sometimes I'm very slow

Obvious Lessons in Writing, #1:

The fact that you have a piece of information that is absolutely critical to the reader and the furthering of the plot conveyed over the course of a number of paragraphs does not, in any way, make those specific paragraphs indispensable. Just like, when you have to take a pill, what matters isn't whether it was wrapped in bread or stuck in applesauce, just that you took the damned pill.

#1a: So if you don't like those paragraphs, instead of endlessly trying to fix them, THROW THEM AWAY. Put your info inside tastier, more palatable paragraphs, and then MOVE ON.

PSA

I count FIVE friends between LJ and FB who have had their computers suddenly up on die on them in the last 48 hours. Take that as a hint, because I surely am, and back up your data.

(no subject)

Yes, I know, I'm nattering on about writing again. I've kinda been working on this as non-stop as it gets with a day job and three kids.

I've almost finished removing an entire POV character from the Way Too Long Novel, reducing it by 4500 words so far (not as major a reduction as I'd hoped for, but at least the number is moving in the right direction), and reassigning the critical plot points from that character to another POV character who honestly didn't quite have enough to do first time around.

This has certain challenges.

1) There are places in the book where POV1 and POV2 are off on completely different planets doing stuff that needs to happen simultaneously.

2) POV1 is a pacifist, Earth-Mother-worshiping scientist who has led a very sheltered life until now. Whereas POV2 is a grizzled space freighter captain who is really, really fond of kicking people's asses.

Luckily for POV2, right now, my frustration level with this damned novel is such that it's very easy to get into the head of "kick everyone's asses".