I've been told that Between the Covers is closing.
Dammit people! Use it or lose it!
You want to live in a world of corporate giants, just keep giving them your money!
It makes me kind of mad, really.
And it's really sad.
What's wrong with this town? As William Akin said, we can support no end of breweries and bike shops, but the independent bookstores have a tuff time. That makes at least 5 stores come and gone since Barnes and Noble splatted down.
I'll keep saying this and anyone planning to open a store in Bend should at least consider the possibility -- Bend is different.
It looks like a hip little metropolis. But -- we're isolated, without an interstate, no real four year college (yet), no real major industries besides tourism and retirement which provide minimum wage jobs. It's an extroverted town, so if you have an introverted business, watch out.
I would love to be a full new bookstore, but I can't really fit it
in. I can carry new books, no problem. I can order new books, no
problem. But I can't do the full job.
But watching how people behave -- especially younger families -- keeps warning me off. There is a huge disconnect between the way people think they behave and how they really behave when it comes to reading.
Parents seem to have all the confidence in the world that their kids love to read -- but I'm watching what they're really doing, which is barely glancing at the books, and instead hauling their huge bags of candy around the store.
People who actually check me out, seem to like my selection. (Not carrying non-fiction is a big drawback, but I have a pretty good selection of fiction of all types, especially when used books are added in...)
I think I could do a separate full bookstore. I've worked out all the angles. But having opened and closed multiple stores, I also know that it's risky, expensive -- and most all -- stressful. I just don't need that kind of stress in my life.
But someone could do it, I think.
So here's two pieces of advice.
1.) Do it downtown. Nowhere else. Pay the cost, to get the foot traffic and the tourism.
2.) Books, books, books. Carry lots and lots and lots of books. Put ALL your money into inventory. Don't get fancy and expensive fixures and doo -dads. Don't divert space, time and energy on other things, like coffee or events or anything else.
Carry books.
I can almost guarantee that anyone who opens a store won't do that second of my suggestions, nor will anyone else tell them that. In fact, they'll hear nothing but the opposite.
But I repeat. Carry books. Every nook and cranny of your stores. Piled on tables, lining the walls, packed to stuffing. On your head, under your toes. Books. books. books.
If you do those two things, and you buy wisely, and you work hard, and you get lucky, and you understand the seasonal rhythms of downtown Bend, I think you could make it.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Finished Sometimes a Dragon.
I've finished the rewrite of SOMETIMES A DRAGON.
All the pieces are in place. Everything I planned to put in -- more than I planned, actually. I thought I'd need three new chapters, but ended up writing five more. I probably cut 20 thousand words, and added 10 thousand words.
But for now, this is the book. I want to read it over the next four days, smooth out the rough edges and inconsistencies.
I like it. I like it more than any book I've written. I like it so much, I'm going to set it aside and come back later in a few months and give it another look. And if need be, I'll do it again and again.
It's structured ambitiously, I think. Flashback chapters that are inserted according to theme and mood, rather than logic. In fact, the whole book is about theme and mood.
I've now got so much backstory that it's probably hopelessly confusing. It isn't confusing to me -- hey, I came up with it. It's perfectly clear to me. But I wonder if the flashbacks are too much, and if they are too much out of order.
There is almost enough material to put the flashbacks in sequential order. It's something to contemplate during the layoff period. It would probably require more plotting, and it would lose some of the thematic structure I'm trying for -- the idea of memory and loss. It might be more readable, but it would lose some depth, I think.
But I wonder if it's a book that I'm always going to like more than other people are going to like it.
It's perfect for the internet, in a sense. That is, it will have to be found and those who find it and stick with it are the people who probably should find it and stick with it.
It's the most ambitious book I've written. I mean, I've tried for drama and for tragedy and for comedy and a love story and a straight ahead myth/fantasy story, with archetypes. I've tried to fancy up the language, even put in a fair amount of poetry. I've made the structure all over the place and I just hope the feeling and the themes and the characters carry people through.
But I started off years ago with the feeling that I wanted to write the book I wanted to write and screw whether anyone would ever like it. So...I guess I still feel that way, after starting the rewrite with the intention of making is more accessible.
I don't know. Maybe I'm just being self indulgent.
It's a book I'll put out someday. And expect no one to read. And still feel proud of it.
LATER: I read the first 2/3rds of the book last night, and it worked!!! Even the sappy chapters I was worried about worked, because they were interspersed with flashbacks. The flashbacks worked, as well.
I found very few inconsistencies, and what I found I was able to fix easily. I suspect this will be more of a problem in the last third of the book as the story narrows to a conclusion. But so far, so good.
The only real concern was that the flashbacks are moving steadily toward the beginning of the story, while the story moves to the end -- so it is a little like they cancel each other out. So I'm not sure what it does to the momentum.
But it didn't bother me -- just the fact the I read 133 pages in once sitting with no problems -- even though I've been working on the rewrite for a couple of months, is a good sign.
I was amazed it flowed so well -- because as I was rewriting it, I was doing it in parts and selecting where to put the flashbacks by feeling, so I expected it to be a little disjointed. But don't think that happened at all.
In fact, I'm wondering if another rewrite will even be necessary. I'm in no hurry, so I'll tinker with it, give it another read in a few months, but basically -- as I said before -- this is the book I wanted.
I was worried about whether I was wasting my time doing this -- but the end result fully justifies it. It was the typing that was hard -- and I'll never have to do that again, thank god.
So there it is. Yet another book. Damn.
LATER:
Read the last third of the book and it all works. Amazingly.
I had thought it would need much more work, but I'm not sure that's true. I mean, I still set it aside just so I can come back to it with some perspective, but really, I think it's ready now.
Might need another party to copyedit, but other than that...
All the pieces are in place. Everything I planned to put in -- more than I planned, actually. I thought I'd need three new chapters, but ended up writing five more. I probably cut 20 thousand words, and added 10 thousand words.
But for now, this is the book. I want to read it over the next four days, smooth out the rough edges and inconsistencies.
I like it. I like it more than any book I've written. I like it so much, I'm going to set it aside and come back later in a few months and give it another look. And if need be, I'll do it again and again.
It's structured ambitiously, I think. Flashback chapters that are inserted according to theme and mood, rather than logic. In fact, the whole book is about theme and mood.
I've now got so much backstory that it's probably hopelessly confusing. It isn't confusing to me -- hey, I came up with it. It's perfectly clear to me. But I wonder if the flashbacks are too much, and if they are too much out of order.
There is almost enough material to put the flashbacks in sequential order. It's something to contemplate during the layoff period. It would probably require more plotting, and it would lose some of the thematic structure I'm trying for -- the idea of memory and loss. It might be more readable, but it would lose some depth, I think.
But I wonder if it's a book that I'm always going to like more than other people are going to like it.
It's perfect for the internet, in a sense. That is, it will have to be found and those who find it and stick with it are the people who probably should find it and stick with it.
It's the most ambitious book I've written. I mean, I've tried for drama and for tragedy and for comedy and a love story and a straight ahead myth/fantasy story, with archetypes. I've tried to fancy up the language, even put in a fair amount of poetry. I've made the structure all over the place and I just hope the feeling and the themes and the characters carry people through.
But I started off years ago with the feeling that I wanted to write the book I wanted to write and screw whether anyone would ever like it. So...I guess I still feel that way, after starting the rewrite with the intention of making is more accessible.
I don't know. Maybe I'm just being self indulgent.
It's a book I'll put out someday. And expect no one to read. And still feel proud of it.
LATER: I read the first 2/3rds of the book last night, and it worked!!! Even the sappy chapters I was worried about worked, because they were interspersed with flashbacks. The flashbacks worked, as well.
I found very few inconsistencies, and what I found I was able to fix easily. I suspect this will be more of a problem in the last third of the book as the story narrows to a conclusion. But so far, so good.
The only real concern was that the flashbacks are moving steadily toward the beginning of the story, while the story moves to the end -- so it is a little like they cancel each other out. So I'm not sure what it does to the momentum.
But it didn't bother me -- just the fact the I read 133 pages in once sitting with no problems -- even though I've been working on the rewrite for a couple of months, is a good sign.
I was amazed it flowed so well -- because as I was rewriting it, I was doing it in parts and selecting where to put the flashbacks by feeling, so I expected it to be a little disjointed. But don't think that happened at all.
In fact, I'm wondering if another rewrite will even be necessary. I'm in no hurry, so I'll tinker with it, give it another read in a few months, but basically -- as I said before -- this is the book I wanted.
I was worried about whether I was wasting my time doing this -- but the end result fully justifies it. It was the typing that was hard -- and I'll never have to do that again, thank god.
So there it is. Yet another book. Damn.
LATER:
Read the last third of the book and it all works. Amazingly.
I had thought it would need much more work, but I'm not sure that's true. I mean, I still set it aside just so I can come back to it with some perspective, but really, I think it's ready now.
Might need another party to copyedit, but other than that...
Saturday, March 30, 2013
I think I'm beginning to think like a writer...
A horror publisher had "open" submissions, so on the spur of the moment, I sent him Death of an Immortal.
He wrote back: "I read the first few chapters of your book and I really liked it. But..." "... I had a tough time selling Best New Vampire Tales, so I think Death of an Immortal would be a struggle. Sorry about that."
It's a rejection, but at least it's a personal rejection.
Vampires are passe, is the way I interpret that.
I think the first rejection a few months ago from an agent really hurt because it was so impersonal. I was really doubting myself. Had I completely lost my mojo?
I think Death of an Immortal is pretty good, actually. But I haven't had enough people read it, frankly, to get much feedback.
Early feedback was stuff like "good job" "way to go" -- which is pretty non-committal. Sort of like saying,
"How did you like the book?"
"It was interesting..." (Interesting good? Interesting bad? What the fuck does that mean?)
Heh.
Sliding scale, those are soft letdowns. Saying you "like" something, probably means you could tolerate it. Saying you "really like" something, probably means you liked it O.K.
So I've gotten that second response now from a person I didn't know -- but also people who read that sort of thing. And both said they "really liked" it -- translation, they liked it O.K.
So I'm encouraged.
Hey, it doesn't take much.
I think, generally, I'm just more comfortable with the old fashioned publishing business. I trust in third parties who don't know me to give me a fair hearing -- I've always done well in the past on that basis, when I gave them something worth reading.
So I have to trust that if I give them something worth reading, that I'll get a fair hearing -- probably fairer, actually, than people I know. That's kind of the way it works, I think. Too much baggage.
I have to be ready for rejections if I go that route -- form rejections.
I'm thankful that the internet is there to put my books on if all else fails.
But I have a weird faith I'm going to get published again.
Anyway, I'm going to send the same publisher "Nearly Human." The book I've been struggling with. The first book I tried to write when I came back to writing -- and which I love the idea of, but had trouble getting it right.
The "High Concept" of the book is really top tier. But my execution of the idea is in doubt. Still, I've worked on it so much that I think it's time to expose it to the world and see what the world thinks.
I feel like I just need one step -- one small success -- which I can leverage into getting an agent.
I think I'm beginning to think like a writer.
He wrote back: "I read the first few chapters of your book and I really liked it. But..." "... I had a tough time selling Best New Vampire Tales, so I think Death of an Immortal would be a struggle. Sorry about that."
It's a rejection, but at least it's a personal rejection.
Vampires are passe, is the way I interpret that.
I think the first rejection a few months ago from an agent really hurt because it was so impersonal. I was really doubting myself. Had I completely lost my mojo?
I think Death of an Immortal is pretty good, actually. But I haven't had enough people read it, frankly, to get much feedback.
Early feedback was stuff like "good job" "way to go" -- which is pretty non-committal. Sort of like saying,
"How did you like the book?"
"It was interesting..." (Interesting good? Interesting bad? What the fuck does that mean?)
Heh.
Sliding scale, those are soft letdowns. Saying you "like" something, probably means you could tolerate it. Saying you "really like" something, probably means you liked it O.K.
So I've gotten that second response now from a person I didn't know -- but also people who read that sort of thing. And both said they "really liked" it -- translation, they liked it O.K.
So I'm encouraged.
Hey, it doesn't take much.
I think, generally, I'm just more comfortable with the old fashioned publishing business. I trust in third parties who don't know me to give me a fair hearing -- I've always done well in the past on that basis, when I gave them something worth reading.
So I have to trust that if I give them something worth reading, that I'll get a fair hearing -- probably fairer, actually, than people I know. That's kind of the way it works, I think. Too much baggage.
I have to be ready for rejections if I go that route -- form rejections.
I'm thankful that the internet is there to put my books on if all else fails.
But I have a weird faith I'm going to get published again.
Anyway, I'm going to send the same publisher "Nearly Human." The book I've been struggling with. The first book I tried to write when I came back to writing -- and which I love the idea of, but had trouble getting it right.
The "High Concept" of the book is really top tier. But my execution of the idea is in doubt. Still, I've worked on it so much that I think it's time to expose it to the world and see what the world thinks.
I feel like I just need one step -- one small success -- which I can leverage into getting an agent.
I think I'm beginning to think like a writer.
Failed writer becomes cult leader!
Let this be a warning to all of you!
Until recently, I was watching the show, The Following. But ultimately, it think it's an example of a story built on a premise that doesn't work.
I mean, really -- a cult leader sending his followers out to kill people? That would never happen!
O.K..... Well, in this case it's more like proof that real life can be stranger than fiction.
For this show, I just didn't buy it. These aren't mindless Manson zombies, but highly functioning, cunning, meticulous planners -- who outsmart the full F.B.I. at every turn.
They are followers of a failed writer, whose ideas about Gothic romance they are captivated by. (Begs the question of -- if the writer's ideas are so powerful he can gather followers to kill for him -- why did his book fail?) He sends them out to kill and, not so incidentally, to make Kevin Bacon's life as miserable as possible -- not sure which is more important to him, actually.
Problem is, as I see it, most romantics aren't psychopaths and most psychopaths aren't romantics.
So it is up to the show to try and prove the writer can be so seductive and charming and manipulative, that he can entrap not just one or two followers -- but dozens. (Note to F.B.I. -- every follower so far visited him in prison. Just saying...)
They've got a charismatic actor -- James Purefoy -- but they really don't convince me he's able to convert these followers. (Especially through prison glass -- hey! I think I'll follow this guy, who's serving multiple life sentences! Okay, again a case of real life can be stranger than fiction.)
The show also has Kevin Bacon being Kevin Bacon -- which is always entertaining.
The show goes all in on the premise -- but I just couldn't quite suspend my disbelief. And I'm a fantasy buff. But I insist that there be internal consistency. (I couldn't watch 24 for the same reasons...)
It shows the importance of having an initial premise that works. If that doesn't happen, nothing you do -- good acting, plotting, camera work, etc. will save you.
I'll buy the most outlandish premise -- but you have to convince me, you have to make it work.
Until recently, I was watching the show, The Following. But ultimately, it think it's an example of a story built on a premise that doesn't work.
I mean, really -- a cult leader sending his followers out to kill people? That would never happen!
O.K..... Well, in this case it's more like proof that real life can be stranger than fiction.
For this show, I just didn't buy it. These aren't mindless Manson zombies, but highly functioning, cunning, meticulous planners -- who outsmart the full F.B.I. at every turn.
They are followers of a failed writer, whose ideas about Gothic romance they are captivated by. (Begs the question of -- if the writer's ideas are so powerful he can gather followers to kill for him -- why did his book fail?) He sends them out to kill and, not so incidentally, to make Kevin Bacon's life as miserable as possible -- not sure which is more important to him, actually.
Problem is, as I see it, most romantics aren't psychopaths and most psychopaths aren't romantics.
So it is up to the show to try and prove the writer can be so seductive and charming and manipulative, that he can entrap not just one or two followers -- but dozens. (Note to F.B.I. -- every follower so far visited him in prison. Just saying...)
They've got a charismatic actor -- James Purefoy -- but they really don't convince me he's able to convert these followers. (Especially through prison glass -- hey! I think I'll follow this guy, who's serving multiple life sentences! Okay, again a case of real life can be stranger than fiction.)
The show also has Kevin Bacon being Kevin Bacon -- which is always entertaining.
The show goes all in on the premise -- but I just couldn't quite suspend my disbelief. And I'm a fantasy buff. But I insist that there be internal consistency. (I couldn't watch 24 for the same reasons...)
It shows the importance of having an initial premise that works. If that doesn't happen, nothing you do -- good acting, plotting, camera work, etc. will save you.
I'll buy the most outlandish premise -- but you have to convince me, you have to make it work.
DEATH OF AN IMMORTAL 10
CHAPTER 10.
Terrill waited in the car outside the Hardaway
residence. A woman was cooking in the
kitchen, an older man had returned home in the last half hour, and the there
was a light on in a second story window. Terrill saw the shadow of
someone walking past the window. They were all home. What was
keeping him rooted to his car seat?
He got out, slammed the door. The neighborhood was
quiet. Everyone in their place. Once he would have found it an
ideal place to feed -- pick a house at random and slaughter the
occupants. It still amazed him that for hundreds of years he had never
questioned it. Humans were food, and vampires ruled the night.
A cat ran across the sidewalk in front of him, giving him a
startled glance as if only seeing him at the last second. Terrill could
stand there, still and quiet, and most people would walk right by him without
seeing him. It had once been one of his favorite techniques -- let his
meal come to him.
He took a deep breath. Walked up the sidewalk, and the
three concrete steps to the door. Still he hesitated, almost turned
around.
He was the murderer. He was the cause of their
grief. He hadn't wanted to do it, he was ashamed, but nonetheless, he was
the reason their daughter would never come home. What right did he have
to stand at their door, to enter their home, to talk to them, to offer them
condolences?
The door opened before he could knock, and a young girl
stood there staring at him.
"Can I help you?" she said.
She looked like Jamie, but then again, she didn't look like
Jamie at all. In fact, she looked like no one he'd ever seen since
ancient days. Her nose was too long, what once would have been described
as a Roman nose. Her eyes were wide set and large. Her chin was
slightly pointed, high cheekbones and wide tall forehead. Thick raven hair.
She looked like she'd come off a Greek urn, he
thought. Every little piece of her was a little off, but the whole was
stunning.
"I..."
"What's he want?" the old man's voice was
gruff. He appeared to be in his seventies, which meant he was already
near sixty when he'd fathered this girl. It was 6:00 in the evening, but
Terrill could tell he was already drunk. He pushed the girl out of the
way.
"What do you want, buddy?"
Jamie and Sylvie's mother followed, dishrag in hand, looking
as though she hadn't stopped crying in days. It was hard to see either
daughter in this beaten-down woman, who was in her mid-fifties, limp brown
hair, and heavy jowl.
"Is this the home of Jamie Lee Howe?"
"Not anymore," the man muttered. "The
slut is dead."
"Howard!" the woman pleaded. He turned and
glared at her until she looked away.
"I'll take care of this, Mom," Sylvie said, and
the old woman moved away, drifting over to the sink and picking up a dish,
taking a few swipes and then not moving, staring out the window.
Sylvie pushed her way to the door again, and stood next to
Terrill and waved him down the steps.
"We can talk out here," she said.
"Mom's in no shape to talk about Jamie, and Howard doesn't have anything
to say."
"Fuck you," Howard said. "I'm watching
a show..." He stumbled away.
"He actually does care, in his own way," Sylvie
said. "He did everything he could to keep Jamie in town, but she
didn't want to stay and she was old enough to make her own decisions."
She didn't say anything else, but stood staring at him
frankly.
"I..." again, his voice faltered.
"You knew her, didn't you?" she said.
"I can see it in your eyes. You're sad."
"Yes..." he said. Then realized he hadn't
planned on admitting it. "I mean, I met her a couple of times."
"Met her?" From her tone, Terrill realized
she knew what Jamie had been doing in Portland.
"For business. She came to me for a life
insurance policy. I represent Prestigious Insurance."
"Oh," she was obviously disappointed. Then
she realized what he'd said. "Insurance?"
"She wanted to make sure that you were provided for --
a college fund, as it happens."
"We've already got the five thousand from her savings
account," the young girl said. "It came in handy, we were late
with the mortgage. Howard lost his job a couple years ago and the
unemployment checks have stopped coming. His social security isn't
enough."
"Well that's just it," Terrill said, more and more
sure he was doing the right thing. "This payment is contingent on
your going to college. It can't be used for anything else."
She didn't look happy or unhappy. She just stared at
the ground for a few moments. "That's too bad -- because I'm not
leaving Mom until she is in good shape. Which may be never..."
"I'm sorry. The terms are quite specific -- the
money can only be accessed as long as you are in college."
She shrugged, and looked at him with a lopsided smile.
Her goofy demeanor and classic good looks were irresistible. Jamie was
right. She needed to get out of this small town.
"You can't live their lives for them," he said.
"That's what Jamie always said. And yet, that's
exactly what she did for me, despite me telling her not to."
She would have had every right to ask him what business of
it was of his, but instead she again got that curious look in her face.
"You knew her for more than business, didn't you?"
He didn't say anything, but the answer must have been
written in his face. She laughed, and it was as if she didn't have a care
in the world. A delighted laugh.
"I knew it! You're just her type, all doomed and
gloomy."
He tried to think of what to say. ‘Yes, I was screwing
your sister. For money?’ That wouldn’t do.
"Don't worry. I know what Jamie was doing -- but
knowing her, she was trying to be more than just...a..."
"She was more," he said. "To me."
"Yeah, that's Jamie. Making every job the most
important job in the world, whether it's babysitting or flipping hamburgers or
being a...being a whore."
He stared at her wonderingly.
"You're wondering how I can say that. You're
wondering why I'm not crying, why I can still laugh. Well, Mister,
someday I'll cry. Maybe I'll never stop crying, but not now. "
"She talked about you," he said.
"Oh, let me guess. Her brainy sister? Her
amazing sister? Well, Jamie always was a little starry eyed. I'm
not like that. Jamie just got unlucky, that's all. She met
the wrong guy at the wrong time. It happened, and now I have to take care
of Mom. And Howard, even Howard. He isn't a bad guy, just sort of
pathetic."
He could see she wasn't going to change her mind.
Time for a change of plans. "She made me executor of the
policy. It says that you have to stay in school, but doesn't say where or
for how long. I'm sure we can find a way."
"You sure you can't just give me the money?"
If I have to, I will, Terrill thought. But having
gotten a good look at her parents, he suspected that Sylvie would end up seeing
very little of it.
"Why don't we meet for lunch tomorrow," he said.
"O.K. We can meet at Black Bear restaurant at
1:30. That's my lunch break."
"I thought you were going to the community college?"
For the first time, she looked troubled. It was as if
the frown didn't fit her face, as if she was pressing the lines into her
perfect skin. The expression disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
"I had to drop out. We can talk about that."
"Yes," he said. "We will. I can’t meet you until the evening,
however. How about after your shift?”
“O.K. Come by at
5:00.”
He nodded.
She stuck her hand out. "Thank you, Mr...?"
"Terrill," he said, amazed at the sound of his own
name. He hadn't used it in hundreds of years.
He shook her hand. It was warm and dry and a charge
seemed to go up his arm. She was looking at him with wide eyes.
"Until tomorrow evening," he said, and walked away
without another word, now certain he was doing the right thing.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Downtown Comings and Goings. 3/29/13.
Rather dramatic announcements of 15 new businesses downtown in the Bulletin.
Which is weird, because I wasn't seeing it. Looking a little closer, I'd have to say there's little spin going on here. Some of the businesses haven't arrived, as in they don't even have a name -- such as the "smoke shop." There's also an unnamed restaurant going into the Common Table space. I'm going to wait to list businesses that don't have names yet. I will add both of these to the list when I have their names.
Others were announced quite a while ago, and were on my mid-January post. (Drake, Sweet Saigon, Brickhouse).
I've decided that the point of this list isn't to be breaking news, but a confirmed list of street level downtown businesses. It's my own definition of downtown and street level, admittedly. Studio Shen and Revive Skin Services don't appear to be street level. If they are, I'll add them later. On the other hand, I did list Bluebird Coffee Company, which is an inside business, because I've included these types of businesses before.
I suppose the differences is -- a coffee shop is what I call retail, whereas 'service businesses' inside of buildings don't do much for the retail atmosphere of downtown.
My list, but I'm trying to be consistent in an inconsistent world.
I've known about Soba going out for some time, but as long as they had a sign in the window saying they were going to reopen, I didn't feel like I could list them. I also added Volt to the "goings" list. Not to be negative, but it ought to be pointed out that in most cases, a new business means that someone else left.
So the number of businesses that are opening that are named and confirmed and new and street level is six -- which is still a significant number.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Bluebird Coffee Company, Franklin, 3/29/13.
Pure Kitchen, Franklin (Bond), 3/29/13
Jeff Murray Photography, Minnesota Ave., 3/29/13
Luvs Donuts, Minnesota Ave. 3/29/13
Hub Cyclery, Wall St. 3/29/13
Ju-bee-lee, Wall. St. 3/29/13.
Sweet Saigon, Wall St., 1/20/13.
Brickhouse, Oregon Ave., 1/20/13.
The Drake, Wall St. , 1/20/13
541 Threads, Minnesota Ave., 10/13/12.
O Mo Mo! Bond Street, 10/3/12.
Crow's Feet Commons, Brooks Street, 9/21/12.
The Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 9/14/12.
Noi, Bond Street, 9/14/12.
Azillian Beads, Franklin Ave., 9/6/12.
Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(List begun, Fall, 2008.)
BUSINESSES LEAVING
New York City Sub, Bond St. 3/29/13
Soba Asian Bistro, Bond St., 3/29/13
Volt Lighting, Wall St. 3/29/13.
Topolino, Wall Street, 1/20/13.
Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 1/20/13 (moved inside, Bond St.)
Amalia's, Wall Street, 1/5/13.
El Jimador, Wall Street, 9/1412.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(List begun, Fall, 2008 )
Which is weird, because I wasn't seeing it. Looking a little closer, I'd have to say there's little spin going on here. Some of the businesses haven't arrived, as in they don't even have a name -- such as the "smoke shop." There's also an unnamed restaurant going into the Common Table space. I'm going to wait to list businesses that don't have names yet. I will add both of these to the list when I have their names.
Others were announced quite a while ago, and were on my mid-January post. (Drake, Sweet Saigon, Brickhouse).
I've decided that the point of this list isn't to be breaking news, but a confirmed list of street level downtown businesses. It's my own definition of downtown and street level, admittedly. Studio Shen and Revive Skin Services don't appear to be street level. If they are, I'll add them later. On the other hand, I did list Bluebird Coffee Company, which is an inside business, because I've included these types of businesses before.
I suppose the differences is -- a coffee shop is what I call retail, whereas 'service businesses' inside of buildings don't do much for the retail atmosphere of downtown.
My list, but I'm trying to be consistent in an inconsistent world.
I've known about Soba going out for some time, but as long as they had a sign in the window saying they were going to reopen, I didn't feel like I could list them. I also added Volt to the "goings" list. Not to be negative, but it ought to be pointed out that in most cases, a new business means that someone else left.
So the number of businesses that are opening that are named and confirmed and new and street level is six -- which is still a significant number.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Bluebird Coffee Company, Franklin, 3/29/13.
Pure Kitchen, Franklin (Bond), 3/29/13
Jeff Murray Photography, Minnesota Ave., 3/29/13
Luvs Donuts, Minnesota Ave. 3/29/13
Hub Cyclery, Wall St. 3/29/13
Ju-bee-lee, Wall. St. 3/29/13.
Sweet Saigon, Wall St., 1/20/13.
Brickhouse, Oregon Ave., 1/20/13.
The Drake, Wall St. , 1/20/13
541 Threads, Minnesota Ave., 10/13/12.
O Mo Mo! Bond Street, 10/3/12.
Crow's Feet Commons, Brooks Street, 9/21/12.
The Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 9/14/12.
Noi, Bond Street, 9/14/12.
Azillian Beads, Franklin Ave., 9/6/12.
Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(List begun, Fall, 2008.)
BUSINESSES LEAVING
New York City Sub, Bond St. 3/29/13
Soba Asian Bistro, Bond St., 3/29/13
Volt Lighting, Wall St. 3/29/13.
Topolino, Wall Street, 1/20/13.
Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 1/20/13 (moved inside, Bond St.)
Amalia's, Wall Street, 1/5/13.
El Jimador, Wall Street, 9/1412.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(List begun, Fall, 2008 )
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Six free days.
I've arranged for six straight free days to whip Sometimes a Dragon into shape. Linda is out of town, all dental and otherwise appointments are done, I'm letting my guys take care of the Spring Break crowd at the store. Close the curtains, lower the lights, and think and write and write and think.
So the danger is I'll dawdle too much.
At the same time, I'm afraid of putting too much pressure on myself.
The trick is to apply myself, but lightly. I'm going to let the mornings go, drink coffee, browse the internet, read the paper, fix a lunch, etc. Then I'll get dressed and sit down around 1:00 everyday and give myself over to it.
But without pushing too hard. That is, keep my head into the book but not scare myself off.
I'm now seeing that I had a six month spurt of creativity that was probably unusual. More or less three books were written, at least the first draft. Rewrites were done on two other books. Then I got caught up in the actual process of putting them online, and that kind of derailed me.
Then again, I'm not sure I could have kept up that pace forever.
So the plan now is to get a readable copy done of Sometimes a Dragon over the next six days, then set it aside.
Then start a new book.
For the first time, I'm not adverse to sequels. Death of an Immortal has an obvious avenue for a sequel. The Lore books are meant to be a trilogy. Nearly Human was originally meant to be a series. I think I'll probably eventually pursue all three, but also let myself write something else if that comes to me first.
Death of an Immortal came out of the blue, and more or less wrote itself, and I just went with it. Same with Freedy Filkins. So that isn't something I should ignore. If somethings tugs on my sleeve, I should follow it.
I'm thinking I probably needed a break from the creative flow -- give myself a chance to recharge.
I also don't want to dive into a new book without a little thought. Sometimes a Dragon has taught me -- again -- as did Nearly Human -- that having a plan keeps me from writing myself into the proverbial corner, so the next step for Lore is to actually plan the world a little more, even do a little research. Have an idea of where I'm going before I start.
Which is a switch in strategy dictated by experience. I'm not as worried now that I'll do an outline and then not write the book. But ... we'll see.
So the danger is I'll dawdle too much.
At the same time, I'm afraid of putting too much pressure on myself.
The trick is to apply myself, but lightly. I'm going to let the mornings go, drink coffee, browse the internet, read the paper, fix a lunch, etc. Then I'll get dressed and sit down around 1:00 everyday and give myself over to it.
But without pushing too hard. That is, keep my head into the book but not scare myself off.
I'm now seeing that I had a six month spurt of creativity that was probably unusual. More or less three books were written, at least the first draft. Rewrites were done on two other books. Then I got caught up in the actual process of putting them online, and that kind of derailed me.
Then again, I'm not sure I could have kept up that pace forever.
So the plan now is to get a readable copy done of Sometimes a Dragon over the next six days, then set it aside.
Then start a new book.
For the first time, I'm not adverse to sequels. Death of an Immortal has an obvious avenue for a sequel. The Lore books are meant to be a trilogy. Nearly Human was originally meant to be a series. I think I'll probably eventually pursue all three, but also let myself write something else if that comes to me first.
Death of an Immortal came out of the blue, and more or less wrote itself, and I just went with it. Same with Freedy Filkins. So that isn't something I should ignore. If somethings tugs on my sleeve, I should follow it.
I'm thinking I probably needed a break from the creative flow -- give myself a chance to recharge.
I also don't want to dive into a new book without a little thought. Sometimes a Dragon has taught me -- again -- as did Nearly Human -- that having a plan keeps me from writing myself into the proverbial corner, so the next step for Lore is to actually plan the world a little more, even do a little research. Have an idea of where I'm going before I start.
Which is a switch in strategy dictated by experience. I'm not as worried now that I'll do an outline and then not write the book. But ... we'll see.
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