Things are going well...

The novel is coming alone nicely.  I may even beat the June 30th deadline for the complete first draft.  I've been told to rest - Doctors orders - so whether on the lounger outside on the deck or on these grey, rainy May days, on the sofa inside, I rest with my little laptop on my knee...  I have accomplished more in the last  month and a half than ever before.  My renewed resolve is also a factor I suppose...  I've got to do this now.  This novel is the start of the second part of life.  Chapter Four?
There is probably only three more chapters to write then the novel is done.  The Journey has been difficult, disorienting and quite frustrating but, knowing I am almost there is exciting.  I am looking forward to the edit/rewrite stage.  Finishing is my forte after all.  
I've been reading a lot lately in my ample spare time, from a Contemporary Fantasy novel by Guy Kay - Ysabel, to an old western by Louis Lamour; wierd combinations I must say.  I needed a hit of the really good stuff and picked up Kafka by the Shore, by Haruki Murakami.  He is the bar; the level I am aiming at.  Is it too high?  Perhaps, but it is far better than aiming too low...

It's almost time for the birth...

After about eighteen months and 150,000 words, the book was stagnating, overdue, you could say.  It was getting quite frustrating to have all these scenes and chapters done, some well beyond the third draft, and still not be certain of their order.  Or of the direction of the book.  It was crisis time; felt like throwing the laptop out the window...

Ah, but then my girl came through for me as usual.  She knows my characters almost as well as me; she hears about them everyday.  Who better to ask?  So i began bouncing plot ideas off her and away she went.  After a three hour conversation about the plot and motivations of my characters, spanning dinner preperation, through tub time and concluding over scotch in our PJs, I had a complete plot plan written out - beginning to end.  The first time ever for this book!  I can not tell you what a relief that is.  Robert Muchamore once said that writing without a plan was mental and I do agree, but could never quite do it this this book.  Sometimes,I think I am too close to it. 

You can't write a book if you don't know where your characters will end up.  Period.  But the labor pains are passed, I feel.  It is time to birth this book.  As always, my girl saved the day with great plot ideas, twists and her usual unique take on relationships.  What would we do without the people who support us in this journey?

SFU Novel Course

I just finished a writing course at SFU, taught by writer Nancy Warren.  It was one of those overview courses, with a little information about a lot of topics; nothing indepth but quite useful, especially coming from a person who has actually sold a fair amount of commercial fiction. 

But perhaps the most profound thing about the whole event was my 'outing' myself as a writer.  This was it: the first time I showed up in public, proclaiming to be a writer, and had to present my work in front of others.  Unnerving but ultimately rewarding.  I was not laughed at.  So, it is time to move forward and get this book finished.  Hopefully the contacts I made will be useful as well.  Support from other aspiring writers is a necessary thing.   

Four Host First Nations Welcome

I thought I would add this Olympic video, for those who might not find it amongst all the sports and tourism noise. It is great to see the pride and spirit of our First Nations coming out, finally. All too often we hear and see the negative aspects of what has happened to their great culture but what about their heritage, their wisdom? This video shows what they can be proud of and I hope it is the start of something new for them. Many American tribes and certainly the Hawaiians have capitalized on our fasination with their traditional ways and I hope Canada's will start to do the same. In these times, we all look toward the ancient wisdom. I believe it is our only salvation...

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

I wanted to share this TED talk by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I found it very enlightening in that I have ideas and inspiration that come to me, seemingly out of the blue, but I've never really heard it articulated quite like she does.  I call my subconscious "Herman" and know he works for me but this concept that ideas just arrive, fully formed and ready to use, was a new concept.  However, since I started writing this novel, I know it is true and I can't be so arrogant to take all the credit myself or even Herman.  The Ideas truly do arrive, fully finished as needed.  Just last Sunday I sat down at the laptop with absolutely no idea how the next chapter would unfold.  Within two hours, it was done and I was as surprised as anyone else would be at the outcome and how well it fit.  That is divine creativity.  I'll let Elizabeth explain it.  She does it far better than I could hope to...        
 

Olympics come to the Fort

My daughter and I went to see the torch run; it passed within a block of home.  Interesting to see how many people are excited about this but also sad to see how much security there was.  Six RCMP officers running beside the flame, as if it was the president, looking for the guy who wants to make a point by attacking the poor civilian carrying it.  What a world.  It gives me lots of fodder for my writing though.   Every day I see something or talk to someone which somehow ends up on the page, coming at just the right time for what I am doing.  That is what amazes me about this process.  Inspiration comes where it is needed, right when it is needed.