I got the first rough sketch from the artist today. I had an e-mail from him last week that it would be coming today, and I must have checked the e-mail 50 times...and there, at 10:30 AM, was the sketch. The characters are wonderful...beautiful detail. The sketch was a possible layout for the cover. I had a few small suggestions, but I was pleased with the character development.
I also met with Jan M. She has access to a computer program that does professional looking sheet music, so I should be able to get that as early as Friday of this week, and send it off for the registration as soon as I make a zillion photocopies! She was so sweet - she talked about performing the song at a concert in December. I also met the woman I spoke to on the phone earlier in the summer. She's teaching at the elementary school where I walk. She had duty this morning, and we just struck up a conversation. I approached her on a whim. It turns out she and I have a great deal in common.
I've started in retyping the first draft of the novel. I have the pages, but they are hard-copy, and impossible to edit easily. I am not happy about parts of it, but I can not yet see the solution to my objections in my mind. When I was designing the children's book, as soon as I solved a key question of narration, the rest just fell into place. This is harder. Some passages are too conversational. If I'm going to tell it from the child's point of view instead of from the safety of adulthood looking back, I'm really going to have to refine the voice. I still think first person is the best approach, but I am not "convinced" about just who my narrator is.
In all, yes, I'm making progress, but not quickly. I want it all done yesterday.
Unfortunately,I rarely get what I want. Perhaps that's a good thing in disguise! I want some silly stuff sometimes.
3 comments:
Hello,
I was just doing my morning session of "surfing the net" and happened to come across your blog. My name is Luis and I am a writer wannabe. I'm a proud father of 4 boys and spent many evenings lying in bed with them and making up stories. The boys are 20,18,15 and 13 now, but we still chuckle about the late nights spent laughing our butts off during out storytimes.
Over the years I drifted away from writing/making up stories. Mainly because the boys were just getting older too fast(as kids always do). Then My marraige fell apart and I began writing again. Poetry this time. I got alot of anger,frustration and despair onto those blank pages. Time slowly passed and the dark clouds drifted away and let the sun shine in my life once again.
I met a wonderful woman and have found happiness. She has a niece thats 4 yrs old. Once again I'v found myself making up stories. I find it easy to make them up as I tell them. Everyone keeps telling me "oh you should write children's books" and "gee, I think your stories are great..blah, blah, blah" I find their opinions encouraging and inspiring. I begin to look into publishing and read about how difficult it is and how costly it can be. It always takes the wind out of my sails and leaves me drifting again.
I know I'v rambled on long enough.Just wanted to let you know that I find your blog interesting, informative and inspiring. Admittedly, I haven't read more than 2 entries, but am looking forward to dropping by on my sessions of "surfing the net"
Saw your blog today and find it interesting and informative. I'v only read a few entries, but look forward to stopping in more often to read more.
The entry you'll probably be most interested in is the one about different options - August 21, drowning in minutia. Thanks for visiting.
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