Background

The novel has gotten out of control. I find myself spending all day every day reading background, doing library searches, doing internet searches, checking out a particular point here or there. I go through stacks of books scanning the indexes to find the answer to background questions that I will probably never use. I go to bed thinking about the story and wake up in the middle of night with it on my mind. And I awake with it or some part of it rattling around in my head.

Besides computer files I have started a binder with pictures, notes, and calculations about ships. When I try to get away from it by leaving the house, I find myself at the lake watching sail boats, estimating distances to them, and wondering about the distance to the horizon.

The good rough for chapter one is done. It was about as polished as I could get it, but readers have found areas where improvements can be made. Now that they point it out, it is clear they are right and I wonder how did I let that slip by.

My plan will be to write chapter two up to my best level, then take a break from the story.

Research

The War of 1812 and its naval encounters play an important role in the novel. So I spent a great weekend in Sault Ste. Marie. They had an 1812 encampment and tall ships from that period. The Niagara, the Pride of Baltimore II, and the Lynx represented the sailing ships of that time. The Baltimore Clippers represented privateers and the Niagara represented a great lakes war ship.

Back to the novel

How's the novel coming?

Well, it is coming alone fine. Writing a little on each chapter was good. Among the benefits was to have something specific to write on each day. It also allowed me to pace my writing better. One of my big faults is a tendency to rush the action along. A defined chapter helped me to take the time to develop the story.

Writing on later chapters before the previous ones resulted in a lot of differences that I couldn't fix easily. So I started over. This time in the middle of some action, a much more interesting place.

The novel is coming along fine.

Pima Writers' Workshop

Pima Writers' Workshop 2013 encouraged me, inspired me, and increased my writing skills and understanding.

 

I hope my few notes have given you a hint of how great a learning experience this wonderful workshop can be. Often what I gained can't be crystallized into a few words. And what you gain would be different from what I gain; we each bring different experiences and skills with us and respond uniquely.

You'll just have to experience it yourself.

 

Sometimes my words simply can not capture the insights given by the emotional impact of the presenter's life. Time with Nancy Mairs will change your life. www.nancymairs.com

 

Robert Gover, Tanya Chernov (www.tanyachernov.com), and Debra Gwartney (www.debragwartney.com) also enriched the this year's workshop with their experiences.

 

A lot of writers like to talk to good agents because they are about as hard to find as a deer on the third day of deer season. This year Gordon Warnock, a founding partner of Foreword Literary, stood in the light. (forewordliterary.com)

 

Mark it on your calendar. It is always the Memorial Day weekend in May. Thursday night is the reception; Friday through Sunday, the lectures, readings, and exercises. It is a remarkable opportunity to have a short one-on-one with an author about up to twenty pages of your work. Be advised to have that work done and ready to send by the start of May.

 

As May approaches keep looking for information at www.pima.edu; if you do not find it, email Pima Writers' Workshop Director, Meg Files.  (mfiles@pima.edu)