A Disappointment

During my ‘sabbatical’, I read a number of books. Most of them were engaging, a few were amazing, and one has been impenetrable.

I’m disappointed because this particular book is set in one of my favorite venues and periods. I bought it at the local library benefit sale last fall and put off reading it until I had completed some other books and tasks. It was my reward to myself, my carrot on a stick. Some carrot.

I cannot get into this book. It’s dense and it creeps. I’m over-tolerant of this sort of writing, but this book is taxing my patience and losing my attention. Each scene is buried in window-dressing. I even suspect a quantity of repletion, although I can’t say for certain because it does not maintain my interest long enough for me to recognize it. I might just be re-reading the information as a preparatory refresher.

I am shelving it for another day, because my perception might be skewed by the season and other life distractions. Sunny summer days do make a difference in my mental functions.

I accomplished a lot yesterday on my WIP, in spite of all the financial stuff I also had to deal with. Taxes, household budgets, and finding money for a necessary remodeling project have all the elements of a plot. A plot for what escapes me, but there are problems and conflicts a-plenty. High emotional scene potential. All that’s missing is compelling characters. And a concept.

I am not going there. I must handle these things in real life. I cannot see myself spending more of my time writing about it. I'll stick to my stories at hand.