Published by Deborah on 21 Nov 2005 at 10:21 pm
Day 21: Major Rewrites in Store
Yesterday, I decided to hold off writing any more of Lost so I can get my bearings. I’ve found that once I delve into a major writing project (especially one this big), it’s easy to confuse the forest for the trees. Instead, I turned my focus onto Prosperity and finished the rewrite of Chapter 10. The ending will undergo another smaller rewrite because I missed the mark.
At any rate, I plucked my copy of The Stand off my bookcase and started to read it. As I’m reading, my inner critic is going balistic over the sparse chapters I’ve written so far for Lost. It refuses to shut up. The problem I’m having is that I don’t know the characters well enough.
Sure, I’ve gotten glimpses of their pasts via flashbacks. I know why each of them got on that plane and what their fears are, but I need to get more inside their heads to find out what their true motivations are and how they plan to survive this island.
I need to research Iraqi culture if I’m going to flesh out Sayid into a believable character who (next to Jack) is the most useful. If anyone can solve the mystery of the island, he can.
Needless to say, I won’t be meeting this year’s NaNo deadline, but I’m going to continue with the project because I want to see if I can draw some intelligent conclusions to this story.
Karen Lee Field on 22 Nov 2005 at 12:15 am #
It’s a shame you won’t make the deadline, but I think it’s better that you feel content with what you’re doing…rather than just thinking about the word count.
Best of luck with this project. You’ll keep us informed, I hope?
Pat Kirby on 22 Nov 2005 at 8:41 am #
Inner critics are a b*tch. I’m always having to get out a big stick and beat on mine. “Shaddup!”
Deborah on 22 Nov 2005 at 8:42 am #
Yes, I will.
Thanks, Karen.
Deborah on 22 Nov 2005 at 8:44 am #
LOL! Yes, they are, Pat. My critic and conscience seem to be intertwined. I’ve tried sticks, belts, groundings . . . nothing works.
Lee Pletzers on 22 Nov 2005 at 4:55 pm #
Pity you won’t make nano, at least you know where to go and what to do, and you feel content about it.
The Stand is an awesome book, but overly long.
Deborah on 22 Nov 2005 at 5:04 pm #
I’m fine with not making the deadline. At least I passed last year’s wordcount.
I agree with you about The Stand. I’ve yet to read another horror novel with full cast of characters and as complex of a plot.
lee pletzers on 22 Nov 2005 at 8:10 pm #
You will when you pick up a copy of Gonzo Girls
Deborah on 22 Nov 2005 at 10:06 pm #
Ah ha! Looking forward to it, Lee.
Lee Pletzers on 23 Nov 2005 at 7:24 am #
Sorry, had to plug.
Deborah on 23 Nov 2005 at 8:27 am #
No worries.
I hope Gonzo Girls turns out to be a success.