You know how all those musicians used to have those specials on VH1, I think it was: Behind the Music? They were always full of so much drama. I was guilty of watching them in awe. So now, I bring you, a Behind the Writing type segment, entitled Behind the Scenes: Making of Possession.
It all started with a dream…. Umm, no, that’s not right. Let me try again.
It really started a month ago, when I decided on a whim to sign up for Romance Divas Ebook Challenge. I thought to myself, it would force me to work toward a deadline, give me the chance to write something out of my comfort zone, and be a part of a group of really amazing authors. How could I pass it up? So, I looked through my files to see if there was anything I could use. I found the beginnings of a novella I had wanted to write. A paranormal, my very first. The opening was intriguing so I thought, yea, this could work.
Being the total pantzer that I am, there was really only a little bit of it plotted out. The rest, was up in the air. But I figured, I have time. I can make this work.
Boy was I wrong. A month flew by. Between my awful health, my husband’s penchant for catching colds, the drama with the play (offstage drama, which is the worst kind), and issues with me trying to find a better job, the novella went ignored. Until I realized that the deadline was this weekend, and I completely panicked.
What would I do?
I would attempt the unthinkable. Starting Friday night, I devoted my weekend to work. I pushed through, telling myself it would be worth it, that I could finish it. I was writing 1500-2k a night. Then I realized that the story was starting to get long. Too long. Wasn’t this supposed to just be simple? Well, I should have known that with me, NOTHING is ever simple. 5k became 8k, became 11k. And I realized I wasn’t even close to a conclusion. Cra-yap.
So, after 37 hours, a few energy drinks, potato chips, and a chocolate cupcake with strawberry frosting, my brain officially shut down. I had to end it where it was, because it was 11pm on February 14th. The day it was supposed to have been up.
The whole thing was both a rush and a disappointment. I’m proud of my work, but it’s not all it could be. And I’m sad that I wasn’t able to keep the deadline, at least not deliver a finished product. I feel like I failed in some ways, but excelled in others. It’s a strange combination of emotions. But, all in all, the story is up, and it promises to be something of interest. Who knows? If enough people like what I have of it thus far, I may be motivated to flesh it out and get it finished.
For those of you who’ve read it, I know it stops abruptly. Think of it as a snippet of something better to come, ok? And be easy on me. I’m still trying to make up for my two days with no sleep.
And that’s the story of my free read and the maniac type devotion I tried to show. I figured, it’s all part of being a writer. Gotta take the good with the ugly, you know?
Stay tuned for another episode of Behind the Scenes, the next time I do something absolutely foolish. Don’t fret, knowing me, it’ll be soon.
