What Luck

Wow, I'm writing posts two days in a row! But there's a lot to write about lately...
I've been mulling over which book project I should commit to writing, for the past couple of weeks now. (Maybe I should be committed!) The teen novel I'd put aside but resumed writing on Jan. 1st has now grown and grown into a multi-book project. At this point, I can't see the finish line - it seems far off in the distance.
So lately I've been thinking about the teen novel I started last fall but put aside because the holiday season at the b.s. was taking up a lot of my time. (The working title is What Luck.) I realize there was no other reason I stopped working on it except the time constraint - other than that I thought it was going pretty well. I'd done some research for it, and started an outline. I looked over my notes the other day - I think it has potential. And this morning, while I was showering and getting ready for work, the beginning just popped into my head. This tends to happen a lot - inspiration strikes at the most inopportune times. While I'm in the shower, or just about to fall asleep, or busy working, or any time I don't have a pen and paper at hand. But I didn't want to lose this beginning idea, so I grabbed a notebook, and scribbled two pages of the opening scene, and some notes so I can expand it later. I was eating breakfast and writing; brushing my teeth with my right hand and writing with my left hand; writing while drying my hair. Then I had to leave, and I wished I could keep on writing the rest of the day. But I think it was a good start. I'll work on it more tomorrow.
Tonight Ian and I went to see our friend Pete play at the Cubbyhole Coffeehouse. This awesome coffeehouse is owned by Lee, who I've known for many years - he's an excellent musician and is well-connected to many great musicians and artists in our area. (More on Lee and the Cubbyhole in my next post.) Pete is one of them - a singer/songwriter/guitarist who has an acoustic alternative/emo type sound. He sings his quirky, smart lyrics in a plaintive, expressive voice. One of my favorite songs is an irreverent, clever tune featuring Jesus and some truthful perceptions about life. To hear and find out more, check out www.myspace.com/petelaffin.
It's always inspiring to hear great music, especially songwriting. And tonight added to my creative surge. I can't wait to continue writing the beginning of What Luck. And my voice-activated software arrived today, so that's even more exciting and inspiring! Hopefully Ian and I will get the chance to install it on Sunday. I'll report on how it's going as soon as it's up and running.