I've been busy!
I received an impassioned request to write a follow-up to one of my stories that appeared in the TechLit anthology "Inner Space and Outer Thoughts . . ." - specifically, "When You Were Not Jenny."
The plot for that follow-up started brewing, but I was writing "The Guide to Palas" and "The Dragon King Invites You to Tea" so the follow-up short story plotting got shoved to the back burner. I wouldn't be seeing this individual in person for almost a year so I had time.
And then time raced forward and the event where I would see this person again was suddenly only about 2 1/2 weeks away. Aah! I needed to start writing.
Luckily, I had already decided how it would open. With dialogue. I like opening with dialogue. I find it to be a good hook. So the first part came pretty easily. Even the second part, although I was starting to feel like it was stalling or clunky or oh my maybe even boring. I wrote a couple more scenes. Three even. I was starting to hate it. I started thinking I couldn't do it, that I should just toss it and extend my apologies.
Then we saw a video on YouTube critiquing something - probably "The Rings of Power" - and a point was made that threw a switch in my brain. Yes. That was the problem. I was trying to EXPLAIN too much, bringing my mysterious character in too early and complicating everything with her backstory that needed explanation. Simplify, mystify, remember the vibe of the original story.
I highlighted and deleted pages and pages of text without hesitation. I edited the first three parts which still held up pretty well structurally, streamlining the slog of details that I had crammed in before, then moved on.
At last, the words began to flow.
The night before we left for the event where I would see this person again, I finished its final touches and sent it off to him via email as he had requested oh so many months before. I also printed hardcopy for him for kicks.
When we arrived at the event, I saw him sitting at a table playing a game and I strode toward him, hardcopy in hand. He glanced over his shoulder and saw me coming, and when he recognized me, he leapt out of his chair and pulled me into a bear hug.
"Fantastic!"
Can you get a better review than that?
I just sent him the hardcover version that includes the original story as well. I hope he finds the dedication page thanking him for the inspiration.
Comments