I need to stop writing these posts when I’m tired or in one of these moods. Which is most of the time. Dang it.
Anyway, let’s start off with some great news. I hit the 10,000 word goal for this month! I finished chapters 3 and 4 and I’m really getting into the story. I’ve already identified some changes that need to be made in chapters 1 and 2 (since while I DO have a basic chapter-by-chapter outline, I like to sort of discovery write within those parameters which can lead to cool ideas that need to be introduced earlier). This can be dangerous since it tempts me to go back and revise it now, but knowing myself that will only lead to an eternal loop of the first few chapters with the final result being no complete story. Therefore, I made some comments within word about those changes and will try to weave those in on the next draft.
Right now, the book is sitting at just over 20,000 words and just under 100 pages. And no… the full action has NOT kicked off yet. One of my favorite aspects of books, movies, video games, etc. is when you, as the reader, viewer, player, know what’s coming, you just don’t know when. The building tension is some of the best parts of those stories and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m laying bread crumbs with story bits that should make sense later, but it all adds to the mystery and rising angst that is so fun with horror. But don’t you worry… it’s about to get crazy.
I’m debating on what (if anything) I should give away with each chapter as I write it in these blog updates. I want to provide an update on the story, but also avoid some spoilers and retain that tension I mentioned above. This will require walking a fine line, so if any of you 4 or 5 readers think I’ve given too much away (or not enough), just let me know.
In chapters 3 and 4 (and honestly in 2 as well), I decided to delve a little more into the psyche of Di, the main character. I always had a design or an idea on her character arc throughout the story, but as I began writing her I found a certain aspect of her personality that I really liked and latched on to.
A lot of the time, main characters, especially ones like Di, who are the no-nonsense ship captains who lead a crew of mercenaries, are hard, powerful, borderline superhero levels of awesome. While Di is awesome and hardcore, I always like it when characters feel real and have flaws. It lets people relate a bit more to them.
For some reason, I latched on to a certain character flaw with Di that I thought was ironic and really interesting, especially for someone in this world and in her profession as a mercenary who explores the galaxy. It also, at least I hope so, makes her more relatable. I don’t think it’s really much of a spoiler to tell you what that character trait is, considering it comes in to play for the first time in chapter 2. You see, Di is terrified of zero gravity.
This story is set pretty far in the future. In the setting/worldbuilding I’ve created, humans have created artificial gravity so that ships, bases on planets/moons, etc. can have gravity. (By the way, for the few of you who are screaming at the screen right now saying this is ridiculous and practically scientifically impossible, I know. It’s a science fiction book, emphasis on the fiction. I wanted artificial gravity, so sue me). Personally, space freaks me out a little bit, especially the zero gravity part. The thought of being sent in a direction and flying off forever with no way to stop it is terrifying.
When I was researching Enceladus, Saturn’s moon where this story takes place, I discovered that while there is gravity there, it is around 1/100th of Earth’s gravity. So essentially, there’s no gravity. In certain aspects of the story and in certain moments sprinkled throughout, I figured I would play with that zero gravity environment and weave it throughout the plot. Then I thought, to add a little bit of extra conflict, why not make the main character deathly afraid of zero gravity? To me, it brings a little more humanity to Di as a character and, again, gives her more relatability.
Anyway, chapters 3 and 4 show Di having to overcome her fear of zero gravity a little bit and then furthers the intrigue with some disturbing finds. And yes, still no sight of zombies. While the reader knows what to expect, the characters themselves have no idea what’s coming.
MUAHAHAHAHA!
And that’s probably where I should end this. As a head’s up, April is going to be a very busy month with fewer opportunities to write. I want to at least get a good 6,000-7,000 words to give myself a more realistic goal. Until next time!