There are many ways for writers to connect and encourage each other. One of the primary sources of doing so in our very mobile world is to create dialogue in your own blog and reading and commenting on other writers/agents blogs/websites.
Here are five blogs I have recently found helpful. Check them out!
Keep Writing my friends.
Cheers,
Bob
Have you ever thought, “I can do it! I can write a book!”, then immediately have those other thoughts creep in, those not so nice thoughts that seem to come from a place that some call “logic” or “reality”?
Soon reinforcements come marching to the aid of those other thoughts and they sound something like,”I honestly don’t have time,” followed by, “I’m not really that good,” along with, “I’m not in the mood,” then the deathblow of, “it’s too hard”.
Sound familiar?
Me too. All of the time. In fact, they still surface every now and again and I have finished writing the third draft of my novel.
Several people who have had the first thought of: “I can write, I can do this”, have come to me and asked how to do it. This post is in response to those queries as well as those other thoughts that never seem to die, but always seem to speak with a deep resonating authority.
I would like to begin with two things. First, the book took six years to get this far. Second, I had a lot of help and encouragement along the way. This post is by no means a way of me boasting, but rather a novice writer providing ideas that may help you find that groove.
1.The desire to write. Many people laugh at this. But it must be stated. There is an enormous difference between thinking about big book contracts or the piles of money (that rarely ever come) and traveling to cafes and villas in the far flung corners of the world and the simple practice of writing.
Notice I said a desire to write, not a desire to get a lot of money, for that is not what writing is about.
You need to start with the bottom line: a love for words, language, or your main character. Money will never carry you through to the finished product and there are far more easy things you can do to turn a quick buck.
2.Carving out time to write. I played hockey for about 15 years. I played in many leagues and absolutely loved it
(I rarely miss a televised Detroit Red Wings game!). I often had 11:15pm ice times on weeknights, but I loved it and I would have stayed up through the night to play.
I realized, as my first daughter was born, that I could not continue hockey. I needed to focus. It’s been about three years since I’ve laced up skates. It still hurts some days.
3. Make a consistent writing schedule and stick to it. When my second daughter was born I discussed with my wife that I needed one night a week to focus solely on writing. It was a hard adjustment for us both, particularly for my wife Cindy. There were times when I wanted to go, and times I wanted to stay home and just rest or be with her and my daughters June and Clara. I went anyway no matter the time or how stressful my day at work was.
4.Find a writers group. This is detrimental. I could not be where I am without my fellow Weaklings. Accountability and being with people who are eager to read or ask you about your writing is key. Also, you may be scared with the thought of sharing your work with others but there is no better way to improve your craft.
5.Write. Silly, right? Those questions are starting again. I can hear them.
How? What about? Where? With what? There are no simple answers to these questions.
Famous writer after famous writer has said the only reason people are successful at this craft is because they write and they write often. Not that they went to this school or had this education or wrote in this particular style. Those things come. Just elbow those other thoughts out of your mind, clear your schedule for an hour or two and begin.
Cheers,
Bob
I
t is fashionable to deconstruct the heroes from our past. It seems that whether they are artisans, musicians, athletes, philosophers, or anyone of remote importance to a body of individuals, once they die, they swiftly become demonized, pompous, or obsessive individuals. This is true if they have just thudded both exhausted feet in the casket or have been dead for quite some time.
The most recent of these scandalized persons is Charles Dickens who turned a very noble 200 on February 8th. Those celebrating his life,death, birth, and works were forced to wade through article after article of critique or gossip turning the beloved author into a mere curmudgeon. Nearly everything I have read about him, recently anyway, proclaims that the “true” Dickens is located in its menagerie of disrespectful words.
While I was at a funeral a few years back I remember the director proclaiming the dead person’s faults to the room of mourning family members and friends. Though this could be deemed proper for those who suffered from the consequences of these faults and they perhaps found some sort of solace in hearing them recanted, I considered it bad form. Part of this was sensitivity to the closeness of the dead person. Part of it is me thinking how I would like it, after struggling through the joys and burdens of life, if someone focused primarily on my obvious faults to the wide world.
Now, our good friend Charles had his own set of troubles. Based on my own readings from the recent issue of the Smithsonian and collection of Dickens’ letters, he struggled through some very dark sins. However, I would like to share with you five reasons that Dickens very well may be the best and most popular author that has ever graced in the English speaking world, and why you should read him to discover why.
1. He is the grandfather of J.K.Rowling. What does Harry Potter and an old dusty Victorian novelist have in common? Their style. The way they construct scenes or the names chosen for characters: Ebenezer Scrooge, Pip, Oliver Twist, Martin Chuzzlewit – is unparalleled. The proof? His books have never gone out of circulation after 150+ years and continue to fly off the shelves.
2. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times”. These words set off a beacon of familiarity. But where did they come from? Who coined them? Yes, you guessed it, Mr. Dickens in the opening of A Tale of Two Cities.
3. C
ountless movies and plays have been adapted from his books or characters.
4. The words. Yes, I know all books have words but take the beginning from A Tale of Two Cities for example:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
5. Many of his works were serialized (written piece by piece in monthly installments) thus his ability to leave the reader hanging on a ledge is uncanny. Often, a sense of hunger in the reader grows until the climatic end.
There are many more reasons to read him. If you have never delved into the classics, Dickens would be a very good place to start.
Cheers,
Bob
For those interested, here are some factoids about my third draft.
Disclaimer: yes, this is the type of post that you can come to expect from someone who has turned their mind to mush from such an intensive process. Enjoy.
Pages 403 – double spaced
Roughly 325 words per page
115,889 total words
Words used just one time – 3,341
Also, after running word frequency counter (see here), here are those words z-a. And, sure I made of few of them up but what writer doesn’t.
Keep writing my friends.
zipped zip zigzagging yunthain yunitha youths youthful yield yerself yelp yells yellows yellowish yellowed ye yawning yanked wrung writes wringing wriggled wretchedly wrappers wraiths worth workouts worker woodlands wooded wonders wolfed wolf wobbled wits withering wither withdrew withdrawn withdrawal wiser wisdom winnowing wings wineskin windowsill wincing wince wilting wilt willowy willow wildest wiggle widows wider widening whooshed whoa whistle whispy whispers whispering whirlwind whirling whipping whiplash whip whimpered wherever wheezily wheels whatsoever wet westward wells welled weekly weeds weeded wee wealth weakness wayward wavy watery waterway watered watchman watchdog wasted washes wars warrior warped warmth warmly wardrobes warbling wantin wanderings walled waking wails waft wade waddled wadded vying vumbria vultures vulpina vows vowed voror volunteer volume volatile voiced vocalize vital visits visible violently violent violations violation vineyard vindicated views victor victims vicious vibrated veterans verbatim verbally verbal venomously vending vender veiled vaulting vault vases vase variety valve valuable valleys validity validation vales vagueness vacate useful usage urt urged urge upsetting upholds uphold upheld updated unyielding unwrap unwatched unwashed unused untranslatable untrained untouched untold unto untied untidy unthinkable untended untangle unsurprisingly unsupervised unstable unsolved unselfish unscheduled unruly unrolling unrest unresponsive unquenchable unprotected unprotect unprepared unpopular unpleasant unorthodox unnoticed unnecessary unnecessarily unmoved unmistakably unmerciful unmade unlucky unlocking unlocked unlashing unjustly uninvolved uninvited uninterrupted uninteresting unheard unharmed unguiltily unforgiving unfolded unfocused unfiltered unfamiliarity unexpectedly uneventful uneven unengaged unendingly uneducated uneaten uneasiness unease undying undrawn undone undetected undesired underwent underwater undermining undergrowth undergo underfoot underbrush undending undecipherable uncovered unconvincing unconvinced unconsciousness unconsciously unconscious uncompleted uncommonly uncommon unclipping uncharted uncertainty unceremoniously unblinkingly unblinking unbelievably unbearable unarranged unarmored unannounced tying twitched twirl twinge twine twelve tussled turrets turcias tune tug trusting trunks trouser trolling triumph tripping trinkets trifled trickled trickle treetops treasure treason treachery treacherously treacherous trays traverse traveler trapdoor transporting transport transmitter transmitted translates transferred transfer transcribed tranquil traipsing train trailing traditionally toying toy towns towering towered tough touches tortured torrents torrential tormenting torched topped tool tongues ton tomes tome tombs tomb tolerable token toil toasted toast tiresome tirelessly tiptoed tipping tinsmiths tingle timing timidly timid timbers timber tilting tilt till tile tighter tightening ties tie tide tickle thunderstruck thundering thumping thump thumbs thudded throne throbbed throb throaty thrilling threats threateningly thorned thirteen thinned thigh thicket thickest thickening thhhanks therein thereby theorems theirs thee thatchers thatch thankful thanked texts tests territory tenure tenth tens tenderness tended tend tenacious tempted temples tempered temperatures temperament temper teetering teenage teas tearing teapot teaming teamed teacups teachings teachers taverns tattle tatter tasty tastings tasted tarts tart tarnished tarnish targeted tardiness tankard tangent tan tame talks talent takers tailing tag tad syntax sync symphony symmetrical syllable swordsmen swordsmanship swoop swollen swiveled switch swishing swipe sweltering swell sway swatting swat swarms swampland swaggered swagger suspicions suspicion suspected survived survey surroundings surreally surmise surging surgeons surged surely supremely suppress supposing supposedly supporting supported supplied supper superstitious superiorily sunset sunrays sunlit sunfish summoned summit summary sullen suited suggests suggesting suggest suffocating suffices suffering suffered suctioning suck succumbing succumbed successfully success succeed subtle subterranean subjects subaltern styled sturdy stunting stunned stumble stuffs stuffing studious stuccoed stubbornness struggles strolling stroking strokes stroke striking strenuous streaks streaked strayed stray strategized strategies stranger strands strand straightforward stragglers stove stout stormy storms storming stored storecupboards stops stooping stoop stool stolen stiww stirrups stirrup stint stinks sting stimulating stilled stifled sticking stewing stewed stew sternly stern stems steered steer steeply steed steamed stealthily steadying steadily stature stationed static statesmen states stately stash starve starter starlight stares starched star stamping stampeding stamped stamina stalk stales stale staked staircases stains staff stabbing stabbed ssoldiers squirrel squinting squeak squashy squashing squashed squabbles spying sputtering spurted spritely spree spreading sprawled sprained spots sport spoonful spooky spook splotches splotched splitting splinters splinter splashes spite spires spinning spindly spilled spied spewing spend spell speechless spectacularly speckled specimen specific speakers speaker sparring sparkled sparing soy sow soured sour soup soundless sorrow sores sooty soot sonorous somone somebody solving solve solitude solidify soles solemn solely soldiership soldierin solders sold solace softened socuis socks sobbing sob soaking soak snugly snuff snubbed snowy snot snorts snoring snoon snobs snobbish sniveled snippets sniped sniggering snigger sniffled sniffed sneezed sneering sneered sneaking sneaked snarling snappy snaking snakes snake snacked snack smut smug smoothly smoothed smithies smirk smearing smattering smatter smash smarty smaller smack slurred sludge slouched slots slosh slopped slogging sliver slip slinking slink slinging slimy slide slicing slender sleeves sleepless sleepiness slaughtered slashed slaps slam slacked skylight skulls skull skirted skipping skills skill skiff skewered sketch sixty situations situated sisters sister siphon singular sing sine sincerity sincere simultaneous simpleton simpler sill silhouette silencing silenced significance signaling sifted siding sidelines sickening shutter shush shunned shun shuddered shrugging shrouded shroud shrieky shrieks shrieked shoves shoveler shorter shortcut shores shore shopper shoe shocking shiver shirts shiny shins shining shined shine shimmery shielding shielded shh shelters sheltered sheet sheepishly sheds shed shaven shaved shave shards shallows shallowly shaky shakily shakes shaken shaft shadowy shades sewer sewed seventeen settles sessions servers servant serene sequence sentry sentries sentinels sentinel sentiments sentiment sentencing sentences sentenced senior semicircle semi sells selling sellers selfish self segregated seething seeming seek seeds secure secretive secrete secondary secluded seated seashore seals scythes scurrying scurried scuffling scrutiny scrunched scrumptious scruffy scrubbing scrubbed screen scrawl scratches scraps scrapped scraped scrape scrap scrambling scraggily scout scorched scoop schedules scheduled scented scenarios scenario scavenger scary scarves scant scampered scaled saving saver saved savage sauntered saucers saturated sarcastically sapphires sapphire sapped sanity sang sandwich sanction salted sallow sale salary sails sailed safety safest safekeeping sadly saddles saddest sacrifices sacks rustling rustles rust ruse runnin runes rummaging rummaged rummage ruminatings rum rulers ruler ruining rudimentary ruddy rudder rubius routes rotund roped rooted rooster roles roguish rogue rodent rocking rocketed rocked robbed roasted roarous roam roadways rivaled rival risk rip riot rimmed rigid righting ridiculous ridiculed ridge riddles ricocheting rich rib rhythmically rhyme rhetorically rewarded reward revulsion revolved revive revered revere reverberating reveling reveal reuniting reunite returns retribution retreating retracing retrace retiring retirement retire retellings retelling retaliatory retaliated resumed restrictions restriction restored restore restful responsibility responses respectable resounded resound resorting resonated resonantly resolving resolved resolute resisted residence reserved resembles resemble resemblance rerouting reread requirement reproachfully reproachful reprisals repressed representatives repose reports reporter replacements repetitive repelled repeating repeatedly repeat repay repairing repaired reorganized renowned renew renditions rendition rendezvous remus remotely remote remorse remnants remembrance remedy remarkable remainders relying reluctant relocated relishing relinquishes relinquished relinquish relics relentlessly release relayed reissued reimbursement reigned rehearsed regularly regular regrouped regret register regimented regarded regaining refurbish refreshments refocus reflected reflect referenced reference reduced redraw reddening recruited recruit recounting reconvene recommended recommend recoiled recognized recognizable recklessly recite reception rebuild rebellious rebelling reassuring reassured reassurance reasoning reasonable rearing realm realizing realize readying readings ray raw ratty rattle rationed ration rarest rarely rapidity rankings rams rambled rallying rains raid ragged rag racing races rabble rabbits quoted quivered quieting quieter quieted queue questioning query quench queer queasy quarreled quarrel quant quaking quads puzzlement puss pus pursuit pursuing pursuer pursued pursed purposefully purchasing punishments punishable punish puncture punches pummeled pummel pulsation pulsating puff puddles puckering puckered publicly ptolemus pruning prudent prowls proving provide proves proudly protested protest protector protected prostrate prosecution prosecuting proposed propose proposals proposal promptly prompted promotes promoted promote promising prolific projecting projectiles prohibiting production producing producer prodding procure proclaimed processing processed proceeding probable prizes prized privately prison priority primitive prided prickly prickle previously pretentious pretend presumed pressures pressing press presiding preserve presenting preposterous prep preformed prefixes preferred predicted pray pranced praising praise practicing practically poverty pounce pouch potpourri potential posture postponed posted possibility possibilities positively positioned posed pose portrayed porthole port porches population popular populace pooling pooled ponies political politely poles pole poke pointy points pointlessness poets poetry poet pods pock plus plural plummets plummeted plug pluck plop plenty pleasant pleadingly plea plausible platus platoon planting planks plank plains plagues placidly pity pitiless pitifully pitiful pitcher pitched pint pinned pinnacle pinkish pinging pinching pinched pinch pilfering pikemen pies pierced physicians philosophizing phew petrified petite petals pet peruse pertained perspective persistent persisted persevered perplexed permitted permeating permanently period perilous percussion percentile peppers peppered penmanship pelted peers peer peels peculiar pebbles peaked peak peaches peaceful payment pawing pawed paved paused patterned pattering patter patrons patronize patrols patrolled patrol patris patria patiently pastures pastries pasted passes passages passage parts partied particulars participants partially pardon parcel paranoid paragraph paradox parading parades paraded paperwork pantry panicked pangs panels panel pandemic pan palms pales paints packs pacified owners overzealous overthrow overtaken overslept overseeing overlooked overlook overflowing overflowed overcrowded overcame overarching oven outnumbered outlined outcome outburst outback ours othella orphanage ornately ornaments organization orbs orb oranges oppose opportunities opponent operations opens opener opals oozed oods onlt onions olive ole olde offset officially offices offense oddities octavius occurred occupation obsessive oblivious obligated objects obey oaths oath oaken oaf nuzzled nutrients numerous numeric numbly numberless numbering numbered nudged nourishment notion nothin nosiest northward normalcy noodles nonetheless nonchalant nonchalance nominate nods nobility nightmare niece nicety nicest newer newcomer netherworld nervious nequamans neillos neighed neigh negotiation negotiating negotiated negotiate negatives negatively negative needn necessities ne navigating natural nasty nastiness nastily narrowly narrower nape naked n myths mythologies mythological mustering mustache mused muscle murmurs murderous murdered mundane mumblings mumbling mumble multitudes multitude mulled mugs muffle muddled movin movements mouthed mousy mourning mourn mounds mound motivation motioning moss mosaic mortal morale moping moons moonbeams moody monuments monstrous monotonously monotonous monotone momentum mold modifier modest mobilizing moaning mixed mistrust mistreated misspeak misplaced misleading mislead misheard misery misconception minuscule minus mini mingled mimicked million milled mildew mild migrated midnight midday mice messy messenger messages mesmerizingly meself merry merriment merrily mero mercifully merciful mentioning menacingly memorized melted melt medium medicine medals medallion medal meanderings meals meal meadow maze mature matters mathematics materials master massive massaged masonry mason mashing mashed masculinity martis marshlands marshland marsh marksmen marksman marginally manufactured manning manners manner manned manipulated manically mangy mangos maneuverings manage mallets makeshift maker majesty majestic mahogany maha magnificently machine lyre luxurious lurry lurking lurched lunging lump luminous luminescent lulled lull lugging lug luciens lucias lucens loyalties lowest lower lover lovely louts lots lord lopsided loot loosing loopy longed lonely logistics logical locks locking locker locate lobes loaves loans loaf liturgy literarti liter listens limply limping limp likened lik lights lighten lifestyles lifeless licked lick liberties liar lesser lessened lent lemon legion legible lecturish lecturing lease learnin leaped leaf leadership lawless launching laughs laughingly latest latent lately latch lass lashing lash lap lanky landscape landmark laments lamb lagged ladles lacked lacing laceration laborious laborers labor label l knuckles knowledgeable knoll knobs knives knelt kneeled killjoy killing kildred kidnap keyhole keeps keen juvenile jutted justly justified justice juice judgments judgment jubilation joyous joyful journals jolly joking jokes joked joining jingling jibes jib jerky jealously jaws jaunting jarring jarred jar jailer jail jade jabbed ithilno items item itch issue isle irrelevant irrational irony invite invigorated investigations investigated introductions introducer intrigued intricacies intimate intimacy interwoven intervention interspersed interrupting interrogating interrogated interpreter interpret intermission intermingled interests interest interconnecting interconnected intercept interaction intelligence intellect integral intake intact insulting insulted insult instruments instructing instincts instantaneously instance installed inspire inspiration insist insincere insight inscriptions insatiable inquisitors inquisitorial inquiry inquiries innocently inland inky inked inkblots injustice injury injuries initialed inherited infuriated inflection inebriated indoors indistinct indignity indicated indecipherable incurable incredulous incredulity increase incorrectly incorporated inconveniences inconsistent inconclusive incomplete incompetent income inclement incident inadequate inaccessible inability impulsive impromptu impressive impressionable impress impoverished impoverish impervious imperium impenetrable impending impassable impart immobilized imminent immersed immediate immature imitations imitating imitated imagination images imaged illustration ilium idiotic icing hysterically hysterical hypothetical hypothesizing hypothesized hustle hushed hurts hunt hundredth hunched humming humility humidity humbling hulking huh hugs huffing huff hued hue howl hovered hover household hourglass hosted horrendous horns horn horizontally horizontal hopping hopelessly hopefulness hooded honorably honorable honey homage hollow holiday holey hoisted hobbled hoarse hive historians hired hire hint hindrances hind hilarious hiked hideous hideaways hers hero hereby herd herb hen hemmed helpless heist heir hectorian heave heatedly heated heartache heaped headlong headlock hazel haunting hauling hates hatched hat hasn harvester harsh harmony harmlessly harmful hardwood hardly hardily harbored happier happenings haphazardly hangings handwriting handsome handpicked handouts halun halter hailes hailenas haha hagglers habits guy gusto gusted gust gullible gulf guest guessing guesses guardians guaranteed grumpiness grumble growling grove grounded grooves groom groggily groaning gritting grinning grinds grinding grimaced grilling greeny greens greenleaf grays graying grates grateful grasped grapevines granted grandeur granddaughter grand grammatical grainy grains grade gracious gracefully governmental governed gouges gouge gotta goose goons gooey gongs goblets goblet goatskin goatee goal gnaw gnatias glowing glowed gloriously gloomy globs glittered glinting glint glimpses glimmering glimmered gleefully glean glasses glares glancing gladly gimon giggling giggles giddiness ghouls ghosts ghost gesticulated geography genuine gentlemanly genius generous generosities generation generals gears gauntlets gateway garrison garnishing garnish garment gargled gardens garden gaping gangly gallantly gales gale gaily gagged gag fussy fusillade furthest furnace funneled funnel funeral funds functions fuming fume fullness fulfill fuel frustrated fruitlessly fruitless frozen frowns frowning frog frivolity frivolities frightened fridges frequented frenzy franticly frantic frankly frames frail fragrance fours founding founded foundations foundation fortunately fortunate fortnight formulated forming formation formalities forlorn forks forked forge forefront foreboding forebode footing footfall fools fooling fool foods folly folding focusing flustered flushed flowing flowering flowered flourished flopped flooring flittered flipping flip flint flinched flinch flied flicking flicked flick fletching fleeting flee flecks flawless flaw flavor flared flapping flammable flaming flag fixture fixated fiwwed fives firmness firefly finnius fingered finesse fined finds findings financially financial finalization finality filthier filter file figuring fifteenth fierce fiber feverishly fevered fever feud fetched festivities fervently ferocity ferociously ferocious feretis fer fending fencepost female felled feed fed feats feathering feather fearful feared fawn fat fashionable fashion fascination farms farmlands farm farlands farewell fare faoesian faoeseian fangs fan famous famished faltered falsity falsely fairy fairly faintly fainted facts facial fabulas fabricating fabius f exude extreme extravagance extinguishing extending extended exquisitely expunged expulsion expressions expressed exposing experts expertise expert experienced expel expectations exodus exits exiting exists exhilarating exhilarated exhibited exhibit exhaustively exhaustive exhausting exhaled exertion exercises exercise executed excuses excursion exclamation exclaimed excitedly exchanging excess exceptional excelled excavation exasperated examined examinationstoday exaggeratingly exaggerated exactness evoking evils eve evanders evaluate evacuation euphoria ethic estimation estimated estate establishing established essay escort escaping escapes error erroel erode erect eras eradicate equivocation equal eons envious enveloping enveloped entrusted entries entrances enthusiasm entertained entertain entailed ensued enslavement enormity enlisting enlist enjoying engulfed engrossed engineers engineer engagements enforce energize endured endearing endangered endanger encouragingly encouraging encompasses encompassed encompass enclosing encircled encased encampment emptying emptiness empties empowered employment emphatically emerging emergence embrace embellishments embellishment embedded eluding elsewhere elongated elm elite elisa elias elegantly elect elbows elation eighteen ehem efficiently eerily educator edible edcuo eccentric easing easiest easels earn dweller dwell dutifully dusts dusting dung dunderheadedness dunderheaded dumping dump dumfounded dumbstruck dumbest duel ducklings ducking duck drying drunken drunkards drumming drummers drum drowning drowned drown drove droppings drooped droop drooled drool driving driven drip drill drenched dredging dredged dreaming dread drawl drawers drastically drape drama dragging drag dozing downstream downstairs doused doorpost doorknob doorframes doorframe doomed dominated doin dogs doe dodged dizziness dives diverted diverse ditches disuse disturbed districts distractions distracting distract distinctly distaste dissention dissections disregard disqualified disproportionately disposed dispose displeased display dispersed dispatched disorganized disorganization disobedience dismissal dislodged disliked dislike disintegrate disheveled disgusted disease disdain discussions discuss discrimination discovering discouraged discord disciplined disapprovingly disappoint dirges dinners dining diners dina dimming diligent difficulty difficulties difference dies dictation dictate diced dialect dewy devouring devotion devoted devised developments develop devastating detrimental detestable determine deteriorating detection detect detain details detailed destroy desserts desperation despairing desolation desolate desires designers deserved deserts described descent deployment depicted depend denied democracy demeaning demands demanded dem deliverance delicately delicacies deliberated delay dehydration dehm deformed deflected definite defiant defiance defensive defendants defendant defeat default deemed deed decrees decorations decoration decorated decisions deciphering deceptively deceived decayed debris debriefing debates dealings dealing deadline dazzling daydreams daydreamed daydream daybreak dart darkening dappled danger dancer dampen damp damn dam daisy dagger daffodil dabbled dabble dabbing cyclone cycled cutters custo curtly curtains curt curly curling curl cure cupboards culprits cuffing cue crystalline crypts cryptic cry crushing crushed crunching crunched crumpled crumbly crumbled crowning cross crooked croak critiquing criteria crinkled cringed crime cries crickets cricket crewing crest crescent crescendo creep credited creation cream crawl crates crank craning crammed cram craftsmanship craftsman crackling crackled cracking crab cows coward cow covertly covert courtyards courtesy coursework courses counterstrike counterproductive countering counterattacks counterattacked counter councils coughed correlate correctly corpses corporal cordial cord coordination cooperate coop convincin conviction convicted converse controversy controlled contrasted contrast contracts continuously continuation contextually contestants content contenders contemptuous contemporaries contains consuming consume construct conspirators conspiracy considerable consider consciousness conquered conniving connecting connect conjugation congested congeal confusion confront confounded confiscated confirming confirmed confirmation confining confines confine confide confessing conditioned concoction concerning concentrated concealment comtis comrade comprehend composure composer comply compliments complimented complexion completing compiled competitors competitor compatriot compassion commotion commoners commitments commiseratingly commiserating commerce comment commendable comforting comforted comers comedy comedic combs combining combed colonnades collided collector collectively collections collared collaborative colder coincidentally coil coffees coffee codes cocooned cobweb cobbled cobble cob coated coast clusters clustered cluster clunky clumsily clumsier cloudless clotting clothing clopping clop clods clockwise clocks clip cling clenching cleanliness clawed claw classed clasps clashing clarity clank clangs clang clandestine clamor claims civilized civilization civil citizens circulation circling circlet cinnamon cinder cicerio churning chuckling chucked chubby chronologically chronicle chorus chop choosing chomp choked choke choices chiseled chirp chipped chimney chills chicks chickens cheeses cheery cheerful cheered cheeks checks checking cheater cheated chat chased charming charitable charges chapters chaotic chants chances champion chalked ceremony ceremonies centuries centermost centering centered ceilings cawed cavern categorizations cat casualties casual cases cascading carrion carpeted carpenters carnage caretakers careless career caravan captors capable canter candle candies canceled camped campaign camila calming calmed calf calellethians calculating calculated caked caged cackled cache bystander buzzed buzz buying buyers buy buttock butt butchering butcher bustle bushy bushels burying burns burdens burden bundle bunch bumpy bullies builds bugs budgets budgetary buckled buckle bubbly brute brutally brutal brushes brother brook brooding brood bromin broadly bristling briskly brisk brilliantly brightest bridges bride bribe briaius breezy breed breaths breathes breadth breached brawling bravest bravely brass brambling brain bracket bracing bracelets braccius boyfriend bowstring bowls bowels bovine bounty bountiful bounding boundary boundaries bouncing bought bottomless bothering botch botanist bossy bosses boss borum bormin border boosted bookcase bonus boldly bolder boiling boiled bogs boglands boggy bodied bobbed boasting boarder blush blurry blunt blues blubbing blown blowing blotting blotted blotch blossom bloodshed blocky blockheaded blockade blistering blind blessed bless blemish bled bleak blazed blaze blasts blanketeus blaming blacks blabbing birthstone birthed bins bindings binding bidding bewitched berserker berated belongs bells bellog belittling believing belch bejeweled behold beheld begging begginers begged bees beer beehive beef bedrooms becomes beckon beauty beauties beating bearing bearers bearer beady bead beached battleground batting batted bathed bathe bat basis basics bashed base bartering barricades barricaded barman baring barefoot bared bards bard banquet banned bank banister banishment banished banging balanced baking bakers bags badly badge backup backside backset backpedaled backdrop babysitter baby babbling aye axes aww awning awkwardness awestruck awed awakens awakening awaits avitus aven available avail automatically authorities aunts aulus attitudes attitude attendants attempting attaining attackers atrocities athos astride astonishment astonishingly assumptions assumption assuaged assorted association assisting assign assessment assent assembled assaulted assailing aspects ashore ashes ashen ascension ascending arvest artificial arrogantly arriving arrives arrangement arrange arose armory armchairs architecture archaic arch approved approve appreciating appreciated appreciate appointments applecart applause applaud appease appearing appearances appearance apparitions apology apologizing apologetic anytime anybody anxious anticipated anticipate antic antagonize anothers anonymous annunciated annoyances announcer announcement announced anguish angles angle aneiea amusing amused amputated ample amongst amended ambushed amble ambitions ambiguously ambers amber alternant alter alpheus alphabet alongside ally allotment allot alight algebraic alerted alert alcove alarmed aimed agriculture agony aglow aggravated agenda affectionately advisory advertized adventures adventurer advancements adorned admiring adjusted adjourned adequate additional addition adamant actual acts activity active acquainted aching accustomed accuse accurate accumulated accordingly accessible academics academia abyss abusive abuse abundantly absence abominable ability aback
Cheers,
Bob
Thank you for all of your encouragement, those who eagerly read chapters and those who continue to wait for the latest version of The Tale, for it is done, at least as done as it can be. I finished about two weeks ago, did another read through for the plot and characters from that time until last night, and I am ready to sit back and put it out of my mind for a few months. It is exciting to have a new draft and I am thrilled with the mind boggling thing that I will attempt later this year – submission to an agent. It feels so far away!
For the time being I plan on focusing, once again, on this blog. I also will try to get a few short stories submitted and work on another project that I have rolling around in my mind that I wish to finish this year as well as pour over some of my older stories and try to see what might be ready to be dusted off and munched on once again.
So, I can check off one of the goals this year, and will begin to get my artist’s well full again in order to strike out and complete another goal.
How is your writing going in 2012?
Cheers,
Bob
