Sunshine on snow; through closed eyelids.

The sun is shining and the world looks a lot better in central Indiana. Chihuahua can about see over the snow we received, since it has settled down some. We did have close to a foot of snow. But, we only lost power momentarily that night so we are really lucky. Our stomachs, on the other hand, are not.

Monday night, I think it was, all these "school's cancelled" days have me confused, but whatever night it was saw me emptying my stomach in the bathroom for about ten hours and today, sun or no sun, all I want to do yet, is sleep. At least, I am working again, a little at a time. Sorry for the absence.

I really want my new website up and running and was working hard to complete it for the first of February, but I will try for week two now. One thing that I did do yesterday is a new opening for my book. I really should have kept count. This has to be close to a dozen different openings.

I love the help I have gotten at Talking Books, from Cheryl Klein. With the help of her 'Rules of Engagement," I may have an opening that fits the bill. It has to simmer in the stew for a while yetbefore I know for sure . My next assignment, beside the web page, is to make out a Book Map. It is the first editing thing she does and I think it is going to help me a great deal, so I will let you know how that goes.

The car is still stuck in the drive but life is cancelled/closed for the day in Brown County anyway, so no need to go anywhere. Maybe I will take another nap first. Stay warm, if you can.

ARRGGGrrrrgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

That’s as close as I can get to last night’s primal scream. I think I just need to take a break from writing for a few days. I am also coming down with something and am headachy, body achy and feel as if a huffalump has inhabited my body. So, that is probably not helping.

But, my head is ready to explode, because every time I think I am nearing, not perfection, but a well written book, I read someone’s blog on writing and find four more things I need to change and edit for.

I now have four alternate beginnings, two of which fit Author! Author! Author! Author! » Blog Archive » The scariest Halloween ever: submitting your first page to a bunch of agents for critique. This is actually a very interesting and informative blog. But, only two of my openings fit this Blog definition of what a beginning should be. I had dismissed both of these early on for --- I have no idea why. Do I go with my gut?

Okay, in Version one, the reasons are:
1. My protagonist is upset. Yes, this makes him human but does it make him weak? Would boys even read it if there are tears in the eyes of this boy??? This is a middle grade novel.

2. A damaged fairy appears. Fairies play a small part in this book, so I could rewrite it to be another creature, but the fact that a fairy is damaged is important to the story. Would a boy read it if a fairy was in it? Even a damaged fairy?

I’ve just got to stop doing research about writing. It’s driving me nuts. I want this to be the very best it can be, but trying to follow all of everyone's rules is driving me nuts.

I know the revisions are getting better, because both of these two earlier versions may be sound plot and interest wise, but boy they are not written near as well as I thought at the time.

But, am I being too much of a slave to internet advice?