Monday, June 9, 2014

When Your Writing Plans Go Awry, Doughboys and Camping

Hi Writers and Readers,

Glad you stopped in today. I'm a bit late in posting. In fact most of my writing plans are going awry. I gave myself a deadline to finish my WIP, but that deadline has passed and so has another, and now I am looking in the face of a failed deadline yet again.

I am working on a mystery/romance/paranormal. (Do you think that's enough genres for one book??? LOL) I don't even have a title for it and I am on Chapter 31. No name has even begun to swirl in my head, but then, I don't usually title my stories or books till I'm done writing THE END on the last page.

I really really wanted to give you a hint of the story, even the first scene, but as I write, I see I have to make some changes to the beginning chapters. Heck, I'm going to have to add and take away quite a few places in this book. It's one of the most complicated stories I have ever written. Too complex can be a bad thing. Readers don't want to have to stop and sort out every piece in the plot or make notes to read the tale! (I know this because I am a reader too.)

The Reason Why My Writing Went Awry

 This past weekend I had huge plans of writing while we were on a camping trip with the family. There is no WiFi in the Muskegon State Park, Muskegon, Michigan, so I knew I wouldn't have emails and Facebook and reading blogs to distract me. However, I didn't anticipate having such a good time with the gang. Yes, I am blaming my lack of progress on my WIP on the fishing, the delicious cookouts over the campfire, and great conversations. Plus it doesn't get dark until after 10:00 pm EDT in this area, so we were out and about late. 

I didn't even open my laptop or take out my notebook while camping. Do I feel guilty? Not at all!! My characters Lauren, Gary, Chip, and Randy will just have to wait for me. I'm feeling the sand between my toes, the warm sunshine, the sweet hugs and kisses from my grandkids instead.

Take a Peek at my Weekend


We enjoyed S'mores and Doughboys over this campfire
as well as burgers, hot dogs, and chicken.

Doughboys are dough of crescent rolls wrapped around the end of a large dowel rod. It takes patience to "bake" it over a campfire, but oh so yummy when filled with pie filling, apple butter, or pizza toppings.


Kids are ready to go fishin' in the channel
that connects Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan.

We found out there weren't many fish in the channel. :-(
 Ethan was lucky to catch a 15 inch rock bass.

What a gorgeous day for a boat ride. No, not our boats.

All shapes and sizes of boats use the channel to reach the big lake.

This is our home sweet home when camping.

 Hope you had a delightful weekend. Now tell me, if you are a writer, when do you have a title for your stories? If you are a camper, share one of your camping experiences with us. Please leave a comment below.

4 comments:

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Camping is hard work. No wonder you haven't finished your WIP. I mean, with all those meals to cook and the firewood collection, not to mention cleaning the floor, sweeping the sand, trying not to get smothered in too much mosquito dope. It's hard work! It's amazing you had the energy left to compose this post. You're a trouper, Janet!

J.Q. Rose said...

Joylene, ain't that the truth!! LOL..however some of those tasks are assigned to the grandkids, so they CAN help if they aren't off fishing or bike riding.

Michelle Wallace said...

Those pics are really gorgeous, JQ!
Let Lauren, Gary, Chip, and Randy wait their turn. They get enough of your attention as it is. LOL

"...the sand between your toes, the warm sunshine, the sweet hugs and kisses from your grandkids"... precious moments!
Writer In Transit

J.Q. Rose said...

Thanks, Michelle. I wish I could stop those characters from swirling around in my brain all the time. They are demanding I tell their story! !!!

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