August Writing Day

Our monthly writing day was at Sarah's yesterday. Sadly, Sylvie couldn't make it, as she was a Trout Lodge. Everyone else was there, and it was a great day. I worked on my one page synopsis and query letter, and started rereading Discovering Family. The group gave me great suggestions for the synopsis (I didn't read the query, though I think it still needs a bit of work), and a few ideas to tighten things up in the novel. Soon I will be ready to begin my hunt for an agent once more.

The day ended earlier than usual, at 4 instead of closer to 5. We didn't chat as much in the morning before we started writing. I was a little disappointed in that, but it's ok. It was still a great day, and very productive.

I have 13 chapters written on DF, and finished reading them last night when I got home. I'm going to keep working at it, though I'm at a point where I'm not quite sure what needs to happen next. I know what the next major plot point is, but not quite sure how to get there. I've found before that free writing helps. I'll just start out with something like "I don't know what to write next, this needs to happen, but I'm so stuck..." and eventually ideas will start flowing and I can get going again. So that will be the next task on DF.

A wonderful side effect from our writing day is I discovered a salad I really like. Sarah made turkey chili (from a can, but it was excellent...have to ask her what brand it was) and a simple salad of greens, avocado, and dried cranberries. The cranberries made it for me! I'm trying to eat healthier, but am not a big fan of salads. The sweet cranberries made it so delicious, and gave it that extra something to make me really enjoy it. So when I went grocery shopping tonight I bought Mediterranean greens (mostly spinach, I think...I hate iceberg lettuce), an avocado, and dried cranberries, and some raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Wish me luck in my quest to eat healthier. And of course my quest to find an agent.

Need More Writing Time

Since I finished my novel and gave a copy to Mary, I haven't written anything outside of writing group. I guess I needed a break, but I'm starting to feel restless. I haven't thought about what my next project will be, but I think it's time I do so. I think I'll start by rereading what I've written for Discovering Family and see where that is. I've also been pretty busy lately. I started taking Kung Fu again, so that takes up Tues and Fri nights. But, I don't have to leave until 7:30 for it, so I do have a few hours after work to myself. I think I'm going to start dedicating at least an hour of that time to writing (Tiberius needs time too.)

Virtual Writing Group

Tonight was an interesting, fun exercise! Instead of meeting at the Zen Center, we had a virtual writing group meeting. Kim has moved to Austin, Kate had dinner with family and wouldn't make it in time, Sylvie and I were loathe to sit in the heat of the un-air conditioned Zen Center library, so we decided to meet virtually over e-mail. Someone would e-mail a topic, then we would write on that word for 7 min, then e-mail it to the group, then move on to the next topic. It was great fun! We didn't talk as we normally do, but got a lot more writing done. Normally we only write 2 pieces, rarely 3. Tonight we wrote 4 pieces. This will be a wonderful alternative during bad weather this winter. I greatly enjoyed the evening.