So, I’ve been trying to write when I can, desperately working to squeeze this overhaul (edit is no longer a strong enough term) of The Aldersgate into my life between my job, my family, and my friends. This is not an easy task. It’s one thing to have an novel idea (and, a Novel idea)–but it’s something else entirely to have to schedule it in, to find the time in between where you find enough zen, creativity, and connectedness to just plain write.

Last night, I had a much needed (and deserved, if I may say so) night out with my lovely friend J. We saw the Duke University Wind Symphony perform “Out of This World!” a collection of, well, otherwordly pieces of music. It had been a very long time since I’d heard live classical music, and it certainly moved me (most especially de Meij’s Lord of the Rings-inspired bits). I have a deep love of music, and a most intense connection; I found myself moved to tears countless times, and barely able to control it. Plus, there’s that delightful full-body chills effect I get when the notes are hit just right.

J and I got to talking on the car ride back about how music can affect our writing. I know, especially with this second rewrite, I’ve had a most intense and almost spiritual connection to the music I’ve been listening to. From Philip Glass to Samuel Barber, from Mozart to Rachmaninov. When I can’t concentrate, and I need to “tune in” to my creative station, I reach for music. I turn up the headphones, and close my eyes, and watch the painting that forms in my mind, the notes like different hues and textures.

I don’t know where all this will end up. Though I’ve been a “writer” for as long as I can remember, I’ve never gotten this far; I’ve never been as proud of my work, or excited about it. There are moments I wake up from dreams giddy with new material, or jolt out of my seat and giggle as I figure out a particularly difficult plot point. I literally got butterflies twice this week, just from thinking about what to do with two of my characters.

I suppose, when all is said and done, that’s what matters the most. It’s not so much the adventure, I guess. Sometimes it’s the journey that matters most.

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On a separate note, I am going to be updating this site this week with some more apropos material–some excerpts that are a bit more polished than what I’ve got up now–as well as some sketches I’ve done.

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