Write Day Friday 10/15/2010
 
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In my last Write Day Friday entry on September 24, I wrote about how I was winning the “Procrastinator of the Year” Awards and not making much progress on my manuscript.

Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve located my mojo and made great progress in the editing/rewriting of Second to None. I’m only halfway through the book, but that puts me a lot closer to the end than I was in September.

I attribute part of my success to FINALLY figuring out what’s driving my hero, Jeremiah. I knew Dee well because she was a secondary character in my first manuscript. I knew how outrageous and outspoken she could be, and what was driving her. When I started this MS, I thought I knew Jeremiah, but really I didn’t.

I struggled with him all throughout the first draft and into this second draft. In my gut, I knew something wasn’t right, but I couldn’t figure out how to fix it. J&D have a history and they both bring baggage from that past into the present. I knew why Dee was reluctant to get involved with him again. I gave him a reason for being upset with her, but I knew there had to be a deeper underlying reason for that anger to be justified.

I was beyond relieved when this part of his backstory popped into my head. It made so much sense and will make the book infinitely better.

If nothing else, I’ve learned that I struggle with characterization. Coming up with a basic plot is the easy part for me (so far, anyway). Trying to figure out who the characters are and what drives them is another story. But figuring that stuff out is so necessary. Plots are great, but the reader has to care about the characters in order to become fully invested in the story. The characters have to be unique and real and relatable and flawed. That can’t happen if I, the writer, have no clue who they are.

But, hey, the first step is admitting you have a problem, right? I bought a couple of writing guidebooks I hope will help me for future stories. I plan to read them after I finish Second to None. I’ll let you know what, if anything, I get from them.

So how’s your writing going? Do you struggle with characterization or is that your strong suit?

xoxo,
Jamie

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