If you’ve read any of my posts since I became active again this past December, you have probably inferred that I’ve been struggling with mental challenges for a long time, but that I’m getting back to it slowly but surely.
I’ve lost count of how many stories I’ve started in the last eight years, but I know that the last time I wrote “The End” on something was my story “Experiment: Schrodinger.”
But I’m excited to talk about my current work in progress. I’m not done with it, not even done with draft zero, so I’ll probably talk about a fair amount in future posts as it evolves.
On January 31, I entered into a hypnagogic state in the early afternoon. The story was there in its entirety in just a moment. I immediately wrote down the story idea summary and texted it to my wife. The whole experience was so much like when I found the idea for Clean Freak that it was honestly a little eerie. So, right on brand.
After I sent the text, I copied it into OneNote. I started working with OneNote this year, and while I don’t have the PARA method down pat yet, I find it extremely useful to write down my ideas as I have them, rather than deal with the stress of trying to remember them until “writing time.”
After I copied the summary, I wrote a sentence summary for each chapter, thirteen in my notes. Also on brand. Then, with each sentence summary, I went back and wrote out the plot points. It felt like I was experiencing the story and I was just writing stuff down about it as quickly as I could.
I’ve been working on it for a little over a month now. I’m not keeping track of page count and I’m not keeping track of word count. Unfortunately, those are footholds for my inner critic and I spent a long time trying to shut the bastard up. I’d rather not give him an opening.
More details to come. But I’m enjoying the work again. And that’s worth everything.
The Chimerical Dark 