Sunday, August 25, 2013

Work In Progress -- Vocab Lessons

Thomas Jefferson wrote prolifically -- more than 18,000 letters, a garden book, a farm book, an account book, a weather journal, one book, and a declaration among other things. His writing was insightful, thorough, direct, and clear as long as the reader was born before skirts rose above the ankle.

So, I've had, on occasion, difficulty figuring out what he means. Some of his text can be convoluted, sound contrary, and include words I've never seen before.  But I'm enjoying TJ's vocab lessons. So far I have learned compromitted, which means to pledge or promise, OR to put in danger or compromise. Then there is usufruct - the legal right to profit from property belonging to someone else.  My favorite so far is promptitude. Exactly what it sounds like -- the characteristic of being prompt. 

So, thanks TJ. And thanks for my new way of signing off.

PE: Thomas




Friday, August 2, 2013

I Finally Got It!

After months of research and rooting around for a lead that will capture a reader's attention, set the tone, and establish the theme, I finally found it. Or at least I think I have. I won't tell you what it is because it might change.  If it stays the same and appears in the published version I'll tell you then.

The best feeling in the world is finally getting it. It doesn't even compare with seeing your book finally in print, 'but it comes close to how you feel when you get that contract, although it's better. Way better for me, because now I know I can write this book. Before I found it, I was flailing around doing too much research on tangential subjects. I'm the kind of writer who needs to know where I'm starting. I find it hard to move forward without it. It not only sets the tone for the reader, but also for me as I continue on through the manuscript. What literary devices have I set up that I can play with throughout the rest of the text?  What imagery can I return to?  When I come full circle, where will I end up? If I know the beginning then I know the end.

So, now that I've found it, I'm feeling pretty pumped. Then what do I do? I show it to someone. Never do that. I expected him/her (For full anonymity) to be just as excited. They weren't.

But that's okay. Because it doesn't matter anyway. My brain has already moved on to the next bit and I'm on a roll.