So, what's going on with my novel, you might be wondering? Honestly, I haven't even looked at it since December. That does not mean, however, that I haven't been rolling it around in my head. I stopped writing at a very important scene, so important that I want to make sure I get things right.
My lovely protagonist, Katherine, is about to come face to face with the man of her dreams, well, the man who's recently invaded her dreams, though he is a figure from her past--serious past--past lives past. The "man of her dreams," in the romantic sense, is off fighting in the Crimean War, and had no idea that his beloved is about to face the ultimate test of their love. I know that sounds cheesy, but seriously, John is one of the most charismatic men Katherine will ever encounter, and though not powerful in the sense that her betrothed, Lewis is powerful, John has power over Katherine she does not yet understand--he remembers every instance they have met in past lives, and he has been searching for her his entire life.
Katherine is about to face the biggest existential crisis of her Victorian life. She's about to remember, instantly, all of her past lives and how both John and Lewis have been intertwined over centuries. Needless to say, she is about to have a bit of a breakdown.
This disclosure sequence has got to be written just so. I'm nervous about it, and worrying it in my head. I have a truly bad habit of editing before I begin, self-editing to the point of retarding the creative process, often fatally. But, one of the reasons I halted writing where I did is so this doesn't happen. The scene needs to happen, it's the how that has me stumped. It's one of the most exciting elements in this arc, not at all boring explication that has tripped me up in the past. The writing needs to mimic Katherine's realization, needs to be cinematic, quick flickers of memory, both visual and emotional, as well as sensual (of the senses). It needs to be sufficiently overwhelming, maddening, worrisome and beautiful. It's pretty daunting!
I was thinking about it in the shower the other morning. So, yeah, it's definitely on my mind. I thought I'd share, since I've not spoken about the novel in some time.
So glad to hear you're writing (or at least thinking about writing!), and that scene sounds incredible--fun and scary and thrilling. I know the feeling of approaching with trepidation. Can't wait to hear how it goes.
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