Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.HE WROTE: The Dog Made Me Do It
I've got two manuscripts on the screen. Agnes and the Hitman. Chasing the Ghost.
The former I just got from Jenny. The latter I've been struggling with all week. And I still haven't figured out the plot. But I got some great characters. I think part of the solution is another device I recommend: combine characters. I've got like 15 people right now on my character sheet. But I could combine several of them and that not only reduces the number of characters, which is good, it also will tighten the plot as it will combine the roles those characters play.
I'm getting there.
I'm not going to look at Agnes until Ms. Jennifer is on the road. So she won't hear my screams. In space no one hears you scream. Which reminds me the guy who wrote Alien wrote the screenplay for my first Area 51 book.
I saw Alien at Ft. Benning the night before my first jump in Airborne school. Which really wasn't a smart idea.
I saw Star Wars the day before I reported to West Point.
So I've dated myself.
I saw Saturday Night Fever three years ago. So I'm younger than I appear. Thought it was a disco movie but it was really a very good potrayal of growing up in NYC outside of Manhattan during those years. Not that I was around then.
Well, I wrote the above this morning but didn't post.
Good thing we have this blog. Because I emailed Jenny and said: "Hey, you wrote on the blog we have 27,000 words but the Master you sent me this morning, and which I'VE BEEN WORKING ON ALL DAY, has only 25,000 words." And she was like, sorry, sent you the wrong Master.
Which is a key teaching point in our Collaboration PowerPoint Presentation: Make sure you know who has the master and keep track of it.
Don't try this at home.
And she didn't respond to my emails until after she got home and took a bubble bath? I mean, doesn't the word mission accomplishment mean anything any more? Bubble baths? There are no bubble baths in writing.
I'm just messing with her. Because the one I got was missing the Mother's scene which she mentioned. But she wrote it which counts for a lot. We're actually in good shape.
We're now exchanging emails about what drugs we're going to need on book tour. No, not that, I know what you're thinking. Let's put it this way, I tried St John's Wart at Kari's advice and it about made my head explode. Still love you girl. I'm very sensitive to medication. I know if I had ever done any serious drugs, I'd be dead. I can't even do hard liqour or wine-- tasted neither in over 25 years. Now I'm down to half-beer. And dog-sniffing. No, not that. I just rubbed my face in Hannah's fur. No, not that. Geez. You guys. Hannah being a long-haired German Shepherd. A breed not recognized in the US. Just found out last week she's bred for avalanche rescue, which there isn't much need for in South Carolina on a barrier island. So this winter going to drive her out to CO and let her run in the snow. Because a gal gotta be what a gal gotta be. Here she likes running down the yard into the Intracoastal in the summer and standing the water up to her neck. Except sometimes she drinks the salt water which has repercussions late at night.
This is just preparing you for postings during the tour. Which will be mindless and insane and full of dog-sniffing and drugs.
So the dog made me do it.
12 Comments:
I think dog sniffing is the sanest thing you've mentioned.............I have a Leonberger (ok, two) also not recognized in the USD. BUt awesome dogs, rescued at Ft Bragg a few years ago. Its snowing here in the Smokies and they are in heaven.
Camilla, off to sniff snowy doggie fur
Since my Brittany also enjoys running into the ocean and sometimes drinking sea water, I'm aware of those late night repercussions. Argh.
Bob, if there are dog-fur-sniffing episodes in writing, there are also definitely bubble baths.
You might want to pack some peppermint oil. It's good for the late night tension headaches you'll probably get from being on the road so much.
How will Moot cope?
Holy cow, Jenny is totally rubbing off if you have characters and no plot ;)
Nancy
Oops, wanted to clarify. Characters first and plot later. Didn't want it to sound like Jenny's book have no plot LOL :)
Nancy
St. John's WART???? Man, no wonder you had such a hairy reaction.
I thought I was going to be mature and restrained and not even mention the possibility of a pun on "drug-sniffing dogs."
But NOOOOOOOOOO.....
Just finished Bodyguard of Lies - at 2am - and was seriously disappointed that it was over. Perhaps part of the problem with Chasing the Ghost is that Hannah is now a long-haired German Shepeherd out of her natural element???
Sheryl
Cherry Magic
German Shepard huh? Don't you think that is rather- well- predictable for ex Special Forces guy? Have you considered a tiny little poodle or perhaps a maltese with a wee camo bow? I hear those tiny little dogs LOVE a bubble bath.
Yes to the peppermint oil. Origins makes a manly travel worthy peppermint lotion (de-stress, not to be confused with dis-tress).
Or you could just take a baggie full of shedded German Shepard fur.
Um, Bob? I think it's supposed to be "drug sniffing dogs," not dog sniffing and drugs. Get a grip, Babe.
If you are already this weird, and I mean that in the nicest possible way, (but really, 'dog-sniffing and drugs'?) about the tour, you might take a tip from the immortal Hunter S. Thompson...
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
I totally get the "dog sniffing"--I find it very comforting to curl up with my dog and just relax and rest my head on her side. I envy you your Alsatian shepherd--they are fabulous dogs! Too bad the USA hasn't caught on and seems to prefer the shorter-haired variety. It's also great that you can travel with your dog--makes coming "home" to a hotel room much more inviting. It has been proven that petting a dog or cat (or any pet, really) helps bring down your blood pressure. I know I sleep better with my Lucy on the bed with me!
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