Finished applying edits to the first 8 chapters. Fixed a few plot conflicts and changed the history of one minor character a bit. I want to finish this phase soon so I can get back to the story.

Finished with the review and editing of the first 20 chapters.  Need to make some changes before I go on with the story.

Finished editing chapter 16 last night.  That is the end of part I.  Fell asleep thinking about plot lines in part II.  Also proved even more to myself how important it is to read it out loud for editing purposes. 

Going to the annual Balloon Fest today.  Time to get out of the house.  The weather is perfect, unlike usual days in August when it's too hot

Finished editing Chapter 15.  Just 6 more to go, then I'll dive back into new stuff

Finished editing chapter 14.  Need to add more detail about emotional states and re-think the attitude between the boys and the girls.  Today's readers may not connect.

This past weekend, I was driving through the old downtown section of our little town and first the first time in several years I stated to look at things with my "Writer's Eye".  I saw a closed factory, a brick building, whose side had been partially covered up by stucco and the original theater that's under going remodeling and will be re-opened "any day now". 

But what I really saw was stories!  Story ideas!  I love it!   

Finished the initial re-write of chapters 1 and 2 (or prologue and chapter1).  Will re-read it in the morning and see if I still like it.

Need to check on school for that time period.  It's Autumn, but the kids may already be out for harvest or may be too old.  Need investigation.

After a writing club review, I'm expanding the prologue and renaming it to chapter 1.   I'm rewriting the beginning of now chapter 2 to better connect the prologue to that chapter.  I need to express the passage of time, but without giving away the amount of time passed.

Edited up to Chapter 13.  Need to revisit some of the interaction between characters and the history of Vallea.

Read and edited up to Chapter 9 last night.  Found a major part I need to change about Samuel Lewis.  Some places need a major re-write.

I've jumped back into the Lost Princess of Vallea again.  I think the dry spell is finally over!  I've been working on some notes and re-reading the first 21 chapters, applying edits as I need them.  It's been so long since I was deep into the story that I've lost my way... I've lost where I was going.  Time to re-think and map out the rest of the first novel.

It's been a while since I wrote anything here.  It's been even longer since I worked on the novel.  I'm beginning again--this week!  At least 30 minutes before bedtime.  I'm going to start by re-reading the first twenty-one chapters, then finish my notes on the design of Vallea, then jump back in!  Wish me luck!

I had an idea.  Gideon is from a broken home.  His father just disappeared.  He lost his home, his friends.  He moved to another town.  He's too compliant.  He's passive-aggressive, but he needs to be more angry.  He doesn't need to be a 'bad kid', but maybe a 'troubled kid'.

Need  to think about that.

it doesn't fit.

My Writing Hat, that is.  I try to put it back on, but it just doesn't feel right.  I adjust it this way and that, but I can't get it comfortable.

No, I'm not talking about the one in the picture.  I'm talking about getting back into the writing mindset.  Writer's block?  Maybe, but with working in MySQL all day, reading the blogs, trying to stay current on everything, the brain just refuses to think creatively, at least story-wise.  I want to finish my novel.  But I also want to stay gainfully employed.  

Decisions, decisions...

Nena and I are enjoying a nice vacation in Dallas.  Got to meet Matt's girlfriend, Rachel.  She is very nice.  The two of them are a perfect match and make a great couple. 

Visited my old Awana Club for opening ceremonies.  It was a wonderful surprise to see Linda and Omeda back in Cubbies.

Tomorrow we are going to see some of Nena's friends and then go to the state fair on Tuesday.  Don't know about Wednesday yet.

On our way back Friday, we will pick up Mikki's new, yet-to-be-named puppy.  He is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

I checked out Writer's Cafe and I think it will work fine for me.  I especially like the StoryLine module.  It's helping me lay out the second part of TLPOV, with all of it's multiple plots.

I also found Writer's Beat while looking for reviews on Writer's Cafe.  I uploaded the prologue to TLPOV and I've received some very good advice.  I will do my best to frequent it as much as possible.

I'm in Chicago this week, so I plan on spending alot of evenings writing.  I hope to have chapter 21 done before I get home.

I'm gonna try Writer's Cafe.  There is both a Windoze version and most importantly, a Linux version.  It looks promising and I've read nothing but good reviews about it.  I think it will help me lay out the multiple story lines in part II of TLPOV.

I've read all 20 chapters of The Lost Princess of Vallea to Mikki and realized there is no more!  The gears are starting to turn again.  I'm getting an idea of what how I want to finish it.  I'm going to print out the rest of the book this week.  Nena says she'll read it next week while I'm in Chicago and help me with some ideas.

I wanted to go back to the MySQL User Conference next year, but they picked the week that my second wedding anniversary falls on.  The Mrs. is more important!  I'll catch the conference in 2010.