Finding the Right Injury

You think it wouldn't be that hard but finding the right injury for the tutor in my book has been VERY challenging. Originally, I wanted him to hide his chest which had been scratched up and infected from being dragged by a rope. The only problem is that it would be his armpits not chest that would be rope burned- not working.

If he got dragged by his feet, then his back or face would be affected. Can you imagine his back? He'd have to lay on his stomach for recovery, ending all facial expressions and eye contact. Urgh. So I read about gut wounds and found that if he was struck by an arrow in the gut and it didn't puncture his intestines or stomach that it wouldn't even bleed that much. Look at this kitten! They pulled out the arrow and it recovered without any other problem.

PERFECT!! Only problem is that I already wrote five chapters with the other injury. So I'm rolling up my sleeves and rewriting today.

Word Count: 91,210

Will I finish anytime soon? Probably 30,000 more words to go.

Tax Hell and Still Writing

So this week we were audited and I spent 5 hours on the phone to speak to the IRS only to freeze when I finally got in front of the person that had changed our refund amount. I heard her reasoning, which seemed sound, then as soon as I hung up, I was like- hey! we did spend that much on education. So I've got to get back on the horn and work it out today. Cross fingers. Yesterday was a fabulous writing day. Herod got attacked by robbers and is going to Strato Tower, which will be the future location of his great city of white. Cool kajool! So Greg, my hubby, thinks I should pitch it where it is to CFI and see if they are interested, giving them time to do marketing BEFORE the edit. Then I'll know before its done whether to shop around. I think he's write. Anyway, my word count is 78315 and I still need to go back to Emmaus, down to Ashkelon by the sea, back to Marisa (herod's in time out), up to Damascus, back to Emmaus, Aristobulus's escape into Jerusalem, the seige during which we flip down to Ashkelon on last time, and then the final scene in Petra. Okay, this book has got to be at least 120,000. And with my chapter turns, its going to be SOMETHING. AND six more after that? Really? Maybe it won't sell.

Guess how far I am

Wow, I think I wrote something like 20 pages today. My word count is 74, 161 and I just arrived in Galilee. Wahoo. Fight scene tomorrow and it's a good one.

Not Enough Time

I've got to put it away now but haven't gotten that far. WAY too much info dump and not enough storyline. Over a thousand words but I wanted to get further. At least we are FINALLY at Damascus. I'll try to steal a few more hours tonight. (Cross fingers.) 68715

The Blue Screen of Death

I've never experienced the blue screen of death until last week when I lost over 15 pages of writing. (No, I didn't save.) I was on a roll and had written ferociously for a few hours when it happened. The last time I had saved was before the good parts I had just come up with when POW-- it was ALL gone.

I rebooted at the computer seemed alright but I had lost trust in its abilities. That old saying "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" came to mind so forced my husband to march to Costco and buy the cheapest best one they had. We got an HP that they were closing out. It was on sale and we had to get the floor model because it was the last one but now I can type with confidence and I was able to finish another 7,000 words.

This weekend the boys are at the father sons campout so I'm writing all tomorrow. I'm hoping for a boon. I'll report tomorrow.

Current word count: 67, 492

Sprinting to The End

My birthday is in a month and three days. I've decided to use that as my goal for finishing Herod: Before the Throne. This is a project I started over a year ago but two moves and homeschooling has thrown me off track. I've started writing in force recently and really want to get the rough draft complete.

Today I had Ananel attacked by a crocodile. It may be too much but I was getting bored. I've written myself dry so it's time to take a break and get ready for the Sabbath.

Words written:3995
Total Words: 60,547

Goal: Under 120,000, better at 95,000

Wish me luck!!!

A Poem Inspired by Elder Uchdorf's Talk

Bright New Daffodils
(to my sons)

The day I first held you in my arms
I first knew the love of Christ-
Surging through me with such power
Its intensity was stunning, rife.
For you I’d suffer any pain,
Give all I have, once and again,
Even my own life.

But epiphanous changes, like spring daffodils,
Wilt in the heat of life’s busyness-
The sun shone down filled every crack
And I ran fast, at a dizzying spell
Of laundry piles, children’s wishes,
Phone calls, meetings, dirty dishes,
And I wilted well.

Until one day an honored guest
Came to visit without warning.
He walked amid my tidy rooms
Then asked, “Where do your children play?
Surprised, I paused and looked around
At all I’d done, but sadly found
My children far away.

My anger grew at his sorrowing face.
“It’s not fair.” I cried. “It takes all
To keep them happy, washed and fed.
Here I give, and you condemn?”
His whisper stilled my frantic heart.
“Dear Mother, you’ve done well your part.
Now, go and play with them.”

I dropped my dust bin where I stood
And ran out to the garden’s edge
My young son laughed and took my hand,
“Mother, see what’s down the hill?”
Through fern and moss we walked at last
To find, hidden from the sun’s cruel blast,
A patch of bright new daffodils.