For most of pregnancy, story creation is at an all-time high, kinda like my hormones. My dreams are more vivid. I blush to think of the one in which I was a female Hobbit flirting with Frodo Baggins just to get the Ring! Usually, about two new novel-length stories will pop into my head over the course of year. That number doubles when I'm knocked up..
At some point, I move into the Baby Zone and things get really muddy in my head and I totally get baby-obsessed. (Yeah, I know you thought I already was baby-obsessed.) I can force myself to write through it, but I'm a bit cranky. Okay, I'm a lot cranky. Except when I'm given to silliness, watching George of the Jungle and such. It's those hormones again. Gotta love 'em.
.
The good thing about the muddy-headed Baby Zone is no one expects much from me. I'm pretty much beached on the sofa until my very own little Kick-Butt Heroine gets out. And, glory, does she got a great aim! So, I can let my mind wonder from one story to the next, experiment with different things within one story, and just kind of goof off in my own imagination.
.
I try not to take it too seriously, because when I do I get cranky again.
.
Take SWEET, for example.
.
Originally, it was YA Paranormal Romance. However, I've since learned the dividing lining between YA and Adult is even muddier than my brain right now. Since the main characters must deal with both teen and adult issues, I've decided to age the characters as much as is believable and still keep the story's heart and soul.
.
Okay, so now SWEET's Paranormal Romance. Not so fast. According to research, the Hero must be an Alpha Male and the Heroine must be a 'Kick-Butt Heroine.' (((sigh))) Well, Adrian is firmly a Beta Male and Ophelia never kicks anyone's butt. They both have to grow into their strength and discover their own courage. There's no story otherwise.
.
Uh, Urban Fantasy. Sorry, too much Alaskan Wilderness. 'Urban' means 'City,' you know.
.
What about just 'Romantic Fantasy?' Mmm, maybe. I'll let my brain clear up from childbirth first before I tackle that one. Complicating factors are the 'magic' is science-based, although it's based on mythology which makes it 'feel' more Fantasy than Science Fiction.
.
Huh?
.
Oh, nevermind.
.
Still having problems with pacing. Here's an excellent article by the esteemed Jacqueline Lichtenberg for those of you on the same learning curve-
http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/2009/07/6-tricks-of-scene-structure.html
.
And here's Mamma-Mia, just 'cause I'm a mama and it's fun-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UJC-zk6Coc&feature=related
.
And what about THE MECHANICAL WITCH? Oh, who knows? Right now, I like SWEET better, but that can all change. Muddy brained hormones, you know.
Thought I'd share what's on my mind this summer, besides the baby trying to kick her way out my belly button. No, it's not Michael Jackson. Although I found his human story fascinating and all my sympathy goes to his family and friends, especially his children, I never listened to his music. He became a mega-star in the '80's when I was a teenager and I didn't like any of the music from when I was a teen. I hear he hired a great nanny and homeschools his children, which I really admire. Mostly, I admire everything he did to protect his children from the limelight. Too few celebraties do that.
