The drafts

August seems to be my month. Or better my novel month. It was last August that I finished the first draft of the second book in my trilogy and it was March when I decided to rewrite it.

I took my time, I didn’t write full time and I decided to create a new file and start writing from scratch. And I did it.

It’s August again and the second draft of my book is ready!

On Writing: Rewriting

There is a magic in rewriting a story and I discover its beauty the more rewriting comes to an end. I’ve rewritten 21 of the 27 chapters and even if I cut some of them and expanded others, the fact is that the original story is on its end.

But my story is not!

On Writing: Show me some teeth

These last few months, I'm rewriting the second book of a story I started years ago and so far it’s been like child's play. I created a new Word File and since I knew where the plot is heading, I wrote chapter after chapter and created a new story. It was wonderful and easy and I felt so powerful and happy that I foolishly let myself believe that I would finish it up in a blink of an eye.

Yesterday though things got an unexpected turn.

On writing: Castaway

It came like a wave, as it usually does, and I gladly let it wash over me and carry me away like a raging river. I took a deep breath and let the water guide me until my lungs screamed for air.

When I surfaced, I didn't find myself in the cold, pale waters of a river but in the vast, deep blue waters of an ocean. And in the back of my mind I knew that I had swum in these waters before.

Precious little moments

I woke up today thinking of my MC. I try to see where she is now, what she's doing but the more I try to picture her, the more she slips away. I usually let her be, waiting for her to show me the way but this time, all she shows me is the last part of the chapter I wrote.

I fear that I may have damaged her more than the book requires. Is this even possible?

On Writing: Stay focused

I feel an emptiness in my chest right next to my heart and I know it's because its wounded. It aches and the pain travels across my body but I didn't mean for this to happen! Yes, I am the one to blame but I am also the one who can actually do something about it.

I've been trying, for I would be dammed if I didn't, but as long as I try to fix this, I fail, and the wound in my chest grows bigger and bigger. Lately the pain increases by the hour and I fear that the hole next to my heart will grow so big that will swallow it entirely.

On Writing: Rewrite it

So this it it, guys. The Hard Stuff.

Don't let yourself be fooled by editing. Be extra careful because time is precious and we do need so much time in order to properly write that book we have in our mind! 

When you finish that first heart-aching draft, and let it aside for a month or two, it's time for rewriting. Yep, rewriting and then editing because it's not the same. It ain't at all!

Seriously, editing can go on forever but now I know why! And I won't do this anymore!

Rewrite and then edit and maybe you'll have a book that you can proudly say it's finished! I'm heading that way.

Here's the thing. 

Dive into the unknown

The first wave of heat is here. The sun is blinding, and it's hot on my skin, the air chokes me and I can't stand the tight jeans and sneakers. It's summer and I crave for the sea, even the sight of it.

So I need to make plans, I need to take some days off and march on the first beach I can reach. I don't know about you, but I prefer the quiet beaches, those peaceful places where you hear the sound of the water on the shore and even the cicadas or crickets resting on the nearby trees.

When I think of moments like this, calmness spreads inside me like a cool breeze on a hot, sunny day. And you do know what happens when a mind is at peace, right?