I try to do something new in every book. A way to train to be a better writer. I’ve talked with Nick August and we figured out a few things:
No more personification of the soliloquy. No ‘other rex’ to talk to yourself. inner thoughts can be inner thoughts this time.
While I don’t have the final names (they change from chapter to chapter) I’m going with Rex and Kate for now and will change it when I have a better idea where they are going. The new idea is to have a parallel story. Rex and Kate will both be telling their 1st person POV stories in unison. There’s going to be some overlap, but not just retelling the same story twice.
Faster pacing than Dog Walker. I want there to be more things that happen, more conversation etc. Since it’s a relationship Gullivers Travels, it only makes sense for the plot to pace like a car driving in the Baja.
Where in Dog Walker, it was about a single story arc, Softbone was an evenly paced one (broken into thirds) this one has two people doing two arcs, and I want to front load Rex and back load Kate’s arc. They are almost mirrors. Rex is selfless and jealous, while Kate is not jealous and selfish. At the end they will reverse. the trick is to make it seamless
I plan on layering another moral message. ‘you can’t go home again’ which will help tie everything together.
In that vein, enjoy a piece from chapter 1, again.
I
“Come on now. Do you know who I am?” Oh god, he was looking at me like I owe him something. His stupid hat is half sideways and that gold chain … his dad probably bought it for him.
“I don’t care who you are. You made me wait for like a half hour because you were too drunk to even pick me up. I got lost on my way.”
“Yeah, well a lot of girls would be happy to be here right now. I mean, look at this place.” He was getting angry at me like I’m supposed to be impressed that his fucking dad makes music. He’d probably just try to drug my in the basement. What an asshole.
“You know what? I don’t need this shit. I’m out of here.” And he finally leaves his front door to chase after me. Would have been nice to have this kind of enthusiasm when I asked him to help me get here.
“Wait. You can’t do this. I got booze inside. I got blow! Just come in, I’ll give you whatever you want.” Oh god, is he going to beg or something? First time I tell him no and he has to have a temper tantrum. Yeah, I’m out of this place.
“Get your hand off me.” I say as I slap it away. He puts his hands up, like he’s worried I’m gonna what, slam him into the ground or something? What was I even thinking saying yes to this guy. It’s all Erin’s fault. She’s the one that told me this would be cool to brag about. I mean, not man people on the Island get to say they dated a rock star. Except it’s not. It’s his stupid son.
“Please? I’ll give you money.” Oh, so now he thinks I’m a hooker?
“Oh fuck off. I’m out of here. Don’t call me again.”
It was so dark outside that I couldn’t see where the driveway was. I had to listen to the gravel crunching under my tires. I turn and get back on the road, hopefully I can make it back to my hotel before I get pulled over. I’m a little buzzed, but I know I can handle it.
The road is boring. No lights, no nothing. I can’t see shit. I hope Rex answers the phone. I don’t want to pass out and die here, no one will know where to find me.
…
…
“Come on”
…
“Hey, Kate. What’s up?”
“Ugh. I just went on a shitty date and I ditched the guy. Now I’m stuck in Vancouver and buzzed and I’m driving to my hotel and have no one to talk to. I need you to keep me company.” Rex is always so nice to me. It’s like we have always been soulmates.
“Wait. Where are you?”
“Vancouver, on the Quay.”
“And you’re on a date?”