Glare report 11/9/04: On beginnings

[pegkerr]

I am trying to figure out how to launch into things after the short prologue when Solveig is nine. Here is Solveig; she is an architect; she is a single mother. See the typical day. They're going to do an ice palace. So: how, exactly, do I do that introduction? Where/how do I start, etc? I feel ridiculous feeling so uncertain about this, but beginnings have always been difficult for me. I remember doing a lot of floundering around on this very question with both previous books, and starting both took quite a few attempts, but it got better once I had finally figured out the beginning point. I did manage to write 100 words tonight.

Perhaps I can introduce her by showing her finish a project, and thus she's ready to move onto something new: the ice palace. Yet, I have a hunch I want to introduce her as a mother first. Hmm. Argh.

Stopping because: I am tired and ready to fall over. Also v. discouraged. I continue to suck at this. Still, it was more than last night. (i.e., yet more words to show how much I suck). Feh. I am in a foul mood about this, but don't be alarmed or take me too seriously. I just have to tough it out.

Comments

[aome.livejournal.com]

I have a hunch I want to introduce her as a mother first

Could you start by showing her getting herself and her daughter ready for school/work, and whatever hiccups occur in the typical frenzied single-mom-rushed morning, then getting to work, and, with or without having a chance to collect herself first, someone brings up the new ice palace project? (I don't know how architects get into new projects, which you probably do by now - is it more of a thing where various projects are on the line and she picks it? Or it's dumped in her lap because someone else doesn't want it/can no longer do it? She does a typical day first, wrapping up something else and the ice palace is brought up at the end of the day?)

Whoa, getting way ahead of you here. Sorry about that. Shutting up now.

Separate note: Huzzah for the first karate class! I took one tae kwan do class out of curiosity, and couldn't move for days afterwards. Definitely a feat of coordination, flexibility and strength.

Maybe you've already thought about this...

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

...but what about using a day of your life to get the story going? I see parallets between Solveig as an architect & mother and your being a writer & a mother.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

A dear friend of mine says, "Start where the trouble starts." I've always found it good advice.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Told ya.

K.

[lydy.livejournal.com]

Worth less than what you paid for it:

Solveig and her daughter outside in the snow with an infinite number of ice cubes. Solveig is roughing out the ice palace she hopes to build while her daughter helps. Chit chat about immediate impediments to be solved. Pretty miniature ice palace in the back yard. Stuff happens.

[delirieuse.livejournal.com]

Solveig doing one of those desperate 'It has to be done by tomorrow' sessions at her house (You can't tell me she never brings her work home). Her daughter develops a nosebleed, or chickenpox, or a raging infection of 'Mommy, I'm bored'. Solveig has to deal with both problems.

[jbru.livejournal.com]

I continue to suck at this.

You make me laugh. :)

thank you.

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

It might feel like you are stuck in a slog and I think sometimes you have questioned posting these kind of writing updates, but I want to tell you as someone much much further down the ladder it's inspiring to see how you are fighting to do something you love and I really appreciate your sharing your experience to let us see the inner workings, as it were. Seeing how you keep yourself going helps keep me going. Anyhow, I just wanted to tell you I appreciate it.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

In car taking Ingrid to school/daycare on the way to work and shifting her brain from Mom to Professional?

[wilfulcait.livejournal.com]

How old is her kid? Because when people design things, they often start with conceptual sketches. Perhaps you could show her at home sketching, and then a conversation with her kid about what it is she's trying to design. I know that any time I'm doing anything interesting in the house, there's always a kid-conversation pretty soon.