T-minus 4 days and counting until the Writers’ Institute in Madison, WI.
Four days.
So, here I am, on my lunch break working on my synopsis, when I stop in mid-thought.
Yes, it really was. I was like, but what about the climax? I’ve got two main events, and they’re both like, the climax, but I can’t …
*face-palm*
DUH!
Gawd, why didn’t I put this together earlier? OMG. Seriously.
And this after I’ve got my first 50 pages shined up pretty well.
We’re talking major brain fart here. No rainbows in sight. Or unicorns.
*enters writing office*
*breaks ‘in case of emergency’ glass*
*pushes big red button*
The neat thing about the phone on my writing desk is I can set ring tones (Hey, it’s my office). Guess which one I’ve got set for my Muse. I listen to the first few bars of “Holding Out for a Hero” before I answer.
“What’s the emergency?” he asks. “I’m kinda busy.” I hear cheering in the background.
“Busy? Sounds like you’re at a rugby match.”
Silence. “You were entertaining family this weekend, so I took some time off. What’s the emergency, love?”
“I need you here ASAP. I’ve got to revise the plot for my WIP tonight.”
“Again? I thought you were going to be Skyping tonight. You cleaned up the brainstorming wall before I left.”
“I will be Skyping, and then I’ll be revising. In other words, get your ass back here.”
More silence. “Ask nicely.”
Seriously? Fine. “Help me with my plot revision. Please.”
He sighs into the phone, like I’m a major inconvenience. He’s supposed to be on my schedule; it’s his job. “After this match. It just started, so it might be a while.”
“You know when I get home from work. I’ve got beer,” I add, just in case.
“I’ll see you later, love.” Click.
Does this ever happen to you? You think you’ve got the plot nailed down, and things seem to work, and then BAM! You realize you missed an obvious plot point. Or, in my case, a whole freaking thread. Actually, two threads that should be one.
Stupid brainstorms.
Happy Monday!
Facets of a Muse 
April 11, 2016 at 1:59 pm
DUH! is right — like when you’re writing a mystery and forget to include a police detective. You have a great story — tying the plots together, easy-peasy.
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April 11, 2016 at 2:05 pm
LOL! I don’t know anyone who does that 😉 Thanks, Roi! We’ll hammer on it tonight. Get that throwing arm warmed up!:-)
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April 11, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Oh dear. EMERGENCY. This is why I outline, Julie. Reduces heart conditions and panic attacks. You’ll pull it together, though. Stock up on craft beer and get that muse in gear. Good luck! 🙂
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April 11, 2016 at 6:56 pm
The scary thing is, I do outline. My problem: after I’ve worked through the plot, and think I’ve got it all set up, a piece that just almost fits but not quite gets replaced by the piece that fits perfectly. Sigh. The A-ha! moment (not the band 🙂 ) just didn’t show up on time!
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April 11, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Ah yes, Julie. I am familiar with those aha moments, though they do tend to come earlier. Isn’t this fun?! Good luck pulling the WIP together for your conference!
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April 11, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Glad you bribed him with beer. Between the two of you I’ve got every confidence you’re going to tie everything together.
I had several of those panic moments on my last WIP and had to go back and work multiple threads. One of these days I’m going to write with an outline, LOL.
Sending you vibes for good luck!
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April 11, 2016 at 7:59 pm
Well, the outline isn’t the cure-all I wish it could be. I outline, but my problem is I can’t always see the pieces align right away, and it sometimes takes a bit of percolating before that idea hits the target. I think this change is much better for the story, so I’m excited about the plot changes, it’s just the work I know it’ll need to get worked into the WIP. Ahh, the life of a writer 😀
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April 11, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Yes! Agh! Especially when it’s like the fiftieth draft and you’re like, “How did I miss this forty-nine times?!” Hope your Muse pulls you through! (Muse autocorrected to Murder the first time through. Hopefully not a sign. :))
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April 11, 2016 at 8:01 pm
OMG! I am glad it happened before the draft fit for beta readers, because I know they’d say something about it. And after the two outlines (one for the first plot, one for the second), I should’ve seen it. Oh well, you’re right, at least I’m not wondering how I missed it the first 49 times 😀
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