Friday 7 November 2008

Shrapnel from a First Draft

We are almost a week into NaNoWriMo and I have just completed the first draft of the first novella ‘Shrapnel From a Broken Smile’ (more novelette at the moment) in my Theatre of Curious Acts and I am so, so reluctant to let that bunch of characters go. Some may reappear in other stories, some may not, who knows how the plan will go – but for now we’ll meet at least two of them again before the final act.

Some authors, such as Katey Taylor, comprise whole soundtracks to go with their stories and characters. Here’s my one and only song inspiration for this novella/novelette/thank god it’s longer than a short story.



Okay, off to get to know the folks inhabiting ‘Paper Dragons’ the second novella.

11 comments:

Mary said...

Nice song, but what’s wrong with the video? No black moon in sight! ;)

Cate Gardner said...

Love the song - video pants ;)

Katey said...

That IS a good song-- I'd never heard it before, so thanks for that. (Yes, I'm always gathering more songs mwahaha!)

I feel you on not wanting to let go of the characters. I'm starting to feel bad for how much I'm screwing my MC over right about now. Weird how we get attached to them.

Break a leg on this second one-- love the title, too, "Paper Dragons".

Jamie Eyberg said...

good luck with phase two. ;)

Erik said...

I have a listening soundtrack, that is a WIP, for my novel WIP.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida
James Blunt - Beautiful
Five for Fighting - The Riddle
Ben Folds - The Luckiest
Five A.M. - Be Still
Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter
Coldplay - Violet Hill
Sanctus Real - We Need Each Other
Laura Warshauer - Sweet 17
Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
Gary Jules and Michael Andrews - Mad World
Coldplay - Clocks
Damien Rice - Nine Crimes
Joshua Radin - I'd Rather Be With You
Rogue Wave - Chicago x 12
Sea Wolf - Black Feet
Coldplay - Speed of Sound
Matthew Perryman Jones - Save You
Ben Folds - Air
Carbon Leaf - What About Everything
Matt Costa - Cigarette Eyes
Guster - One Man Wrecking Machine
Five for Fighting - 100 Years
Daniel Johnston - Devil Town
Augie March - One Crowded Hour
Gavin DeGraw - I Don't Want To Be

Fox Lee said...

That idea that eventually spawned my story has been lost to the years. If I remember, hopefully it's something fun to post!

K.C. Shaw said...

Oh, lucky you for getting through section one! I definitely agree with you about how hard it is to leave characters. That's what sequels are for, though!

Cate Gardner said...

Katey - at least this time I haven't resurrected them all. I have a novel where I actually did that as I couldn't let them go. I wonder why it was never published. :)

Cheers, Jamie.

Hi Erik - another soul with a much cooler list of songs than me.

Looking forward to you remembering, Natalie. :)

Cheers, KC

Kimbra Kasch said...

Keep it up! You're on a roll.

I admire all you Nano'ers. Maybe I'll play next year - but for now, I'm you're cheerleader.

Rah-rah, sis-boom-bah, goooo girl!!

Brenda said...

great song...Hubs knows which story I'm writing by the songs that are playing...and he knows when he can interrupt and when he can't...

Danette Haworth said...

I love your title SHRAPNEL. Good luck!