Sunday, August 15, 2010

Back on Track

I took a little vacation from the WIP this week to judge a few contests, critique a friend's completed MS and work on homework for an online class. The step back let me ponder the direction of my story. Did I have enough conflict? How could I increase the tension without adding additional external plot points? I came up with a few ideas that would strengthen and add depth to the current conflict so I'm ready to tackle the story once again. I get frustrated that writing never seems to get any easier and I often struggle with the same issues in each of my books. I just keep telling myself that this is a learning experience and the next book will be better for it.

Summer has also taken me out of my regular sleep schedule. I'm going to bed late and getting up later in the mornings which throws my writing time off. So, with a little over two weeks until my youngest starts back to school I'm getting into the early morning routine.

Where did the summer go? We've had beautiful weather but our usually short summer season seems to be even shorter than ever this year.

And my cupcake baking has come to an end for awhile with these Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes from a Martha Stewart recipe. These were a big hit with everyone. I also made some WW carrot muffins that didn't turn out at all. I think it's better to have one of something that tastes good, rather than a whole plate of mediocre food. The muffins were so bad I threw them out. 

Do you have exciting plans for August? Or are your thoughts turning to the start of the school year and getting back into a more regular schedule?

6 comments:

Janet said...

No plans for August - just working at The Day Job and trying to keep writing (when all I want to do is NOT write). I totally understand your frustration, Anne!

The Boston Cream cupcakes look wonderful - did you just google the Martha Stewart recipe or do you have one of her cookbooks? Not that I need cupcakes - I'm supposed to be in training (and all I want to do is eat junk food).

Don't you hate it when a recipe fails? You wonder how it got in the cookbook in the first place - kind of like those books that question exactly what the publisher saw!

Unknown said...

Janet, the recipe came off her website.

And yes, I hate it when I go through all the trouble of making something and it's terrible. Usually I get recipes from food I've tasted at people's homes. So much good food - wish I could eat it all.

Unknown said...

I have given up on baking bread (at least by hand) because I can't do it. I hate it when a recipe doesn't work too. It's such a waste of food.

My vacation starts soon (thank god, I don't have a brain cell left) and our plans are not huge but just to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. I'm taking a WIP vacation this week too - I think I must need it, but it gives me time just to machinate some plot points in my head. Sounds like you've kept yourself quite busy Anne!

Unknown said...

Oh, you talented bakers. I have a recipe for cranberry white chocolate oatmeal cookies I'm going to bake some day. Yes, I've had the recipe for 6 months. I'll go shopping for the ingredients one of these weeks.

I took a month off of my writing (didn't mean to, but I'm having trouble concentrating on revisions at the moment). I've been trying to read more.

Summer's almost over. The school year looms. My daughter is going to be busier than ever. Poor kid. Poor mom, too.

Unknown said...

Michelle, I have a bread maker but never use it. Takes all the fun out of it. Hope you have a lovely vacation.

Unknown said...

Cat, the cookies sound delicious. You should definitely make them.

You've had an exciting summer so maybe that's why it's been hard to get back into the swing of things.