Back to fiction writing

I started working on my novel again today. It's been on the back burner while I finished the poetry book and then while I regrouped after school ended. But it's July now and if I want a draft by the end of the year, we best get working. (That was my goal, it seems doable, 6 months, leaves no more than 50 pgs a month, ish.)

So Ainsley (main character) and I are getting reacquainted. I have to say, so far, she's much more exciting than she used to be. I was having a real problem with her before. Other characters were just so much cooler. And really, one character will probably always be my favorite. But at least Ainsley isn't boring any more. She drinks only Australian wines.

This is the first sentence:

It’s a little-known fact that while serving in the Civil War Ulysses Grant fell in love with a whore.


PS: Speaking of wines, I've been thinking of starting another blog for wines. I don't drink much anymore, but have really wanted to explore wine more. Especially after listening to NPR on my birthday-they were talking about American wines. Every state now has at least one winery. How great would it be to have a wine from every state? I don't know that I would offer much besides me liking or disliking a wine, and probably tell the tale of what I did the night I drank it. I have no desire to sit and talk about the subtle flavors or whatever really cool wine people do. But it's something I think I may explore. I just now have to force myself to stop buying the wines I know I love and be adventuresome.

Plants!

The other day I was in an "I want" mood. But when I started to blog about it, I sounded really whiny and selfish. So, we'll stick with just one thing from the list...

I want to eat my plants!

This sounds scary, but most of them are edible. Or, will be. There's herbs, strawberries and peppers. But for some reason, no matter how crazy the strawberries get, there just isn't any fruit happening. It may just need more time, but I want to eat strawberries. I know the peppers need more time, but again, same thing.

I'm afraid I forgot how to be patient this week.

One of the lilies in the front yard. It has buds, so hopefully we get flowers soon!



Baby pepper plants, which are all leaves and no vegetables.


Unidentified herb. It might be basil. I had a small issue with not labeling my seeds and then mixing it all up.


The lone surviving cilantro. I don't know what happened to the rest.


Strawberries...getting huge but there's no sign of fruit.

Birthday Recap

I am 25, which according to my 13-19 year old selves, will be the greatest year of my life. I once figured 25 was a good age since you were out of school, probably in a good relationship (or old enough to realize a relationship wasn't everything) old enough to be have or be getting close to a great job, etc. Basically, 25 seemed to be when all the happy adult things really started to settle in. My younger self had so many dreams for being 25! Don't know if I still agree, but we shall see. I don't imagine it will be bad, so it should be a good year.

Anyway, for the birthday:
margaritas on Thursday
lazy Friday with John complete with a nap and Bride Wars
Saturday with the Cookseys: a walk with John, sister, baby, and two dogs to see the grandparents, a nice present to come (they're framing my diploma), watching John scoop up a baby in his arms and twirl her in the air, Trace Adkins (nice long hair, some funny songs, also a womanizer (boo)), baby dancing to music, fireworks in the arms of my love, scary drunk driver on the way home who did not swerve as we passed him!
another lazy day on Sunday, though I started to get back to my scrapbooks. (so behind!)