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February Writing and March Goals
Feb. 28th, 2022 07:38 amThis has ultimately been a pretty good writing month, although it took me a loooong while to get going. However, I’ve finished a draft of Tramps and Vagabonds (pending the response of my beta, I think we’re looking at a spring release), the Secret Project is off to a strong start, and I think? Maybe??? I don’t want to jinx it?????? But I think I might finally be on the right track with Sleeping Beauty.
You know what finally broke the logjam? I changed the name of one of the main characters. In the very first draft (set in 2018) the modern character was named Caelan, which no longer seemed suitable when I moved the story to 1965, so I changed it to Andrew… but this month I FINALLY realized there is a sixties-suitable sound-alike name, Caleb, and when I changed it things finally started working.
I also finally let go of a couple of beloved scenes - never have I felt so deeply the meaning of the phrase “kill your darlings!” - which might have more to do with it. But rechristening Caleb did also help it feel more like a fresh start, with less baggage attached.
You know what finally broke the logjam? I changed the name of one of the main characters. In the very first draft (set in 2018) the modern character was named Caelan, which no longer seemed suitable when I moved the story to 1965, so I changed it to Andrew… but this month I FINALLY realized there is a sixties-suitable sound-alike name, Caleb, and when I changed it things finally started working.
I also finally let go of a couple of beloved scenes - never have I felt so deeply the meaning of the phrase “kill your darlings!” - which might have more to do with it. But rechristening Caleb did also help it feel more like a fresh start, with less baggage attached.
