Projects?

I'm leaning heavily towards writing three more novelettes:

Shadow of the Watchtower in April.

Dead Mexicans in May

And probably Hard Rain in June.

July through September would allow me to finally start and finish the second draft of my novel Where are our Children?

And then starting in 2014 four novella sized works a year until the mind or body won't let me anymore.

more coming...

Reunion

I'm listening to "Reunion". It is a song on the Incredible Hulk Soundtrack. I love beautiful, poignant  instrumental music, especially when I'm writing. This is one of the nicest pieces I've heard in years. I will be adding this to my favorites. If any of you care for this type of music give it a listen to on Itunes or wherever you buy your music. 

Still Here

the JOB has been keeping me busy over the past week, but I'm still here.

Still brainstorming. Still plotting. I will have three days off next week and (hopefully) will get a second draft of Shadow of the Watchtower written.

Another round of brainstorming

A lot of ideas hitting me.

I'm also leaning towards one short story a month, keeping the process fun and free.

And the rewrite of where are our children could be done over the 90 days of summer.

orson scott card

I know the guy has some hard line opinions on religion and politics but his book on characters and viewpoints is a bible as far as I'm concerned when it comes to creating characters.

I'm not sure whether it is still in print or not, but if you can find a copy, it's worth the time and effort.

Snowlfake Method

let's see if I can do do this without looking at my guide...

Snowflake Method for Writing Novels:

1 Eye Catching Opening

 An opening event or events to catch reader's attention. May only be marginally associated with main focus of novel.

2. Follow Up

Introductions of major characters and their reactions to the opening stanza. These scenes lead up to the first plot point.

3. Plot Point

The unofficial official beginning of your novel. This is the event that truly sets things in motion. You must use a character or series of characters to set this event in motion.

4. Rising Action/Drama

Any final major characters must be introduced here. Relationships are strained. Major characters tested. Plot moves forward.

5. Climax

The high point (or low point) of your novel is reached. Delivered on all foreshadowed promises. Characters must be changed emotionally, mentally, and sometimes physically.

6. Reversals

Just when things couldn't look worse for your major characters it does. An outside influence may aid your plotting here: aliens, nature, natural catastrophe, a betrayer. Deliver something not foreshadowed here.   

7. Lowering Action/Drama

Characters fight through to the finale. We learn more about them through their actions.

8. Continuing Lowering Action/Drama

Characters slog through to the finale. These are your novel's dog days here. Tough it off though. You are almost home.

9. Though Producing Closing

This scenes wrap up a single volume novel. They also open up the door for new adventures in a series novel. Characters must be changed from the beginning.   

Again, I may not be the resource to listen to on this matter. I only have a first draft of a novel done, but without this method I would not have ever completed this. I do far MORE than this, in coming up with my scenes, but this is one of my initial steps.

If this helps ANY body then it's been more than worth of the time typing it up.

Plans

I'm leaning towards doing something with a familiar title, format. I want readers to be able to download a tale, and be able to download ANY other title without having to think about where, when, or how events took place before or after this present work.

I'm hesitant, because I want to make a competent decision and not look back. I want to look forward.

One thing is if I choose this course, I will be left with an unlimited supply of story ideas.

Choosing this category allows me simpler cover art as well.