CED 2009 - STOS # 2 Drat 1 Completed !

Did you see the small blueberry cheese cake up there? It was my celebratory cake for completion of STOS # 2 Draft 1 on last Sunday! ;)

A couple of things I had observed during the writing process.

Things got a little bit easier this round. I was less resistance to my daily writing of 200 words. Actually I could write past the self-imposed word count a lot of the time. The mind was also less jumpy while I’m working on it and the inner editor had also become a lot more patience. (I promised that she would have her say come time for revision.)

I reckon this was all related to make writing into a daily activity, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. The activity was integrated to the daily life to minimise the natural cycle of procrastination and fear. I’m not saying that I have it all under control. Far from it!

The most exciting yet difficult part was writing the ending as it kept changing from one paragraph to another. One minute my main character was the good guy then next he was the bad guy. After 2 days into writing the ending, I had no choice but to let him do whatever he wanted. He ended up as the baddie.

Another part about working out the ending was that I had known of it for more than a week. But I refused to acknowledge it. I was constantly worrying and struggling if the end was in line with the characters’ need or my need.

My belief in storytelling is that it is never about the author. It should always be about the Story and the characters. My role is to service them. So if the Story wants a nice quiet ending instead of a dramatic finale, I have to follow it. Let’s not forget that I was only at draft stage. There is still much work to be done later.

Oh, almost forgot! The key I mentioned earlier about # 2 was crucial to the story. (But who knows! It might change again when I start revision in 4 - 6 weeks' time.)

I’m now following my original plan to take a week’s break before starting # 3. And revision of # 1 is to start on 15/05.