Over the past month I have been working on something, I am not sure if it will eventually be a novel or a novella. Currently I sit at roughly 10,000 or so words in, but this is purely first draft stuff and I already know spots where I need to do more work. Of course I am currently still only in the middle of the roughest part of the process so still quite a ways to go.
I have felt like I am dragging slowly through this, I mean the visible parts of this are where I am taking my word counts from. When you look at roughly 10,000 words in a month's time that is really no NaNoWriMo, it feels like snails pace. But then I look around and realize that I am only scratching the surface of this world that is revealing itself to me not only through this story but additional work that I have been writing as I work through it all.
It wasn't until last night that I was even sure the name of the character who this particular story focuses on. I have been calling him a place holder name for quite some time with only a general idea of who he is. Last night as I drove my future son in law to work I had a bit of time to sit and think on the dark snowy roads and just out of the blue it hit me and then it all started clicking.
Granted I am still quite a ways from being done, everyday there is a bit more to uncover. But there is something about knowing the name of who you are talking to that makes communication that much easier. Ah, the life of a pantser, creating a world without a roadmap. I wonder if there is an app tied to Google maps for that?
I can't really talk to much more write now. This space isn't for figuring stuff out. It is for sharing, and without knowing more it isn't my place to share just yet. I guess as I move through I will be able to reveal more in small glimpses. The glimpse for now: The base for this is steampunky, urban fantasy-esque. Makes sense considering these are places I spend most of my time anyway.
That was clear as mud but I totally get it. Things become a lot more clear when you can put names to characters. Those things can come to you at the most unexpected times. :)
ReplyDeleteClear as mud, that about says it. This is where my mind has been over this whole thing for quite some time. My aim with updates like this is to bring others into the odder areas of my mind (be afraid).
DeleteOne of my stories was meant to be a short story. Upon a second draft, it turned into a novella. All throughout which the two main characters changed their names (mid-story), changed occupations. Now, in a forth draft, I'm finding the story stretching out to a potential novel. Stories have a way of acting malicious like that.
ReplyDeleteHope you share the details eventually ^_^
They like to torture us, I think it may be in their contracts. I aim to share more as the writing goes. But to avoid jinxing myself and the story, until certain points only small amounts can come out.
DeleteNever look directly at it or you scare it away.
Reminds me of something I told my writing buddy:
ReplyDeleteThe writer can never let his mind wander. Never let it slip. Never be given a free moment. Because in that tiny moment, inspiration can strike without warning. Like lightning.
Beware writers. If you stop thinking, your mind just might start . . .
And when that happens, chaos!!
DeleteI love it when your plans come together almost of their own accord and it all hits you out of nowhere like a lightning bolt.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it can shock you when it shows up. Hit by a train wreck you didn't see coming.
DeleteI've found I'm a pretty muddled writer, plus at times I look at the prodigious output of some writers, and kinda crap my pants. I'm happy with producing one 3,000 word chapter a week, but eventually I hope to aim for 5,000 a week. If I can outline and do research on my next idea before next November, I might try NaNoWriMo for the first time. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI have been keeping track of my weekly output. Mostly just to see where I am. As far as book work goes I think we are fairly close. Some days you can just get more work done than others.
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