Friday, January 7, 2011

What I have been up to writing wise.

Hey all! Just want to mention that I did do my exercise hour in the pool. Didn't noticeably sweat, but my legs felt like jelly when I got out. ;-)


Anyway, I finally felt the call to return to Doorways about a week ago and started to rewrite the first scenes. Although these scenes are far from perfect, I know that they are a huge improvement on the hasty scribbles I had penned down as a rough draft.


There are, however, some hiccups.


For one thing, I had worked in an aspect to the story that wasn't there before. This change means that the relationship between Ward and Callan has changed. As well as the impression one gets of Ward as a person. On one hand, this change makes things simpler, but it also makes things complicated. Sigh. But I guess it will make for better reading.

Then, one of my characters has developed a crush on Callan and is still fighting with me because of the fact that I shipped her with someone else. Let's just say he's really vocal about it. I guess I will give him a shot (because I really like him), but I fear that this will lead to a disaster for all involved. Once again. Brilliant reading. Not nice to write, knowing what is going to happen as result of this guys choice. And he will not be dissuaded.

And finally, because of the fact that Quinlan arrived on the scene unplanned during NaNo, and because I think he's awesome, one of my other supporting characters has to be sent back to obscurity. Bad thing is that he might be needed later in the series. So things are a little complicated. I'm thinking that maybe his sister (who now also has a rather threatened existence due to the above guy's tendre) could mention him to Callan. But I'm still working on it, since he was introduced toward the middle of the story.

And no. I didn't create her just to keep that guy distracted. She was supposed to have been his match, where few people are able to match him. And they weren't supposed to like each other. At all. But I think things will remain that way, since she is very likely to play a bigger part later in the series...

Guardian still calls me, but I'm much more concerned with getting the Doorways rewrite done. After all. April isn't that far away...

What about you? Do your characters sometimes run amok with your plans for the story? What are you working on?

14 comments:

  1. Nah, I don't let my characters do that. lol

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  2. Yes they do! This is why I'm considering biting the bullet and outlining a little more. Second drafts to begin Sunday on my WIP.

    Alex
    Breakfast Every Hour

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  3. Mine run amok all the time! Usually it ends up for the best, because they know the story and I do not, but sometimes they are just being silly and laughing as I chase them around with pen and paper to record it all ;P

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  4. Once, the villain of my epic fantasy (high to some), decided I needed to know a few things. I wrote and entire chapter and then told him I wasn't putting any of it in the book. I had the last say.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  5. Mine run freely, but I'm the one in control in the end. It really depends on the story and the characters, for me. The WIP I have now is a bit more subdued so the characters don't get too crazy.

    I know that any other idea I could be scrambling to make sense of what my characters think should happen and what I think should happen....

    Hope your rewrites go well!

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  6. My characters do all kinds of things . . . LOL.

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  7. Dangit. Internet ate my comment. Oh well, basically it was: You can't force your characters to do things out of their character. Readers can tell every time "hey, they wouldn't really do that" so it's a difficult balance between getting the story there and the characters there in the way they would.

    Good luck with your writing!

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  8. Oh yeah, characters muck everything up...but it ends up being for the better every time. (I'm too la-la-la and roll with the punches to be trusted with a tension filled plot...I need the characters to keep me in line, LOL!)

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  9. The mc of my ghost story just called in a reality show to help him out. I begged him not to. I DO NOT (insert foot stomp) want to deal with a reality show on top of all this ghost nonsense!!

    He won, little snot.
    erica

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  10. Lol Nevets I wish I could say the same. But I have VERY strong willed characters. ;-)

    Oooh good luck Alex! :-)

    Haha Sticky that's why I let them run around too. They know how to make the story awesome.
    :-)

    Well done Nancy! But at least you got some great insights into who the villain was. :-)

    I know what you mean Devin. My western is like that. They generally just settle down and let me write the story like I want. But then, I'm really glad that not all of my books have a character like those in Doorways. ;-)

    Lol Golden I'd love to hear stories. ;-P

    Haha Colene, I completely agree with you. But I have CHARACTERS that go: "Won't do it and you can't make me." :-)

    I know what you mean LB. I tend to let my mind (and pen) wander if my characters don't kick my butt every now and then. :-)

    Lol that's interesting. I wish I knew what happened afterwards. ;-)

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  11. Sounds like your characters are keeping you on your toes! Don't you love it when they do that?

    I'm working on a short story that I'm writing for a writers' workshop application. My MC is a male, and I have a love interest that introduced herself a couple of days ago. I'm going to write the scene where they meet today, but I'm afraid that she'll have to get cut later because of length. We'll see, I suppose!

    Good luck with your writing!

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  12. Sometimes they do other times I have to verbally abuse them into saying ANYTHING

    >_< It's rather tiring sometimes. :)

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  13. Yes they do, Jessica, although I currently feel as if they keep me on my toes so that they can push me over easier. Sigh. Your surprise character sounds like a nice addition though. Hope she can stay. :-)

    Hahaha I know what you mean. I can be incredibly tiring when you have to fight your own characters every step of the way. :-)

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  14. Oh my goodness.. YES.. alllll the time! My male MC is particularly headstrong, and half the time things don't end up as I planned... but it works! Don't worry.. you're not alone.

    Congrats on doing that hour.. you're off to a great start! :)

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