Sunday, August 16, 2015

Moving Things Around

Jigsaw puzzles play a big part in my life. I have found, when I'm having trouble with a scene, or a plot line, the best thing to do is to step away from the manuscript and work on a puzzle. Somehow, the mindless sorting of pieces, and then locking them together into an intricate pattern helps me sort through the plot possibilities of my story and I can then write the scene in its logical order.

This familiarity with jigsaws worked for me when it was requested that I move a scene in my most recent book, A Widow's Salvation, due out on September 7. I had to take that piece, that scene, out from its place in the story, reposition it, and then write around it to make certain all the edges matched up again, and that it locked together seamlessly into the story line.

Now, the puzzle pieces are invading my personal life. As most of you know, I've had some medical issues, and the decision was made to move my bed from the second floor. The only place it would fit on the first floor was my office–that sanctified space where all of my books have been written. Now, the desk is shoved up against the wall and my bed takes up most of the room. I'm still trying to get the edges to match up.

One thing that I've noticed, though, by combining my sleep and work space is that there is no hard and fast dividing line. If I have a scene rolling around in my head, or some social media I need to work on, I don't need to lie there wide awake and wait until morning. Now, I can just jump out of bed and be at my desk, my computer, in no time. Obviously, I need to work on control issues. And I need to sort out those jigsaw edges.



But I have to admit, in all my years of working for someone else, I never wanted to jump out of bed and go to work. I'll take a few ragged jigsaw pieces. Mary likes the fact that I can work from home. That's enough for me.

10 comments:

  1. I can totally relate to the process of pulling apart and rearranging plot points. And this may sound strange, but after seeing your covers mounted on your wall, that's the first thing I'm going to do with my next title. What an awesome idea!

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  2. Thanks, Christine. CanvasPop does a great job with the covers.

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  3. I, too, love your covers displayed on your wall. Great motivation and inspiration. Moving chapters around can be fun (and intimidating).

    I'm sorry you're having health issues. All the best to you.

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  4. Thanks, Beth. I'm getting back on track physically. But I'm not moving the bed back upstairs anytime soon. So far, so good.

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  5. I can totally relate to this post, Becky. I have changed my ending and now have to filter through my previous work to match up those broken edges, and missing pieces. Good post as always.

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  6. Thanks, Barb. Can't wait to read your finished manuscript.

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  7. Love your office, love your framed book covers, but most of all, I love Mary!!! Great post, Becky!

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  8. Mary is a great, if sometimes, difficult, companion. And she has a great name, doesn't she? Thanks, Miranda.

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  9. I've been moving things around too. I gave my kids their own rooms and now my office and bedroom share a space. I also like the idea of popping out of bed and getting that idea down :)

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  10. As long as we're not losing any sleep...

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