Plot is sort of appearing, word count 11, 218
Today was a crucial day for the plot of my novel. I'm not completely satisfied with it but it's starting to fall into place. Nicky's friend Molly (and her main correspondent) moved to The Big City for a few months, so the letters ceased. Then Molly moved back to Lawnville which is pushing the plot forward in some interesting ways. A bit of a love triangle thing starting to happen? And some dastardly deeds on the way. I don't want to give away too much as I don't even really know what is about to happen.
It's still often difficult to figure out why people would actually be writing each other letters (instead of just calling) but I'm starting to get the hang of the letter thing. You can really show multiple perspectives if several people write about teh same event, and you can also show various drafts of a letter, unsent letters, etc. It's a fun experiment.
For an excerpt, I'm including the letter that Nicky sent to Molly that ends Part I of my novel. It's the letter that prompted Molly's move to the city. (I won't tell you, yet, why she left.)
Letter 24. December 10, 198x
The Big City
Dear Molly,
I’m still glowing from the success of Flabulous. I couldn’t believe how many people showed up, how happy they all seemed to be, and how impressed Gordon was. I think I may have found my next path in event planning and promotion. It’s not serious, like your work, I know. It’s ephemeral, you might think, or flighty, but I see it as a vocation: bringing people together, finding connection in the big city, building relationships and building art together. Especially with the recent police presence in the neighborhood, we need reasons to be out there together and safe.
But that isn’t what I wanted to write about – we’ll talk more about it when I see you in just a couple of weeks, I hope. I am writing with a proposal for you. I think you should move to the Big City. I know, you’re established, you’ve got Jo, you’ve got a life there, your work, and everything. But there are plenty of jobs here and with your experience and smarts, I’m sure you’d find something easily. You could maybe even transfer to another branch of your firm.
I feel strange writing this to you – probably why I’m choosing to write instead of call. There’s a permanency to a letter that is a little scary, but I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to say these words to your face. Molly, you don’t seem happy in Lawnville and you haven’t for quite a while. That’s how I used to feel, too, and that’s why I came here. And life is different for me here – not perfect, of course, but more unpredictable, exhilarating, fulfilling. I know you love it here – I saw how you glowed when we met up at Flabulous, how you were so unflappable and calm and joyful. Not even seeing Kiefer show up at the event phased you – you took it all in stride. I haven’t seen that side of you in a while. In Lawnville, you and Jo always seem to be bickering over the chores, the vacations, the budget, all the small stuff – never mind the big stuff that you’ve compromised on over the years. I love Jo, too, but I don’t think you two are happy.
Seth’s got a spare room and is looking for a subletter for when Laura leaves on tour. She’s leaving in January and will be back in a few months, by summer, I think. That would give enough time for you to get a taste of city life, make up your mind about staying, and find your own place if you like. Should I tell her that you’ll take the room? I might even be able to convince her to clear some space in her ‘belt room’ (I’ve never seen a person with so many belts! It’s a veritable 24-hour belt emporium!) for an office space for you because I know you like to work from home sometimes.
Think it over, and we’ll talk when I visit in a couple of weeks. Remember, I’m telling you this because I love you.
Xoxo
Nicky
It's still often difficult to figure out why people would actually be writing each other letters (instead of just calling) but I'm starting to get the hang of the letter thing. You can really show multiple perspectives if several people write about teh same event, and you can also show various drafts of a letter, unsent letters, etc. It's a fun experiment.
For an excerpt, I'm including the letter that Nicky sent to Molly that ends Part I of my novel. It's the letter that prompted Molly's move to the city. (I won't tell you, yet, why she left.)
Letter 24. December 10, 198x
The Big City
Dear Molly,
I’m still glowing from the success of Flabulous. I couldn’t believe how many people showed up, how happy they all seemed to be, and how impressed Gordon was. I think I may have found my next path in event planning and promotion. It’s not serious, like your work, I know. It’s ephemeral, you might think, or flighty, but I see it as a vocation: bringing people together, finding connection in the big city, building relationships and building art together. Especially with the recent police presence in the neighborhood, we need reasons to be out there together and safe.
But that isn’t what I wanted to write about – we’ll talk more about it when I see you in just a couple of weeks, I hope. I am writing with a proposal for you. I think you should move to the Big City. I know, you’re established, you’ve got Jo, you’ve got a life there, your work, and everything. But there are plenty of jobs here and with your experience and smarts, I’m sure you’d find something easily. You could maybe even transfer to another branch of your firm.
I feel strange writing this to you – probably why I’m choosing to write instead of call. There’s a permanency to a letter that is a little scary, but I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to say these words to your face. Molly, you don’t seem happy in Lawnville and you haven’t for quite a while. That’s how I used to feel, too, and that’s why I came here. And life is different for me here – not perfect, of course, but more unpredictable, exhilarating, fulfilling. I know you love it here – I saw how you glowed when we met up at Flabulous, how you were so unflappable and calm and joyful. Not even seeing Kiefer show up at the event phased you – you took it all in stride. I haven’t seen that side of you in a while. In Lawnville, you and Jo always seem to be bickering over the chores, the vacations, the budget, all the small stuff – never mind the big stuff that you’ve compromised on over the years. I love Jo, too, but I don’t think you two are happy.
Seth’s got a spare room and is looking for a subletter for when Laura leaves on tour. She’s leaving in January and will be back in a few months, by summer, I think. That would give enough time for you to get a taste of city life, make up your mind about staying, and find your own place if you like. Should I tell her that you’ll take the room? I might even be able to convince her to clear some space in her ‘belt room’ (I’ve never seen a person with so many belts! It’s a veritable 24-hour belt emporium!) for an office space for you because I know you like to work from home sometimes.
Think it over, and we’ll talk when I visit in a couple of weeks. Remember, I’m telling you this because I love you.
Xoxo
Nicky
I hope that Seth is not so foolish as to give up a belt room! Where would all the belts go? I'm very intrigued by all the different forms of "letters" that you are building in. Very creative. And congratulations on the high word count.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the familiar characters- or 80s versions of them, at any rate. You are way ahead on your word count! Congratulations on finding a plot.
ReplyDeleteI really love this whole letter novel thing, and I'm excited to read more excerpts!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jackie, forcing Seth to clear out his belt room seems like it would be a tragedy. Also, I'm very glad that Gordon has shown up yet again.
ReplyDelete