Monday Morning...

Image shared from Pinterest.

I'm looking forward to a bright new week, and I'm eager to have my family back as they've been away on holiday, but honestly, my world just isn't the same without them. 

I've been busy though. I have completed Chapter 5 which has taken a while, and I needed to write a bit of a hairy scene, involving a murder and that was difficult. I'm not sure about anyone else but I struggle to write those sort of scenes. I guess when you're so invested in a story, you live with your characters every day, and I know it might sound silly but its quite hard to say goodbye to any one of them. Anyway the scene just needs reviewing and and edit to complete. 

Chapter 6 is a chapter I'm looking forward to writing, because it belongs to Annie Essie, who is Alma's mother, and Arthur's wife. Over the months I've written notes on all of my characters, and I usually gather those, and re-read, which gives me a whole lot of material to work with. I have lots on Alice, because although she isn't always a big part of the novel, she is significant and the reason the story takes on its purpose. 

There is always something the protagonist has to go through to achieve their aim and that often means within their purpose there are lots of battles, struggles, and experiences, as they progress through the story. Dreaming up plots, has been especially good for me, as I like planning and daydreaming. 

Anyway if you're still with me, thank-you. I'd like to wish you a wonderful week in whatever you do. 

MJ   

I Remember...

Image from Pinterest

The dark room, filled with cobwebs, was cold, ice hung from its windows, and as I lay frozen, wet and shivering on the floor, I felt disorientated. I Instantly became alert to the creaking door at the top of the stairs, initially it was being opened slowly, then suddenly, it flew open. She stood staring at me through the wooden grab-rail. Seeing I was awake, she flew down the steps, screaming, grabbed my wrists, and held on claw-like, as she roughly taped them together. Breathing heavy, and with a strange aroma about her, she glanced sideways, and that's when I noticed the plastic sheeting, lying on the floor. 

Terror filled my soul. I knew she was going to kill me. 

I began pleading for my life, and asked what was happening, who was she, and why was she doing this? 

I'll never forget her response, or the dull, dead, flat tone she used to answer. She simply said, 

"Because I can".

(A developing scene from my latest WIP, The Alma Essie Story)  

MJ Ewen 

Another Day...

 

Today went well, even though I was dog sitting, and writing in-between a carers duty. A good word count and an interesting day, pretending to be various characters, and plotting their planners. I particularly love being Isabelle, she is fearless and knows what she wants. I'm looking forward to playing Alma Essie, and seeing how she reacts when she finds out that Isabelle is not the person she thought she was. I know all the characters, the building, and the grounds of Arden Manor. To me its real. Every Character has a story and each chapter will be designed for their story... not sure if it'll work, but I'm trying it anyway. 

My writing journey is progressing, and my tools-of-the-trade are getting me by... I light a candle, flip my hourglass timer, and make sure I have a drink, then I'm good to go. Its practice, practice, practice... I want to work on perfecting the craft, and trying to be the best I can be. I have already said previously that there is no pressure, and my expectations are low, because I found writing and it helped to heal me. something happens when I sit down and tap, tap, tap the keys of my trusty lap-top. 

I just want to be clear... having low expectations doesn't mean I don't want to be published, I do, but, I know its hard out there, so many gifted writers, and the publishing world isn't easy to step into. I enjoy writing, and I'm happy and grateful to be in a position to do it. 

Until, again... 

MJ Ewen 

Sweet Arthur Essie...

She sulks in the shadows and hides in the dark... 

Shush my sweet Arthur, come... step closer, look into my heart as it glows just for you. You've got this, haven't you Arthur? don't let me down... don't ever let me down. There are always consequences to disappointment, but you know that don't you darling? 

Chapter 5 is progressing. The story deepens, and actions begin. Those actions affect every single character with devastating results. Sometimes I never quite know what Isabelle is going to get up to but very soon Alma will be here, and then plots will thicken. 

MJ Ewen

 

Progression...

 

Doesn't It feel good to finish what you start? I finished Chapter 4; and it feels like a real win. And even though I set a deadline that passed... all I can say is that things happen, life takes over, and you do your best.

My novel is set in the early 1900s, and spans 3 generations. It didn't start out like that, it simply developed and progressed, almost on its own.

Initially I wanted to write a short story, because I was taking a break from a fantasy novel that I'd been working on for the longest time. I’d been questioning myself over the length of time it was taking. I felt I’d made it complicated, and maybe that’s why it was taking forever. I wondered if a break would be the answer. I have many ideas, and lots of characters on the back-burner, waiting for their stories.

So, I’m happy to report that my New Work in Progress, is coming along fine. It starts with a Prologue set in 1996, and to-date there are 4 completed chapters.

I have an outline, and for that I use my chapters titles, which keep me on track.

The protagonist is Alma, Sarah Essie, who is born into a wealthy family. The family live in a mansion called, Arden Manor, and they’re lucky to be able to afford hired-help, which includes Rachel, the housekeeper, who has a 10 year old daughter, Isabelle.  The novel is mainly about their relationship, lives and stories.

Isabelle, is many things, and develops and unwinds, sharing stories, around fear, failure, hate, rage, deceit, jealousy, obsession and worse, much worse… and, as the years go by, her jealousy of Alma, knows no bounds. 

Each character, and there are a few, have their own story, and these are shared as the novel unfolds.

Have a wonderful week, and progress as you go!

 

MJ Ewen