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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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One Thousand Gifts-13

Captain’s Log, Stardate 11.30.2006

I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.

326. I exercised yesterday!
327. Yummy apple blossom green tea from the Republic of Tea
328. My heating pad to keep my lap warm when I can’t write in my comfy bed because the Alphasmart keyboard keeps my husband awake
329. Fall and Winter. Because I’d much rather be cold than hot—when I’m cold, I can put on more layers, but if I’m hot, there’s nothing more to do other than running around nekkid.
330. Have I mentioned already that ROBIN’S GOING TO BE ACFW PRESIDENT!!!
331. Have I mentioned already that CARA’S GOING TO BE ACFW PUBLICITY OFFICER!!!
332. Have I mentioned already that ANE’S GOING TO BE ACFW ZONE OFFICER!!!
333. The excitement as we wait for election results
334. The book I got for review a couple days ago, Merely Players by Kathleen Kovach, my fellow “Night Watch” writing buddy.
335. The Velveteen Mommy by another nighttime writing buddy, Jenn Doucette
336. The new smaller earbuds my husband got for me because the old ones are a little too large for my small Asian ears
337. My husband’s cold is getting better
338. I’ve been slowing down and having good quiet times the past couple days.
339. My SAYSF email group is SO FUNNY!
340. Potato chips are one of the most wonderful things ever invented. Second only to French fries.
341. I’ve been able to write for several hours at a time the past few days, something I’ve rarely been able to do. Amazing what a deadline will do, even an arbitrary one.
342. My husband came home early yesterday
343. I had remembered to make rice earlier yesterday so when my husband called to ask me to make it, it was already done and we could eat as soon as he came home. It’s the little things.
344. Heather was so happy and well-rested when she was here in San Jose. I’ve never seen her so carefree before. I’m so happy for her.
345. Things are starting to fall into place with my manuscript. I won’t be done with it by the end of today for NaNoWriMo (it’ll be about 80,000 words when it’s done), but hopefully I’ll finish 50,000 words.
346. I like the nice, sore feeling in my muscles when I’ve been exercising. It makes me feel healthy.
347. I’ve been able to get a lot of sleep the past few weeks—I’ve needed more sleep because I’ve been sick.
348. I’m looking forward to taking a day to watch the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice when I finish my manuscript! I will splurge and have scones and pastries and tea with sugar and cream (real cream).
349. I have been able to eat rather healthily the past few days despite NaNoWriMo, making the most of the fact I’ve been exercising.
350. My dog was so cute last night with her nose tucked under her paws as she was sleeping.
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Heather Diane Tipton said…
you've really never seen me so carefree before? or happy for that matter? there was that much of a difference?
Sat Dec 02, 10:26:00 PM 2006
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