I haven't talked much about my current WiP. That's probably because up until a few days ago I was stressed out of my mind with various life things going on.
What changed?
Absolutely nothing. I simply realized not only was I unhappy, I was messing up my body with all of the stress. So I decided to chill out, and it worked.
Cool. And now I can get back to work. Not that I haven't been working--I did an edit on Instinct, and I've worked on my WiP (which we will call Loren for the sake of making sense), but I've been going so
s
l
o
w
.
Hopefully I can get back on track now. Loren is my first foray into a ghost/mystery type story. It's very moody, and much heavier on description than my other books. It's also first person present tense, which I've mentioned, and which is particularly challenging. I'm sure it's going to be a pain in the neck to edit, but I'll worry about that when I actually get through the first draft.
And, as far as ghost stories go, I think it's interesting. It's very...lovely. Hauntingly so, if you will. Tee hee. But I'm focusing much more on mood and subtle creepiness than shock factor. And there's absolutely no gore--there is, however, romance. It's a very internal sort of story, exploring how Loren's loneliness and emotional isolation contribute to...
Well, I can't give too much away, right?
If you were going to write a ghost story, would it be horror? Would you have buckets of blood and constant mortal peril? Would it be dark and moody? Would it be lighthearted? Humorous? I wonder how one would write horror. I'd say I never will, but you know me, that'd be my next project. And as much as I love blood and guts and gore, well, I don't.
I'll stick with my lovely, creepy, romantic mystery of a ghost story.
(ALSO: I have not forgotten Carrie and Janey, my contest winners of a poem in their honor. I just haven't been clever enough lately. And I haven't forgotten my cookie winners, Bevie and Sara, I just haven't had chocolate chips yet.)
20 comments:
I'd play on sadness for the ghosts thing. They've always struck me as being poor lost souls.
As for the gore — try writing a food fight scene, then edit, replacing words like 'fairy cake' with 'headless torso'. It's not as unpleasant as it sounds.
Inspirational advice which I for one shall endeavour to take. Hope it works for you. It's the sort of thing we've always known but keep well hidden from ourselves.
Slowly is better than not at all (which is where I've been lately). And relaxing is very important.
"So I decided to chill out, and it worked."
Girl, is there anything you don't do well? You make us mere mortals feel terribly insecure and self-conscious.
(No wonder I'm gender vague. [smiles])
I can't wait for this next one!! Oh, and you spelled "Lauren" wrong. She'll be mad.
If I were to write a ghost story, it would probably be creepy, but beautiful, if that makes sense. Hmmm, next WIP, maybe? :)
Hmm... I wonder what your definition of slow is. It's probably my break neck writing speed.
I'm a big time scaredy cat, so I don't think I would ever writer horror, but sometimes the haunting, "lovey, creepy" ones stick with you the longest. I think I'll probably just stick with writing the supernatural.
Yay for WIPs! If I wrote a ghost story, it'd be along the dark and heavy lines. I think gore is too, well, gory for me to write about without getting sick a little.
Also: on page 123, and I'm going to elope with West. Just so you know.
I'd write silly ghosts, obviously. They' probably also be former ninjas. And maybe related to some zombies. Sparkly ones.
No worries about that poem. Inspiration will strike eventually. Or we'll have another support group meeting to help. ;)
I'm intrigued by this ghost story. If I were to write a ghost/mystery story, it would definitely have romance. Or it'd be a kids book...mostly I'd enjoy doing illustrations for the book rather than writing it. I hear writing books for children is really difficult. But illustrating! That'd be fun.
(Whirl, you crack me up!)
If I were to write a ghost story (and I must say that the ghost is one of the few paranormal creatures that appeal to me) it would probably be similar to what you are describing: sad, dark, and a little creepy.
Coolest ghost story ever (Aside from The Canterville Ghost, which stands on it's own plane of awesomeness)is The Sixth Sense. It might be cliche of me to think so, but that movie stuck with me for months.
There is a ghost in my current WIP - she's a hoot! It's not a ghost story though. The story is about all the living people. My MC has to uncover their history to heal a bad situation and the ghost is like a guide.
She's also a big fan of science fiction.
I had a dream once that I thought would make a fun ghost story. It was a combination of humor and romance, the heroes being ghosts themselves, one of whom falls in love with the local 'school marm.' Make of that what you will. I really enjoyed the dream though...:)
Sounds like a challenging project.
Sounds like a great story! I would read it. :-)
I think you're ghost story approach sounds perfect ... I'd prefer lovely, haunting, and subtle to shock and gore!
I'm not brave enough to write in first person present yet!
Good luck!
Oh, and subtlety is better than shocking gore.
Ghost stories were my favorite growing up, and I'm glad you are adding to the genre. The dead have really been eclipsed lately by the undead.
I like suspenseful and beautiful in a ghost story. And it must have a lot of history. And every good ghost story has to have a mystery...why has the ghost come back? Glad you are staying away from the gore.
totally feel you on the stress thing. so glad you were able to chill. =) and wow on wip. sounds great--can't wait to read where you take it. or where it takes you.
Gah! I'm getting so behind on responding to comments. Hot Stuff had the day off (yes, it was great!) and yesterday the kids were at Disneyland and I had the day to myself (also great!).
I promise I'll be better, but I love all of your comments, and it seems like most of us are in the same boat mood-wise. Excellent. You'll all love my book then ; )
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