Hey Folks,
Looking forward to another good day of writing. The novel is running, and it’s weird (for me).
It seems to be psychological suspense with a lot of police procedural mixed in. Meaning the final main genre probably will be police procedural. Well, unless it develops into a thriller. I’ll have to see what happens with the scope.
I like the effects/ramifications of both of the PS and PP genres.
Both require minuscule, exacting and precise detail-detail-detail (but none of it boring, all of it tension-building) at the sub-molecular level. I love that stuff.
Both require intensity. Both require emotion, depth of setting, and no wasted words.
And I love a challenge. But that’s where the weird part comes in.
Enter the protagonist: a female detective. Oh goodness.
She first sprang into my head the day after I finished my previous novel and eleven short stories. The novel was wrapped around ten short stories, and another one flipped out on its own.
She was dressed in black slacks, a waist-length jacket that matched both her hair and her slacks, and a white blouse with a tie that formed an inverted V just below the collar.
Her hands were curled into loose fists on her hips. That caused the jacket to hang open just enough that I could make out a Glock 19 on her waist. Next to it was a gold shield.
She looked directly up at me (and I’m only 5’8″) and said, “Hey Hawvey, write me.”
That isn’t a typo. It’s how she pronounced my name. Frankly, I don’t even know how she knew my name.
And I said, “Yeah, I don’t think so. You’re not really in my comfort zone, so….”
But a couple of days later, after the first abandoned start on a story that just wouldn’t fly, she was back.
Same outfit, but with blue slacks and jacket. Same pose. “C’mon, Hawvey, write me already.”
I shook my head. “Huh uh. No.”
After another failed start, she was back again.
Jeans and a silver-grey jacket this time, a similar blouse in light pink. Same pose. “What is your problem, dude? I thought you like a challenge. So can you handle it, or what?”
I settled back in my chair, stared at her.
Her blue eyes were focused, her gaze unwavering. “So?”
I sighed. “What’s your name?”
“Marie LeGrand.” She stuck out her right hand. “Good t’meet you.”
I started to shake her hand. Then I realized she wasn’t actually there yet. And I realized I wanted her to be there.
So I turned to the computer and typed Dread at the top of the page. Then I centered it because I’m anal that way.
Then I moved the cursor down and typed
A quiet creak.
That’s all it took to wake Marie LeGrand.
And over 10,000 words later I haven’t looked back. Or breathed very much. (grin)
I wish for you the same fun and excitement.
***
I wrote for three easy sessions today for just over 3000 words.
See you soon.
Of Interest
Oh goodness! See “Tossed Out A Book” at http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/. If you’re wondering, I agree with him.
See “Thrillers in Disguise: 10 Essential Literary Novels That Master Suspense” at https://crimereads.com/thrillers-in-disguise/.
Fiction Words: 3194
Nonfiction Words: 420 (Journal)
So total words for the day: 3614
Writing of Dread (novel)
Day 1…… 3391 words. Total words to date…… 3391
Day 2…… 3827 words. Total words to date…… 7218
Day 3…… 3194 words. Total words to date…… 10412
Total fiction words for the month……… 10412
Total fiction words for the year………… 217376
Total nonfiction words for the month… 1970
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 65480
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 282586
Calendar Year 2018 Novels to Date………………………… 5
Calenday Year 2018 Novellas to Date…………………… 1
Calendar Year 2018 Short Stories to Date……… 11
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)………………………………………… 31
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)……………………………………… 5
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………………… 193