Almost done with the first draft….

Hi All,
Hopefully this post will find you happy, healthy and writing your rear end off or maybe even basking in the after-glow of a well structured scene, with impactive dialogue and proper indents. Or, in the case of publisher’s and editors (did I mention how much I LOVE editors?) pub’n and edit’n like crazy with a stable of top tier authors.
Speaking of crazy, a subject I am considered an expert in the field of, that’s what would characterize my mental state as I try to bring my thriller, written in 1st person present tense, to a climax and bring all the action home, followed by a short, ‘needle scratching across vinyl’ epilogue which sets up the next installment.
Distractions? Ummm, well, yeah….try the constant threat of major hurricanes and four precious but seriously juvenile delinquent kittens who love to take turns doing swan dives from the top shelf of my desk onto the keyboard(that they pretend is water) far below. They’ve figured out how to rope climb up the many ethernet cables behind the desk(s). I did not realize how impressionable they were and I’ve decided to not let them watch any more Tarzan or Ninja Turtle movies with us. Maybe it was the Batman movies….or The Transporter series…
Anyway, I’m not really looking forward to the numerous rewrites however part of me does because I want it, the story, as tight as I can get it before it goes off to an editor, yet to be named. (did I mention how much I LOVE editors?).
First person present tense was probably a lot to bite off, for me, a first time novelist but so far, as I read over what I’ve written, it actually makes sense. (Yes, the possibility that I may very well have NO clue has occurred to me…) Credible transitions and my guy’s observations, even the subtle ones, appear to do the job. He’s a thoughtful, introspective guy who happens to bleed profusely, a lot. The feedback from a good editor will no doubt be what makes all the difference in the world, I’m sure, provided I can afford one of the top publisher level editors I’ve heard about in myths and legends and on Twitter.
One thing I’ve definitely noticed in my demolition derby down The Writers Road ( I capitalized here for the bots, who are my friends…) is that the more talented my writer friends are, the less I speak with them. No doubt due to the writing time and celebrity staus.
I hope soon to have that problem…..
New writers need to understand that even though we live in our little (or big) worlds with our characters and the blood and emotions may still be warm and fresh on our faces, once we step out of the realm then it’s time to be objective, studious and willing to partake of the world of networking. Not to mention a little updating on the events and changes in publishing.
I have good instincts. But I’m not dumb enough to believe that they are on a level with an author who has sold a million books, so I look to learn, ALWAYS. (yes, that was me staggering around glassy eyed at the last book convention…).
Oh, and a little tip kids: DO NOT refer to people who write really good writer blogs, author friends who have books selling, people in publishing out there on Twitter, Facebook or where-ever, reviewers, and others that populate your friend orbit, DO NOT refer to them as a PLATFORM. When you reach for your dreams chances are you’ll be standing on the shoulders of someone who someone else did the same for and they are NOT a platform. FB, Twitter, all social media and blogger worlds are, technically, platforms, however even they are populated and maintained in popularity by PEOPLE. It’s kind of like calling a carpenter a ‘hammer’ because he uses one. The core elements, for me, are human and I follow that bond through out all I do. YOU are not a means to an end for me, or, a platform or a stepping stone. If you’re reading this I’m grateful, no matter what thoughts you walk away thinking. And no, I’m not in therapy. Mainly because I can’t afford it…(HAH!)
I’ve been around the block a couple of times in life and I’ve blogged to the world for a long time and as far as reaching the ‘masses’ I didn’t fall off the turnip wagon last night. I miss radio, the ONLY thing about it I miss is connecting with people and hearing their stories and dreams. Writing, in a sense, directly, is a way for me to do that in and through characters and when I someday master the mechanics of writing maybe it will all come together and I can pay someone to clean the litter box.

In the meantime, I’m almost done with my first draft….

….you know where to find me…

LUVU

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