Writing Update and Other Stuff (this is a long one)

I have 49 days until my Sept. 1 deadline for Darlington. Now, here' s the thing, as I've mentioned before, I don't want to turn in a first draft. Maybe a second draft. I'd like to leave myself at least a week for a second draft. So really, I have 42 days to complete the book. To date,

I've written 25,000 words. My goal is 80,000. Pretty standard for a CBA supernatural suspense novel (code for horror . . . shhhh). I'm hoping this is going to be one creepy, scary story that packs quite a punch when it comes to the message behind the story.

And how is the story development going? Well, this is where things get tricky. You see, I have enough story in my head for the first third (which is done) and the last third (the build up to the climax and the climax). It's that middle third that's getting me a little knotted up. The middle third is so important because you don't want a saggy middle. If things get the bogged down in the midsection the whole story could go caput because I'll lose the reader. And the number one rule of suspense is: keep the reader turning pages.

So that's where I am, on the precipice of that middle third squeezing every last drop of creative juice out of my brain, trying to come up with a twist or something that'll propel the story to the last third.

Now, a question I often get that goes along with all this is if I outline my story ahead of time. Um, obviously not or I wouldn't be having this middle third anxiety. Here's what I do: I end each chapter with a cliffhanger then ask myself, Okay, what happens next? Writing this way is so much fun. And hey, if I don't know what's coming next, there's no way the reader will.

So here's my plan. In the publishing business, a typed page counts as 250 words. Period. It doesn't matter if it is a full page (more than 250) or three lines on a page (less than 250), it still counts as 250 words. If I write 5 pages a day for the next 42 days I'll be ahead of the game. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Sounds, yes. But it isn't. Not when you work full time, have a family to spend time with, church responsibilities, speaking engagements, vacations, a writing conference coming up, and, oh yeah, sleep. Free time is in limited supply these days. But I'm plugging ahead and will get there. I will. I will. I will.

Now, for some health stuff (I know this post is dragging on . . . forgive me). I've been feeling great. Recently, I had a sigmoidoscopy that turned into a colonoscopy (more on this below) that the surgeon was thrilled with and a contrast dye UGI X-ray that went well (that stuff you have to drink is like gulping liquid chalk).

In case you don't know, for a sigmoidoscopy (a partial colonoscopy) you're not put under any kind of anesthesia. You lie on your side and the surgeon (in my case) puts this flexible tube up your . . . ahem . . . and says, "Tell me when it gets uncomfortable and I'm out." Well, he kept putting it up and putting it up and it didn't feel that uncomfortable. Finally, he said, "You sure you're doing okay?" I said I was then heard the nurse say, "Well, you just gave him a colonoscopy" (which they put you to sleep for). To which the surgeon replied, "Yep, there's the appendix." So I got a colonoscopy for the price of a sigmoidoscopy. What a deal!

Squeezing in a Novel

I'm so sorry I haven't posted for what seems forever. You see, I have this little thing called a deadline staring me in the face like bug-eyed rodeo bull. Here's the bottom line, I have to finish an 80,000 word novel by September 1 and as of today, July 2 I have about 12,000 written. Now, the way I figure it, if my math is correct, that means I have to average1,133 words a day . . . every day.

That may not sound too bad but consider this, that's to finish the first draft. I don't want to turn in a first draft. As any serious writer knows--as any casual writer knows--first drafts are not that impressive. I'd like to leave myself at least a week to polish the first draft and turn in a second draft (still not desirable but it'll have to do). So my new numbers say I have to write 1,283 words a day . . . every day. Still doable but totally exhausting.

Now, how am I going to accomplish this? (Here's your peek inside the lifestyle of a writer working a full-time job, doing family stuff, church stuff, and meeting a deadline). I've bee writing every night between the hours of 10:00 and 11:00 (then fall asleep in less than 60 seconds) and every morning from 6:00 to 6:45. Problem is, I get up by 5:30 a.m. so that leaves me getting 6 1/2 hours of sleep a night. By the time 10:00 p.m. rolls around I'm dog tired and have trouble staying awake to write. But . . . this is the life I've chosen. I love writing and I'm into my story idea.

I plan to try really hard to keep you posted on my progress. If you're friends with me on Facebook I've also been keeping tabs there.

This should be interesting.

Ghost Writer by Travis Thrasher

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Ghostwriter
FaithWords (May 28, 2009)
by
Travis Thrasher

My two cents: Travis Thrasher is one of my favorite authors. If you like a good, scary story that'll make you think, Ghostwriter is for you. Anything Travis writes is quality stuff and worthy of the time taken to read it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


It was during third grade after a teacher encouraged him in his writing and as he read through The Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis that Travis decided he wanted to be a writer. The dream never left him, and allowed him to fulfill that dream of writing fulltime in 2007.

Travis Thrasher is the author of numerous works of fiction, including his most personal and perhaps his deepest work, Sky Blue, that was published in summer of 2007. This year he has to novels published, Out of the Devil’s Mouth, and a supernatural thriller, Isolation.

Travis is married to Sharon and they are the proud parents of Kylie, born in November, 2006, and Hailey, a Shih-Tzu that looks like an Ewok. They live in suburban Chicago.

Stop by and visit Travis at his Blog where you can sign up to follow him on Facebook and Twitter!

Also check out the radio interview with Travis on Monday June 8th at BlogTalkRadio/FaithWords



ABOUT THE BOOK

For years Dennis Shore has thrilled readers with his spooky bestselling novels. Now a widower, Dennis is finally alone in his house, his daughter attending college out of state. When he's stricken by a paralyzing case of writer's block and a looming deadline, Dennis becomes desperate. Against better judgment, he claims someone else's writing as his own, accepting undeserved accolades for the stolen work. He thinks he's gotten away with it . . . until he's greeted by a young man named Cillian Reed--the true author of the stolen manuscript.

What begins as a minor case of harassment quickly spirals out of control. As Cillian's threats escalate, Dennis finds himself on the brink of losing his career, his sanity, and even his life. The horror he's spent years writing about has arrived on his doorstep, and Dennis has nowhere to run.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Ghostwriter, go HERE

Relaxing and Remembering

Just getting off a long weekend celebrating my birthday and our anniversary. We spent Friday and Saturday at my uncle's second home in Secretary, MD. That's on Maryland's eastern shore, a beautiful and peaceful place. Saturday we relaxed the day away at Bethany Beach in Delaware and enjoyed the near perfect weather.

Then Sunday we went to a minor league baseball game here in York, PA. It was Cancer Survivor day. Before the game they had all the cancer survivors (about 500 or so in attendance) walk around the field in a "Parade of Survivors." I did this last year and both times now have proved to be very moving. Like silt gets disturbed on the bottom of a creek, all kinds of feelings and emotions are stirred when I walk with so many other cancer survivors.

It's funny because you think you're getting over things, putting all that behind you and moving on with life, and in a way you are. But then something like this happens and suddenly it's all right there again, so fresh, so vivid, the smells, the feelings, the emotions, the discomfort, the pain . . . the fear. Makes me question whether I'd do it again next year.

Anyway, on to book stuff. For those of you living in the Hanover, PA area, I'll be doing a book signing at the Waldenbooks in the North Hanover Mall Saturday, June 20, 1:00-3:00. Even if you've already got a copy of both my books, come on out and see me and say "Hi." I'd love to chat with you and it will spare me from having to sit there and look awkward. And hey, it's right before Father's Day . . . hint, hint you last-minute shoppers.

Thing That Make My Smile

Here's a list of things that make me smile:

1) Seeing an older couple walking along holding hands.

2) Seeing a daddy holding the tiny hand of his daughter as they walk along.

3) A brilliant sunrise or sunset.

4) Watching my daughters ride their bikes.

5) Watching my daughters read a book.

6) Driving winding country roads through acres and acres of apple orchards.

7) Seeing a family laugh together.

8) Watching my wife scrapbook, something she loves doing.

9) Watching my kids sleep.

10) Getting up early and listening to the silence right before the sun rises.

11) Taking a walk late at night when the world around is sleeping.

12) Seeing someone take the time to stop and smell the roses around our front porch.

What are some things that make you smile?

Scaling Back

Life is catching up with me again and I need to make adjustments. Isn't it strange how that happens? You get settled into a certain routine (I love routine), you're comfortable with that routine (I love routine), the routine works for you (I love routine), then life happens and you have to readjust and change the routine (I hate changing routine).

So . . . the adjustment I must make involves this blog. I have a new contract with my publisher in the works. Now, usually, I don't say anything about a contract until I've signed it but things look like it's pretty much a done deal. If I'm wrong and it falls through, oh well. But since part of the contract is going to be that I deliver a finished manuscript of my next novel, Darlington, by September 1 I need to get cracking. And that means I have a time crunch. And that means I need to scale back even further on this blog. So from now on I'll only be blogging "occasionally." What does that mean? I have no idea. I guess it means when I feel like it or when there's news I need to pass along or something that's really heavy on my mind I just need to share or something funny that happened or . . . you get the picture.

I hate to do it, really I do, but September 1 is closing in quickly and I need the extra time in the mornings to write.

Please keep in touch, though. I'll miss your regular comments. And I know I don't say it enough but thanks for all the comments and prayers.

Praise and Prayer Friday

Okay, let's hear what great things God has done in your life this week. And what is weighing heavy on your heart this morning.

I'll go first. I'm praising God for a successful port removal and good health.

Prayer request. Next Wed. Jen and I begin leading a small group Bible study at our church based on the Fireproof movie (it'll go for 6 or 7 weeks). Please pray for us and the couples that will be involved.

Your turn. Don't be shy. Share with us!

Missing Time

Surgery went well yesterday and I am now port-less. Things are a little sore but nothing that isn't manageable. It's funny, though, what anesthesia does to you. They tell me they put in "twilight" which means you're really not asleep but afterwards you think you were.

After the procedure and you "wake up" you feel like you're fully awake and coherent and lucid, but hours later you have no memory of anything.

Jen said that on the way home from the hospital I asked her the same question or made the same comment several times. I have no recollection of any of that or of anything I said. She tells me all this stuff I said in the recovery room, people I talked to, faces I made. I have no recollection of any of it. I don't remember changing back into my clothes though Jen said I almost fell over. I don't remember Jen calling my parents from the car. I know we stopped at a gas station and I pumped gas but I have no memory of it. Weird.

Hey, maybe I was abducted by aliens. Isn't that one of the signs, missing time?

Whatever the case was, it's over and the port is history.

Now I focus on some exciting things coming up: I'm starting a new book; I'm training for another 5k for colon cancer in Harrisburg, PA June 13; I have a booksigning at our local Walden's June 20; and Jen and I are leading a Fireproof Bible study at our church starting next Wed.

It's Not About Me

In Children's Church we're continuing our walk through the life of Moses. Yesterday we discussed Moses and Aaron's first encounter with Pharaoh. Now understand two things: 1) Pharaoh was a god to the Egyptian people, and 2) Pharaoh was not a fan of Moses'.

So when Moses and Aaron, two hick Hebrews, went before Pharaoh, a god of the Egyptians, and said the God of Israel said to let His people go, I imagine Pharaoh did something like, "Ooooh, I'm so scared," and laughed.

Anyway, long story short, because of the insolence of the two brothers, Pharaoh decided to make life for the Hebrews impossibly difficult. The Hebrews, in turn, took out their frustration and fear on Moses and Aaron ("You brought this on us!").

Moses was confused, as I would have been too. He went before God and pleaded his case, basically telling God, "See, I told you so, I can't do this. Ever since I got involved things have only gotten worse."

God's answer is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. Exodus 6:6-8 says it all; I'll give you some of the highlights:

"I am the LORD, I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians . . . I will redeem you . . . I will take you as my own people . . . I will be your God . . . I am the LORD your God . . . I will bring you to the land . . . I will give it to you . . . I am the Lord."

Do you see it? I . . . I . . . I . . . I. And so on.

God is saying in plain words, "Moses, this isn't about you or your ability or your inability or your willingness or unwillingness. This is about me and what I will do."

Every time I read this I get convicted because there are so many things in life I try to do in my own strength and either fail or get frustrated because it's not going the way I think it should. I need to remember it's not about me, though. It's about God working through me and in me. I just need to step aside and let Him do His thing.

* * *

Tomorrow at 7 a.m. I get my port removed. It's a 15-20 minute outpatient surgery and I'm counting on there not being any complications.

Fat Guy Behind the Curtain

Last night I did a conference call with a ladies book group in Maryland who read and discussed Scream. I did one with the same group last year after they had read The Hunted. I always enjoy these type of things because it gives me an opportunity to hear the thoughts and questions someone had while reading my book. It's an invaluable experience.

Questions that always tickle me, though, is when someone asks what happens with a character after the story is over or after the character's role in the story ceases. I feel so terrible telling them I really have no idea. He or she is not a real person. I think in some way a bubble is burst. That whole Wizard of Oz syndrome.

The reader gets so engrossed in the story and the characters seem so real they assume the characters must live on after the final page. They come to me looking for answers, for hope, for information, and all they get is a little fat guy pushing buttons and pulling levers behind a curtain. How disappointing it must be.

I suppose I could always just make something up, though. Isn't that what story-telling is all about?

OK, praise and prayer time. My prayer request is for next Tuesday when I have my port removed, that the surgery would go well, there would be no complications, and the recovery pain would be at a minimum since I'll be going back to work the next the day.

My praise is for my wife, the mother of my children. She's wonderful. She's a blessing. She's a fantastic mommy. She's a Godsend. My girls love their mommy and that means everything to me. Any woman who would give up hours of could-be free time to homeschool her three daughters is a gem. And she doesn't just homeschool them, she connects with them, she takes it very seriously and invests A LOT of her time in the lives of our girls.

Now it's your turn. Share, please.

And for all the mommy's out there: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!