The weather has been so nice that I absolutely forgot what month it was. But today the weather has begun to change. It's subtle just some clouds instead of the sunshine and blue sky, and the temperature has begun inching down from the upper eighties to just eight. Next week there might be rain.
I'm grateful to have had some day to take my coffee outside and let the sun bathe over me. I really feel for all the people having cold, bleak winter weather.
Rewriting the next Yarn Retreat book is going okay. Since I got to know the characters through writing the first draft, I can add touches to them now. I need to make a list of the characters with basic details so I don't change their names or eye color later in the manuscript. I like to go through magazines and cast my characters, so that I have an actual visual in mind. People Magazine works great.
It always takes a while to get from my kitchen table to my computer. I have found that doing a crossword puzzle or another kind of puzzle works like exercise for my mind and makes it easier to work on a manuscript. I had a book of crosswords that were easy, but then I got one that has easy, medium and hard. I worked my way through all the easy ones and am not into medium. It's a whole new experience. I went from whizzing through the puzzles to having to look things up. Like I would know off hand what water is near the leaning tower of Pisa. It's the Arno River. My phone definitely comes in handy for stuff like that. It's harder when the answer is an expression or reaction to something. I could always look in the back for the answer, but I like to figure it out myself.
I think the reason that crosswords are helpful in writing is that they are all about meanings of words and relationships of words. It has made me think about the English language and how tricky it is. There are words that are spelled the same, but have different pronunciations. Words and phrases that don't make sense if you just look at the words. Anyway, it is a far better way to spend my time than scrolling through my phone. And my mind feels oiled and ready for action when I get to my computer.
5 comments:
Good morning -- I hope that's a typo where you said the temperature has gone down from the eighties to eight -- brrr if it isn't!! The weather here is beautiful -- trees are starting to leaf out -- the bougainvillea is in bloom. Such a gorgeous plant but wow, does it have wicked thorns.
I was reading a book where two characters, I'll call them John and Mary, were talking about Jim, who had died. All of a sudden, the conversation switched to Jim being the one talking to Mary. I looked back over several paragraphs to be sure I hadn't missed something, but it was just a glaring error.
I don't do many crossword puzzles but I do watch "Jeopardy" and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on the Game Show tv network and try to answer the questions.
I've been doing my usual crocheting. The Ronald McDonald House let me know they have a big supply of blankets and don't need any more so I've had to find a new place. Took a bit of doing but I am now donating to a cancer treatment center -- the donations coordinator said patients are always cold during treatment so they give each one a blanket that they can use during treatments and then take home.
Lawn guys are starting their noise -- I'm always glad when they get done early so they don't disturb my afternoon nap!!
Enjoy your day, your writing and whatever else you choose to do.
I love words and crossword puzzles, Betty. I do lots of crosswords. And characters? Right now, I'm figuring out who'll appear in the next book I'm about to write. Have fun with your writing and the not-so-bad weather!
Patty, LOL, it's a typo. It went from the eighties to just eighty. Today it's in the sixties. It's hard to tell inside. Half the house gets a lot sun and warms up, the other side stays chillier.
That must have been confusing when the dead guy was suddenly talking.
I'm sure the people getting cancer treatments will appreciate the blankets and the colors will cheer them up.
Anything that stirs your mind is good.
Enjoy your weekend!
Linda, Happy writing! It's always daunting and exciting to begin a new project.
I have also been enjoying our warm weather. I was able to sit outside at Farmer's Market with my tea and book in just a tee shirt. I met a couple visiting from Montreal and they told me they love our weather.
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