Once again, the Universal has presented me with a message that applies not only to Real Life but also to writing. At least to me. A compelling story always contains conflict. There are two kinds: exteranl and internal. External occurs when other people and/or events (or other things) affect the character(s). Internal are those “demons” an individual deals with during their journey (character arc) from the start of the story to the end. In romance, this gets tricky because it is really easy to get lazy. Example: The Great Misunderstanding!™️(That could be immediately solved if the characters just talked to each other.) This one drives a lot of romance readers–me included–nuts. I’ve DNF’d a few books because I was tempted to through the book (or my Kindle) at the wall. As a writer, don’t get lazy. Do NOT succomb to the temptation. That’s not to say the characters can’t have a misunderstanding. That’s good and can lead to growth in a character’s arc. The problem comes when they hide their feelings and resentment for the entire book and this is the entire sum of the conflict.
Anyway, here’s what the Universe passed along:
Adversity, challenges, and bumps in the road, Silver, are often the first signs that a great healing has begun.
Thinking of you,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. Especially when one seeks to understand them, Silver.
Think about the great stories and characters. Frodo comes to mind. Harry Potter. Eve Dallas (see I’m not always about the magical…). For a character to grow, they need to face adveristy, be challenged, and stumble over those bumps in the road. THAT’S their story. How they react, how they move forward, that’s the story. In a good story, a character starts out flawed at the beginning and due to all the stuff–bad and good–that happens, they come out healed at the end.
And, to be honest, all these things go into writing a good story. Authors, ammi right? *nodnodnods* We face adversity–finding time to write. Wrestling with characters and plots. Making up words that make sense. It’s a challenge to find a new story to tell or to tell an old story in a new way. And the bumps in the road to publication often leaves bruises. I won’t speak for other writers–though I suspect they mostly feel the same–when I finally type THE END and even knowing that I’m only half-way through the writing process, there’s a great sense of accomplishment. And relief. All the trials and tribulations suddenly become worth it. We get our HEA just like our characters. And I use HEA in a broader sense than the romance ending of “And they lived happily ever after.” Think about it. Every main character gets an HEA. The detective solves the mystery. The soldier wins the battle. The seeker finds the meaning of life.
So cheers to all of us–writers, readers, and characters. We’ll face what comes our way and come out better for it on the other side. Right? Right!
Silver James 
This might be a little “off the wall” , but I don’t get the word count thing. How can you possibly be spontaneous and creative while having to keep a running word count?? Someone splain that to me please!
Long story, I’ll try to make short. LOL Thursday Threads is a “flash fiction” challenge. Flash fiction is a writing exercise where you are given a prompt (word or phrase) and you must tell a story based on the prompt within the state word count. The point is to get the imagination into high gear and tell a succinct story. More often than not, I’ll take that 250 word scene and expand it into a 2500 word chapter. I do it for the fun and inspiration. It’s also a way that I can work on my next project while I’m deep in editing mode on a current project.
Did I ‘splain it? 😉
Well….sorta! I see other writers…lots of writers…saying that they managed to get x number of words written in the past two hours…two days…two weeks etc. They seem to have a deadline or quota of words that is essential. Sometimes it sounded like a publisher requirement.
When working under a contracted deadline, yes, it’s very much a requirement. Writing and publishing is a job and most of us keep “regular office hours.” For instance, if you were to write 1667 words (minimum) a day, you’d have a 50,000 word novel written in 30 days. Back when I had the energy, had contracts, and was really pushing, I’d average 2500 words a day, ie. one chapter. That was my goal every day when I sat down at the computer.
For instance, your publisher wants an 85,000 word novel in 3 months. You’d need to write approximately 1000 words a day (hopefully more) just to get the first draft done, and you’d be pushing on the deadline because you need to send in a final draft–which will then go through edits at the publisher before coming back to you for more revisions and edits. It really does become a “numbers game.”
Then I got sick, ended up in the hospital for almost a month and surviving two major surgeries. Even though that wsas a couple of years ago, the drive and push aren’t as strong and frankly, neither is the energy. I really need to make writing my job again, instead of the hobby it’s basically become.
Sounds rough. I’m sorry you have been through so much. I really admire you for your cheerful upbeat spirit in spite of all your problems. You’re a fun friend!!!😊😊😊
Awww. Thanks. Right back at’cha. 🥰
((Smile))
Profound Universe once again.
I would say 90% of the time people come out the better for it after trials but there are some that just don’t “get it.”
I hope your day is going well. Mine is okay. The sun is shinning, always a smile maker.
Yay for sunshine! After the winter y’all had, I’m sure it’s lovely. And yes, the Universe gets very wise sometimes. And yes, some people not only don’t get it, sadly, they never will. Hope your okay has turned to good. ❤