On Writing & Storytelling: Today’s Planned Workday is Cancelled (or Postponed) on Account of Rain

Late Morning: Black Clouds, Distant Thunder

“But the thing about thunderstorms is that there’s always a sense of peace when once the storm is over.” ― Tabitha G. Kelly, Standing By

Saturday, July 8, 2023, Lithia, Florida

It’s late morning here in my corner of the Tampa Bay area. Outside, the skies are covered by grey-black cumulonimbus clouds, those large, ominous bringers of torrential downpours, lightning strikes, and crackling booms of thunder. The rain started falling some two hours ago, and because we had a few bolts of lightning fall from the sky relatively close (6.8 miles/11 kilometers), I turned off my desktop computer to prevent it from suffering damage from a nasty power surge.

The weather seems to be clearing out, at least for the time being, although it’s still raining on and off, a condition that is expected to persist for at least another half hour.

I was hoping to get an early start on my workday to make up for not working on Reunion: Coda much yesterday. However, having already lost one PC to lightning strikes (back in 2004, when I still lived in Miami), I tend to err on the side of caution and avoid using anything connected to a power outlet (be it a computer, a TV, or portable stereo) when thunderheads are in the vicinity. 

On Writing & Storytelling: Plans (Aspirations, Really) for the Day

“The weather is nature’s disruptor of human plans and busybodies. Of all the things on earth, nature’s disruption is what we know we can depend on, as it is essentially uncontrolled by men.” ― Criss Jami, Killosophy

If the weather isn’t too stormy in the afternoon (doubtful, but I can always hope, right?), I will work on Reunion: Coda for at least one hour. I don’t know what that “work” will entail yet. More likely than not I will focus on reviewing and revising what I already have rather than bashing my head – figuratively speaking – trying to figure out how to begin Scene Two of the novel’s 10^th chapter.  Fixing all the problems in Reunion: A Story threw a wrench into my creative process, and although I know what I want to happen, who the characters in the scene are, and all that stuff, I have zero clue as to how I will start that scene.

See, this situation is one of the reasons why I posted this comment on my Facebook page yesterday:

I swear. If I see or hear any comments (from anyone) like “Oh, you have it so easy. All you do is sit in your room and write stories all day. Get a real job, man,” I’ll be pissed off.

First, writing is a bona fide occupation. It’s a tough way to make a living (especially if you don’t go the “get an agent and get a contract with a major publishing company” route). Everything depends on so many variables, including a reader’s reaction to your work, your ability to sell yourself as well as your books, and the quality of your writing. (That last one is the weirdest thing…I think I write better than E.L. James, for one thing, but talent is insignificant next to the power of self-promotion and “viral” responses from readers.)

Second, I’m stressing over not just the novel I’m working on now, but also the errors that I find and must (yes, must) correct in my existing novella. I’m not exactly fond of having to constantly revise and reissue Reunion (it’s not a marketing ploy on my part), but I do it because that’s my name on the cover and the copyright page. There are far too many self-published authors who don’t give a fuck about the quality of their work and give “self-publishing” a bad reputation. I have many faults but being lazy or careless about giving readers my best work….. that’s not going to happen.

Last night I uploaded what I hope and pray will be the final batch of “fixes” to Reunion: A Story. If you have the Kindle e-book, you’ll get the corrections between now and Sunday (make sure your device is set to receive automatic updates). Print copy fans…well, if you’re okay with the not-so-good edition you already have, you don’t need to buy a new, revised edition. It would be nice if you do buy the latest revised edition (don’t order it till Sunday or Monday, though, just to make sure you get the newest edition), but you don’t have to.

In any case, if all goes well, I won’t have to revise Reunion again, and then all I can stress over is the sequel.

Obviously, if weather conditions deteriorate and I’m forced to not work, I will read a book until the storms from the Gulf of Mexico clear out. I need a break anyway…I just don’t want one today.