Hi Jeanne,

So, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and see where this is all going, but I will also try to give you suggestions as to how to keep those elements that you think are important while respecting the reality of your setting. 

I suppose fiction is fiction and fantasy even more so, but it does seem to me that if we choose a real place for the setting of our story, we should try to conserve some of the major characteristics of that place, and these last couple chapters - in my opinion - stray too far from the reality of Golfito. 

But, like I said, we'll see where it goes. 

It's still a great story, I'm just not sure it's set in Golfito anymore. 

Susan Stec wrote:

I felt the same way you're feeling right now and tried like hell to do a more concise outline before starting my second novel, Born Again.  Only problem, it didn't work because in one of the earlier chapters the whole story changed when one of my characters introduced me to Erzsebet Bathory disguised as a minister, a whole new plot, and a new conflict to get me to where I wanted to go.  Religious corruption, money, power.  I had no idea this was going to happen.  And further in the book they came up with another conflict.  Dorius having a history with the Blood Countess.  I did not see that coming either.  So outline number 1, 2, and 3 bit the dust and so on and so on.  So like King, I just wing it, but the basic idea of what I'm trying to get across is always there; the names change, how they get there changes too.  They just do whatever the hell they decide to do as each scene unfolds.  It used to freak me out, now I just sigh, type, and try to keep up. LOL

In Dead Girls Never Shut Up, I didn't know two ghosts were going to show up in the second chapter, no shit!  They just did.  And I had no idea Sara was going to kill herself; she was supposed to be my gay girl; the one that didn't inherit the gift.  My whole idea for the story, penned in my first outline, was to bring to light how being twins, one gay, one not, can effect teen politics in high school.  Toni didn't end up the straight chick that gets the gift, either. She turned out to be bi-sexual.  But the message is still there.  Homosexuality, teens, and the different reactions it produces while coming to grips with who you are.

I guess the trick is to write and outline, then stray, then write another outline, then stray, then write another etc. etc., lol. I just find I get lost in my own story and then it's so much work to get back on track. But you're right with when you say characters and situations just show up. I think we're just too creative for our own good,

Hi Jeanne!

I think it's a perfect solution to the Golfito dilemma, to just invent a location. 

Though someday I'd love to see you write a story set in CR...Maybe you can come visit sometime while I'm down there & I can show you around?  We can go to the beach, maybe nail a demon or two, and then I can send you off to dinner with some guy who looks really sexy but might just be a scoundrel at heart.     

I am really enjoying your story - I hope that's not gotten lost among my many suggestions.  You have a great premise & you are doing a great job of delivering it.

Hi Matty - First, thank you for keeping me inspired. It's great reveiwers like you who make me want to write and keep trudging along. I'm not done with DA yet, I've got (I figure) another 8 to 10 chapters to write and then I'll be done this draft. Then it's time for the rewrite.

Jeanne

Hey Jeanne,

I neglected to thank you for asking about "Uninvited".  I haven't forgotten about it - and I'm especially flattered you haven't, either!    It's just that my focus is Eolyn for the moment.  But I've got very little left to go, in terms of posting new chapters, on that novel, so I think once I get it "done" (in the sense of having posted all the chapters on tnbw - b/c, as you know, nothing is ever truly "done") I'll be able to focus on other projects, including "Uninvited".

I hope you've had a great weekend.

Last edited by rita aguilar (02-28-2010 21:14:18)

Hi Jeanne
As promised, I started Dark Angel and have you on my reading list. Did ch1 today,
but I may review at a slow pace. I have a lot going on right now. The story sounds
interesting and I could almost feel a "film noir" atmosphere around the hospital in
the first piece.

Lee

Thanks Lee - I'll have to go and read your review right away. Don't worry about reviewing slowly...take your time.

Jeanne

Hi Lee - I've got the outline done and plan to start writing soon. You know, I have never written fantasy and I'm kind of scared of screwing things up. It's not a genre I'm really familiar with.

It's okay to read Chapter 44 now - all fixed up. I'm much happier with it now.

I like it Jeanne. It's snappy.  And a good play on 'Death Becomes Her', with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. 

I think both titles are good though.  I like 'Dark Angel' too.  But then you haven't finished the novel and I sure hope that new title isn't an indication of what happens to Dane. LOL Please say no!

I like both titles.  I say pick the one that excites you the most. 

I really like it, Jeanne.  It grabs ya.

Thanks Susan and Matty - 'Darkness Becomes Her' it will be.