Sunday, February 8, 2009

Copy Edit, Website, Photography, and Music


(Outside my window sunset is falling over the mountains. A horizon of magenta is fading upwards into soft blue. Another day is drawing to a close.)

Copy edits are finished and have gone back to my publisher. The next phase is the manuscript will be 'flowed' into what it will look like in print. Galleys will be proofed. After corrections are made, the novel will be proofed in-house once more before going to print. It's been so exciting to see the evolution of a novel.

I've been updating my website. I have a page for my Novel In Progress entitled Beside Two Rivers. Not only do works of historical fiction inspire me, but images, whether paintings or photographs, as well as music. Today, I bought the soundtrack to 'Braveheart'. It's so inspiring that my brain is filled with images of this novel. Music of this kind helps me break out of writers block. So, if you are in that frame of mind, I recommend you listen to some inspiring music.

Through an Internet search I found a talented English photographer, Keith Naylor. He has a photography training business called 'Going Digital', and his website has some of the most beautiful photographs I've ever seen. With his kind permission I am able to use his photograph entitled, Youlgreave. Youlgreave is an ancient village in Derbyshire, where my novel is set. This image holds tremendous meaning to me. It is a place I envision where my heroine, Darcy, first sets her feet outside a coach, on the road to a place called Havendale.

Last but not least, there is a new issue of Stepping Stones for Writers and Readers up. The link is on the sidebar.

Keith Naylor's websites:
His Photos www.pbase.com/falcn
www.goingdigital.co.uk

5 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

I bet that soundtrack is incredible! I have the soundtrack to Last of the Mohicans. It's my all time favorite. Takes me write into the mood of the movie.
Congrats on finishing your edits! :-)

Amy Deardon said...

Rita, congratulations on finishing another stage! I can't wait to see the final product.

You have such beautiful photographs on your website.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Rita -

What a great idea to use music as a cure for writer's block! When I think about it, my creativity seems to increase a notch or two when I'm preparing a sign language special.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Anonymous said...

Your site is inspiring to me. Definitely will bookmark and come back...
THanks, Christa

wedding photogrphaer said...

great site. thanks for putting some great work up here. as the previous commenter said - definitely a bookmarker!