stalled

[olmue]

The city-sponsored inline skate night is now officially over, which means that our street (through which the route runs) is no longer blockaded to traffic, and public transit can run there again as well (although the bus that runs from here to the hospital doesn't run this time of night, anyway, now that I think about it). So officially, there is no reason blocking me from a trip to the Frauenklinik now, is there? Hm. Maybe I should have borrowed my daughter's skates today and taken up with the rest of the skaters. I did ride my bike today, but no dice. I'm due in one week. I leave this country in four weeks. If anyone out there still happens to be praying to keep the kid in, please reverse that now!!! Otherwise I won't be able to get a passport in time, which means I will have to leave Germany and yet won't be allowed into my own country. Which would be bad.

Anyway, so I thought I'd make a file with the first scene of my first chapter of this book. All the versions of it from the beginning until now, even the one from the perspective of the alien landings. I've only got 13 official revisions, but then there are all those half-revisions in there (version 5a, version 6-2, etc.). Um. 55 of them, actually. There are really only three basic beginnings I've tried, but they tighten as they go, change opening sentences, etc. Surely SOMETHING in that mess is worth salvaging? I'm trying to remind myself that even though the most complaints I've gotten over the course of...yeah, we won't say how long...have been leveled at this first opening chapter, I've still have numerous agent requests based on reading the opening pages.

Yes, I know I need to step back and take a break from it. I need to read a ton of stuff and just let it simmer in the back of my mind. I don't have the books, though, and this isn't exactly the time to be buying more... Hm, but if I can (shh!) convince DH that I need lots and lots of time to walk around town alone and loosen up junior towards the exit, maybe I can slip into the big bookstore with the English section and the comfy benches and read first chapters right there...

Comments

[edawn.livejournal.com]

That is a really good idea. I would head down there first thing when it opens. The bonus is that you are closer to the clinic if things start to happen while you're doing your research.

[shaelise.livejournal.com]

Oh, fun! Chapter hunting...hope you get to take that walk. I also hope junior comes quick -- we want you back. :)