2018-08-29

Reading/Writing Journal

Finished a couple of YA books recently.  Little Tree (mentioned last post) and "Ashes of Roses," which I picked up after last post.  The MC is a 15 year old who comes through Ellis Island from Ireland to NYC.  She and a younger sister find themselves working at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory just before the 1911 fire that happened there.  Highly recommend if you're looking for an easy read.

I think I have a sports book to fill that one's place. 

But the biggest news is I have my NaNo project decided!

Last Thursday, a friend came over to tackle the jungle in our backyard.  I helped (very little) and afterwards, we talked a little bit.  I mentioned the struggles I was having with my writing, and he gave a few encouraging platitudes.  Brought up PrepMo, and I implied I was just hoping to have an idea worth prepping and the ability to figure out either plot or characters, as asking for both was too much to be feasible.

HMN was watching some Stephen's Universe the other day and the episode (maybe a song) mentioned "fifty pages about wedding cake."  She scoffed, but I immediately thought of a scene from the Unabridged Princess Bride.  I pointed out to her that if you talk about taste testing different wedding cakes, and then describe the baking and the enjoyment of the final product, including a few mishaps along the way, you could probably come up with fifty pages.

After a few moments, the pieces clicked, and I thanked her for my NaNo project.

The very next day, facebook reminded me of a friendivesary.  The picture it featured was one I took of him and his wife at their wedding reception featuring them pinky-swearing not to smash cake in each other's faces.

BAM!

That story is definitely getting included somehow.  So I have at least two characters, one scene, and an overarching theme.  Don't know if either one of them is going to be the MC or if it's going to include more than one cake.  But I've long held a theory that the way a couple cuts their cake says something about their personality as a couple.  In a few weeks, I may do a social media survey and ask people to tell me what they remember about their wedding cake/that part of the reception.  See if I don't get some more inspiration.

Well, off I go to sign up for a few more goodreads giveaways.

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