Seventh Inning Stretch?
Only 1200 words today. The reason I think I slowed
down and struggled with the word count is that I finished Part 5 and I’m
already thinking ahead as to how I’m going to wrap this short novel up. (It’s likely
going to hit 40k words, thus another 5k or 6k to go.) So this section has to
end in another big, final crisis that leads to the climax encounter. I think I'm rounding third base and heading for home!
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| Image by zulvikar from Pixabay. Used by permission. |
The magic spice that Ma and Martía used to get one of the characters to ‘reveal all’ worked, but it couldn’t just work again for the second key player in the ‘mystery thing’ that happened, right? So a bump in the road of Ma’s plans leads to the last problem, the last rising act of tension.
Tomorrow comes the breaking point and I know I’ll
have to switch POVs again. But that’s okay, I’m feeling good about the dual
perspective and think it will work in this story. I just hope the turning point
and transformation that occurs comes across as authentic and natural to the
story I’ve told.
One section I did have fun with was the television
interview. Without going into details (spoilers, you know!), a reporter showed
up to interview Ma about the crisis at the bakery. I later wrote that same
scene from the perspective of someone watching it on the 6 o’clock news. I got
to copy and paste words (dialog) and count those toward my word count! Ah, the
little things in life. (grin)
Since I’ve basically revealed a lot about the plot, I guess it’s a good time to share the blurb I’ve come up with for the back of the book:
Mack is back in a Magical Cat Cozy Mystery!
When Dolly “Ma” Tutt gets caught up in a local scandal, her café and bakery begins to suffer. Places are vandalized and fingers start pointing. Word travels fast in the small mountain community of Sugar Pine Station, and Ma Tutt’s Donut Hut becomes gossip central.
But who is really behind these mysterious break-ins? And to what purpose? Will Ma’s friends stand by her in the midst of trouble…or will she have to toss in the towel and close up shop?
Relying on Mack, an intuitive and mysterious gray tabby, Dolly discovers a special recipe that brings out the truth. She also discovers that love and friendship are the true ingredients, the ‘secret spice of life’ that she needs to face every challenge.
This is Book 2 in the Mack the Magical Cat series, but stands alone as a cozy mystery adventure.
I think that works!
Today’s Writing Tip…
Start tying up loose ends in your final act. I even jot those dangling
threads down so I won’t forget them. Anything mentioned earlier in the story
should find resolution or be brought back around for a final appearance. More
on this tomorrow, I think.
Progress...
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Keep it clean and positive. (And sorry about the word verification, but the spmb*ts are out in full force!)