I am 3,000 words, give or take a few, in to The Englor Affair. The prologue was sent to my cp’s for inspection today. I’ve no clue what they think yet. For all I know they are going to tell me to “do over, it sucks” but it feels good. I like the feel of the story so far, I feel like the characters are talking to me and things are coming to me out of the blue without me having to wrestle them to the ground and beat my muse to a bloody pulp. Not that I’m above doing that, mind you, I like a good fight, but I also enjoy it the easy way.
Starting a new manuscript is a neat feeling. It’s refreshing and fun, exciting. It’s like meeting new friends and getting to share their ups and downs. Like raising a child without the dirty diapers and middle of the night feedings. Don’t get me wrong I’m not belittling raising a child. I too have children and know what it’s like, but it’s the best description I can come up with. There are lots of ups and downs of writing a manuscript. They do get you up at night. You wake up from a dream and just have to write it down, so you won’t forget. Then the next morning you wake to find out you’ve had this great idea about a vampire turtle, wearing a pink tutu who rescued your characters from a burning building. Like children, a new project will keep you from falling to sleep. You find yourself pondering anything from what your characters are going to wear in the next scene to endless plot developments, different angles you should explore. Personally, I like the creative process. I like letting the characters stray off my plot and feed me new angles, new subplots and even introduce me to their friends. I like being preoccupied with my characters and going grocery shopping and find myself thinking one of my characters would rather have this for dinner. The down side to a new manuscript is that eventually it will end as they always do.
Writing those two little words on the last page is a bit depressing. The editing process is more mechanical and not near as creative but you do gain a sense of accomplishment. You’ve learned your characters, gotten to explore things with them, but editing is like preparing them for their life without you. I guess in a small way it’s like sending a child off to college, without near as much angst. You worry about how they will do (if readers will like them), you worry if they are good enough and feel a since of pride when they are well accepted. At any rate, it’s inevitable, but for now, I’m enjoying myself and having fun starting this new adventure.
Written by JL Langley
JL is a full-time writer, with over ten novels to her credit. Among her hobbies she includes reading, practicing her marksmanship (she happens to be a great shot), gardening, working out (although she despises cardio), searching for the perfect chocolate dessert (so far as she can tell ALL chocolate is perfect, but it requires more research)
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