Day 6

Okay, so I stumbled a little yesterday. More questions about my main character, the hero of the story, but I couldn't answer them yet. Too busy, too much going on around me to really listen to him (DJ). Sounds crazy, I know, but if you're a writer, you know what I mean. He's still not really talking to me today. Still too much home improvement to get the solitary time I need to "interview" him.

Today, the questions center on an antagonist (my heroine, Beth) so I think I'll hear her a little more clearly. Maybe DJ's just demonstrating the same reticence to speak to women that he tries to hide in the story...

Wish me luck that we get done soon so my mind can be focused on what's really important- writing!

Day 4

Oh, my hero's getting pretty dark and depressing. Lots of angst to work with when the time comes for formulating the plot itself. He's definitely going to succumb to a "demon" or two.

Day 3

More probing questions for my hero and I feel like I'm really getting to know him. Like he's coming to life and boy is he flawed. Poor thing. Things will only get worse for him when I start the story but that's not for another week or so.

Definitely sticking to the timeline the book lays out, but it keeps me writing, imagining, doesn't let me be too busy. Much of the first two weeks is mental, just jotting down responses to the questions posed in the book.

So far, so good.

Day 2

Answering stream of consciousness questions about my hero (and heroine) is really helping me get to know them better. In addition, I think I may lean a little more on the hero's story as he is perhaps a little more scarred than the heroine.

The focus right now is getting down random images and impressions about the characters to let them drive the story.

Once upon a time...

Day 1

I'm starting a new story line today.

Exciting and a little scary at the same time.

The exciting part is putting words to paper, giving life to characters only existing in my head.

The scary part is doing them justice.

I'm normally a "pantser" who plots in her head, if that makes any sense. I may put pivotal scenes on paper (or in text) while still working the plot points in my head.

This time, however, I'm using The 90-day novel by Alan Watt. 

I ordered the book from Amazon, receiving it just one day before a recent writers' retreat. I took it along with other resource materials, figuring I'd get to it. Never did, but a couple other writers were looking over it, fell in love with it and were going to buy it once they returned to civilization.

So, today is Day 1, the day I begin imaging the world of the story. Of course, I've already got ideas, but this book and its exercises will focus and fine tune my creativity and imagination, helping me to better "see" and communicate my characters' story.

Wish me luck!

Happy Father's Day

Is there anything sexier than a man you love spending quality time with your children? He's even sexier if they're not his own children, because he's demonstrating the depth of his ability to love.

Happy Father's Day to my own husband and to all daddies everywhere!