Plotting and Playing
I’ve found the way to keep the dogs with me on the beach: bacon treats in my pocket. As a matter of fact, I can’t get them away from my side, but that’s okay. I love that dogs are allowed loose on the beach here off season, especially since we usually have the beach to ourselves. Those red things around my waist are their leashes in case I need them, but Keeper and Jet are really learning good beach etiquette.
The weather’s been absolutely perfect here this week, unlike the last time I was here with a friend and 
we were stranded in The Storm that had No End. I’m working on my next book (due in April. Yikes!) tentatively titled The Waif, and John and I had a fantastic brainstorming session at our fave restaurant last night, Sears Landing. (Between the yummy restaurants for dinner and Just Baked’s cinnamon rolls for breakfast, I think I’ve put on a pound a day while we’ve been here).
But back to the brainstorming. My characters are starting to emerge. I have a long way to go with them and one thing I have to figure out is whether to take the story in a “suspense and danger” direction or stick to “strictly emotional jeopardy”. Which do you prefer reading?
This afternoon, we’re going to spend some time on the Surf City Pier, which I believe will have a small but significant role in my story. Tonight we’ll spend more time on the deck with my fabulous telescope, as we’ve done every night this week. The moon is as close as my fingertips!
For my bedtime reading, I’m rereading the converted scan of Reflection as I ready it for publication as an e-book. I love that story, but it’s striking me as quite different from many of my other books. Denser, somehow. Very layered with loads of description. Maybe too much for some of my current readers? I’m not going to change it, though, because I personally think the descriptions fit a story that has a setting as evocative as the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
So that’s what I’m up to this week. I leave you with the view from the second bedroom in our condo. I love this little peek at one of the Operation Bumblebee towers that dot Topsail Island, one of which my fictional Marcus in Before the Storm turned into his home.
Hope your week is going as well as mine!
Definitely suspense
Your comments today were posted on FB by a friend of a friend of a friend….she knows that I love dogs, but what she doesn’t know is that I am a Sheltie dog-mom, too!
Keeper and Jet look every bit as charming and adorable and smart as my Tully and Diva, and I congratulate you on having the immense wisdom to chose to include these amazing “little people in fur coats” in your life!
Susan, while I miss my wildly affection Goldens and my gorgeous non-shedding Bernese Mountain Dog, the Shelties are the easiest and sweetest dogs I’ve ever owned. Much easier to train and manage. The shedding drives me bonkers, but they are such lovable pups that they make up for it!
Brenda, thanks for that feedback!
U r welcome
Cannot wait for new book
PS Am with you-the shedding would drive me nuts. I always had Schnauzers-non-shed…might have to get a dog again…might be better to have one…That being said-you and your dogs are beautiful…
Beautiful pics Diane!…oh how I love your shelties!
Definitely love suspense/danger in your novels…and the shocking surprise near the end is something I always look forward to! It sounds like THE WAIF might be taking place at Topsail since you mention Surf City Pier…I hope so!…love, love, love reading about Topsail!
REFLECTION…my friend Laura’s favorite novel…different from your other books but so beautifully written…a very, unique and captivating story.
When I think back to all your novels Diane, I have to tell you that I also love the ones with emotional jeopardy…you have a gift for writing both ways, suspense and danger too, so whichever way you lean with THE WAIF, it will be fabulous..your heart will tell you which way to go.