Hey everybody! Welcome. Thanks for dropping by. I'm so nervous this morning. I thought this would be a great idea--to let you all see the scribbly mess I start with--but it is making me kind of sick to my stomach. We're friends, right? And I know many of you are aspiring novelists. I'm posting this for you. If you just want the story, skip down to my next post to read the first revision of this scribbled scene. Rough drafts are incomplete, skeletal, sometimes the scenes get cut, and they always need a massive makeover. I write my first drafts by hand. I thought about typing this up so you can read it better, but I'll never get this novel written if I do that. And I would so cheat and edit it--I'm sure. I don't know if I'll scan in my rough drafts every day, but I will on occasion. I promise. I won't wimp out.
I'm an ARTIST WAY (Julia Cameron) devotee. My practice of writing morning pages helped me learn to tune into and capture scenes floating in my head when I wake up. It's an amazing tool and has led me to way more creative output than I ever thought possible. I scribble, scribble--in my bed, in my pjs--sometimes for minutes, sometimes for hours.
When I take my scribbled pink pages--today I'm using up some lovely pale peach, but I'll be back to pink soon--to my computer and type the scene for the first time, I revise as I go, trying to impose a little order. I'm working on the revision today and will post it this afternoon.
Okay. Enough stalling. Here's the scribbly mess. See you CAN write a novel. Look what a disaster I start with. Michael's dive logs ALWAYS come to me first. This will be preceded by a Leesie poem about their journey--which I need to go plot out on Expedia!
Wow Angela, I can't believe your courage! It means a lot to an aspiring novelist like me to see where all this begins.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Angela, I love it! This looks just as promising as Unbroken Connection did (no surprise there. Really). I honest-to-God love your work and also love how you find newer ways to let your fans (like me) follow this part of Michael and Leesie's journey from scrap to publishing! It really adds a whole other dimension to the experience and makes me LOVE this series so much more!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS!
An ever ardent fan
Sana
Okay. Okay. I'll keep posting the rough drafts. My goal for Monday is Leesie's poems.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have HALF of your talent /haha/. You are an AMAZING writer.
ReplyDeletesoo excited!!
ReplyDeleteTalent? 90% perspiration. 10% inspiration. All I do is capture it and then sweat over it until I've got it halfway readable.
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome. Rough drafts have never been so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most appealing things from the draft is that not only Leesie is facing a "spiritual battle", but Michael's also facing it.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you are so awesome. I am in awe of your rough drafts. So this is how an awesome writer weaves her magic and turn it into a great book. Woah... (yeah, I am ogling since I am reading Taken by Storm right now)
ReplyDeleteWow. It's just so cool to see the very, very first draft. Such a brilliant beginning. Can't wait to see where you go with this.
ReplyDeleteCool! Thanks for the encouragement. More on Monday!
ReplyDeleteThose words all are each like beautifull pieces of a wonder full painting. This amazing. u leaves all all once again in awe
ReplyDeleteWow! I love it! Thank you for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteJust finished Unbroken Connection today... loved it! But... it made me sad. Anyway, now I'm here to check out what's going on with this new blog of yours! And to get a sneak peek I suppose of what Michael and Leesie are up to! Fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, aboard, Suey. Glad you're here.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am from Grand Cayman so I have to say your book title is way cool xD. I wish you all the best!
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