Do I KNOW You??

I think I've realized why I've been putting off Drive Me Crazy. Yes, there is the headaches and the pain-killer induced fuzzy brain. But it's more than that. I think all that studying up on the writing process sunk in a bit.

I start all my stories with a concept. Great. But I spend a lot of time fine-tuning my characters motivations in revisions. My writing is fine, story is fine, but my editors have to help me focus the motivations. I have a GMC set-up for Drive Me Crazy, and necesary backstory...but now I'm thinking about changing all of that. (Drive, for those just jumping on this blog, is my Fun girl teaches Bad Boy new tricks book)

I've been pondering Tisa especially. What is her deal...should she have sisters or brothers? This was an entire stationary bike session for me, weighing the pros and cons of her family life. I thought she'd been married before in her late teens, then divorced before college. Something to do with an unexpected pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage. But that is the easy road. Yes, it would work for her motivation not to want to get serious with anyone without serious potential...if she had sisters. But, if she has brothers, good catch, hard-working, stomped on by women brothers (I have one of these, hence my pondering) and since she sees how they get their hopes up, and dashed, she vows not to do the same.

OK. Not as strong a motivation in the traditional sense...but I feel it more. Weaker GMC, but I like it better because it is not overdone.

Now Joel. Joel, Joel, Joel. He's got a double GMC...but I don't want to reveal it too early. He wears one on his sleeve, and is terrified of the other. I've already given the man one heart attack, and now it's looking like I'll have to give him two to bring that to the foreground.

I feel like I know them better, though I've left them racing towards the elephants for nearly a week. Today is not the day to get back at it either. Late naps (BigBoy graduated preschool today!! Yeah!!), and tomorrow I camp out to get BabyBoy in preschool. Gotta love first come first serve. And Friday is s-i-l to be's graduation...so this weekend?

Gluttony

I'm a glutton. No question. Not with food right now, well, except strawberries. But my friend Gemma Halliday has assured me strawberries never made anyone fat.

I'm glutton for rejection. I'd love a string of acceptances...and that is why I submit like mad! This week I've been revising a novel and submitting short stories. I have 13 shorts and 6 poems out there for the rejecting. Plus two novels at 3 different publishers...and I am about to send off a third, to another publisher. So...that is at least 23 possible rejections.

BUT...I could also sell 23 times. Every time I submit, I think it will stick. Odd. Hasn't been my experience, but the gambler in me keeps me at it.

Mind Over Muffins

I'm dieting...again. I'm thinking of making a short story anthology about the same woman, as she tries every diet ever. This time I'm a combo dieter. A little Dr. Phil (which worked like a charm before I was on drugs.),a little 3-Hour Diet, a little Pocket Diet, a little Apples & Pears. We'll see. I'm giving this 30 days...and if my boobs still don't fit into my bridesmaid dress, I'm getting a trainer and hitting the Hoodia.

Thank goodness Drive Me Crazy is an outdoors book...I could never diet if I was writing another food book like Cooking Up A Storm.

Sometimes I think I am a little too aware of my own psychopathology. I only got 200 or so words farther on DRIVE ME CRAZY yesterday, and I have some great excuses:

1. There was a submissions snafu with a short story publisher I've been trying to break into. Followed by two more rejections. That's enough to send anyone clamoring for the Goo Goo Cluster ice cream.
2. I had a terrible headache. Not enough to send me to the hospital, but enough to make me a space cadet from the pain medication.
3. I hate to set writing aside for another project. Huh? I'm not sure which story my editor wants first... one of the finished ones or this idea. I did hear from her though...Come For Dinner will be titled COOKING UP A STORM. Me likee!

I wonder if I can convince Hubba Bubba to let me lock myself in a room this weekend and get over myself!

NOT A WORD!

I didn't write at all yesterday. I was darned tired and thought I'd try the Edison trick. Fall asleep with a pencil in your hand & when it drops you'll wake up. I was more tired than that I guess. I slept the whole hour my babes napped.

But there is still my evening write, right? Nope. Hubba-Bubba got home at a reasonable hour and we had a fantastic dinner (my lasagna was superb, if I do say so myself) with his dad and my brother. Hubba-Bubba went to run his folks to the station so they could catch the train to the airport...and then had to go to another town to find his dad's wallet, and then since they missed the train, drive them to the airport. Considering, he made record time getting there and back. Still, it left no writing time. None.

I need to screw my head on straight.

And I'm OFF

Offline that is :) I'm stepping away from my internet procrastination device. A while back we were chatting on eHQ about how much time we spend on the internet -- researching, email, forums, and the like. I didn't see any problem then...but now...egad. I waste too much time! So, I'm going to limit myself to an hour a day until Drive Me Crazy is drafted. If that's not incentive, I don't know what else to try...chocolate maybe?

How's the writing coming?

Do I ever hate that question. Well, actually I don't usually. I take it as an opportunity to discuss something non-child related and run with that ball! But...DRIVE ME CRAZY is driving me crazy!! And so, tomorrow I am taking a day to drive - yep, in a car - to see my folks and see if time AWAY from the keyboard makes my heart grow fonder.