Inspiration for today

"Kadambari" by Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) Oil on Canvas.

A timeless portrait by Raja Ravi Varma.

As far as the revision ... in spite of another snow day this week I got a lot done, and I'm really pleased. Twenty chapters done and eight to go. I can almost see the end in sight!!

X marks the revised chapter

I wish I had Scrivener or something but I'm stuck with Word. So how to keep track of revision?

Here's my method: When I’m revising I usually have a navigation pane open in Word with the outline chapter list. When I’m done with a chapter I put an X next to it. That way I know how far along I am just by glancing at it.

Lately the Xs have been stopped in their tracks. Snow days, sick days, and a chapter I’ve had to completely rewrite instead of revise are to blame, but I’m panicking a little at having lost momentum. Hope I can get to twenty Xs by my critique meeting next week.

And what's up with the photo of the cat in the cravat? I just found the Austencats website this week. It had me in stitches!! So, of course, I couldn’t resist uploading a picture of my cat as Mr. Darcy … :)

Back on track

It's snowing outside my new windows, and my daughter's home with a cold, but that's par for the course in winter. The important thing is that all the mess and dust and noise of construction is done, and I can finally get back to my revision. I've a new plan to be done by Valantine's Day. Let's see if I can execute.

There are a couple of things I'm looking forward to writing wise. The always amazing Whispering Pines retreat in March is one. The other is a field trip with my critique group to Rhode Island for a manuscript workshop with Kara LaReau. We were granted funds from SCBWI for the workshop. Cool, huh?! It'll be fun to spend the day with the gals talking books and writing. Can't wait!

Meanwhile there's that aforementioned revision still waiting to be dealt with. So it's over and out and back to work. Sayonara!

Revision derailed by new windows

It's a bit hard to write when your favorite writing spot looks like this! Still, when the dust, noise, and chaos ends (SOON, please!!!) it'll be nice to see how it turns out. Have to stop now and put my laptop under a drop cloth. Here's hoping all the windows are in before the snow storm hits this weekend.

Writing resolutions

Write everyday

Read
Learn craft
Ponder critiques but
Trust gut
Draft, revise, multitask
Don't rush
Finish
Send out
Celebrate

Don't take rejection to heart