I'm overdue for writing a blog entry. Part of that is family issues over the last four months (yeah, real life daring to intrude), part of it is just concentrating (when I can) on writing the fiction, not blog entries.
I'm getting ready to upload chapter 10 of The Love Scouts after one last editing look. I'm finishing up chapter 12 and working on chapter 13, and while I've slowed down some compared to earlier in the year I'm still making steady progress. I'm anticipating the end of the story in chapter 15 (unless inspiration hits and it goes on another chapter), by the end of August or maybe in early September.
The more I write, the more I appreciate the way good writers construct their plot and characters. It's hard. I just finished reading (well listening to the audiobook) Skin Games from Jim Butcher, the latest novel in his Dresden Files series. Brilliant stuff, above and beyond the usual genre writing.
Since this is my first serious bit of creative writing, my plot still seems pretty thin to me. I've read enough mystery and crime fiction that I realize it would take me years of practice to be able to put together an intricate plot similar to the good authors. And I didn't start the story intending an intricate mystery, but instead to explore other themes (grief, polyamory, non-traditional families, etc). So I hope the plot in this story has enough meat (or other protein for you vegetarian or vegan types) to keep readers satisfied.