Mugged by moments

[anghara]

Wrestled with a (really good) chapter today, which I had the opportunity to read out loud to the writing group this afternoon. And realised something about this (otherwise very good) chapter.

It was FULL OF MOMENTS.

Things happened "after a long moment". Repeatedly. People paused "for a moment". Also repeatedly. "A moment later", other things happened, or lasted for just that wretched "moment".

Ye gods and little fishes. I was reading out out loud and these moments jumped out at me and walloped me with tiny sledgehammers.

I dealt with it. i DEALT with it, okay? I'm not momentless, but there are certainly considerably fewer of them than there were, and we're all the better for it. I don't know what happened, don't ask. I'm just glad I read this puppy out loud; I probably WOULD have noticed the problem later, in edits, but I'm just as glad it's been fixed now.

For those keeping track of such things, I am now four chapters away from the end of Book 3 of Worldweavers. The first draft of it, that is. Oh, I'll probably have to go back and perform another momentectomy or two - but I can smell the end now, it's just around the corner.

With overseas houseguests arriving at our place on Wednesday night, and various other chores requiring attention between now and then, it doesn't look likely that I'll get to the next chapter before next Thursday at the earliest - but if I can put pedal to the metal and actually sit down and WORK at this, I can probably commit to doing one decent chapter per two or three days. Which means that I can get this book finished in about two weeks and change. Wish me luck.

Oh, and in other news... you're looking at the new Secretary for the Board of Directors of SFWA.

Life happens...

Comments

[eneit.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the other news, and wishing you every scrap of luck you need *g*

[black13.livejournal.com]

When I proofread "Cowboys & Barbarians," what leaped out to me was how often one of the characters "decided" something.

He was far less decisive when I was done with the corrections.

[black13.livejournal.com]

See for yourselves; I've begun to "publish" the entire novel on my LJ.

[alexjay.livejournal.com]

"Take a letter, Maria ..."
(As one Recording Secretary to another, I kid; I kid.)

hell; I've always thought of you as a writer of momentous impact ...

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Well done! Hope you maintain the momentum.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the new post and good luck with the seek and destroy mission on those pesky moments. :)

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Thanks for taking on the SFWA hydra -- see, it isn't a thankless task...

And good luck on the . . . momentum?

[kara-gnome.livejournal.com]

That's what writing groups are for, to catch such momentous mistakes :-). I'll bet by the end, everyone was laughing, huh? It's part of why writing groups are so fun. I love my group.

Wow, congratulations on your appointment with SFWA, that's got to be something else! And cool beans re your new book, what a great accomplishment.

I don't remember if I've posted to your blog or not, but I've been enjoying your posts and such, so thought I'd say hi!

[debtaber.livejournal.com]

Actually, in Alma's defense, I was caught up in the story and didn't notice the moment abuse until she pointed it out afterward. I'm looking forward to the last four chapters!

[rugor.livejournal.com]

I groaned in sympathy when I read your post. I've been ripping moments out of a novel lately. They sneak in when nobody's looking.

[sboydtaylor.livejournal.com]

I've probably got a Moment-Demon following me around, adding them to my manuscript when I'm not looking. I've been fighting with Then-Devil most recently. Another one to watch out for: "That". He can be partiucularly insidious.

[catrambo.livejournal.com]

You are one brave woman...er, secretary. I'm sure you'll carry out the role with grace and efficiency.

[miketo.livejournal.com]

Gratz all around, Alma. Glad to hear you're so close to finising Vol. 3! That is great news.

And while I had no idea your hat was in the ring for the Secy position, I know you'll do a great job. Way to go, you!

[joycemocha.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the SFWA position....I think.
;->

And good luck with the momentectomy!

[wild-patience.livejournal.com]

So, are you wanting congratulations or condolences for the SFWA position?

Re the reading aloud, yeah, it makes a big difference. I was reading aloud from Delia Sherman's THROUGH A BRAZEN MIRROR yesterday, reading to the hubby as he drove to Westercon where we were meeting a friend for dinner. It's been years since I read this book, and her use of language REALLY jumped out at me when read aloud. I don't think I would have noticed if I'd been reading it silently to myself. I wound up thinking, oh yes, she DOES have a Ph.D.!