Intention and line

 

Playing at creating lives and worlds in a story is heady business. Real life, the wins and losses, keeps my feet on the ground.

The line, or veil, between we in the now, and those who have gone before is a theme that I'm exploring in the next book. 

Structuring it is not a big problem as it's a continuation of the first (three). We think we know the players and their goals, but they will surprise us. 

Keeping the Story on the rails is a course in self discipline for me. I tend to wander. Characters and plot take over and want to have their say. 

This time, I'll acknowledge that growth and likely wind up writing two or three books at once. One of them (mostly completed) reaches back in time before the first. Who doesn't like some juicy back story?  

Intentional lines get us from one point to another.  The trick is to make the trip as entertaining as the destination. 

the switch

 was flipped sometime in the night.

 Yesterday was a rare one. Chill enough for boots and long sleeves in the morning. Warm in the bright sun, a cool breeze tickled in the shade. My gardenias, marigolds and purslane still gallantly flowering. 

I drove with all ports wide and made a hot, catch-me-if-you-can loop down the parkway and back ending at the turtle park. 

It's been over a year since I walked there. One foot in front of the other, I made the very short walk around the pond with only one catch my breath stop, the movement more shaking off the cobwebs in my brain than pushing my body. 

I'd been smug about having book four in the can, or rather, jotted down on a clutch of index cards. A thing I never did before. Not quiet plotting. 

Still, it was big progress. But the walking mode showed me the finale and it was not a happy ending which means it's not the end at all and I have to dive back in. 

The temps dropped overnight and today is a pj's and soup day - cold with rain the whole day. Perfect all on its own. Cats all spread out snoring. For this moment, some stitch and some jazz.

those guys

 I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been thoroughly enjoying the Boys of Summer! Last night I got together with a friend. had good food and fun and watched the Atlanta Braves get us to the World Series for the first time since 1999! It was a nail-biter! 

In a totally different sphere of sport, I have been internet stalking this guy, (Oh, you wouldn't? Liar!)      I somehow stumbled across a picture of him while prospecting for an actor to play the main character in my novel.

A couple of my beta readers agreed, Joel Poland, 2021 Overall World Champion waterskier (of all damned things) is THE GUY. 

Tough luck chica. He's not an actor, but an athlete performing at the peak of his sport. Oh damn well, he's fun to watch, and I love that I was able to watch the finals live while I was away, if only on my phone. Send it, JP! 

Update. Somebody wants to be a movie star.

Wordless

 

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Time for me to fly!

 

They always know when I'm traveling, even though it's been years. I use a whole roll of tape to get cat hair off this bag and my navy hoody. Took a shower and found cats again roosting on everything. "All haired up for you, mom." 

They will be in good hands.

If FB is good for nothing else, the Memories feature brings sweet surprises. These two pictures were taken six years apart. 

Of course, going home means going to where memories were made.  There is nothing like an old polaroid for time travel. He was teasing me about something and I had clearly taken the bait. I do remember that those overalls were so tight that sitting was an act of masochism. There were no babies yet. I drove home in my underwear not caring if I got pulled over. 

This is happening too. But I won't be shipping anything until after I get back, maybe the 24th, give or take. Flex is good.