Hey all! Sorry for not posting for awhile. I've been busy with writing, but . . . I'm 1/3 of the way through to my word count goal! I wrote over 1300 words last night in writing sprints alone! And I've just passed 25K. My goal is 75K. Eeek! I'm so close! Okay, well, not all THAT close, but still. Hopefully it won't take me 2+ more years to write the next 50K. :P
But anyway, last night while writing, I was reflecting on how far my story has come. I mean, really. To tell the truth, on my first writing attempt, I didn't even really care about the story. It was just something I was doing to pass time, never for anyone else's eyes to see. But gradually, it began to push its way into my heart. I had never felt that way with any other story I had tried--and failed--to write. Also, the first draft didn't have a Breanne. Or a David. Or a Naomi, Braveheart (New addition I wrote in last night.), etc.
Endangered then and Endangered now are two whole different stories. You see, then Marc was a pirate who was rude and hateful and had no reason to be so. Guinevere was a sweet, godly young heiress who wanted to help others. Now, Marc is a merchant ship captain with a broken childhood and hidden fears, but still a good temperament. Guinevere is a spoiled rotten brat who I want to strangle sometimes, and she only thinks of herself. QUITE a long way, huh? And I was only planning for one book. Not a whole trilogy!
But after awhile, I figured, "Well, there's no way on earth I'll ever finish this all up in one small book. I know! I'll make another book! It can be about Marc and Guinevere AFTER they're married!" But little did I know that Guinevere had already decided there was no stinkin' way she was going to marry a "lowly sea captain". She's been making it harder and harder for me to end the book (Though it really doesn't need to end YET.) But I believe I've bested her. I've come up with a perfect plan while writing a scene last night. ^_^ Yep.
Anyway, on my second--or was it third?--rewrite, I created Breanne. I figured, "Hey, what rich girl doesn't need a personal servant? And they can be friends! Guinevere needs a friend!" But I hadn't even gotten through four paragraphs before I had a "fight" break out between them! Breanne had decided she wasn't going to be as I had imagined her. In my head, she had been sweet, kind, godly, honest, and all the other good qualities. In the story she became rude, hateful, troublemaker, provoking, and, oh, so many others!
At first, I didn't know why she was acting that way! So I tried over and over to make her sweet, only to fail. And then I realized *BING* she wanted her own story. She was demanding it! She said no to a Guinevere sequel, and yes to a book about her! I immediately said no. Who on earth would read about her? What would I write about? Haha, no. Well, she didn't like that. Nuh-uh. So she started her own love story. With David. I thought, "Great. Now her and David are falling in love. HOW DO I FIX THIS?!?!?!" And it hit me. I had to give her her own story. And that is what "Threatened" will be about.
Has this happened to anyone else? Small characters become big? They decide they need their own story? They ruin everything you planned and twist it all around? If so, comment with your experience, I'd love to hear about it!
God bless!
Galatians 6:9 KJV
But anyway, last night while writing, I was reflecting on how far my story has come. I mean, really. To tell the truth, on my first writing attempt, I didn't even really care about the story. It was just something I was doing to pass time, never for anyone else's eyes to see. But gradually, it began to push its way into my heart. I had never felt that way with any other story I had tried--and failed--to write. Also, the first draft didn't have a Breanne. Or a David. Or a Naomi, Braveheart (New addition I wrote in last night.), etc.
Endangered then and Endangered now are two whole different stories. You see, then Marc was a pirate who was rude and hateful and had no reason to be so. Guinevere was a sweet, godly young heiress who wanted to help others. Now, Marc is a merchant ship captain with a broken childhood and hidden fears, but still a good temperament. Guinevere is a spoiled rotten brat who I want to strangle sometimes, and she only thinks of herself. QUITE a long way, huh? And I was only planning for one book. Not a whole trilogy!
But after awhile, I figured, "Well, there's no way on earth I'll ever finish this all up in one small book. I know! I'll make another book! It can be about Marc and Guinevere AFTER they're married!" But little did I know that Guinevere had already decided there was no stinkin' way she was going to marry a "lowly sea captain". She's been making it harder and harder for me to end the book (Though it really doesn't need to end YET.) But I believe I've bested her. I've come up with a perfect plan while writing a scene last night. ^_^ Yep.
Anyway, on my second--or was it third?--rewrite, I created Breanne. I figured, "Hey, what rich girl doesn't need a personal servant? And they can be friends! Guinevere needs a friend!" But I hadn't even gotten through four paragraphs before I had a "fight" break out between them! Breanne had decided she wasn't going to be as I had imagined her. In my head, she had been sweet, kind, godly, honest, and all the other good qualities. In the story she became rude, hateful, troublemaker, provoking, and, oh, so many others!
At first, I didn't know why she was acting that way! So I tried over and over to make her sweet, only to fail. And then I realized *BING* she wanted her own story. She was demanding it! She said no to a Guinevere sequel, and yes to a book about her! I immediately said no. Who on earth would read about her? What would I write about? Haha, no. Well, she didn't like that. Nuh-uh. So she started her own love story. With David. I thought, "Great. Now her and David are falling in love. HOW DO I FIX THIS?!?!?!" And it hit me. I had to give her her own story. And that is what "Threatened" will be about.
Has this happened to anyone else? Small characters become big? They decide they need their own story? They ruin everything you planned and twist it all around? If so, comment with your experience, I'd love to hear about it!
God bless!
Galatians 6:9 KJV
Haha. That's quite awesome Katelyn. Your characters sound like such interesting people! I think my characters must be a bit more agreeable because I haven't had too much trouble in keeping them in line. Rior, the coachman, wasn't supposed to be much of a character, but he's a bit important now! And Winston was just supposed to be a servant, but now he's an important part of the story. I guess I'll see what else will unfold along the way. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. It's always fun to watch it unfold UNLESS you know how you want the story to end exactly. THAT'S when you get horrible characters. :P I think Elric sounds like my kind of character.
DeleteYes, Elric is a nice boy, if a bit tortured. Poor fellow.
DeleteThat's how I think of all my characters. :P
DeleteAh, yes. When characters start dictating you know you're in trouble. xD
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Katelyn!! I'm so excited for you!! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. Back in January I started a fantasy book about two siblings. I never thought it would become what it is today! It has been a wild wild adventure.
Haha, it's quite crazy! And it helps us appreciate books more. We now know what OTHER writers and authors have gone through.
DeleteKataleen, as I've told you, Ryan was just supposed to be a tagalong character. K, who was Jenna back then, was supposed to the main character, but then I realized she wasn't as interesting as Ryan. Although, if I had worked at it, I could have made it kinda cool from her POV, telling Ryan's story. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, I remember. I was quite shocked to learn that! But it's been fun to watch your story evolve. Quite fun!
DeleteOh yeah. I've had an experience like this. Both of the series I'm working on now have gone through vast changes since I started them. I also had a character that seemed to be insignificant at first and next thing I know he's one of my main characters, he's my original main character's older brother and he's one of my favorite characters in my books. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha. :D That's terrific!
DeleteCongrats, Katelyn! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've had characters do that. For a while I had a story idea about a revolution, and I had a vague idea of what I wanted the MC to be like. Well, she split into three characters. One that stayed as I'd imagined her, and a mother/daughter pair. The mother and daughter are now the main characters, and the other one is a side character.
And I haven't even written the thing yet. Heaven only knows what it'll turn out to be once I get it on paper/computer.
Bwahaha! Wow, I can only imagine! Sounds like something one of MY characters would do, they're so stubborn. >_< Hope all goes well with it!
Delete