We took a little detour on the way to Sedona.
Last week, we hung out with my brother and his wife in the Caribbean on a little island called St. Bart’s. Through his work my brother has access to a house St. Bart’s for one week a year. They’ve invited us in the past but we’ve never been able to go because we were both teaching, and school was in session. So, we seized the moment.
Needless to say, we had a great time. Warm air. Warm ocean. Wonderful people.
Writing wise, I didn’t work on the two YA novels I’ve been rewriting. Nor did I start a third one that I have plans for.
Instead, in my journal I scribbled a rough draft of a picture book about a boy on the beach, which stretched my writer-mind. Having only 500 words to tell a story really makes you pick them carefully.
The time off from the YA novels was good for me. Physically, it helped to heal up my wrist. And mentally, sometimes distance from my work is the missing ingredient in being able to see the way forward.
This week I’ll be revising a YA novel that is just past the first draft stage.
I’m also working out some internet connection issues. New place. New network. My computer and the wireless router here just aren’t communicating the way they should be. Luckily, my wife’s computer and the router have hit it off. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to post this.
What are you working on this week?
YOU’RE SO LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!! The warm sand. The beautiful water. I’m from the Keys, so I KNOW how lucky you were. 🙂
The picture book sounds good. I’ve written lots of them. (which I plan on getting an agent for too.) Tight writing, my friend. And STRONG verbs.
Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
SEDONA!! GASP! Oooh, how I would love to visit that town! And the beach looks fantastic too.
Working on module one of a creative writing course, a blog post in support of “16 days activism against gender violence” and doodling with an idea for a short story competiton (the 2011 W&A one). Oh, and Xmas shopping! 🙂
Glad to have you back on line, Paul and that the trip went well. Your break from your mss probably did you good! 🙂
Judy(South Africa)
I’ve missed so much during my break! SO are you in Arizona now? What a beautiful opportunity you had to go to that island! Wondeful!
I am at 35000 words on my WIP and enjoying the slow process more than ever. Just going along with it and not rushing.
Wow. Sounds like life is good! I’m glad to hear. Free time is a true luxury.
So, your wrist is hurting too! I’ve had to lay off twitter and some other on-line activities to save my hands for writing my novel. I’m in the final stages of revising before I query.
This weekend, I also looked over another YA story that I played around with in the summer while taking a break from my WIP. Boy does that need some work! I can’t wait to start digging into that one.
Yep. It’s important to take time away from your writing so you can see it with fresh eyes.
Paul, if you could see me now you’d notice I look a bit like Fiona from Shrek. I am so green with Envy! I would looooooove to go to St. Barts. It’s so amazing that you were able to spend some time there, kicking back at the beach.
AND the fact that you wrote a picture book while vacationing? That’s really cool. You’re right, you definitely stretched your muscle there.
Good luck on your YA revisions!
You’ve re-emerged with that photo just in time to make me jealous! Winter hit us this week, at least winter southern BC style, so St. Bart’s sounds heavenly.
I don’t often take time away from my works-in-progress until the first draft is finished but I’m slogging along with my current ms in NaNoWriMo and beginning to feel like I need to step back for a look. I’m hoping I can persist until the end of the month before I wind down to a standstill.
So good to get your head out of your manuscripts AND totally in a new locale. Looking forward to seeing how the break and the new location affect your process!
“And mentally, sometimes distance from my work is the missing ingredient in being able to see the way forward.”
yes, totally agree. I am getting somewhere good with my wip and am actually looking forward to revising the end. I’ve been reading tons lately too. The Blue Sword and The Tension of Opposites. Both very good, but really incomparable beyond that. One is high fantasy YA and the other is contemporary YA. Love the possibilities within the genre.
As I look outside at the mounds of snow, cloudy skin and frigid temperature, I’m totally green with envy.
WOW! You really did hit a detour! 🙂 Looks like it was a beautiful, amazing one! What a change for you this time of year, eh?
So what are we going to call you this winter? We won’t be able to call you Northwriter! Hope you get that internet connection running soon. I would feel completely unsettled without mine!
wow, what a beautiful place to write!! And yes, writing short short stories are difficult but great because they force the writer to be concise.
Good luck with all your projects. I’m still working on my YA novel for NaNo. I’m at 38k (I’m aiming for about 60k) but I need 50k by the end of November so the pressure is on.
Hey, cool photo. I know that would inspire me!
Good to have you back! What a change from where you live. T his week I’m taking time with my family and a break from my wip because I’ll stress out if I try and put a writing goal in with Thanksgiving and then setting up the tree…holiday stuff to the max!
Hi, Paul – I’m working fairly patiently on my revision…patiently, because I know this first pass is just that – a first pass, take-stuff-out, put-new-stuff-in “re-visioniing.” Story elements changing, feeling more organic. So, good, but lots to do. I am inspired along the way by re-reading old favorites that remind me of the highest quality of work, and energize me to dig as deeply as I can to make my own work as excellent as possible.
Ah, I feel relaxed just looking at that picture. What a perfect interlude. Once you get that pesky internet problem resolved I bet this turns into a productive, exciting season for you. Change and time-off can be so refreshing.
Me? Total rewrite. It’s strange territory, which I’m taking one step at a time. And all will be interrupted by a day of travel and feasting. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Just a *little* detour, huh? 🙂 Enjoy your travels, writing and musings.
Now that looks like a beautiful place! It sounds amazing, too.
Good luck with your writing! I find that taking a break can be beneficial, too.
St. Barts!? WOW. You know how to live!
Sounds like a very nice vacation! I agree that taking a break from something (as long as it isn’t too long of a break) can really help you gain a fresh perspective and renewed energy.
I can sympathize with your internet issues. We had to replace the wireless router here at the house, and now it won’t let me get on the internet at all. Though it’s happy to the other computers in the house surf to their heart’s content. Thankfully, I’ve been able to “borrow” a neighbor’s signal, but it is annoying.
That’s a beautiful picture.
Your writing will pick up. I don’t know how I’d focus on my wips if I were there.
St. Barts! Sounds like an amazing and therapeutic trip. So glad you had a great time, filled the creative well, and relaxed!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wow, from one gorgeous homefront to another… you done good. Keep us updated on the beauty of the surroundings and the success of your writing.