My writing class is going well. My first story was critiqued by the class on Monday. I think everyone liked it, but I need to go back and work on character development and setting.
This week's short story is a struggle. I think it's the deadline that's getting to me. The story is due on Friday and I've got an idea churning that's based (loosely) on someone else's memory. As I started plotting, the story turned into a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Unfortunately, I don't know how to end it and I'm still going to struggle with character development.
I think one thing a lot of beginning fantasy writers struggle with is their characters' personal development over the course of the novel. Typically (like in my first novel), things just happen to the character and the character has to solve a mystery and/or survive. A good story has characters with needs. A good story changes the characters in some way as they fight to meet those needs. I think a lot of us forget that sometimes.
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3 comments:
This post is brilliant. I love the title, too!
Suzy
I've been struggling to write a retelling of that story forever! I found your link on kidlit.com. I love the synopsis of your book.
I'm an FSU English alum :) I wish you good luck with your writing! I bet a friend of mine is in workshop with you.
There's something magical about writing. I think whatever that 'something' is, it saturates fairy tales. Good luck with your version.
Since I only had three pages with which to tell the story, I went with a much simpler premise. I wish I could have done The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
Glad you liked my query! Hopefully a good agent will too. :)
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