Where on earth did all the time go?And more importantly, what the hell did I do? The answers to those questions seem to be eluding me for the present. In fact, 2011 seems to have been a total mystery and a potential waste of time.
The general act of writing became a general huff of disbelief in myself which finally culminated in my not completing, or even starting, NaNoWriMo this year. I got as far as the general concept for the story, but no further.
I also failed to complete any of the projects on my 2011 list. This was made more complicated by my constant changing of the jumpers I was using for goalposts. Far too many projects were added to an already long list and I left myself in such a state of confusion that I didn’t know where to start.
So, what have I learned and what will I do now?
The first thing I learned was not to have quite so many projects on the go at once. So I’m cancelling all my quick and dirty pulp stories for the time being. As much fun as they are, it’s too easy to get side-tracked and lose myself in new stuff.
The story concept I came up with for NaNoWriMo fell apart when I tried to pull the plot together and needed so much work doing to it, that I didn’t see myself ever getting around to starting. So, Deathalopod, is officially on ice. However, I did get something very valuable from the planning process, even if it was a bit vague.
The lead characters I created for Deathalopod were full of personality and seemed too good to just let go. Then I realised that if I dropped these characters into Monkeygeddon, all the problems I had with that story seemed to be solved. The biggest issue with my tale of killer monkeys is that everyone in the story wants the same thing – to get out, alive. That’s all well and good, but it means that my hero gets lost among the crowd of characters (15 at the last count), with the new characters, the hero has a much more defined role.
I also found myself revisiting other projects, such as my kid’s horror story, and spent much time researching circuses and freak shows. On top of this I’ve been making various notes and lists of titles and characters that I plan on finding a use for. Some of these have found projects, the rest are waiting.
So now I’ve got a better idea about what I’m doing with my stories, I have a plan of action for 2012.
I’m limiting myself to my original 4 projects which are:
- Monkeygeddon – A trash pulp tale of killer monkeys on the rampage in a theme park.
- The Chilling Tale of Skeleton Bob – A supernatural horror story for kids about a rather nasty child-killer with a secret.
- Harry Character is not Dead – A novella about the dangers of parallel universes and getting what you wished for.
- Septimus Jaggs’ Circus – A framed collection of short stories concerning the characters in Mr Jaggs’ circus.
Each project has its own file in Scrivener and the three longer projects have their own Moleskines for proper planning. There will, I hope, be a variety of short stories throughout the year, but I am not going to be adding any more long form projects to the list. If you should hear me mention writing a sitcom, please stop me. It’s for the good of us all.
So, let’s hope that 2012 is a little more successful than 2011 was. It can’t be much worse.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Goodness me, four projects is plenty to be dealing with. Says the woman with about twenty-seven different unfinished things lurking on her hard drive…
Get busy with Monkeygeddon. I wants to read that.
The monkeys are warming up and gathering the port ready for the new year.
As I was saying…
I love short stories so am particularly eager to read about the circus people, though hoping they’re not TOO scary/freakish.
You’ll be wonderfully busy in 2012 and I wish you nothing but success in your writing endeavors.
As for wrapping everything in dough before you eat it…
Marisa Birns recently posted..This Day Forward
Why thank you. I’m particularly looking forward to writing the circus stories. I’m still trying to get my performers together and so far have only got a pair of rather odd singers. It’s not your usual circus.
As for my doughy fascination, there’s nothing wrong with pies and pasties. As a special treat I shall arrange for a pasty barm to be sent to you. Unless I eat it first. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasty_barm
good luck, you miserable, hairy git. ;o)
)
i wish you mystical, magical muses for 2012, and hope you get at least one of these intriguing projects sorted. especially the circus. sounds brilliant.
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Thank you kindly. I am looking forward to becoming Septimus Jaggs and writing his book. Hope I can pull it off.
Please note that I introduced you to pink gin in 2011, thus making it a banner year for you. x
That is true. One of the few things I actually enjoyed about 2011. So much so, that I intend to repeat the exercise in 2012. In fact I’m making the drinking of more gin, my main resolution of the year.
A finer resolution has never been made. In fact, I will join you. We can cheer each on during the dark times when we think we can’t go on.
I know, I’m a giver.
Wow, that’s quite a list. It all sounds fascinating though. Is is scary living in your brain? The daring side of me would like to visit your thoughts for just 2 minutes….then again I’ll have nightmares about monkey clowns!!
Good luck – go for it! : )
My brain appears to have a mind of its own and insists on adding things to the list. Look out for a series of character pulp novellas that I have no intention of writing.
Much as I fancy myself a writer, I’ve written one complete novel which I’ve yet to turn into something I’d let people read; I rarely have anything to show for myself (besides blogging, but does that really count when I style myself as a fiction writer?); and I tend to get put off before I start by the honest realization that my ability to write a good plot… somewhat lacks.
However, you have filled me with that little flicker of inspiration that might be just what I need to get back on a horse that has been lazily chewing grass in a pasture I’ve yet to escape from for the last … well, ever. So thank you – and if ever I write something decent, I’ll be sure to let you know
Glad I could inspire you to carry on. I think we all need a kick every now and then or, if you prefer, we need someone to hold the horse steady while we get back on the damn thing
Hehe… that one made me chortle. Yes, hold the horse steady – they can be such pesky creatures, sometimes!