1. Garball

    Garball Banned Contributor

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    A painful stepping stone?

    Discussion in 'General Writing' started by Garball, Mar 8, 2014.

    I wrote well when I was younger. I loved essay exams in high school and creative writing assignments, but that is as far as I ever took it. Anything longer than 3,000 words was like a flat-earther looking at the sea's horizon. The only English courses I took in college were mandatory curriculum requirements and all writing ceased.

    Unfortunately, when I was sixteen, a character was born in my head. He is a great character and I always wanted to tell his story. For two decades, Herb would pace ceaselessly about my brain fogging up the insides of my corneas as he looked longingly out of his prison windows. Was this a life sentence? Would Herb ever get to come alive?

    One day, after restless nights, Herb's hope for freedom was reborn. I came home with a MacBook, a five subject spiral notebook (I wanted an old school black and white composition book but couldn't find any with college ruled paper), and a four pack of bold point Pilot Precise Grip Roller Ball Pens. I had never been to a Starbucks or any other coffee shop for that matter. Now, I found myself chugging the magic, brown elixir (not bourbon) and outlining and creating a world for Herb.

    Two years and 92,000 edited words later, we both wept. Herb's story sucked; it was awful. The parole board decided to keep Herb locked up. But Herb wasn't alone this time. There were others looking out of my eyes; characters that had been born with their own stories. They were hopeless, hopeless that their stories would be dashed upon the rocks. One of the characters sprang up and attempted to rile the hopes of the other inmates.

    "Can't you see?" he yelled. "Can't you see he has done it!"

    He even piqued my own curiosity and he was just a figment of my imagination.

    "He has written a story," he continued. "Sure, it wasn't a great story, but a story nonetheless. Stay positive! Stay interesting! For you may never know when it is time for him to write another story. And that story, your story, could be the one that's great!"


    I feel guilty when I want to write about my other sons and daughters, dragons and demons. It was supposed to be Herb's time; it's not fair. Maybe Herb was selfless in that he laid down his life that others might be free. The other guy is right; I did put together a complete manuscript. That has to mean something, right?
     
    Madman, minstrel, peachalulu and 2 others like this.
  2. David K. Thomasson

    David K. Thomasson Senior Member

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    You were expecting what? A brilliant first draft? Rewrite. Rewrite. Rewrite.
     
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  3. Garball

    Garball Banned Contributor

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    I thought it had been rewritten. I think the original story was so bad it would have to be scrapped
     
  4. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

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  5. Andrae Smith

    Andrae Smith Bestselling Author|Editor|Writing Coach Contributor

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    I love the way you explained that. It was compelling in its own way. Poor herb et al. Don't give up on him or the others. Write their stories @Garball ! Give them life.

    I had a character, whom I loved very much and whose story is now shelved. He wanted his story told, but another character, his son, wanted his story told too. I tried telling both stories and failed miserably. On the bright side, I had written the end, and they are not imprisoned in my mind. They are living out their days as god-kings somewhere in imagination-land.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2014
    Madman and Garball like this.

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