So it’s 1:30 in the afternoon and I’m in my local Border’s cafe area taking a writing break. I suppose it’s not really a writing break since I stopped writing in Eugenia to write this blog post, but whatever. We all know I’ve been losing my mind for a while now. (On an unrelated note, Bubbilicious gum individual pieces are HUGE. I just popped on in to keep my coffee breath at bay and now I feel like I’m chewing two pounds of cud.)
With that lovely image in mind, I wanted to talk about my writing process a little bit today since I’ve pretty much left scheduled blog topics behind.
Each book I’ve ever written has either started with an event, a fun idea, or a character. Example:
Addicted came to being because I wondered what would happen if I guy tried to get a bunch of people addicted to one type of something (first clothing, but I later revised it to frozen food) to create a monopoly to eventually take over the fiscal world. (Don’t ask me how I came up with this idea, because I have no idea. I told you. I’m insane)
The Secret Wife came to being because a long time ago I started three stories with the same beginning: a girl has something horrible happen to her, she runs away to create a better life for herself, but years later, the horrible thing comes back into her life and she has to vanquish it. This time around, though, it was a spy novel and not just a really depressing YA story.
Cafeteria Scholars came to through the names Sophie Bricker and Dresden Martin, which I really liked. I had been trying to write a story for these two random characters for a while, and with the realization that it made more sense for smart people to cheat, this book was conceived. (At least, the idea for it, as it’s only like 20 pages long thus far)
Eugenia came to because I’m really interested in the idea of eugenics and I wanted to move away from pure spy books for a bit. As you’ll come to find out through the next couple installments of the story, I didn’t completely succeed, but no one is calling themselves a secret agent this time, so whatever.
Once I have a concept for a book, then I start getting to know my characters. I used to find character interviews on the internet and fill out an extensive questionnaire so I could organize everything I needed, but now I just write a few important things down and let it go from there. I don’t usually talk much to my characters until I need plot help, and THIS is where things start to get schizophrenic. Below is an actual conversation between me and my characters of the third spy novel I’m writing, tentatively titled Scourge.
For a bit of background, “I” is me, or “Isa”, as I refer to myself during these schizo conversations. “A” is Allyson Ashland, main character of The Secret Wife, the second of the spy books, “B” is Blair Hunter, main character of Addicted, the first, and “C” is Camden, the main character of this latest book.
I would like to apologize in advance for the swearing. My characters are very… strongly worded. And we all very rarely get along.
I: We need to talk.
A: No, we don’t.
B: Stop being a bitch, Ally.
I: Seriously, though. This plot outline will get us maybe another thirty pages. MAYBE.
A: Not our problem. Our books are already done.
I: But both of those endings have a slight cliffhanger that resulted in THIS book. And you should be happy you’re getting so much air time in this new one.
B: I’m actually kind of excited about it. So what do ya need?
I: A longer plot outline would be nice.
A: Augh. Fine. Where the hell is Camden?
C: Here. What’s up?
I: Allegedly, although the Mayans sacrificed people, it was all chill cuz they respected the environment.
B: SO not on topic.
I: Whatever. Ok, so what “big†is going on?
A: Honestly? They already pretty much know the organization. Maybe they just need to get to the boss. The person who’s pulling all the strings. Because it’s a pretty organized operation.
C: Maybe someone’s been planning another coup for a while, but never had he opportunity.
B: …but in the post-Dawson period, society is in shambles and has more motivation to flip.
C: Maybe he should be a third party extremist.
I: OK, platform.
A: A dialog on communism?
B: It has to relate to the government’s failure to help with the Dawson thing.
C: He could always blame a weak central government.
I: So… fascism? I like it.
B: Right. Ok. So one guy wants all the power… and wants everyone to follow him.
I: He could also start riots to kill the current political elite.
A: Sort of like a fascist John Galt?
I: Sort of.
~~
A: Great, you’re back.
I: I have no idea why I made you so mean this time. I really need to edit your book. And yours, Blair.
B: Yeah. Mine needs more work than hers. Bitch.
I: Hey, now. I wrote it as a 14 year old. Don’t get mad at my age.
B: You were fifteen. It doesn’t matter. Why are you even bothering to write the third book if the first two aren’t even done?
I: Technically, they’re done. I want all three of these finished. If I have an idea, I can’t just ignore it.
B: Sure you can. Go edit my story for a while-
C: She has another idea.
A: What?
C: I can just tell.
I: Damn it, Camden.
A: ANOTHER ONE?
I: It’s just a thought. This one is centered around getting something stolen back.
A: Like what?
I: I don’t know yet. Some sort of chemical that would start a reaction? I was thinking that the protagonist wouldn’t be an agent, but a normal person. You girls would be there trying to find the thing while she informed the public that it wasn’t stolen.
B: That’s actually not a bad-
A: ONE BOOK AT A TIME.
C: I’d say it’s a bit to late for that. She has four started, and two in progress editing.
I: I’m going to go…
A: Don’t you dare close out-
~~
I: Shit. I’m back.
A: That didn’t take long.
B: What about my story?
I: I left the edits I needed at home. I have no idea where I was going with that scene.
B: Great.
I: I will do it. I promise. That’s what I’ll work on for the rest of the week.
M: But what about ME?
I: Oh, hell.
C: Who the hell is this?
I: Meg, meet the UMA ladies. Ladies, this is Meg. She’s the protagonist from Eugenia.
A: What the hell is “Eugenia�
M: A cross between “utopia†and “eugenicsâ€.
A: Cute.
I: Hey. HEY. Be nice. I will have no cross-story hostility.
B: Whatever. What is she doing here?
M: Eugenia, in addition to being a great idea, is also being posted on a fairly regular basis on our creator’s website. And since she seems to be far more stuck on my book than on yours, I think I have priority.
I: That’s not exactly true…
B: We were here way before you!
M: But who is she posting on her website? Whose unfinished story will disappoint readers the most?
I: I’m getting help on yours, Meg. I promise. You’re right about immediate priority, though.
A: WHAT.
I: If it makes you guys feel any better, I’d rather not publicize the UMA stories so much, because I might actually have a chance at getting you published. And I don’t want the world to see that.
M: What, Eugenia isn’t worth publishing?
I: Not if I can’t finish it. And me posting it was supposed to be just a one or two time thing. I didn’t realize I’d keep it up. I’ve already finished two UMA books, so it’s clear I have a higher chance continuing them.
C: Take THAT.
I: What did I say about hostility? Also, Camden, your book is about as close to being finished as Meg’s. So you’re in the same boat.
S: Me, too. I’ve been stagnate for months.
I: That’s a lie! I wrote a few pages on yours last week!
A: Who is THIS?
S: My name is Sophie Bricker, and who the hell are you, taking away my author?
A, B, C, M: YOUR author?
I: Guys…
S: My book is her favorite. She loves the concept.
I: But I can’t seem to finish it…
S: Oh, you will.
I: Is that a threat?
B: Oh, SNAP.
S: You-
R: Mine was a good idea too! You get to write about Bart and debate!
A: What the f-
R: Rian. I’m from Burden of Proof
B: Debate? Screw that. Car chases and fight scenes, baby!
I: Oh, dear God. Everyone else needs to LEAVE.
S: “else�
I: This is CAMDEN’S outline/notes page. GO AWAY.
B: Does that go for us, too?
I: No. You’re part of that story.
M: Fine. But get going on my story. I need me some Decklan action.
I: GO.
-exit Sophie, Meg, and Rian.-
I: Now all I need is Sunny to show up…
S: Did someone say my name?
A, B, C: LEAVE!
S: Geez. Sorry.
-exit Sunny-
I: Ok, back on track.
C: Look, I got nothing. Let’s leave it for now, and come back later. We have a ways to go before the outline runs out.
I: Good idea. Talk to you guys later.
I am clearly, CLEARLY insane. And if this doesn’t prove that I should be a writer for the rest of my life, I don’t know what will.
