Moping to the finish line

Posted byKatie SullivanPosted inOn Writing, The DialogueTags:, , , , , ,
brooding
This is broody.
Photo courtesy Google Images

D: Are you trying to insinuate that I’m broody?

A: There’s no insinuation about it, D, you are broody.

D: I disagree.

A: . . . Wait, that’s it? ‘I disagree?’ No snark? No, ‘bloody woman’ this, ‘intolerable’ that? Who are you and what have you done with my Druid?

D: It’s a simple statement of fact. I disagree with you. Feeding you insults only encourages you, I find.

A: And I’m not to be encouraged?

D: Not on this.

A: Well.

D: (Ha! Finally got her to –)

A: Oi, I heard that!

D: Drat. It was worth a try. Look here, I am not broody. I’m emotional. I’m magnificent. I am passionate. I do not brood and I don’t lurk.

A: Fine. You don’t lurk . . . anymore. Now that Sean and Maureen know who you are in the story, the need to lurk is less. However! A tendency to succumb to deep thoughts and a touch of anxiety is not alien to your nature, D. You brood.

D: . . .

A: On occasion.

D: . . . .

A: Case in point, you’re brooding now, which brings me back to my original point: Moping.

D: I’m not—

This is broody too, but not what I meant. Photo courtesy Google Images
This is broody too, but not what I meant.
Photo courtesy Google Images

A: Yes you are. And to be fair, I think I might be too. For the first time this month, it’s been like pulling teeth to write more than 500 words a night. Once I sit down and make myself do it, 2k words stumble out , but by that time I’m wooing sleep deprivation with a desperation that is just not becoming. I’m starting to look like Jack’s zombies over here and that could be a problem (and as in Charles’ post, both the Zombie and I could use a vacation)!

D: Are you done plugging everyone’s blogs See, there you go again, stealing the tale-telling . . . intolerable bloody woman.

A: Really?

D: You started it.

A: (Deep cleansing breaths…). See, this is called moping, D. While I was away, and everyone was writing with you, I had the privilege of seeing you through different lenses. It was incredible. Plus, we were still working together, but in a different way: I wasn’t writing with you here, but I was writing with you there. You are Part 3. Now that I’m 40 pages into Part 4 with nary a word from you except in the past tense, I’m beginning to notice the lack of you – not on the page so much as in my mind.

D: I think you are mistaking an empty head–

A: D.

D: Sorry. Please, continue.

A: Somewhere in writing all this, you fled my mind and became your own person. It’s my own fault – I gave you a blog, after all – but your silence is making it difficult for my ideas and words to find focus. Please, don’t be silent. We have 7 days left to write 12k words. I can do it, but I need your help. Stick with me, and I promise your conclusion in this story will be better than anything I cooked up writing the outline. It always is.

D: Go on, say it.

A: Say what? Weren’t you listening?

D: Say it!

A: Fine. I miss you, D. Please liven up my brain. We need you in that gloppy mess.

D: Ha!! Victory is mine.

A: You knew that’s where this was going, didn’t you?

D: I’m not 1300 years old for nuthin’ A.

A: I am so going to love writing the parts of your book where you get your arse kicked.

The Druid Tells the Tale
Sexy.
Sexy.

If you’ve managed to follow us this far, please take a quick jaunt over to Ionia’s blog, where she asks a very interesting question on the nature of allure and (must I use the word, A? Yes, D. You want to tell the tale, call it by the name Ionia gave it. Fine.) What Makes Someone Sexy? It generated some delightful and thought-provoking responses (mine included, of course. A responded too, but she is as frivolous as always . . . Oi, Druid! Stay on task.)

Then there is an incredible piece of Charles’ writing over at the Community Storyboard, a sneak peek at two of his characters, Luke and Nyx. That’s how magic ought to be done.

For those of you who like to support and promote your favorite wordsmiths, Both Briana and Charles are looking for bloggers to help promote their upcoming books. A and I are looking forward to taking part in the blog-love-fest, as A likes to call it.

Finally, this articulate gentleman, Nicholas Conley, discusses that vicious inner voice, which he deems the Self-Cannibalistic Creative Monster. It’s a wonderfully insightful post. A likes it because there is Mark Twain and fun pictures, but I like it for its honesty and truth. And no, I’m not A’s inner voice externalized. I’m pretty sure she ignores that voice just as much as she ignores me most of the time. It would explain so much.

Good night, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for being a part of my tale.

A invites the audience’s participation

I think I just outgrew my “D’s a snarky so-and-so” crutch. Not that he isn’t a snarky so-and-so, it’s simply that I can’t use that as my impetus to get his story onto the page. Now I just love his story!

What do you do when you realize that you (or your character) have outgrown a particular way of relating and creating?

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Published by Katie Sullivan

Descended of pirates and revolutionaries, Katie Sullivan is a lover and student of all things Irish. Born in the States, she is a dual US/Irish citizen, and studied history and politics at University College, Dublin – although, at the time, she seriously considered switching to law, if only so she could attend lectures at the castle on campus. She lives in Milwaukee with her daughter, two cats and a pesky character in her head named D (but you can call him Dubh). Her first series, The Changelings Saga, a young adult historical fantasy trilogy is available on Amazon. She can be found writing with said character at her blog, The D/A Dialogues.

29 thoughts on “Moping to the finish line”

  1. Pingback: The Druid Tells the Tale, Again | The D/A Dialogues

  2. How interesting that our guest posts with D might have helped his character to grow. I don’t think any of my characters have outgrown the way I make them relate and react … yet. They try to run away and hide from me, though 😉 It sounds like a bittersweet feeling to have a character outgrow your original plan for them.

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    1. It is a little bittersweet – and it’s given me a pause. This week was rough writing-wise and part of it is that D isn’t in this section of the book until the last 3rd. Of course, by the time I get to his book, I’ll probably be back to heckling him! 🙂

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  3. Woke me up laughing…i feel asleep after the hours it took me to get through the sex post at Ionia’s place. Sheesh!
    Thanks for the fun.

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      4. It is – that’s what I love about it. I approached blogging with reckless disregard and was lucky to find so many lovely people who share a common interest – and share and share and share! It’s great!

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  5. Thanks for the mention, Katie! That was the happy surprise of my day 🙂

    I think it’s time to tell your muse to sit still and behave. I like your idea, though, that you want to kick his, ahem, well…you said it, I didn’t!

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    1. That looks excellent. I loved the prelude (I’m looking for someone to blame for my dialogue too – the real life one, not the one I enjoy here. It’s not nearly as entertaining). I’m looking forward to delving deep into John’s misadventures. Thanks for stopping by too, and the follow!

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    1. Thank you, Andra. Luckily, D and I have two more books to bring his tale full-circle. He doesn’t play too much in book 2 however, so that may be part of my reluctance. Man oh man there has been zero motivation and inspiration this week!

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  9. I love it. I can’t believe that i have the hots for a druid. Mum warned me about this. She said avoid the bad boys. Do I never learn? Honestly.

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