Balancing Romance and Sci-Fi: A Character Study

One of the problems with writing Erotic Science Fiction is the fact that many potential readers assume the focus is on the erotic elements rather than the underlying science fiction and general plot. To try and overcome this perception, I’m sharing some excerpts from my series, A New Past to share some of the “non-erotic” elements. This excerpt is from chapter sixteen of Book One and deals with family troubles for the main characters.

I drove home and decided I needed to fill Mom and Jim in on what was happening.  Mom was none too happy, but seemed to resolve herself to the fact that Janet was overreacting.

“Paul, we’ve talked many times, so I know you do love Jeryl.  I don’t believe it is the typical high school love that will fade in a few weeks or years.  When I see you two together, you remind me of myself and your father, or Jim and myself.  You treat her with love and respect as a partner, not as a playmate.

“You both have to realize that parents loving their children is a different kind of love.  We want to protect you and spend a long time in that role.  Over time, it becomes habit.  Sometimes it’s hard to let go and let you feel the pain that can come from adult decisions.  You and Jeryl have made plenty of adult decisions, but this one is a decision that Janet feels strongly about.  For some reason, she fixates on it.”

“She does.  All three girls have mentioned it.”

“Well, until she can resolve that fixation, she is not going to be willing to let go.  What I’d ask you to do, is make sure Jeryl doesn’t let this turn into her own fixation.  Don’t let her allow this to define the future of her relationship with her family.”

“I won’t.”  I knew the sense of loss I had felt the first time through, growing up without a father.  I would not let Jeryl experience that.  “Thanks for listening.”

I was surprised to see Jeryl’s Range Rover pull into the yard a couple of hours later.  I was more surprised to see Jerry get out from behind the driver’s seat and head toward our door.  Jim and I met him on the deck.  I think Jim was looking for a shotgun.

“Paul, can I talk to you for a bit?” he asked without preamble.

“Certainly, sir.”

We headed out to the office in the shop.  Jerry seemed a little lost as we sat down.  Finally, he collected his thoughts.  “Paul, I told you once that I believe you’re good for Jeryl.  I still do.  She has blossomed into a beautiful, charming young lady while she has been going out with you.  I hope her mother can come to realize that.”

“But?”

“But nothing.  It’s as clear as the sunrise that you two belong together.  I learned that lesson once, the hard way when I agreed that you shouldn’t see her.  It was like a light dimmed at our house.  I’m not about to let that happen again.”

“But?”

Jerry shook his head.  “But I also have to live under the same roof with both my wife and daughter who can’t even speak to each other right now.”

“I wish I could help.  If you have any suggestions, I’d be happy to hear them.”

Jerry looked me in the eye and then seemed to relax in his chair.  “You can keep loving Jeryl and try to be patient with the rest of us.”

“That I can do, sir.”

“Right now, I’m trying to keep things civil over there.  Janet told Jeryl she was grounded, as if that will make a difference.  Once I got them in separate rooms, I asked Janet if she really wanted to drive her daughter away.  That seemed to finally get through to her.  I think she has thought she could control the girls the way her mother controlled her, but she’s never acknowledged that Jeryl got her willpower from both of us, in spades.”

I chuckled.  “Jeryl is a lot more than strong-willed,” I said.  “She could give mules lessons in stubborn if she set her mind to it.”

Jerry actually smiled.  “She gets that from both Janet and I, so be careful.  Make sure she knows your boundaries.”

“I think she does.  I hope she does.”  We sat silently for a moment.  “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, what makes Janet and her mother so opposed to me?”

Jerry sighed.  “I don’t know that it’s you specifically, but more what you represent.  Janet had an older sister.  Evidently, she got pregnant very young.  Her mother drove her off and then railed against Janet and then our daughters for the rest of her life.  The first time Janet introduced me to her, I thought she was going to shoot me.  Of course, I had already proposed at that point.  I think that’s the only reason Cynthia let me continue seeing Janet.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is.  Neither of them will discuss the matter in any rational way.  Janet’s sister and that baby are forbidden topics.”

“So, is there anything specific you’d like me to do?”

“I never imagined I would be discussing my youngest daughter’s sex life with her boyfriend, but I’d like to know that you two have been careful and protected.”

“We have.  Jeryl started on the pill over a year ago.  We both love each other deeply but aren’t ready to start a family yet.  In a few more years, we’ll see.”

“Have you talked about that far in the future?”

“Of course.  The weekend she got home from her grandmother’s two years ago I told her that all the money I’m making is for us, including her.  I want her by my side as long as she wants to be there.  She feels the same way.  I know it sounds cliché, but we complete each other.  I miss her smile and her laugh, and I appreciate her mind and wit.  I’m not interested in a physical plaything.  I fully intend on asking your permission to make her my wife in the future.  But we’re not ready to do that quite yet.”

“Why not?”

“I guess we both hear our parents telling us that high school romances seldom endure.”

Jerry shook his head.  “So, we caution you, you listen, and as a result you run the risk of losing each other.”

“We do listen, but I don’t think we are risking anything.”

“Well, I hope not.  In the meantime, I want you to know that when you do decide to ask me, I will give my blessing.  Janet may be another story, but you’ll have mine.”

“Thank you, sir.  And thank you for coming over today as well.”

Jerry stood to leave.  I followed him to the door.

“By the way, Paul, I’ll make sure Jeryl is at work on time Monday.  Grounding has never been a reason to miss work in our house.  I won’t let it start being one now.”

I held back my grin until he was pulling out of the driveway.  He had come a long way in thinking about me over the past few years.


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Navigating Plot Challenges: Writing into a Corner

I’ve been editing and polishing my latest story, as discussed last month. I know I’m making the story better and stronger, but it is not without its challenges. One issue I faced is the skipping of progress in certain character/conflict arcs. My method of tracing these arcs exposed a weakness in part of the story. I realized that I had essentially skipped over showing progress in that conflict.

As I work to resolve that issue, I’ve expanded the conflict. I’ve added several thousand words to the overall story. The obstacles facing the character are more difficult. They are also more compelling to the reader. But now I’ve written the character into a corner.

I want to be clear; I like what I’ve added. However, I don’t see a clear path to resolving this part of the story. Without sharing major spoilers, this part of the book deals more with a procedural crime novel than science fiction or fantasy. The character is uncovering leads and connections, but has now hit a wall that makes progress nearly insurmountable. Their progress supports the larger tale with interesting background connections. It raises the stakes for one of the main conflicts. But, I need to find a method of linking their current progress and dilemma back to the main tale. How can them resolving their part of the conflict tie into the larger story?

One method of resolving this that I’m exploring now, is to write a few sentences of possible scenes/options using a yes-and approach from the MICE model in my post on flash fiction. This forces me to write the action the characters take, and the reason/outcome that moves them closer to resolving the conflict.

I know I’ll get there, but this is obviously a problem being a gardener-style writer.

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WIP – Technomancer: Exploring Malachi’s Dark Bond

Continuing to share the opening scenes from my current work in progress, Technomancer.

Malachi felt something through the bond he had created with the priestess. Sensing her thoughts across realms was more difficult than he had foreseen. He sat down in the chair on the balcony overlooking the chaos sea. The churning energy from this realm filled him with power. He closed his eyes, sending his senses down the bond. He could sense her struggle – her determination to forge a new path in a world dominated by technology and those who wielded its power. With a wicked grin, Malachi reinforced the geas he had laid upon her. His will whispered into the depths of her subconscious the importance of finding a man of power and influence in the realm of technology. Finding his prey would ensure her survival and success. He would have the power of that distant realm. He would use that power to bring the others to heel. 

He embedded the return command deep within her mind, ensuring it would only be revealed when she has ensnared her target and was ready to bring him back to his new master. Her desire would have no power. Her victims will would be tied to the priestess. Her quest would be fulfilled, regardless of her own feelings or desires.

His will, Malachi Guardian of Set, was all that would matter for the priestess’s quest.

This excerpt is short, since it is a quick-cut at the end of chapter six. The scene sets up some tension in one of the main plot lines that is expanded in the next chapter. I hope you are enjoying this serial sharing of the story. Please like or comment if you want more.

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WIP – Unraveling Mysteries: Elara’s Journey in Technomancer

Continuing to share the opening scenes from my current work in progress, Technomancer.

Finn was surprised when Elara reappeared, clean and in a different though similar dress. She also had sandals on her feet. His breath caught at the sight of her. He felt nearly invisible in her presence. His normal clothes were functional, not fashionable. He was still in the gray and charcoal plaid shirt and dark pants with the many pockets he had worn for the past three days. He had taken off his regular shoes while making tea and donned comfortable slippers before sitting at his small table to look at his notes.

“Thank you,” Elara said as she joined him. She eyed the cup of tea he had prepared for her and then lifted to smell the aroma.

“It’s a herbal blend,” Finn said. “I didn’t think caffeine was needed. I don’t know about you, but I need some rest before tackling next steps and figuring out how to help you.” He took a sip from his mug and was pleased when Elara copied him.

“You don’t believe my story,” she said after enjoying the first sip of the floral and citrus tea. She could feel his wariness at her assertion. The goddess had not abandoned her completely. Her lunar intuition was still with her. He required proof.

She reached out with her mind and canceled her moon weave once more.

Finn blinked as her dress disappeared, and nearly dumped his hot tea in his lap. Even with damp hair and no makeup, she was stunningly beautiful. A moment later, she was clothed once more.

“I am to be a priestess of the Moon Goddess,” Elara said. “That is one of my gifts. I am not of your world, Finn.”

“I, I believe you,” he stuttered. “But why are you here? How did you get here?”

Elara nodded, then told what she recalled. She ignored her rape, not wanting Finn to look down on her or send her away. Such shaming and casting out would be expected back in Elysia. No woman should put herself in a position to be taken as Elara had been. At least that is what most of her folk believed.

Finn was nodding when she finished telling of her awakening in the alley and the suspicion she had of being under a compulsion. “A quantum tunnel could explain your transport from one dimension to another,” he said. “I don’t know about this geas you mention, but it’s possible some sort of entanglement was used to override your sense of connection and will.” He shook his head again. “If that is what has been done to you, it’s evil worse than I’m fighting.”

“What do you mean?”

“The men I was fleeing are protecting evil here. They use the technology I helped make to watch and influence everyone; to wield their power. Worse yet, they use it to hide their own evil actions. If they had the power to control free-will, like what was done to you, they would be unstoppable.”

Elara paled at his words. The magician could already control her. Did he want someone from this world to do the same on a much larger scale? If the powerful here that Finn mentioned could watch the masses, how much worse would it be in Elysia when she completed her quest?

“What will you do?” she finally asked.

Finn sighed. “I need to turn over my proof to someone who can announce it to the world. If enough people are aware, the people will demand change.”

Elara felt unease with his plan. “You have such powerful bards here that can talk to the whole world?” Elara asked.

“No, but we have a few journalists who retain some integrity. They have the connections to broadcast what is going on. At least, I hope they do.” Finn stifled a yawn. “I need to sleep on it. I think I know who I can trust, but it’s been a long few days for me.” He eyed his couch. “You can take the bedroom, and I’ll stretch out here,” he said.

“You only have one bed?” Elara asked, suddenly tired as well. She had been unconscious, used, and abused, not asleep and resting.

“Yes. The second room is my office. I never put a bed in there.” He chuckled to himself. “I’ve never had a guest here before, for that matter. This has always been my refuge from the world.”

Elara sensed the honor in him as he thought. He would only bring a stranger here whom he had sworn to aid and protect. Finn may not be a powerful man in this world, but he was a good man. For now, that would have to be enough for her. She prayed the geas would agree.

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WIP: A Glimpse Into Elara’s Struggles in Technomancer

Continuing to share the opening scenes from my current work in progress, Technomancer.

Elara closed the door behind her and looked around the tiled bathing chamber. A mirror filled the wall behind the washing basins. She figured out the taps and spotted similar handles in a glass enclosed space to one side. She reached in and turned them. Water began to stream out of a nozzle set high on the wall. She nodded and concentrated for the briefest of moments to let the weave of moonbeams that had made her dress slip away. Naked once more, she stepped into the small room and let the tepid water cascade over her body. She closed her eyes as the water warmed, then hung her head and cried softly.

“Goddess, hear my prayer,” she pleaded.

There was no responding sense of comfort or attention. She was alone, she reminded herself.

Her lessons on pity washed over her mind once again. With limited determination, she grabbed a sponge and scrubbed at her body. She tried to blot out the memory of being soiled by the vile man who had stripped her connection to her goddess. She wanted to wash away the memory of what he had done to her.

Elara used the bar of soap to clean herself further, shocked at the amount of filth that had accumulated on her feet. Finn had been right to ask her to clean up. He may not be the powerful person she needed to seek, but he seemed to be a good man. Even in her home, few people fleeing for their lives would have offered to help a stranger.

Once clean, she turned off the water and stepped back to the cold tile floor before the mirror. She saw a towel hanging on a bar, and used it to dry her hair first, then her body. She ran her fingers through her damp hair, and then without thinking, wove the moonbeams once again. It was easier this time, just as it had been easier the second time performing the weave as a novice. Looking in the mirror, she saw the dress was more substantial as well, less translucent and revealing. It was not yet the full length she expected, but it was below her knees now. Sandals were on her feet as well.

She nodded to herself. Maybe her goddess had not abandoned her completely.

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Essential Editing Tips for Novelists: Filling Plot Holes

Last week I discussed ongoing editing of my current work in progress. The difference between creating and editing has been a motivational struggle, but I feel I have gotten into a rhythm over the past week. Here are a few accomplishments and observations since that last post.

  1. Plot conflict tracing is done for all of the major plot lines and reader promises. This was a big effort, but helped spot a few continuity errors, as well as some missing plot details relevant to the conflict.
  2. I’ve closed the major miss I discussed last week. I had only implied the resolution, not provided a scene showing the definitive outcome. As a result of that observation, I added a few short (500 to 1000 word) scenes that not only bring the plot to a resolution, but also set up follow-on story opportunities for the future.
  3. Story length is not going to be a big issue. Yes, I’ll add scenes that will probably push the novel beyond 100k words, but it will be better for it. I took a look at chapters in the first half of the book and realized they read “light” in the sense that I skipped over details that would make the characters richer and the later stage conflicts more meaningful. As I reviewed the novel, the pacing still feels right even with additions, and it was the pacing I was concerned about more than the overall length.
  4. Staying in a routine during editing is important for me. During NaNoWriMo, I was cranking out 1,500 to 2,000 words every day. Editing has seen me float between 250 and 1,000 words depending on if I’m editing, tacking plot points, or reworking scenes. It’s a different pace, but I am now satisfied with it. I feel that giving myself some grace on the progress is important to keep me from rushing out a bad novel.
  5. I’ve decided to continue using my work in progress for my regular Monday posts (Marketing Monday’s) in hopes that I can build some demand for the novel once it’s ready. Feel free to comment on any of those WIP posts.

As we come up to the end of the year and holiday celebrations, I’ll continue working while also connecting with friends and family. I hope everyone has happy holidays, and look forward to sharing and hearing comments as you follow along on this journey.

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Marketing Monday’s: Discussion of WIP posts.

My recent marketing Monday posts have been focusing on sharing chapters and scenes from my work in progress, tentatively titled “Technomancer”. The story is intended to be a blend of fantasy and science fiction with two primary viewpoint characters, as well as some supporting characters with their own point of view narratives.

To date, I’ve posted the five chapters that form the prologue of the book, and generally introduce the protagonists and antagonists. With yesterday’s post, I began sharing the main body of the book, or the first act if you want to think of it that way.

Why show a work in progress, rather than excepts or other methods of marketing my existing works? It’s a fair question. My problem with continuing to pick scenes from my other work revolves around two facts:

  1. My other works are Erotic Science Fiction, which means some scenes are not really suitable for public posting. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t object to posting or sharing these scenes, but I also don’t want this blog to become an erotic publishing platform.
  2. Spoilers will come to light if I continue sharing elements from my published books. I have several scenes from “A New Past” that would make good teasers for marketing, but they either require knowledge of what has come before them, or they will spoil something that I hope the reader will discover in the narrative. This is especially true for books two and three in the series, since they will reveal things that come before them. Neither type of spoiling is how I want to promote my work.

For these two reasons, I’ve been focusing on my current work in progress to build your desire to read the full tale. I won’t be posting every chapter or scene here. I will try to share scenes that build tension and engage readers with the main characters. You’ll have to let me know if I’m successful. Like the posts or leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

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WIP Technomancer Excerpt: A Glimpse into Finn’s High-Tech World

Continuing to share the opening scenes from my current work in progress, Technomancer. This is the novel I completed during NaNoWriMo.

Finn looked down the street without focusing on any single shop, building, or person. He felt the neighborhood as much as watched it. Despite the late hour, people were out and about living their lives without realizing they were watched, even in darkness. He knew. He had helped build the modern surveillance state.

Finn’s apartment building stood as an unassuming testament to everyday life. Its brick exterior was well-worn and faded, its once-vibrant colors now dulled by the passage of time and the relentless exposure to the elements. The building, a four-story structure with a pitched roof, blended seamlessly into the fabric of the community – an unremarkable presence amidst the myriad hues and architectural styles that defined the area.

It was safe in its anonymity. Nothing stood out on it to draw the eye. He glanced at his phone, checking his security systems and the spy-eyes he had scattered around the blocks near his home. The government would love to know how he managed to surveil the area without using local spectrum to transmit images. He smiled to himself. They would likely kill to keep others from being able to establish the quantum entangled communications he had perfected. It was just one of the secrets he needed to protect.

Elara stayed close to him, still disguised in his jacket. Something had troubled her in the subway. He had felt her stiffen and then drop her shoulders as if depressed by a sight, but nothing had stood out to him. His plan to spoof the video feeds in the station had gone off easily. They had boarded the third train into the station and then been whisked uptown to his neighborhood. He had stopped the interference with spy-eyes on a long section of tunnel around midtown.

Finn guided his newest problem through the entryway of his building and up the stairs to the third floor and the door of his apartment. There was nothing special to see on the door, but he knew it was far from typical. A glance at his phone confirmed it had not been touched or opened since he had departed. It unlocked with a tap of his thumb on his device, both the lock and doorknob untouched. His security was far better than simple mechanical locks.

The door opened to reveal a cozy living space filled with warm light. During the day, natural light from the north would stream in through large windows, bringing a hint of the outside in. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with volumes on various scientific disciplines and technological innovations. The scent of cooking hung in the air brought from various vents in the building, mingling with the faint aroma of fresh paint and the distant echoes of laughter and conversation. It was a comforting clutter to Finn.

Elara followed him inside and watched as he closed the door and placed his hand against a small panel to the side. He held it there until it glowed red, then blue, and finally settled on a pale green hue. He dropped his hand and sighed.

“We’re as safe as I can make us,” he said with a smile.

Elara looked at him, clearly wondering what was next. She glanced around the room, looking at the books on shelves and spread about. Elara’s gaze lingered on the plush couch, invitingly soft and well-worn from years of use. The warmth radiating from its cushions seemed to beckon her in, offering comfort if she chose to sit and relax.

Elara nodded, then pushed back the hood and unzipped her jacket. “Where are we?” she asked in her soft tone.

“My home. It’s safe,” Finn replied.

“No,” she said, shaking her head with a hint of frustration. “What realm are we in? This place, these people, they are not from any realm I know. Where are we?”

Finn scratched the stubble of his scruffy beard. “We’re here. I don’t know of any other realm. Where are you from?”

He was ready for the crazy to come back out, but now did not feel the fear of pursuit. She did not act crazy, but scared. Maybe she was from someplace else. Finn was not going to assume she had broken with reality until she provided some more proof to his first thought of her. He was not quickly judgmental like that. 

“Elysia,” she said softly. “I was born on the Ethereal Plains but raised in the Enchanted Forest. I was just starting my trials for the Moon Goddess when raiders attacked a village I was passing through. They took me and every woman younger than me. I think we went to the Realm of Shadows then.” A shudder passed through her, and her eyes took on a haunted look. She looked around fearfully for a moment, then looked back at Finn with a pleading expression. She looked down.

Finn followed her gaze, seeing her filthy feet. They were perfectly shaped and delicate, but dirty from walking barefoot through the city. He shook his head.

“You should clean up,” he said. “We can talk afterward. For now, let’s get you clean and settled a bit. The bathroom is down there,” he added with a wave of his hand to the short hallway leading to the bathroom and two bedrooms of the apartment.

Elara nodded, dropped his jacket on a chair, and walked away from him. His eyes followed her sinuous gait, admiring her beautiful figure. He shook his head again as she stepped through the doorway to the bathroom. He heard the water for the shower turn on.

Finn looked at the wallboard with the strings of connections he had tracked and verified. The proof from tonight made previously tenuous relationships more concrete. He had proof of the evil being done. Now he needed to expose the facts he had compiled. He turned on the stove and filled a kettle for tea. Who could he trust to bring this story to light?

What do you think? Does it make you want to read more? Drop a like or comment and let me know what you think. All feedback is appreciated.

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Identifying Plot Gaps in Your Novel

I’ve been continuing with my review of my draft novel. I fully believed I had completed it from a plot perspective. Much to my chagrin, a review for editing has shown a big gap in the story.

Here’s what happened.

As part of the review I have begun, I created a tally of the major plot beats using the MICE quotient approach. I couched these in terms of reader promises. Without giving spoilers, these notes looked something like this:

  • Promise: Elara resisting/overcoming Malachi’s spells and defeating him.
    • Opens: Chapter 1
    • Set-back: Chapter 6 — Notes on what the setback was
    • Set-back: Chapter 7 — Notes on how Elara is affected by set-back
    • Progress: Chapter 8 — Notes on what the progress is.
    • etc.
    • Resolved: Chapter 29 — climax of conflict

Doing this for each of the main character arcs was beneficial, but it also identified one (so far) hanging plot line that never reached the “Resolved” state. Oops.

Not all bad…

Putting the effort into tracing these beats in a structured manner has not been just bad news from a story perspective. It has also gotten me re-engaged with the story and let me do some simple clean-up as I trace the tale and conflicts.

I’ve been using Ulysses, a Mac/Apple specific writing tool for this novel and must say some of its features make this tracing exercise very easy to perform. Each scene in the book is a separate “sheet” within a “group” in the overall book. This lets me insert or move scenes without worrying about cut/paste errors or formatting. This gives me great flexibility in moving scenes around while looking at the overall plot progression and structure of the tale.

Ulysses also has inline notes and other features that let me add items to fix or notes to myself as I’m performing my review prior to re-writing.

Starting my editing process with this tool, has made me a big fan of it. I’m sure there are features I’ll request or suggest, but for now, I think I’ve got a good workflow for writing, so that’s a win.

If any readers have alternative approaches to preparing for editing, please do share with a comment. In the meantime, I’ll get back to revising and editing.

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Navigating Writing Challenges: Tips for Revising Your Manuscript

I’ve been off of writing for a couple of weeks due to company visiting around the holidays. One reason I pushed to complete my NaNoWriMo well before the end of November was to give me the breathing room to prepare for guest. After taking a break, I’ve gone back into my work in progress and started to revise and polish.

It’s proving as much a challenge as writing the first draft!

My problem is I’ve lost that emotional high of hitting a word-count goal every day. Instead of knocking out two thousand words a day, I’m going through the manuscript scene-by-scene and editing. A day may see the total word count drop if I cut a scene.

I’m also using this first draft review to give myself notes which will result in added words, but it does not feel like I am progressing as fast as I did during the more rigorous writing of last month.

I’m focusing on some of my own advice from a prior post to “Start before you feel ready.  Stop before you feel done.” To help with this, I’ve blocked out time in my day to spend on these edits and additions. I still want to have the “real” first draft complete before the end of the year, so fingers crossed.

My current challenges & approach

  • Missing character development details. My two main characters are thrown together early in the story, and develop a working relationship, but I gloss over too much of that relationship. This means I have to go back and add some scenes. I’m fine doing that work, but I have to make certain all of the details line up in the broader timeline of the story. This makes it slow work. To help with this, I’m reading through each chapter and adding in notes on the state of the relationship in each chapter. For example, if Finn and Elara are supposed develop trust by chapter ten, I need to show distrust earlier and what actions one or the other takes to build some rapport and trust before it becomes critical to the broader plot.
  • Missing closures on story arcs. I’ve got a lot of threads weaving through the tale, and have found a few that are not effectively resolved. This will require additional scenes or chapters to give the reader a satisfying resolution to the story. Currently, I’m adding notes on missing elements or resolutions in the chapter I spot them in. I also have added notes on the “promises” I’ve made to the reader. For instance, the opening chapters and scenes set an expectation that the agents chasing Finn will catch him or somehow resolve their case against him. This is not as clear as I would like, so I have started adding notes along the way that will move them closer to catching him or revealing what he was doing well before the climax and resolution of that plot line.
  • Needing additional characters. I am a discovery writer. I had the main characters identified during my initial ideation and early work, but needed to add minor characters to move things along. Several “lesser” characters hint at broader aspects of the world, making the narrative feel forced in certain areas. These issues, I think, will remain unresolved until I get some external feedback on the first draft.

If any of you readers have ideas on how to handle any of these challenges, please do share with a comment. In the meantime, I’ll get back to revising and editing.

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