Don’t make me get my paintbrushes, young man!
With only three scenes left to go in the first draft of my novel, one of my characters dug in his heels and absolutely refused to speak. Thought he was clever, delaying the inevitable end of the book and all, but around here we have ways of making reluctant characters talk. I painted him as the main character would see him. Once I got him onto the canvas, he opened right up and I was able to write the scene.
Introducing Mark: Q to Seventh Avenue (oil on canvas, 18 x 24)
Here’s a detail:
So now there are only two scenes left to go. Closing in on the end, and I definitely have mixed feelings about it. It’s exciting, but also sad to know I’m coming to the end of my time with these characters, and that soon I’ll only be able to visit them in revisions. They won’t have anything new ahead of them. Not on the page, anyway. I may do a series of paintings with characters from the book. It’d be a good excuse to hang out with them for a while longer, anyway.
Tonight Christina and I will be braving the bitter cold to go see The Hold Steady at the Mercury Lounge. (Special date with my Xina, no husbands or anyone else allowed. Dinner first, then the rock show. Woohoo!!! See you tonight, little girl!) Full report tomorrow or Friday. I’m sure it’ll be a great show… pretty much a guarantee when the mighty mighty Craig Finn takes the stage…
Congratulations! I’m sure that the mixed emotions you feel now will be quickly forgotten when you’ve completed the book. Besides there will be plenty of time to be with the characters if you decide to paint them (great idea), as well as through the numerous rewrites ahead! Enjoy every moment of your first book!
Jen
Posted by: Jen
dang wish i could be there tonight. kudos on the end in sight. bittersweet. but then you get to start a new one! 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
You paint? I’m so impressed! Does that mean that the bluish-green painting above your sofa that I’ve seen in a few pictures is a Cari original? I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I like it…
Congrats on nearing the finish line!!
Posted by: melanie
She paints, she writes, she knits. and she goes to see cool bands. does she sleep?
I so can’t wait to read this novel.
Posted by: Jackie
Congratulations! I’m sure that the mixed emotions you feel now will be quickly forgotten when you’ve completed the book. Besides there will be plenty of time to be with the characters if you decide to paint them (great idea), as well as through the numerous rewrites ahead! Enjoy every moment of your first book!
Jen
Posted by: Jen
dang wish i could be there tonight. kudos on the end in sight. bittersweet. but then you get to start a new one! 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
You paint? I’m so impressed! Does that mean that the bluish-green painting above your sofa that I’ve seen in a few pictures is a Cari original? I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I like it…
Congrats on nearing the finish line!!
Posted by: melanie
She paints, she writes, she knits. and she goes to see cool bands. does she sleep?
I so can’t wait to read this novel.
Posted by: Jackie
Where have I been ? You paint too? You are so talented. And I can’t wait to read your novel either.
Brave girl, going out in the cold … I stay in at 20 degrees F or lower. I am a wimp.
Posted by: Carrie
Threaten to murder him off in the last chapter. That always works to get them to shape up.
Posted by: Lorette
And she paints, too! You should make them use one of your paintings for the book cover.
Posted by: valentina
Amazing painting! I had never really thought about it, but it sorta makes sense that you’d be a little upset finishing the writing. Like losing good friends. Have fun tonight!
Posted by: Vicki
I bow to your genius.
Posted by: Em
I think a series based on your characters is a great idea.
Posted by: Iris
Yes, but while you’ll be able to visit them only in revisions, we’ll be able to visit with them for the very first time.
And with Em, I bow. Have a blast at the show!
Posted by: Rachael
So maybe you could paint Bush and make him talk about what he’s doing to America?
From someone who’s not very artistic what you do seems like magic to me. Amazing.
Posted by: Steph
So VERY Modigliani! Brava!
The paintings shall be exhibited at the book signing,
to which I desperately hope to be invited…
k?
Bowing, and scraping, with Em and Rach…
Posted by: greta
Where have I been ? You paint too? You are so talented. And I can’t wait to read your novel either.
Brave girl, going out in the cold … I stay in at 20 degrees F or lower. I am a wimp.
Posted by: Carrie
Threaten to murder him off in the last chapter. That always works to get them to shape up.
Posted by: Lorette
And she paints, too! You should make them use one of your paintings for the book cover.
Posted by: valentina
Amazing painting! I had never really thought about it, but it sorta makes sense that you’d be a little upset finishing the writing. Like losing good friends. Have fun tonight!
Posted by: Vicki
I bow to your genius.
Posted by: Em
I think a series based on your characters is a great idea.
Posted by: Iris
Yes, but while you’ll be able to visit them only in revisions, we’ll be able to visit with them for the very first time.
And with Em, I bow. Have a blast at the show!
Posted by: Rachael
So maybe you could paint Bush and make him talk about what he’s doing to America?
From someone who’s not very artistic what you do seems like magic to me. Amazing.
Posted by: Steph
So VERY Modigliani! Brava!
The paintings shall be exhibited at the book signing,
to which I desperately hope to be invited…
k?
Bowing, and scraping, with Em and Rach…
Posted by: greta