First, thanks to those who offered their editing opinions in response to my last post. Most significantly, I amended that troublesome sentence to: “One way or another, we would’ve wound up The Crazy Freshmen, aka Space Cadet, me, and Beaker Brain, Isaac.” That takes care of that, yes?

I had combined short paragraphs, as instructed by the editor, but most of you agreed they were better separate. Later, I went back and looked at the combined sentences, and it just didn’t feel right. So, I separated them back a little more.

The comma after “Hopefully” will come over my cold, dead body!!! Okay, fine, maybe not, but what about here: “Hopefully Ben could avoid being named publicly.” I need a comma after that one? Really? I might point out that my blog editor friend didn’t flag either of these on his read… I might point that out, but I won’t because that would be rude.

I have until August 16 to turn in my final draft of Wish YOU Were Here. Shouldn’t be a problem. But do you know what I AM seeing as a problem?

Friggin’ Book 3!

Remember how I was told to have Book 2 turned in when Book 1, Wish I Was Here, was in presale? I sweat that task pretty hard, but did complete it. That was when I already had most of Book 2 written or at least knew what was going to happen.

Book 3? Pish! Scoff! I’m screwed. I had three different opening scenes written–get this–years ago. They were all terrible. Seventeen pages in one Word doc featured a new character I now realize I don’t actually have a use for. Aside from a few witty lines I might rehome, this opener is useless except as a “bonus feature” for super fans, though they may take scissors to their fan club membership cards after reading.

Book 2 may go into presale in December–good news for Christmas gifts–bad news for me being ready with Book 3.

After hiding in my room Sunday to write, I asked Hubby how long I’d been in there. He said about three hours. Three hours?! All I’d done was edit a few pages for my “fourth time’s the charm?” opening pages.

That’s!

It!

Why am I sooooooooo slow at this?

I decided to start this book with a bang, so, a couple pages in, explosion. Talk about an inciting incident! And, oh, the places book research has taken me… Still keeping a look out my window for the Feds to show up.

You know how we writers do.

What’s that other thing I do? Oh right…

Jiu-Jitsu! I love that the book’s fight scenes don’t require any special research. That be straight up first person knowledge, yo!

In one class, I did a move with Instructor. “Yes!” he said. Then, “Guys, check this out.” The dudes turned to look, but of course I didn’t know what I had done so well. When I tried again, Instructor had to tell me to go back and do it a particular way. Figures.

Instructor has multiple skills. Another time, there were two guys waiting on the benches for the next class. Their loud voices made it hard to hear Instructor. He paused and turned to them. I internally cringed for their imminent reprimand. Instead, Instructor said, “Hey, guys, watch this. It’s really cool.”

They stopped talking and watched. It was masterfully handled. What a guy.

I have this bizarre uncontrollable habit of making sound effects when I do a lot of the moves. Some people have called it hilarious. I wonder if those who say nothing are secretly annoyed.

I also made the mistake of talking out my strategy while rolling (sparring) with Thoughtful One. Surprise of all surprises–he countered my move.

“I probably shouldn’t talk through what I’m trying to do,” I said. He merely smiled.

However, I finally pulled off this cool technique called Bow and Arrow. I like it. I think it’s one I’ll keep in my… quiver.

Snort. Eye roll.

Another fun thing: I was working with Thoughtful One when Instructor walked over with my attendance card and pointed out, “You’re getting close to your first stripe!”

Aww. He cares. Once I get that stripe; however, it’s back to an empty card and a long haul to the next stripe. Whew. This Jiu-Jitsu stuff is a long distance swim.

Much like writing novels. Ah, full circle.

Q: “I had a lover’s quarrel with the world” is the epitaph engraved on the gravestone of this mid-20th-century American poet.

Andrew answers correctly in 5, 4, 3, 2, …