But it was all just a dream...
I'm struggling.
Mirror Man has reached that stage; the final conflict is afoot and the denouement hot on its tail. The problem is, I am struggling with the motive of one of the players, and each time I try to draft the scene, I have recollections of the Pam Ewing 'season long dream'. Back then I didn't know what "Deus ex Machina" meant, but I knew shitty story-telling when I saw it!
My current dilemma involves the motivation of an immortal character, one similar to Valentine, the protagonist of my novel.
Here's a little more blurb:
Valentine is a Child of Loki and one of the original Berserker tribesmen of Norse Folklore.
With unobstructed access to the minds of his chosen victims and the ability to assume their precise physical characteristics, Valentine takes what he wants, when and from where he pleases.
He is the ultimate identity thief, unconstrained by the password-encrypted barriers his human counterparts face. Only a conscience and the inherent loneliness his immortality brings, stand between Valentine and the decadent life of leisure lead by his brothers and sisters.
The plot thread that's causing me concern is this: Valentine's brothers and sisters, lead my his 'mother figure' want him back in the fold, but I can't seem to come up with a plausible reason why a group of immortals, capable of literal identity theft, would so desperatly need one more in their number!
"Love" is not going to save the day - they are an emotionless bunch - and the reason needs to be something far less noble. Everything I've come up with so far has been so cliché, so clearly contrived, that my desk now has a forehead-shaped dent in it!
I think I have a solution, I type away for several hours then read back what I've written and groan. 'World domination? Is that the best you can come up with?'
If any of you out there are the product of a God/Human relationship, have the power to take on the external appearance of any living thing you can touch, and have more money than you can spend - even in your immortality, what drives you? What goals do you have? What dreams do you harbour?
Throw me a fricken' bone, will ya?
13 comments:
a cadre of power that would only be complete with Valentine back in the fold... hmm.. nope.. no cliche you said... hmm.. you pose a tuffy question there....
My first thought would be to read some more mythology (doubtless youve done tons already, but instead of focusing on the norse, try others.. many of the worlds mythologies share similarities...
Oh hey, do us frequenters of your blog get signed copies???
heh
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Thanks Maria - I think I have a plan now! At least for today.
Of course signed copies will always be available! I can get you a signed copy of "Love and Sacrifice" too, if you want?
The simplicity of being touched. Basics always seem to be anathema to the omniscient and omnipotent.
Dropped by from Michele's this afternoon, Mike. I could feel your pain in this entry: I think my desk has similar indentations.
I often take the bike out for a ride when I'm feeling particularly blocked and/or frustrated. But with our munchkin nursing a broken leg, I've been staying close to home of late.
The writer's lament...
I have no useful suggestions, though I liked the suggestion of having it be something simple and mundane. Touch. A mug of coffee. Aging. Stuff like that.
Reading your blog makes me feel guilty for "playing Michele" instead of working on my OWN novel.
But in a good way :)
Oh, and this visit is sponsored by Michele...I noticed, btw, that you linked to my bookblog - I'm returning the favor, there - you're already in my blogroll at MissMeliss.com :)
Is this book a one novel thing.. or is it the first of a series?
And yes please! A signed copy of Love and Sacrifice would be very cool :)
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oh, and by the way...
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/fiction/article2361503.ece
...just in case you have a ghostly tale floating about.
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here via Michele! Hello!
greetings from Michele...
its an interesting premise and now you have me sitting here trying to puzzle out a reason one would want a lost sibling to return that doesnt involve the maudlin human traits of love and familial duty. unless one is "up to something" that requires another player in the cast. Loki, i seem to recall in some mythologies, was also called the prnakster. so perhaps a viscous scheme requiring an extra helper might not be a reason that would go amiss. its self interest driven, and gives you the oppurtunity to plot a scheme that Valantine could appear to return to assist with yet in the end, perhaps purposefully thwart, causing the chais for his unblessed family rather than on the hapless mortals? thus appeasing his conscience and temporarily reconiciling him with his family?
michele sent me
Hello Michele sent me here.
Interesting book with interesting plot. Not sure it's the type of book I'd read though.
Wow. Great question for which I don't have a great answer. Isn't that why we all continue on? To find that answer? Heavy thoughts for a Saturday morning. But I love your writing. Michele sent me today and I'm very glad. Have a great weekend.
No one sent me. I came on my own. You are doing good thinking. You don't needbones thrown at you. I too can't write sometimes. I go back to reading more poets and write reviews.
Read, read and read!
Bone: I think with that combination of attributes, boredom is a possible outcome, which could lead to the character(s) doing virtually anything for a bit of amusement.
Good to see you back in blogland, thanks for letting me know. Will blogroll you and aim to read regularly, although I find white-on-black very hard on the eyes...
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