A Good Chunk of Pages

I’ll start off by sharing that I didn’t do any writing on Tuesday night. I had some errands to run for this upcoming move on Saturday. Boogie down Bronx, here I come. I checked out the apartment and what will be my room and I’m both pleased and excited that it’s finally happening. There is nothing like feeling stuck in a holding pattern to put one in a grumpy mood. But I see light at the end of the tunnel and can’t wait to settle into my new digs.

Yesterday was another story altogether. It was a slow day at work so I managed to copyedit a couple of pages which had my wheels turning on the next section until I reached home. I was able to write up another 725 words on the novel. I filled in some of those spaces that I rushed through during my first draft. I still haven’t even reached the large section that I’m going to cut yet. So all that added text is crucial to getting this story to novel length. It’s all rolling along.

I think I’ll have a good chunk of pages to bring to my writing group on April 15th. We are gearing up to start up our meetings again after a four-week hiatus. I’m excited to show them this work. I’ve only allowed one person to take a look at my shitty first draft (first 10 pages) but that’s it. Eeek! Yes, a bit nervous but they are really very encouraging so I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Last bit, I wanted to give a shout out to those of you who have been lending your support during these past weeks. It’s such a motivator to know that folks are out there rooting for me. So a big thank you, I’m feeling the love and really appreciating it. *big cheesy smile*

Uhm yep, I think that’s all she wrote today. It’s a grey rainy Wednesday but life is good.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Good morning...good morning...*singing voice*

It’s a grey rainy Tuesday. I walked out of my house this morning to find an orange sky striped with bands of dark clouds. If it wasn’t pouring, I would have taken a pic. And since I don’t believe in umbrellas, * smile* I made a mad dash for the subway 10 blocks away. Slightly soaked, uhm yup.

I’m in a good mood this morning, which is not like me at all. I’m not what you call a morning person. In fact, I really dislike talking to people before 10 am. I need two strong cups of tea before I can venture into the human population without wanting to rip someone’s head off. No, seriously. And I’ve only just begun to have my first cup of tea of the day.

Yesterday night, I worked on my novel from about 6:45 pm until 11 pm. I worked slowly and methodically through my next seven pages (pages 16 through 23). It wasn’t just a line edit but a revamping of several scenes. I managed to delete chunks of text and rewrite segments so that the technology and the relationships seem plausible. I wrote up a good 1,500 words but after all the cuts, the word count was up by only 390 words. I dug deep and I wanted to flesh out the characters with their shared history. I was wired and tired by the time I finished.

Lying in bed, I tossed and turned for awhile. My brain wouldn’t decompress and I kept running scenarios in my head for the next section. There are two main elements that need to be cut…the scavengers (which only make one small appearance and they are really not needed) and Castle (main character) at an empty squad base. I think when I wrote it, I didn’t know where I wanted her to go. Now that I know where she’s going to wind up next, I can make a straight shot for the next location.

Something else came up as I was getting ready for work this morning. Initially, I had one enemy in mind and as I wrote up some of this second character’s background last night, motives changed. A new direction has opened up for this story and I’m excited about working out this new narrative line. Hmm, it’s a good day to work on writing but there is much to do for my upcoming move this weekend. Argh! I could really use an assistant to help me pack while I work on the writing. Volunteers? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

I have to get my day started.


Peace,



L~

P.S.  I wrote this entry up really quickly so excuse any typos.  :-) 

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Writing update

Yesterday, I started my second draft of my novel.  I managed to get through the first 10.5 pages and I was able to add another 606 words to add color and texture to some of the initial relationships with characters.  I also managed to delete chunks of excess verbage.  I'm going to set again some small goals.  I'm going to work through this novel a little bit every day.  I know I can manage that without shutting down.

Today, I continued with the next 5 pages and managed to add another 409 words...Yay!  Some of the holes I've been getting from the story are starting to flesh out with a couple of sentences.  And they seem to be doing the trick.  Good!  The progress feels tangible.  Two days of working on the story and I'm not in the fetal position...yes, that's what I call progress.

Anyway, this is just a short catch up note to let you know I'm still working.  Phew!!

Peace,

L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

A Bend in the Landscape

There is something 

delicious in disappearing

listening to the wind

leaves scrape dry

against frosted earth

sun descends behind

cloud cover

fingertips chilled

crows caw

a dose of cold air.

A walk, thin veil of rain

unravels thoughts 

onto naked branches

crackle gravel road

grey clouds race 

waves of swaying trees

bend the landscape.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Misdirection and Chili

A breeze comes in

the earth damp 

from last night’s rain

meet the blank page

in a procrastinating way.

Asian ladybugs skitter

against the window pane.

Sky full of puffy clouds

while tea brews 

a love story falls 

between the cracks

of the wooden floor.

Fishing line and wormy 

baits are needed to lure 

the words out.  

Pretend tenderness. 

There is strain, hem

and haw, spirals and

circles to loosen up

misdirection and chili,

watch birds,

wring words from 

hungry hands paint 

a stark land bright 

like the scent of pine 

trees on a cat’s fur coat.  

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.