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12/13/2005: "Bummer"

I woke up in the middle of the night with the horrible realization that the entire scene (almost a whole chapter) I wrote yesterday is all wrong. Believe me, if I could make it work, I would, as I'm thisclose to the end. Alas, the scene does not make the book better, it doesn't move the action forward, and it doesn't reveal anything new about the characters. The alternate scenario, which I will be writing today, does. So what's a writer to do?

That's the thing about plotting. The scene sounded good on paper, but I know these characters now and I need to honor their path. Not the path I came up with months ago, but the path of the story. Not easy to do when I'm already late on the deadline.

Mostly, I want to finish (and be happy with) the book so that I can focus on the holidays. I have brownies to bake, scarves to finish, a couple of presents to buy (but only a couple) and anticipation to savor about going to L.A. We're going to see family and friends, see movies (yay!) and enjoy getting out of the snow. I will, however, miss the puppy.

Oh, the other thing I promised to do when the book was finished was clean the house. Ugh. But since the cleaning fairy has lost my address, I have no choice. Ah, for a magic wand.

What's on your to-do list, and are you getting to it?

Replies: 5 Comments

on Tuesday, December 13th, kim said

shop, shop, shop and rest.

on Wednesday, December 14th, Sadhbh said

Jo, you know that you want the best book you can write, but when the characters keep secrets until the bitter end, there's nothing else you can do but rewrite the scene

Enjoy your holiday, don't worry too much about the housecleaning, because unfortunately whether you clean it before you go away or just after you get back, you'll still have to clean it a week later, and two weeks later, and three weeks later...(you get the picture )
I'm avoiding the to-do-list at the moment because it's too big. I'm reducing it a half hour at a time, and when it gets down to manageable size (or when I run out of time) I'll get a blast of energy and deal with it!
The toddlers having bad colds and keeping me awake all night doesn't help!
I'm not sure I have the time or you have the energy for the entire to-do list, but making time to be nice to people, via the internet, phone and in person, remains at the top irrespective of what's underneath.
Keeping the family fed clothed and in good humour has to be number two.
Clearing the spare room so that the brother will have a bed, installing an en-suite bathroom for before he arrives on Saturday would be number three.
Getting the presents wrapped, boxed and sent should be number one, but have you tried putting gift wrapping paper on presents with toddlers around - they want to undo as fast as you package!
Bottom of the list is cleaning the house.-as usual
This still ended up longer than you expected
Hugs and have a happy and mentally restful Christmas (or whatever feast you celebrate)

on Wednesday, December 14th, Jo said

Kim - good luck!

Sadhbh - It's difficult enough to get everything done with a puppy, let alone toddlers. I like your priorities. I hope your holidays are chock full of joy!

on Thursday, December 15th, Gina Black said

At my place the servants are on strike. Sheesh.

on Thursday, December 15th, Sadhbh said

Gina - I SO understand - you just can't get (or keep) good help these days

And the big turkey dinner doesn't look half as appealing on paper plates

but it sure cuts down on the washing up when you don't have a dishwasher
Most French kitchens don't have the space for one!

Jo - I won a copy of Love So Tender on the open house yesterday - I'm really thrilled