I've written 1,000 words on a new story thus far but it's going to be set aside shortly. The Don't write ban starts at 8am and then I'm supposed to revise rather than write.
The sense of frustration that I have finally worked my way past is rippling through the workshop. Some are immune. Others are not. I view it as some of us are missing a piece of the puzzle and we're trying to put the puzzle together and stressing out over lacking that puzzle piece. For me, it's mostly prose that's grinding me to a halt. I've pushed myself past the line a couple of times and can see progress so I feel better about that now -- not great, but better than I did.
Greg and Maureen are cooking for us Saturday and Sunday we have a barbeque at Lister's. I am still an isolet, but that's just me.
Critiquing today was four stories. We broke for lunch after the first three and then stayed for Gregory Frost's take on characterization. He gave us a handout which is basically a fill in the blank aid for helping with character development and especially between first draft and revision. I'll xerox it later or maybe key in a version for home use so I can print it out and file it as I'm writing. At the very least, it will help keep the author on track about physical characteristics and why X cannot do A, B and C.
We've decided to do three stories for tomorrow.
Production has slowed slightly and my latest story will be up for critique probably Thursday. This is a dark humor fantasy story involving magic bridles and spells that turn people into horses. There's a VERY THIN line that I have to be careful not to cross so it goes too much one way or the other. I'm not at all certain it's going to work.