A Novel Novel

After writing 190 pages of my novel Tommyknockers, I am pleased and at peace about starting completely over and scrapping the entire draft and turn it into something different. I will keep some key elements of the original, but for the most part the story is a gonner. I am even more excited about this story, and how the characters are going to play in it. It's tighter, more fun and I believe has great potential in character development

This is what my book will have that the other story I just wrote lacked:

1. A deeper sense of childlike wonder and whimsy in language and plot. The other story's tone was flat.
2. A character overcoming inadequacies; whereas before he just overcame external forces.
3. More magic and mystery. The magic and mystery felt forced in the other story, in this one it feels natural and a part of the environment.
4. More adventure and exploring
5. Instead of one race of creatures, there are multiple races all living in a diverse and very active landscape.
6. I wanted to keep some characters but didn't know how to do so in the original story. Now, with the change in plot, I am able to keep the characters I love, discard the ones I don't and create new, fun ones as well.

It' s going to be a good ride. If I have to toss this story to make an even better one- so be it. After all, I write for my enjoyment first, then I write for others.

Multi-Tasker Prayers

Yesterday in the midst of a powerful Sunday church service. The room was astir with healing, prophesying and ...texting? That's right. As I was being prayed for, a young man offered to pray for me. But half way through his prayer, I saw him check a text. The funny thing was, his mouth kept rattling on. Being someone who wants someone else's undivided attention, I felt hurt. Then afterward, I thought to myself, "Has our technology even invaded our faith?"

I know technology is a great way to get things done, but in the end it is relationships that matter. I admit I twitter, check the surf report and play games on my iPhone in social settings, but I'll be the first to admit, this is because I am bored. People sometimes bore me.

Are we multi-tasking our relationship with God?

I feel our phones and computers are making us more lonely. I most certainly am lonelier because of it. Not a revolutionary thought, just a tought.

Hard Lessons Bring Insperation

Last night during Writer's Group, my novel was pulverized on every level, yet I left feeling more excited and inspired to keep writing. Sure it was hard to hear the criticism, but when I left, I felt a stronger resolve to write even better, because I knew I had something better in me.

By the way, here is a writing trick I can't wait to implement. As you edit, read out loud and record yourself. I will be using the new iphone recorder app. Then, play it back as you read your work. If you have a good hear, you will hear the mistakes leaping off the page.

My Carpool Buddy Has Past Away

For the past five and a half weeks, I have been carpooling with this man Walt Disney. Actually, I have been listening to his biography on CD. I was there when he was born, when he trudged through snow to deliver papers, when he was an ambulance driver in WWI, when he was betrayed by a producer of his, and I was there when he created Mickey Mouse, days after the betrayal. I have learned a lot from this man and what made him so extraordinary.

1. He worked hard. Too hard in fact. In the 1930's he suffered a nervous break down.
2. Never took" no" for an answer. Even if money was short and people said it can't be done, he did it.
3. He took risks, far greater than I have ever done.
4. He believed in himself and what he could produce.
5. He thrived under pressure.
6. He failed a lot, but didn't let it discourage him.
7. He made profit only to shove it back into his creations.
8. He was in constant debt, taking personal and bank loans, refinancing his house, and taking money out of his life insurance policy. He did all this until the day he died.
9. Always dreaming new dreams.
10. He knew how to tap into US archetypes.
11. He feared death. I think that is what drove him to create.

I drove past Disneyland several times throughout the listening, and I felt a deep connection with the past, a strange haunting connection that felt very real.

While I was sitting in my car with the last CD spinning in my player and the actor reading the book, I felt an intimate connection with the man. During his last days he was frightened and in pain. He was a mere mortal that accomplished much. The story was written so well, and I was so engrossed with his life, I felt like he died in my Mazda 3. I was sincerely sad.