Sunday Salon in Death #SundaySalon
Happy Sunday! Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at ReaderBuzz. Check out her post and the links to see what other bloggers have been up to in the last week.
How’s the weather?
Varied. We’ve had sun and rain. Warm and cool. Our leaves are down, except for the oaks that hold on to theirs for much of the winter.
What are you reading?
I took a break from reading Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton to catch up on J.D. Robb’s ...In Death series. I wanted something that didn’t take any brain power and was completely absorbing. Random in Death definitely hit that spot. Passions in Death has been somewhat less compelling, so far. It will probably pick up soon. If it doesn’t, I’ll get back to this historical novel about Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley.
What are you watching?
After enjoying the first season of Wolf Hall, we decided to try The Tudors. That covers some of the same history, but with different perspectives. I enjoy seeing how they tell the same stories but with a distinctive slant. It’s a good reminder that historical facts only get us so far. We’re always going to want to turn history into story and each storyteller will do that differently.
What are you doing?
I haven’t mentioned my writing, recently. I finished my first draft in August. Since then, I’ve been working out all the things to think about before the next draft. Do I need all of these characters? How can I make the relationships more complicated in ways that make the story more compelling? How can I build the tension throughout the novel?
Of course, there are no right answers to those questions. Which means that I could keep brainstorming and experimenting forever. I hope to commit to a new outline before Christmas so that I can write a solid second draft in early 2025.
What are you up to this fine Sunday?
I am in need of a book that requires no brain power as well!
I really admire those of you who write books. I know it is quite the process and takes a lot of dedication and determination. Best wishes to you.
I hope the continued work on your novel goes well. It looks like it will be chilly by the end of the week here!
Reading some nonfiction – Magic Words, Nexus (fascinating thought on the history of information from the Stone Age to the present, and a memoir by a Korean American. I might add them to my blog for Nonfiction November. Have a great week.
I started The Wedding People after a buddy read of My Brilliant Friend.
Sometimes taking a step back from your writing will give you another perspective when you return to it. I admire your dedication to the novel.
I wish it was as easy to binge read book series as it is tv series!
Wishing you a great reading week
I feel so proud of you for finishing your first draft and taking time to think about what you want to do next.
My aunt recommended J.D. Robb to me when she visited us recently. She said Robb writes science fiction. Maybe it’s more like science fiction slash mystery.
It wouldn’t hit the spot if you’re craving science fiction. The main character through the series is a police detective. It’s set in the future, but mostly that shows up in made-up slang and a couple of gee-whiz technologies.
Almost all of my books require no brain power. I think a lot at work, so I want to chill when I’m not there. I do plenty of things to exercise my brain so I don’t feel like I need heavy reads.
I hope you reach your outline goal!
Good luck on the brainstorming for your novel. It seems like you’re in a good position now with the first draft done. Have fun tweaking.