PROGRESS REPORT #51: THE IMPORTANT NOTEBOOK

THIS WAS A PECULIAR CRAFT I DISCOVERED ON A LITTLE POOL ON MY WALK TODAY

I have had some days off over the weekend and tried to get caught up with my writing on "Shadow of the Lion". I was trying to work out the last part of the chapter and having some problems with it. Then on my way to meet my friends on Friday night I had the whole scene including dialogue worked out in my head. Trouble was, I'd forgotten to bring my notebook. I always carry a little notebook for moments like that and there I was without a thing to write on. Of course, by the time I got home later I'd forgotten most of what I'd had in my head, although I do have a gist of what I will write.
One of the things I always tell people in my writing classes is to 'always carry a notebook'. I don't know how many times I'll get a brain wave while waiting for a bus or riding on the bus and especially, like to day, when I go out for a nice long walk.

HMCS CALGARY

I had ships on my mind today. Triremes, sailing into the harbour of Ephesus. War ships, part of Ptolemy's fleet. And strangely, it seemed to turn out to be a day of ships. First I discovered the odd little vessel made of twigs and branches floating on the pond at Crab Tree Park. A most peculiar discovery. Then I walked down to the Convention Centre (which in itself is built like a huge ship with sails) and there was this Canadian warship HMCS Calgary. Another unusual sighting.

I had hoped to get a lot of my novel figured out in my head today and yes, I did have a notebook with me just in case. But I was troubled by some other thoughts that kept getting in my way and was unable to focus on Shadow. Anyway, I did sort something out. I realized that the scene I have already written is lacking in some important ingrediants. So when I got home tonight, I did a few hours of research. Yes, I have made a slight error in what I wrote so now I'm trying to figure out how to fix it but after I sleep on it I'm sure it will come clear to me.

Meanwhile, I have tomorrow off -- no classes til Tuesday -- so I can catch up and at least try to finish this one important scene that leads off Part VII and the finale of the novel.

TRIREME