Blocked no more!

I experienced a case of mini-writer's block while working on the first draft of The Sorcerer's Daughter.

It was at the end of Part I. I already have a Part III but I needed a bridge to get to it. A Part II. And I couldn't think of anything.

I was considering just going ahead and writing Part III and coming back to do the omitted section later, but I hate doing that, really. Fortunately an idea came to me for the next section that will do quite nicely, for a variety of reasons.

I basically needed something that:

• showed my protagonist a few years older than she was in the first part, but not as old as she will be in Part III
• gave another central character an opportunity to remind the reader what a cold-blooded bastard he can be
• introduce a really nifty monster I came up with that should give the reader a good chill

Anyways, I'm back in business, for now.

I just need to learn to trust myself a little more--I can usually come up with something. The problem is, when I put too much pressure on myself. I want to come up with something now and it just won't happen that way.

I'm still making progress with my drawing lessons, and these are helping me with my writing, I think. Sitting here doodling in my sketchbook or playing with the pens I bought sort of frees up my mind and lets it work on whatever I need for it to work on. Plus, my pictures (usually) actually look like something now. Something recognizable, that is.

So, creatively I'm coming along, making progress.

Physically the weight keeps coming down. The blood sugur is within normal limits. I've stuck to my diet and exercise regime and I'm seeing results--I'm wearing a shirt right now that I couldn't get into a couple of months ago. Hopefully my doctor will be pleased when I see him in about a month--though it's really difficult to imagine him being happy. He makes House look like a cast member from Up With People. (I know I'm showing my age with that reference.)

Anyways, it's been a productive Saturday for me, which means it's been a good weekend so far.

I suppose I should congratulate the Baltimore Ravens on their Superbowl win--I just realized I haven't posted anything since the game. It was a really good game, too, down to the wire.

So, how are you doing? How's life treating you?