Writing Update

Yesterday was a very busy day. I spend many hours working (on and off) on plot card outlines for the three books of my fantasy trilogy (this is a re-plot). I also outlined two other novels that have rattled around in my head for a while. At this point I’m not sure what my next step will be. Part of me wants to put away the fantasy story because I’m too married to it. The other part of me says it’s crazy to stop in the middle, after doing so much work.

If I put it aside I can come back to it later with fresh eyes. I will have to think about it. For now I’m going to work on plot card outlines for at least the first book of my middle grade fantasy story. Once I have all these stories laid out in front of me, maybe I’ll stop being indecisive.

Actually it’s inaccurate to say I can’t make up my mind. It’s more of a problem with figuring out what I can and can’t do physically. I have one more week of physical therapy before going back to the doctor. Unfortunately it’s not really helping. Not being able to stay sitting in my desk chair or any position for very long is causing no end of writing trouble! Some of these projects I can work on with a legal pad and a pen, which I can use anywhere. My fantasy WIP is not one that I can do that with. Using a laptop helps but not as much as I had hoped. I should probably get over hating the sound of my voice and start dictating.

Reading/research related update: I’m on book three of Dragonlance Legends. It’s all about the twins and I do not like this trilogy as much as the preceding one. I don’t hate it but I’m not really invested. Maybe I’ll like War of Souls more. Reading for research is completely different from reading for pleasure so I know I’m being super critical. I’m finding more in this book to avoid than to use. This is still a good thing. I’m a big believer in the process of elimination being valuable.

Another book I’m reading is Screenwriting Tricks For Authors. So far it’s interesting. I’m always willing to try something new and now that I can’t write as often, it’s a good time to learn other techniques. I’m not far enough into it to know if I will take much from it but I’m hopeful.

As for my writing class, I’m determined to finish lesson 9 by the end of this week. Based on what my doctor said about next steps if physical therapy didn’t work, well, I’m going to be behind for a long time so I need to do as much as I can now. It won’t be as much as I’d like but some is better than none.

Book reviews update: After I finish the Dragonlance books I think I’ll finally dive into Snow Crash. I’ve avoided the book for years, in fact my reluctance hasn’t lessened but I don’t want to put it off forever. Next month I’ll write the review.

Now I have a question for all of you. Does anyone find it difficult to find my writing on this blog? Someone recently asked if there was any of my actual writing on my site. I directed him to the links in my menu bar and category list. I don’t feel the flash fiction is hard to find but I could be wrong. If anyone else thinks there is a navigation problem, please let me know. Thank you in advance.