Death would have been easier to accept had I known I would be going to heaven, but I didn’t.
That’s the first sentence of the novel I just finished writing.
Not sure it’ll stay exactly the same through all the edits to come, but for now, on this rough, first draft, I’ve typed THE END on Morgan and Tanner’s story.
83,000 words. That’s the most I’ve ever had on a first draft. Usually I get about 75,000 or so, then when I flesh it out I end up around 82,000 or 83,000 words. So, we’ll see what happens on this one
The story ignited the day after I returned from my trip to England and France. I blame the jet lag that had me up at two in the morning.
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Morgan is the heroine and it’s in her POV (Point of View). Like the last story I wrote (finished in May) this one is pretty dark.
I think the darkness of my last two stories spawns from the death of one of my high school classmates (he took his own life back in May). Life events usually impact me when it comes to my writing.
And his death sure did.
My character, Morgan, is lost to drugs, alcohol, and prostitution. But when she’s about to die a violent death, she screams out, demanding God give her a second chance.
She gets just that, but with conditions. . . .
Morgan was a fun, but challenging, character to write. She’s so close to the darkness of despair that she can’t see how precious she is. That her life is worth so much more than she could ever imagine.
My friend Brian never saw past the darkness of despair to see his worth, but at least I can write characters who do.
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What inspires your writing?
If you’re not a writer, what’s one thing that has inspired you lately? Someone reading this blog might want to hear a word of encouragement.
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Congratulations on the finished draft. I love that first line because in all honesty, I now want to read the story that goes with it. Hooked just like that.
Best of luck with the revisions.
You are a machine! Great job. People, music, movies, books, past events, the weather all trigger ideas. You never know how God is going to inspire you, that’s what makes each day so exciting and worth living.
Hey, Jill. I went to the MAC store today and had to get some keys replaced (S, L, etc) because I’d worn through them. LOL. Thought you’d get a kick out of that!
That doesn’t surprise me! 🙂
That sounds right up my alley. I love that opening. I want to read it. 🙂
Thanks, Kat!!
I’m not really a fan of dark fiction, but I do appreciate your efforts putting a righteous spin on it. As with music, I’ve discovered there are a lot of styles out there which don’t appeal to me, and in fact turn me off, but God can still use them for the benefit of a particular audience. An audience which I obviously could never reach.
~ VT
HI, Victor. Dark fiction isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure!! I’m glad you stopped by the blog today.
Suicide is tragic, not only for the person who committed it, but for the survivors too. *hugs!*
Turning life events into creative expressions is awesome! Go you!
LOVE your first line! 😀
You’re right, LBDiamond it is tragic. It totally rocked my world. Thanks. First lines usually end up changing, we’ll see if this one survives the critiques and edits. LOL
I love the premiss of the new story! Sounds great. Inspiration… music, traveling, hiking, dreaming, reading… it usually hits me out of nowhere. No matter what avenue, I know it all comes from God! Happy Tuesday!
Thanks, Lori. I’m sure you’ll be reading it in a few months to critique it. 🙂 And you’re right, it all comes from God!
Wow! That sounds like a wonderful story. I can’t wait to read it! 🙂
I’m inspired by the powerful ways God has been moving in my life lately. Something that was going on for around 5 years is now starting to change. It’s so wonderful to begin to see the fullfilment of God’s promises. 😀
Thanks, Carman!
Glad to hear God’s shakin’ things up for ya!! Congrats.
Congrats on finishing the draft of another novel, Lynn! Always a great sense of accomplishment.
I never know what’s going to inspire me. Sometimes it’s the most random of things, others it’s people I know, things I experience/see. Sometimes inspiration strikes me in dreams, sometimes while sitting on the toilet. hehehe…
LOL, Ralene. The toilet. LOVE IT!! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m inspired by the smallest things really. It could be a conversation I “accidentally” overhear, or a random thought that doesn’t seem like me, but mostly I’m inspired by my family and their general craziness.
Your MS sounds great and I know you’re relieved to type “the end” 🙂 Congrats!
I love that–“accidentally” overhear. Awesome!