Boone's Hot Tub

My dog has a hot tub. Okay, it's not a hot tub, but he thinks it is. Check out this cute picture of him playing in it! Not that I'm biased or anything... but he's sooooo cute.

I spent the weekend working on stuff around the house, but I'm planning to hit the book hard on Monday. I've finally got goals and motivations set up (have to do this after I've written a few pages) and now, if I can stop tinkering with the opening, I'll be a happy writer.

Now a question for my readers (okay, Trish and Marley -- haha) what do you think is the hardest part of beginning a story?

Have a good Sunday and take a clue from Boone -- don't forget to play!

The Collective Unconscious?

I think I'm a little too tuned in to the creative masses...

As you may or may not know, I'm working on a paranormal YA this time around. So, a day after writing my scenes involving the spirit world, I saw a commercial for a Jennifer Love-Hewitt series The Ghost Whisperer. Yes, the show Medium already existed, so it's not like my premise is earth-shatteringly new, but still I was a bit rattled. To make matters worse, I then saw a romantic-comedy trailer for a Reese Witherspoon ghost picture.

Ack! I've tapped into something that's already out there. And my idea is soooo good!

Okay, I got over my inital freak out, thankfully. As most writers learn, no plot is ever going to be truly original (I mean, unless you're Diana Peterfreund or something...). It's how you write the story that makes it unique and fresh. Or at least that's the common wisdom.

After putting this into perspective, I got quite a bit of work done on the story yesterday. Those other related stories floating around out there may actually be a good thing. They are forcing me to go unexpected places.

I mean, who else would write a seance set in a bathroom, right? Only I could do that.

The Hardest Part

I've never been good at waiting.

I'm the kind of person that can't wait for toast, so I set the toaster on the quickest setting, but then when it pops up, I decide it's not done and shove it back in, only to set it on fire. I know this is going to happen, but I do it anyway. Hugh Jackman in Kate and Leopold where are you when I need you?

Somehow though, I manage to be reasonably patient with little Boone. Oh, he's not so little anymore. He weighs at least twenty pounds and eats his chow like someone coming off the Atkins Diet. So far, he's just about potty trained and can(when he's in the mood) fetch, sit and come. I have to keep remembering he's only ten weeks old, so this is pretty darn good.

Did you know Bill Clinton had a Chocolate Lab named Buddy? I saw it on a VH1 Hottest Celebrity Pets special. (Yes, there are plenty of ways to divert myself from working if I really want to be diverted.) So, if I understand correctly, Boone is going to be a sexy pet when he grows up.

But back to the waiting. Waiting to hear on submissions out in the wild shouldn't be so stressful. I should be heading back to the keyboard and not worrying about the things I cannot control. So why is this so easier said than done? Not to get all Deepak Chopra or anything, but I think I've got it figured out...

The unknown is easy to imagine. In your mind, all the possibilities spin themselves out into the void of unknowing. All the things that could happen become more important than what is at that moment. Your mind thinks it's working on the problem, making headway, but in reality it's keeping you from moving forward.

So, onward I go. I'm writing some new scenes today on my YA and trying to forget about what may or may not happen with my submissions.

The waiting is the hardest part. Tom Petty was definitely right about that.

Working Mother?

I knew puppies were a lot of work, I just never imagined one would impact my writing time so much. Between feedings, walkings, play time, and naps, my 17 pound baby Boone is giving me a clear picture of what it might be like to be a working mother -- only with chewies instead of Cheerios.

Yesterday was a miracle. I actually got nine pages written -- a new opening for my YA -- which was good page production. Made myself a sign that says, "What's at Stake?" the thought for the week.

Meanwhile, Boone managed to dump his shepherd sister's water bowl over and carry it over to her bed (nice surprise come her nap time), wrestled with the garden hose, lost his favorite purple football which made for a tantrum, and chewed another hole in the cheap kitchen flooring. A big day for him.

My DH was home to help take care of Boone yesterday, so today should be interesting as the pup and I try to coexist. If he'll let me write, maybe I'll throw in an extra chewie or two.

Starts & Fits

My first official blog isn't about writing -- well, not that much anyway. See, we brought home our new chocolate lab pup yesterday and he has taken over.

Boone is his around-the-house name, but my DH is determined that Boone should have a showdog name harkening back to his hunting champion forefathers. Whatever, honey. I'll be calling him Boone.

Speaking of getting started, I'm in the beginning of my new YA novel. (I told you I'd work the writing in!) I so love that can't-sleep feeling I get when I first start a story. Plotting on the pillow is, unfortunately for my DH, one of my brain's favorite activities.

But back to my new love.

Boone had his first night sleeping away from his mom and siblings, and for him, the challenge seemed to be staying cool. His little puppy pants kept waking me up -- those and the growls from our adult dog Katie. She's not quite sure Boone is a good thing.

But I think he is. He's a good reminder that you have to fall alot before you run. And that sometimes, only the table leg will do when you're teething.