Oh my gosh. Only the end of March and it's already been such a year! Our mid-20th-century house (definitely NOT as charming as that description sounds) has needed major systems repaired or replaced, one after another, for the last five years. This year it's the septic system. Sigh! And, as if taking on large debt in our 'old age' wasn't enough, I had spinal fusion surgery in mid March. Nearly two weeks ago now, and feeling a little better each day.
[Photo: A "Cry Cry Horse", Chinese mascot for the year of the Horse. The frown was a production error that's been unexpectedly popular, for capturing the "zeitgeist" of 2026.]
With so much going on, I suppose it's not surprising I've had trouble focusing on writing for the last few months. I hope you don't mind if this post is mostly me just blathering on about my novel.
Sometimes it's hard to think of specifics, the actual events in a scene that move the plot or character arc forward. But I've found if I can just get myself to write *something*, new stuff appears on the page without forethought. That serendipity is freeing. I'm learning to not be overly-attached to specific story events. There's always some other event or situation I can use to push the plot forward.
Although I've planned out each character's storyline, and how they intersect with the others, it's not always easy to decide which character to write about on a given day. Usually it's the main protagonist, since she's the one the whole plot hangs on.
The female main protagonist, POV-1, is Seja. I've reached the point where she's met the dragon, F, POV-2. Seja has just unwillingly agreed F can accompany her on the search for her son, who was kidnapped by the Antagonist's men.
K, the Antagonist, is POV-3. I've only written about a third of his storyline. I enjoy writing this character, and I have all kinds of adventures planned for him. But he's also hard to write, because everything he experiences has to impact what kind of person he is, to show his descent into villain-hood. Sometimes it's hard to think of what psychologically-damaging experiences I need to inflict on him.
Another difficult thing about writing the Antagonist, is showing how his inner need conflicts with Seja's in some way. Due to their individual life experiences, they each have an inner need to be in control. But they respond differently to that need, and the actions they each take to pursue that need/goal are what bring them into conflict.
POV-4 is Seja's son, G. As a secondary character, his storyline is less detailed, so it's more than half done. Currently he's a captive at the Antagonist's fortress, part of the slave-labor rebuilding the damaged structure. He's just met another captive, N, POV-5. These two secondary characters will eventually organize a slave rebellion against the Antagonist.
N, POV-5, has been the most distracting character to write. My initial idea for her was relatively minor. But she insisted on having a bigger role, which meant creating a bigger backstory than I originally planned. N and G might develop a romantic relationship, but that's a big maybe. N has a lot of....baggage. And G might not want to take on a life partner with all those strings attached. I'll figure it out eventually. Really counting on serendipity there.
Seja's estranged husband, T, is a minor secondary character. I haven't written any scenes in his POV. He does have a role to play in the effort to defeat the Antagonist. So there may be scenes that require his POV. Not sure yet.
Another minor secondary character is Seja's Aunt, R. She was the leader of the caravan that G was kidnapped from. Right after the raid, R is stuck in a little village, waiting for her wagons to be repaired so she could continue. She runs into T on the road, and he tells her what's happening. R, a well-known trader with contacts all over the country, gathers people she knows and heads for the fortress. R has an interesting backstory. I don't know yet if I'll use it, but it's there if needed.
In other news, you might remember I had a story short-listed for a fantasy tavern anthology. The last time I heard anything was summer 2025. Since then it's been **crickets**. The anthology editor posted on her blog that she fully intends to publish the anthology, but is still looking for funding. So....we'll see.
Happily, Treasure Valley Writers, the local writers group hubby and I joined, is still going strong. Mostly there's five of us at meetings, with a couple others who participate less regularly. We meet once or twice a month to talk about writing, a specific aspect of craft, ask each other for critique on short excerpts, or help each other brainstorm when we're struggling with something.
I know it's nearly April, and I don't usually make New Year's resolutions anyway. But if pressed, I'd say my goal this year is to finish the &%$#! rough draft of this novel. As I've said before, vomiting words onto the page is hard for me. But I'm about halfway through the messy middle now. It's progress! Even so, if I want to finish drafting this year, I need to get more words on the page per week.
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