YoYo-ing Through Rewrites

Last Saturday I visited a delightful group of writers in Tyler. It’s always fun to be around so many creative people. I remember when I had far more questions than answers and believed I’d make a million on my first book. The journey so far has had many highs and a few lows, but all in all I wouldn’t trade for the ride.

I’m finishing up the rewrite of the rewrite on REWRITING MONDAY due out on April 1, 2009. Each polishing makes it better but I think I must have jinxed it for rewriting because of the name. Maybe my next book should be Fast Writing Tuesday.

My editor made me laugh. When she read about a character introducing himself as Bob Earl she asked if Earl was the last name. No southerner would ever ask that.

*****Stars to Natalie Bright for her story on the history of the yoyo in http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org. She’s a great speaker and a gifted writer. Check out her site at http://www.nataliebright.com.

A Veritable Smorgasbord

This week is the Tri-State Fair in the Panhandle of Texas. Just saying the words makes me want a foot long corn dog. I love the fair, not for the rides or the food but for the people. It’s fun to find a corner and watch all the people go by.

I’m in the process of finding characters. It’s not easy. Once in a while a character just walks up to me fully developed. When that happens I feel more like I’m just meeting them, not creating them. Some characters reveal themselves slow like people do in real life. I love it when I start out writing someone I think I’m going to hate or at least not like, then all of a sudden he does something I didn’t expect and I end up caring about him.

O’Henry once said something about if a writer is ever blocked he should change his environment. For me, I’d like to just stay in the same environment to get the story on paper.

Turn, Turn, Turn...

It is currently raining. I love the dark and gloomy days. I can sit down at my desk with no thoughts of having to weed the garden, or carry out the trash. Instead I can throw myself into the world I'm writing about. Days like this were made for writing.
Summer has quickly come to a close.

Just last week I was down in Palo Duro Canyon celebrating Labor Day with my family. It was hot, sticky, sunny, bright and beautiful. The views were (as always) spectacular and the colors were amazing!
It is easy to see why so many artists choose to make it a subject. The New York Times even ran an article on it recently. I highly suggest taking a trip to see Palo Duro Canyon if you ever get a chance. It is one of my favorite places to be.

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. My thoughts are with all who were touched by the tragedy. Our world will never be the same...
My heart also goes out to all those who are in Hurricane Ike's path. I hope beyond hope that this current threat will leave little mark on those in his way... my prayers are with you.

Autumn Cometh

With school starting I always think it is fall and this year the weather seems to be falling in with my plan.

I’ve finished the book due out in April and am very happy with the flow of it. Now the hard part is putting together the next idea. I have a plan, it’s coming alive in my head, but making it real on paper in outline form isn’t easy.
People, who don’t write or know a writer, always think writing is easy. It’s hard work, I admit, but now and then when I get it right, it’s great fun.