I started at 8:30 this morning, Took several breaks during the day, but quit for good at 4:30. I'm feeling rather proud of myself, mainly because nobody else in my cabin has reported a thing. Here's the post i just left on our cabin bulletin board: "Finished a whole chapter today -- 1962 words -- in which I (1) settled a
labor strike: (2) murdered two old people by beating them with sticks,
slashing their throats, and setting their house afire; and (3) touched
off a race riot that resulted in 7 deaths, including that of a major
character in my novel. The years after the Civil War were brutal ones." I'll be curious to see what kind of response that brings. I have to admit that I don't really enjoy writing chapters like the one I just finished. I tend to shy away from the nasty things that happen rather than reveling in the blood and gore. And i did manage to avoid the details of the major character's death by confining them to the text of a telegram. Not sure what will happen tomorrow as I try to write about a funeral. Bound to be a bit difficult, but who knows. Maybe it will come across as really authentic. GAH! |