Getting back into daily writing after a forced break (you know health issues or emergencies), can make it difficult to find that creative spark. Especially when it’s book two, and you really never believed you would get this far in the story. Maybe a niche group of us writers who will understand this because it took us a decade or more to publish the first book! Yay, we did it!
Anyhow, I’m in that category of writer. I knew the first book plot front and back, but forgot to work on the other books in series during the process. Rookie mistake because now there are so many things I should’ve put in the first book to foreshadow what is to come, but I digress. Although, I can make up for it by knowing what will and needs to happen in the coming books, right? Right?
Where my problem is, I’ve got a good sense of the plot, the people, and what needs to happen to get to the end. But, I’ve made it a bit complicated that I can’t just write book two without knowing who does what, and how they connect to the main plot. That being said, I decided that I need to know how the story looks from the antagonist’s point of view. I know, I know. This should have been done long before now, but again, rookie writer here. I used to think that was over used writing advice, so I’m the first to eat my words on that subject. Don’t judge me too hard, please?
Being a new week, and with new determination, I’ve pulled up my world building file for Bischoff Black in Scrivener, and under my antagonist’s tab, I’m continuing on with that point of view. It’s been eye-opening and surprising, to say the least. Forcing myself into a different mindset, let me see the world I build from a different perspective. Mostly because I’m a passive person by heart, and being in an aggressive, self-serving mind set is hard to comprehend. At the same time, this is what needs to happen must be put down on paper for the story to work.
In the antagonist’s perspective, the hardest question is: what is the worst that could happen to my main character? And then you write it down. You write what the betrayal will be. I found myself actually hesitating typing it out today. I didn’t want to say it, to think of what it will do to everyone. And then, looking at my cast of characters and deciding who will be part off this betrayal, an what their fate will be. I felt sad, and I didn’t want to do it. But, it must be done. The best stories are not written where everything goes well, there has to be those moments of loss and betrayal.
Yet, it surprised me in that moment. It made me go, oh, that is going to hurt when they read that. I hesitated, but forced my fingers to type it out. Slow and with great hesitation, knowing all the while, that I still have to add more and more with each book. But right now, I’m taking a moment away from this narrative because it was as shocking to me to write it, as it will be for you to read it. And know, when you get to these moments, I felt your pain and possibly tears!
It’s not all bad! I promise. It will have some great highs to make up for it. It’s a journey, but one I love to take everyday. I hope the book in your hand is bringing you joy.
As always, remember, creativity rests in chaos!
