In January, when I upgraded the desktop system, the new computer came with a new-to-me utility program–sticky notes–virtual Post-its. Excellent nerdy fun. Now I clutter my lovely desktop with story notes in the form of virtual stickies.
Did I mention the notes come in a variety of tasteful pastels? 
After finishing the first draft of a story, letting the manuscript rest for a few weeks before tackling the second draft improves my objectivity. Does it need another cooling off period after revisions? If so does it need to be as long? I hope not. Patience is not my long suit.
Meanwhile, I’m making notes for the next draft of third installment of the Enyo Chronicles. I last worked on that tale in June, so I should be plenty objective. 
Everyone who writes, writes in his own private way. Many of my friends have several different manuscripts in various stages of completion.
Come to think of it, so do I. 
But, I only work on one at a time. Otherwise I never finish anything.
When a new story idea pops into my head, it happens–the muse is not interested in my schedule–I make a few notes and let it simmer in the background. More often then not, it never becomes a story. Sometimes a story gets into the plotting stage before I decide it’s not working.
How about you, do you specialize, focusing on one task at a time or to juggle several projects?
Currently, I’m revising the paranormal romance I started in January. I love the results–a much stronger story. The process is painful. I’m learning as I go, which always slows progress.
Revising requires two different modes of thinking, the editing mind set and the creative trance. An impossible task. For me it’s like trying to jog and dance at the same time. Not happening. And even if I could blend the two, the result would be ugly. What I hope works is frequent switching between the edit mindset and creative process.
Either I’m building new and improved brain functions 
or I’m burning out large sections….
Whether or not I’m conscious of themes in my writing, they exist. Of course, it’s much easier to see the common threads in other authors’ works than those in my own. For good or ill, I’m usually unaware of what’s happening in my head below surface thought.
I’m convinced the sub-conscious is the home of the creative well. Writing means dipping into this well over and over, spilling the contents onto the blank page.
The more writing I do, the more I become aware of my own interior reservoir and the ways it both matches and differs from others’ inner waterworks.
Writing is the practice of emotional nudity. This is both humbling and life affirming. Anyone reading my work knows me to my core. The reader knows I believe in love, knows my quirks, knows my strengths, and knows my insecurities. If I do my job well, the reader connects with some of my truths.
Are there certain themes that resonate with you?
It’s summer, the grass grows like the weed it is, I have a story to finish this month, all the usual requirements of daily life continue. So I’m busy. Yet, I take the time to work on craft daily. I study craft books and articles. I critique at least one scene a week for someone else. I do these things because they make me a better writer, which allows me to tell a better story.
For me, the real benefit of a critique group isn’t the feedback I get. Although, that is a a much appreciated feature. But, there’s nothing like going through another writer’s passive verbs, purple phrases, and liberal dialogue tags to remind me how often I’m guilty of the same lazy prose.
This is not a condemnation of all dialogue tags, all passive verbs, and all adverbs. They have a place. But, I need to cultivate a rigorous habit of self-examination to avoid slipping into evil ways. 
There were two suggestions I heard over and over when I began studying the craft of writing: let the manuscript rest for a few weeks after the first draft is complete and read your work aloud. Despite the repetitions of this excellent advice, I ignored both pieces of wisdom for years.
Leaving a first draft cooling on the hard drive for a couple of weeks? What nonsense. Like a few weeks would give me any perspective on characters I’ve bonded with over a period of months.
Reading aloud made me feel self-conscious. Besides, I could hear the story in my head. Why on earth would I need to read it out loud? The answer, I eventually learned, is because my ears can’t be fooled as easily as my eyes, which have the deplorable fault of sliding right over the most egregious errors.
I was wrong to ignore both of these suggestions. Reading aloud and resting the story after the first draft help. 
Have you ever held one of those flip books? The kind where each page has the same image with a slight progression of movement–when you fan the pages the motion appears.
This how stories are in my head–if I rifled through the images too fast, I don’t catch all of subtle action. Too slow, and I start to fidget. Luckily, I can replay the scenes over and over until I get them right. 
Finally closing in on the third installment in the Enyo Chronicles. 
It feels like forever since I submitted anything. Since I wanted to write longer, bigger, and better stories–they go slower. This one is creeping closer to done, done, done.
Last week I thought I might be through the first draft by now. Nope. Not even close this story is going to be novel length, novel plus if I don’t watch it. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, forcing a choice between love and loyalty 
The Enyo Chronicles includes both Dalia's Choice and Joon's Tempation. 
Three different stories, three dangerous men, and three women who deserve them 
One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire. 
Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous
One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
A reluctant reporter and a lone wolf undercover cop work to catch an extortionist, finding love requires the most dangerous risk of all. 
Street-smart cop plays princess to catch deadly terrorists. Now,the only man she trusts is the one she can't resist.
Along with the arrival of Sam’s nemesis comes Karina, the one woman who can heal his wounded soul. What he doesn’t know may kill him. Because, the love of his life is his worst nightmare--his enemy’s daughter.