Writing from 2 difficult perspectives

I'm about 10,000 words into my current WIP, which is starting to pick up speed in terms of the plot. The thing is, I've started to run into some complexities in how I'm using the voices of my two main protagonists.

Well, technically one of these protagonists is the antagonist. He can be merciless, rude, and quite illegal. But behind that he also has one very key weakness. I've just finished the scene where the other main character has discovered this weakness, and is preparing to use it to her advantage.

But how do you write properly from the point of view of someone who's supposed to be brilliant? It's proving to be quite a daunting challenge. I'm certainly not brilliant. I worry that my two characters (both of whom are witty and intelligent in their own ways) are going to come out sounding slow and stupid (i.e. like me!), missing obvious solutions and creating unnecessary problems for themselves.

One solution to this that seems to be working a little is to get the opinions of several other people. They don't have to be world-class geniuses--all they need to have is an instant opinion about whether or not one of my character's thoughts or ideas is stupid. If I start hearing the same reaction from 2 or more people, I'll know that I have a problem. Another way of asking other people for help is to ask them, "If you were [main protagonist], what would you do or think in this situation?" If I get several responses that are the same, then there's a good chance that that might be the most obvious solution. Even if it isn't, I can at least have a good starting point, and try to expand from there.

It's nice to see what the average reader might assume or presume in a fictional situation. This is one way to make sure I don't stumble into something obvious that will make my readers think I'm an idiot.

(Btw, if you DO have a genius friend....by all means, pick his brains!!)

Progress

Did some substantial plotting on the Secret Book today. It's still not entirely there yet, but I'm pretty happy with what I came up with--every event that happens is connected to the previous actions of the 2 main characters. I'm trying to come up with a decent ending, though. The characters have really dug themselves into a hole about 2/3 of the way through the book.....

Light bulb

I was doing some day-job related work today, not really thinking about anything in particular, when I was struck--blindsided, really--by a very, very cool story idea. At least, I think it's pretty cool. I like it so much that I actually grin when I think about it, and then I feel kind of stupid for grinning.

I'm plotting it out now.

I feel different about this one. I've never had an idea come together so fast and so unexpectedly, and it is such a high. I'm so thrilled and terrified by it, in fact, that I think I'm going to keep this idea to myself and not show it to anyone (ANYONE!) until it's finished. I'm not entirely sure if my agent will like it, as it's quite different from what my first novel is (both in style and in genre, although it's still YA). However, I think it's much more suspenseful, with much more internal and immediate conflict. More commercial. And I can't wait to start writing it.

You can't have it all

I'm reading about all the ruckus on the tea party supporters over here in America, and particularly in Texas (my old home state). I understand the frustration and anger of many Americans on the stimulus plan and the bailouts, etcetc.

But I get a little frustrated at some of the complainers. We asked for a president to get us out of the economic crisis. If the government sits back and does nothing, we complain. If the government passes stimulus plans, we protest. In many cases, the very same people who wanted Obama to extend their unemployment benefits are now protesting the taxes they have to pay. And I'm not saying this because I got a big refund check or anything--I had to pay $2,800 in taxes this season too, due to all the freelancing work I do. I know it has to be done. Where else can the government have the money to pay for unemployment, health care, and stimuli(?) for the economy? I truly believe the government is doing its best. Throwing tea into the ocean (or threatening to secede from the country) isn't a very productive thing to do. And all that tea can't be good for sea life. ;)

And let's not forget that this administration is inheriting the debt caused by our last administration. Texas, I'm talking to you. With love, of course, from a fellow Texan. :)

Pacing

I feel extremely restless today, and I don't know why. Nothing is even happening today. Why, restlessness, WHY?

So far, I have stared at the ceiling, laid flat on the carpet and stared at the ceiling, attacked a pile of freelancing projects in a mad frenzy, made 2 playlists on my YouTube account, stared at the wall, run screaming from my dogs, posted this blog entry, and eaten a ridiculous amount of pretzel sticks.

(Pretzel sticks are, by the way, GREAT snack food for restlessness. I want to keep munching on something without thinking about it, and pretzel sticks are at least low on the calorie count. Imagine if they were Reese's Pieces. Or meatballs.)

I'm going to tackle some more freelancing work in a mad frenzy, and then maybe pace the room some more. Oh, and write a little. Almost forgot about that....

The query-go-round

I spent some time reading #agentfail yesterday, a vent session where writers complained about various things that agents do that get on their nerves. By far, the biggest complaint seemed to be from writers who did not get a reply to their query letters.

Back when I was querying, I was actually happy whenever I didn't receive a rejection back on my query letter (and surprised whenever I actually got back a rejection on a query). It would just bum me out whenever I did. Whenever I saw a reply in my inbox from an agency, I wanted to automatically think it was a request for a partial or a full manuscript--not a form rejection. Rejection hurt me so much less when I just didn't receive anything back. And to be honest, most of the time I couldn't even remember which agencies hadn't replied to my query anyway. That way, I concentrated only on when agents DID reply. Because if they don't reply, obviously they're not interested.

No response means no.

I think writing in a closet for years has made some of us writers too nippy for the outside world. Every slight is a personal insult--a mocking finger pointed to our precious baby manuscript. For those writers, I recommend eating something yummy and not taking the whole process too seriously. It's a rite of passage, and we've all been there. If the agent likes your idea, they WILL contact you. Just chillax, dudes. :)

Boo. :(

I'm aching all over and a little delirious with fever. Yuck. Gonna rest up tomorrow and hopefully see this nasty illness pass.