Is Like Summary

31 Days Of October

I am a work in progress but these adult learning pursuits bring me joy and comfort.

Day 31-

Writing a novel is like learning to knit in so many ways. I hope my 31 posts have given you a sense of how that is true for me. It is true for me in three general ways.

1. I have discovered that the characteristics of a good learner apply to every new pursuit and can multiply if one keeps trying new things. Tenacity and resilience are two of those characteristics which have carried over from learning to write to learning to knit.
2. Every new learning pursuit requires patience to endure the basics. I had to practice the knit and purl stitch first even as I had to analyze what makes a good sentence.
3. The third way is more ethereal. I wrote about it the morning I finished the first draft of Rubato. It has to do with having faith in receiving help from a divine source. 

                                                                  There is a reservoir

of ability

hidden from view.

When you apply faith

that the reservoir is there

it begins to vibrate.

The vibrations allow you

to move forward,

if you dismiss the voice of doubt,

and they fill you 

with ability

not wholly your own.

Those vibrations are power. I know the source. It astounds me that I can feel it doing something as crafty as knitting a scarf. God teaches how to learn and every lesson builds on a scaffold of a divine path back to him.

Thank you for using your precious time to read my words. 

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FO's-Finished Objects

31 Days Of October 

Take the time to bring both your knitting project and writing project into alignment with your expectations.

Day 30-

Today is a day for showing off the FO's, those finished objects. 

I am really pleased with myself, pardon my arrogance, to have finished, well one more day tomorrow, writing everyday in October.     

My goal was to write about learning as an adult by comparing writing a novel to learning to knit. I had ten post ideas planned out before the month started but mid month I found myself digging deeper to find those comparisons. Hurray, I did it!

And, here are some finished knitting projects from 2019

One soft cozy poncho

Two Fingerless Mittens

My First Sweater

An Asymmetrical Scarf

Another Scarf With A Yarn Fade Technique

Five Seven Sister's Capelets

I am a work in progress but these adult learning pursuits bring me joy and comfort.

Would you like to subscribe to my newsletter and receive  information about the release of my novel Rubato?

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Blocking Your Work

31 Days In October

Take a listen and if you appreciate the amazing sound you will understand why it's important to me that in my fictional story this loose end gets woven in.

Day 29-

You've woven in the ends of your knitting, the garment fits, so you're done, right?

Hmm....there's one more step.

My daughter, whose birthday is today, has proven to me that giving your wool a little bath in some special soap is a most important last step. The bath helps the fibers relax.

Then gently squeeze out the excess water, lay it flat, and roll it in a thirsty towel.

Now you can lay it out and pin it to the desired shape. With blocking you might be able to slightly enlarge your garment, or straighten up an irregular edge, or convince your wool to become united with it's neighbor fibers. The whole process of washing and blocking is so worth the trouble.

Now let's compare this element of blocking to formatting my book as the editing continues. I like the term 'justify the lines of text'. The paragraph indentations need to be consistent for an easy read; the spaces between words and punctuation exact. We use the word justify in a religious context, too. If I come into alignment with God I am justified by the Grace of Jesus Christ.

Take the time to bring both your knitting project and writing project into alignment with your expectations.

Would you like to subscribe to my newsletter and receive  information about the release of my novel Rubato?

Go To the Next Day

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Weaving In The Ends

31 Days In October 

Just because the end is in view doesn't mean I cheat myself of an excellent finale. Even on the last row or the last paragraph I can still ask, "Shall I redo this? Could I do it better?"

Day 27-

Let's talk about those loose ends that need to be woven into the whole tapestry. I take my tapestry needle and pull an end through the hole and slowly, carefully pull the thread over and under the fabric. The point is that this work should not be visible. It's a 'behind the scenes' job. 

There are also loose ends in writing a novel. Presently, I'm concerned with the future of my Liszt original manuscript. This treasure found in Hungary by my character Judith, is taken custody by the detectives and has become evidence in her murder case. Since Judith stole it from the basement of a museum should the museum get it back?

So, as I am still in editing mode I'm considering whether I should reveal its future. Yes, the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 8 does exist and the first page is actually missing from the Library of Congress. Take a listen and if you appreciate the amazing sound you will understand why it's important to me that in my fictional story this loose end gets woven in.

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Curiosity

31 Days In October 

I take heart as I see the objects I've completely finished. 

Those are the FO's (Finished Objects). There are many and I hope that in years to come there will be many published books. That's my dream.

Day 27-

Writing and knitting are both labor intensive. As a project gets close to being done I get very focused on the finish line. There is a danger at that point.

Why should I stay curious when I am so close to the end? I have the pattern instructions and I am frantically knitting the  ribbed hem. I see that I am making yarn overs unintentionally. Do I frog back or keep going and live with my mistakes? 

The question I am not asking is why. Why am I making those mistakes? Am I curious? No! I'm almost done and I'm going for the finish line.

I feel the same way as I write the last chapter of Rubato. I have a sense that my characters are rushing into summation without full purpose of heart. At this point do I ask why? 

The correct answer is yes. 

Just because the end is in view doesn't mean I cheat myself of an excellent finale. Even on the last row or the last paragraph I can still ask, "Shall I redo this? Could I do it better?"

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Getting Closer To the End

31 Days In October

The best thing about having a favorite theme is the structure. I can know what I am creating and get adventuresome with the inside details.

Day 26-

In novel writing there is getting to the end and then there's GETTING TO THE END.

When I wrote the last chapter of Rubato I felt such relief. The story was finished. 

“Are you disappointed in Judith?” Stevie asked.

 “Disappointed? In her decisions? Maybe, but I learned so much from her about music. I am more resolved to be an inspired musician because of Judith.”

Reggie signaled that they needed to leave. He was amazed at how long they had stayed. 

Stevie reached into her pocket and handed Linda her card. “Call me if you have any concerns. I will let you know how the trial ends up.”

“Thank you. I will be thinking about Judith’s book. Someone should publish it. And, I hope the autograph manuscripts are made available online.”

Stevie couldn’t help herself. She reached out to Linda and pressed her into an embrace. 

I had the chapters laid out in front of me then carefully put them in a folder. For many weeks I left them on my shelf. I wanted to believe I was done. 

But just like that sweater, hanging in my kitchen, body finished, ribbing along the bottom done, right sleeve finished and left sleeve.......almost done, there is still work ahead. 

In the knitting world there is sewing in the ends and blocking. For writers there is editing and editing, then navigating the world of publishing.

I take heart as I see the objects I've completely finished. 

Those are the FO's (Finished Objects). There are many and I hope that in years to come there will be many published books. That's my dream. 

Go to the next day

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I Have Some Favorite Themes For Writing And Knitting

31 Days In October 

Perhaps the rule of thumb needs to be; use what you have. Let the pens run dry and use up all the yarn balls.

 Day 25-

My novels are thematic. The first one, Rubato, is about a Franz Liszt scholar who dies mysteriously when an original Liszt manuscript disappears. I can't help writing about the piano and piano teaching. It is what I do for a living. 

The second novel, The Gymnopédist, is about a young boy who loves the music of Erik Satie and is inspired by the composer's eccentricities to fulfill his dream of doing a high wire walk from one tower to the other in his home town. The wire breaks. Was it intentional? 

The rough draft of the beginning of this second novel can be found here if care to have a look.

In both books I get to highlight a beautiful piece of music and  and create a mystery to solve with two detectives who struggle to keep their relationship professional.

I really love this theme.

In knitting I also have a theme I love.

The piece of clothing is called a capelet and the stitches include cable and lace.

I have finished five of them and gifted three. Each one is unique in color scheme.

The best thing about having a favorite theme is the structure. I can know what I am creating and get adventuresome with the inside details.

Go to the next day

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Today Is My Birthday. Will I Receive Some New Yarn?

31 Days In October

If you want to give your skill level a boost, take a class. You may feel like you are back on the floor again, but hey, the view is really interesting.

Day 24-

Today is my birthday. 

I wonder if I will be gifted some yarn, pens, or notebooks. Writing a novel is like learning to knit in that others know your hobbies and can easily find a gift to match. In writing having a good supply of office materials is called a cache. I do use post it notes to keep track of ideas, notebooks to record my story lines, and it is very fun to have pens of different colors to highlight the important things.

In knitting having a large collection of yarn is called a stash. Without a doubt having too much yarn can be a burden. Buying yarn is addictive. The colors bring momentary  ecstasy which dwindles as the skeins are placed in the box of other yarns.
Right at the beginning of this all month goal of writing every day, I talked about the fun of gathering supplies. Many of you agreed that this aspect of starting something new is the best part. I do need to remember that the joy of creating is not in the acquiring new stuff.

Perhaps the rule of thumb needs to be; use what you have. Let the pens run dry and use up all the yarn balls. 

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Take A Class

31 Days In October 

So what do you do if your book character or your yarn misbehaves? 

Get to know them better. 

Day 23-

Last Spring I made a really good choice to take a writing class from my local arts center. The teacher was a published writer with a MFA in English. We started the class with seven students, the youngest a high school student and the oldest a retired librarian. We were all writing in different genres. Laurel, our instructor, believed that reading our work aloud gave the most specific feedback to the writer and to the listeners. She was correct. When I read aloud from my book I could hear the parts that worked and the parts that didn't work sounded awkward. As a listener I realized how my attention span wavered. Each of us gave critique after the reader finished. Sometimes when it was my turn to comment I realized I couldn't remember what I had heard. Hearing and giving criticism was difficult; most of it was kind and helpful.  I had to focus on my desire to be a better writer and welcome growth.

Within three weeks I felt safe with these new friends. I think I was really lucky to be with these women. Many of us are still together in our bi-monthly group.

So, to be honest I've never taken a live knitting class. I do plan to go to Vogue Live in Seattle in the Spring. That should be invigorating. U-Tube tutorials are a main stay for my instruction. I like Very Pink Knits for her clarity and wide scope of instruction.

If you want to give your skill level a boost, take a class. You may feel like you are back on the floor again, but hey, the view is really interesting.

Go to the next day

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When Your Character Misbehaves

31 Days in October

Following people who's work we admire is a common practice with modern internet capability. I am not sure I would introduce myself to these women if I saw them on the street but I am grateful that they share their lives and give me a sample of good creative writing and knitting.

Day 22-

So, I have a main character in Rubato named Reggie Watts. I don't know him as well as I should. When I am writing in his point of view I get muddled and that's when I accuse him of misbehaving. Here is what he would look like if Rubato was made into a movie and Michael Fassbender had the staring role. Ha! Ha!

His new homicide detective partner Stevie (Stephanie) Dangerfield is causing some difficulties for him. 

    Reggie was propped up against the dirty wall of the police precinct, one leg wrapped around the other, anchoring him to the floor in a straight line. He was bothered by the earlier incident at the crime scene. Did Stevie really expect him to take off his shoes at the door of every place they visited? Especially a house that looked like they never cleaned their floors? For God’s sake, she was having a tea party with the neighbor guy instead of asking him a few simple questions and getting out of there. If their partnership was going to work he didn’t need her to get under his skin. And, what  was she doing sitting on the back lawn while he was taking the call from Detective Jeppson? Was she doing some kind of meditation thing? He thought of her thick brown hair like a halo around her head as the afternoon sun was melting behind the trees. 

      Reggie shifted his weight and planted both feet firmly on the floor. Where was she now? Why did she think she needed to stop off at her house before coming into the police station. The door at the end of the hall opened abruptly and Stevie came striding towards him.

    “Took you long enough.” He said with a forced smile. “Horak is in there and he looks agitated. Do you want to take the lead and tell him about his wife?”

    “Sure.” 

     Stevie looked refreshed in a new outfit. The blue of her shirt brought out the color of her eyes. There was pink lipstick on her lips which had not been there earlier. With her hair behind her ears Reggie noticed small pearl earrings. 

     Reggie checked his notes. Had Stevie delivered the news of a dead spouse before? He hoped she could be bold enough to interrogate the husband but still be kind. He turned the doorknob of the interview room and opened the door for Stevie to walk in first.

My challenge is to allow Reggie to reveal what he feels inside, staying true to his nature. 

And so it is with yarn. I know, you were waiting for the comparison. 

Yarns can be made from natural or synthetic materials. They can be smooth or deeply textured. I am working with two strands at the same time right now. One is a very thin fingering weight wool and the other a fuzzy mohair wool. The mohair misbehaves and I often must go back and re-work a stitch to make sure I've grabbed all the fibers. 

So what do you do if your book character or your yarn misbehaves? 
Get to know them better. 

Go to the next day

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I Am A Fan

31 Days In October

Without a doubt writing and knitting can be frustrating. But there is also the grace of making something out of nothing which brings deep satisfaction and calm.

Day 21-

As a writer and a knitter, I am a fan. 

Let's start with three mystery writers I always read and who I admire.

Louise Penny

Jacqueline Winspear

Deborah Crombie

Their characters Chief Inspector Gamache, Maisie Dobbs, and Duncan and Gemma are like people I know well. Louise writes about Montreal Canada while Jacqueline and Deborah set their stories in England. I love their story wisdom and also how their characters change and grow.

These women make me want to write a really good mystery with believable characters.

On the knitting scene, there are designers whose patterns I have enjoyed making very much.

Victoria Burgess from Seattle

Joji Locatelli from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Melissa from Montreal, Canada

Two of these ladies have regular U-Tube videos so I see and hear their enthusiastic love of knitting. One is my own daughter and I see her designs while they are still in infancy. 

These women make me want to learn more about knitting and making lovely apparel to wear. They model exactness and creativity.

Following people who's work we admire is a common practice with modern internet capability. I am not sure I would introduce myself to these women if I saw them on the street but I am grateful that they share their lives and give me a sample of good creative writing and knitting.

Go to the next day

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Sabbath Calm

31 Days In October

New designs await me but I know I will often go back to the familiar.

Day 20-

Twenty days so far of recording the similarities between learning to knit and writing a novel. 

Today is the Sabbath and I am in need of calm. Some mornings I get up anxious about the day and when that happens I make a cup of camomile tea, clip on my knitting light, and take out my basket of stitches. The repetitive grabbing of the wool and pulling it around a needle lets my body relax.

I can find that calm with writing, as well. Here is a selection from the novel Rubato where I can give words to that feeling.

     Sunday started out rainy and did not improve. The gray enveloped the outline of the trees. Stevie watched the drizzle roll down the window in the music room. The houses across the street were blurry with raindrops. Cars lined both sides of the street indicating that most neighbors were home, not rushing off to work. Stevie smelled cinnamon and butter and wondered if her mother was making sweet rolls. The smell reminded her of days when she was home with her Dad. He made the store bought cinnamon rolls in a paper canister and she loved striking the container on the edge of the counter to hear it pop open. As the rolls baked they would sit up on barstools together and wait for the thirteen minutes to pass. They played Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who would get to spread the rich, white frosting.

    What would her Dad say about her life as a homicide detective? She could almost hear him say that she was not reaping enough dividends. Dividends were important to an investment broker. His dream for her would include security and safety—-so much for Daddy’s dreams.

    Angelika was humming in the kitchen. It would be time to go to church soon. For Stevie and her mother the early church service was renewing both spiritually and physically. She realized that hours had passed without her thinking of Judith’s case. Without her daily meditation, prayer, and church worship there would be little to balance the stark reality of her job. 

  Without a doubt writing and knitting can be frustrating. But there is also the grace of making something out of nothing which brings deep satisfaction and calm.

Go To The Next Day

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