The Writing Process and my UFO Box

Since I finished the first draft of my novel, what am I up to now?  Many of my readers are interested in my writing process.

While my first draft is out to test readers,  I've moved on to begin research for my second novel. There was a lengthy time, actually two weeks that felt lengthy, between finishing and moving on.  I experienced a 'letdown' period that I want to tell you about.

The process of writing is exciting, pulling every bit of my creativity from my being.  When I reach the end of a project, I experience a lull;  I suppose it's a drop in the creative adrenaline flow.  I didn't know what to do with myself, although I did have another idea for a new novel in my mind--but not ready to begin.  I didn't feel like doing anything creative, i.e. sewing, embroidery, watercolor, even photography.  So I spent quite a bit of time reading.  I actually read two novels and a novella before I was ready to begin my own creative process again, although still not ready to write.

I was tired of reading, so I pulled out my UFO box--unfinished objects (mostly because they feel like UFO's!)--or unfinished projects, as sewers call them.  I spent some time finishing a vest and an apron from the box.  Actually the velvet quilted vest material had been in the box for well over ten years.

I also looked at a couple of unfinished quilts, but decided not to start again on them, too much time involved to finish them!  All the while -- I was thinking on the next book premise.  

Now, first part of the writing process has begun -- researching the family tree, heritage and ancestors of a family name that will be the basis from which my next book springs.  I'm already getting excited again, the adrenaline is starting to flow . . . and . . . I whittled down the contents of my UFO box! 

 So energized!

Tiptoe thru the Tulips

Today I spent some time with some friends for a tea party!  We also went to the Wooden Shoe tulip farm for a romp thru the tulips!  All I can say is:  Beautiful!