it doesn’t get much better than this
That’s Sonya in peach, manning the winch. Me, tailing the main halyard. Kori at the wheel. Our photographer is Erik. I’m digging his brand new camera.
Archive for Sailing
Today, I took my daughter to see Disney/Pixar’s UP. Man, those people know how to write a movie. They do everything right. The animation is great. The story does exactly what it’s supposed to do, when it’s supposed to, without falling into the no no’s that befall other movies. Magic.
The opening set up in UP is done almost completely without words. It moves fast enough to keep the movie from getting bogged down. Our hero achieves his goal and once he does, realizes the moment is empty. As a writer, I saw all the things we’re taught to do done masterfully. And as if that’s not enough, there are lots of quirky, funny moments that make the audience laugh out loud. Brilliant.
I came home humbled and inspired.
Now, you’re wondering what Save The Cat is all about. Blake Synder’s book on screenwriting is on my nightstand as is his sequel. I’m a huge fan of movies. That’s why I took to Michael Hague’s workshop. I need structure or else I don’t accomplish what I need to do. Save The Cat shows me how to establish that structure in my WIP. Yes, I’m writing a book, not a screenplay, but thinking in terms of a screenplay works for me.
This morning, I dropped my WIP into Blake Synder’s Save The Cat framework and came up with a few reasons why I’m stalled. Forward progress ahoy.
And speaking of ahoy, we sold our old boat. Yippee! We are now the proud owners of one boat. The god of the sea likes us, I think.
Today’s goal: 2 contests entered
Yesterday’s goal: Layout ATT according to Save The Cat
What I’m grateful for: Help and inspiration from the movies
Quote: “Every single character must change in the course of your story.” -Blake Snyder, Save The Cat
Perfect Union. Isn’t she pretty?
So, last week, Erik called me. He had his eye on a new boat. A bigger, better boat. 4 feet bigger and 2 feet wider.
Now, the thought of threading an extra 2 feet into our slip is daunting, but having an engine we can actually find replacement parts for sort of makes me want to do a happy dance. And four extra feet in length and two more in width, it makes me grin. I was impressed with our 27 footer. Imagine what we can do with all that extra footage. Can you say party boat?
Below we have an oven. Why do you need an oven on a boat? Well…we’ll find a use for it. We have a booth with a table (not just a bench with a folddown table like in the old boat. We have a place to store wine bottles. No more rattling in the “liquor” cabinet.
It desperately needs some cleaning, but we’re really good at that. I can’t wait to get her in the water and see how she goes.
Update:
We took her out tonight. She’s seaworthy. The engine purrs instead of chugs. I can’t yet tell you how she goes under sail because we haven’t gotten them up yet. Too busy cleaning. Oh, we’re bust-a-gut pleased with our new purchase. I think the word is giddy. Silly smiles all around.
I accidently bought James Scott Bell’s book Plot and Structure. I was trying to buy his book on Revising (which I also got). Turns out it was a fortuitous mistake. I skimmed through it and picked up a couple little techniques to incorporate into my planning stages. Then my almost nine year old daughter plucked it off my nightstand last night and started reading it. Now, I know she likes to write, but having her choose to take on a book about writing really blew me away. I figure if she can grasp the basics of beginning, middle and end and a little bit about characterization, she will be further ahead than most writers twice her age.
I couldn’t be more proud.
Yesterday I went sailing with friends and met Geoff. He writes thrillers, chapter books and middle grade books. We completely dominated the boat conversation as we discovered we are both in about the same situation in our writing (i.e. waiting to hear back on submissions) and had a ball discussing the publishing industry, editors and agents. It was fascinating to talk to someone who isn’t writing romance, but is writing genre fiction. And it makes me appreciate RWA and all the opportunities open to writers of romance.
I’m feeling antsy today. Not sure why. Maybe because weekends are too short and it’s Monday. Maybe because July is almost over and I’m dreading the end of summer. Maybe because National is approaching and I’m not going. Whatever the reason, I feel like running outside and waving my hands in the air while I primal scream.
How are you doing today?
Today’s goal: Working on Bending for the Golden Rose
Yesterday’s achievement: Got on the boat for the first time this summer
What I’m grateful for: The opportunities available to me as a writer of romance
Quote: A”n effective way to deal with predators is to taste terrible.” -Unknown
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With the sun shining and the wind blowing, we take to the St. Croix river armed with ginger beer and rum (dark and stormy’s) as well as a whole lot of food. Our twenty seven foot hunter might be over a quarter century old, but we’ve had a great time sailing her in the last nine months (technically 6 weeks in the fall and 6 weeks in the spring/summer).
We generally spend a third of our time sailing, a third swimming in the river and a third eating, drinking and chatting. There is something so relaxing and peaceful about being on the water. We have a great crew that is always changing as schedules permit, and like having different people handling the helm and the sails. It’s sort of a teaching boat. Everyone participates. Everyone learns.
And at the end of the day, we’re relaxed and tired.
Today’s Goal: A smooth landing
Yesterday’s Achievement: Bought some really cool artwork
I’m Grateful for: Warm weather, good wind and fabulous friends to sail with
I'm participating in The Romance Reviews first anniversary party. Come find me there starting in March.
I won the 2011 Rising Star Award from my local chapter, Midwest Fiction Writers
My third Harlequin Desire has a title Unfinished Business will hit the shelves April 2012 along with my 2010 Golden Heart Winning book now titled His Secret Temptation from Carina Press.
I was offered a book in Harlequin Desire's 2012 continuity, The Highest Bidder coming in November 2012.
Sold the third book in the Case brothers trilogy to Harlequin Desire. Max's book will hit the shelves April 2012. I also contracted for Jason's book, Max's best friend. Release date TBD.
Cat Schield
Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved | Designed by Will Design For Chocolate
Cover art copyright © by Harlequin Enterprises Limited ® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved | Designed by Will Design For Chocolate
Cover art copyright © by Harlequin Enterprises Limited ® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved.