Tuesday
Four pages drafted on The Peony Hotel (Stephanie Hardy, mid-life starting over) story. I’ve been at it since 10 a.m. It’s now 3 pm. Four pages. This is how long it takes at the beginning, making sure I’m getting it right.
I’m writing this in third-person, present tense. Not my usual. I started with third-person, past tense, but wanted to give it some immediacy. I might change it again as I’m finding it difficult. On the plus side, I’m getting to know this character a lot better already. I like her. She’s a literary novelist who wrote a “problematic” book and now she can’t get anyone to buy her work, specifically the next three manuscripts, even though she believes the third one is her best of all twelve she’s written in her thirty years after graduating with her MFA and working on the craft.
I barely hinted at the problems with her marriage and her three kids, but hint I did.
This is fun. I love writing. It’s a kick.
I wouldn’t mind having some of these spring rolls for dinner. When is our stuff going to arrive?
I looked briefly on Facebook at a Guam Foodie group. I have no idea how I’m going to try all these dishes and remember what they are called and what’s in them. Do I take photos and notes?
Those Spring Rolls look amazing ! I had some delicious spring rolls in Sanford lately !! In a little out of the way place in the Mid Town Mall ! Go figure! Definitely pictures and notes! I have so many folders in my Note App on my phone !!! Everything from food to places I want to visit !!!
That’s so funny you mention the spring rolls in the mall, Mary Jo. Here there are all kinds of recommended foods to be found in the mall and in little corner stores. I’m going to have to be very adventurous and curious. The corner stores (and some restaurants and many businesses) cover/paper over their windows because of glare/sun/heat (I think) which in the States might look sketchy or sinister, but here is just the norm. So I have to overcome my trepidation and start venturing forth!
So glad you are writing. Try all the recipies! Food blog 🙂 Hope your household goods arrive soon.
I can’t do another blog…but maybe this writing journal will also be a food blog, haha.
Great that you’re writing amidst the practical complications of settling in. And you’re getting to know your character, Stephanie, she sounds interesting. I always have to start with a character, not a plot or even a setting. As for person and tense, I don’t know how to settle on those! I’ve been known to write 50,000 words in present tense then decide I must change the whole thing to past, or was it vice versa?! Good luck with it.
And please email me a spring roll , they look delicious. x
I’d love to email you a spring roll…here’s a virtual one. It has avocado, carrots, and cucumber with a wondrous garlic dipping sauce. I’m going to stick with present tense for now as an experiment. Why not? Leaning into doing things for creative purposes, not necessarily commercial and finding it much more joyous and experience!