I started a new story about a week ago and am very EXCITED about it!! I've yet to do much plotting for it, sort of writing it by the seat of my pants which is not my usual style, but it seems to be working. I instantly had a really strong heroine and hero who butt heads constantly, sparks fly between them, and the story seems to just unfold and roll out as I type! It's a lot of fun so far. I was daydreaming the other day and randomly got images of these two characters in my head and a scene where they were arguing and then I started writing and BAM.
It's a paranormal romance tentatively title The Summoner's Fallen Guardian. My heroine, Juniper, is plagued by phantom voices that overlay her own thoughts, pleading and demanding to be Summoned. In one fateful night, Juniper summons one of the voices to physical form, the hero and very angry, fallen angel, Naberius. (Naberius is a temporary name for the time being, I'm not sure if I love it yet).
Risking Existence has been temporarily put on hold. I'm still working on plotting the series (probably four books), but the first book is giving me a lot of problems. It needs a lot of time to develop still. I'm not going to rush, because Risking Existence promises to be an amazing story when it's finished.
I'm always scared starting a new story. It's hard to imagine reaching that 100,000 word count when you're only at 8,000. It seems like an impossible goal. I tend to overthink things and start worrying WAY too early. I'm trying to crush that habit with this story, submerging myself in the battle between my characters, let what happens happen, and just focus on the pure fun of writing the story. I suppose this is my--very late--NaNoWriMo story. I had a different story about the trapped spirit of a dragon that I was writing, but it just didn't have the momentum that The Summoner's Fallen Guardian does.
Showing posts with label Risking Existence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Risking Existence. Show all posts
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Difficulties with my fantasy romance WIP
At the end of the summer I completed my very first manuscript (YAY!!!): a science fiction with strong romantic elements temporarily titled Jagged Edge. I know that many writers have trouble transitioning from their finished manuscript to their next WIP. By the time I finished Jagged Edge I felt ENTIRELY ready to move on. There were three other stories in my mind all demanding attention. One, a fantasy romance titled Risking Existence, was never fully mollified while I wrote Jagged Edge, and it was foremost on my mind when I had finally finished. Unfortunately, I started classes again immediately after the completion of Jagged Edge and I had to once again squash down my characters and their stories. Regrettably, this time it worked too well and I've had a difficult time stirring my muse again since (I think I've hurt her feelings). Risking Existence remains mainly unchanged.
During lull point in my classes, I kept busy working on plot, character building, goals, and motivation. I read somewhere that if a writer has writer's block, s/he hasn't thought enough about their story. I wish I could remember where I read that piece of advice because I feel that it is some of the best advice on writing I've ever received. I find it extremely helpful to take a notebook and pen and go sit outside somewhere. At times, the pressure of the laptop can be too much, making me feel like I need to perform and produce NOW. With only the wind, green trees, cloudy skies, lines, and lead I can allow myself time to think on my story and coax whatever is struggling inside of me out.
So while distracting myself in math class I realized something of monumental importance about my WIP, Risking Existence:
I don't like my heroine.
Powers That Be, beat me. When I realized this I must have had the dumbest expression on my face. Everything just stopped while I turned over this thought several more times. I forgot I was sitting in math class, I forgot math even existed--all I could think was I don't like my heroine.
Oops. Well I finally realized why I couldn't write my story. I love my antihero, I love all of my heroine's companions, but her--I didn't even like. When I read a story, I like a strong female main character: stubborn, determined, sarcastic, witty, motivated, etc. My Risking Existence heroine was none of those things. Marion was timid, compliant, quiet, submissive, and I didn't like her at all. She was way too weak for my half-demon anithero Rohgen. Hell--I didn't even like her name. So during the rest of my math class I recreated her. Her physical appearance changed, she gained goals and motivation, she grew a backbone (although she isn't going to use it at the beginning out of a sense of obligation), she can even think for herself!! I still need to learn a little bit more about her--and find her a new name--but once I do, I know Risking Existence will burst from me like a burning weave of magick.
During lull point in my classes, I kept busy working on plot, character building, goals, and motivation. I read somewhere that if a writer has writer's block, s/he hasn't thought enough about their story. I wish I could remember where I read that piece of advice because I feel that it is some of the best advice on writing I've ever received. I find it extremely helpful to take a notebook and pen and go sit outside somewhere. At times, the pressure of the laptop can be too much, making me feel like I need to perform and produce NOW. With only the wind, green trees, cloudy skies, lines, and lead I can allow myself time to think on my story and coax whatever is struggling inside of me out.
So while distracting myself in math class I realized something of monumental importance about my WIP, Risking Existence:
I don't like my heroine.
Powers That Be, beat me. When I realized this I must have had the dumbest expression on my face. Everything just stopped while I turned over this thought several more times. I forgot I was sitting in math class, I forgot math even existed--all I could think was I don't like my heroine.
Oops. Well I finally realized why I couldn't write my story. I love my antihero, I love all of my heroine's companions, but her--I didn't even like. When I read a story, I like a strong female main character: stubborn, determined, sarcastic, witty, motivated, etc. My Risking Existence heroine was none of those things. Marion was timid, compliant, quiet, submissive, and I didn't like her at all. She was way too weak for my half-demon anithero Rohgen. Hell--I didn't even like her name. So during the rest of my math class I recreated her. Her physical appearance changed, she gained goals and motivation, she grew a backbone (although she isn't going to use it at the beginning out of a sense of obligation), she can even think for herself!! I still need to learn a little bit more about her--and find her a new name--but once I do, I know Risking Existence will burst from me like a burning weave of magick.
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