Suspense manuscript is done!

Captain's Log, Stardate 04.22.2005

At 9:00 PM (PST) I typed the last word to my Asian suspense manuscript! Well, I still have several crucial items of revision ahead of me, but the bulk of it is done.

I celebrated by watching the movie "The Day After Tomorrow" with my husband. Awesome special effects. I loved the tornadoes in L.A. I admired the writing and suspenseful plot development--each scene moved to the next one with good pace, with no release of tension. I liked the deleted scenes much better than the ones they had in instead--they added more depth and color to the movie--but oh well, I'm not the editor.

I also watched the most emotional TV episode that I've ever seen, the most recent one of "House." A woman who had several miscarriages is finally pregnant (7 months?) but she also has a fast-acting lung cancer. The whole episode talks about the moral dilemma of saving the mother or the baby. The mom wants the father to raise the baby, and while it seems self-sacrificing, I thought it was selfish because the father would rather have her survive and try for another baby, but she's not taking his desires into account, just her own.

Finally the cancer causes problems with her oxygen levels and they have to operate to try to save her, but she begins to bleed into her abdomen--she's dying. Dr. House has to leave the OR, go to the father in the waiting room and ask for permission for a C-section to save the baby. The C-section would guarantee the woman's death, but the baby might be saved. I started bawling when the father realized he had to give the okay to kill his wife in order to save his son. There's something faintly "Passion-ate" about this, don't you think?

Oh and talk about BLESSED! I've been wondering if I should spend money on Silhouette Bombshell books since my suspense kind of falls under that category of women's fiction. Then suddenly I get a FedEx package that announces I won the eHarlequin Bombshell sweepstakes. I got a Bombshell duffel bag and FIVE FREE BOMBSHELL BOOKS! Including "Stella Get Your Gun," a quirky Bombshell that I've really wanted to get. Praise God! I wonder if this is a hint from Him that I should be writing these types of stories? Hmm . . .

Writing: Man, this manuscript was painful. My analogy is childbirth, although I've never gone through it. :-) The first child (manuscript) just popped right outta me, this second one was a long and difficult labor.

One thing I noticed when finishing is that although I had my handy-dandy spreadsheet with all my scenes listed, and even though I had a whole outline with notes and snippets of dialogue, a few major plot discrepancies only came up when I was typing. It was jarring to have to stop and brainstorm what could save these illogical story directions.

I didn't have these things when I wrote my Chicklit, maybe because it wasn't a plot-driven storyline. For this suspense manuscript, the plot has to make perfect sense and the characters need good reasons for what they do, which in turn drives the story. Any breakdown influences what happens next. I can't get from point A to point C if point B in between doesn't make sense

Luckily, these were fixable discrepancies. I also am glad I took the time to plot my scenes out, because it made writing much much easier and faster. I couldn't imagine what holes I might have written myself into if I hadn't already figured out the plot progression and story logic. As it was, I only had two scenes to trash and rewrite.

I was soooooo distracted by my emails. I really wanted to keep in touch with my writers groups and had a hard time fighting temptation. I really need more discipline.

I learned that I can actually plot a story while writing another one. Since I had already laid out my scenes in detail for the suspense, I could use my brainstorm time (usually the time I walk during lunch at work) for the next projects, the Chicklit novella and Chicklit suspense. I already have a good idea for the Chicklit novella and only a few major points to formulate for the Chicklit suspense. I think I am being very efficient!

The novella is next, since it's shorter and easier to think through. The Chicklit suspense needs tightening of the crime details.

Diet: I've done aerobic exercise everyday this week, either running or walking. Eating hasn't been great food choices (who can say no to Thai food? Yum!) but I'm not overeating, at least. Been drinking lots of water, been drinking lots of iced tea too.

Comments

Heather Diane Tipton said…

Yay on finishing the ms!!!! now get your butt online and tell me what's going on with you!

Sat Apr 23, 01:20:00 PM 2005

Heather Diane Tipton said…

now that was a request not a demand. *gg*

Sun Apr 24, 11:37:00 AM 2005

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

「戌年」連載小説第10章

キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか？しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか？過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第10章 - 赤いブーゲンビリアの低木「マリ、ごめんなさい。」マリは、答え機でラナの後悔に満ちた声を聞いて、犬の餌の袋を落としそうになった。「あなたのこの犬の施設の計画に、私が最も支援的ではなかったことを知っ

Join Camy's brand-new Patreon!

My Patreon is now live! Thank you so much to those of you who have followed and subscribed to my Patreon! I hope you're enjoying Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster so far. For those who missed the announcement, I now have a subscription on Patreon where you can read chapters of my next book ahead of the ebook publication. You can subscribe to the tiers and receive more benefits in each higher tier. I put together a very PINK comparison chart so you can see the benefits available. Patreon is also a bit like a Facebook group in that you can comment on my chapters and my posts. Feel free to post reactions or ask questions, although I reserve the right to decline to answer if it would be a spoiler. :) To celebrate the launch, I’m offering something special. All patrons will receive “Bidding on Treason,” an exclusive, limited-availability short story starring Lena, whom you met in The Gentleman Thief , and who appears in Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster . However,

Lady Wynwood #7 early release Kickstarter

I worked on my first Kickstarter and it got approved! It’s for the Special Edition Hardcover of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer and the release of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster. I contacted my graphic designer about the Special Edition Hardcover of vol. 1: Archer—it’s going to be SO beautiful! The Kickstarter focuses on the Special Edition Hardcover, but it’ll also include vol. 7: Spinster so that it’ll sort of be like a launch day for vol. 7, too. A third special thing that’ll be in the Kickstarter is Special Edition Paperbacks of all the books in the series. They won’t be available in stores, just in the Kickstarter (and later, from my website, and also in my Patreon book box tiers if I decide to do them). The Kickstarter is not live yet, but you can follow it to be alerted when it has launched. (You may need to create a free Kickstarter account.) Follow Camy’s Kickstarter

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And

Psalm 139:14

Dear God, Thank You for the comfort and joy this verse brings! You created me personally and made me exactly how I am. You have made me beautiful and wonderful, and my soul longs for you. Amen 親愛なる神よ、この聖句がもたらす慰めと喜びに感謝します！あなたは私を個人的に創造し、私のありのままの姿を造ってくださいました。あなたは私を美しく、素晴らしいものとしてくださり、私の魂はあなたを待ち望んでいます。アーメン

Mansfield Park on Masterpiece

Captain's Log, Supplemental Okay, I was going to hold this for next week but I can’t hold the frustration in any longer. I finally saw Mansfield Park on Masterpiece Classic and it’s horrid (to channel Jane Austen). The story moves WAY too fast. The different issues dealt with in the book speed by so fast, I wonder than anyone who hasn’t read Mansfield Park can even understand what’s going on. The characters themselves are completely changed. Fanny is lively and girlish instead of timid and demure. And I agree with Kaye and Ruth , what’s with the hair down on her shoulders? How could the hair and makeup department let her get away with looking like a hoyden? I also agree with Kaye about Fanny’s heaving bosoms throughout the movie—so out of character for a “poor relation” to have such low-cut gowns. I do have to say one thing—I really enjoyed the moment Edmund tells Fanny that Mary Crawford is the only woman he could want for a wife—Billie Piper’s look is so exactly what I’d expec

A List of my Free Blog Reads

Curious about what my writing is like? Here’s a list of all my free books and the free short stories, novellas, and novels that you can read here on my blog. I’ll update this post as I add more free reads. Christian Humorous Romantic Suspense: Year of the Dog (Warubozu Spa Chronicles series, Prequel novel) (Currently being posted monthly on my blog as a serial novel) Marisol Mutou, a professional dog trainer, finally has a chance to buy a facility for her business, but her world is upended when she must move in with her disapproving family, who have always made her feel inadequate. When she stumbles upon a three-year-old missing persons case, security expert Ashwin Keitou, whose car she accidentally rear-ended a few weeks earlier, is tasked with protecting her. However, danger begins to circle around them from people who want the past to remain there. Can they shed light on the secrets moving in the shadows? Christian Romantic Suspense: Necessary Proof (Sonoma series #4.1, n

Frogs

I know I blogged about this on my Writing Diary Blog , but I don’t think I blogged about this here. I read a few writing and productivity books, and I’ve been trying to form better daily habits. The problem is that my self-discipline is very bad. As in, embarrassingly bad. One of my goals has been to form a better writing habit. Since I’m a full-time writer, I already write every day, but I think there are things I can do to tweak my schedule so that I can be able to focus better when I write. I tend to get distracted by the thought of things I need to do that day which I haven’t done yet. I don’t know why my brain is like this, but I haven’t been able to break this tendency. So for example, while I’m writing, I’ll suddenly think about the fact that today’s the day when I need to change the bathroom towels, or mop the kitchen floor, or change the bedsheets. It’ll distract me for a few moments before I tell myself I’ll do it later and I need to focus on writing now. Then a few

Search This Blog

Lady Wynwood #7 early release Kickstarter