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What if....

5/20/2015

8 Comments

 
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Thunder, a.k.a Bannie
While working on my current projects, Thunder and Adah's Quest(temporary title), I've been learning a lot about plots and characters.

One thing in particular that has helped me a lot, especially with Adah's Quest, has been the simple question, "What if?"

For Thunder, this doesn't work a whole lot, because I already have a pretty good idea of where I want the story to end up. That doesn't mean I can't still ask the question, but at this point I don't think I will be changing it up too much.

With Adah's Quest, however, this question has helped me tremendously!

What if…the cabin burned down?

What if…she got caught in a blizzard, far from the cabin?

What if…she went to leave the mountain and her car wouldn't start?

What if…she fell down a mountain?

What if…she decided to quit her job and live on the mountain permanently?

What if…she ran out of wood in the middle of a storm?

What if…horror of horrors, she ran out of coffee? (I ran out of coffee the other day…well,  not totally. But the other kinds we have are not my favorite by far. It's too hot to drink coffee anyway, so I'm not suffering too badly!)

This story is a bit different than anything I've written before. I am attempting to write it in first person and for the most part that seems to be working, though it does limit certain aspects.

It is also different in the respect that while I have an end goal for Adah, I do not know how I am going to reach that goal. I have a vague plot planned, but for now, I am just taking it one page at a time and asking the question, "what if" often. It's fun to explore the different twists and turns my plot can take J

For a brief writing update:

Adah's Quest is at roughly 20,000 words. I haven't had as much time to write, but in the few moments I have had, I was pleased to note that I am still not experiencing writers block with this story. At this point, I have no idea when Adah's story will be ready for you all to enjoy, but hopefully it will be sooner than later. Perhaps I will post an excerpt soon.

Thunder is progressing very slowly. Knowing how I want the story to end, and actually getting the story to that point are two very different things! I am still hoping to have Bethany's story out by fall, but with taking the entire month of June off for our Alaska trip, I will have to work furiously when we get back. I did manage to write 1,000 words the other day, which put me at just over 6,000 words total.  

Now that TCCAS #1 and #2 are published, I have turned my attention to TCCAS #3-The Stranger and the Lost Mine. The rough draft is approx. halfway completed. I am hoping to be able to publish it next spring, to keep the series on a yearly release schedule, but we will have to see how it goes.

Speaking of Bannie, here is a video of him and I doing some spring work getting ready for summer riding :)

8 Comments
Aunt Cathy
5/20/2015 01:09:19 pm

I just love the way the two of you interact. Lovely and graceful, Lauren.
It's so relaxing to watch you.

Reply
Lauren K. Lotter
5/23/2015 03:29:04 am

Thanks Aunt Cathy! Bannie and I have a special connection. We butt heads sometimes...but it sharpens us!

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Bethany
5/21/2015 03:21:37 am

Hope things pick up for you... I hate that dead end feeling where you just don't know what to do next in a really great story that you had all planned out before and now it just isn't coming out right.
I am sure the finished product will be well worth the wait :)
Oh question. How is your finger doing? I have been praying for quick healing so you can back to being able to type comfortably... typing with a brace on is no fun... I know from personal experience;)

Reply
Lauren K. Lotter
5/23/2015 03:35:04 am

Thanks, Bethany! There are ups and downs to any job and writing is no exception!
My finger has not really had any change. I did get some essential oils as your sister suggested and have been using them. I jammed it against a pipe again the other day and my knuckle is now swollen :) I'm still wearing the brace...and struggling through typing! I talked to a doctor the other day who does a little with hands. He said that even though I can move it and there wasn't a huge amount of bruising, it could still be broken. I'm not sure what I am going to do yet. Thanks for the prayers!

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Rebekah link
5/22/2015 02:55:51 pm

Ah, the "what if . . ." game. You never know where it might lead you. ;)

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Lauren K. Lotter
5/23/2015 03:30:09 am

I know you are fond of that question :)

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Aunt Dona
5/23/2015 03:32:27 am

...what a treasure I found after viewing the training film, then I was lead to setting up the round...then even more little films made by you, and you and your mom- ---WOW- I had no idea how much work there is in setting up a round, the dump truck loading seems to be a lot of fun- I wish I was there because I would be right up there in that dirt w/you all....WHAT IF I COULD JUST CLOSE MY EYES AND BE THERE IN SECOND.?
Sirena and I play games like that too- only sometimes they have a smelly twist---'What is that smell?" it's not good...and then there's the "WHAT?" game....Whaaaat! I wish you could hear what it sounds like when we do it.. The WHAT in this case would be- you ran out of coffee....we must fix that right away...hugs to all the humans and those animals on the farm.

Reply
Lauren K. Lotter
5/23/2015 03:39:22 am

I didn't really need the sand hauled in to the round pen, but it makes it so much nicer to work in and my guys were kind enough to indulge me :)
Using the dump trailer is always lots of fun :)
I can only imagine what it sounds like at your house. Do the critters get in on it too?!
Thankfully, I have my coffee now...just finished two cups ;)

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