Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Getting the Groove Back

I must admit I've been neglecting everything lately. I've been neglecting my website, facebook, twitter, and even my writing. Truth is, I've been stalled on a current WIP and could not figure out why.

Then, last night I had an epiphany. I was stalled on chapter three where I introduced a new character, Joseph Johnson, to the story. For those that have read my novel, Lovestruck Succubus, you may already know Joe Johnson as the male half of the hunter team chasing Raif Lungren as he pursues Azra Barsonus. This WIP is the story of how they met.

I realized last night, the reason I was having such a difficult time introducing Joe to the story was due to a lack of background for him. He was just kind of making an appearance - not good for a main character. So, I gave Joe a background of his own, and this accomplished two things for the story.

First, It provided some motivation for Joe to move into the story. His background now includes a short career in the military in some unit that exists echelons above consequence. We're talking super top secret, underground, black ops, hero kind of stuff. I thought I could provide more background and explain why he is not still there by adding in that his mother was in ill health and he had to leave the military to care for her. She was his last living relative. Although she lost her battle with cancer, Joe was still left with the bills, so he took a job at the Hyundai plant as a security guard and supplemented his income rounding up bail jumpers for a local bail bondsman. I will begin the scene with him being called into his supervisor's office and told that they are letting him go because of cutbacks. He simply does not have enough seniority in his current job.

Now, I've added some immediacy in his decision to take on more risky skips. This action will put him on a path to meet Lexi. Also, I think that this will provide Joe with his own subplot within the story.

I'm considering posting portions of this story on my website as I write with some notes to provide insight into my thinking. What say you? Would you like to read this new story in small bits, or would you rather wait until it is completed and read the whole thing?

4 comments:

  1. Good tips, Ellison. Thanks! Sometimes I find myself getting stuck with the same problem.

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  2. Thanks for your comment, Brandie. I struggled with writing over the last couple weeks. Suddenly last night I realized that Joe did not have his own story. Can't believe I overlooked this for so long.

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  3. Isn't it amazing that such small things can actually become such large issues? I recently had a similar issue, and had to go fill some 'holes' so that my character could move forward.

    I can't wait to read more about joe and lexi! Just the little bits of background you shared in this post have already got me excited :D

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  4. Thanks Summer

    I'm considering posting a new scene from this story to the website every week. I think it would be great to use the feedback during edits of the story. I've already blown this thing up into a full-fledged novel-length adventure - and it feels good. I like getting deeper into my characters, and I can only hope it shows in my writing.

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