Hello out there to all of my fellow bloggers!
I have been shamefully absent of late. One reason being, I'm currently holding a position as a resident author over at Alexandria, which has me posting a few times a month. Between that, work, and bitchy fibromyalgia, I haven't had much downtime. What little time I do wrestle away from the fatigue monster I've been using to work on various writing projects. I am happy to say I've edited all three novels in my current series and continued on with the fourth. I feel so accomplished! Well, you know, sorta.
Unfortunately, when I got into working on the fourth book, I remembered why it's been sitting here for four years. That's right. Four. YEARS. I know that might not seem long to some of you, but considering I wrote the first three books in as many years while also working on other projects, the delay in completing this manuscript is shameful. This is the part where I make all kinds of excuses about life being difficult and (literally) crazy, but the truth still remains. This book needs an ending.
Okay, it needs more than an ending. It needs at least another 70k, which I don't think will be a problem if I can get over my issue. I have to kill a beloved character. And in true six-year-old temper tantrum style, I don't wanna!
It's his time to go, and he will go out in a blaze of glory, but it's still a sad thing. He's been fantastic comic relief throughout this series and has grown tremendously as a person. Alas, all good things must come to an end.
I am also dealing with the fact that one of my main characters is telling me her story is almost over. I hadn't anticipated that. I'm not one for outlines, but I usually have some idea of where it's all going. And this came as a complete surprise to me. I see how it happened though. It may be for the best. But, damnit, someone has to survive!
So, I will try to be a better host and keep things relatively up-to-date, but for those of you who know me, you know I'm fairly inconsistent with things like that.
If you need me, I'll be at my keyboard, thinking of inventive ways for my characters to kick the bucket.
Hugs!
-Liz
I have the same problems with not enough time. One thing that might be easier is to have a back up of the story before you kill anyone off. Then you can just go forward and see if it all works.
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent advice. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI recommend having two buckets: One with a nice, silver handle and a soft fur covering, and one with a barbed wire-wrapped handle, made of rough oak with lots of splinters. And make that character kick it bare-footed.
ReplyDeleteYes, strictly tongue-in-cheek, but somehow it makes sense, I believe.
I don't think most of the things we think of make sense, Cyrus, except to other totally twisted writers such as ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAll the best with your plans!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm in total awe of how much you seem to get done, despite the debilitating nature of your named diagnosis.
So called "dead" characters, if a change of heart occurs, can be magically reinstated within the world of writing fantasy.
You look after YOU, my kind friend.
Gary :)
Best of luck killing your character. We need a writerly hallmark card for that, don't we? It's like get well card for the author.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, glad to see you're back to writing and being productive with your series. :)