I had to put my new contemporary aside for a little while because I got stuck and didn’t have the time to work that one out right now (another blog). Instead, I decided to use this opportunity to begin my next Immortal Book—Absolute Justice.
I know, I know. Those who’ve read the series to date will say that Justice isn’t an Immortal (also another blog), but he is a character that was introduced in Book 2, Immortal Kiss, and I had a lot of people clamouring for his story. When my editor approached me as well and asked if I was planning to write it, I said “Um, okay. Sure.” (Let’s just pretend that was completely spontaneous and I hadn’t already had half the pitch worked out in my mind)
After it was settled that I would write this book and I’d sent in the required synopsis, I turned my attention back to finishing my edits for books three and four. There was a long time before I’d need to start worrying about Justice after all, but these two books’ deadlines were fast approaching.
Wow, that went by quickly.
And now Justice has been back on my mind. (Really, who could blame me?) But the trouble is, the story that I’d planned to write over six months ago just didn’t sit right with me any longer. And even more frustrating, I couldn’t get the damn thing started until I figured out why.
And then it hit me.
Justice’s heroine wasn’t strong enough for him. I liked her, she was really brave and sweet and...it totally wasn’t going to work. Justice has been alone too long. He’s too hard, too cold, and nothing fazes him at all. He needs someone who’s not only going to shock him back into the land of the living, but who’s going to kick his ass halfway across town if that’s what it takes to get the job done.
Miranda is that woman, and when I picture her I see Kate Beckinsale (And I know I'm on the right track with my writing now because Tiff said just this week that a snippet I posted to my critique partners had a very “Underworld” feel). Now that I’ve fleshed her out and given her a lot more spunk, the plotline for this story has, of course, changed quite drastically. But I like it even more. And so now I’ve been writing my butt off.
Finally.
Have you ever found yourself planning a book based on the personalities of characters you’ve worked hard to build—only to discover that they have no spark together at all?
I know, I know. Those who’ve read the series to date will say that Justice isn’t an Immortal (also another blog), but he is a character that was introduced in Book 2, Immortal Kiss, and I had a lot of people clamouring for his story. When my editor approached me as well and asked if I was planning to write it, I said “Um, okay. Sure.” (Let’s just pretend that was completely spontaneous and I hadn’t already had half the pitch worked out in my mind)
After it was settled that I would write this book and I’d sent in the required synopsis, I turned my attention back to finishing my edits for books three and four. There was a long time before I’d need to start worrying about Justice after all, but these two books’ deadlines were fast approaching.
Wow, that went by quickly.
And now Justice has been back on my mind. (Really, who could blame me?) But the trouble is, the story that I’d planned to write over six months ago just didn’t sit right with me any longer. And even more frustrating, I couldn’t get the damn thing started until I figured out why.
And then it hit me.
Justice’s heroine wasn’t strong enough for him. I liked her, she was really brave and sweet and...it totally wasn’t going to work. Justice has been alone too long. He’s too hard, too cold, and nothing fazes him at all. He needs someone who’s not only going to shock him back into the land of the living, but who’s going to kick his ass halfway across town if that’s what it takes to get the job done.
Miranda is that woman, and when I picture her I see Kate Beckinsale (And I know I'm on the right track with my writing now because Tiff said just this week that a snippet I posted to my critique partners had a very “Underworld” feel). Now that I’ve fleshed her out and given her a lot more spunk, the plotline for this story has, of course, changed quite drastically. But I like it even more. And so now I’ve been writing my butt off.
Finally.
Have you ever found yourself planning a book based on the personalities of characters you’ve worked hard to build—only to discover that they have no spark together at all?
11 comments:
I've started storylines that just don't work and I've had to stop and go back to thinking it through.
My heroine in my last book, Rosa, was a big PITA! And in my edits I had a lot of sorting out to do with her... I hope never to repeat that process again, it was very stressful :)
Oh, I love Underworld! Great stuff. :)
And this sounds wonderful, Kris. Good luck with it. Absolute Justice is a great name for a book too. Very cool sounding.
I don't think this has happened to me yet. But I'm only on my second book. LOL!
As I mentioned on your site, I was inspired by Kate in Underworld too! I am so looking forward to seeing what pieces of Kate you used.
Okay, okay, I'm so looking forward to my main man Justice. Period. Woo hoo! About freakin' time!
I've actually deleted more pages of my WIP than I've kept. And both of my characters have changed a ton since we all first met. But that was more due to a lack of knowing anything about what I was doing when I started.
This must be some character to be in such high demand. I haven't seen Underworld but I know Kate kicks butt in that picture, so this should be one fun book to write and to read.
Terrio, for the book I just finished . . . I wrote close to 130,000 words and the final word count is 90,041. So overwriting and cutting what doesn't work is fine. :-)
And yay, Kris, on writing Justice.
You know, I hadn't had this problem before. I'd had plot issues and continuity issues, but as to the characters, they've usually been pretty solid for me by the time I was ready to get started on the book.
For some reason though, I completely missed the mark when I originally thought of who Justice's heroine would be and how she would have reacted to the things that happen to her.
Oh and yes, Kate totally rocks in the two movies!
I love your title, Kris. And yay for the strong heroine.
My original plan in my WIP was to pair my sort of bad-girl reformed heroine with a vet with a cleft chin and a twinkle in his eye, I had detailed character bios on the two of them. But then this jerk from book one took over in all his alpha maleness. The vet went to my button box, and I'm having fits with the alpha. I may end up junking what I've wriien so far, but right now the character is in control.
This hasn't happened yet exactly, but sometimes my secondary characters threaten to take over the world. Guess they want their own books too. :)
Janga, it sounds like you're just not gonna get that Beta this time. Those durn alpha males can be so insistent can't they? LOL
Maggie!!
Do I ever know what you're talking about--I think that's where every writers' series gets its start, from a secondary character who just won't stay in the background.
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