You Decide
Okay, my story has officially jumped the tracks. Am currently hanging from side of train. After sending action hero to rescue the dangling author (i.e. me), please suggest solutions (you may vote even if you are not a writer) ...
The best way to save the new book is to:
(A) Start again (No frellin' way)
(B) Write 25,000 words of sex scenes and end with a big bang. (Pun intended)
(C) Eat chocolate until the sugar buzz makes the book seem inconsequential. (Godiva is only about 3 miles away)
(D) Hire a web-kitten to eat or ignore the file, while the author moves to Mexico. (Friends/Family/Web-buddies welcome to visit)
The best way to save the new book is to:
(A) Start again (No frellin' way)
(B) Write 25,000 words of sex scenes and end with a big bang. (Pun intended)
(C) Eat chocolate until the sugar buzz makes the book seem inconsequential. (Godiva is only about 3 miles away)
(D) Hire a web-kitten to eat or ignore the file, while the author moves to Mexico. (Friends/Family/Web-buddies welcome to visit)
Comments
But I'd add a shot of tequila - or port - or brandy - to help the chocolate go down easier.
And voila! Plot problems will magically disappear with new (altered) perspective...because in the end, it's all about perspective. :-)
Anything we can do to help, other than suggest (detailed) ways to accomplish B?
Far - Regarding the additional offered help, sure. What did you have in mind? Anything except grapefruits with rum, which I can not (as previously established) abide.
P.S. Over at Kelly's blogs, the cats have answered.
http://wyrdsmiths.blogspot.com/
What I had in mind was: rum (grapefruit juice optional), some snacks, and a look at the situation. Maybe the combined power of The Unpublished Ones can help lever the track back onto the track....
I'm doing non-writing work today and tomorrow, which will give the characters time to talk amongst themselves. Sunday we'll see how willing they are to negotiate.
Re: What direction the runaway story is going... down the path of the subplots. This has been happening almost since the beginning. At first, I thought: "maybe these aren't the subplots; maybe they are the main plot." But no, I'm sure I had the plot right the first time.
Soon I'll do a post on what to do when characters mutiny. [And Kelly, wishing you well re: writing yourself out of that corner. I know you'll do it. :) ]
Hugs and Godiva (liquor flavored for Far) all around. See you soon.
I don't envy you the sub-plots problem. They're crafty beggars. Breed like rabbits and grow like bamboo if you don't keep an eye on them. I find a machete to be more effective than the traditional whip and chair.
*stuff happens*
Once you type this, then you just jump ahead to a part of the book that you do feel is back on the track and chugging along. Then, later, much later, go back and figure out what that "stuff" was.
Works for me most of the time, anyway.
"Where were you when I was hanging by my fingertips from the side of train thinking about you, me, and a bowl of tequila-filled chocolates?"
"I was coming," Ralph said gasping for breath.
"By what?" Dan interjected, "some slow boat from China?"
"I ought..."
"Stop it, Ralph. Dan saved me. There is a streak of goodness in him."
"It's ploy. He's a snake."
"He risked his life for me." Nell hugged Dan. "Leave us."
ANNOYING ANNOUNCER: Will Nell abandon Ralph for Dan? Does Dan have a streak of goodness in him after all? Will Ralph turn to the darkside like his father Darth? Tune in next chapter for "The Perils of Kimberly".