Junkie

"We do not write because we want to; we write because we have to."
"There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
-- quotes by W. Somerset Maugham, English dramatist & novelist (1874 - 1965)

I'm addicted to a lot of things. Here, in no particular order, are a few of the things I thoroughly enjoy and cannot imagine giving up:
1. Reading.
2. Writing.
3. Television.
4. Computer games.
5. Chocolate.
6. Music.
7. Harry Potter.

There are probably a few more that should be added to the list, but I think that's quite enough to be getting on with.

Today I'm going to spend some quality time with #s 1 and 2. Possibly 4. Always 6. It's Friday, and of course that means my schedule is a bit freer. The WGH called and asked if I want to go shopping when he gets home from work. Well, no, not particularly. But we are in need of things (like, um, food) and so I suppose I must. Yuck.

I'm in the midst of a show of sympathy for my Literary Triplet J.T. Ellison. Her Murderati post today is just heartwrenching. Things like this should not be allowed to happen. It's just sad and wrong.

Where yesterday was glorious, today is a bit dreary and wet. McCartney decided he wanted to stay outside in the rain for a while. When I finally got him inside he was quite sloppy. Luckily his coat is just starting to grow out again from the summer's grooming and he was easily toweled off. Unfortunately, getting him inside was a trick, so now my personal scent is rather reminiscent of wet dog. Ewww. A shower may be in order. Later. First, I must write.

I'm powering forward with the WIP. In skimming through things yesterday I discovered that the first 41 chapters (no panicking - most are fairly short) are pretty much solid. The ending is strong - as a matter of fact, to toot my own horn, I think the new ending is abso-bloody-lutely brilliant (we'll see what the BMWs think). Dividing the book into three sections, the first is good, the last is good - it's the middle that sags. I think that happens to a lot of us. We write a good strong opening and a good strong ending, and the story falters in the middle. That's where the bulk of the rewrite will have to be focused.

Enjoy your Friday. Shalom to those of you who celebrate Rosh Hashanah. It might actually be a relatively quiet weekend at my house for a change. Shhhh, don't say that too loud. I have teenagers.

Music of the Moment. Holst's Second Suite in F, Op. 28, No. 2

A delightful piece. One of my memory makers.

Read a book. It's good for you.

=) JB