When I decided that I was pretty sure that I would go back to work on VZ, I started asking myself a lot of questions about what was wrong with the 20+ other versions I’d written over the years. There were a lot of things. Everyone in the book was too nice. The main character talked to himself and “thought” everything instead interacting with people. I had a mom that did nothing, added nothing to the story and another character that asked questions I never answered. It was FILLED with cliches. Oh and plot? Barely visible.
So I killed off the mother and brought the stuff that happens with questioning character to the front of the book. I kept the planes and the dog and the cross-county move but I lost the orchestra and maybe the fire. I think I’m keeping the gang but they need some help and a name.
I gave the main character a little sister but I needed something to weave her deeper into the story, something to connect her to her brother at the same time as it pushes her away. And last night, after many hours of not being able to sleep, I figured out what that is. Oh my. It excited me so much I wanted to get up and write but I knew the alarm for work would go off in a few hours and I needed sleep. Which was a joke because of course my mind was racing with the possibilities of what this could do to the plot. And I barely slept at all. And then today, after brainstorming with a friend, I realized I could add another layer (and take advantage of some great research that has been sitting in my drawers for 15 years). Whew!
Exciting stuff. Now if I can just get the darn thing written. And after all these years with the book I never really could tell anyone what it was about. Obviously I didn’t know the story very well or wasn’t telling the right story. But now I know the basic theme. And feels right.
What makes a family and when is it okay to keep a secret?
I hate secrets. They make you feel powerless because you have to watch what you say. You want to feel loyal about keeping them, and then you get angry because you have to keep them. They hover about you, making you think about them all the time, but you can’t ask anyone about them and you are afraid you will say something that someone will interpret and figure out the secret, or even just know you have one. They are angst itself. A perfect subject for a book.
I hate secrets too, Diane. I’ve spent too many years either hoarding them or trying not to hear them. Here’s hoping DC’s family secrets are worthy of a book.
I agree, with Diane. It’s a great subject. Good luck!
Thanks! Now I’m walking that line between thinking about it and sitting down to the actual writing. Darn day job. Grumble, grumble.
Good,good,good! Sounds like you’re right on the verge!!
Nice to see you looking straight out at us, too, BTW! You have a nice smile!
Ah thanks, Liz. I’m pretty camera shy so I have to feeling good to use that icon.
Go for it!!! ๐
I’m so glad your subconscious mind has been busy on this book, even when you weren’t really looking at is. Figures that it’d wake/keep you up in the middle of the night, but it sounds like it was totally worth it this time!
Isn’t it weird (in a wonderful way) how our subconscious keeps us focused on the project at hand? Yep, it was worth the no sleep. Now if I can get brave enough to write the new first chapter without trying to just revise an old one. That’s the goal anyway.
What makes a family and when is it okay to keep a secret?
Congratulations on figuring this out!!!
And good luck with the next step.
๐
Re: What makes a family and when is it okay to keep a secret?
Thanks, Jo. The next step appears to be the actual writing. I fear my editing brain is still turned on from working on the revisions for Hugging the Rock and I don’t remember how to start writing again.
Sounds terrific, Susan!
I love it when plot comes together, too.
Doh! Wrong icon!
Here.
hahaha….I liked the other icon too.
Congrats on your new ideas for your plot! Conflict is key and pitting people against each other spices up any plot. I’m happy for you! Good luck!
Thanks, Linda. I wish I felt more confident about plot.