Writing more than one story
I rarely use this blog, but I figured this may be a good opportunity to resurrect it, even though it's not Easter. Some of you have been asking me about my Bridgemont series, wondering why I haven't posted a new chapter of Odyssey. Wondering if I've given up on the story.
I haven't given up on Odyssey, I just haven't felt like writing it. That probably sounds pretty strange. I mean, I created the story and the characters, so why wouldn't I want to write about it. What I'm finding is that my writing, along with my moods, can be pretty mercurial. Sometimes I'm in a place where I'm into both stories at the same time, and i can take turns alternating between them. Most of the times, though, it doesn't work that way. Most of the time, I get transfixed with one or the other (CAP or Bridgemont) and most of my creative thoughts and my energy flow into that story.
It actually gets more complicated than that. For me to do my best, I have to absorb myself into the character. I have to get into that mindset, and sort of let the writing part of my brain become the person I'm writing. If my characters in the two series are starkly different, it's harder to switch stories.
Lately I've been very productive with Paternity, churning out chapters at a rate that annoys Sharon. I've actually got ten more chapters (through 91) roughed out and in editing. I'm at a spot in that storyline where I just want to keep on going, and I'm near the end, so I kind of want to finish it out. I have one more quirky issue to deal with as far as Wade goes, but otherwise the action has more to do with Will (and Robbie, JJ, and Brad).
When I've been productive with both stories, I've noticed that it's when I'm writing Wade in Paternity and George in Odyssey. That's not too hard to understand, since those two characters are very similar. When I throw Will into the mix (or someone like Matt or Brad), it gets tougher, because they're so different.
One final, but critical, factor is that when I've been away from one story for awhile, I have to re-immerse myself. That means that before I dive back into Odyssey, I have to go back and re-read what I've already done (and probably go back to St. Vincent for a bit too). That takes some time, and some motivation. I'm working on that.
I struggle with forcing myself away from one story and onto the other, just so I won't leave my readers high and dry. Well, high is OK. But in the end, I'm learning that if I force it, the story just isn't as good. In my brain, I feel the pendulum shifting, and I'm sure I'll be back to work on Odyssey soon, but I just can't force it.
I'm sorry if I let you loyal and devoted Odyssey readers down by my erratic focus. I do mean that. But I really do need to follow the creative path my brain is demanding of me.
- 6
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