Runaway Storyline
I have a secondary character who is in need of a love interest. It took me awhile to come up with one, but when I did, that story took off like a bat out of hell (who came up what that expression anyway?) I had to reign myself back in to focus on my two main characters and their story, even though the other storyline was tugging on me like the naughty devil sitting on the other shoulder shouting “Temptation! Temptation!”
I haven’t decided yet if I’ll incorporate an abbreviated version of the secondary character’s storyline into this story, or perhaps make a sequel to this novel with his story; or, maybe I’ll do both.
Focus is the key for me to finish my story. And there are always sources tempting me away, especially when I’m in a skinny story spot (thin on plot).
The Proverbial Impasse
I am at an impasse right now. The year is 1793. My characters are on a ship to the new United States. Head’s are rolling in France (literally) and the political culture is charged. I’ve done what I wanted to do onboard the sailing ship: the emotional scenes are done, the framework carefully laid. But now what to do? I need to get my characters off the ship, onto land, and traveling West into the interior of the new world. But what to do in the meantime?
My readers need a break from the emotional turmoil they just suffered. Yet I don’t quite know what to give them. I have found a romantic interest for a secondary character which was bothering me for quite some time, but that doesn’t come until a bit later in the story either. So I have to get everyone off the ship, but I can’t very well just say, “The last three weeks of the journey were not noteworthy. Land appeared and all was good.” I have to think of something to pull the story farther along, the reader too. Something to tie up loose-ends and give them more romance to look forward too.
I’m not one who usually suffers from writer’s block. I have the story’s framework in my mind at all times. I don’t have a nugget to mine here though. I will have to search for one. If all else fails, I just start writing and see what comes on its own. I’m 62,000+ words into the story and going strong. Here’s to finishing!
Half Way and Holding
I have reached the half-way point: 45,000+ words! Hurrah! And now I'm in a holding pattern. My couple will be traveling to America from England on a sailing vessel in the 1790's. Therefore I must learn about making that passage at that time, as well as about ships since I know very little. I've found a wonderful book about it and am also reading up on immigrant accounts. As soon as I have some knowledge before me, I will continue writing my story.
I am struggling a bit with an impulsive suicide attempt and wondering if its too melodramatic for my story. I think I can get away with it if I work up to it properly. Still, I hesitate to stretch the credibility of the story. I'd hate to have the reader say, "Oh, come on! This is a bit much, don't you think?"
Character Portraits
The fun stuff! Last night I put together a scrapbook of my characters. I clip out pictures of men and women from magazines and save them. Then, when I'm in a need of a character, I go through the pictures in search of the evil husband, the dorky looking neighbor, the shy little girl next door.
I do this for several reasons. It helps me to feel more connected to my characters. It also helps me to remember that Susanna is really only 17! That seems young in today's world, but in 1790, 17 was not too young to marry at all. That she should have to go through so much at that young an age makes me often think of her as older than she is. In addition, it helps me to remember that the bad guy has dark brown hair and evil eyes, while her cousin is a blond-haired, blue-eyed dimwit. It would not be good to start switching hair and eye color midway through.
I look for more than hair and eye color when I search through my files of magazine clippings though. More than that, I'm looking for character. Does the person in the picture have kind eyes? An open, honest look about them? Or is there something darker about their persona? The picture I chose for Luke is a bit fuzzy. The atmosphere that portrays suits my purposes just fine as Luke is a bit mysterious and defintely soft around the edges. My picture for Susanna is a bit edgy. This works well as she is a spirited girl. She has a mind of her own. She stands out from other women of her time. I wanted an image to remind me that she is a unique individual, one who isn't afraid to say what she thinks. One who acts impulsively and throws caution to the wind at times.
I had fun putting this together. All of the main characters have pictures now as well as some of the more important minor characters. Interestingly, the magazine Luke's picture came from was a clothing magazine. Due to camera angles, lighting, and different hair styles, I was able to get three pictures of the same male model that looked sufficiently different enough that I could use one for Luke and two others for his two younger brothers.
I also save pictures of anything that might later inspire me. Whether that be a couple holding hands, an ocean scene that inspires romance, or a fuzzy shadow that might someday become the scene of a murder, I save them all. If they inspire me once, they are bound to provide future inspiration.
