See the laptop. See the kitten. See the challenge. I'm writing. Sort of. Sparky McGee wants to play. Kitty Peaches and Cream are napping with a do not disturb label. Even Puppy Cooper is snoozing. Our older dog, Jilly, idly lifts her head and Kitty Pavel hides. So I'm it. That's me in the pink shirt with the laptop and this is who I see when I glance down. I took a lot of pics to get one where he wasn't a busy blur. He's so funny.
I can't really blame all my writing challenges on Sparky McGee, though. The H&H in my current work --an older YA paranormal time travel romance-- have had their hand on the doorknob for weeks. I've left them standing on the porch of the mystery house while I try to plot out who will answer their knock. Everything hinges on who and what lies on the other side of that door. I have researched various time periods--exhaustively--because I'm not even sure what era we are in yet. And I've schemed different ways this story can go, but I can't make up my mind. It seems to boil down to that inner leading. Sometimes, I just have to open the door and walk through. Only then, will I discover what awaits my characters. Only then, will I know how the story goes. And this is the whole problem with me and plotting. I can only scheme so much. The rest I have to learn. I think I know how this story will go but invariably the characters chart a different course. Fear not, I am prepared. Research helps me jump here or there.
What of you? Plotter or panster? Or a combination of both, like me?
Back to Sparky McGee, he has moved on to cruising the bookshelves, furniture, etc, and attacking anything that moves which includes my toes. A thing doesn't even have to wiggle for him to pounce. He's on the prowl.
"I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat." ~Author unknown
"There is no more intrepid explorer than a kitten." ~Jules Champfleury
"Kittens believe that all nature is occupied with their diversion." ~F.A. Paradis de Moncrif
"Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?"~Irish Saying
Sparky McGee below when he's my contented writing buddy in sleepy mode.
Kittens happen. Thank heavens.
For more on my work, visit my Amazon author page at: https://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6/
Cute names for cute kittens. I'm a combo. First I plot. That gets me writing. Then the plot changes as I write. No matter how hard I try to stick with an outline, I can't.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joan. That describes me pretty well.
DeleteI had to laugh at this post, Beth. This is so like me. I leave my characters hanging in limbo, deciding what to do with them next. Maybe it's two stories competing. Send then to one era, then write the another book and send those to the other time era.
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely empathize with the adorable kitten. My black cat, Tux, is 5 now, but when he's tired of being ignored, he plops in front of me on my keyboard and types ZZZZZZZ::::::::::lllllllcccccccccccccccccc. I have no idea how to decipher his messages, but I "think" he's saying, "Quit ignoring me."
I'm not a plotter either. Does not good to try since the characters are always telling me what to do next.
Thanks Laurean! That sounds so familiar and is good advice. I suspect it is more than one story.
DeleteCute kittens. I'm a combination of both a pantser and plotter. Right now, I'm a little stuck on where I want a story to go, so I think I'll scribble notes and head toward some sort of ending.
ReplyDeleteMaybe many of us are like this. Thanks Judy Ann.
DeleteYou are so lucky! What a cute baby! I am so jealous!
ReplyDeleteHe is adorable. :)
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