A Writer Needs Help Sometimes

THE END IS NEAR!

For almost a month, we’ve been pushing this Mr. Frankie, Substitute Dragon on social media, through ads, with friends… and the end is almost here. On May 30, the campaign ends. Right now we have enough backers to make the book a reality, but as of writing, we haven’t reached any of the stretch goals.

Yet.

I’m hoping we get there. I have some really fun ones I want to unlock. But, hey, I am not complaining. After all, another book will become reality. This one’s even illustrated with whimsical drawings! It’s all great stuff!

But a writer can’t stop. I’ve already outlined my next project. I already started writing it.

And then I had to tear it all down.

See, I have the plot all outlined, but the main character’s voice… seemed off. The book I’m tackling is book three in a trilogy, and each book has a different point-of-view character. And as I started drafting, book three’s protagonist felt an awful lot like book one’s.

There are certain similarities that did have to be there, but they are not the same character at all. Book one is all about loyalty to her girls. She’s an orphan, and she’s fiercely protective. Book three? She’s got a family and loves her sister and parents. Book one is all about doing what must be done to survive. Book three is all about dance.

But as I wrote, both came across as scrappy sassy badasses. They both had immediately likable attitudes and voice.

Now, I want them all to be likable! But they shouldn’t be the same.

So what did I do?

I stared at my blank screen for… way too long.

And then I talked to my wife.

I outlined my problem. I told her the issue.

And in less than five minutes she’d presented a solution. The characters aren’t the same anymore. The third preserves her likability, but now has a different personality.

That’s it. Just five minutes of talking it out.

If you’re a writer, can I suggest that you find someone that you can talk things out with? Someone you can just present the issue you’re facing? You may well find that they think of things you simply don’t see.

I’m often told that writing isn’t a solitary activity. It takes having other people around. And it does! And I received the benefit of that this week. Find someone who supports you. If you don’t have a friend or family member you can con into helping you, check out your local library. Many of them have writing groups.

And I continue to receive the benefit of you. Thank you for reading this blog, for stopping by so often, and thank you for those of you who’ve backed Mr. Frankie, Substitute Dragon. If you haven’t yet, and if you’re curious, please check it out! The end comes soon!