Dear Reader,
I began this morning’s writing time not knowing which direction to head. Should I incorporate the new pages into the existing draft, such as it is? Should I look over the printed pages and do the indicated revisions?
Rebecca’s section was particularly difficult because, as you know, I changed her pages from third person to first. Because the book said so. Because Word Raccoon demanded it.
They were right. Today, I glanced at my notes on the printed, third person section. I had identified a scene I needed to write, which meant I needed to either change the rest of the draft I already had or write new pages. By the time Rebecca was buying a new wastepaper basket from Etsy, I knew she needed a fresh start, so I gave it to her.
(And I must say, she has marvelous taste in wastepaper baskets.)
Reader, WR and I wrote 19 pages today, 5K words! No wonder our wrist aches. (It’s fine. We’ll be fine.)
For the first time, this section flows. I know who each person is and what they want. I have a handle on the mystery, and the first puzzle piece has been revealed.
I have given them the means to immediately find some information, and too many places to look for the next bit, which is what they need: some frustration.
The clue revealed a bit of humor in James that I did not know lurked.
Rebecca and Eric are hunting for any traces of Ernest, and WR wants to giggle because she knows who he is and where they can find information about him.
Anyway, I think WR and I wrote a poem this morning. If it’s any good, I’ll include it below. If not, just imagine I wrote a beautiful poem for you.
(This one is definitely barely revised. But sometimes those are the most fun.)
Untitled
There are TV series that have
built-in spoilers
because they’re based on books.
Like A Gentleman in Moscow.
You can watch it slowly
because you already know
where it goes.
Then there are the “don’t tell me, don’t tell me, don’t…”
because you want the joy of
discovery.
Where is this poem going?
Don’t tell me.
Don’t tell me.
Warmly,
Drema