I’m pleased with my writing streak: four out of five days this week spent with one spiral notebook. I’ve had to look back at my series notes for details like hair and eye color and last names for the two main characters. Three crimes have been committed and not resolved so far in the series. That is book three’s job. The novellas that I’ll include in this series will have other crimes that will be solved in those books. I remember writing book threes in a couple of other series. It’s a thin line to straddle between giving details about the previous books to remind readers where they are in the story universe and not rewriting the stories.
Since I’ve named this series after the private investigator, he needs to make an appearance and, in some way, be involved in solving at least one of the crimes. The three romances so far (two with the main characters from books one and two, and a romance between two side characters, who will get their own novella at some point) can be touched on but not revisited in depth. I’ve laid the groundwork for one crime, the newest one, that will have the main characters working together.
My inner critic has made itself known. I tell it that this first draft is for me to record the story in my head. I don’t listen to the negative commentary. I do, sometimes, find myself second-guessing what I’ve written. When that happens, I remind myself that I can edit later. Pieces of advice about craft float in and away, sometimes stalling my pen. Again, I tell myself to just get the story down. Words or sentences can be changed later.
It’s been about a year since I’ve written fiction (other than prompt writing at the writing group meetings). I feel like there’s some trust that has been lost or forgotten in my process. The story comes in bits and pieces. I think the flow will be stronger if I’m consistent: open the notebook, reread the last sentence, write the next action or description that moves the story forward. I knew returning to fiction would be like coaxing a rusted faucet to turn. I’ve stepped away more than once. I’m hopeful that this return is where I stay.
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