May 8, 2006
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I tried several times to write something at the hotel but it always got so involved and people were coming in and out, wanting the computer. I used to live in Seattle. Actually, it was Bothell. Just for a year and then I told my husband I was leaving with or without him, come September. Being at the hotel for a week was much more like living there than the weekend visits.
Over the years, because my husband worked there, I would visit often. It’s where I did all my shopping and when I was dancing I was able to rent a house for next to nothing. She rented it out to visiting dancers with the idea that they’d take a lesson. And I did for a while.
During those trips and even when I lived there I spent all of my time downtown or at the market. If you’ve never been, there is a huge market along the waterfront called Pike Place Market. Or maybe it’s Pike Street Market. Anyway, it’s a big tourist thing but locals get flowers and fish there I think.
This week has been exhausting because I went to every cool store and restaurant in every cool neighborhood I could find. I researched it thoroughly, writing down all the addresses and phone numbers, and I got the hotel to do a MapQuest for each neighborhood. Then I divided the week into North, West, East and Northeast. On the first day I barely left the room and on the last day I walked everywhere because I did 1st and 2nd street.
Every night I’d get back to the hotel exhausted. That’s when I’d read my manuscript. I finally bought a printer and printed what I had: 200 pages. I remember seeing a picture of one of your manuscripts once. It was either Jeri’s or Pina’s and I couldn’t even imagine getting that far. I remember thinking What if I finally printed it out and it wasn’t good enough?
So far I still like it and today I figured out an ending. I don’t know how strong it is. I don’t like it as much as I liked the ending of the first book. The other thing is that if I use this ending which includes a whole lot more years than I was planning on, it’ll take me at least through summer to get it done. Unless I can stay off xanga.
This trip was intense for a lot of good reasons and I’m still sifting through them all, not ready to write. But it sure was nice to have a week of sun. I got to wear my summer skirts and blouses. And I started wearing my hair up. Every day I’d take all this time getting ready with these up-dos and make-up. I felt sophisticated, swishing around with my skirts and sexy sandals. A little of that city life goes a long way, though. It’s nice to be back, sitting at my computer wearing a sweatshirt and old pants the dog can climb on.
Comments (20)
Purdy glad you had a good trip. Seattle is fun my daughter lives there and I go visit often. Some of the things I like best are the market, the ferries, Seattle Center the concerts, I love all the water. Glad you are home safely and making good progress on your book, Judi
I love the city, although lately I am being drawn back to the small town I grew up. It would be perfect if my family didn’t live there.
Sounds like a swell trip.
I love wearing clothes that make me feel confident and beautiful. Go with the best ending, even if it will take the longest. If you want any input or editing, I offer my services to you.
Glad the trip is going well.
I meant “went,” of course
glad you liked the new post. no one else seems to be paying attention anymore…. maybe i’ll turn it into a manuscript or something someday …. think that’s possible?
sounds like you had a good trip, a much needed break … happy that spring is here…
I get a big charge out of it when I have a big pile of pages in my ms. You will finish. That’s usually the thing that propels you to the end.
Lynn
RYC: Seems Carl shook his head and grimaced to the Dr. when he made that stupid statement, mom said WHAT DID YOU SAY and Dr. recovered by saying..Oh Margaret, guess you are here to see if the meds and HOME care are working for you in your HOME..something lame like that, but it worked as mom really can’t hear very good anyway, especially when a Dr. is talking..tehe.. Glad you had a nice time and I agree that’s it’s always nice to come home and get back into comfy clothes…marilyn
You can do this…finish your book..and just drop in at xanga now and again to catch up…and who knows perhaps as you work on the ending it will evolve and you will find it to be just what you want it to be,
Welcome back.
Maybe the ending you thought of is actually the beginning of the next book.
I agree with going with the best ending even if it takes the longest. I love to read and the longer the book the better! Good luck!
Jew Girl is almost entirely autobiographical, so much so that when my mother read it she asked me if i got raped by a priest…THAT was just observation and riffing on current events
As for endings…i ALWAYS start with an intro and an ending, but somehow the stuff inbetween tends to change the endings…characters COME TO LIFE and change it
wow…there is a very feminine and sensual side to you…are you keeping a kinda “process journal”? unplugging..what a good thing it can be actually…been weaning myself off of tv and the “come home” lifestyle…reading this entry reminds me when I spent a week in Mallorca…of course, I did not have sexy sandals and I did a whole lot of dancing…just no one would want to copy me…and part of what you have described is the ingredients for a full and active day…unplugging…and finishing and re-creating your ideas…just the process of writing is cathartic for the person and then, like getting up on stage..you just gotta get out there and do it…
John Moseley
fish and flowers
that can sum it all up…odd that
Its a great achievement to have actually written a whole book, and I think you should go for the ending you think is the truest, no matter how long it takes.
books are damned hard to figure out. going where the book tells you works best for some. good luck.
Pike Place Market!! One of my favorite places!
One of my best friends, raised a Jew, thinks that if people can’t conceive naturally, then they shouldn’t. It’s the universe telling them’s something up. I like it when you talk out of both sides of your mouth. Mostly, it makes me feel okay for doing the same thing. It’s a tough question. Why are you going to church now? (And why can’t I bring myself to go? I don’t want to go alone, but I should go anyway. I was talking with people today about finally finishing my grad school application but changing my concentration from English to theological studies. Who knows.)
Your comments could not have come at a better time:) thanks
RYC: You’re welcome, I knew I would yuck some out with the testicle pictures, but it is part of the whole and needed to be included…marilyn
I love that you were so organized! I do that too. It irritates some of my friends and I think that’s funny. This trip sounded glorious. I can understand why a little goes a long way, but I am jealous of the little nonetheless! I laughed out loud at the comment you wrote about sitting next to a day trader. For some reson I pictured you in avid conversation with him and it made me smile. Two hundred pages is impressive. You will end it well too. And finally, I am so selfish, but I am glad you are back!