the sequel

I started the sequel to my first novel today; well, I started writing the actual ms today. I already have a running outline in my head and partially on paper -- a little complex (big surprise) -- but exciting for me. Much better than writing the synopsis, put it that way. I'm a little overwhelmed, like I was beginning the first one, but I know that will pass, and I'm trying to push all thoughts of a deadline out of my mind. I'm feeling energized, more than anything, making up another story, and I want to take my time. What could be more fun?

I've been spending a lot of time thinking about my protagonist, and how she would have changed since we last saw her. I'm also thinking thematically about what I want to say in this one. The last one was easy -- she was still pliable and uncommitted. Now she has been molded and has made some decisions that have to play out in the future. I have to work within the framework of her character more this time, since much of it has already been developed, and bring her to some understanding within the environment I have established. I also have a few loose ends to attend to from last time, and those have given me a sense of reassurance. I definitely know where to begin, which is always good.

This is probably why I...

...have to write
...love running
...want everyone to get along
...have high expectations...
...admire artists
...like the game "Taboo," and others like it
...am drawn to teachers

Take the test and let me know how it turns out for you! Hey, it's part of that whole ENFJ thing, I can't help it!

No boring story

Well, the binge of procrastination is finally over. I started getting a little sick of the feeling and so I decided to do the synopsis thing, which was actually rewarding not so bad bearable. I have to admit, Camy Tang's synopsis series from Writer...Interrupted (ping) kept me from suffocating to death under all the restrictions of a task like this. Can you tell how much I love parameters?

So, I'm steadily droning away on this project, and at the same time I'm thinking about the possibilities ahead and it strikes me like it has over and over again the past year how I would've never planned this in a million years. I mean, sure I love to write -- it's like second nature, really and I would be insane unless I did it -- but I would've never seen the point in writing a whole novel. It's just been too enjoyable to be something I would consider a goal. And then I think about the Lord, and about all the people out there that think what He has for us to do is boring and predictable (like writing the synopsis has been for me because I already know the whole story) and how His plan is much, much, more creative and inspiring and suspenseful and addictive than anything we have even seen on the shelves. That's the big deception, isn't it, the blue sky and clouds view of heaven and the straight-laced, boring view of a Christian's life on earth. No, I would've never expected Him to do this in my life in this season, , and it's opened up my mind to who He really is in amazing ways. And, like any successful writer, His outline of my story is already completed to the final chapter, and I can tell you one thing: it will not be a boring story.

That's a great thought to finish with as I close this window and open back up the wildly exciting synopsis...

Grumpy Smurf

Remember this guy? No matter what anysmurf said, Grumpy followed it with "I HATE ___." Yeah Grumpy, my sentiments exactly regarding this synopsis thing...

How can I hate writing something this much? Every time I think about it, I refuse to. For example: I really ought to...what's on Shannah's blog? I really should begin...it's about lunchtime. I really, really need to...weren't there some towels that needed folding? That's right folks, I'm stooping to towels, for crying out loud!

I just never anticipated this kind of resistance to something so simple. And therein is the problem, methinks. I like the lax boundaries of writing fiction, and I don't care for the no-nonsense, simplistic, minimalist, streamlined parameters of a summary. A let me regurgitate what I just wrote minus all the fun summary. And a selling-myself-and-my-story summary, at that. Did I mention that I'm not a salesperson? "I HATE selling my story." Sigh.

I really should get to that...wonder if the mail has come yet.