Writing about writing

Too Many Documents

I’m really digging into work these days, going on strong with my new project, which I have already named “The Unwanted Hero”. I have a strange way of working, more often than not I’ll conjure up some title I like, and just work from that. This time isn’t much different, I had four words (“bio mechanical body modifications”, if you must know) written in my notebook, then this title popped up, and now I’m off working hard at notes. It feels so incredibly good to be back at working on some serious shit again, much better than just writing fanfics. As fun as that is, it’s much more rewarding coming up with something of my own, in a more serious way.

But yeah, this time I started out with those four words and the title, then sorta just went nuts with it. I made a long “What If” document, then another for other questions, then one more for answers, one for character ideas, one for antagonist(s), one for quotes, and aaaargh! That’s a LOT of documents, and I’ve only been at it for five days!

I love this though, I looooove planning! Coming up with the ideas is half the fun of writing for me, obviously I love putting words on paper and stringing them together in a way that makes sense, but coming up with what those words should be about holds a very special place in my heart. Maybe all planners feel that way? I dunno, I just love note taking, and figuring shit out.

I’m knee-deep in those K.M. Weiland activity books, and I truly love them. So far I’ve only dug into the one called “Outlining Your Novel”, but I have just cracked open the one about character arcs, to see what it has to offer at this point. I did so because I have literally no idea what my main character wants. Seriously, no idea, but I’ll figure that shit out soon! I also wanna throw a lot of attention towards two other characters, and I seriously can’t wait for this shit to go down! I’m so glad I spend my vacation reading through those books, they are quite glorious, and really boost my morale.

Besides this I take some time every day to read a book of my favorite author, C. Robert Cargill. It’s the sequel to his book “Dreams and Shadows”, and I seriously can’t recommend that guy enough. As an added bonus the book is written in 3rd person past tense, which is how I want to write my book. The last one was 1st person present tense, and as much as I love writing that way, this book demands something different. I have to get into the mindset though, the words doesn’t flow quite as freely (yet) as I want them to, but that just gives me another good excuse to read Cargill (and probably some other books written like that too).

I think it’s good for me to take a few hours each night to just read, I think I need that. It’s stress relief of the very best kind. Well that, and sex obviously. But as my sex life is non existent, I’ll have to settle for books.

Now I’m gonna go back to my heated blanket, cuddle up with book and cats, and then I’m off to bed in an hour or two. Still doing that whole odd sleep rhythm thing, and as I managed to get up at 3:30 this night, I better keep it going.