Working on the Plot

It is not the plot of a book that makes me tremble. I have the plot from beginning to end in my head long before I even put it to paper as an outline. However, the execution of the plot, fleshing it out literally, so that the players are real and reacting as humans act, not as players, is what causes me to stay up late at night writing and rewriting. Fortunately, when I get beyond my panic, I love going with the flow. In fact, I don't want anything or anybody to dam up the flow. I'm in the fear phase right now, but I feel my self-confidence reemerging. Look out Righteous Acts. Your creator likes your characters and is ready to make them real for everyone else.

New Friend

A new puppy found Ken yesterday. He was weeding in the front flower bed and up our hill came a tan and white terrier. He decided our side porch was home and promptly took up residence. Late last night we did the unthinkable and fed him. He is well trained except he jumps. He sits on command, fetches, and Ken has shown dominance so now a good "shush" stops his scratching at the doors. We have to find him a new home. As much as Ken might like another dog, Izzie will feel rejected and we all three move too slowly for this dog. If you know of someone who loves dogs and wants a new one(probably 4 months old by his teeth), just respond to this blog.

Best Seafood North and West of the Gulf and the Atlantic

If you're ever in the vicinity of Birmingham, Alabama you must not miss dinner at the Pita Stop which now has two locations. We were so homesick for their seafood we went twice in two days this weekend. You can't miss the Amberjack. However, my favorite is the Seafood Kabob with chunks of grouper, shrimp and scallops. Everything there is marinaded in the Pita Stop's special Mediterranean marinade. My mouth is still watering and I can't wait to get back for another big helping. Yum!

Travel

Because I got to do so little of it for so many years, I love to travel. The same old byways are just as fascinating to me on the one hundredth trip as they were the first time I traveled along them. We made a familiar trek today to Birmingham for a wedding. It was a wonderful day on roads well traveled.

weather

I must be getting old. Here I am writing about the weather again. Well, it has changed so much in two days. Last weekend it was very hot. We were glad to have sandals and short pants. Today I have my shawl around me and socks on. This temperature is to my liking as is summer hot, but it is the back and forth adjustments that require a lot of my body.

We are expecting storms again this afternoon. They are moving in from Tennessee as the last ones did. As long as we avoid hail I can enjoy the lightning and thunder. Hail will destroy Ken's crops and batter our vehicles. I have never experienced this many storms with hail in them in my lifetime.

Family

I love my children. This weekend two of our children and their significant others are going to be here in the mountains with us. We have looked forward to this for a month. The first son arrived late last night. The second one arrives tomorrow night. They are both here to see one another, but one is going to a wedding also. This is a weekend to celebrate. We'll miss the girls and their loves and the grandchildren, but there'll be other opportunities for that reunion. They are together in Chapel Hill where they live.

Writing a mystery

I love a good mystery. I want a provocative element in the book, a complex set of characters that are all important to the plot, and a fast moving plot. That is a tall order if you are writing one. Today I am going to edit Righteous Acts to see if I can make the 13 chapters I've written have all of those things. Other than that it is wash day Monday and clear the guest room Monday and Tuesday. We are having company this week and I am thrilled. In my next life I'll be a bed and breakfast owner perhaps.