Revisions

How to start? Where to begin?
These are critical questions for the beginning of a new manuscript and usually something I get wrong the on the first draft. Thankfully, in fiction there are rewrites.
Revisions aren’t easy; usually it’s a struggle trying to decide what to keep and what to change. What changes make the story best? How to make the changes and keep the elements of the story you envisioned? It’s always a struggle.
But trying to get it right from the beginning is the hardest part. Life doesn’t always follow the prescribed pattern. Neither does fiction, but as the writer you control that-right?
Sometimes.
Maybe.
Well, no not always. That’s why there are rewrites, so you can make it better, make it the best.
I guess you can tell I’m struggling with the rewrites. Strike this, save that, change the wording here-all notes that must have your attention.
The reward, the part I’m having trouble envisioning, is a manuscript that is better than when you began. So I’ll get back to it!
Life is good. Enjoy the rain.
Ella

Finding Characters

Happy Belated Mother’s Day to everyone! Yes, even you guys-cause you know!
I slept in. It was totally awesome. Then there was the familiar beep of an incoming text. My son wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day and wondering what plans I had, having none he invited me to spend the day with him! He needed to study, and I needed to write so we headed to Starbucks. Yes, every mother needs a Carmel Macchiato on Mother’s Day and none of the low or nonfat stuff today, please. I think it was the best I’ve ever drank! Certainly it was the best I’ve had this year. The cup came with a personalize Mother’s Day message, how special is that?
But, here’s the best part. I’ve been having trouble with a character; female, blonde, late twenties, sophisticated yet vulnerable-and there she sat at the very first table with her mother and grandmother! I had to stop myself from asking if I could interview her, and I had to be very careful how I obtained information. I needed to stare covertly. It’s an art.
I had Gracie (my sweet little notebook) out and was typing as fast as my fat little fingers would go. I typed nonstop for ten minutes, details and impressions. It was fabulous. I even got some of the interaction between the women; subtle body shifts, amused quirks of an eyebrow, the sudden flash of independence or disapproval. The thing I can’t describe yet is how this young woman managed to cross her legs while sitting down and do it gracefully. It was one fluid motion of easy, graceful movement and I’m not sure how it happened. Too bad I couldn’t ask her to do it again! ;-)
After they left, I was on a mission, how many other characters could I find, describe for current works or future unplanned projects. There was the mom in Panda Express with five small children, yes five under the age of ten, and she was grace under pressure as she wished me Happy Mother’s Day in the most beautiful, serene voice.
The afternoon was reserved for shopping or window gazing and some serious people watching. IKEA, Half-Priced Books, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy and everywhere I went-there they were, characters living life and enjoying time in the company of people they loved.
The man alone on a restaurant patio lazed back with one ankle resting negligently on his knee. Babies in carriers, wide eyed or sleeping; in Stone Briar Mall there was a young couple on a bench, baby draped over dads knees sucking down a bottle of milk while mom relaxed. And in the play area, fathers and grandfathers played with the kids so the ladies could shop in peace.
The weather was stunningly wonderful, enriching this day made for spending time with families into a small slice of heaven right here on earth. And then I found these!Kisses From Heaven.
Life is good! Live with passion!
Ella

Rambling Excuses

It’s the last week of April, a full third of the year gone. I find it amazing that it’s so late in the year. A lot of living has occurred in the last four months; a lot of writing, but not enough.
I’m a character writer and a very lucky one. Usually, my characters come forward and want to tell me their story (no, I’m not crazy-gifted)-all I have to do is write it-right? Wrong! So wrong.
I used to believe that, I was just telling the story as the character revealed it to me. Now, ever so many years later I know they give me the basis and it’s up to me to enhance, tweak and shape the manuscript into something readable. Something sellable. That is the goal; to write and sell and do it while I’m alive to enjoy the ride.
The current manuscript is proving difficult, I tell myself because it’s more challenging. The plot is more developed and the subplots-interesting. I tell myself it’s the best yet.
But, I’ve given the first three chapters to critique partners and they’ve read and commented on the manuscript. Both have asked me what I thought of their comments-I honestly don’t know. I’ve found more excuses to not open those documents than kids can think of when they forgot to do their homework. What if they hated it? What if the plot isn’t good enough? What if…?
I wonder if I’m the only one plagued with self-doubt so crippling that the fingers freeze on the mouse, can’t double click to open the document or if other more confident writers would just blow off the comments. Do I have the right stuff for this job? I don’t know, but I’m out of excuses so I guess it’s time. Past time maybe.
Life is good!
Ella

Some Action Is Required

Today’s the last day to file you income tax, if you haven’t done filed some action is required today.
I used to wait until the last minute to file mine, back in the day when we mailed them; I happily joined the line of late night filers driving past the post office. The reason is so silly, you see by waiting to file late I got the refund check back around my birthday, yep-money, money, money for my birthday!
But it’s the last part of the sentence that got my attention; some action is required, today.
Isn’t it like that every day? Some action is required of us every day.
We eat, we sleep, we work, we shop…endless lists of action needed and there are lists from those lists.
I lost my calendar two weeks ago, yep all those lists of things to do-gone. I was lost. I missed several appointments, lost schedules and my lists of things to do.
I put everything in the calendar: mileage, notes on current projects, words written, challenges, achievements, quotes, reminders and lists. I really use my calendar; it’s my life. Or maybe a more accurate statement is I write my life on those pages. It’s a tool I use.
It allows me to take action, every day.
Life is good.
Ella

Reminiscing

Yesterday was a day of reminiscing.
People and events I hadn’t thought about in years—YEARS—kept popping into my mind. From childhood memories of cleaning off a corner lot so we could play sandlot baseball (hey the boys came to us) to college silliness and other things. Some memories were funny, reminding me of good times and good friends.
Try as I might, I couldn’t figure out why or what the trip down memory lane was about. What had triggered it? What was I supposed to glean from the flood of long forgotten memories?
Some brought tears to my eyes. Others simply reminded me how blessed I am.
My years are rich with memories of people who’ve touched my life, enriched it, changed or altered my path. Good times, bad times, sad times, my life in snippets of colorful clips.
As the previews played on the screen of my mind I saw the teacher who encouraged me to write my stories down. A friend’s mother showing me that you don’t have to birth a child to love it. The first time a friend betrayed me. The first time I fell in love. The joy and sorrows of a life fully lived. There were memories of grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, in-laws, children, nieces and nephews.
The emotional footprints of my life gave me pause for thought. I’ve learned so much from the people who populate my past. I continue to learn from those who grace my life today; our smiles, our tears, our attitudes.
I’m still not sure why all those memories chose to tumble across my brain, maybe it’s the full moon or maybe something that needs to be reinforced or relearned, but I enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
Life is good! Enjoy!
Ella    

Slaying the Dragon

I’m a mild mannered person, not usually given to fighting-but last Friday I found myself up against the wall and unable to turn the other cheek.
With the beautiful spring weather, I’ve left the doors open a few times. There was trash to put out, a two handed job if ever there was one, and no way to shut the door. A couple of times I left the door open while I checked the mail; with the warm temperatures I’ve turned off the heat.

Friday morning I’m getting ready for work. I reached for my shoes and there he was-a dragon!
I screamed, jumped backwards, bumped into the bed and almost toppled onto the floor. As sanity returned I felt a little silly, but the creature sat on top of my shoes opening his mouth and hissing.
What a dilemma! I realized I had no dragon slayer to call. I would have to fight this battle myself. The objective: to reclaim my shoes and drive the invader from my home.
How, I wondered, could I capture the dragon, retrieve my shoes and make it to work on time? There was no time to draft a battle plan. I needed to charge into action.
All this thinking and rationalizing probably didn’t take two minutes, but as I stared at the creature who had invaded my home, he continued to lift his body up and down and hiss at me. He was magnificent in his fury and to me, a novice dragon slayer, a truly terrifying sight.
I tried shooing him away. He pumped his body even more furiously. Okay, I thought, maybe I can wear another pair of shoes, but no I really needed that pair.
I vacated the bedroom, conceding Rounds One and Two to the invader.
I walked up the hall, searching for anything appropriate to use as a weapon, discarding first one item and then another. Plastic bags were out because they weren’t stiff enough to contain the creature. I’ve just recycled all the cardboard boxes. I walked through the kitchen and into the garage. Nothing presented itself as a likely weapon. Thursday was trash day, so pickings were slim as my grandma would have said.
The clock was ticking, anxiously I searched again. How I wondered would I explain myself if I were late to work? Would anyone understand? I needed my shoes!
Finally, I settled on a jar that had once held the most delicious sliced peaches. Silently, I sent a thank you to my son for sharing this find with me, but mostly I was grateful that they came in a glass jar that I hadn’t yet recycled.
Jar in one hand, whisk broom in the other, I returned to the bedroom. I approached my shoes; my uninvited guest was still there. He sat on top of my shoe as if prepared to defend it to the death.

It was a fierce battle, full of retreats and advances; but five minutes later I stood victorious! The gecko inside the jar. As I retraced my steps up the hall I issued a stern warning to the varmint to never come inside again. Boundaries are there for a reason, I said; you get to live outside, I get to live inside.
Life is good, I thought as I turned him loose in the Rosemary bush. In my mind I heard the music swell. Victory tasted like the sweetest honey.

SPRING!

Hello, sunshine! Welcome to Texas!
Even though we haven’t had a really hard winter, (and yes, we’re due for another freeze) I’m so ready for warmer temperatures. I was lucky enough to be born in Texas, fourth generation as a matter of fact on the maternal side. My heritage is in the country, I learned to celebrate spring early in life-as a child following my parents and grandparents around the family homestead.
I love spring and the warmer weather. I fantasize about living in a place where the temperatures don’t range from the low thirties in the morning and the high seventies in the afternoon. But deep in my heart I know I’ll never leave Texas. Texas is in my blood, my heart, my soul.
To celebrate spring, I’ve got the tomato plants ready to go and this year I bought some asparagus. I love fresh asparagus right from the garden, so I thought I’d grow my own. I know it’s a lot of work, but years down the road it’ll be worth it.

I love watching the grass turn green, the plants grow, all the blooming flowers and trees. If it’s March can Bluebonnets be far away? I look forward to Bluebonnets. And butterflies, I love watching butterflies flit from bush to bush and flower to flower. Their bright colorful wings catch the light and lift my spirits; they always make me smile. Oh and hummingbirds, don’t forget those beautiful winged speedsters.
Yesterday I saw a little boy trying to get a kite off the ground and into the air, it's spring.
Lawnmowers roared to life, it's spring.
Neighbors took time to chat as they cleaned flowerbeds or washed the cars, it's spring.
And let’s not forget the sound of steaks sizzling on the grill, it's spring.
When the day was done, light faded to darkness with a subtle softness and the promise of another spring day tomorrow.
It’s spring time in Texas, a time for love and laughter, fun and excitement.
Enjoy!
Ella

Where Do They Come From?

What is it with cardboard boxes? Do they breed? Do they call up their friends and invite them over? I mean where do all these things come from?
I did a little (A VERY LITTLE) cleaning and rearranging today and every time I turned around I was tripping over a cardboard box! Very small, small, medium, larger and extra large, they came in all sizes.
I’d flatten one and put it in the recycle bin, turn around and there would be two more! Where are they coming from? Is it a conspiracy? Is my house the only one affected?
Now I know I brought some of them home, I mean I’ve been shopping at the warehouse place, and some of them came with merchandise carefully packed in them, but seriously I think there is a problem.
How can one garage hold so many cardboard boxes?
Is there a limit to how many cardboard boxes I can put in the recycling? Will they pick them up?
I guess the real question is; will more appear before the garbage truck comes?
Ella

Grateful

A few days ago a friend forwarded an email from an American currently living in Egypt. Maybe it was real-maybe not, I didn’t check because the words struck a chord in my heart.
In a very straight forward fashion the writer gave an insider’s view of life in Egypt now and the near future; the hardships, precautions, obstacles to everyday life, of being safe, and hopeful. I sensed her courage, her determination to survive.
I take for granted things like fresh water (not to mention enough for a hot shower). I turn on the tap and water flows from it.
I take for granted fresh food and milk for my grandchildren. Those are a short trip to the market not a perilous journey of many hours that will probably prove fruitless.
I worry about my children being late to work and driving fast to make up the time, not being accosted on the way or having to work without pay for days on end because others can’t make it into work.
My mothers’ heart knows this woman’s fears, her pain. Those feelings are universal to women everywhere. We make a home where our families are safe and comfortable.
Her last paragraphs remind me how lucky I am to live here, in the U.S.A., in a place call Texas. It started me thinking about my life and the liberties we enjoy.
I am grateful to live in a country where I’m free to express my thoughts and live my life as I choose. Sunday I got to spend time with family; happy children ran enthusiastically around parents, aunts and uncles. Not once in the eight or nine hours we were together did any of us feel threatened.
I am grateful for this crazy life of mine; for family and friends who love and encourage me, for the simple pleasures that enhance and enrich my life.
Today as I go through my day I’m going to make a conscious effort to count my blessings and be grateful for everyone of them.
Want to join me? Please, leave a comment; I am grateful for…
Ella

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you spend it with someone you love. Do something unexpectedly wonderful and live in the moment that is this day and what it stands for.
Ella