Finally. Writing.

After days (or has it been weeks?), I'm finally writing. Previously I posted about how I had to plan first, but now that I'm in the midst of it, it's writing. I started by putting the initial family tree together. I have thirty-one people in it, which is a good start. There are another ten-plus people to be added, but I decided to start writing the character outlines before I went further. It is clear why I can't continue to keep these characters in my head. There are simply too many of them.

I started with Olivia Young Fairchild Rice. The first thing I realized was I hadn't ever given her a maiden name. I also hadn't named her parents. Naming characters is really difficult. Harder than you'd think. Another funny thing . . . I couldn't remember what color her hair was. Good thing Ben is bald.

As I've written previously, writing my character outlines is probably long overdue. However, I learned a long time ago that I'm better at jumping in and getting things done, and then making corrections than I am at what I consider over-planning. I have Tom Peters to thank for that personal philosophy. Now that I'm three years in, I can go back, outline the characters I've written, and also have a good foundation for writing the new character outlines. I cannot wait to start the outlines for the latest hero and heroine. I find myself lost in thought, imagining what they look like, plotting their back story. It is so much fun. If I'd only allowed myself to get lost in thought sooner . . . I'd probably have another book written by now. 

I'm especially enjoying listing Liv's faults. It's much more fun than listing her strengths! She's immature, sheltered, self-sacrificial, naive, and stubborn. And I'm just getting started. Can you imagine how much fun I'm going to have writing Lyric's character outline?

I love these characters so much. It's part of why I love writing so much. I think back on when I was writing FALL, and how I moved through the process. Some of it was heart wrenching. I've grown as a writer, thank goodness, but there is a part of me that mourns the loss of that innocent approach. Will I experience those feelings again? I suppose I might. There is a better chance given that I write different series.

When I pick up a series after being away from it for several months, it is like coming home. Being with the characters again is like visiting old friends. I get excited about writing the next book . . . and then days go by, and I'm not able to get back into it. 

This time though, it feels different. It feels as though I'm really in it. I hope so. I need to be.