THE DECIDED WRITER!

Last time I posted I was the Procrastinating Writer. Since then I've been the Dithering Writer and now I'm happy to report I am the Decided Writer.

So, what does that mean?

It means that I have broken my No Diversion rule. Three years ago a germ of a story popped into my head and started me on this great adventure of writing. I've cut my teeth on that story, poured my heart and soul into it and watched it grow from a tiny idea to a three book series - rather big books at that too! And the really best part is that my writing has improved and I've learnt so much about the craft of writing.

However, three years sometimes feels like thirty and I've got stuck in a rut. The passion has faded (just a little) and the thought of rewriting a good portion of book one fails to thrill me in any shape or form. So, the new story, the one I'd put away when I wrote my last post, has been resurrected and Blackbird is taking a well earned nap. But don't worry, I certainly will not forget about it. As perhaps only a writer will understand, I love those characters. They are almost a part of me and I want their story to be told.

As I throw myself into this new project I am feeling invigorated and excited about writing again and I know I've made the right decision.

I'll tell you about the new novel in my next post, but here is a little peek that could have been lifted from Chapter Two!

The SS Ionic, Port Chalmers, 1880s.

THE PROCRASTINATING WRITER!

As I write this, hubby is outside feeding a whole tree's worth of branches through a mulcher. Very noisy. I could blame that on my failure to do any writing, but that wouldn't exactly be the truth. I have been lagging ever since I finished NaNo (way back in November) but these last few weeks have been totally barren in the writing department.

The red-winged blackbird of my novel's title. 

I think the problem is that I know I have to virtually rewrite the first half of Blackbird - my WIP, and I still have the finishing chapters to knock into shape. Then there is the matter of this new story that raised it's head whilst on holiday. I wrote the prologue and first chapter yesterday and today I guiltily got back to Blackbird.

I'm being very strict on myself. You see I'm the sort of person who starts projects and before I finish, start something new. For example, there is a small pile of unfinished quilts and wall hangings in my sewing room. But when I started writing, I promised myself that I wouldn't do that. And three years later, I've kept to it. Except for yesterday's momentary lapse.

So, new story is saved and temporarily forgotten and Blackbird is being pulled out, shaken and attacked with renewed vigour. I'll keep you updated with my progress.

One of my characters is a Shoshone Indian named Standing Eagle. I thought this was a magnificent specimen.