Parks Pages dot com

Tonight, after a grueling day of fighting attempted blackmail, I sat down to chat writing with the estimable Ronn. Our goal for tonight was to have the scenes of our novel written down, so that we'd have a handle on what to write and where our stories were going.

Ronn came to the table with 37+ note cards, each with a quick sentence stating what the scene was about. I came to the table with 8 scenes describing the action. Suffice it to say that neither one of us was satisfied with this methodology of generating a workable plotline.

I talked to Ronn about the various potentials of his storyline, and of some of the things that I as a reader would want to be stressed. I talked a lot about theme, as this is what's been concerning me as of late. Ronn: not so much into the theme.

It seems that I start out with a general idea for a story -- action, setting, characters -- and then try to look to those through the lens of theme. That is to say, using the story ideas I have a carrier for the thoughts about life I want to convey (sort of like how a mosquito carries disease).

The issue with my novel right now is that my story started to become much to subservient to my theme. I started thinking of scenes that would support the opinions I wanted to get across. While this is a viable way to write a novel, I fear that it would become too repetitious and preachy for my tastes. And I only want to write a novel that I would like to read.

While discussing this with Ronn, I voiced these worries, and (without talking about the theme/plot that I've been toying with) I described my original plot; something I had apparently not done too well. This time it sounded great! Unfortunately, I didn't record what I said. Alas. Let me try to 'splain it. No, there is not enough time -- let me sum up:

Our heroine is a girl suffering from the blandness of life in a galactic empire. She's unhappy in her job, but doesn't know it. She comes to the sand planet and is exposed to the vibrancy and joy of a life lived when death waits around the next corner, a planet that seems to want to kill everyone. From this she learns what life is all about, and must make the choice whether or not to leave the world when she has the opportunity.

Again. Not as good as what I said earlier, but that's about what I had said. And hearing it, I realized that it's a good story. While I don't think that advancing technology is a negative thing, it can sometimes become overwhelming and soul-crushing. It's a worthy topic to explore.

I might just do that.

Our goal for next week is to come to the table with a sensible plot that we actually want to write -- and possibly a framework of scenes on which to build.

Namaste!