Wednesday, February 9, 2011

ROW 80 Check in #8 from the Orchid house

Shew!

Writing time being especially precious, it's a relief when there's....something to write, after all!!!

I read a post today on 'raising the stakes' - about how we not only have to show, not tell - we have to also raise the stakes - that we have to give our main characters greater risk, so the reward carries more of an emotional payoff for the readers.

Well, hmm. I most certainly have risked my main and secondary character, and "done-in" the the minor supporting characters one gruesome way or another.  Frankly, I'm feeling like a little bit of a bastard about it, but...it's the story.  The story is a cautionary tale about, quite frankly, not straying off the path.  And the consequences for doing so are wretched.  So, in a sense, it's a completely realistic fairy tale - dreadful things happen with un-natural or supernatural or supernormal impetus, and the outcome is dire.

Sometimes, that's just the way it goes.


And, today, there are (finally) over 6000 words saying so :-)


Go me.


And, to the rest of you ROW 80 Challengers - GO YOU! Cheer them on at the link below :-)



6 comments:

  1. Hang in there...have a great week. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  2. If you feel you are abusing your characters, you're probably doing your job. Congratulations on passing the 6000 mark. Happy writing!

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  3. Sounds like you're having fun. That's so important!

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  4. Yeah, go you! You made me LOL with this bit: "Frankly, I'm feeling like a little bit of a bastard about it, but...it's the story." Thanks for the chuckle.

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  5. I feel the same way most of the time but at least it won't be boring! Good going!

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  6. hey Claire(s) :-) Glad I could send a chuckle - seriously, tell me you guys haven't been writing something dire and found yourself muttering, "I'm an utter and complete b@stard.....". If I was my own mother I'd wash my brain out with soap.

    Thanks for coming by, Craig, the encouragement is always helpful :-)

    Rock your weekend, guys - see ya Sunday!

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