Questions about ponies

[pjthompson]

Not a lot of forward progress on the latest novel in the last few weeks. I took some time off to work on a short story and to do some research reading because I'd started to get that Middle of the Novel and All Adrift feeling. I was hoping the reading would help me focus. Some, not much. So I kicked the novel around a bit more, but my subconscious still resisted setting a course. It's a good thing I've been through this several times before because instead of feeling panicked, I just felt irritated.

So today I started asking myself the hard questions, like:

◆ How do you see the rest of this novel going?
◆ What kind of a lame-brained plot element is that?
◆ Have you considered switching genres?
◆ Hey wait a minute, are you really writing the middle book of a trilogy?
◆ What is that deep, dark character element you've been hinting at for 60k words but never quite made up your mind about?
◆ How can you possibly fit 1180k worth of novel into a 100k space?
◆ What about the tutu-wearing ponies? They've been waiting in the wings all this time...
◆ Who are you kidding?
◆ You must be kidding me. I don't see anyone else here. Are you kidding me?
◆ Have you considered a career in the Foreign Legion?

While I was at it, I sat down and did a proto-outline of what's left to get through. It clarified things wonderfully. Maybe I can start rowing again. Chances are, I won't follow the outline, but at least it got me headed towards the end once more. No doubt I'll have to plot the course again at some future point.

I still don't know what to do with the ponies. Maybe next novel...

In other news, I have been cleaning up the language on the last novel and I now officially hate it. Perhaps it would be enlivened with some ponies in tutus?




Venus In Transit

62,250 / 100,000 (62.3%)

Comments

[hominysnark.livejournal.com]

tutu-wearing ponies

I would so read that.

[pjthompson]

Then I really should squeeze them in somewhere...

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

ponies in tutus!

[pjthompson]

And I suspect they're princesses, too...

[pdlloyd.livejournal.com]

Oh, my sides hurt. Thank you, I think the tutu-wearing ponies have given me the best laugh I've had in at least a month. 8-)

[pjthompson]

Excellent. My work here is done... ;-)

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you're right on track ;-)

But seriously, hopefully the outline will let you blast through the rest of the novel, and then you can go back and jigger everything around.

And who knew Ramona would spawn a trilogy?

[pjthompson]

Sounds like you're right on track ;-)

Yep, this is about that time every novel.

But seriously, hopefully the outline will let you blast through the rest of the novel, and then you can go back and jigger everything around.

The jiggering will definitely be happening, but the blasting...I remain doubtful. Forward progress would be enough for me at this stage.

And who knew Ramona would spawn a trilogy?

Dude, you've met her and you're still surprised? ;-)

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Dude, you've met her and you're still surprised? ;-)

Good point.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

You've been hanging on to the ponies instead of trotting them out on the page for the reader's enjoyment???


In other news, I have been cleaning up the language on the last novel

Does this mean you're getting it cleaned up for moi?

[pjthompson]

I'm cleaning it up because I needed to, but you will probably be the "lucky" recipient. I'm not calling this the finalized version yet, but I absolutely needed to scrub it.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'll be ready whenever you are, chica. No rush. :) But just so you know, on my end things are calm.

[pjthompson]

I'm glad to hear that. :-) And thank you. :-) :-)