Thursday, September 24, 2009

Other projects

I just finished my first 50 pages in my work-in-progress! Yay! 11,000 words. Phew. I have written it in first-person present-tense, third-person omniscient, and finally settled on my usual: first-person near-past-tense. I've twisted the plot around and around. I've threaded, unravelled, and re-threaded the words. And now I can say I'm on my way. I have a sense of who my characters are and where they are going.

To celebrate, I got a new sewing machine (THIS ONE!) and finally made Elizabeth a dress-and-backpack combo. She had picked out the pattern and fabric a month ago, and I finally did it. Apparently, I can sew! It wasn't me, it was my old, unworking sewing machine that was the problem before.

Taking pictures (or "catching Elizabeth on film") is nearly as difficult as sewing, by the way. (It also helps to have the camera on the right setting, apparently.) Here ya go:



And...

13 comments:

Jacqui said...

Yahoo on the WIP!

Christina Farley said...

Yeah! It's so great to know you're on the right track. And I'm even more impressed with your sewing!

Paul Michael Murphy said...

Love the new pick. Quantum Mechanics. Good one.

Amber Lough said...

Yes, lovely Quantum. It's not my lil' red book, though. Oh, no. I'm not a math whiz AND a writer like Jacqui there. However, I am a Quantum Mechanics Widow, now that my husband has started his PhD program. He is always studying. And by always, I mean, he takes a notebook and pencil to bed.

Kim Harris Thacker said...

Amber, I've decided we're kindred spirits. I "found" you on Shannon Hale's website and zipped over to your blog. When I saw your blog address, I had to laugh, because that is so me! Two kids, zero time to write what I love (middle grade and YA), unless my kiddos are sleeping. As for my marital status, I'm a widow to education, too. My husband is just finishing up his third year of an MFA in poetry and has started the rigorous PhD application process. Whew! Anyhow, It was a treat to find your blog.

Val said...

My Congratulations. Does Elisabeth like the dress?
I’m also amazed with your photo in the nice hat. Do you really read that?

Amber Lough said...

Hello, Kim! Nice to *meet* you. Isn't Shannon Hale wonderful? I'm considering driving 5 hours to see her at a book signing in Vermont...but prob won't because of the kids. Some day. Some day. She's an inspiration b/c she writes so well AND is a stay-at-home mom.

Val~ No, I don't really read Quantum Mechanics. Sadly, my math skills end at basic pre-calculus. (If I brushed up a LOT.) My husband is the math genius in the family. I was playing around with his new hat that I found at a rummage sale while he was studying.

Martha Flynn said...

So Impressive!!! (the writing AND the dress)

Kim said...

Amber,
I've had the opportunity to attend a few conferences where Shannon Hale has been a speaker, and I've been to several of her book signings, and I have to tell you that she is as hilarious in person as she is in her books! (Have you read AUSTENLAND?) I love meeting other stay-at-homes who are pursuing their dreams while raising kids!

Vijaya said...

*Thud* You have a clean house, 11K on your wip, and you sewed that pretty dress? Kudos!!! I'm impressed.

Edith said...

Woo hoo!! That's awesome! You go to town on that new WIP girl!!

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