I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Over the river

Back to the real life. Out at the cabin with my fellow wizards to confer, converse and otherwise hob-nob. Not to mention, getting the word count down. Yes, we're on another retreat and this time I mean it.

You know, it's often the case that I'll say one thing on this blog and end up doing the exact opposite. Like last week being able to post somewhat regularly while on vacation (granted, no linkee-poos, but that's because those take a lot more time and writing them on the iPad is a big pain). And since Murphy's Law is not recursive, I'll refrain from making any major comment about word countages and the bagging there of.

But I will say the drive in was four hours of the coolest sunbeams and a burning orange sunset under pregnant clouds. I'll take that as a sign from the universe that this is what I was supposed to do. Consider it my version of the clouds parting and the angels singing. Plus, several moments of genius. That is, the stupid stopped and I was able to see what had been there in front of me this whole time. Motivations of characters, secondary plot lines and goals, and the best of all, a story template that I can at least hang my hat on. I fully expect the hat tree to pull a Lewis Carroll and go gallumping off with said hat once I turn my back.

As you may know, I have a fondness for quotes, especially song lyrics. So I think about heading up chapters with some quote as many of my favorite books do. Well, I think I found the one that will lead off the book.

"Thammuz, Thammuz, Thammuz, when you reach Palodes, tell them that the Great God Pan is dead!"
The Wind from Paxi to a ship carrying Epitherses
Plutarch - On the Failure of Oracles

How's that for a start off? Cross your fingers, toss salt over your shoulder, turn three times and spit, we're off to the races.

3 comments:

Phiala said...

I need to find a way to start/join/crash a writing retreat of some sort. I need that.

Steve Buchheit said...

Phiala, they're a good thing to get into. I know these retreats are normally my most productive times of the year when I can just focus in on the writing.

I have to believe that around you there are writer groups and that someone's family owns a cabin. I drive 6 hours to make it here. About six years back I was this close (-||-) to buying a multiple chalet type property with cabins that I could host several events. But then things all went higgledypiggly and the winning bid ended up $30k more than I could have realistically swung (without the aforementioned higgledypiggly). Which sucked, because even at that price it was a steal (estate auction, no family to pass on to, not a lot of promotion of the sale). It would have put me way behind where we are at now, but would have been so totally worth it.

I wonder if the VP mailing list might be helpful? Heck, that's how Paradise Lost got started. Other than that networking your local cons might pay off as well.

Phiala said...

All good ideas, thanks. I'm in the local writer's group, but they don't do anything like that. And I don't have the spoons at the moment to try organizing one myself, whether through VP or not.

But something will turn up eventually.