Jenna Harte

I finally got some time and wrote 4000 words on my book. Over the years I have written the opening scene in a variety of ways, but this time I was finally able to get something substantial down on paper (or computer as the case may be). It still needs work. And I did find myself struggling a bit as I moved into later scenes. I picked up my book Make a Scene Make A Sceneby Jordan E. Rosenfeld to help me.

I recently came across some software that look like it could be helpful to me as well. Writer’s Blocks is a software allows you to have your notes on one side of the screen while tpying your document on the other sidie. I haven’t used the trial to test it out, but it looks like the kind of set up that would help me by keeping my ideas in front of me without having to move between tabs or pages. The only problem is that my new Asus Eee runs on Linux not XP (the XP version cost more…not so bad, but didn’t come in green. I really wanted green). I can add xp but I’d have to by xp or I can try to use a software called WineHQ that helps Linux run windows compatible programs. I think I’ll try the WineHQ first as its free. However, Linux is a lot like the old windows used to be when you’d have to go into DOS to do stuff. So I may want to move to XP anyway. I’ll want to try to install the Writer’s Blocks on my 4 gb SC disk so I can use it on my regular laptop as well.

Reading my last post, its clear I should be done with my draft. But I’m not done. I’m no where near done. Oh woe is me! I have no real excuse. I can tell you I’m busy. My work is up in the air. My husband was injured. They sound like good excuses. The problem is, there have been times when I thought, “I could be writing” but I didn’t. Part of it is that I work-at-home and sit at my computer all day. I don’t want to sit there all night too. I’ve got to come up with a plan….

If I wrote 1000 words a day, I could have a rough draft of my book done within 75 days. So why can’t I write 1000 words a day? I haven’t even written one word. My excuses are that I’m busy and have lots of more important projects. But watching House or American Idol aren’t projects or important.

Part of it is that I work at my computer all day and I get tired of it. I don’t want to sit at it at night time (the best time for me to write) as well. But if you want to reach a goal, sometimes you have to do the uncomfortable.

I finished writing my “and then…” outline. Some interesting things happened. While the overall story stayed the same, many scenes changed and others came into focus. I wish I’d thought of this sooner. I’m feeling much more relaxed now about the actual writing. Its almost like its all there, I just need to dictate it.

On the other hand, I haven’t actuall started writing…so it may not be as easy as all that. I’ll have to let you know!

I have been struggling to write my mystery and part of that has to do with figuring out the specifics. I have the idea, the basic plot and even a few details. But very quickly I’ve come to a point in which I don’t know what to say or do.

Do you know how children tell a story? “And then we went to grandmas house. And then we had pie…” I’ve decided to outline my stoy by writing it like a child would tell it. This is giving me the basic structure and content of the scene without having to write in complete sentences. And since I don’t have everything fleshed out, it has been helpful in getting ideas down that at least let me know how to get from one place to another. Its like having a place holder in which I know something goes there, I’m just not sure yet. But as I move on, more ideas come to me and I can go back and add them.

Of course its still early yet. I’m only on chapter three.