Randall’s Ramblings – 7 February 2016

I’d like to start out this week’s ramblings wishing my wife, Sylvia, a happy xxth birthday! May you have many more!!   I would also like to thank everyone who has been reading.

Why I want to Write–What’s Led Me to This Stage in My Life

Last week I mentioned some of the college/university courses I had completed and their impact on my writing. As I worked through my studies, successful writing became more crucial. Being able to convey the requisite information in a logical and precise manner was extremely important, especially for timed exams.

After I finished my Associate degree in Business Administration, I moved toward another degree, this time in Business and Management. I was also offered a full-time job based on my military service, and I snapped at the opportunity. Throughout my working career, writing became a vital component, leading to bigger and tougher challenges.  In addition, to expository writing, I was introduced to technical writing.  You could argue that technical writing is a subset of expository, and I would agree with you.  However, it brought along a new set of challenges–learning technical terminology. 

I continued to move up the corporate ladder, so to speak, and increased my formal education with a mid-level leadership program and three graduate degrees.  As time to consider retirement rolled around, a friend and work colleague, whom I have known since 1979, suggested I try my hand at writing a novel.

The results will be explained next time.

My Work in Progress

My brain cells continued to generate thoughts and phrases to help progress ‘The Kurdish Connection’, and I posted chapters 44 and 45 during the past week on the two subscription writing sites I use. The story now stretches about 96K words, with an estimated eight chapters to go for completion of my first draft. Then the ‘fun’ begins–editing, based on the various critiques I’ve received as well as areas I know need to be improved.

I use an outline to keep me on track with where I want the story to go.  Things are shaping up nicely for a final run at the conclusion.  I managed to trim two potential chapters without hurting the story. 

Blog Posts I’d Like to Share

Each week I skim through dozens of blogs, seeking inspiration for my own work.  I find reading other works will stimulate my brain and generate whole passages that I jot down before I forget.  Today, I have two more blogs I’d like to share.  Both use a mixture of photography and prose, looking at everyday things that impact upon us all.

Success Inspirer – inspiration, encourage, and motivation for all. In particular, check out the various tabs: poetry, quotes, inspiration, creative writing, and marriage & family.

The View From My Window -a mixture of stunning photographs and inspirational prose.

Books I’m Reading

Real life events kept me very busy this week so I haven’t been able to read as much for pleasure as normal.  I continued to read ‘Dead Charming’ by Ian Jackson, but I’m not reading to give my impressions just yet.  Hope to have Ian’s book finished shortly.

In the meantime, I’d like to share my thoughts on ‘The DCI Jones Casebook: Ellis Flynn‘ by Kerry Donovan. Another excellent adventure by Kerry. A fantastic read–full of non-stop action from beginning to end. Enjoyed how Flynn and Jenkins kidnap Holly and take her to France. Good detective work led DCI Jones to her potential ‘death bed’ but saves the day, not once, but twice. Good interaction between Jones and the French authorities. What a bunch of losers Jones works for. Great twist having Jenkins follow Holly back to England and set up for her kidnapping from the hospital.

Writing Resources

This week I’d like to mention two books I’ll be using as I edit ‘The Kurdish Connection.’

Dialogue: More Than Just Talk – Learn what dialogue can and should be doing for your book.

Dialogue Tips & Traps: A Guide For Fiction Writers –  Insights, strategies, tricks, and best practices about the writing of dialogue in fiction.