Shar 12: Not So Bad
Dec232007
This is the 12th Day of Shar and I’ve actually gotten a lot done. This is the first time the 12 Days thing actually worked–well, it worked pretty well cleaning my office–and I think it’s collaborating that really makes the difference. As long as we give ourselves lots of space, we can really push ourselves and each other. This past month has been really interesting as a lot of what we’ve been doing is figuring out how we each work, and how that changes within the collaboration. We’re all seat-of-the-pants writers, but Lani and I have really taken to doing one rough and then analyzing the hell out of it. Krissie needs more time with her drafts before we come in with our scalpels but she loves to brainstorm. So a lot of it is just seeing where everything fits. It’s such a good collaboration.
So this was the day that I went through all my Dogs and Goddesses file. There are literally hundreds of them since I’ve been working on this for over a year. Got rid of duplicates, organized the images, recovered all the fragments that are going into the last three acts, wrote more on the scenes, skipping around. Lots done. I’ll definitely have Act 3 done by Dec. 31 and may even have Act 4 done. Now if I can just hold onto this process for Emmeline, I might have a really good year (Bob will keep me moving on Wild Ride, it’s just the solos I get blocked on).
I love this part of the book, when a story that started because it seemed like a fun thing to do suddenly reveals itself to be so much more. This is when things really get crunchy and the rewrite becomes a whole new book. So the last week of 2007 is going to be good times and dogs and goddesses and great friends to write with. Can’t ask for more than that.
Filed in X (Everything Else)
Loading ...
40 Comments to 'Shar 12: Not So Bad'
On December 23, 2007 at 12:09 pm robena grant said...
It sounds fabulous. I know you’re working on a solo book, are Krissie and Lani working on solos as well? It amazes me to think of you guys doing that and keeping it all straight, I still get in a muddle with one story.
On December 23, 2007 at 12:23 pm Pam said...
I say this with all sincerity (and only a hint of snark), you’re living the dream.
Here’s to a fabulous 2008!
On December 23, 2007 at 12:55 pm Melissa Blue said...
I know Lani just finished a first draft of a solo.(Freya, Flynn sister’s story(From Crazy in Love) She did it for Nano. Got to have mad respect for a woman who can write 70k in a month.
love this part of the book, when a story that started because it seemed like a fun thing to do suddenly reveals itself to be so much more. This is when things really get crunchy and the rewrite becomes a whole new book.
I love that part of the book, too. I usually feel it when I’m in the middle of the book, and I’ve ruined my heroine’s life and she’s trying to put it back together. I usually realize she’s so much more than that witty first line that brought her to me. At that point I want to do her story justice.
On December 23, 2007 at 8:41 pm BCB said...
Merry Christmas, Jenny! There is a wise old saying, “In the darkness there are CherryBombs” — well, it’s a saying. Maybe more of a warning. Anyway. Tonight, one of the longest nights of the year, we CBs are out blog caroling, pushing back the winter darkness by spreading holiday cheer. Before we came to pester you, we were sharing peace and joy over here: http://blogsheesh.blogspot.com/
Just sit back and relax. Here, have a spritz cookie. What’s that? Oh, you’ve had quite enough butter cookies– okay, here’s a piece of fudge instead.
Comfy? Here goes:
Winter Wonderland
“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
in the lane, snow is glistening. . .”
Wishing you all good things this Christmas and in the New Year!
On December 23, 2007 at 8:42 pm RSS said...
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Merry Christmas Jenny
On December 23, 2007 at 8:44 pm me said...
walking in my winter underwear!
NO um I mean walking in a winter wonderland!
On December 23, 2007 at 8:47 pm GatorPerson said...
Sheesh! BCB keeps picking out songs I don’t know. FYI, Felix Bernard (1897-1944) wrote the music in 1934.
Walking in a winter wonderland.
Gone away is the bluebird.
Here to stay is a new bird.
(What bird sings in the snow????)
Happy holidays, Jenny, from one of the CBs.
On December 23, 2007 at 8:48 pm jenb said...
Gone away is the bluebird,
Here to stay is a new bird..
Warmest wishes for a wonderful Christmas season
On December 23, 2007 at 8:49 pm RSS said...
It sings a love song
As we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland
On December 23, 2007 at 8:50 pm me said...
he sings a love song as you come along
On December 23, 2007 at 8:50 pm BCB said...
GP only knows songs in latin. [sigh]
In the meadow we can build a snowman,
On December 23, 2007 at 8:51 pm jenb said...
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
On December 23, 2007 at 8:52 pm RSS said...
He’ll say are you married
On December 23, 2007 at 8:53 pm me said...
and we’ll say no man
On December 23, 2007 at 8:53 pm Penny-scope dope cherrybomb said...
We can call him Parson Brown
He’ll say are you married we’ll say no man
But you can do the job while you’re in town.
Merry Christmas Jenny from Canada
On December 23, 2007 at 8:54 pm BCB said...
Later on, we’ll conspire
[you know that's my favorite line]
On December 23, 2007 at 8:54 pm Louisa said...
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown.
On December 23, 2007 at 8:54 pm RSS said...
As we dream by the fire
On December 23, 2007 at 8:55 pm GatorPerson said...
Kyrie eleison. No, that doesn’t fit, does it?
He’ll say are you married.
We’ll say, are you kidding?
On December 23, 2007 at 8:55 pm Louisa said...
As we dream by the fire,
On December 23, 2007 at 8:55 pm Sheryl said...
Later on we’ll conspire
as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
the plans that we made
Wishing you and Lucy, Annie, Milton, Veronica and Wolfie the very merriest of holidays.
On December 23, 2007 at 8:56 pm Louisa said...
We’ll say, “No, man. But you can do the job while you’re in town.”
On December 23, 2007 at 8:56 pm Louisa said...
What Sheryl said. And chocolate!
On December 23, 2007 at 8:58 pm orangehands said...
…walking in a winter wonderland
when it snows
ain’t it thrilling…
Happy Holidays
On December 23, 2007 at 8:59 pm orangehands said...
oops, may have missed a verse…
On December 23, 2007 at 8:59 pm jenb said...
Thought your nose gets a chilling
On December 23, 2007 at 9:01 pm BCB said...
We’ll frolic and play, the CherryBomb way
[and when we’re done, we’re going to sing to Bob over here: http://bobmayer.org/updates.html
Jenny, you can come along too.
On December 23, 2007 at 9:02 pm me said...
walking in a winter wonder LAAAAND!
On December 23, 2007 at 9:32 pm McB said...
Walking in a winter wonderland … a wonderland …. a wonderland ….
Merry Christmas, Jenny!!!
On December 23, 2007 at 9:37 pm ZaZa said...
What they said. ;+))))
Have a happy!
On December 23, 2007 at 10:17 pm Evesie said...
again off topic, but you seem to like all the shows that I do so I suggest the following: Psych (USA, have to start with the first episode, the characters are ones you GROW to love); Private Practice (ABC, all sorts of good chick tv); Dead Like Me (now on DVD, brilliant); Extras (HBO); and Green Wing (now on DVD, BBC, it’s THE best dramedy, SERIOUS CRUNCHY!!!)
hope that helped. I know sometimes the mind just needs to cushion itself with other life stories, those are good and involving.
On December 23, 2007 at 10:18 pm Evesie said...
P.S. Dr. Mac on Green Wing is one of those characters that give you a boner. mmmmm.
On December 24, 2007 at 3:45 am Jenny said...
Only the CBs would go blog-caroling. It was LOVELY, thank you. I feel warm all over.
Here, have some virtual hot chocolate.
On December 24, 2007 at 6:44 am Strop said...
Another cheer for Green Wing. I have watched it since the start over here in the UK. It’s inspired madness… have you got to the last series yet?
On December 24, 2007 at 9:00 am Evesie said...
Strop: Nooo!!! And it’s driving me insane, I reeeeally want to watch the 3rd season/Christmas special. I watched the other eps online but this one noone posted :’( any idea? maybe i’ll caugh up the hundred bucks and buy it on ebay…
On December 24, 2007 at 9:01 am Evesie said...
oh and I thought of another show that’s right up the Cherry Valley – Wonderfalls. It’s a previous show of Brian Fuller’s with only a few seasons, short and sweet. And the theme song is maddening in its catchiness.
On December 24, 2007 at 12:34 pm CC said...
Sorry I wasn’t here last night for singing- had to go be a grown up- but here’s a little something for you
Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day
There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let’s run
And we’ll have some fun
Now before I melt away
Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop
Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don’t you cry
I’ll be back again some day
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow
On December 24, 2007 at 2:18 pm Lou said...
Yes, Jenny, only the CBs would go blog-caroling. And I missed it, whaaaah.
Happy Holidays, Jenny, to you and your fur babies, and a very happy New Year!
On December 24, 2007 at 4:07 pm Louis said...
Happy holidays
On December 25, 2007 at 8:33 pm Diane said...
Jenny, I’m going to borrow your 12 days method for the next 12 days (which conveniently includs 7 days that I don’t need to be at the day job) to finish the first draft of my 2005 Nano piece. thanks for the inspiration.