Several strong cups of Columbian coffee are required before ascending to my writing nook, quietly nestled at the backside of our coastal home that overlooks an ancient live oak tree. It’s a perfect place to write, so I’ve no complaints about my workspace. I snuggle in after lowering the thermostat to 68 degrees. Truth be told, there’s no barrier to the soppy mid-August heat that blankets Southern Mississippi this time of year.
Make no mistake, I’ve written several chapters of Book No. 2. And deleted them. Yes, I’m fully aware these are rough draft attempts, but I’m not super pleased with one of them. Not. A. Single. One. If this isn’t the most brutal, most excruciating aspect of writing, I don’t know what is. Yet, I’m more determined than ever to put a ridiculously chaotic summer behind me and forge ahead to the stage of beginning again.
No restful sleep will occur until I create three satisfying chapters with their all-important first lines in place. Chapters that I won’t immediately file in the Reconsideration Folder. Or quickly delete after the first re-read. I don’t know how other authors gauge a solid start to their next WIP, but I’m comfortable with my quota.
Here’s what I battle against, and I doubt that I’m alone with these fears, concerns, and near obsessions:
I’m not interested in writing a follow-up novel to the first, with a third one hanging out in my back pocket, having made that decision long before completing A Southern Enchantress. And I’m aware of possible missteps and don’t wish to repeat them. While reviews for Book No. 1 have been more positive and supportive than ever imagined, there’s truth in some observations that I’d be foolish to ignore. Here’s a sampling:
- Many chapters wrapped up too quickly. [Readers desire more . . . words?]
- Characters showed up complex. [So, they’re fully developed from the start?]
- Three voices combined with dual timelines is A LOT. [Choose a lane and stay in it.]
- Depending upon a reader’s perspective, a full-bodied HEA (happily-ever-after) may be absent in Book No. 1, a confusing situation since the novel is marketed as a magic romance, fantasy romance, mystical romance, in addition to its magical realism/mystical realism categories. [Sadly, I’ve no control over a sales platform’s keywords].
Now, I’m in the precarious position of writing the book READERS are most interested in reading, and NOT the book I’d like most to read, which was my goal when writing A Southern Enchantress. I no longer need to prove that multiple genres may be effectively woven together because I’ve done it. However, I won’t repeat this writing style during the next go-round. Why risk dissuading new readers from entering my fantasy pages? I’ve learned that readers know what they like and like what they know.
Taking a page from my educator playbook, I’ll ignore the playful voices that tempt me to break a few fiction writing rules just because it’s an option. I advised my high school English students, earning college credit for writing argumentative essays, to refrain from dramatically altering their assigned writing prompts: don’t fabricate an unexpected thesis to get a rise from the professor! Some listened, others did not. I’m confident former students would be amused to learn that Mrs. Trahan has been challenged to embrace her own advice!
So, I’ll continue grinding drafts until I nail the first three chapters entirely. I’ve joined the next session of The Write Practice’s 100-Day novel writing program because I need deadlines. And accountability.
Currently, a few things about Book No. 2 are sure as a steamy summer rain shower:
- The story begins in New Orleans in 1913 as the days of Storyville are reeling to an end, and legalized prostitution threatens to become a thing of the past. Zelime Vermillion’s dynasty as a highly- respected madame is at risk.
- Because MC Octavie has watched her grandmother, Zelime, struggle with influential men impacting her decisions, not to mention the brothel’s ‘gentlemen callers,’ she’ll learn quickly to orchestrate her world, which may mean committing a crime. Or two. We’ll see who gets in Octavie’s way.
- Themes of jealousy, deceit, wantonness, generational pain, and revenge resurface in Book No. 2 since I love playing in these pathways. And expect a supernatural presence, a guiding force to be reckoned with, since my new go-to genre is . . . drumroll, please . . . Historical Fantasy.
Now, back to writing. Chin up and fingers poised over the keyboard. Let’s go!
