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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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Pashmina shawl

Captain’s Log, Stardate 03.15.2006

Blog Book giveaway:
My Thursday book giveaway (ALMOST HEAVEN) is here.
My Monday book giveaway (STEALING ADDA) is here.
You can still enter both of them. Just post a comment on those blog posts.
On Monday, I'll draw the winner for ALMOST HEAVEN and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned.

My parents’ China trip: My folks got back yesterday from a 10-day trip to China. They both had a terrific time. Mom loved the different culture, the different food, and the scenery from the Great Wall. She was so excited and awed that she was actually there (hopefully I’ll have their pictures soon).

(I went to China when I was in high school. Climbing to the First Station was like running the Boston Marathon when the furthest I had run was around the block away from my irate mother when I did something wrong. I can’t believe Mom actually made it, because at 16 years old, I almost didn’t.)

Anyway, Mom bought for me a pashmina shawl. I had no clue what that was until she told me—it’s a combination of cashmere and silk. I’ve never owned a shawl, just small things like scarves. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll use it for. Who out there uses these things? Can you tell me how to wear it? What to wear it with?

Bible in 90 Days: Day 62. It’s amazing how things I’ve read dozens of times before always seem so new when I read them again:

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
For they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
For they will inheirit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
For they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
For they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
For they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
For they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3-10, NLT)

Writing: Got more great brainstorming done last night. I am SO loving these exercises from Donald Maass’s WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK. I’ve managed to add even more tension and conflict and yet also weave it in tightly with the main plot. It’s fabulous.

Diet: I didn’t go walking yesterday, although I did Denise Austin’s Fit and Lite exercise program (I recorded it on Tivo and watched it when I got up later). It’s only 30 minutes, it’s got yoga and pilates (tough but relaxing), and I used my new yoga mat that I picked up at Marshall’s with my pink birthday purse. But I ended the day at around 1600 calories.

Today, I had a really tough workout at physical therapy, and I had an okay lunch (600). Hopefully I’ll have portion control for dinner tonight, too.
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Comments

Mirtika said…
Pashminas were all the rage among celebrities and the glitterati a few years ago. You couldn't see footage of a film preview or some posh affair without seeing Diane Sawyer or Jennifer Aniston and kind with a pashmina tossed around the neck, over the shoulder, etc.

It's your pashmina. Wear it any way you want. Like a shawl. Like a long scarf. Tossed nonchalantly over one shoulder. Wrapped around your waist. Up to you, sweetums. :)

Enjoy the softness.

Mir--who almost bought one, but my neck is so short, I would have looked like a turtle.
Wed Mar 15, 08:41:00 PM 2006
Dineen A. Miller said…
Mir-LOL! Too funny!

I picked one up when I was in London, Camy. Their wonderful, especially for a cool California evening. Sounds like you got a nice one too. Can't wait to see it.
Thu Mar 16, 12:28:00 AM 2006
Anonymous said…
Before I leave this earth, I want to see the Great Wall, the pyramids in Egypt, the reef and koalas in Australia, and New Zealand. It's so cool to get gifts from foreign places. I can see the pashmina in a book title for a story about mothers and daughters.
Thu Mar 16, 08:41:00 AM 2006
Mirtika said…
I can see the pashmina as a murdering tool in a Chick Lit mystery. There ya go, Camykins. Am I inspiring you?

Mir
Thu Mar 16, 09:12:00 AM 2006
Anonymous said…
I think shawls really can be worn in so many different ways. I always think of shawls as stolas to wear around my shoulders especially with a sleevless dress when it gets a little cool. That's sort of a functional way of using one.

Mir's are the fashion-statement ways.
Thu Mar 16, 03:19:00 PM 2006
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