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December 9, 2005

K'Nisqan Rule and a Spelled Band of Onyx

BACK ON THE STORY at 05:44. Moving at a good clip. Editor (Gail) gave me the weekend, so I feel much better. I think I can finish tomorrow. I think that may not be overly-optimistic. But I need to make two passes, at least. And I think I can barely squeeze that in before Monday evening. I'll do my best. Don't know. I sometimes aim too high, think I can pull off a bit more than I can. Which I do not regret. This allows me to achieve a lot even when I fall short. But as far as accuracy on this prediction, I don't know. It's less a tool of prophesy than it is a prod or trick to make myself more productive.

Some good stuff unfolding. Some description I felt was lacking. Some scenes that are just fantastico in their imagery and fulfilment of the narrative promise given earlier on. Also some very good crystal-ballery using Eli's ---------. Which I didn't see coming, but then suddenly, there it is. And then I was like "Oh, now I know why I included that item in his room."

I love how you write hints in and don't know what they are for yet, you are sort of like "I know I made a point of mentioning that item, but I don't really know why," and 100 pages later you understand—all in a flash as you write a different scene—why you dropped that matchbook behind the picture frame (or that donut into a rabbit hole, or that suspicion into a passerby's mind). I love those moments. Anyway, some good foreshadowing of environment and narrative throughline of Book 2 in one of final scenes. Getting closer to the vortex, the pull grows stronger. Now on the read-through, I'll have to even out some of that energy, make sure it makes ripples in the beginning, make sure we can smell the ocean even from the highest floor of the fanciest hotel.

Page 226. Gotta get back to it, now. These are my favorite hours of writing: before the dawn, dawn, early dawn.

joaquín ramón herrera writes for children, adults, and other humans found elsewhere in the continuum of development. He is also an illustrator, musician, and surprise protagonist. If you have found his glasses, wallet, or keys, please contact him here.

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