Oh, geez. Friday already?
Last week, I talked about great book beginnings. I’ve since changed mine to this:
“If you don’t get your stinkin’ farmer’s hands off me, I will rip your head off and feed it to your pigs.”
Spoken by the hero, of course, a sharp(e)-tempered man bent on revenge. I’ve now got three chapters under my belt, and I have to write the synopsis. Ugh.
To inspire my writing, I’ve started reading Sharpe’s Havoc, a Richard Sharpe book by Bernard Cornwell set in Portugal in 1809 (Elena posted about Sharpe in India, too, if you wanna read more about him).
I don’t know if any author as skilfully embeds history within exciting action; sure, Cornwell takes liberties with some aspects of the Napoleonic Wars, but in general he gives you the feeling of what it must have been like to be there. Awesome, awesome writing and a super-compelling hero (Cornwell’s site, www.bernardcornwell.net, is great for more insight into his most famous character. I would say ‘memorable,’ but I also really liked Thomas of Hookton in the Grail Chronicles).
And inbetween all this “research” (did I mention I got some of the Sharpe miniseries from the library? Yeah, pure research, baby), I’ve been watching ladies win on Top Chef and Celtics win in Los Angeles. Plus getting back to the gym for the first time in 2 1/2 months.
Which is why I am late, and aghast it is Friday.
So I have very little to offer here, except that it is finally cooling off some, I cannot wait to see the Incredible Hulk, freaking out that my son gets out of school for the summer in a week and a half, that National is next month (!), and that I am finally writing fresh stuff again.
In other words, life is good, and I am dull. So let’s talk about you, instead.
What are you doing this summer?
> What are you doing this summer?
Ooh, summer’s so far away… 😉
But this weekend, I’m excited about both the Hulk movie and the Shyamalan movie… And I may go to a Salman Rushdie signing tomorrow.
As far as this whole “National is next month” stuff… dude, aren’t we in, like, April???
Cara
Why hanging out with you at National, Megan!
Also finishing this YA which it seems like I have been writing forever.
No movies for me this weekend, but I still have to Sex and the City to see, and soon Batman and Hellboy2 will be out!
National’s this summer. Wait. What’s summer? We’re in April here in the PNW and most likely won’t be warm or see the sun till after the Fourth.
Parents are visiting this summer. And of course, N.A.T.I.O.N.A.L.
You get to see Salman Rushdie, himself? WOW! He’s reclusive. Wonder if he’s going to bring wife #5 or is it #6 with him?!
Writing.
Sewing (new dress for the Beau Monde Soiree!).
Giving in to the lure of the new Battlestar Galactica on DVD (OMG, Jamie Bamber in a towel *ooooo, pretty*).
Working my tail off on the Historical Writers Confernece and getting ready for Nationals.
Our county schools are closing three days early to save money on gasoline for the school buses.
I’m hoping to finish this book before summer!
I haven’t read Cornwell in a while but Sharpe is such a vivid character! He certainly has had to be to carry so many wonderful books.
I hope to write this summer. It may never see the light of day, but I will be a more sane person for it. I’ve even conned a friend and my 12 year old son in joining me. Also, I hope to do some reading. I’ve heard good things about “Napoleon’s Pyramid” and I’ve heard the word “anti-hero,” which really intrigues me. Sounds much more interesting than “beta hero.” This may be the summer of “bad guys.”
(Don’t get too excited. I’m married with three children who are all out of school for the summer.)
Congrats on the 3 chapters and sympathies on the synopsis, Megan!
As to what I’m doing this summer.
RWA (I’m not ready either and haven’t lost as much weight as I’d hoped!)
My husband and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary with a cruise.
And yes, I want to get some writing done too. Would anyone be interested in a discussion of summer writing-with-the-kids-home strategies?
I am writing this summer. As always. 🙂 And planning clothes for RWA!
One of my favorite “anti-heroes” in literature is Francis Crawford from the great Dorothy Dunnett! I may have to get out some “Lymond Chronicle” books this summer, too…
Working at Wal-Mart. GRRRRRR
Trying to finish my second book.
Getting clothes together for Nationals.
Getting MYSELF together for Nationals.
Looking forward to Nationals.
See that pattern there?
Megan wrote:
What are you doing this summer?
Relaxing and working hard. Oh, wait, is that contradictory?
Todd-who-works-hard-on-his-relaxation
What I will be doing for the summer….
Going to National.
Writing.
Trying to write.
Shuffle kids hither and yon.
Reading all the books I get at Nationals.
Writing.
Trying to write.