Putting down the shovel

I write scenes all out of order—always have and, no matter how hard I try to be linear, probably always going to. It’s a pain in the ass sometimes, but never like with DG3. The last third—totally done. The first two-thirds—so riddled with plot holes, I’m surprised poor Gallagher didn’t break a leg stumbling through them all.

Scrapping and rebuilding the original hole-riddled plot was tough, because any new plot had to blend seamlessly into the final third. I finally got it. After much sketching and crossing out and scribbling on napkins and brainstorming with the dog (who always just looks bored), I realized the two scenes I wanted to keep from the beginning and that were seriously blocking any changes to the bad plot really belonged toward the end of the second act. Yay!

Now, when I’d like some computer time, I’m off to play in the mud. :bang: But we’re going without the kids! :boogie:

I’ll leave you eavesdropping on Gallagher and Rossi (note: in rough draft). Poor Gallagher. :villain:

And damn if it wasn’t Rossi who found him two hours later, scooching his way down the hallway with his hospital johnny flapping and his ass hanging out in the breeze.

“For Christ’s sake, I don’t need to see that on an empty stomach,” his voice said.

“Then go get a fucking sandwich.” The pain meds were wearing off and his body was slick with sweat. “Anybody who gets in my way is dead, plain and simple.”

It was a slow and painful process. He put his hands out, then dragged his lower body forward. The sweat kept him from getting floor burn on his hip, but his hands were starting to slide a bit.

“How are you planning to get through the ICU doors?”

Gallagher gritted his teeth and hauled himself forward another two feet. “I’ll wait ‘til somebody comes out and sneak in unnoticed on my stomach.”

“One thing you are not right now, man, is unnoticeable.”

Then Rossi’s hands were under his armpits. Gallagher must have been weaker than he’d thought because the other man had no problem propping him up against the wall like a rag doll. “I don’t even want to know how you unhooked yourself from everything you were hooked to, do I?”

“Lucky for me I’d already charmed the nurse into removing that fucking catheter or I’d still be crying.”

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11 Responses to “Putting down the shovel”

  1. Mandy M. Roth July 11, 2008 at 9:57 am #

    :clap: You need a dancing emoticon. Without it, I’m forced to sing. “Do a little dance, make a little love…” Whoohoo! Good to hear this finally fell into place for you.

    And have fun in the mud without the kids.

  2. Alison Kent July 11, 2008 at 10:24 am #

    OMG, this is so awesome!

  3. Paula July 11, 2008 at 12:26 pm #

    Thanks for the snippet! For purely selfish reasons (read: I want to read it), I hope writing the rest happens fast. But hey, no pressure. *lol*

  4. Michelle (MG) July 11, 2008 at 1:10 pm #

    :cheer: Yay, DG series. I can’t wait, I can’t wait, I can’t wait! Woohoo! When’s it coming out? Huh? When? :eyebrow:

  5. Charlene July 11, 2008 at 2:38 pm #

    Ooo, way to torture your imaginary friends! :thumb: When’s this coming out?

  6. Shannon July 11, 2008 at 3:22 pm #

    That’s one of my favorite scenes, but I couldn’t share any more of it without spoilers. :neener:

    As for when it’s coming out, once I whip it into shape and send it to the fabulous and amazing Angie and she hopefully decides it doesn’t suck, then I’ll let you know.

    Now I’m off to play in the mud! (Okay, I think I’m off to play in the dust because it hasn’t rained up there, but a girl can hope.)

  7. vanessa jaye July 11, 2008 at 7:55 pm #

    Great snippet, Shan!

  8. Annmarie July 12, 2008 at 8:13 pm #

    LOVE it. Want MORE. :clap:

  9. HelenKay Dimon July 12, 2008 at 8:13 pm #

    Fabulous!!!

    No idea how you write out of order. I’d be babbling in a corner. But it clearly works for you. :thumb:

  10. Erin the Innocent July 13, 2008 at 11:54 pm #

    ohdearGOD I love it! Fabulous last line in that scene :)

  11. Sindy Aikman May 26, 2011 at 4:27 pm #

    Thanks a lot for the blog post. Want more.

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