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.

Go To The Next Day

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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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