It is Mothering Sunday in the UK and I have finished my first draft.
Yes, it is rough. yes, it needs layering. But my characters have had their Happy Ever After.
Considering on Friday 2 March, I had in reality about 6k and I am now at 67k (it needs to be 70 k plus but I ALWAYS pick up about 5 -10 k after the first draft), I have done remarkably well.
I will admit that I had visions of working deperately late on 31 March and indeed 1 April to even get this far! I was determined to make it and I will make it with a manuscript that I am proud of.
It means I have 2 weeks to edit, revise and polish before it goes off to my editor.
The main thing that happened was that I completely turned off the internet and started working on my laptop on its battery. I forced myself to stay there and work, rather than taking a break to put the laundry on, or another one to do the dusting or jut put the kettle on. Not pausing.
I did keep doing my Tracy Anderson through out it all and am Continiuty 1.1 Level 6. I will do an update on this soon, suffice it to say that I am still seeing changes in my body. But whereas I started doing TAM for my physical health, I now do it for my mental health. It really does help to keep me focussed.
Showing posts with label manuscript. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manuscript. Show all posts
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Casts -- beekeeping
Yesterday, the front garden again filled with bees. This time instead of flying low and being easy to catch, the bees opted to swarm high into the lime tree. It was a cast -- a smaller swarm with a virgin queen at its head. Casts are usually difficult to catch.
My only hope now is that the beehive remains with a large enough colony. I doubt we willl get any more honey off that hive this summer. The annoying part is that the rosebay willow herb is just coming into flower and it is generally a time of intense honey production.
A learned beekeeper told me that no two summers were the same. I can identify with that.
I also feel writing books that no two manuscripts are the same.Each takes on its own characteristics and quirks.Sometimes the beginnings fly along. SOmetimes the endings. Soem want to be typed on the computer and some want to be written long hand. Sometimes, the characters remain shadowy for the longest periods. And other times, they emerge full blown. The only constant is the difference.
This wip is being frustrating. I keep changing my mind. BUt I know once I get my editors' thoughts back on the last one, my own thoughts on this one will crystalise...and then I will be able to write. Until then, it is slight exploration.
My only hope now is that the beehive remains with a large enough colony. I doubt we willl get any more honey off that hive this summer. The annoying part is that the rosebay willow herb is just coming into flower and it is generally a time of intense honey production.
A learned beekeeper told me that no two summers were the same. I can identify with that.
I also feel writing books that no two manuscripts are the same.Each takes on its own characteristics and quirks.Sometimes the beginnings fly along. SOmetimes the endings. Soem want to be typed on the computer and some want to be written long hand. Sometimes, the characters remain shadowy for the longest periods. And other times, they emerge full blown. The only constant is the difference.
This wip is being frustrating. I keep changing my mind. BUt I know once I get my editors' thoughts back on the last one, my own thoughts on this one will crystalise...and then I will be able to write. Until then, it is slight exploration.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Beekeeping in February
Time was that I would have never dreamt of having anything to do with the bees in February.They were hibernating, clumped in a ball. I might have to lift a beehive to make sure they had enough stores. If it was a clear day with snow on theground, I would look for the signs that the bees had done their flying. I could also think about getting into the bee garden -- not in full bee suit.
Those days are over -- a t least for this winter.
Yesterday, the bees were so busy, and hanging off the hive that I decided the time had come to put a super on. I am repeating what I did last year in hopes that it will yield the same fantastic results. The theory is that Queen starts laying in the super, and shaken down, and the queen excluder put on. Then the workers are most likely to go and put the honey up in th super, rather than in the frames.And fingers crossed, no honey congestion, and therefore no swarms. Swarms are the bane of my life in early Spring...
That is all I shall do until late March/Early April with the mousegurads comes off, the floors are changed and any old disgusting brood comb is removed. The air temperature is still far too cold to go into the brood box its self, but the bees were very numerous...
My wip continues to move forward. I was in full of tears yesterday as I was typing . My dh thought me odd. I only hope one tenth of the emotion I felt is conveyed to the reader when the book is eventually published. My editor's wise words keep circling in my brain -- just keep writing.
The decorating is done and the items moved backinto the kitchen. The blue green grey colour makes the pine stand out. And as the ceiling is now gleaming white instead of a dingy coal dust grey, the whole thing looks far better.
Those days are over -- a t least for this winter.
Yesterday, the bees were so busy, and hanging off the hive that I decided the time had come to put a super on. I am repeating what I did last year in hopes that it will yield the same fantastic results. The theory is that Queen starts laying in the super, and shaken down, and the queen excluder put on. Then the workers are most likely to go and put the honey up in th super, rather than in the frames.And fingers crossed, no honey congestion, and therefore no swarms. Swarms are the bane of my life in early Spring...
That is all I shall do until late March/Early April with the mousegurads comes off, the floors are changed and any old disgusting brood comb is removed. The air temperature is still far too cold to go into the brood box its self, but the bees were very numerous...
My wip continues to move forward. I was in full of tears yesterday as I was typing . My dh thought me odd. I only hope one tenth of the emotion I felt is conveyed to the reader when the book is eventually published. My editor's wise words keep circling in my brain -- just keep writing.
The decorating is done and the items moved backinto the kitchen. The blue green grey colour makes the pine stand out. And as the ceiling is now gleaming white instead of a dingy coal dust grey, the whole thing looks far better.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)