STORY THOUGHTS / NOT THE STORY THOUGH

Lately I have been getting feedback about the latest story line, "Bright Lights".

Either people are trying to make me feel good about this project, or I might be on to something. Several have commented that they think the story is going to reach novel status, and length. Could be.

I know I have given enough side bar information to keep this going for a LOOOONG time if it suited my fancy. There are so many different directions this thing could go. I think some of the people reading it are getting more interested in the characters, and their development.

I know Buffy and Bogie have commented that they are ready for more and want me to hurry up.

Others want to know, if I am going to explain the backgrounds of, and further develop, the two main characters in this story. And whether I plan on spinning off other stories about them. Could be.

What has made this interesting so far is getting thoughts and snippets from people, kind of like "stump the chump". Just to see if I could incorporate them into the story line and have it make some kind of sense. I like that.

I haven't lost interest in the story or the writing, so don't let that worry anyone. I plan on continuing with the story writing.

My question on the whole situation is with myself. Should I let the story take over and let it flow freely? OR should I continue taking requests and snippets, melding them into the story line. You know, let them bump it around from side to side, not unlike the ball in a pinball game. Flip the lever and send the ball careening off in a different direction, ping off another loaded bumper, sailing to yet another uncharted location. Hoping to get the full score and not "tilt" by whacking it too hard to get it under some semblence of control.

I'm having fun, so "I" am getting value out of this, and not doing it just to make the audience happy. But is the audience getting value out of it?

Am I making this a worthwhile adventure for the folks that commit the time to read what I have put down?

If it stopped, would anyone really notice? Or care.

Oh well, now back to "real" stuff.

At a Science Fiction convention I attended years ago, a well known author was having a discussion with a group a people. He commented that the biggest irritation he had with meeting people at conventions is, in the course of conversation, someone always said, "I would have ended this story differently." At this point, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a pencil and said, "I had these made for me for just such occasions." And he handed the pencil out to us to see. On it was embossed, "YOUR ENDING HERE".

He said, "I tell them that if they don't like the ending, tear out the last five pages and write their own. That usually shuts them up."

The group of us, (none guilty of that fax paus), were left with a souvenir, a good story and a great laugh.

Thanks for letting me air out my brain. I promise to get back to the story as soon as I get a block of time to work with.

Comments

[bogie]

That's a hell of a question - I could make a great case for either option. My first reaction (while I was reading the sentence), was to let it flow. Then, while I was finishing the sentence, I thought that putting in nutty snippets was the way to go.

Good thing I'm not in charge of this thing; I would probably change my mind every minute or so!

[Wichi Dude]

It is a bit of a tricky situation. I myself like the snippets, it causes me to think around the given line, rather than through it. Through is OK, but it is fun to have to jog to the left, then back to the right. You have to build around them.
Like I said, I was just airing out my brain and wanted to let people know where it was at. Still, feedback is appreciated.

[Da Goddess]

When I send you those postcards, I'm sending you a book as well. I think you'd appreciate it....

[Wichi Dude]

Would this book by any chance have pictures and pop-up characters in it? I like those. Quick to read, no brain power involved. Did I mention I like those?
OK! Now I wait expectantly. I love a good mystery.