Grazie tutti

The chip on my shoulder typically provides enough motivation. Recently, though, a few friends have stepped up in small ways to show their support which has meant more than I thought it would.

On three separate occasions at work lately, I've mentioned "meetings" I had after work without going into much detail. In each case, independent of each other, three talented and sweet co-workers with far more on their plates than an underling's side project, have asked, "About the book?" "Unfortunately, no," I'd reply, but the fact that they remembered and perhaps hoped that for me, was very cool.

And just the other day an old friend (howdy, Kurt!) told me that he followed this blog. I had no idea. This made me wonder who else looked on from afar.

While this blog originated to shame myself into writing consistently and into completing the projects I started, the added bonus of support, of people rooting for you, certainly helps and is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all.

Now back to editing.

Progress Report, Writer's Cut

I'm now over half way through editing the latest draft. I've done a better job of bringing the lead female character, Besat El-Reeh, to the fore. The rest is hard to tell. Fucking with any of it is kind of like handling melted chocolate. It's sticky, it's gloppy, it can make a mess quickly and for all to see, but if you get it right, it's delicious.

What I know if nothing else is, the next time I meet a published author the one question I want to ask him or her will be, "So, how much did you have to compromise to get published?" Never mind the understood follow up question, "And how does that make you feel?"

May there one day be a writer's version of the "editor's cut."

Plugging Along

Just a quick update. I'm getting up an hour earlier than usual to edit. Am making progress little by little, day after day. There are no quick fixes here, just gotta stick with it and see it through.

September Call Up

Assuming the Yankees avoid a Mets-like collapse in September (...), they should be headed for the playoffs in October. While I will continue to keep tabs on my team, I figure setting an October 4th (last day of the regular season) deadline for the next draft of ACYW is doable.

I've identified all the editing I need to do and have already knocked off the small stuff. The big stuff remains. Most notably, I've decided to tell the story from the point of view of Besat El-Reeh, the young Arab American reporter, more. It'll still be third person omniscient, but with a good helping of Besat.

For Family, I've written two versions of the first paragraph and continue to jot down notes about characters, voice and scenes. I reckon, in general, though, that the project will get pushed to the back burner while I focus on ACYW.