Has it been that long?

Since I last wrote, I finished the novel and sent it to Shannon.  That was in November 2011.  She came back with encouraging words and the task of removing 100 pages!  So here I am, plugging alone with that and was doing okay, up until April. Then a few things happened: first, I'm renovating my loft and after about 2 years doing that, light appeared at the end of the long tunnel!  The job was nearly done and encouraged by that, I devoted all my time to that -with real measurable results.  It looks amazing!

This also meant my writing has suffered and I began to wonder about my novel.  A year goes by so quick and unlike my renovations, what tangible result do I have? An unfinished novel with no apparent end in sight; just more editing and rewrites.  Bleak thoughts.  I have so many things to do; my life is busy.  I know I shouldn't   give up but, gods, after all this time and work, my chances of being published are so low.  sure, one must never give up but I am getting one year older every time my editor sends it back for more work.  Even if everything goes well, I'll be 50 in a few years...

I don't know.

Kodo Drummers of Japan

We went to see the Kodo Drummers last Friday night at the Queen Elizabeth Theater. Third time for me and my girl, but we brought all the kids this time. What a great experience as usual!

The only thing you can really say after watching them drum for 90 minutes is that you have witnessed excellence. There is no other word to describe it.

Strive for excellence and that is what you will achieve.

Ah, the bleak winter is upon us...

A perfect time to write. 

I finished the second half of the book by my November deadline and talked to Shannon, my editor.  She suggested I do the re-writes before she read it again (she's busy), so off I went.  However, as is usual with me, I got bogged down.  I compare my writing to building a house.  First I build the framing, then I go back and add the wires and insulation and drywall and... --you get the idea-- as I do the rewrites. 

Well, I found it quite hard to add details to the second half since the first half hasn't been re-written, so back to the beginning I went and that's where I'm at now.  It is going well and meshes well with the ending.  But I need to hurry up and finish this book!  The world needs to read about Junya.  I can't wait to introduce you.   

I'll keep you posted.    

Oh... where did the summer go?

It's been a while since I last blogged.  So much has happened.  August was a busy month.  I spent most of it in Japan, partly doing research but mostly trying to stay cool, which is nearly impossible.  However, I managed to do more location scouting in Matsue city, finding both a suitable location for the Ninja house and details on Matsue castle.  Both are necessary for the book.  I fulfilled one item on my 'bucket list' too, when I visited and stayed at the World Heritage site in Takayama, Gifu,  We stayed over night in a tradition house, an inn actually and had a great time.  I will use it some day in a book, for sure!

Traditional Housing in Shirakawa-gō

So, about that novel...  My editor was flattering, even as she tore my novel to shreds!  While it took some time to absorb, she was right about everything.  The plot is fine but there are so many things I need to cut, to clarify and strengthen.  While she edited the first half, I'm not even working on that right now.  At this point, I am working on the ending - not a small deal - writing it based on the changes I will make later on the first half.  Confusing?  Yeah, but it actually is working quite well and the ending will be so much better than i hoped for.  Thanks Shannon!  The due date is November 30.  Will I make it?   

On Plot

Writing my first novel, I have often fought with the issue of plot.  When I first started writing Junya's story, I didn't have much of a plan where he was headed.  I had some vague ideas but I was just interested in seeing what would happen next.  As I described in an earlier blog, to me, writing is a magic process where I am surprised daily with the direction the book takes; the characters are always surprising me, as if they have a life of their own and I am just recording it.

However, after several months of that, I noticed my book and my characters, lacked direction.  All I had was a series of 'scenes' that had no focus.  At that point, I read a quote by Robert Muchamore which stated, basically, that anyone who starts writing without a plan is mental.  And so, I tried using a more detailed plot plan.  While this worked at first and gave me much needed focus, after a while it stopped working because as the book progressed, my characters kept doing unexpected things, driving the plot in a different direction than I'd planned.  What to do?

"In my case, if I start out by thinking about the plot, things don't go well. Small points, such as my impression of what is likely to occur, do come to mind, but I let the rest of the story take its own course. I don't want to spend as long as two years writing a story whose plot I already know."  Haruki Murakami

I read this quote today and I like it.  While a plot plan is helpful, it is too confining.  I've often said I find writing more interesting than watching a movie or TV.  The process itself is interesting and if I knew ahead of time what was going to happen, then writing would just become work, like filling in the blanks.  I think my characters would be flat and without their voices being validated, would probably turn on me.  Like a director, I have to ease their performance out of them.  However, as Murakami also said, I do need to keep in mind what is likely to occur. 

In the end though, I need my editors to get me straightened out.  I have been wondering lately what process I will use for my next novel: Detailed Plot Plan or let it out naturally?  We'll see...

Big day today!

25 chapters of my novel are now in the hands of my editor!  While that is exciting, it doesn't mean I'm done.  There are still about eight chapters to go but I thought it was time for some professional feedback.  I think it will help clarify things; make writing the ending easier - that's the plan anyway.  I have to tell you, writing a novel is hard work.  To quote Norman Mailer, "Writing books is the closest men ever come to childbearing." 
 
"There's no such thing as perfect writing, just as there's no such thing as perfect despair."
             Haruki Murakami

Completed First Draft!

On Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010, I finished the first draft of the novel!  I have been pushing like mad to get there and although it will need much more work, especially the ending, it is time to start a edit from the beginning.  I'm looking to get this to my editor by Mid August.
The next step is a review for continuity; see what is missing and try not to edit it too much yet.  Then I will have AJ go through it for her thoughts and once my girl is done her work, we will start the big edit for content, story, plot and flow.  After those rewrites, I plan a word by word edit, adding more scene and cleaning it up.
The bar is set quite high for this book.  Good isn't good enough if I am to achieve my goals.  My mentors require nothing less.  What would Murakami say?
I am also looking forward to what the editor has to say after her initial review.  I will get a month off while she has it.  Its going to be a busy summer!