When I last left you, I was struggling to find Anna’s new voice. I received some great suggestions from my fellow writers and bloggers, and I thank you all for that. It helped. I must say once I reconciled myself to the fact that she was not who I initially intended her to be, things began to flowed and the scene came together quite nicely. The tone has been set and I am largely pleased with it – and myself.
This week’s process has been hampered by another stumbling block. A need for a few additional scenes that were not on my original outline. And, as Anna needed to change, so too did another essential character – one who used to be a contributing villain. I’ve cleaned him up a bit, given him a purpose, and put the burden of national security upon his war-weary shoulders. I think I sort of like him now. Maybe I will have to kill him off about midway through.
So on to some news. I’ve decided to participate in this summer’s Camp NaNoWriMo. Every November several members of my writing group delve into the madness of NaNoWriMo and they’ve produced some pretty impressive stuff. I always feel a twinge of envy, when they do. November is a crazy month for me and to commit to such an undertaking would land me in an institution, and maybe even divorce court. Except for a family vacation near the end of the month and my dreaded 40th birthday, I have nothing going on in June. I have no obstacles and no excuses.
Bring. It. On.
The nitty-gritty:
Last weeks goal: Work out my characterization problem with Anna and her team; write the aftermath and resulting mission; and accumulate a word count in the 5000 range.
Goal met?: Yes and no. I have worked out my character issues with Anna and her team, written the initial disaster but am still working on the aftermath – it is a more complicated situation that requires additional scenes.
Next weeks goal: Finish up what I lagged on this week; begin the frenzy that is Camp Nanowrimo; have a very nice word count to show for my efforts.
Of Bears and Boating 