I often like to start each day's writing session by reviewing what I wrote the day before. If it's good, I pat myself on the back a little. If it's not so good, I start revising to make it better. Either way, it gets me back into the world of my novel. Primes the pump.
Then there are the times when I read something I wrote last time and can only scratch my head and wonder what the hell I meant to write. A few days ago, while reading and editing a section of the work in progress (provisionally titled The Real Macaw), I came across a scene in which Meg, my heroine, says, "I folded my eyes."
Huh?
No, she didn't narrow them or squint. Maybe I meant to say she folded her arms? I'll never know. I rewrote the paragraph.
I also changed this morning's find, in which the macaw of the title was found "with one head tucked under his wing."
Clearly a very unusual bird. But since I'm not writing urban fantasy, I think the second head will have to go the way of the folded eyes.
Off to write a few more pages so I can stay on schedule. And, no doubt, to write something else that I will find baffling tomorrow morning.
It's nice to hear that I'm not the only person who reviews the previous day's writing and does some revision before continuing on.
I'm still learning the craft, and while I realize that there is no "One" way to write, I sometimes feel isolated when it seems like NOBODY writes like I do. Grin.
Looking forward to the upcoming release as well as the WIP.
Shawn R.
Posted by: Shawn R | June 21, 2010 at 09:30 PM
I think you need to save those lines that you have to fix. I love the bit about the raven tucking one head - I laughed out loud when I read it.
Posted by: Kristina L | June 25, 2010 at 09:47 PM
I've been getting fascinated by Meg's notebook. What size it might be, how it's arranged. I tend to write lists that get hidden under other papers that I need to deal with someday :) This notebook thing sounds like a good idea. I guess I could buy an iphone, but those itty bitty keypads look like a pain.
Posted by: Kristina L | July 03, 2010 at 05:35 PM
I actually don't know, Kristina. I think her notebook has mutated over time. I suspect she started with a spiral notebook, and as her life become more and more complicated, she went to a small 3-ring notebook. I used to have one that would fit in my purse, back when I spent half my life in the office and half at home. Now, I use a Word document that I call up onto my desktop first thing every morning.
Posted by: Donna Andrews | July 11, 2010 at 08:15 PM
I'm beta-testing a full size spiral notebook. Can't keep it in my purse, but it's still nice for home and work.
I was able to order Stork Raving Mad on Barnes & Nobel a day or so ago! Looks like it's available.
Posted by: Kristina L | July 16, 2010 at 12:32 AM
I keep a few notebooks handy. My car, my purse, the bedtable...
I am looking forward to the next book- I take them to my sister, and read them aloud to her and the people whe are at the hospice where she resides. I think that I will continue to read there when she passes, your books bring laughter to an otherwise heart wrenching day for alot of the folks. Thank you
Posted by: Teri O'Brien | August 03, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Donna, you are such a HOOT! You make me laugh out loud! Thank YOU!
I love all your writing!
Posted by: Sallie Bourgeois | September 07, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Can we get a better description of the house? In Stork, I had problems picturing the layout.
Posted by: Elizabeth Etzel | January 03, 2011 at 09:52 AM
I love your books. I'm not a fan of Disney, but I'm surprised they haven't snatched them up. To paraphrase the Master...I don't have to hide them under the sofa cushions when the teenagers walk in the room.
Posted by: fiddlefancier | January 08, 2011 at 10:49 PM