March 5, 2007
So here’s the post I had prepared for today:
I’ve been thinking about the WIP I’ve been spending the most time with. Meant as a follow-up to Trevor’s Song, I’ve been writing away and having a lot of fun with it. These are really fun characters, as most of you guys know.
But I always get to a point in my WIPs where I get worried that I’ve fallen off the track, so I go back and read and give a light edit to what I’ve already done.
As you can probably figure, it’s that time again. As I think back over the first chapter, where I am now in the story is so far afield, I need to stop and see where and how I can fix things. I have some ideas; it’s time to see if I can make some of them happen.
This isn’t an easy WIP for me. I’m writing about strong emotions I have very little first-hand experience with. I’m writing about situations that I’d never in a million years let myself fall into.
But this is why it’s fiction. It’s good to push myself like this. After all, writing is a craft.
Time to craft the WIP a bit.
Before I go, though, let me hear from you regulars: do you want more of Daniel and Mitchell? Eric? What about the girls? Kerri and Val? And Mitchell’s sister, Amy? Of what I’ve shown you in this blog before, who intrigues you the most? Who do you want to read about?
But then, two things happened:
First was that I FINALLY hit 10,000 hits. So thanks to all of you who’ve helped make that happen. Pretty cool to see on the old stat counter!
And I sat down and wrote down each chapter number, point-of-view character, and major themes. Floated some ideas at the Tour Manager. And had one that, for now, stuck.
If you never take chances, you never learn and grow as a person — or as a writer. And besides, I’m not on deadline yet. This is the perfect time for experimentation.
I still want to hear which characters you want to spend more time with, though. If you’re not a regular, read over the character descriptions I’ve linked to each character’s name. Tell me who intrigues you — and why.
Thanks!
karen!
March 5, 2007 5:34 pm
I want more Chelle… but you know that already :PBR/BR/I love Amy, but I really think we need more of Val; she’s still a bit of an enigma to me. BR/BR/Oh, and, Daniel and Eric… I feel like I don’t know them nearly as well as Trev and M.BR/BR/While I’m here…BR/Great news on your hit counter and on finding a sticky idea 😀
Claire
March 5, 2007 6:41 pm
Oh god i really need to catch up on this. So who was lucky 10,000?
Dana
March 5, 2007 6:51 pm
More on Amy, Daniel and Eric :)BR/BR/I feel I know Kerri and Mitchell a bit more. I just like reading about all of themBR/BR/Congrats on the hits
Amy Ruttan
March 5, 2007 8:21 pm
I’m going to have to say Amy because I’m biased towards that name.BR/BR/And making me choose between the men, are you crazy? I can’t decide I want them all! 🙂
Rashenbo
March 5, 2007 8:59 pm
First… awesome on the 10,000 hits. That totally rocks! 🙂 Second… cool beans on the WIP! I totally know where you are at right now. You’ve got such a strong handle on your world and your characters – if it’s gone off track it certainly wasn’t you… it was Trevor… dammit! 😀
Sparky Duck
March 5, 2007 9:40 pm
Aww, I thought WIP was all about the Philly Sports Radio Station, you know, a real sports town
Susan Helene Gottfried
March 5, 2007 10:00 pm
Geez, I go to Nancy Martin’s book release party and come home to find you guys having a party here!!! That rocks!!BR/BR/Claire… I’m not sure who 10,000 was. The hit was from Charlotte, NC, so it might have been Breeni. But it was a definite semi-regular. BR/BR/Dana, you’re on my wavelength!BR/BR/Amy, I was expecting you to say, “Whoever has a guitar like Prince’s” !! :DBR/BR/Rash, it couldn’t have been Trevor that threw me off track. Well, maybe it could have been, but it’s this chick named Jessica who’s the problem. She’s a BIG problem.BR/BR/And Sparky, with the way the Pens’ new arena talks are going, I may not be able to refute that point you just made about Philly and sports towns… *sigh*
Skittles
March 6, 2007 7:57 am
Congrats on 10,000 hits!!!
Andrew
March 6, 2007 6:21 pm
Congratulations on 10,000 hits! Quite an achievement! And think of the WIP as a good thing. Just remember your story is getting better all the time. At the same time, you’re getting smarter because of new things you find and fix. 🙂
Susan Helene Gottfried
March 6, 2007 6:24 pm
Thanks, Skittles and Andrew.BR/BR/A, you’ve got that one right. Plus, it’s keeping me sane with all the current drama here in the household…
Lauren
March 6, 2007 7:23 pm
Congrats on the hits Susan!! What a milestone!!BR/BR/I would like to hear more about Daniel, Eric, and Amy. However, from reading Trevor’s Song, I think that only Amy getting more character building is relevant to the story. Does that make sense? I guess I just feel like Daniel and Eric, though potentially very interesting characters on their own, are background material in the book.
Lauren
March 6, 2007 7:24 pm
Ok clearly I missed the words “follow-up to Trevor’s song”. *rolls eyes*.BR/BR/So back to Amy, Daniel, and Eric!
Susan Helene Gottfried
March 6, 2007 7:24 pm
True… BUT.BR/BR/I’m talking about the follow-up, so the rules change a bit. *wink*BR/BR/Dans and Eric can shine. Or rust. It’s all up to how they handle things, ya know?
Carmi
March 6, 2007 11:32 pm
“If you never take chances, you never learn and grow as a person — or as a writer.”BR/BR/My oh my, how right you are. I didn’t really start to pop as a writer until I forced myself out of my comfort zone, and did so repeatedly. I found my writer’s voice as soon as I decided to take that chance.BR/BR/Thanks for confirming this!
Susan Helene Gottfried
March 7, 2007 9:11 am
Anytime. *wink*
cheesygiraffe
March 7, 2007 10:34 am
I want more of Mitchell’s sister, Amy. She intrigues me. 🙂 I will take more of any of them though. ;)BR/BR/Congrats on 10,000th hit on your counter. BR/Is the WIP anything I know about? Yes I’m nosey. LOL
Susan Helene Gottfried
March 7, 2007 3:58 pm
Mmm, I like Amy a lot, too. She’s cool. In fact, the working title of the WIP is “Confronting Amy,” but that’s because she and Mitchell mouth off at each other in what’s now the second chapter (used to be the first).BR/BR/Nope, you don’t know anything else about the WIP — yet. I’m sure I’ll be hitting you up to read it when it’s in better shape!
Lindsey
March 8, 2007 7:02 am
10,000 hits! Excellent!BR/BR/Congrats on the idea. It’s such a relief to get one just when you think everything’s going down the pan. I sometimes things ideas wait until that point on purpose …BR/BR/As for characters … well, I like Amy, but I have to add another vote for Daniel and Eric. C’mon, tell us more, Susan!
Sophisticated Writer
March 9, 2007 1:29 pm
I want more Amy 🙂 Good luck with writing. I know what it’s like to struggle with your characters and your own mind…BR/BR/What drama are you talking about (in your household)? I guess I should be here more often 🙁
Susan Helene Gottfried
March 9, 2007 3:14 pm
Wow, you guys really like Amy, huh? Interesting! I shall do my best for you!BR/BR/As for the drama, SW, it’s not something I’ve been blogging about. Most of it’s resolved; there’s just a bit more to clear up and then all will be well. BR/BR/There’s only one refuge from stress that’s better than writing, and that’s the gym.