I'm pleased to say I finished the storyboarding of Otherworld and I've gotten the first chapter written. Well into the second chapter, I'm finding this one easier to write than my first two efforts. I'd like to say it has something to do with the collage, but I can't fault the idea and the 'muse' being so cooperative. There's probably also something to be said about having gotten used to the whole process of writing. While I'm still discovering things about myself as I write, the process isn't a mystery. I hope to have this in revisions by April 6. That's my goal.

Life throws curveballs sometimes. That's when I need to be a curveball hitter.

Tuesday hasn't quite ended for me, even though the dawn is breaking outside even as I type. I had a very eventful day yesterday, though it wasn't all bad. However, life decided to throw me a few loops and I intend to survive them and still make my goals. Most of what happened was just itsy pitsty stuff that piled up, but the day began with the sudden loss of Fiver, one of our rabbits. He'd been fine the night before, but was still by morning. No symptoms or warning.

He was a lovely little bunny, who got into trouble when we let him roam the house. He got along with the cats and was social with us, too. Often I'd be writing and I'd feel his cold nose on my foot. I'd slide my keyboard drawer closed and look down, he'd look up at me, his little nose going, and then he would just meatloaf there for a few minutes, keeping me company. I remember when he discovered my best friend's room--it has a couple of steps down to get into it--he was leaping everywhere, getting up on the top step and then bouncing so high he could have cleared the five and one-half feet to her bed. He was an amazing family member and I cannot say how much I'll miss him. And yes, he was named for the seer rabbit in Watership Down by Richard Adams

I still have the storyboarding to do for Otherworld, but I'm so tired, I think I need to nap, which I will when I've put up this post. But I wanted to touch base and make sure I did what I could for my day, in spite of not being able to sit down to begin the business of writing until I'd been up for 12 hours.

'Night, and have a great day.

I got everything but the storyboarding and plot grid finished today for Otherworld. I didn't make out character profiles, but I did nail down what type of character each one is. I use the Archetype system, which you can find on Tami Cowden's site. Click on the word Archetypes on the left.

I'm moderating the March Writing Challenge for Los Angeles Romance Authors, my local chapter of RWA. We have a great bunch of women who are jumping in and trying to just do pure writing. I gave them all a quote today from Khalil Gibran that I'd like to share. The idealism and the truth of it is inspiring.

When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Well, my site is now live! And I've got a new novel idea! It's up on the Novel page and it's hot hot hot and I'm pushing myself to get it finished. Inspiration really rocks. I'm going to add the collage I made to help inspire me while I write soon -- I've got to charge up the digital camera.

I call the story Otherworld, though I'm pretty sure any publisher that picks it up will change the name. If something better comes along, I'm sure I'll just slip it in there.

I'll keep everyone posted on my progress daily, so check back.