Where I am in the writing process:
Still unpublished in the fiction zone. I'm up to 15 articles on my Associated Content account, but I've lost steam on that. Non-fiction isn't where I want to be working, so it's hard to stay motivated. I have an essay about losing my mom up on Existential.com. I think I'd like to write another article for the website, and I'm batting around ideas in my head for that.
My current problem:
Working up the guts to get started on a novel. Years ago I wrote a story based on the Lilith myth that I'm seriously thinking of turning into a novel. I'd have to change up quite a bit, but I think it has some promise and could be turned into a series. If you're interested here's part one and part two on my Writing.com account.
This week's question:
Now that I've settled on expanding my short story, how do I go about doing it? I feel that my story is a bit rushed, so I could definitely expand on the flash backs, character development, etc., but I'm not sure it's enough to get it to full novel length. Right now it's at about 8,000 words. What would you do to expand the story? Do you find sub-plots to be a good use of space?
4 comments:
It would depend on how great the sub-plots are written. It was easy to expand my story because I wanted to tell my characters story and I put her into many interesting adventures.
I agree with J.L. - adventures, action, forward motion, etc. are good ways to flesh things out.
The first novel I ever wrote was an extension of a short story idea. It's hard to expand something that's small, but it can be done. Lilith is a good myth to work with - have you read the George McDonald version?
@ J.L. and Shalena--Thanks! It's easy to get bogged down in details, sometimes action is really the way to go!
@ Amanda--It's good to know it can be done! :) I haven't read it, but it's now on my reading list.
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