Friday, April 20, 2012

Writing Like a Rock Star!


Is what I've been doing since my last post. Hello? Is anyone there? I don't blame you for abandoning me. I've had to abandon y'all, as it turns out, in order to get anything accomplished.

But things have indeed been accomplished. As of 10:30 last night, I have completed 30,000 words of my new project, tentatively called SKIN. I don't want to say too much about it yet, but it is a historical mystery with a hint of the paranormal. Anyone want to guess where it's set? I'll give you three chances.

That's right.

New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS!

Turn of the century New Orleans was a most interesting city. About 1911, when my story takes place, parts of the city were glowing with electric lights, shining with clean water and new plumbing, and other parts of the city were being pumped dry for expansion.

Older parts of the city, like the French Quarter (which was known as Frenchtown at the time) were not always getting the modern updates, particularly the older tenements and poorer cottages. There was a huge disparity between the haves and the have-nots—sound familiar?—and Jim Crow laws were dividing up the population like never before.

Storyville had been in operation for nearly fifteen years, and Jazz, though the term was not yet in use, was being played in the finest "sporting" houses. Carnival second-line groups like the Babydolls had just been formed, as well as social aid and pleasure clubs like Zulu. All in all, it was a tumultuous time to be alive, which is something I want to demonstrate in my novel.

But this post will have to be enough to reassure you all that I am still here, since I am going to have to make myself scarce if I want to write another 30K words in a month. In case anyone is interested, I have been pantsing this time around. I don't know how this is all going to come together, I have no specific conflict resolution in mind. I still don't even know exactly "who-dunnit". Which is helping me get the words down quickly, and helping me keep the mystery alive.

What is that mystery, you ask? Well, you're going to have to stay tuned if you want to find out! ;)

Hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend!

8 comments:

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

*hand waving* Me! I want to find out and am willing to wait. Love that photo. :)
It seems everyone is blogging less and doing more of other things. But I want to keep in touch with the friends I've met this way. See you around!

Krispy said...

I will always wait for you! :) Glad to see a post, and more importantly, I'm so amazed by your productivity! Way to use a blog break! Congrats!!!

And it sounds like you've picked an amazing time period for mystery and magic! Love it!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Sounds like an interesting storyworld!!! I cannot fathom trying to do a mystery without plotting. I stand in awe of you!

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Dude, take all the time you need!! Sounds like you're cooking something amazing. What a super setting. I can't wait to read this book. Hurry hurry!

Sophia Chang said...

GOO YOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recently got back into historical fiction (as you can see with my own piece :P) - let me know if you need a read sometime.

Abby Annis said...

You're doing awesome! Can't wait to read more! :)

Golden Eagle said...

It sounds like a fascinating setting. :)

Chelly Writes said...

Awesome progress. Can't wait to hear more about it.