ieva melgalve » antagonist

the first words

ieva — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:03:47 +0000

My idea to have a first draft before any serious worldbuilding is working out nicely. Well, it isn’t technically a “first draft”, it is, so far, unattached semi-scenes, more of a setup than a reality, glimpses into the world. However, I’m writing 300 words a day average (well, at least I should be writing; I haven’t met my today’s goal yet), and these glimpses give me more and better insights into the world than I ever got while planning. And, had I planned it before as I thought I would, I would have it incredibly more boring (for me at least, and my own interest is all that matters at this moment).

I got my protagonist, although she’s still a bit stiff or raw or whiny or–I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but she has no real, likeable voice yet.
I have my antagonist or probably lover, I don’t know that yet either. He hasn’t said anything yet but I am fascinated already.
I got a setting that’s more than good vs evil. That piece of information came to me in a state between sleep and wakefullness, and I absolutely adore it because it’s so, well, true.

I haven’t figured out yet the magic. I migh swap the two different types of magic usage between the two cultures.

I’m excited. And still sleepy. And reluctant to actually put any words on paper.

But I know I can now, and it feels way more healthy than anything I’ve had since end of November.

stalling

ieva — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:59:30 +0000

The usual sentiment is that whenever a writer starts slacking badly, this means that she should just keep on writing and hope for the best (e.g. that it’s her natural laziness keeping her from doing what she has to do).
For some reason, the usual rule does not work that well for me. Whenever I push myself to write, I make long and elaborate meanderings in nowhere, stuff that I’ll have to scrap anyway. Writer’s block in this form (abrupt halt in story while still being sorta interested) means one of two things:
a) I have not figured out the next plot turn,
b) there is a plot hole gaping right at my feet, and I feel it subconsciously and thus am unwilling to step forth… and if I push myself there, I’ll land with a thud five thousand words later.

So instead of pushing myself, I started poking around with my virtual notecards and discovered
1) a take 2 on my “antagonist” problem… yes, it seems that I’m changing it again (and I’m starting to doubt the whole point of having a designated villain since all I’ve found this far have promptly turned to those symphatetic and painfully flawed characters that take, in fact, *noble* choices to deal with their flaws),
2) a character inconsistency in my designated villain (she is certainly not that wicked as I thought… but a lot more naïve).

I hope I’ll find time to actually write something too today.