From This...

To This...


I find it hard to believe that this is the same room. The new area is fabulous, and will make a great place to read and write (once the new recliner arrives). Everything should be back to "normal" in the next few days. I will post pics of the new bathroom when it is complete.

Hope all is well with you.

-Doc

Just a Quickie

Just a quick shot of Gary and I in the "man" lift putting on the new roof. This is on the back side of the house, and this dormer is for the new master bath. I love the new black shingle roof, especially how random the pattern is. This job would have been a real pain in the ass without the lift.

More Remod Pics

Here are a couple of updates on the new editing suite. Gary and I are making good progress and should be finished with the front dormer this week.

Starting to take shape

Getting ready for the rain storm coming tomorrow.

Hope everyone is having a productive (and seductive) week.

The New Editing Suite

I finally had a (slight) break from manuscripts, and began the remodeling I have put off for a year. This is going to make a great new space to set up a writing and editing area. I am doing the work with the help of a good friend of mine (who is one of Nashville's better song writers, by the way) and it is turning out quite well. Except for...see below. Thanks, Ask This Old House!

The Tear-off Begins

Gary in the Hole. No Turning Back Now!

My Leg After a "Mis-step" @1#!@!?*!

I will post more pics as progress continues. If you are a person of faith, please PRAY FOR ME!

Short Stories Can Kick Some Ass Too!

One of my visitors, Rinda Elliott (aka The Write Snark: http://relliott4.wordpress.com/), brought up the issue of voice, which is an ongoing issue for even the most fluent writers. I sent out a few e-mails to find some answers, and received one that I thought was brilliant.

This author told me that when she is feelilng like her voice is becoming cloudy, she will write no less than five short stories, usually based on characters from the novel she is working on. She said the beauty with writing short stories (four to ten pages in length) is there is no room for "fluff." It is, "make one good point, and make it quick. This will reinforce your voice, especially if you are staying consistent from story to story. If not, find the spots where it drifts and write them again, paying attention to consistency."

Thanks to M. for the tip, and if any of you write a short story or five, please post them here. (I promise not to add any critique.)

The Revitalized Editor

Back from a great weekend of hiking and c-c-c-c-c-c-c-camping (yes, it was freakin' cold). The sun was shining except for a brief period when it snowed. That almost sent me home early. Thank goodness I remembered the Jack.

The lake was beautiful, and I spent some time reflecting on the new year. I still think this year is going to be a fabulous one, and creative muses are going to be working overtime. By the way, that stick is not up my ass...just an optical illusion.