ROW80 Round 7: 5th Update

Surprisingly enough, I've managed to write 500 words every day since the last check-in. Most of it has gone towards one chapter in the middle of Dark and Silent Waters. Also surprisingly, the words mostly came easily; it's a fairly dark scene, and when I planned it in my outline, I wondered how I'd fare when it actually came to writing it. I think the chapter still needs some work - could do with some tightening in some places - but I'm quite pleased that I've at least got the bones of the scene down.

I've also been kicking around a few ideas for a sequel (or at least, a book in the same series/style) for Belvedere, the illustrated children's book I did for my non-IT elective for Honours last year. I loved writing the story and doing the backgrounds and character illustrations was a lot of run, but having to do it to such a tight deadline (less than 12 weeks) along with other academic deadlines made the whole experience a lot more stressful than it should have been. It also meant that some things got rushed, and though I am proud of the book I created last year, there are some aspects of it that I feel were rushed and that I could have done better if I'd had more time. If and when I do another children's book, I'll have more time to refine it. Not just the story, but the artwork as well; the illustration style for Belvedere was quite simple, with basic backgrounds of acrylic paint and various fabrics and cardboards, and characters hand drawn and then coloured and textured in Photoshop. In my next children's book, I'd like to go with a more traditional illustration method, using coloured pencils and/or watercolour paints. Then again, having two related books in the same 'world' with completely different artwork styles might be a bit jarring... Ah well, more possibilities to ponder :)

To end with a bit of bad news; Rex went to the vet today to be sedated, so he could have his paw X-Rayed and his teeth cleaned, and also got a check over to see how his bowel disease is going. Unfortunately it is no better, so he now has to have his medication twice a day, instead of just twice a week; the higher dose may make him feel sick for the next week or two. As if that wasn't bad enough, Rex has had a bad reaction either to the anaesthetic or to having his ears cleaned out, and now appears to have vertigo; he's staggering around dizzily with his head tilted to the right and his eyes are constantly flicking back and forth. The vet said he should come good within the next 24 hours, but if he's no better tomorrow, he'll have to go back to get looked at. Now he's just home sleeping on his bed, so we're hoping he gets better on his own overnight. We're keeping a close eye on him, talking to him and patting him, but I'm sure he'd appreciate any virtual cuddles or tummy rubs folks might want to send his way. I hate seeing him so miserable :(

I'm sure if Judgemental Dog were feeling better, he'd be proud of me...

See how other ROW80ers are going here.