Predicting the unexpected

This Thursday thing is becoming a running theme, although I didn't really intend it. I love Thursday's--probably my favorite day of the week. I like anticipation, and that's what Thursday is. Besides, Survivor comes on Thursday's, which I considered my favorite show up until a month ago. Now, Lost is becoming a contender and will probably take the lead.

What I love about Lost is the constant fluctuation in plot structure, even in protagonist. You never know what you'll get when you sit down to an episode--which I'm sure annoys some people. That's what I'm curious about: is complete abandonment of the predictable in favor of the inconceivable something that the viewer appreciates? Or is this simply irritating? Does the viewer want to be able to follow his own reason as to how the story will end? Is level of mystery surrounding the plot an element that needs to be controlled?

Personally, I am consistently impressed by the writers of Lost. I think the twists are what bring me back week after week. But I have heard others criticize the show as too "far out." By that expression, I wonder if they are saying they'd like a firmer grip on the probable outcome(s). I think there must be two types of viewers. a)The viewer who craves the unpredictable and the unexpected b)The viewer who would like to predict the unexpected or expect the unpredictable, to an extent at least. How else would shows like Dawson's Creek have survived?

Which, of course, leads me to think there must be two types of readers. If you get me here, and have a thought, please share. I really am wondering.

Frustrations

So I've decided I love all my characters. I want to write a book about each of them, but I can't, so I think I'm writing all those books into one, and that is why this is taking so long. I used to think movies chopped too much of the important stuff. Now I think books do, too. People are so complex, and characters have to be no less. It's hard to funnel it all into a few thousand words.

So, I knew there would be a sequel from the beginning, and it's funny, because I wasn't sure my plot was thick enough. Well, this baby could plug a radiator better than McGyver. Remember him? Anyway, now I think it's getting to be just plain confusing, but I don't want to trim any of it off. The funnelling thing again. Frustrating, isn't it?

And my fingers are programmed to do i before e. They don't know the "except after c rule." That's frustrating too.

I need to put a mood chart up here. My roommates and I had one on the refrigerator through the duration of our stay together. It was helpful to know who to ignore and who to cheer up and who to ask for money. J/k

Mood of the day: frustrated;( I wish Blogger would supply me with faces that weren't sideways. ARGH!

milemarkers

So I've decided to start a blog about my journey writing the novel--it's really setting in that I have far to go. If you read my devotional blog, Thursday's Child, I'll just tell you now that this is not going to be like that. If you are interested in devotional thoughts, this is going to bore you. If you're interested in discussing critiquing, publishing, and some literary theory, then maybe you'll get something out of this with me.

The general process is getting kind of overwhelming, and I think it would be good to get some feedback about the things I'm experiencing from someone else. Writing in a household of four kids is not easy, especially since I cannot write at night. I think I am too drained, or whatever. I have little creativity (unless I'm wide awake from caffeine, in which case the morning that follows is never good). I started with an outline, which has evolved somewhat, and now I feel more unsure of what I am doing here. On the other hand, I think what I have is more involved and riskier, which could equal more exciting, but I don't know.

I'm also trying to figure out where to go from here. I'm "almost done" with the first draft, and I really miss the environmental editing of college writing courses. Professors are ideal editors: you know their motives and credentials. An awesome friend of mine is serving as a kind of "pre-editor" simply because she is interested in my novel, and wanted to read it. This has been great for me, but I wish I knew someone professionally and personally in this line of work.

Thoughts? Arguments? Sympathy:)?

More later...