Writing process

With the tools in place, I was ready to dissect each scene. With the outline, I would be able to set the pacing of each chapter. Having said that, some scenes were now obsolete. Others were too boring.  Have you ever just skipped over a section of a chapter because it was uninteresting? Now I was able to see that that section does not work. The goal of each scene had to be realized, but it could not be written.

 For instance, a line such as -- She was bored, cannot be written. You must show the feeling not write it. Revised - She picked up her sewing and immediately dropped it without making a stitch. Going to the piano, she caressed the keys for less than a minute letting each note ring out strong but rose from the bench before the piece was finished.

Writing process Pink polk-a-dot gown

Now that I had the story line going, I needed to work on my pacing. In order to do that my sister/editor showed me a great tool. It basically is for each scene in a chapter. Each chapter should have 3-5 scenes.

1.  What is the character's problem?

2.  What is stopping the problem from being solved?

3. What is the complication that prohibits problem from being solved?

4. How does character solve the problem?

Bridge

Next Scene

It looks easy, but when you start to look at each scene and then have to decide what does the character actually want . . . I had a lot of thinking to do.

Family life

Wow! May is always a busy month. I always look forward to May but then when it comes it seems like there is too much to do. This year, our youngest graduated from high school. So there was graduation and a party to throw for him. Our second daughter graduated from college. So there was another graduation and a celebration lunch. My parents were able to come so that made it even more special. My husband has been traveling and then his bosses were in town making for long days and weekends of working for him.

Then there was Mother's Day and a visit to my Mom, which was wonderful. But it was snowing and my kids and I usually plant flowers and so instead we had a dinner the night before. Again, very nice but a little hectic. Then my dad had a show, he's a musician. He sang and played the accordian. I always think he is the best out of all the performers.

Then my sister's class performed a worship dance program where my niece danced. It was quite beautiful.

So what I am trying to say, is that I have had no time to write this month. A few edits. A correction or two, but nothing to report.