The Horrifying Blank Page…
So with 2012 off to a stumbling start and the fact that it coincides with the fact that I have to start an entire new book from scratch, I thought I'd drag you along each week as I trip my way down the writer's path of creation.
From previous entries you'll have noticed that I thought I was doing well. I had what I thought was book 3 all plotted out. I even used an actual outline this time around. I was so puffed up with a sense of accomplishment, which lasted until I gathered at the Swamp Shack with some of the other Dwarves. Then my puffiness deflated into an oozing pile of goo.
They weren't overly mean. I mean I could hear Eerie whispering with Mischievous and only made out a few words: "How the Fur Flies might work", Quirky just kept saying over and over again, "No, no, no…", Smokey perked in with an occasional "Did you say you created a book tree? What's a book tree?", Jedi just held onto her Yoda Zen-like opinion of "Write, do not write, there is only plot" and Snarky, she kept stroking her whip while giving me the evil eye. Seriously, really not the normal bloodbath but still…
After much debate, some ducking of flying objects I reluctantly had to admit that yes, this would make a fantastic book 4, and I needed to go back and not cheat my future readers and follow (no spoilers allowed) this particular character for book 3.
So I spent a few days tossing sharp edged things at the wall to see what would stick. I scratched out a new plot outline, which was similar to pulling teeth with no Novocain. So now I have a plot that will work with the overall story arc but I can't get my opening scene to gel!
My typical application of Lady Clairol is just not up to the challenge of covering my spontaneous eruptions of white hair as I labor to bring forth the bestest opening scene ever. However, this time instead of worrying over the bones of it, much like the hellhound and his decapitated duck from Christmas, I've given my self until this weekend to get it together. Because come Swamp Gas or Zombie hordes, I will begin this book this weekend.
