Yesterday I did not have much success with efforts to write a different version of the sample chapter for my new manuscript. I began several openings, some in past tense and others in present tense. I lay to sleep last night at six and I thought about the work and the importance I deem it to have to my future. I tried mapping the opening in my mind, and that effort stayed with me through the night.
I woke this morning at 2:30 and came to work. After writing a blog article, I began the new chapter again. This time the work flowed easier. One sentence after another built cohesive paragraphs. By 7:30 I had a solid opening that I felt much better about.
I went outside to exercise. The weather has turned warmer and I like that. I ran 10 miles and followed with 350 pushups. The dizziness that had been bothering me for longer than one week was absent. I now have run 1,263 miles over the past 143 consecutive days.
Following my exercise I resumed my work on the chapter. During the run I thought about where I wanted to bring the reader. I did not listen to music. I heard my steps crunching on the track and I felt the elements on my skin, but my mind remained focused on my work.
I am writing this version in the first person, telling the story as if I’m living it. The first version of the sample chapter describes the story as it unfolded over the past 22 years. I look forward to finishing the sample chapter I’m working on now. If I continue a high level of productivity as I enjoyed today, I ought to finish the sample chapter in time to send it home for typing on Monday morning.
Monday, 4 May 2009
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