Paynes Prairie, the failings of gravity and the immortality of lotus seeds.
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WHAT I'M READING
I finished Anna Karenina on Sunday night, so now I'm on a quest to find a great new book to read. I thought I might start OUTLANDER, because someone with absolutely exceptional taste in books said that it was a must-read. I noticed however that it is over 900 pages, which is funny because I just got done reading a very long tome. Perhaps this is the month of looong books.
WHAT I'M WRITING
I was good this week and made some progress on ISIS. I've been going back through my whole MS after finishing my rewrites to check for continuity and fix the transitions. It's funny, but you move one teeny, tiny chapter and it messes up the whole book. But I better finish it soon. One of my awesome CP's keeps saying, "When do I get more Naked Boy?! I want more Naked Boy!" Ha! Just so we're clear, one of my MC's is naked in the first chapter...he's not naked in the whole book. It's not that kind of book. *wink*
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
Lotus seeds are some of the longest living seeds on Earth. One of the oldest viable seeds, a 1,300 year-old seed taken from a sacred lotus found in a dry lake bed in China, was sprouted into a living plant. I'm growing native lotus in my pool. Perhaps a thousand years from now, someone will find my lotus seeds and grow them into fragrant, golden flowers.
I finished Anna Karenina on Sunday night, so now I'm on a quest to find a great new book to read. I thought I might start OUTLANDER, because someone with absolutely exceptional taste in books said that it was a must-read. I noticed however that it is over 900 pages, which is funny because I just got done reading a very long tome. Perhaps this is the month of looong books.
WHAT I'M WRITING
WHAT ELSE I'M UP TO
It's been a rather frenzied week. I'm trying to juggle too many things as usual. Three jobs, countless phone calls, washing boats in the dark, trying to get more than three hours of sleep, keeping up with the writing and neglecting my guitar. Sometimes I feel like the world is spinning faster than it should and gravity is going to fail me at some point.
However, one of our travels brought us past Paynes Prairie again. I love this preserve. It's one of the few places left in the world that you can see native lotus blossoms stretch clear to the horizon. Certain times of the year you can paddle through it and the only sound you hear apart from the chirp of insects is the swish of the lotus leaves hitting the side of your boat. Sitting in that hush, an acute sense of peace always washes over me. The scent is heady and I feel for a short while that all is right with the world. I wish I could bottle all my senses at that moment and keep them in my pocket for when I need them most.
Lotus seeds are some of the longest living seeds on Earth. One of the oldest viable seeds, a 1,300 year-old seed taken from a sacred lotus found in a dry lake bed in China, was sprouted into a living plant. I'm growing native lotus in my pool. Perhaps a thousand years from now, someone will find my lotus seeds and grow them into fragrant, golden flowers.
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I commend you for writing at all if you're working three jobs! Seriously. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI always like to chime in on Outlander because it's such a polarizing book. So many people love it, and it really does have a lot going for it. It is absolutely overlong. Editing would have helped a lot! I loved some of the setting and characters, but I took issue with some of the dyamics between the love interests. Certain things I just don't find romantic. But plenty of readers are able to move past those things and enjoy the series. My mom, who recommended the book, said that each book in the series is longer, so know what you're in for!
Hmmm...now you have me super curious about the dynamic between the love interests that you mentioned. What was it that you didn't find romantic? Please tell me there isn't something disturbing in there. I hate that when I get halfway through a book and the author throws in a huge curveball that ruins it for me.
ReplyDeleteThis happens more often than I like to admit. :)
Just for the record, he should DEFINITELY be naked in more of the book. Just sayin'. Great job on getting through some of your revisions and hope you finish it soon. *waits patiently* *maybe not so patient* *seriously?*
ReplyDeleteAnd the lotus flowers - wow, Kris, they're gorgeous!!! I can't believe their seeds live that long...what an awesome story!
Only a few more months of madness before it will hopefully settle down a little for you. And oh how sweet it will be.
Happy Wednesday, K.!
Got it! More naked Naked Boy! I'll see if I can work that in. *mischievous grin*
DeletePatience my precious it's coming soon. (That was said in a gollum voice) *pets the precious*
And yes, 4 more months, 1 week and 2 days...but who's counting?!!!!
Wow, that prairie of lotus's sounds beautiful. I have no idea where your book is set, but the imagry in your blog post is so great that I feel like it would be a wonderful place for a scene. If it works with your story of course.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate! It's funny you should say that, because my current WIP is set in Florida and it's amazing how much of the scenery and general feelis creeping into the text. (It really can't be helped) :)
DeleteI know *exactly* what you mean about changing on itty bitty thing and all of a sudden the whole book needs massive edits. Frustrating :P
ReplyDeleteThe way you describe the Prairies sounds so wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
I know, and yet we keep changing things! *facepalm*
DeleteAnd Paynes Prairie is an almost magical place in its rare splendor and beauty. I'm so glad you liked it.
Those pictures, Kris! So gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about making seemingly small tweaks and it causes all kinds of other issues elsewhere. It's basically the writing equivalent of the Butterfly Effect and I'm so there with you. O_o Sounds like you're making great progress, so that's good. And do tell us more about this "Naked Boy" you speak of... :P
Thanks Jaime!
DeleteAnd the writerly Butterfly Effect, what a perfect description! You change the color of someone's eyes and have to rewrite the whole book. :)
Oh and I've been advised that I should retitle my book- ISIS: Now with more Naked Boy!
(I think the Publisher, whose feedback I'm trying to incorporate in my rewrites, would really like it better that way. :)
Wow, gorgeous photos! Sounds like you needed that serenity this week. I haven't read any of your book, but I'm totally on board with the "Now with more Naked Boy" advisory. :-) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, I did need that little bit of serenity so badly.
DeleteAnd good to know you're on board with the "Now with more Naked Boy" addition. :)
OMG!!! READ OUTLANDER!!!!
ReplyDelete:D
I got so excited when I read that. I totally just did a happy dance. I'm not going to say any more because I would hate to raise your expectations and lessen the book's awesomeness... (And that's killing me, just FYI.) BUT if you do read it and love it, we should totally do a video chat or something so that I can nerd out about it with you. Um, but no pressure. If you hate it, I'll still love you. (Mayyyyyyybe...) ;)
Totally curious about this naked boy book. (Shocking, I know.) If that were your blog post title, your blackmail post would have had some serious competition. #justsaying :)
I love that bit of inspiration about the lotus seeds. Thinking about leaving something that lasts a thousand years puts things into perspective, doesn't it?
I downloaded it LAST NIGHT!!!!
DeleteAnd yes, we should video chat because I would love to see you nerd out about it. (The nerding out would be mutual, I'm sure. It's kind of my default setting.) Now my biggest problem will be finding time to READ IT.
And yeah, "Naked Boy" poses far more blackmail opportunities all around. It's really not that kind of book, I swear. It just has a little naked. I've been informed it needs more Naked Boy though. (Like a little more peril.) :)
I don't know how you do it all, Kris! I wish I had that kind of energy!
ReplyDeleteYou should totally read OUTLANDER! Especially if you like men in kilts. What's not to like, right? I was lucky enough to hear Diana Gabaldon read a chapter of one of her books a couple years back. The series is very long, and I'm hoping she'll wind it down soon, but the first book is definitely worth the read.
Those pictures and your descriptions, as always, are lovely! I hope you find time to relax and get some more sleep this week. And I also hope progress on your WIP continues to go well. :)
Men in kilts, what's not to like?! Sign me up please. And that accent, whooo boy. Got me a weak spot for the accent. Why is it that nobody is calling me "Lass" all the time? I mean REALLY.
DeleteI downloaded it last night. I am sure I will be pestering you with my thoughts in the middle, provided I actually carve out some time to actually read. :)
You are stretched thin, lady! Here's hoping you get a chance to chill out a little bit this weekend. I'm loving the idea of this "naked boy" you speak of -- he'd got me all kinds of intrigued about your WiP. Best of luck with your goals for the week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katy! And yes, if my book ever had readers, it will probably all be down to Naked Boy. Hahaha!
DeleteI love all the scenery you get the chance to hang out in. Those flowers are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble balancing writing with my one job, so I can't imagine you balancing three! I hope things get easier for you.
Good luck with your goals this week! I'm also intrigued by the idea of a "naked boy" in your story! :)
Thanks Ghenet!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a fantastic birthday and that you spoiled yourself silly!!
And yes, the scenery down here is lovely. It's kind of a Biologist's paradise. :)
Three jobs?!?!?! No wonder you are crazed! Also, I am very intrigued by this naked boy story. ;) Good luck with the writing this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison! That job number is going to be decreasing soon, which should drastically improve my sanity levels.
DeleteAnd after all the comments, I think I should just write a book called "Naked Boy" and leave it at that. Plot smot, all you need is a little naked. :)