Surprise! I actually thought of something. So I have to be really quick and write it down before I forget...
Wait, what was I saying?
Kidding.
I've been fiddling with some of the projects that have been gathering dust on my thumb drive. Trying, really, to decide which one I want to focus on. I know that DQ needs most of my attention (stop procrastinating, Brandi, just get it to the querying stage! Mmkay?) but I want to be WRITING on something.
So I picked up ONE THOUSAND again. For those of you new to this blog (or just need a refresher), ONE THOUSAND is a story about a murderous mermaid in ancient Greece who ends up being captured by a sailor out for revenge. (She killed his brother.) I have some really great ideas for this story, but, the thing is, it takes a LOT of research. I've been spending way too much time surfing the internet, trying to find relevant information on ancient Greece and customs and all that. So much time, in fact, that I haven't really WRITTEN anything. (I've even despaired that I won't be able to write this story until I actually GO to Greece.)
I've been so worried about getting things historically accurate (even though there are mermaids involved) that my muse has been oppressed. But then I had the "Aha!" moment.
I always seem to struggle with switching back and forth between two people's POV (I think it's the romance writer in me) and, with Elpis (the sailor) I've been struggling because ancient Greece is HIS world. So nothing is new or interesting to him. He takes everything for granted. And I'm afraid that he'll come off as more of an information outlet than a character. So, I was thinking that instead I should tell the whole story through Achlys' (the mermaid) eyes. Then everything will be new. Everything will be strange and wonderful and I don't think I would have to worry so much about getting all the terminology right. Plus, it's Achlys' story. And while I will miss digging around in Elpis' head, I think it would be much more interesting (for me and the reader) to see him completely through Achlys' POV. A challenge, yes, but it's made me excited for the story again. Woohoo!
I love those "Aha" moments. They bring the spark back, don't you think? What about you, had any Aha moments lately? And what did you glean from it?
I love aha moments. They're like a cool glass of water handed to you from the sideline at a marathon.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't wait to read more of ONE THOUSAND. :)
I know you were joking at the beginning of your post, but I had one of those moments last week and I was in a place I couldn't write it down, and I forgot it! Its there, just on the fringe of my memory, but I haven't recalled it yet. *Sigh* I know it will come back...but its frustrating. :)
ReplyDeleteYour Aha moment sounds like a great idea for that story. I look forward to reading more of it.
ReplyDelete