Saturday, February 26th
Thursday, February 24th
Method Behind the Madness
I was talking to a normal friend (translate: not a writer)  last night, and she asked how the book was coming--obviously I have yet to train friends and family NOT to ask that question. Anyway, I told her I was at the fun part where I just wrote the dialogue. Her comment: That's such a fascinating process that you go through and then come out with a book.
To me, the fascination lies in that each writer I know has her/his own unique process. You can borrow and beg, but never replicate, because the key is finding what works for YOU as a writer. Once I'm past the first couple of chapters my process is a bit like writing a screen play. Page after page after page of dialogue. Only the occasional tag. No beats. No sensory experiences. No introspection. No scene. No setting. I often write an entire chapter this way. The closer I am to the end of the book, the further I can glide along this way (sometimes two or even three chapters). Maybe it's because I like to talk that the dialogue flows easiest for me--I don't really know. I only know when I trying weaving it all together simultaneously that it seroiusly distracts me and impedes the flow.
Once the dialogue's in place, I go back and start to layer in the parts that give the book texture and form. The analogy I carry in my head is that of a painter. She/he readies the canvas and then it becomes a process of brushstrokes, often layering one atop another, to create a story or simply evoke a mood. Within each scene, there are a number of *stills* or *frames* in my head that I'm translating to paper.
I know several writers who work best this way. Half the battle is finding the process that works for you. That said, the process often shifts from book to book. Neurotically, I used to need absolute silence to write. Now, I work best with music--and it's pretty loud. It helps me focus--drowns out the other *noise* in my head, a bit like running with my MP3. I know writers who keep the television on for background noise or listen to the radio. No can do here. I find the chatter and dialogue distracting. Writing is often like stepping into quicksand--you think you're cruising along on terra firma and all of a sudden you're sinking.  And sometimes when the process you know, isn't working for you, mix it up. Try something different. And perhpas the bottom line is the method is really just a chimera.
Jen
Jennifer on 02.24.05 @ 09:11 AM EST [Entry Link]
Wednesday, February 23rd
I Need a Wife
I finally figured this out yesterday...I need a wife. For the past two days, my husband has taken over all the *duties* I usually handle: taking our daughter to get her glasses repaired, going to PetSmart to stock up on pet food, rounding up dinner, taking said daughter to a doctor's appointment and then to her hour and a half of chorus practice which also demands a half hour drive each way, picking up a prescription at the pharmacy, and being the parent-in-charge when she has a play mate over.
Meanwhile, this has left me free to focus on my work. Wow! Big epiphany here--this is what it's like for a whole lot of men most of the time. The wife handles all of those time and mind sucking details of day to day life while they focus on their jobs. (Except for Alison, that charmed creature who lives this life--can you tell I'm green? LOL!) Lemme tell you, it's a beautiful thing. So, I've reached the conclusion that I need a wife 'cause I'd willingly relinquish those brain drains, well, except for the rounding up the meal business because I infinitely prefer good food to fast food (and yes, they ARE mutually exclusive) and don't really mind the preperation--I make a mean Eggs Sardou--but that's another conversation altogether.
The DH and I are going to have a serious conversation once this book is finished. Wife for a Week. One week on, one week off. I think I'm on to a beautiful thing....
Jen
Jennifer on 02.23.05 @ 07:38 AM EST [Entry Link]
Tuesday, February 22nd
Crunch Time
I've hit major crunch mode--and I'm not talking about a workout! I'm talking about the race to finish this book. I'm talking about abdication of most of life outside of writing--the plunge into junk food, wearing my pajamas all day, buzzing along on a couple of hours of sleep, and no one disturbs me unless it's a matter of imminent death. And if it's not imminent and you disturb me--well, it might be closer than you think. 
BTW, never ask a writer racing toward a deadline--or at least, me--how it's going. Clarity, along with sanity, isn't particularly my stong point at this juncture. LOL.
Now, here's the sort of sick part. Aside from wracked nerves and spending so many hours in front of the computer that I'm almost blind without my glasses, I have to confess, I sort of like crunch time. It's the immersion into the story, the total focus, being in the groove, having the story own my soul up until the time I write The End.
So, I'm going to ground. Can't guarantee that I'll emerge to blog--but then again, I might need the break. If you leave me a message and I don't get back right away, I promise I will. Though it may be next week.
In the meantime, enjoy the day!
Jennifer on 02.22.05 @ 08:18 AM EST [Entry Link]
Monday, February 21st
Light therapy
Ack!! Fog is hanging thick in the trees and I'm checking to see if this is going to burn off or if we're stuck with a gray day. In the meantime, I'm turning on every light in the house--my version of light therapy. There's just something about this time of year that it's far too easy to slide into depression.
To add insult to injury, a friend called me a couple of weeks ago. Yet another friend of a friend had a time share in Aruba that was expiring and would I like to go the last week of February? Uh-huh. As it now.
Gee, let me think...cold, barren-treed Atlanta or an island in the Caribbean? Don't have to burn too many brain cells working out that one.
Passport? Check.
Bathing suit? Check.
Pedicure? Check.
What more do you need to visit a tropical paradise?
Manuscript on schedule...picture Edvard Munch’s The Scream at this point. Problem is I’ve owned a little case of writer’s block and slipped behind schedule. Plus, there's the familial duty thing--my daughter's on winter break this week....
Total WAH! Forget sea kayaking, sugar white sand, blue and green hued translucent water, cabana boys bearing Mai Tais... Wait!! I have a lap top. Right! Face it, this dog's just not gonna hunt. 
So, it's Send-Your-Daughter-To-Work-Week-With-Her-Dad at our house, I'm mentally locked in that apartment during a blackout, and trying very hard not to think about Aruba.
Oh yeah, and turning on lots of lights.
Jennifer on 02.21.05 @ 08:25 AM EST [Entry Link]
Sunday, February 20th
Up and Running
Wow! My web site’s up and running. Kudos to Mica for her design skill and implementation! Quite frankly it’s a little weird having a web site, but I’m sure I’ll fall into it. 
I’ve been pushing hard on a deadline that’s looming right around the corner but I took a much needed break Friday night and Saturday. My current work in progress is set in Manhattan during a blackout and the entire book takes place in 24 hours. More specifically it’s set in the four small rooms of my heroine’s apartment. At the risk of sounding like a whiner, I’ve been trapped in this apartment with these people way too long–I’m there with them while I’m working (well, cause that is my work), I’m there when I go to sleep at night and I’m back in there with them when I wake up. Let me be blunt, it was either take a time out or I killed them off and that wouldn’t make a very satisfying romance read. 
Friday night was dinner out and an evening at the High Museum with a couple of girlfriends. While my poor heroine and hero continued to swelter in her apartment, I thoroughly enjoyed the live music of a jazz quartet and the featured art of Romare Bearden. Saturday was my local RWA writers’ group meeting and I signed my February release afterwards at Chapter 11. Funny how hanging out with writers and readers and talking about writing pumps you up–at least it does me. Sunday found me back in that apartment and I didn’t feel like anyone had to die.
Of course, we’ll see how I feel by the end of the week.
Jennifer on 02.20.05 @ 09:19 PM EST [Entry Link]
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"Some men admit they avoid confrontation (about breaking up) because they’re afraid we’ll cry. Of course we’ll cry; we cry at Hallmark commercials. What they don’t understand is that we’re not crying because of them, we’re crying because now we have to get naked in front of someone else.”
-Cindy Chupack, TV writer
Fun Links
Toby Keith
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"If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
-Winston Churchill
"Sex is not a sin. Many people have complained that this is taking all the fun out of sex.”
-Dr. Ruth Westheimer
"I know the difference between a good man and a bad one, but I haven’t decided which I like better.”
-Mae West
"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.”
-Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
“Men make love more intensely at twenty but make love better, however, at thirty.”
-Catherine II, empress of Russia
“My sister was with two men one night. She could hardly walk after that. Can you imagine? Two dinners!”
-Sarah Silverman, comedian
“A bit of lusting after someone does wonders for you and is good for your skin.”
-Elizabeth Hurley
“I used to think I had ambition...but now I’m not so sure. It may have been only discontent. They’re easily confused.”
-Rachel Field, children’s book author
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) Haul boxes of donation books to library. Take dogs in for shots and grooming. Volunteer at my daughter's school. Work on workshop presentations.