It's said that if you want to know someone you have to walk a mile in their shoes. Firstly, I'd never get my feet into them. But I was thinking about that during my run today. (5K, 34 minutes, mostly nice and easy trying to keep cadence up.) We've been talking about all sorts of interesting things. Buying vs renting a house vs condo. Working. Retirement. Places to live. What to do to enjoy living.
It's all been quite wonderful. This is why I think it's important to keep your social circle well mixed. It keeps your opinions and thoughts well mixed too. You don't get stale going over the same old same old.
The same happens with writers too, and explains why we need editors. We get too close to our words, to our stories. We need that outside voice to tell us what they think after reading our words. Just because I can see and hear the characters in my mind, along with all the nuances of the setting, and several variations of the major plot points, does not mean the reader will, unless I give them the right words in the right order. It's very difficult.
So difficult that I want to go back to my book universe, consider what I know about it, then try to set it aside as I think about what the actual story is that I'm trying to tell. See which bits of writing so far, if any, support what I'm trying to do. Then build upon that.
Wish me luck.
If you don't see me for a while, send out a search party. I'm likely bogged down in the Great Swamp of Plot Possibilities.
Good luck in the swamp, Keith. When you resurface, let us know!
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