Countdowns

I’m in countdown mode on a few different fronts.

23 weeks to Surrey International Writers Conference. Several different things I need to accomplish before I can go to that.

22 weeks until Will’s birthday. Since his laptop is overheating badly, I am working on getting him a new one to take to Iraq.

13 weeks until I have to re-file my divorce petition if it isn’t finalized. I will be surprised if it is. Don is having more surgery done and I put everything on hold until his health improves so as not to stress him.

10 weeks until Will leaves for Georgia. After finishing a school there, they will ship to Iraq.

10 weeks until I move. I am putting most of my things in storage and moving into Will’s apartment so he doesn’t have to put his things in storage and worry about them while he’s gone. I will take some things with me, my antique trunks, desk, dining room set, since I am refinishing it, my antique buffet and my leather couch. I’m not really looking forward to moving, even as badly as I detest this apartment.

11 days until Barbara Rogan’s workshop starts and I still don’t have the synopsis done and I’m still shuffling Paladin around. I printed out all the chapters today and the snippets. I think, hope, I will find myself in better shape than I feared, but I still have to tackle the synopsis. I read through Miss Snark’s and copied off about a dozen good ones. Maybe something will click, but it hasn’t so far.

In the midst of this I am looking for a second job. Should be an interesting summer.

To say the least, I will be haunting blogs less. This is probably a good thing since I need industrial strength duct tape for my mouth anyway.

And as part of my new community service to provide interesting things to view, I am directing you to Pam. She is hilarious and if you haven’t checked her out, you need to.

http://anovelwoman.blogspot.com/

13 Comments

  1. Have you seen the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson? It’s intended to be a way to plan out your novel, but it also works great to get to the core of what it’s actually about, and by the fourth step or so you have a fairly decent one-page synopsis.

    The ‘base article’ is free. I also bought his sample snowflake for Gone with the Wind – very helpful.

    Heather (no affiliation with Randy, just a satisfied customer 🙂

  2. Heather, I actually have him linked in my sidebar. I read the article and thought it was interesting, but didn’t put it into action.

    Duh!

    I’ll go check it out. Thank you, my friend.

    I printed out all the chapters today and wanted to hit panic mode. I’ve gone back and done so much revising I have big gaps.

  3. Wow, you have your hands full.
    I use index cards to lay out my novel. I make one for each chapter with details and notes on each. I flip through them at red lights, in waiting rooms or anywhere I have two minutes. It helps the story cook in my brain.
    Good luck with the move!

  4. Ah, Lynne, had meant to e-mail you last night about Powys. Needless to say, I am thrilled you are working on it again.

    Lynne, thank you for prayers. I gave my boys to God long ago and I trust He will care for them.

    I’m feeling better about Paladin this morning. Going back to review the Snowflake method jogged some things loose.

  5. Thanks, Aimless. I used to do the card method and switched to notebook paper so I could make notes. I might try the cards again, though.

    Good to see you, how is your horrid stalker doing?

  6. Writing can help you stay sane! It’s nice to have a retreat where you are in control (and it’s usually more entertaining than real life, as well!).

    I will miss you, though. Keep us updated on how things are going for you when you get the chance. You’ve got a lot of people rooting for you!

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