The Rough Patch

Yep – back there again! Every time, in fact. Every story has at least one rough patch (sometimes more, but that’s the way of story).

The muse (it can’t be my fault, can it?) can’t decide which path to take, which direction is the most interesting, shows the best ‘face’ to represent the theme.

So I go this way, write and write, turn around, and that idea just sits there like a wet mullet (is that the right expression?) – not the time to find out – got to finish this, got to find out the right path, got to move, move, move. Write, write, write.

If this is the time to stop, then it’s only time for the muse, not for me. Why? Because the muse may not come up with the best direction either. Sometimes, it’s a team effort – this way, no, that way – no, we go this way or I’m outta here! So go, I’ll find my own way!! etc.

I know what you’re thinking. No, I’m not a dual personality (there are many more than two musae in there), nor am I a ditherer. I would rather go the wrong way countless times, go the same way three times, as long as I know (in the long run) that it was the right way, that the story is best told in these words; that the message and the character and the story are as complete as they need to be.

It is in story that I find my many facets – not necessarily diamond facets. The bright and shiny planes of glitter in a life that is utilitarian and bland. The outside is the ordinary person, but the inside, the real side, has more facets that the best diamond. It may not represent the same value to anyone but me (and my characters and my musae) but it’s all mine, all me.

And you know what? I put that story in the competition. The one where a thousand words paint the picture (a literal attempt).

Why did I do this, especially after I said it was too close?

Because a writer has to be able to take the lashes that come from public scrutiny of their words, their work. Because I only enter a couple of comps a year, and I needed something for that one, too. So it’s out there. In Dec 2016, I’ll let you know what happened.

And the other comps?

One is finalised this week, so I’ll let you know after Friday. That story is a close and personal piece, too. It comes from a place close to my heart. It comes from the Stolen People, and the consequences of that act. The Question: what happens to the offspring who never know who they are or where they come from or why they get urges to ‘go wander’ their place? That is one part of the story.

There will be others.