I’ve mentioned that I’ve struggled a bit with writing lately, but today’s been a pretty good day so far. I’m working with existing text in the fourth book and adding/editing as I go. I have a candle burning, and aromatherapy, and for inspiration, a horse from Tom’s boyhood, who looks like the horses of the character I’m writing about, is on the bookcase next to me as a focal point when I stop to consider choices for my next lines.
Into this, a little visitor arrived, and here’s how that went.
Eva: You probably think I only came in here because I was scoping out the possibility of crumbs–
Me: I know that’s exactly why you came in here.
Eva: [turning away] Not to be all judge-y, but is it really okay to eat in bed anyway?
Me: I don’t eat in bed. I am sitting on a made-up bed, with my laptop on the over-the-bed table in front of me. This is my work space, and sometimes I eat a snack at my “desk.” Or occasionally a meal, but I have a tray for that, and it’s usually arranged with a flower or a little candle, along with tastefully plated food, a refreshing beverage, and a cloth napkin. I’m classy that way.
Eva: You’re also very defensive for a human with potato chip crumbs on the floor. Does the world know that many days, you get up, get out of your PJs and take a shower, only to put on a fresh pair of PJs?
Me: I guess they do now, blabbermouth. If you weren’t looking for crumbs, why are you here?
Eva: [settling in] It’s obvious. I’m here to help you write.
Me: Oh, boy. This should be good.
Eva: I’m curious. Why isn’t there a dog in this?
Me: This character doesn’t have a dog. She has horses.
Eva: I also do not see a horse in this scene.
Me: But she thought about horses earlier. She’s swimming laps in a hotel pool. This is not the right setting for a horse.
Eva: [hunkering down] A petite chihuahua sitting at the edge of the pool, ready to jump in and save her should she need it, would not be out of place here.
Me: No dog. She’s an excellent swimmer and is the kind of woman who does not need rescuing.
Eva: Ha! You do realize I’ve read the first draft, including the several hundred pages you’re editing right now.
Me: Tooooommmm! Eva needs to go outside!
Eva: Will trade silence for crumbs.
Why isn’t there a faithful dog in the story and every girl can in some way be rescued by a dog
Main characters don’t have dogs because the saga covers decades, and I don’t want to kill any dogs. It’s that simple. Dogs are frequently tucked into the lives of minor characters. Cats, too.
You might be interested to know that near the end of this series, three dogs have an important role to play in an event involving one of the main characters. Two characters (unrelated) you already know will each have a dog.
And if I go forward with what was the third book in the original series decades ago, a dog will be an important part of resolving a storyline from this first series and yes, will be part of keeping a girl safe.
Dogs keeping girls safe is my favorite thing in the whole world
You know what they say. Write the books you want to read.
Laying around in PJs all day on a made-up bed, eating? I always knew you were a classy broad!
Classy broad, gay man, it’s all the same.