Procrastination--but not really.

Short post today....settling in to write now. Spent the day procrastinating....but I'm still exhausted.

See, when you old an old house like T and I do, there is always something that needs doing. And a week before my kids are due to arrive, well I tend to get into panic mode.

I'm a list-maker. I make lists for work, lists for writing, lists, lists, LISTS.

I even have a master list to organize my lists. Maybe I'm not organized, but OCD.

Anyway, writing starts now...

But a little example of what I did this weekend from those cursed lists:

Before



After

Brief update and 'Chez White Kitty'

Been doing two diverse writing activities this weekend so far.

Continuing with book two, and incorporating Emmett Spain's comments into book one.

One of the comments he made struck home...it's the 'hook' for the first chapter of 'The Prodigal's Foole.'

The first paragraph...the first SENTENCE is what will draw the reader in. My hook is ok, not great.

Let me give you examples of a few great 'hooks:'

1. Call me Ishmael. - Herman Melville, Moby-Dick (1851)

2. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. - George Orwell, 1984 (1949)

3. A screaming comes across the sky. - Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow (1973)

4. It was a pleasure to burn. - Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

5. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley ,of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. -J.K Rowling, The Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone (1997)

By contrast, my hook starts: "I stepped off the plane at Logan airport in Boston and could immediately feel the damp, chilly air that was typical of early spring in New England. "

It's ok, but what about: "Little did I know that the telegram in my pocket was about to change my life forever..."

What do you guys think?

In the meantime, the 'Cat Condo' we ordered for our newest family member--White Kitty--arrived yesterday. I took a few minutes to put it together. By popular request, here are a few photos:

Thoughts on Fatherhood- Part 2

Three weeks ago I mentioned my son and his fourteenth birthday (You can find 'Thoughts on Fatherhood-Part 1' HERE).

Today, my baby girl turns 10. Although she thinks she's twenty-one in front of her friends; when she's with dad, she's back being my little girl. Much to her chagrin, she always will be.

If it was my son who convinced me to write things down, it would be my daughter, Riona who couldn't get enough of my stories at bedtime.

I'm sure part of her enjoyment revolved around the fact that she got to stay up an extra 30 minutes. But she would sit in her crib, and later her 'princess bed' wide-eyed for another installment of "Princess Riona and the (place fantasy creature/item here)"

I miss telling her those completely made-up-on-the-spot tales. Now she prefers to read before bed, just like her brother.

In a little over a week I fly down to get both my children for my summer visit (I'm divorced--they live with their mom). Tina and I will celebrate both their birthdays when I bring them back to Boston. But this very day, ten years ago. A beautiful baby girl was born.

Happy birthday Princess. I miss you terribly.

Instant Critique, Comments from Down Under.

As a new unpublished 'babe-in-the-woods' writer, I crave feedback.

Constructive critique and continual practice is the only way to get good at the craft. The Internet has been an interesting source of the 'instant gratification' our generation seems to thrive on these days.

It's actually been a pretty good experience so far.

Initially, I was quite nervous about posting excerpts from my first novel for the world to see. Not only was I worried about copy-write issues, but I really had doubts if what I've been building is worth anyone's time.

What I didn't expect is the number of writers (and industry insiders) who have offered me advise--good, solid words of wisdom that only better my skills.

Case in point:

Emmett Spain, an author from Sydney who writes in the same 'urban fantasy' genre as my 'Arcana Chronicles,' took time out to provide some pretty detailed critique of 'The Prodigal's Foole' opening chapter. It was good stuff and I'll be playing with some of his suggestions over the weekend.

BTW, I highly recommend his book 'Old Haunts, A London City Novel' I have it on my Kindle and it's a great read.

For a preview pop over to Amazon here:

Old Haunts, A London City Novel

But it is really interesting to see how electronic media, social websites and e-communications has changed the world of writing.

On the one hand, it has increased the number of writers out there submitting work 100-fold. This leads to a lot more competition for shelf-space in the stores. On the other hand, you can get honest and instant feedback on your work.

Sometimes from as far away as Sydney. See Emmett's Blog.

Last post for the long weekend here in the States. Loads of writing and polishing to do. In the meantime, enjoy yourselves!

And if you get a chance, check out Emmett's Blog.

Long Weekend in Sight...

Wednesday. "Hump Day" as they say here in the States.

Almost forgot I'm taking Friday off and Monday is, of course, the Memorial Day holiday.

Four days of writing ahead....I'm excited!

The one thing I'm looking forward to if I ever make the transition from 'Consultant' to 'Writer' is uninterrupted stretches of writing time. It takes me a while to 'ramp up,' but once in the groove, I tend to type away until my fingers hurt. Interruptions, job, life things, all weave in and out of my writing so there is a lot of stopping and starting to contend with.

I'm not complaining, mind you. The fact that I'm writing at all with what's on the plate is still amazing to me.

This upcoming weekend is a big deal....especially since I fly down to pick up my children for a month-long visit in 12 days.

Since I only am allowed to see the kids 50 days out of the year (thank YOU suck-ass lawyer), I have a boatload of activities planned while they're here with T and I in Beantown.

Writing milestones approach, ReaderCon in July and hopefully book two completed in September. Not to mention time with my children.

Meanwhile, plan 'Acquire a Kick-Ass Literary Agent' is in full swing.

A full plate and loving every minute of it!

The Character Whisperer

Sometimes, my characters talk to me.

I know that sounds weird...and knowing ME, it probably is. But once I develop a character for a story, sometimes they take on a life of their own.

Let me see if I can give you an example from "The Prodigal's Foole" that's spoiler-free.

In the third act of the book, the climax is rapidly approaching and I needed the main character --Symon Bryson-- to do something significant. As I was writing the scene, a different character in the same scene literally said in my head:

"Wait. I should do that and here's why...."

You'll recognize the scene when you read it, assuming I ever get to the publication stage. Although I will say that there are few close relatives and friends who are running through the manuscript offering up critique and will see the scene for themselves. The rest of you will have to wait.

Anyway, the second character was RIGHT. It was a bit unexpected, made sense, and added a very interesting complication that will bleed over into book two. So I listened to that second character and relegated Symon to observer status for that particular scene.

I literally rubbed my hands together in evil anticipation of the change. I couldn't type the words fast enough.

It's the beauty of doing character development and pre-work before jumping into your novel.

Because once you pump life into your creations, they will speak to you. All you need to do is listen.

Throwing the Switch and Waiting

Monday....back at the job.

I had a good weekend-- added about 19 pages to book two and got a lot of prep done for the kids imminent arrival on 7 June for a month. Spent time with the love of my life. All in all a success.

Not sure I mentioned this but I got pulled from the 'query queue' for the agency I submitted 'The Prodigal's Foole' to. My own doing of course, as I won an auction for a 50 page critique from another agent at the same company.

It's not a bad thing...I got to donate to the flood victims in Nashville, and I also get a 50 page review; which is more then most queries get. But of course I didn't set a time limit knowing how busy this particular agent is and that she donated her time.

So the waiting game continues while I move forward. Made a prototype cover for the first four books over the weekend. Posted the first book prototype Sunday if you want to see what I was playing with.

The switch is now thrown for Monday Morning and I'm back in 'work mode' with too much to do and very little time to get it all done before my babies arrive for their summer visit.

Better refill the coffee mug and get cracking! Meanwhile...I check my e-mail every hour to see if I get lucky and have convinced an agent that the Arcana Chronicles are worth her time.

Oh Tom Petty. You were SO right!