Over this Easter weekend, I’ve been busy writing the next novel in The Englishman series. Or trying to! Although I imagined I had the plot all sewn up, I’ve realised during these less busy days of Easter that there was something missing from the story. The plot just didn’t click with me. Until yesterday.
There was something missing from the plot
I was sitting at my desk and writing up a scene which I’d decided some time again would be in the book. I was quite pleased with myself with the drama and emotion I’d managed to get into the prose. I sat back and looked at my whiteboard where I’d set up the whole theme of the book with the main characters, their problems and conflicts, and plot twists. That’s when it came to me: there was something missing. And in that moment, I knew exactly what that missing something was. I sat down and furiously wrote all the new ideas on the side of the white board. With a bit of re-writing, it would work.
I wanted to hold back but ended up spilling the beans
Although I decided that I’d not tell the Englishman, my first reader, the new plot twist, later in the evening, with a glass of wine in front of me, I spilled the beans.
‘Oh,’ he said.
We were in one of our local drinking establishments, The Queens. It was busy with other Easter holidaymakers, but we’d managed to get a table in the quieter back area, so we could actually hear each other speak. I waited while he thought about what I’d said. I often bounce ideas of the Englishman, but sometimes I like to surprise him with my manuscripts, which is what had originally wanted to do this time. But I was so delighted with the new idea, I just had to tell him. A decision I was suddenly regretting.
‘I think it’s the way to go?’ I said sounding unsure even to myself.
The Englishman nodded and said, ‘That’s brilliant.’
It was such a relief that he liked my new idea
You have no idea what a relief that comment was to me. We spent the rest of the time before our daughter joined us discussing the new plot in detail. This morning I woke up with a great desire just to go and write, something which I haven’t had for ages. Or at least not since I was writing The Good Officer, book 3 on The Englishman series last year.
Happy Days!
How are you spending your Easter holidays?
Are you writing or just spending some well-deserved time off? However you are spending this holiday weekend, I hope you are having a great Easter!
You’re admirably motivated, Helena. I’ve spent Easter so far organizing egg hunts, eating eggs, then lying around groaning that I’ve eaten too much chocolate!
But tomorrow is another day and family have cleared out for other eggy pastures, so I’m resolved to write all day. Best of luck with your previously missing twist.
Thank you Andrew! I’ve been really bad for so many weeks (read months) now, that I needed to get going with the book. I started it in November, so I am terribly behind. Good luck with your writing today!