Today is the first day of the rest of my life

I’m sure you’ve heard that saying before. But aren’t there days that actually feel like the first day of the rest of your life–the moment when the door opens and ahead of you is not only a new room, but a new life?

I feel that way today. And with the door standing open before me, I don’t see a room, closed in and confined by walls. I see a green meadow with tall, lush grass. Wild flowers spring up here and there, up and over the rolling hills. Butterflies decorate the landscape as if flower petals rained from the white, fluffy clouds overhead. And the sky is the truest blue I’ve ever seen…pure…inviting…promising.

Out of nowhere

Inspiration strikes when I least expect it. But no, that isn’t quite right, because I’m always expecting it…or at least hoping for it, waiting for it. Then a moment happens when my mind is somewhere else and then something…that tiny snippet of a song or a name…jolts me out of a fog. This sudden wake up is like the sound of a sharp clap or like a whiff of menthol, and in that instant I’m alert. My spine tingles. The inspiration echoes inside my mind, ringing in my ears until I finally get it. Yes! it says. I’m here…your gift.

There are moments, those quiet, blank moments when the best of inspiration finds me. Today, I have my prince’s name. And very soon, his story will begin.

1st person vs. 3rd person

I’ve spent a good deal of time contemplating which narrative to use in my next story. 1st person or 3rd? I think that first person narrative (fpn) might be more engaging to a younger audience. Since my new story is a young adult novel, I’m seriously considering it. However, I am quite comfortable writing in the third person.

On the pro side of third person is the ability to switch point of view (pov) to other characters. The story can switch between the protagonist and the antagonist and therefore add another level of depth and mystery to the story.

On the pro side of fpn is a more intimate relationship with the character. Also, the added layer of mystery is automatic because the reader is only seeing things from a single pov.

I’ve discussed this matter with a friend of mine who is also a writer and she suggested that I try it out in first person. If I don’t like it, I don’t have to keep it. And this is a very good idea. I will probably write a scene in both narratives and see which one flows better for me.

In the meantime, I would like to see some concrete data on young adult preferences. If I discover something, I’ll be sure to pass on the info. :)

Good ole clunker

I have an ancient computer that I use strictly for writing. It doesn’t have internet access, which keeps me from wiling away many hours doing “research” and updating my web pages. Its main purpose is strictly for work. However, there are some mornings when my faithful companion shows its age by sputtering, grumbling, and clunking around like an emphysematic old man.

Unfortunately, today is one of those days. The moment I really get into a scene, my ole clunker starts coughing and clearing his throat. It seems to grow louder the more I try to ignore it. Like the old man in there is saying: “Hey, little missy. What’s the big idea of keeping me awake ’til after midnight and then starting me up just after dawn? Don’t you know I’m old and I need my rest?”

But instead of listening to my ole clunker, I’ve decided to defrag his hard drive. Hopefully, that will be medicine enough to get me through the rest of today.