Musings by D.L. Hungerford and Roxanna Haley
One of the cherished rites of passage for writers is the National Novel Writing Month every November. It’s a strict thirty days to write the first draft of your story, to show yourself that you can manage with family obligations and impending gift buying needs to keep writing anyway.
Continue reading “Unpacking after Camp NaNo”
Do you find the idea of writing an entire book daunting? I’m thinking I have that issue now that I am not a young and sassy writer. The worst thing to happen to any writer is to start editing based on critiques and then realize you need to start the whole thing over. Cue weeks of feeling useless and unworthy.
So why not chop it down into small bites that you can do every day? I’m looking at my third Regency Banquet book and the fact I realized major issues with it. First of all, I started too soon, with Bernard being overwhelmed by the news of his twin brother’s possible death. Also, I brought in Roland and his wife too soon, which made the story as much about them as about Bernard and his love. He needs to have his own book.
Thus I need to remove all mention of Roland. I have substituted Bernard’s brother-in-law, David Cooper, who assumes that role easily. I absolutely must plot this one out, find another villain, not someone connected to the princess who married Roland. I have to work out when Bernard and his family decide to tell society that the twins changed places.
I loved the idea of Roland showing up when the family was holding his funeral and Bernard following through with what he said he would do if his twin died. But in the style of Kill Your Darlings, I must give that up. The most the family would do is a memorial for Roland, because the law said it took 7 years before someone could be declared dead in absence of a body. I think I will love just as much to have Roland show up while Bernard is getting married.
As to why Amelia would be kidnapped and by whom, her family is rich. She has a suitor who needs funds. While the suitor might not follow through with the dastardly deed, he might act as a henchman for the real villain. Someone, perhaps, that wants a change in Parliament but Amelia’s father votes against. This person isn’t really interested in the ransom, that can all go to the young man. He wants to insure that the vote goes the way he wants it to.
So the first chunk of this novel is to plot it out carefully. And to stick to the plot no matter what the characters want to do. I hope that will be possible. These British aristocrats can be so difficult to deal with. Thanks for reading, I’ll be back on Sunday.
This title came up in a quote that I recently posted on Scribophile. And it made me think. Am I different from other people? Are the other writers I know different? What makes us so different from normal-seeming people? Is there a big difference or is it simply the way our minds work? Let’s explore this idea, shall we?
Continue reading “The Difference Between Writers and Other People”
Writers who are on the cusp of being famous are always fun to read. I am lucky to have several such people in my circle of friends and one of the most interesting people is Julia Ward. She brings a great range of experience and hobbies to her work. It is my pleasure to share her with you.
Continue reading “Interview With Julia Ward”
Somewhere I read that a man had dropped a good portion of weight by making one change in his routine. He drank a glass of water before every meal, and before he went to bed. He obviously had a super size bladder and could sleep through the night without peeing a dozen times. But putting that issue aside, how could this have been possible? Even the guy himself couldn’t tell us why.
Continue reading “Drink a Glass of Water”
Some weeks ago, a Morning Briefing newsletter I subscribe to from the New York Times included a link to a document from Caity Weaver, one of their Style reporters. Ms. Weaver listed “Almost Everything I looked up on Google or Wikipedia from July 6th to July 10th, 2020, mostly annotated.” I thought how cool! And saved the link. And thought, I could do that. OF course, not sure my list will be as interesting as a NYT journalist’s, but no one is subscribing to my blog, either.
When last we talked about the disaster that is my writing desk and the joy of decluttering, I had a long way to go to even see the top of the table. Since then, I have organized 3 out of 5 shelves in my pantry, sorted my socks drawer, and paid to have someone pull weeds in my front yard. I’ve come to grips with cleaning my toilets every week and doing my laundry regularly. I have not been a slacker. Continue reading “Some Progress Was Made”
When I was a kid and I had to decide between doing the right thing and something I wanted to do, I would hear my mother’s voice or my priest’s sermons. This didn’t always change my actions but their words did make it clear to me that there would be consequences. Oh boy, would there be consequences. Continue reading “The Critique Chorus”
Oh, doesn’t that sound like a warm, lavender-scented blanket that you crawl into after typing all day? Relaxes all your aches and pains and stiff joints. For a limited time, you can get the Ergo Wrap-up in any color or pattern you wish, because they totally don’t exist and you have to make them up in your head. But you’re a writer so it’s easy. Well, back to our topic. Continue reading “Ergo Wrap-up”
Hold the phone! If that hurts, get a headset. But what I really mean is, look at this chair! The Backstrong C1 by All33, a design company that you can learn all about at the link above. Now I expected this thing to go for a couple thousand, but $800 and $700 depending on the materials you choose is the price. Dude! Continue reading “Ergonomics Part 1.5”
Romance-ology 