Category: Uncategorized

A Writer’s Corner – What happens in the third draft

Working on the third draft of a novel is the most nail-biting stage of the writing process. This is where I cut out scenes that aren’t necessary to the story arc and start working on better prose. It’s a total immersion by getting into the skin of the characters and fine-tuning the dialogue and pace. I see what’s missing and what is superfluous and add gestures and facial expressions. It’s the most important draft, and I expect to do a read-through out loud in the next draft with no major changes.

Rosie and Sinclair must talk-A Misalliance with Love.

Rosie sat by herself in her favorite armchair by the fire with an unopened book in her lap.

She had hoped he would grow to like her. Instead, he had burst in talking about bills and people visiting her when he had never shown any interest in what she had planned. He never asked her how she would staff the house. She had tried to keep him informed about the modifications.
Rosie took a sip of her port, feeling the warmth spread through her body. She had been dreading this conversation since they sat down in the library, but she knew it was necessary.

–A Misalliance with Love

I like to travel – and my characters will too.

I have an insatiable wanderlust, as do the characters I create. Traveling is an escape from my ordered and sometimes constraining life, allowing me to immerse myself in the unexpected. It’s the thrill of witnessing the lives of others and stepping out of my comfort zone.

When I travel, I seek out good food, good wine, and the joy of discovering new destinations. Navigating through unfamiliar territories, I embrace local festivals, find local guides, and sleep in unusual places like a desert under the stars, a village hut, or the deck of a boat. I believe in sharing meals and breaking free from the isolation of anonymous cities, knowing that the rest of the world is not like that.

Traveling means turning my back on my comfort zone and embracing change, novelty, fears, and the beauty that exists in both man-made and natural aspects of life. It’s about finding art everywhere and returning home to books and brunches with friends. I let the wind guide me, constantly seeking challenges that make me feel brave. People-watching becomes a source of inspiration, yet finding the most peaceful places on the planet brings me a profound sense of tranquility.

Even when the unexpected happens, like a friend breaking their arm on vacation, we patch it up and continue our quest for the perfect beach. Travel evokes a mix of emotions – nostalgia for the past and excitement for the future. It’s a journey of progress, where disappointment in famous landmarks can be balanced by the excitement of overlooked gems.

And in the end, after all the wanderlust, there’s a special feeling of coming home, cherishing the familiar and reflecting on the memories created.