Patricia Stoltey

Author

Revisions, A New Roof Next Door, and a Writing Class

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The good news: Today and tomorrow will be more spend-most-of-the-day-on-novel-revisions days. I’m closing in on the final chapters. I’ll still have two more passes to make through the manuscript, but at least the hardest part will be done. I’ll squeeze in a visit to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, of course. Can’t miss that.

The bad news: Our next door neighbor is getting a new roof and the shingles were delivered yesterday. The neighbor’s garage is right next to my office. When the roofing crew arrives, it will sound as though they’re pounding on my wall. My little foam ear plugs will not do the job, so I may have to find another place to work for a few hours. Luckily, we have a library branch not too far away, and it’s a great place to write.

On Sunday afternoon I’m taking a three-hour class at the Northern Colorado Writers studio called Plotting and Shaping Compelling Stories taught by middle grade/YA author Todd Mitchell. Todd is the Director of the Beginning Creative Writing Teaching Program at Colorado State University. He’s a very popular speaker and teacher, and his YA book, The Secret to Lying, has picked up some excellent reviews. I’m hoping Todd will teach me how to avoid getting tangled up in my own plot while I’m writing the first draft.

I hope you have something great planned for your weekend.

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Comments

  2. You are making progress, though, with your manuscript. I know how ear plugs work! I’ve had to try them many times in my life.

    Farmer’s Market. I keep thinking I should try ours here in Harrisonburg, Virginia. But Jen and I are such late risers, and I don’t have her aide on Saturday, so I have never made it. I do hope YOU enjoy your shopping trip. Fresh produce: yummy!

    Plotting and shaping compelling stories. This sounds like a great class. I’m now going to follow your link and learn about Todd Mitchell
    Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

  3. Jemi — still no roofers next door. Something to look forward to tomorrow, I guess.

    Kerrie — I’ve never been to the French Nest Market. But downtown will be a mess in the morning because of the bike races, so I may save it for another time. We have another market closer to my house.

    Giggles (I love to call you that), I can’t believe you said the word “housecleaning” in a comment on my blog. That’s not a nice word. 🙂

  4. Eric, it’s definitely true that I’m never finished with mine. I hated reading the published hardcovers because I found something on every page I would’ve “fixed”.

  6. I am going to the French Nest Open Market Saturday day morning at Civic Center park and then I will be at Todd Mitchell’s class as well.

  7. Mmm, farmer’s market. We didn’t get out there last weekend. We need to get there Sunday for sure!

    Good luck with revisions. I am doing the same thing, rev-rev-revise.

    Someone said you’re never ever finished with your book — at some point you just stop writing.

    Wish I had said that.

    – Eric

  8. Sounds like you’ve got a few noisy hours ahead – at least you have an alternative location! I haven’t ever written outside of my house yet – one of these days 🙂

  10. Hi Patricia .. good for you that the revisions are almost done. The roofing lark – sounds rather a pain .. but that’s life! perhaps the library will inspire .. Enjoy the farmer’s market and the weekend (despite the interruptions!) .. Hilary

  13. Sounds good and much luck with avoiding noise. I live to do that!
    As to the weekend, I’m taking a class with nine others with writer Joan Clark on Saturday morning. It is part of an arts festival in Great Village, Nova Scotia – about two hours away and is part of the Elizabeth Bishop centenary. (look her up if you don’t know her – we share her with you’all.

  14. Pat – So glad your new novel is coming along so well! I’m impressed :-).

    Enjoy that class on Sunday!

    And I know what you mean about the noise, etc… with the new roof. This week they’ve been repaving the parking lots in the community where I live. Lots of noise, asphalt smell, etc…