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Gerald BrandtAuthor / Stay-at-home Dad / Computer Guy |
(Holiday Post #3)
Well, the actual camping part of the holiday is over now. We spent a week in Rushing River, tenting, camping, and generally having a good time. How was it? I dunno! I'm writing this post about a week before we even leave for camping. This week, we're in Saskatchewan visiting Marnie's mom, and then we'll get back home with only three weeks left in the boy's summer holidays.
When we get back, I'll post a bit more about how the holidays were.
(Holiday Post #2)
I've actually completed draft 0 of my novel, and it clocked in at a pretty low word count. Fortunately, this is pretty normal for me. Even with a rather extensive outline (about 41 pages of it), my 'Draft 0's' tend to be about getting the ideas down on paper (plot) rather than telling an intriguing, descriptive story. The next version, a true first draft, should be well over my projected word count, at which time I start pruning and cutting and tightening.
It is at the end of the first draft where I will have considered myself actually having written a novel. So, for the sake of record keeping, Draft 0 is at 34,000 words, which equates to 154 pages and an average word count of 639 words per scene (53 scenes). For draft 1, there are a couple of scenes I'll be removing since they don't really move the story forward. Plus, there is a new sub-plot I want to add, with will increase the scene count by about 10.
I have no idea if any other writers out there use the same method as I do, but this seems to work for me.
(Holiday Post #1)
I can't remember where I saw this, but I tried it today, and I like it a lot. I took a couple of wine corks and placed them under the back of my laptop, which raises the laptop by about 3/4 of an inch. The keyboard is easier to use and the laptop runs about 2 degrees cooler.
I was worried the laptop would roll around a bit, since the corks are round. But, nothing of the sort. The laptop is stable and it's great so far.
I'm off the grid for 7 to 14 days (depending on how much fun I'm having). The blog will have some automatic posts, so y'all can come and check from time to time.
It's official, we're a two wheeled family. This weekend, my youngest (4 years old) learned how to ride a two wheel bike. His training wheels are in the garbage!
The entire lesson took about 1/2 hour on Saturday, and on Sunday we went for a ride with the entire family. Jared got a bit upset, since it wasn't the fastest ride (he's 6), and he kept having to stop and wait for Ryan. Still, it was fun. We'll be taking the bike when we go camping for sure!
On another note, the blog seems to be slowing down a bit during the summer holidays. I'll see what I can do about that.
(July 17th update: The whole family went for an 8 km bike ride in Birdshill Park. Both boys did exceptionally well! Fantastic!)
Just thought I'd throw that out. Did I accomplish everything I wanted to during the last year? Nope. But I'm closer than I was.
(This post is also my first attempt at writing something well before it's publish date. WordPress should make it available on the 15th!)
Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. Originally found here
It's official, both boys are out of school. Ryan got out at the end of May, while Jared got out the end of June. Right after school was out for Jared, we hopped into the already packed van and drove out to see the in-laws. Four fun-filled days later, I return to a messy house, and a project that is way behind schedule.
For the rest of the summer (besides completing the project this week), the boys and I will go camping, head to the beach, ride our bikes, and generally fill the days with fun in the sun and laughter. Hopefully enough fun to have them fall asleep everyday the second their heads hit the pillow. Their both in some library programs this month as well, so they'll stay busy!
Time to get back to my late project… so far the client doesn't mind, but that's no excuse!
Oh, and Happy 4th of July to our American neighbors.
Ian Barker 
J. E. Taylor 
William C. Mills
EJ Knapp   |
Copyright © 2012. Gerald Brandt. All rights reserved |
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