There’s an idea that you “puke out the story” first, then go back and fill it in afterward. Personally, if I’m puking something out, I’m either pushing the lever on the porcelain throne or I’m grabbing a mop and am not in the best of moods. I prefer a different metaphor, though I’m not sure if I want to formulate it: giving it a voice or defining it is kind of like boxing it in, making it final, like an equation. Saying “This how I did it:” versus This is how I do it:” is a subtle difference where you’re not beholden to your statement. “This is how I do it:” gives your subconscious (or at least mine) the directive that you must follow the guidelines you stated, versus the freedom of saying “This is how I did it:” which means you can refer back to what you did but still gives you the option of trying something different. It reminds me of when I was writing music: I’d want to write a piece that was hard and driving, and sometimes a catchy country western tune would spring from my fingers. I’d fight to get back to the hard-driving prog-rock genre tossing out what could have been an interesting piece in it’s own right, the intended music would come in time, just not this time.  If your muse wants to sway to a country western beat, go ahead and dance with them: they’ll love you more for it and won’t go off and dance with someone else, leaving you alone in the middle of the floor.

35473 words, ~ 1000 WPH

It’s difficult to stop when you’re on a roll.  The chapter is moving along and there’s a bit right in the middle as Samuel strikes off on his own in the city, the Zorphans panhandling with Lou. While I could continue on I know stopping here will spark me tomorrow to continue on, and letting it gestate can only help.  Delayed Gratification 101.

Holding steady at approximately 1000 WPH. now at 33,321 words, and 79% of goal.

It’s difficult writing animal interaction with humans when they don’t talk. Samuel and Lou converse of course, but neither of them talk with the children, which means they must convey their ideas with their actions.  It’s fun but a little difficult to move the story along, especially when the animals are trying to make a point with the humans.  The humans can ask the animals questions, but the animals can only act or react.

Also need to rewrite the “shelter” – was a long-shot initially, then the idea of a camouflaged camper came to mind…

900 WPH, 75% done, 31,424 words.  Hope to exceed my 42,000 word goal.