Time for a monthly update on how I’m doing with my WIP, Against All Odds, Book 3 of the Crossroads trilogy.
Based on a true story, the extraordinary saga of hardship, conflict, family, and survival…
A quick summary:
A million years of evolution made Xhosa tough but tough enough for this?
Here’s what I have done the past month:
- Not much. I’m still editing. I needed a break from Autocrit so switched to reading through the novel for pacing, wording, and authenticity. As I read, I keep three books open on my desktop (my third screen):
When I get stuck on a description that doesn’t sound detailed enough or have too many people nodding or scowling, these are the books I turn to. For me, this works really well.
- I started gathering files and pictures for my trailer but still haven’t ordered my cover. I’ll know when I’m ready.
That’s it! How are you doing on your latest WIP? I’d love to hear!
More on How I’m Doing
How I’m Doing on The Quest for Home– 4
How I’m Doing on Survival of the Fittest — 4
Book Launch–Born in a Treacherous Time
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
Write, write, write, Jacqui! You have such a marvelous work ethic! This is our spring break week, so I am catching up on posts! I get the feeling my students are depressed, as many have had to move back home. Seems like you are on track with the next book! I am in the final phase of my first draft and should be able to send to local author/blogger friend, Cathleen Townsend for her editing! We had hoped to meet up for her to show me how to deal with Mobi files, so hopefully, we can still do that early summer!
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Didn’t know Cathleen was that gal. Hmm… My mind’s working.
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We’ve met in person. She lives near Sacramento. We are trading peer editing services 👍
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Editing and reading through is way more than ‘not much’. Good luck with it!!!
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It is just tasking forever!
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Great job, Jacqui, you always do a great job. Stay healthy.
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I sure get a lot more writing done now! All good with you?
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Constantly worried. “Good” isn’t part of my vocabulary right now, but we (husband and kids and grands) are healthy and self isolating.
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My son Sean is in Okinawa and he says nothing has changed there. It has in Japan but not on his little island. And a fellow writer I talk to in South Korea says things are getting back to normal. Hopeful, isn’t it?
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I’m very glad Sean feels safe. My understanding it that they implemented forced isolation conditions in some countries. A team of physicians from China came here (sorry, I forgot exactly where) to explain why China has gotten the upper hand on Covid 19. They told the audience that we’re not doing what we must do here – to enforce strict measures of isolation. We’ve go thousand of kids on spring break romping in large crowds, getting drunk, having sex, ignoring all safety guidelines. My sweet elderly neighbor walked to my house in the rain to give me a slice of homemade cake. I threw it out and will refuse any thing else she offers. Hated to do that – I should have refused to even accept it. People don’t understand what quarantine means or why it’s essential. This comment is for your eyes, you’re welcome to delete it from your blog, no bad feelings on this end.
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It’s complicated, Shari. I don’t believe what China says–don’t find them reliable. It’s a difficult situation to be in, to not know who to trust. Common sense will get us through.
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Russia is not reliable either – but you know that.
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Not much is still progress!
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I’m happy with how it’s going, despite the mental distractions. Good luck with your launch, Jina!
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You as well – with your progress and cover.
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Glad you are continuing to progress Jacqui. It is great to have a writing project.
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Writing fiction is such a great escape from the world. I need that now!
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May you and your loved ones all stay safe. x
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I buy reference books and then am negligent in using them- thanks for the timely reminder!
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I didn’t use these three nearly as much before I plugged them permanently to my third screen. It’s like having a side table with the most important stuff on it.
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Good idea! I dragged my Emotion Thesaurus, kicking and screaming, out of retirement today thanks to your post 🙂
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I have that one, too, just ran out of room. I need a fourth screen!
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Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. I’m anxious to read it.
I’ve got to order Lexicon.
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It’s going better than I’d expected. I don’t know if I’m writing better or more immersed in this long-gone world.
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Go you. I love Kathy’s books! 🙂
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The editing is going faster than usual so I’d say they’re working!
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Those sound like great books. I’d better add them to my wish list.
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They are part of my writer’s arsenal. They are always out when I’m writing.
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Nice to see you sharing your progress, Jacqui. Those reference books have caught my interest too.
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I didn’t make much progress and it has slowed even further. I find myself distracted. That will pass!
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I find I’m highly distracted lately too. No surprise there!
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“Too many people nodding or scowling” Ha ha ha. I know exactly what you mean. My characters tend to do a lot of “glancing” at each other. Everyone’s always glancing at something. Lol. Keep at it, Jacqui. I’m looking forward to the read. 🙂
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Yes! Kathy makes me think about why they’re glancing (or nodding) and then fix it. I looked up ‘glance’–she doesn’t have that word but she has ‘look’ with lots of idea.
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I made a long list of “gestures” that I add to every once in a while like: picked his teeth, fiddled with a button, took off her boot and massaged her toes, etc. It helps when I’m trying not to have everyone “glancing.” 😀
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What a great idea!
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You’re welcome to steal it!
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I won’t make you offer twice. You’ll probably see it appear in my future novels. Thanks (again) Diana.
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I’ve got Kathy’s books on my wish list. I need to work harder to find the money to buy them. Do you find using the ebook or the paperback easier?
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I only have the ebook but I love that approach. Then, I can search a term (with Ctrl+F) and find all references to it.
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That’s something I hadn’t considered. Thanks for the point of interest.
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Keep editing, that’s the hard job.
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Yeah it is, and the fun part. Today, I’m slogging. Too many distractions.
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Great hooks… Looking good! 🙂
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Thanks, Bette. I still haven’t ordered the cover. I’m waiting for that feeling.
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It is sure to be awesome!
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Hi, what’s up , hope all is well, I like your profile and i decided to contact you . I will like us to meet if you don’t mind .Your incredible beautiful woman. Regs.
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Nice to hear that Jacqui, wishing you success with your plans.
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Thanks. I’m glad it’s not ready now. I’ve been reading authors publishing during these times. I am not sure I’d have it in me to be excited.
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Good to have those books on hand when those nods and sighs take over. I’m trying to get through a final last twos run throughs. I keep getting distracted. Have a good weekend.
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When I see my character is nodding for the third time–on a page–I click over to the books!
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Hi, what’s up , hope all is well, I like your profile and i decided to contact you . I will like us to meet if you don’t mind .Your incredible beautiful woman. Regs.
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I am doing pretty well too, Jacqui. Better than expected because of this work from home thing. I seem to have more time now even though I am supervising my boys virtual classrooms and school work. I finished the stories for all three ghosts and am now doing the bits to bind it all together.
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It’s amazing how much travel, chatting, lunch with coworkers–all that time adds up. Suddenly, it’s gone and you have a ton of time for writing. At least, that was my experience!
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The way you set up your screens is awesome. It’s really exciting seeing your progress, ans process.
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When I’m working on designs, it’s so easy to drag-drop between screens and track something without losing my place somewhere else. Three screens–a game changer!
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Sure sounds like a good plan.
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I admire your tremendous work power, and I’m sure “Against All Odds” will be a tremendous success, “against all odds” 😜surely this coming summer may still reserve us surprises. I do appreciate the resources you have been using, a bing “thanks” for the hint!
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So glad they’re helpful. They’re up on my screen right now!
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The Rural Setting Thesaurus. I can see where this book would be helpful to many writers. The creation of this thesaurus undoubtedly has an interesting history.
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I like reading the descriptions of places I’ve never been. They always touch all the senses.
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Hi Jacqui – it’s great to know you’re progressing on … I love your screen set up – I aspire to those!! Are you reading aloud … and does that make a difference to actually just reading it as you would a book … keep on – and obviously there’s more time now – desperate for so many. Take care and look after yourselves – cheers Hilary
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I have the computer read aloud to me. There are more options than there used to be and I like that it doesn’t sound human necessarily. It makes me listen harder. Take care of yourself, Hilary!
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Hi, what’s up , hope all is well, I like your profile and i decided to contact you . I will like us to meet if you don’t mind .Your incredible beautiful woman. Regs.
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Nice progress, Jacqui! I have all three of the craft books that you mentioned. Sadly, mine aren’t as neat as yours. When it comes to my writing tools, I need the physical book, so mine are scattered on my desk and riddled with post-its, highlights and dog-ears. 🙂
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I have a bunch of books scattered over my desk, too. Mostly about surviving in the wilds. They fill my desk! Stay healthy, Jill!
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LOL! I should have known about those books of yours. 🙂 You stay well, too!
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That sounds like a great strategy for keeping on towards your goals, Jacqui. Small steps will carry you there just as well, sometimes better.
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Yes, I had really stalled on the tiny edits. Now I’m about 2/3 through with the re-reading and I like how it sounds. This was a good change.
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That’s wonderful! Sometimes we forget how well we write, until we re-read. 🙂
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I agree with Darlene – having to stay at home should help! Good luck! 🙂
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I love working from home–have done it for years. It’s only isolated if I want it to be.
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Well done. We can use this time of isolation to write! Keep well.
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Because my fictional world is so different, it is a lovely escape. I become completely wrapped up in a life 850,000 years ago!
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