I will finish some books I’ve been working on intermittently for years.
Why years? you ask.
Book #1—I borrowed part of it for another book. Also, I started the book so long ago that the male character’s mother survived the Holocaust as a child. She’d be waaay too old now so I’d have to rewrite it to be a deceased grandparent and tell the story through the mother. That’s what I get for taking from Peter without having any idea how to pay Paul. Title: Achilles’ Heel―354 pages without revisions.
Book #2—I got distracted writing my series and left it. I’ve gone back to it lately and haven’t caught up to where I left off. Being of a certain age, I’ve forgotten what I had in mind. I’m hoping it will come to me when I get to where I stopped. Title: Breaking Point―125 pages.
Book #3—Mid-grade―only 12 pages, but I might go back to it because it could be fun. No Title
Book #4—Have no idea why I stopped writing it. I’ll put it down to distraction, but it sounds like it just might not be any good. Plain Jane ― 132 pages.
Screenplay #5
—I’ve written the screenplay of Hooked because I thought it would make a good movie. It’s funny, sexy, and has a story I like. I entered it in a playwriting contest and got nowhere. I might try it again with more research on how to construct it better. I have a couple of free codes for the audio, if anyone would like to listen to it and you’re not easily offended. The narrator is terrific.
Book #6—I’ll publish this book next. It’s not quite finished, and it’s a departure from what I usually write because it’s political—not US politics either. I kept putting it aside because I expected the situation in that country to change. I’ve come to the conclusion that it probably never will, so I picked it up again and forged ahead. Title: none yet. I’m hoping to have a brainstorm during edits. Right now it’s at 95,000 words and 358 pages. It’a a big complicated story about right and wrong and the gray area in between, about dedication and service, about love and loyalty. Unfortunately, it's also about blinding hate and revenge. Hopefully, I can pull it off.
I have a lot to do in 2020 if I intend to finish at least two of these books. Achilles’ Heel was written two computers ago, so there’s lots of editing to do once I figure out how to rewrite the part I excised. Hopefully, I’ve learned a few things since then.
Wish me luck.
Why years? you ask.
Book #1—I borrowed part of it for another book. Also, I started the book so long ago that the male character’s mother survived the Holocaust as a child. She’d be waaay too old now so I’d have to rewrite it to be a deceased grandparent and tell the story through the mother. That’s what I get for taking from Peter without having any idea how to pay Paul. Title: Achilles’ Heel―354 pages without revisions.
Book #2—I got distracted writing my series and left it. I’ve gone back to it lately and haven’t caught up to where I left off. Being of a certain age, I’ve forgotten what I had in mind. I’m hoping it will come to me when I get to where I stopped. Title: Breaking Point―125 pages.
Book #3—Mid-grade―only 12 pages, but I might go back to it because it could be fun. No Title
Book #4—Have no idea why I stopped writing it. I’ll put it down to distraction, but it sounds like it just might not be any good. Plain Jane ― 132 pages.
Screenplay #5
Book #6—I’ll publish this book next. It’s not quite finished, and it’s a departure from what I usually write because it’s political—not US politics either. I kept putting it aside because I expected the situation in that country to change. I’ve come to the conclusion that it probably never will, so I picked it up again and forged ahead. Title: none yet. I’m hoping to have a brainstorm during edits. Right now it’s at 95,000 words and 358 pages. It’a a big complicated story about right and wrong and the gray area in between, about dedication and service, about love and loyalty. Unfortunately, it's also about blinding hate and revenge. Hopefully, I can pull it off.
I have a lot to do in 2020 if I intend to finish at least two of these books. Achilles’ Heel was written two computers ago, so there’s lots of editing to do once I figure out how to rewrite the part I excised. Hopefully, I’ve learned a few things since then.
Wish me luck.
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Polly Iyer is the author of nine novels: standalones Hooked, InSight, Murder Déjà Vu, Threads, and Indiscretion, and four books in the Diana Racine Psychic Suspense series, Mind Games, Goddess of the Moon, Backlash and The Scent of Murder. A Massachusetts native, she makes her home in the beautiful Piedmont region of South Carolina. You can visit her website for more on Polly and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
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It sounds like you're off to a good start! Finishing is such a lovely thing to contemplate.
ReplyDeleteYes, from the time I wrote this blog, I did finish #6. Never thought that would happen. Now to the tweaking.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the same thing in 2020. It's all about the FINISH!
ReplyDeleteGot one done, then thought it needed a wrap-up. But at least it's "almost" done.
DeleteLet's do it, Pat.
LOL. I have several things to finish, too -- some quick jobs, some rewrites, some stories I started eons ago. I like the feeling of having plenty of options re what to work on next.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, I'll be lucky to finish the big one, but I'm being optimistic.
DeleteBook 1 intrigues me, Polly. Why rewrite it? Just start it in, say, 1990 or whatever time is appropriate. You can head the page with "Chapter 1" and put "April 1990" under it, centered and in bold type -- or whatever date you like -- and then leave the opening just like it is (with revisions if they're needed, of course). Why go through a total rewrite of 354 pages? Want some ideas and lots of encouragement, send me a private message in FB, and I'll give you my phone number.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thanks so much for the offer. Switching who tells the story is the least of my problems. I took out a main character to write the other book. A chunk of story needs to be not only rewritten but rethought. I can replace him, but it changes the end of the story. It's been so long since I wrote it, maybe 15 years, I'd have to reread it to see if it's a viable story to complete. I adore your offer.
Delete