My Writing Journey: Part 5
It's time to get writing...
It has now been a while since I asked everyone to vote on the first sentence that they thought sounded most intriguing. I think I delayed writing this next post simply because I was a little unnerved by the winning sentence.
Ironically, the one that everyone voted for was the one that I have the least amount of development for. So many of these first sentences have come from my overactive mind planning out so many different aspects of the story. But this particular one, this one I have a loose idea that really just hangs the setting and the introduction together by a thread. I’ll have a lot of work to do, and it looks like Starbucks is going to become my best friend!
Over the last year, I have had the ability to co-host a super bookish podcast, Speaking LITerally, which has given me the opportunity to interview several authors. One question we ask each one is “what advice do you have for aspiring writers.” I selfishly want this question answered, because I need to hear it. I feel so lost sometimes on what I need to do, but the answers are very similar. “Just start writing” is the gist of everyone’s answers. But even that is so intimidating. We are our own worst enemy.
So, where do I stand right now with my journey? You all voted on a sentence. I put them all out there, and if I wasn’t willing to focus on the winning one, I should have put it out there. Here was the list of sentences as a reminder since I put this off so long!
My whole life I have found myself in a series of precarious and completely inconvenient predicaments; however, how I found myself here is pretty much a mystery to me.
The flash is blinding, the scream is ear-splitting, the pain is unbearable and no matter how badly I try, I cannot open my eyes and end this repeating nightmare.
The first time my father took me to Giddindale I couldn’t sleep for three days, certain that the moment I closed my eyes the ‘monsters’ would come and steal me away.
I got this. I can do this.” Carter repeated the phrase over and over in her head as she put on her uniform and put her hair in its custom ponytail. Students only have one shot on Evaluation Day and by all that is holy in the sea, Carter was determined to be noticed.
Jax quickly closed the door behind him in an attempt to keep the below freezing windows out. “Jax!” His mother exclaimed almost breathlessly as she entered the hallway. “I think it came. There is a message for you in the teledec.”
Now I can give a little background on them.
Honestly, I don’t know how I got to this first sentence. When I look at my notes. This is more of a dystopian story that is set in the aftermath of a catastrophe event. As par for the course, you have an over controlling government, corruption, manipulation and secrets. Through in a tenacious, stubborn teenager who acts first and thinks later and you can see why she might find herself in the situation that the first sentence creates.
This one I have written a couple chapters for. Several years ago, I wrote a couple chapters of this one. I have this one all planned out. I know exactly who the characters are and what happens. Everything! This should be an easy sit down and write, so I don’t really understand why I’m not. I love the secondary characters that I have created for this one. I mean the main character is great, but I love her two best friends that come through for her. They are the ones who help the MC remember who she is, what is important in life and ultimately what has been in front of her the whole time.
This one is a true and classic fantasy story. We have magic and fae and all the things we love most of fantastical books. Giddindale is a world to be built into the folds of the ‘real world’; however, as large and expansive this world is, it is not at all as large as what we have seen in books like Cruel Prince. This is part of the conflict for the inhabitants. In my mind, I have created two parallel and colliding worlds that struggle to exist together. Sounds fun, right?
This is the story that I began writing two or so years ago for NaNoWriMo. I have about 2000 words down. Just a tiny amount. But this one is a very complex dystopic world that focuses on land, air and sea and the uniqueness that comes with building a society isolated in that geographical element. It’s only natural that one might get a little greedy and want to take the resources that the others have. With deception, mysterious rumors, an extensive underground group of the nerdiest technological geniuses, this is a story that I was really excited about, but just ran out of motivation.
Finally, the one that started as a weird and bizarre dream that I had one night, and believe me, I have really weird dreams. I really thought about writing a sci-fi storyat some point in the future, but that is exactly what this one is. I haven’t fleshed out all the ins and outs of this one, but there are a few scenes that run through my head like a movie as I remember vivid details from the dream. Here we have an interstellar world with System Bridges to jump between solar systems. But the main concept is that Jax is a teenage athlete. Not so uncommon until you learn that he races in the intersystem Gravity Bike League. Think SuperCross up on weird planets. Again, I don’t have all the details, but there is cheating, governmental manipulation and conspiracies, discovery of some nefarious actions and plans that lead to a target going on Jax’s back. Naturally he has to team up with his friends in the league to figure out who can be trusted and who is part of the problem.
Geez, after writing all the descriptions,I really want to read these books. I think that is part of my problem: I want to read the books! Part of me is worried that I won't be able to write them well enough to really bring to life what is living in my head.
Ok… so, I’ve held you in suspense long enough. I will say that I’ve started talking with my almost 14 year old daughter about the story. She’s an artist, and I know that I want a map for this particular story. Through all her questions, the ideas have begun to evolve. This is really good news since I have no idea where this story is going to go or even what the central conflict is going to be. I hope it’s not doomed from the beginning. Oh well, I guess that’s what the editing and revising process is for.
So, the winning sentence is: The first time my father took me to Giddindale I couldn’t sleep for three days, certain that the moment I closed my eyes the ‘monsters’ would come and steal me away. (Number 3).
Let the very slow writing process begin! Stay tuned to see how it goes.
Don’t forget to check out my other fun sites!
Brand New Website for book lovers: www.tinyurl.com/desertbookshelf It has links to my podcast Speaking LITerally, book reviews, breaking literary news, games, links to small business and more!
Speaking LITerally podcast! Our monthly misadventures into all things literary. Separated by the Atlantic, Liz and I come together in our love of reading!!! Find us wherever you listen to your other favorite podcasts! Click here to find us on iHeartRadio!
If you are really bored you can read about some of my personal adventures in life raising two teenagers and loving a husband who is fighting Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and all the lesson I learn along the way. Educate This.