Good News!

Although not related to my WiP or other writing projects, it is good news that I wanted to share with you.

There are just too many extraordinary things to do in life and too few years given to us to do them.  Thus, I multi-task and live several "lives." One day I am bound to "settle down" but until then...

I am a full-time attorney, a hands on mom and homemaker, a writer, a hobby architect, and a mom blogger dedicated to green pregnancy and parenting (SmartMommyHealthyBaby).  One to make a living, the rest to fulfill it...

I can hear you saying to yourself, "Geez, what the heck is her point?"

Well,  I just stole another hour a night from the time allotted to sleep - as of today, I am also the happy co-owner of Sticky Socks, an online retail venture.  My husband and I have been working on it for the better part of a year and the product (organic grip socks for babies and toddlers) is finally ready and available for sale in our online store. 

Yay!

And now back to writing! For the time allotted to that pursuit will never be supplanted.

Character Development

I have finally gotten into a nice groove, reading and revising one chapter of my WiP on most nights (alas, not tonight).  Spending sixty to ninety minutes just with those few pages allows me to taste and digest each sentence, to let each word sink in and find its place - or hang out of line and scream for a replacement. I have reached the point where this task at least feels easier with each re-draft.

As I labor over the language, I also keep my eye on my characters.  Are they fully developed?  Are there any holes?  Are they real or at least believable?

The following "checklist" has helped me:

• Are the character traits that are relevant to the story fully covered?
• How about irrelevant traits that nonetheless enrich the character?
• What are the character's strengths and weaknesses? Vices and pet peeves?  Are they shown or told?
• Do glimpses of the character's past explain his present? Is he too predictable?  Or too random?
• Are his thoughts, actions, speech, and interactions with others synchronized?  Should they be?
• What are the character's physical characteristics and are they relevant?
• How do his relationships with others define his personality? 
• Does the manner and content of his speech evoke his personality?
• What are his motivations?
• Is there too much of me or someone I know infused in the character?

For some of my characters I wrote a resume - that really helped with the concrete aspects of their personality (where they live, what they do for a living etc.)

I'd love to hear about anything I missed!

Looking for A Few Great Reads

I am about to finish Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and I am looking for a good lineup to replenish the dwindling stock on my nightstand.  I have a few books lined up but I thought I'd ask for some recommendations as well.

I recently finished McLarty's The Memory of Running, Adorjan's An Exclusive Love, Stockett's The Help and enjoyed each of these tremendously.

Anything you think I would like to pick up?

Thank you!!

ProgLess Report...During NaNoWriteMonth

That's kind of what it is. 

200 words.  Yes, that is two-hundred words.  In seven days.  
Instead of participating I have managed to withdraw from the event.  Revising my WiP has proven to be challenge - as much as I insist that I want the work to please me first and foremost, as I am revising I keep getting sidetracked by evaluating whether others (agents, editors, readers) would like what I am putting to paper.
So, I have decided to put it aside for a week while I clear my head and fight the urge to meet others' expectations.

Does anyone else struggle with this?  I can't be the only one!

It's not all hopeless, though.  In October I revised one chapter, which I think absolutely rocks, and I ended up entering it into a contest.  And there I was not even trying.

In the meantime, I'll be reading!

Giving Credit

In accepting the Versatile Blogger Award and the Liebster Award, I had to accept certain responsibilities, which I am now fulfilling.

I received the Liebster Award from Kelly at Savvy Suburban.
I am passing the award on to:
- Hallie Gomez - W is for Writing
- CM Grote - Random Thoughts From Midlife
- Cassie Mae - Reading, Writing, and Lovin' It!
- Iain - Iain's Iainspirations
- Shanona Ryder - Shanona Writer

The Versatile Blogger Award came from Nicole at The World of My Imagination and Cassie Mae at Reading, Writing, and Lovin' It!
I am passing the award on to five writers:
1.  Peggy Edelman - Will Write For Cookies
2.  Josh Hoyt - The Blog That Helps You Diagnose Your Characters
3.  Rick Watson - Life 101
4.  Maggie Fechner - Mommys Always Write
5.  Jessie Humphries - B-Word

And the second condition is sharing seven things about myself.  How about five?
-  I used to be a champion sprinter
-  I am a hobby architect
-  I can knit
-  I am fluent in three languages
-  I went "green" four years ago

Thank you all for reading and visiting!