New Sparks


Yesterday, I rewrote the introductory scene between my hero and his crush. I showed it to my first reader, JV, and she gave it a thumbs down. She said it made Caitlyn too mean and why do I keep making her mean? Not the first instance I’ve had her say that. For some reason, while snark comes easy with Bix, when I try it with Caitlyn, I write bitchy.

So, I dropped JV off at the humane society and drove to Borders to kill time while she volunteered. As I drove I considered her critique. And as always, she was right. If I leave the original “meet” scene as is, the character seems as if she’s bipolar the next time he encounters her, but if I leave in the changes, the character’s a bitch. I knew I had to fix it, but how?

I drove and contemplated my choices and the answer hit me as I got closer to Borders, what if….don’t you love those words? I started thinking out the scenario and what changes it would entail. What if?

What if Caitlyn has an identical twin that Bix hasn’t officially met (or has he?) so Caitlyn isn’t bipolar so much as two different people.

I sat down with a coffee and a warm snickerdoodle and brainstormed at the Border’s CafĂ©.

I wrote the scene where he finds out and figured out how to drop a few hints earlier on. When I picked JV up, I read her the scene. And she loved it, so I think I’m back on track.

And this new character, Claire de loon, I really like her. She’s invigorating my story. Adding a new dimension I didn’t see coming. Love that. She's just the spark I needed.

Comments

  1. wow...a writing spark AND a warm snickerdoodle....what a lovely day. =) can't wait to read the new stuff margie...bring it on!

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  2. How cool is that? And I'm really jealous of the snickerdoodle, too!

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  3. Damn, woman. Are you trying to kill me? A warm snickerdoodle and a brainstorm???
    Way to go!

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  4. Who knew the snickerdoodle would be the envy of my critmates???? It was a good snickerdoodle, though.

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  5. Yay on the breakthru (I'd yay the cookie too but I'm still jealous you snakced on one)

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  6. Is there such a thing as a BAD snickerdoodle?

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  7. First of all, a trip to Borders does not constitute killing time. It is more of a chance to worship at the holy temple of books.

    Secondly, I know you've felt stuck for a while, so I'm very happy that you not only pulled yourself out, but are zooming onward at high speed!

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  8. Point taken, Christi. I will try not to diss Borders again ;)

    And I wrote one chapter yesterday and the skeleton of the next chapter
    (which is the dialogue).

    Onward and upward.

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