Monday, August 25, 2008

Dear Lord ...

I’ve been opening up my WIP, finding my place - which is still about half way through the funeral – and finding myself in desperate need to do anything else. I’ve been doing that for about 4 or 5 days. Harrumph.

Now that I’ve recognised what I’m doing (because I was in denial for a few days) I am determined to push through. Although I’ve still gone off to make more tea than I want to drink, and then rewarded my four new words with a game of Bejewelled. The problem is I’m getting my knickers in a twist about the various parts of the funeral: the gathering; readings and sermon; prayers; commendation and farewell; the Committal and the Dismissal. They all sound straightforward, but not all of the prayers in my reference material need to be used. And if someone does a tribute … where in the service does it come? And when the vicar does a sermon … is that about the dead person or something else entirely?

The lovely vicar at home gave me lots of help, and I’ve got photocopies of things and handwritten notes which made loads of sense at the time… He’s very kindly told me I could email him, which I’ve already done to thank him and I included three more questions and in addition he’s told me he’d happily read it. But, well, I don’t want him to harrumph at me for asking too often, too much, or whatever. And it’d be better for me if he can read it all … not part way through. (Though I think I probably shouldn’t include the filthy swearword at the end of the chapter…)

Anyway, I am pushing through … in between Bejewelled; tea and mineral water and lots of weeing …

Now that I am actually making progress, I’ve got another problem: I’m accursed in my head with the hymn ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, Forgive our Foolish ways!’ Here, go and listen. It would be much better for me if it was in your head and not mine.


7 comments:

Yvonne said...

I get bogged down in the detail too, it's frustrating. I have to tell myself - are these details important to the story, do they shed light on characters or plot, or do they bring colour? If the latter I try not to worry to much about them, as the reader can fill in the gaps. Good luck.

Lane Mathias said...

I'm not going to click. I cannot be singing a hymnn all day! Well maybe just a quick click:-)

Sounds like you've got a very helpful vicar on board. Once you've got the outline of the funeral down could you go on and write the next bit and go back to it later to see how much more detail is needed? Might help you bladder. Or do you need to finish one chapter first before going onto the next?

Carol said...

*sings with fingers in ears* La La La La La....not going to listen!!! (I don't know which one it was but a tune you were singing the other day stuck in my head and I couldn't get rid of it!!)

Your vicar....to be honest, I reckon he'll just be chuffed to be asked and that he can help!! I bet it's not something he is asked to do every day!!

C x

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh gawd, never a truer word. Am I getting bogged down with detail? Maybe, but

to ...

reply ...

to Lane, here: yes, I think I need to finish the chapter before starting the next one!

Carol, s'okay, I'll still be singing it tomorrow...

Pat Posner said...

Eeeek! I've only just got the Rose Garden song out of my head - though as I was the one to mention it, that's my own fault.
But I don't need to click, I'm hearing the hymn already!
Good luck with the chapter; I always have to finish one before going on to the next.

Amanda said...

I think that's very cruel - I'm going to sing that all day now aren't I? :-)) Good luck with your funeral scene.

Jenny Beattie said...

Pat, what's the rose garden song? NO; No, forget I asked. Sing something else... sorry.

Annie, it really IS cruel isn't it? Today it's been The Lord's my Shepherd... It won't go away.