I love it

I’ve been working on a bit of a secret project for a couple of months now. As that winds down, I really wanted to return to a couple of my long-suffering manuscripts.

This morning, I opened Tracks of Infinity and started reading. I just wanted a refresh on the characters, world, and plot.

I spent most of the day and read the whole thing, as far as it exists. I love this story.

Set in modern day Seattle, it involves an aging television news reporter who wants something more. Her adult son, gets involved along with his new girlfriend.

Together, they start down the path of discovering something amazing. I used mystery boxes for the first time, and love how the tale unfolds.

Cody, the son, makes for a great character. His mom nags him to settle on a business degree, or possibly a doctor of audiology. This is because Cody’s true passion is for sound. He dreams of becoming a professional Foley artist.

This has been so much fun to write, because I have to focus on sounds, and using realistic things to suggest something that might be unrealistic. I’ve written some interesting characters in my day, but Cody has been a challenge and a joy to create.

I mentioned a couple of things that might not age well, and probably should have gotten this to market sooner for better impact. They don’t hurt the story at all, and are factual. These are things like Taylor Swift’s concert being readable on the Richter Scale in Seattle, or the Turkish earthquake. If it really bugs me, I could probably find a more recent earthquake to insert. (It doesn’t bug me that much.)

I gave the girlfriend character a lot of personality, and like the cutesy moments with Cody. Rick, the cameraman is a lot of fun, too.

What I’m getting at here is even though I parked this for a few months, I still love the story and can’t wait to share it with everyone. I don’t have a ton of fans left these days, but those who give me a chance seem to love my stories.

Some of this is my fault. We’ve pulled in our horns around here, and I cut out a lot of promo. Sometimes the choice is promo or groceries.

For those of you who are still with me, I think you’re going to love Tracks of Infinity.

With any luck, I’ll make a huge dent in it before I have to return to work.

Not missing this chance

I went to the writing cabin this morning. The storm broke, but there was mud on the tires of the gyrocopter. When I went through the basement, I made sure to leave my boots in the box Bento left for that purpose.

Lisa* met me at the top of the stairs. She was dressed in a canvas duster, and a white wife-beater tee shirt. “Ready to get some work done today?”

“Absolutely. Looks like you're ready for some Clovis dialog.”

We worked on smart assed remarks, threats, and compromises. Whenever something sounded right, I added it to my Playground manuscript.

Lisa ran to the paranormal office and pulled on a lab coat.

“Gina isn't wearing a lab coat in this scene.”

“I know, but it makes me feel more doctorly. Send me your dialog and let's give it a try.”

I sent her what I had, and we tested it out. I adjusted back and forth. “That looks about right. Try it with that voice thing you do.”

Lisa spoke the words using a female voice, and a male voice. When she finished she looked up. “Well? Is it what you hoped for?”

I leaned back at my desk. “Yeah. It sounds like them, and it fits well. Now all I need is some closure, and they're finished.”

“I'll bring some coffee. Do you want me to change into my Chloe outfit now?”

“No. I can't write Chloe today. It takes a different mindset. I'll finish with Clovis and Gina, and give them some closure.

I typed away, delivered some rewards, (such as they are) and closed out two of my main characters. Their part of this story is finished. Chloe will represent the end of the threat to the victims everywhere, but her story will finish another day. At that point The Playground will be a complete first draft.

It looks like I'm going to come in at about 70K words. I would have preferred 80K, but in today's market that isn't bad at all.

This is a different kind of book. There are three seperate stories that alternate to tell the reader a complete story. Only two of the characters ever meet, but it provides some cool moments.

I'm feeling like I need a treat. It's too early for beer. Maybe a trip to the Boise Co-Op for some shortbread, devon cream, apricot jam, and tea. My characters got some rewards, maybe I deserve one too.

I may tackle Chloe's swan song tomorrow, but it depends on what the family has going on.

Tell me about your endeavors. Do you treat yourself for accomplishments? Do you create false accomplishments so you can have a treat? Is anyone else finishing a manuscript?

* Lisa Burton is the main charater in Wild Concept. She is a robot, and since her story ended she helps me around the writing cabin these days.

Book intensive care

I skipped a post last night. I really wanted my 2015 plans to stay at the top for a little longer. I’ve gathered some good comments, a few more via email, and a few victims volunteers who asked to read Will ‘O the Wisp. Thank you, everyone.

I must have gathered up over a hundred new blog followers during December. I had a lot going on, and was hosted by quite a few nice people. My stats show a lot of traffic flowing between my blog and In a Small Compass. With the new followers in mind, I’m including this link to the Entertaining Stories Primer.

I used yesterday to finish reading a book and posted a review for a fellow indie author. With today all to myself, I headed for the writing cabin.

I wound up buzzing the runway to scare off a wooly rhino. I didn’t want to run him too hard, because winter is tough on wildlife. The skis on my gyro-copter made the landing much smoother. The elevator carried the ‘copter to the basement, and I trudged upstairs.

Lisa* was washing the little alien shotglass she brought me, along with the enchanted beer horns. She had her hair pulled back between combs and wore her calf length jeans and high heels. She topped it of with a baggy pink sweatshirt.

“That green glass looks custom made for some absynth,” I said.

Lisa scowled at me. “You have a visitor. One who gets jealous when you hang out with the green fairy.”

My back stiffened, and I knew I was in trouble. It had been months since I’d added new words to my work in progress. I grabbed coffee and headed for my main office to face the music.

Lorelei** was hunched over the couch, crying. She wore medical scrubs, and had her hair tucked under a matching cap. She tucked a tiny blanket around something and waved over her shoulder toward the fireplace, which immediately burst into flames. “There, there, baby. It’ll be alright. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Um, what is that? Is it sick?”

“No, it’s dying of neglect.”

“Is there anything we can do for it?”

“Do you really care?”

“Yeah, what is it? How can I help?”

She stood, turned, and placed her hands on her hips. “It’s your manuscript, if you still care.”

I slid into my recliner and sipped my coffee. “What do I have to do?”

She cradled the little manuscript and tucked it into the crook of my arm. “Even though it isn’t finished, it’s still a book. Just read it. The more you enjoy it, the healthier it will get. Books thrive when they get read.”

I read the first page, and the manuscript wiggled. “It likes it. Would it like us to read aloud to each other?”

“It would adore that. I’ll stay for an hour, then you and Lisa will have to carry on.”

I cupped my hand around my mouth and yelled down the hall. “Lisa, get in here. We have a long afternoon project.”

* Lisa is the main character in Wild Concept. She is a robot and helps me around the writing cabin these days.

** Lorelei is my Muse. She gets cranky, but maybe she’s justified this time.