Worked on chapter 9, the chapter before the dad's death. I was dreading getting to work today, but it turned out okay--the chapter took a few minor turns I didn't expect, which is nice. Retitled the file again, because yesterday I gave the ms a new title (it's been missing one for maybe a year now) and that seemed to push me to sharpen the writing a little; I sharpened the beginning, when before I would have said it was already pretty sharp. I was surprised yesterday when I had the new title and then suddenly saw all these places with extra words, and places where a little rearranging would make the lines stronger.

Not thinking about the ending AT ALL. For the ending and every other horrible pressing matter that shall go unmentioned, I am a cross between an ostrich with my head in the ground, and Scarlett O'Hara refusing to think about anything right now. I am willing reality to disappear so I can work on this book.