Changing a Protagonist's Profession

Jill Franklin, my protagonist in the Rorschach mystery series, has gone through a series of changes. She has remained about the same age, but she has added a child, left the police department, taught school and now works as a substitute teacher and a real estate assistant in order to be at home most afternoons with her little girl while helping to pay for her son's college as her husband begins a new business. She has also added a psychological disorder that complicates her life, and she is now even more of a busy housewife than before. But she is not unlike many women who are holding down more than one job and caring for their families because they have no alternative. Jill no longer has a singular career as a policewoman and new problems with the plot arise for me as a writer. Since I have lived her varied careers, though not all at once as she is doing, except that of a police detective, not having her "on the force" and privy to police files has made it difficult for me to have her gain access to the information she will need to solve the crime. I think I have found a vehicle, however. Stay tuned to see if it works.

Continuing Ed

For me continuing ed on a daily basis means I read. I am reading ALABAMA MOON. It is the first book in a very long time that has caused me to cry. The story is compelling. The writing is strong and the main character, Moon, is so lovable that you feel every moment with him and through him. This is considered a Young Adult book, but I'd recommend it as a plain old good read.

Clearing the Way

I have a terrible time working in the middle of a mess in my house. I made my Sunday list and this time put clearing and cleaning at the top. That is what I have done today. No one except me would notice that the house is cleaner because it still has a way to go after my being out of town last week and then overly busy after I returned, but I can tell and it lightens the load on my shoulders considerably. Tonight I can concentrate on writing and I will.

First Ten Pages

In the first page of any book there should be a hook, some means of bringing the reader into the story and keeping them there. My hook was in the first paragraph, but it was not the first sentence. The class and Vicki encouraged me to rearrange and put the hook up front. Their suggestion works much better than mine. This is why I love writers' groups if the groups are honest and are strong readers. Readers know what they like and what pulls them into a story. That is why writers must read, read, read.
I worked on the first ten pages as well as the hook last night. They flow now and I am excited about getting back to writing tonight.

Reading plays for SART

Southeastern Appalachian Repertory Theater in Mars Hill, North Carolina sponsors a ScriptFEST each year. Playwrights from all over the country submit plays and they are read by a variety of people. Each is rated on various criteria. I was a reader two years ago, but since I was traveling out of the country, I didn't read last year. I am going to read this year, however. I picked up my first two plays today and am excited about reading them.
In January four of the top contenders from last year were produced as readers' theater where the actors sit in front of the audience and read the scripts aloud. The four plays were varied and interesting. This was open to the public and turned out to be a fun activity for a snowy January weekend.
I'll let you know as the summer progresses how my reading is coming and will update you on the finalists next fall as they are chosen and the winner when it is produced as a stage play.

Editing books

I am back in school taking a course with Vicki Lane at UNCA. My classmates are talented writers. We edit one another's manuscripts and share our changes during class then send the edited manuscripts to the writer of the manuscript at the end of class. Vicki does a line edit and her comments initiate the contributions of others.
I have been working on Righteous Acts for years. That is the manuscript I have chosen to work on. It has morphed into a mystery about a modern woman who wears many monikers, mother, wife, realtor's assistant, and substitute teacher. When I began Righteous Acts, the protagonist, Jill, was a police detective, but I felt like I could be more true to the character if I stayed within my realm of experience, though I may eventually elect to go to a citizen's police academy so that I can double check my facts about police investigations.
My critique night was last Wednesday. The class was very helpful. I had hit a wall in my writing. I knew what I wanted and needed to say, but I needed a different vehicle to say it. The other writers and Vicki identified it for me. Now I am back writing with new resolve. I appreciate all the thought and time they gave to me.
I also received a request by a publisher to resubmit String Weavers when I correct a point of view problem. After I correct my RA twenty pages while the critique notes are fresh, I'll fix the SW manuscript.
I do best when I have too much to do. I think this spring I'll do very well!