Plugging Away

About 700 words today. The last chapter was a) a little short and b) too much exposition, not enough excitement. Tori is adamant about "a dragon in every chapter," and she's right. I went back and added the new ending to the chapter and it's a) the right length and b) adds the element of danger.

Altogether a better chapter now.


And 6,112 words. It probably doesn't work out, adding up the word totals each day. I'm a writer, not a mathematician. It's just about having a way to keep track of where I am.

Settling Down

We have a guest visiting us on his way back to college in Canada, so we spent yesterday showing him the city – at least as much of it as we know. Had a great time in the French Quarter, and walking the bank of the Mississippi. Went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Yeah, I know, nothing particularly Cajun or New Orleans or even southern about Chinese food. But the kids decided they wanted Chinese. What are ya gonna do?

The upshot being, didn't write Sunday. But I'm settling into the story as soon as I post this.

And maybe this afternoon I'll post some of the video I shot downtown yesterday, including the stuff from the cemetery. Pretty cool

UPDATE:  For today, 1,021 words, bringing the total to date to 5,461. 

Hot Work

It was too hot to sleep last night – we're still waiting for our power to be turned back on. As they say on St. Croix, "We got no current."

So I lay on top of the bed, sweating and thinking about the next chapter, exactly what I wanted from it. Except - I'll admit it – when I was thinking about how I'd start the movie script of "Chrissie Warren: Pirate Hunter," when the time comes. Nothing like planning ahead confidently. 

Anyway, when I sat down to write this morning, it all just flowed out. Really, there as no hesitation. And it went better than I expected. Today I wrote 1,696 words, bringing the tital to 4,429

And I really think they work. I introduce the nemesis much earlier, chapters and chapters earlier than in the first draft, develop Spider better in this chapter than I did in the entire first draft. And realize I have two new characters, which will work well.

All in all a very productive day – something of a miracle considering we still don't have power and it's hotter than hell.

Now to double down – raise the stakes again and get ready for the crew to go to sea.

 

The Best Laid Plans

So a week ago I bravely said I'll get back to work. And I did. Then Isaac came.

Lost a lot of time to the storm, and to prepping for the storm, and cleaning up after the storm. But I did get moving. Monday I wrote 1,300 words, got off to a good start on the second draft of Scurvy Dogs! Tuesday and Wednesday not so much. Thursday I wrote 1,506 words, took the second chapter exactly where it needed to go (and didn't in the first draft) and now I'm poised to take the story in a very exciting place.

I'm sticking to Anne Lamott's main advice in Bird by Bird. Small assignments. I don't have to write the story tomorrow. I just have to write the chapter where we meet the nemesis and get the young heroes dragge4d into a maelstrom of danger – at the end of which, may be treasure, may be death!

I didn't get a chance to write today, but I know what the chapter has to say and how it has to say it. Isaac left us without electricity, but the laptop is fully charged now and tomorrow I should be able to knock out chapter 3.

You know the old saying – Life is what happens while you're making other plans.

jb