Puzzles

One of the things I needed to give me a push was deciding what genre I was going to write. My previous attempt at a novel (still sitting in my editing folder btw, that’s a story for another day) was a crime related mystery with some s.e.x. built in. some raw juicy s.e.x. that wasn’t for the faint of heart. It was let’s say “thematic” not just straight run of the mill vanilla sex.

I do enjoy writing erotica and I had no complaints from my betas (tomorrow’s blog), but there were other parts that were just too drawn out upon deeper reflection.

I was stymied for a very long time and couldn’t seem to move past those two characters. They had something to say and I didn’t completely let them say it. Each attempt to move past them was met with futility and even some guilt for not finishing and publishing. In that one, I think I was my own worst enemy.

BUT, I am an avid reader- of fiction. I have enough reality in my day to day existence that I want to be carried away into pretend land when I pick up a book. And yes, I need to add this disclaimer right now. I have all my books in my nifty little reader.

I do not turn actual paper pages any longer.

Again, a story for another day.

I love reading the urban fantasy these days. I mean I have always- ever since I started chapter books, I’ve gravitated to either mystery or paranormal.

In 2020 I took a week’s vacation from Christmas to New Year’s and two things happened. One, I started making some jewelry, started with some simple chainmail. Yup, hooked. Two, I started a new story. I didn’t quite know what was going to happen, but my characters started evolving and during that mini break from work, I crafted a chapter, passed it along to @jaybederwehl, who gave his stamp of approval that I was on the right track.

My goal is to be done with the first draft by end of year and I figure by page count (for a standard size paperback) I’m about half way there. I am currently at 47.5k words and on page 180. Whether or not the story finishes before then or not…

That’s the puzzle.

Cheers!

m