Into the rain

My superhero David Bowie used to set himself tasks in the pursuit of excellence. No time can be wasted if you're doing something that could, and should, bring about some kind of change, or different grasp on reality.
So I set myself a task: as this story quite often takes place on rainy nights, I must go out on rainy nights too. To keep the feel...
It was raining hard, and in no time my jeans and coat were drenched. I couldn't see very much under my umbrella and I couldn't hear too well, either, as the raindrops drummed about my head. I called by a cashpoint, and, a couple of minutes later, had to call by the same cashpoint again: I'd dropped a glove. Such things capture murderers... :-o)
My cousin Alison has baked me a cake for my birthday - A Carrot Cake In Blue. It's on her Facebook, so I'll have to post it on mine for posterity. She's captured the ancientness of writing and forged it into a cake, a tribute to her artistry in this field! I'm amazed at Ali's imagination in constructing this. Of Coffee And Cake - the history of my life.
Chapter 15 has been written, though not in its absolute literary form: I've left some room for future thoughts. It's good - I like what I've written, as it's light, with lots of dialogue and a bit of intrigue. Panning it out further right now, trying to encompass more than I know concernng all events, would be a moderate move on my part. So I'm looking at the next chapter - cripes, if I could complete every chapter in one night like I did this one, I'd have all three books down by Christmas! But I think I can point at any chapter now and say: this one, tonight, and get into things fairly quickly. Promising!
Tomorrow, and a date with blue icing...

Thoughts on completion

Most of the time, these past nine days, have been spent sparring around the order of events. Some things bothered me, mainly because some other things hadn't been resolved, which then affected something else.
Looking at what I called a Timeline and an addendum I called a Storyline, I feel now that the narrative is almost complete in note form. Should anything happen to me, anyone taking up this project would be able to follow a reasonably cogent picture of what I call a 'written movie' - very little 'tell', lots of show. Hopefully, that is what it is!
Whatever changes brought about by the Intrepid Four's thoughts, the narrative 'as is' must be able to withstand changes, therefore it is my interpretation that is the key. And I do think it can withstand changes - it must, otherwise I'm wasting my time and maybe should take up some other form of self-torture.
Once the full story has been offered back to the Intrepid Four for final analysis, the next step would be to try to find an agent. Unless we all think otherwise e.g. halfway, two thirds in, perhaps. I must stress that any decision to approach an agent with this work would be after advice, as I am not the greatest judge of 'when' in that aspect, nor who.
If I sound lacklustre in this post, it's because it's after 5 a.m. and I don't write during the day. Cripes, you know I went out on Sunday - it was great to see the guys, but my hermit-like existence is killing me. Had some great conversations, but left after about 6.30 as I needed to sleep. I'm a bit tired now...  :-O  sleep most of the day today I hope.
Writing tonight, of course!

Jeez this gets tougher!

Somehow, I managed to step out of the zone I'd created... and lost myself off. I know why, or at least, I know what I was trying to do: shift into a new area within the story. I didn't have to do anything more than write, except I'd already written the next chapter and fiddling with minor bits caused me to stumble and lose my step.
Gradually got my head back to where I was at, and the support system that is my notes helped me out. I honestly didn't realise how extensive my notes were. Glad they are there. This is not a short story, and there will be at least three... I couldn't say for sure if I'll have half done by the end of this year, but if I do I'll be pleased I've got that far.
Shook a few bones in an online chatroom tonight - where? why? what?   Mmmm, just throwing a bit of controversy into what was a rather sedentary discussion. Was all in a good cause, as it helped with what I was doing - me searching again. And I was trying to find out what yer average joe/joanna actually knew about what they'd said. A bit inconclusive, in the end, but it was fun viewing different people's reactions. I like to throw the odd hand grenade in, but, on balance, it wasn't really worth it this time.
Good to remember that Keats used dashes... I'm in good company! '-)
Noticed, too, that my Russian readers are falling - come back! lol I'm not all that mad, really I'm not...

The Prologue Revisited

Among other things thus far left out of the stuff I sent to the guys, is the prologue. I kid you not: it made grim reading. Since the decision was made to set it to one side, I've not looked at it since. This is deliberate, as I need the freshness of a new look when the moment has come to revisit it. At the last read, the prologue had little life - lots of information - but little life. I'd love to have rewritten it entirely and had this foundation underpinning everything written afterwards. I won't leave it too long to rewrite, but I feel I need to reach into the future with the new chapters, capturing a bit more information/knowledge, before attempting to work on it more. As I've said previously, a prologue may not be desired by anyone other than myself. I'll make it available, then, just in case. Considerate, aren't I? lol ;-)
In case anyone thinks I might not have noticed, my blog viewing figures have lurched upwards out of recognition. People from as far away as Russia and the far east, as well as Australia and... let's not forget, South Shields... visit my blog to read my less than sane ramblings. Of course, given that followers of Dave Pimm, Richard Howse, MG Harris, Amy Engelhart could probably overspill onto my facebook page, I believe you have to be a facebook 'friend' to actually see my blog link. But it could overspill from blogs themselves, and these guys have them.
Hmmm, I usually leave myself logged in, then wander off for hours to the life-enhancing maze that is Youtube. Could be Vika's fans (vkgoeswild to the uninitiated) having an effect. And Dale Kavanagh's, too. Hey, what if I go to Lady Gaga's Marry The Night and say something outrageous like: Grace Jones FTW! Do you think some of the 46,000,000 we are told have visited that one song might have a quick peek at my channel and say F-something back ;-) Death by networking lol
You know, I could be getting spidered-out. Now that would be something, too. Hardly, though - I'm not even nearly famous now. Ask Cliff!!!
Thanks for reading, anyway. Do stop by and chat if you like, guys - I'd like that very much x  But if not, and it's all an illusion...    A Good Nite to you all  :-) x

A Small Matter Of Thinking Technology

The shift in direction at chapter 14 calls for a change in attitude. The previous 13 chapters have created a base upon which to launch the rest of the book. Chapter 13 could have been better, but I didn't dare write any more: I needed a time-out to crystallize what I was trying to say and I'm sure the Intrepid Four will give me some grief for what I've said already. But I have to treat that part of the book as a separate entity. Plenty of time to get fractious over the fractions! :-)
Music, notes and references all need to be reviewed, allowing me to consider the next chapters with a different outlook. It's a small adjustment, but it has to have a big effect on how I'm thinking.
I have to bring in other areas now, and fit them into the reader's perspective. The entertainment perspective. That's not to say I haven't done that so far, just that I have to be aware that the longer the story goes on, the harder I have to work to keep the reader wanting to turn the page.
New people, new scenes; original people moving through these scenes, affected by these scenes, not overshadowed by the new people and new scenes, unless that is required.
Controlling these new people and scenes is my job and everything has to fit. And what I've seen, I must try to recreate so that the picture in my head is transferred to the page and then into the reader's head.
I'm off now, nearly two weeks to consider things. I couldn't say if I will write a lot. But I will think a lot.
I feel a trip to the Dolly Peel coming on...

Once more into the breach

I'm looking at the next chapter, which has already been written. Still slightly unhappy about my own tying-in of things in the previous chapter - it's rather unfinished, and though I have most of it down ok, there is still a bit of 'thought-smoothing' to do. I'm not anti-religion, just there is a point to what I'm attempting to say and, therefore, need to make sure I don't get sidetracked or dig a hole while doing it. I'm glad I'm over the 'hump in the road', which was causing me real problems, so it's really a matter of ensuring the story follows itself. I can't think of everything from the outset, so long as I cover every issue eventually. The Intrepid Four will inform me of any shortcomings, but that's the whole point: different eyes see different things. Important things.
I believe that every once in a while I will have to look back and ensure that the writing is tight and that I don't just tail off sometimes. It's part of the whole process.
Now on to the next chapter! We move into a different area within the story, though it is a logical step, given the people already there. Though this chapter has already been written, I'm looking at the opening words, trying to avoid a bit of jar. Changing scene is good. Gotta make sure it works. The next three months will be hard... enjoying it, but it sure takes a lot out of you!
I've promised myself that I'll live more after the New Year. I've made this kind of resolution before, but as I think I'm writing more easily, it's something I feel I can stick to this time.
Ain't no stopping us now, we're on the move...

Movies 'n' Popcorn

The other night I settled down with some crisps and popcorn to watch Real v Man City. By half-time I was pretty fed up - no goals, and though Real were far too good for Citeh, it didn't seem like the second half would be much better. I stopped watching and busied myself with a few things around the house. Cue five goals in the second half, all of which I missed! Bugger!
What it also means is that I've got loads of crisps and popcorn left. Well, waste not want not! So, as part of my relaxation this weekend, I've got American Gangster and Season of The Witch. I've had both dvds for a while, but something always seemed to happen to stop me watching them. This weekend seems as good a time as any to try and watch them both. Why not - and with a couple of bacardis n coke to help me along!
Lights...

So, I've sent copies to the Intrepid Four!

At long last!
Thirteen chapters have winged their way to Dave Pimm, Richard Howse, Noel Deighton and Rebecca Speight. The task of deciphering my mad ramblings has begun - and as it's thirteen chapters, upon which side of the coin of luck will it all fall?
Everything's polished to a fair degree, though not up to agent-review standard, as I always like to leave room for more. Once these guys have had a look, changes will need to be made - believe me, nothing gets past this lot. You hope the changes won't be major, but change must be made whatever it needs to be.
And then I've got to get through the whole first story - then we'll know if it's any good or not.
I'm tired and I need to think of the next step. Subsequent chapters, both written and 'not yet', await.
I now need to go to youtube to help relax, and I need some honey. That's not a euphemism - I've run out of honey for tea! Although, then again... ;-)
Goodnight x

Off for two days - yep, you guessed it...

This is my life, either writing, or reviewing my writing. Failure will hurt badly; not trying would hurt even more! So I travel on... At the end of two days, the Intrepid Four will receive their copies of 'the story so far', and I will press on with what needs to be done in the meantime.
By the way - nothing to do with this, but...
I was stopped, recently, by a young guy with 'Church of Jesus Christ' on his badge.
"Can I talk to you for a short while," he said.
"Sorry," I said. "But I am in a real hurry (I was!), but while there is famine, murder, rape and all kinds of misery going on in this world, I'm afraid, if there is a Jesus Christ, he long turned his head away from this planet!"
"So," said the young man. "If there was none of this, you would believe that there is a Jesus Christ?"
"No," I replied. "It is going on, and has been for a long time. He does nothing about it, therefore he can't do anything about it, otherwise, if he does care as much as he should, he would do something about it. He is doing nothing - nothing!" Or words to that effect.
I had to go, and left him muttering something I couldn't hear.
I've heard it all before, been a churchgoer as a kid, sang in the choir, went to Catholic schools, then experienced life outside of all that. I have no answers to the world's ills from those early days, nor do I have them from my time afterwards.
In the end, I feel it's about people. Only people have the power to change and effect change. The rest is all theory and hearsay. Just my opinion.

A review before my reviews!

Having written the final piece of this beginning, I'm now able to review what I've done before sending it out to the Intrepid Four for their critiques. I don't really expect to hear back from the guys for at least a month, maybe even longer, by which time I will need to have entered another phase in the story. I need to consider my next step in the telling of this tale and then make it.
It feels great to have got this far, as I struggled to find the right move into a delicate area that needed a strong approach. I like the scenes I've created - it's the kind of story I would want to read. It may not feel that way to others. The reviews may indicate mistakes - they have done so in the past - but I've always tried to treat them as an augmentation i.e. they are there to help so must be treated with respect and trust. They've never been destructive, which is a huge part of the process set in a positive way. Worth the wait, for sure!

Congratulations to Rich and Katie

Richard, one of the Intrepid Four, got married very recently. Marvellous photos on Facebook. I'm sure Rich and Katie will have a long and happy life together. May I wish the best of everything to you both.
See, it's not all doom and gloom on this blog lol!  ;-)   :-))))

What of the future?

The worst part of trying to project into the future is that part of your thinking that turns into the negative. What on earth do you do if/when the rejection slips come at you?
It can take months, a year or two, even, to realise that it isn't going to happen. What a horrible thought. I shivered at it and banished it to the 'just make sure it doesn't happen' file. And made a mental note not to go there again.
The Intrepid Four and Agents: that's where it will be decided, not in a loosely-conceived future scenario I haven't yet reached.
I must stay positive!
I'm not far off mailing my readers this beginning. We are well into the story now, and it's starting to open out. I now have to decide the movement after this. I've got lots of notes, so I'm not at any kind of loss. Every time I've written a chapter I've worried about its validity, then it has found its place and my previous thought processes have been proven correct. Got to trust that.
At some place at, or before, the midpoint, I must decide the positioning of other flashbacks - I've placed one already and I believe it works 'in context'. A snap decision worked out, which proved once again that creative influences will always find a way and worrying is really counter-productive. There are not many flashbacks, and they have top reasons for being there.
Patience and time. The future will take care of itself, so living in the moment will be beneficial if I continue to do that.
Just a little rain must fall... upon us all...