THE WEEKLY BREW: Fresh Eyes

It’s time for some fresh eyes – and no…I’m not talking about something creepy for Halloween!

As you might know from my previous posts, I’ve been working on a folk horror novella. I spent time brainstorming, outlining, and I started drafting it last month. But…I’ve only made it to Chapter 4. I don’t feel excited to work on it. In fact…I haven’t touched it since mid-September.

Which made me realize…I need to rework my plot. There wasn’t enough horror in my folk horror. Not a good place to be!

So, I decided to start over. Not necessarily changing much of the plot. But I need to bring in more of the horror, and the folk horror – to this book. I mean, if that’s what I’m calling it, readers are going to expect the scary, the spooky, the unsettling…and the weirdness!

I took some time over the weekend and I’ve got a few new ideas to add to the mix. I’m going to keep going this week, and hopefully I’ll have my new ideas shored up by Friday. Then, I want to use next week to rework my outline (ugh,…I don’t want to, especially after how long I spent working out the beats for every chapter). My goal is to have it all done and ready to go come November 1.

I know… that Novel Writing Organization That Shall Not Be Named is dead and gone, but I still love the energy and intention of getting a big chunk written in November, so I’m going to do just that! I also hope to sneak in more brainstorming & outlining the 2nd novella idea in November. It’s whispering to me from the shadows…which is a dangerous thing, because I’m trying not to get my ideas jumbled together.

Even though it sounds like a lot of work, I love this part! Brainstorming is my jam! And like any good plotter/planner, I love a robust outline. So I’m in my happy place with these two projects. I hope you are too, with whatever you’re working on!