Nigel 
August 28th,2010I seem to write like I read,several projects at once.
Today I’ve been getting on with the second version of the Maths book,file name ‘TED’. It’s a bit slow,but taking shape. I have bits and pieces in my head which have one shape,though a bit skeletal. But when I start writing stuff down the shape shifts. Like Joanne H says,the characters develop lives of their own.
Looks like it’s going to be a short novel with a scattering of daft Maths and plenty of cartoons. Ted,the narrator and central character,seems to be seeing to that.
What I should do is sit down with loads of paper and brainstorm the plot,but I keep not having the energy. Just ambling along writing bits feels okay and quite satisfying,but it takes real effort to start brainstorming. Especially when you’ve got post-viral fatigue syndrome. That’s what the GP called it earlier this week. She said that tends to be shorter lived than full blown ME,and if she puts ME in my notes then other doctors might just classify any future symptoms as part of the ME. What does ME stand for? Must look it up. ‘Short lived’has so far been sixteen months.
While we were away in North Yorkshire last week with the grandchildren (and their parents),Jenny and I were browsing a bookshop in Thirsk when I had this idea for Ted’s plot. What if his girl friend Jess disappears? No warning,no explanation,her parents refuse to speak to him,texts and e-mails go unanswered. But why?
Later that day we were sitting in The Golden Fleece waiting for our meal (‘We don’t do fast food,we prepare everything to order as fast as we can’–yes it was good) I suggested to Jenny we brainstorm possible reasons why Jess might disappear. I thought it would be tough,but we came up with eight reasons worth keeping. Not bad for the end of a long day. Thank you Jenny.
But I still have to brainstorm the details of the plot.
When I have a good day.
Ted 001d.docx is 1,243 words. Loose target:30,000.
