Writing - the ups and downs

Amazingly enough, I found some inspiration along the highway coming to Wisconsin. Could it be the time I had to think? Or was it the quiet novel we listened to on the way? Or, the long stretches of road? Or the time to talk to R without interruptions or chores. Whatever it was, I found myself thinking of several stories I'd like to write. Not going to say a thing about them here because I've learned that talking about a story before it's written can give it the only life it needs and when one starts to write the story it folds in on itself. This is true for me, at least. Raymond and I were reliving some funny events that took place in the fifties in our families and all of a sudden, I could visualize my characters having these experiences. When this happens you need to run for pen and paper or pencil and napkin or whatever. I jotted down ideas on the back of our map and when I get home I can give them some body. It's good to take a vacation. Especially driving ...

Since I spent Aug/Sept sick and so far Oct. has been spent doing birthday/grandchildren things and catching up on the necessities of life, I've proclaimed November as writing month for me. The entire month. Every day. Well, Sunday off for church and cooking or whatever. Nothing is allowed to get in my way except something of extreme importance. Emergency dental work etc. I look forward to beginning on the first of the month and making as much progress as possible by the end. I have several projects that I have in mind to work on as well as the KILL ME project. I find I have to give myself some freedom to move between projects. Otherwise, I freeze up. There's the fear of that anyway. My writing seems very precarious presently. I may seek out some old stories. I left behind some characters that are worthy of saving from life in the back of a dark desk drawer. And then there's the sequel to HUNGRY FOR CHOC. titled SWEET BABY JAMES who is about an abduction. Baby stil...

This week I've tried without success to get back into the story KILL ME OR DRIVE ME TO FL. First I read over parts of the story. I climbed into the car with this group going to Florida and it was stifling. Nobody would say or do anything. Nobody moved. Not even mouthy Daisy. I was ready to chalk it up to another failed story attempt. Then I started thinking. First I took myself outside the car, outside the box I'd written these people into. I woke up thinking about the characters one day. I still didn't have anything to write. That night I went to sleep thinking about the story. The next morning it hit me. These four characters had lives before they got into that car and that's where I had to start. At that moment ideas started jumping out at me. And with that I was/am back on track. I keep having to re learn everything I've learned about writing in the 20+ years I've been at it. Sometimes I think I'm not meant to write a novel length story. ...

Every little girl who lived on Cherry Lane in the seventies knew about Clara Walk’s fashionable, affordable Barbie boutique. I met Clara not long after moving onto the street. She was the matriarch of the weekly coffee klatch, having teen aged children and beyond. I learned a lot from Clara. And, not just about children either, though she clearly had a soft spot for little ones and a great flair for doll fashion. My first taste of Clara’s Barbie fashion designs came when I accompanied a friend to Clara’s. Her daughter’s new Barbie needed a wardrobe. The array of outfits that Clara offered for Barbie was astounding. She not only sewed the tiny garments she created on the sewing machine, but she hand stitched embellishments such as flowers, pearls, buttons, and fancy pockets. She crocheted and knitted suits, coats, hats, caps, and scarves. Barbie could be outfitted for everything from tennis lessons to ball room dancing to playing in the snow in a matter of minutes, all right in...