Deb, so pleased that you've had a restructure. I know I keep saying 'write to the end' but sometimes when you're a bit lost it's a good idea to reassess the situation, look at where you are and what you've done before you launch into the rest.

I laughed when I read you comparing editing to ironing. Alyson the editor would be tapping her foot, I'll bet. I really don't go ironing myself, but I wouldn't put it in the same 'basket' as editing!

Still, I'm pleased that you're forging ahead. I'm making steady progress myself - so close to the 100k mark I can almost smell it. Definitely there by the end of the week. It's been so frustrating that my rush to the end was bulldozed to a stop, but sometimes 'life happens' and you need to cope. My biggest lesson these last few years has been to "flow with the tide of life" so that's what I'm currently doing. Still, I'll be celebrating with you guys when the wordcounter ticks over that 100,000 mark.

Maybe Helen can throw another of her legendary parties. (then maybe if we go back to green-goo land I'll be able to find my guinea pig)

You must let us know the instant you hit the 100k mark, Lou. That is so exciting!!! I'm in a flip flop mood at the mo and have found two romances both @ around 20,000 mark. I do like both alot and now feel I should finish one of them before starting something new.

I have 3 days off this weekend all by my lonesome. I bought myself some gorgeous baby blue sneakers (a little pricey but entirely worth it) so I will dress up in my new tights and tracky top and matching cute sneakers, put on some fab music jump around the lounge room for a bit, do a few sit ups on my big silver ball and write, write, write!!!! Wish me luck!

OOOOH almost to 100k!!!!!!!!! Well done, Louise. I cannot wait for the party...yet another one! HEE!

Alyson I would love to see you bouncing around the lounge room in your tights and new snaeakers! LOL! What asn ispired way to get creative. Let us know how well you did and which romance you decided to go with.

deb

Alyson, you're so active! I thought doing yoga was strenuous, but jumping around and doing sit ups (or was it push ups) - whichever, it just made me want to go and get another cup of coffee and catch my breath.

Although I love the idea of baby blue sneakers. Actually, I love anything baby blue. My mum always had a dream that one day she'd drive a powder blue jag. She's got a navy mitsubishi currently, but you never can tell what the future holds!

A friend of mine is having a baby boy this year, so every time I think of baby blue I mentally visualise bonds wondersuits However I'm sure your sneakers are not towling, Alyson, not that that wouldn't be a very interesting fashion statement.

As to which romance to write, of course, the one you feel the most passionate about. But what happened to the one you were writing? Did you finish that? If not, this 'which one next' could just be a bit of procrastination. Been there done that.

Anyway, I hope you do decide and that you have a creative weekend. Look forward to hearing all about it on Sunday night (at the chat which I am determined to make this week!)

Probably is a bit of procrastination and nerves about picking one story to concentrate on. Feeling very distracted at the moment and sick again which doesn't help. So I am reeeeaaaaaalllly looking forward to this weekend. Time at home, alone, with new sneakers and tights. I can't wait. I am feeling like thousands of wrods are going to spill out onto the screen and am getting very excited!!!

I can just feel those words bubbling around inside your head, Alyson.
I love it when I get the same feeling. It is like a thousand butterflies fluttering on the inside of my skin and I can't help but grin like a demented fool.
I hope you are feeling all better so you are not distracted by the "yuckies" on the weekend.

Louise, how is the countdown to 100k going? Almost there? I am so excited for you. That is such a grand landmark to hit.

deb

What is my horoscope doing lately?

I'm having one of 'those' weeks. Another day of no writing - first another writer drops in unexpectedly (always nice but...) then straight after she leaves the two german shepherds at the back jump over the fence and start hassling my little dog. Took me ages to get onto the owners, and let me tell you, there was NO way I was going out there to sort it out. Anyway, THE FENCE is the big issue at the moment - hoping that will be sorted out very soon.

Sorry to get off-topic, but it's suprising how abject terror can put you off writing. I still feel sick imagining what would have happened if my daughter had been home at the time and had tried to intervene.

Never mind - what's my mantra?

The Universe Looks After Me
The Universe Looks After Me

Maybe I should keep typing that a hundred times (really need chalk and a blackboard to get the full effect).

So, next week... And I'll let you know as soon as I hit the mark.

Scarlet never said a truer word!

The day after my unpleasant 'dog' experience a new fence was erected and I can go out into my backyard again. Yay!

Not only that, yesterday while I was staring out the window at the rain I had an inspiration for how the book would end. What is it with water and inspiration? Damned if I know, but it seems to do it for me - the bath, the shower, the beach. Anyway, now I can see my way forward I'll be making a straight trajectory towards that final scene.

What a relief!

The universe DOES look after me.

Happy to hear you are over the Fence issue, Louise. I've been there and done that trying to sort out the fence line and it can be a harrowing experience, not to mention you had two massive dogs involved with yours.

I wish it would rain up here! It has been miserable here and it LOOKS like it will rain but nothing, not even drizzle. It is just cold and blustery.

Isn't it funny how water can help us be creative? I get the best ideas in the shower, or when doing the washing-up or simply staring out the window at the rain and the splashes in the puddles. I wonder why that is. Does it make us feel relaxed, comfortable so we are open to the flow of words from whereever they are from? Or maybe the flow of water reflects the flow of ideas, the flow of words, and our mind responds to it, allowing the breakthrough we need.
Maybe it's because that is where all life stems from. We access some innate force within that recalls the birth of life and we can then create ourselves.
Who knows, I am just musing here, so don't mind me.

Hope you all are finding the writing process delightful at the moment... Gee I wish it would rain here!!!

deb

Hi guys

Settled down for another day off. Have my coffee (ran out of choccie so hopefully I won't fret to much!) - though there is a very annoying gardner who has been whipper snippering for hours!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrr...

But I am up to 31,000 in my latest romance effort. I mentioned last night its one I wrote as a screenplay a while ago but found it past the page length of a regular film before I had even hit the halfway mark in the story! So I have novelised it and gone on from there. I think it would be a great 'Intrigue' story which means ~70,000 words rather than the usual ~50,000 but this story can take it.

I'll let you know how I get on today sans chocolate and with very noisey neighbours...

Wrote 3500 words today (so far) amidst noisey gardeners and with having no chocolate. Drank soooo much coffee my foot tapping went into overdrive! And my characters were going through the most exciting of circumstances at the same time so I could barely sit still! Came up with some great future bits as well so I can hardly wait to write them. Phew!

Cracked the 100,000 barrier today and boy did it feel great! Over 3000 good-draft words (which is a lot for me) and the plot ahead is clear.

Also yay for Alyson - so pleased that you had a great writing day too (despite your noisy neighbours) and that your story is shaping up ahead of you. That's so helpful. I have a friend who's writing Silhouette Intrigues and she loves them. It's a great line.

And Deb, I hope you get some rain up there I had a deliciously drizzly day today and I'm sure that helped. Chilly and dark enough for candles and I had some wonderful oils burning (trying out a new patchouli and it's to die for).

So, I'm really back into the story and flying. Actually thinking now that if I get my advance copyof book two this week I won't read it until I get to the end of book three in draft. It really should only be a fortnight or so (fingers crossed).

YAY for LOUISE!!!! Give me an "L"!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bet you feel on top of the world, Louise. 100,000 words and counting, well done! Where's Helen when you need a party and a few cream pies!?!

deb

well its been awhile since i posted anything in this topic, but i thought all the same that i would give a big well done to all you word cracking guru's!
While Dream Hunters is in recess at present, the ideas are bubbling.... it may be a small novel by the time i finish, but what a great thing that it will be finished by the end of the year. I'll see to that, and my Project Muse will be a success. (apart from the whole publish malurk)
After i got shunned at work because i wanted to take on two roles, one as a book speacialist, I decided to turn the extra hours that i would have used at work into the second job of writing my stories. Sounds like plan, now lets hope this one survives the load of uni is semester two... good news though, i have 8 weeks break after the 17th of June, so will catch up on the diploma of writing, and will see you all at the board and chat room as much as possible.

There is so much that needs to be done to 'Lost Hearts', though finding time to seat myself down infront of the manuscript is a bit hard. Working full-time can only offer so much free-time on weekdays and weekends are encouraging, though sometimes hard to work with also. Alas, i am finding atleast half an hour each night, no matter what comes up. I find writing notes actually pays off and drinking tea is very comforting- while in thinking mode, but there's that annoying time when you have to keep going to the toilet from over-drinking. sigh I have decided that the novel has definately got to be expanded, as in the final chapters it seems that i began to get an itch to just "finish it". Anyone know that feeling?

So, i think there is quite a bit of work to be done, before i can safely say "here is my novel, please read". If anyone wishes to swap the first one or two chapters of their manuscripts with mine - please.. stand right up! I honestly need some constructive criticism!

So pleased that everyone is so positive about finishing and editing their work. When you can think about it so practically and plan to make time for it, you're really half way there.

Timna, I'm really pleased for you that you're going to make that commitment to working the extra time on your writing, and please believe that we'll be here barracking for you!

And Kerrie, I know it can seem daunting when you face the task of editing, but when you're actually doing it and seeing how much better it makes the story, you'll be surprised at how good that feels. I also agree with you that it's best to edit it as much as you can before you show it to anyone. No point wasting their time pointing out things you can find yourself.

Deb, thanks so much for the encouragement. I was pretty pleased with myself too. Good intentions to follow up with another big day today went right out the window when my advance copy arrived first thing in the morning! It's SO beautiful. The cover is so very striking and of course the moment I opened it (just to make sure they had the dedication and acknowledgements right) I was lost in the story all over again I just love that fantasy world so much I can't keep away from it!

Never mind. I'll finish it tonight and be back into book three tomorrow. Promise!

Louise, I craked up when I read your two posts. "I will not read "Daughter" until I'm finished the third book." How long did those good intentions last??!!
That must eb such a thrill to hold the book in your hand and read the story whilst in the back of your mind you know they are your words. Yay for Lou!!!

Kerrie, I agree putting aside the time and using it is half the battle when you are working as well. Just love every minute and don't beat yourself up about it too much. Just keep letting us know how you're going so we can give you pats on the back or kicks in the pants - whatever you need!

Timna, I bet your counting the days until your weeks off. That sounds like heaven! Happy writing!

Deb, have you finished your reconstructions? You still seem to be zooming ahead at the same time which must feel so positive.

I did another 1000 words last night so ended up doing 6500 in two days. And I loved every minute of it!

Well done for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!


I laughed too, Louise when I read you were not going to read Daughter of the Dark and then couldn't help yourself! It must feel great. I will cry the day I hold my novel in my hands as a real book I just know it.


Yay for Alyson. You are motoring along so well. I am so proud of you! Keep up the finger tapping ok!!


Timna, you go girl!!! Go with your dreams and try to squash as much into your time off as you can. We have faith in you so ....

Kerrie, keep you chin up. I know you'll get the use of a compter soon. That novel of your's would not have jumped back into your thoughts for nothing. That's why you found our little group too, I'm sure of it. That book was meant to be written!



deb

Deb, you are so crazy! Your little hyperactive friends were fantastic.

Not really project musey but kinda creative news:

The shopping centre I work at (Brandon Park) is a cute little place near big glam shopping centres. They decided to come up with a new positioning statement (eg. Woolworths: The Fresh Food People) and sent a form to all of the retailers to see if anyone had any ideas and if chosen the winner would receive a $100 gift voucher. Well, I wanted that gift voucher so came up with a couple of ideas and gues what....

Mine was chosen!!! The centre owners and management loved it so from now on the centre will be:

Brandon Park: The Friendly Alternative

All of their paperwork and signage will have that written from now on! Isn't that cool!?

YAY FOR ALYSON! What a great boost for your creative ego! See that just goes to show you have a brilliant imagination! Maybe you should go into advertising and make some $$$ from it!

Having a slump at the moment...as I told Nancy last night.
There is so much you need to know to be a writer. Imagination is one thing but the technical side scares me sometimes. Like how a plot should be character driven and not the other way around. A plot should move forward because of a characters response to a situation and not the plot (AKA the over excited writer!) coming along and forcing the character to do something they wouldn't really do.
I am not sure if I am adhering to this at all. Maybe I am, maybe I am not. It is hard to tell from where I am sitting.
Maybe it's those muddy coloured glasses I keep picking up and wearing about the place, maybe it's the fact that my head's all stuffed up with a cold and I can't think straight. But no matter the reason, I felt it necessary to have a 'blub blub' here on the messageboard. You all know how we feel as aspiring writers so I feel safe to air my woes...

deb

Deb, you deserve a cheer yourself. You're not feeling happy about your own work but you put that aside to cheer everyone else on. Don't ever think you can leave Project Muse - we'd find you and drag you back!

But seriously, I'm sorry to hear that you're having doubts again, however, I truly believe that it is the muddy coloured glasses and/or too much outside influence. Let me tell you something that no one else can argue with:

YOU ARE THE BEST QUALIFIED PERSON TO WRITE THIS BOOK

Stick that up on your computer if you like. These are your characters and its your imagination coming up with the story. No-one else, no matter how technically skilled, could do justice to this story because you're the one thinking it up. Please, please don't worry about technique at this point. Just love the story and...

write to the end. Just write whatever comes into your head. When you've finished the book it will be so much easier to see whether the characters are acting 'out of character' or not. It's very hard to do that in the middle of the story. The other thing I've discovered is that you often don't know a lot about your characters in the first half of the book, but by the time you get to the end of their story you know them so well you can re-read it and straightaway think "No way would he do that."

Please try to focus on your love of writing and just write what comes out. Be uncritical and tell yourself it's just first draft. You can change anything later on.

Now, the kick-up-the-bum bit: I want you to finish your Book in a Year (ie before 30th December) in draft. There, I'm giving you a deadline, but don't let that daunt you. Having a deadline is great for pushing yourself past these sorts of doubt barriers. Just tell yourself you have to keep writing so you can get to the end. Not that you should get fixated on word count, but when you know that 'rough enough is good enough' at this stage, you might stop trying to perfect things. I know you'll finish it Deb. But I want you to enjoy it along the way

And speaking of enjoyment, a great big YAY for Alyson. I was reading a spiritual book recently that said when you have a wish in your heart, sometimes it will begin to materialise in small ways. Like, you want to be wealthy and you win $10 on the scratchies. It's not all of what you want, but it's the universe showing you that you're on the way. I feel so strongly that this win of yours is a sign that you're doing the right thing in what you're writing now.

We've talked a lot about how the universe lines up when you're doing the right thing. But sometimes I think there are degrees of that - little signposts along the way if you look for them. So this is more than just $100 in your pocket. This is confirmation that Alyson is a writer and being paid for her work.

I'm looking forward to hearing about book contracts in the future (which will be a lot more than $100).

L

Deb, stop worrying you are stuffed in the head!!! Don't think, style, don't think technique, don't think voice. Just write whatever comes out of your fingertips.

I think the fingertips are full of magic. Somehow our imagination becomes words on a page through our fingertips. Whenever I want to send good vibes (like to make sure Collingwood kick a goal) I send out positive energy through twinkling fingertips - and it works! And think abracadabra only works when flicking your fingertips. Magic! So Deb just let the magic drip from your fingertips and don't question it, just enjoy it!

(Besides all of the above, you know I think you are such a visual character driven writer. I've read a very little bit of Deb's stuff and its so sensual and lively and the characters vibrant and fleshy. So that is the least of your worries, Deb!!!)

I never even thought of that as having been paid for writing, Lou! Now it seems even more exciting!

By the way wrote another 1500 words last night. Up to 37500 and I can suddenly see how the ending is going to pan out. Usually don't know the end this early and I hope it doesn't make the writing stale, or give away clues accidentally. Well I'll soon know won't I...?

Thank-you, Alyson and Louise for your support and words of wisdom. And yes, Alyson, I am stuffed in the head...LOL! My brain feels like its clad in cotton wool and I can't tell you how my nose feels!

I bought Harry Potter on DVD on Thursday and we watched it last night. I saw it at the movies, but it is great too own! Just seeing JK Rowling's world spun to life is inspiring. She must have wiggled her fingers heaps to get this much magic into her life!

I don't like the idea of wriggling my fingers for Collinwood to kick goals though, Alyson.... BOO!!!!!! I will wiggle them to miss! HAH!

deb

Deb, hope you are feeling better soon. A few people with colds at the moment

Collingwood, hmmm, not really into football, but guess what's on TV next Wednesday night (in your corner of the world, Alyson)

CRICKET!

Yay. Cricket in winter. I feel as if all my christmases have come at once. I adore cricket, and having Pakistan playing our guys is like a dream come true. So, don't expect me to be doing any work, answering the phone, surfing the net etc, after 2pm on Wednesday. I'll be glued to the set.

Off topic, I know, but I feel so passionate about cricket. Writing is going well, although I had another 'lots of things happening' week last week. Still, I'm moving on slowly and still hoping to be finished book three in draft by the end of June.

Wish me luck!

The end of June, Lou? That is so close. I'm so excited for you. What an achievement!

Enjoy your cricket too! I love going to live cricket one day games. One of my close friends is very close to Richie Richardson and several years ago we went to all of the W'Indies games in Brissy and sat in the players wives box at every game. Right in front of the players box. Went out with a few of them after one game and even had a cute little West Indian player chasing me for a couple of weeks. Quite flattering but I had just met my Mark so he had no chance!

Alyson, you lucky thing. Canoodling with the players. What fun. Glad to hear there's at least one other cricket fan in here. Although it sounds like you're into most sports.

I shouldn't have dragged us so far off topic, but I just get so excited about cricket. No idea why. Maybe I was a pom in a past life

Book three is still going well. I'm off to meet up with Kim tomorrow for our monthly meeting, so am looking forward to that. I get so much inspiration from talking with other writers, particularly with Kim because we know each other so well now. It's as if seeing her and talking stirs up my creativity and motivation, whether we're talking about the book she's currently writing (The Autumn Castle which is brilliant!) or mine.

And speaking of talking to writers, I'm so looking forward to our own creative meeting next week.

Alyson, will you be getting your tooth done before Wed or after? We might need to give you coffee with a straw!

Hope everyone is writing up a storm and loving it. I'm so close to the end I've let go of the word count thing and am just enjoying the wave that carries me in a rush to the shore. It's pretty exhilarating, if a little manic. Still, I'm just getting it all down now and will see if it makes sense later, after I've typed THE END

I do love sport. I love entertainment basically. Movies, books, TV, sports, music. I love it all. m easily pleased and I think that is a good thing.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "Nothing good was ever achieved witout enthusiasm."