I'm in research mode again, only this time for the next book, a yet to be titled YA contemporary. Since I'm awaiting word on one project, I've decided to distract myself with the next one. As I've said before, I'm like a shark. If I'm not moving forward, I die.
Onward!
So the next book I'm toying with might be biting off more than I can chew. But I'm nibbling anyway just to see if I can do it.
A dear friend of mine has asked me why I always make things harder on myself, and she's got a valid point. The hard part? I've decided to make the main character of a different subculture than my own, and of course, this poses problems. How do you make it authentic?
Well, first you have to read, read, read, read, and read some more about this subculture. I've done so much of that so far I've got an eye twitch that won't stop.
So annoying!
Then after I'm done gathering information, I must try and factor in the subculture into the plot, and see if it works.
If it works, then I will try and write a few scenes, to see if I can do it.
IF I like what I've written, I'll write the first chapter and see if it jives.
That's a lot of IFs.
NEWS FLASH: I'm pretty good at first chapters.
It's the endings that I hate.
HATE!
With a capital H.
I have to admit I have no patience for conclusions. Most of the books I read I skim the last chapter because it's full of touchy, feely, non-plotted endings all tied up in a neat little bow, and I must confess, I hate that.
I suppose I'm "European" in my tastes. Life does not end cleanly, and neither should a book. Personally, I always prefer the ending that sneaks up on you and ends before you want. Like The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Settlefield. GREAT ENDING! PERFECT ENDING! One of the few times I've finished a book and thought, "It's over? Oh man!"
Whereas, some books end and I hate the sneak attack ending so much it ends up ruining the whole book for me, ala The Constant Gardener by John le Carre.
I nearly chucked that book across the room, I was so pissed.
But I digress.
I'll worry about the ending later. Much later!
For now, it's research.
Research, the perfect excuse not to write.
As many of you know, I can last about 2.5 weeks without writing before I start to get ultra-cranky, and HAVE to write something.
So I have about a week and a half to go.
Wish me luck.
Onward!
So the next book I'm toying with might be biting off more than I can chew. But I'm nibbling anyway just to see if I can do it.
A dear friend of mine has asked me why I always make things harder on myself, and she's got a valid point. The hard part? I've decided to make the main character of a different subculture than my own, and of course, this poses problems. How do you make it authentic?
Well, first you have to read, read, read, read, and read some more about this subculture. I've done so much of that so far I've got an eye twitch that won't stop.
So annoying!
Then after I'm done gathering information, I must try and factor in the subculture into the plot, and see if it works.
If it works, then I will try and write a few scenes, to see if I can do it.
IF I like what I've written, I'll write the first chapter and see if it jives.
That's a lot of IFs.
NEWS FLASH: I'm pretty good at first chapters.
It's the endings that I hate.
HATE!
With a capital H.
I have to admit I have no patience for conclusions. Most of the books I read I skim the last chapter because it's full of touchy, feely, non-plotted endings all tied up in a neat little bow, and I must confess, I hate that.
I suppose I'm "European" in my tastes. Life does not end cleanly, and neither should a book. Personally, I always prefer the ending that sneaks up on you and ends before you want. Like The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Settlefield. GREAT ENDING! PERFECT ENDING! One of the few times I've finished a book and thought, "It's over? Oh man!"
Whereas, some books end and I hate the sneak attack ending so much it ends up ruining the whole book for me, ala The Constant Gardener by John le Carre.
I nearly chucked that book across the room, I was so pissed.
But I digress.
I'll worry about the ending later. Much later!
For now, it's research.
Research, the perfect excuse not to write.
As many of you know, I can last about 2.5 weeks without writing before I start to get ultra-cranky, and HAVE to write something.
So I have about a week and a half to go.
Wish me luck.
You sound like my husband. He hates "nice" endings. He doesn't like when everything comes to a happy conclusion. I on the other hand, like happy endings. I like to think that everything will always work out. Maybe that is why I read for pleasure and he reads The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
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