the premise-take 2

I'm going to buy a ton of books for the school library.  Very excited about that.  Been looking on the net for suggestions.  Can't wait.

The house is full of kids. Again.  They come pretty much every day now.   I didn't have children my own age living close by when I was young, so I like that my kids do.  They're fighting with their lasers.  They make the exact same sound as in the Star Wars films.  Very annoying.

After many thoughts, I finally found the premise.  At least, I think I did.  I'm still not sure about it, but it seems right.  I had to rethink my story, the way I wanted to tell it, in order to find it.  The story will remain pretty much the same.  It will be a serie of 3 books. 

I looked on the internet for some clues and I got more confused than when I first started.  Some said that Harry Potter's premise is a school for witches and a world where muggles don't know about witches. So, two premises.  Which one is good.  Both, maybe.

So, my premise is:  even the most unlikely of legend can be true.  Does it make you want to read it?

the premise

Been reading the book HTWADGN and I'm stuck at the premise.  I've not been thinking a lot about it, that is, but it doesn't come easily for some reason.  It says that the premise is the reason you are writing what you are writing.  The premise of a story is simply a statement of what happens to the characters as a result of the core conflict in the story.  As an example, Scrooge is confronted with his misdeeds by the pririts of Christmas, and who is transformed into a kind of Santa Claus.  The premise is  "forced self-examination leads to generosity".

I"m not very good at it.  I'm trying to find the premise for other stories, with no luck.  Take Harry Potter, for instance. A lonely boy ends up with more friends that he ever imagined.  A very ordinary boy  turned out to be a hero.  In Twilight, is forbidden love can work.  Love conquers all.  Am I on the right track?

I need to find my premise in order to continu.  I know what the story will look like, but I need the structure to make it  a better story.  I'm following the book.

n.b.:  the book is how to write a dawn good novel.

The new year

Well, it didn't start on the right note.  I haven't done anything in the writing department.  Found 3 more ideas though, but what good does it do if I don't finish any of them.  The ideas are for diffent books.

The Hollidays are finaly over (thank God!).  We tood down all the decorations, except the ones outside (my husband's job).

The kids are going back to school tomorrow, so I will be able to do some work (quiet time;  it's been a while ...).  We had many kids at home during the Holidays.

Read many books (my favorite gifts).  The wish by Gail Carson Levine,  White cat by Holly Black and Reckless by Cornelia Funke, which is one of my favorite author.  They were all good.  I love fantasy stories, and I don't mind reading material aimed at a younger audience.  As you can see, these books can all be found at the young readers' section at the library.  I will start Tithe and Valiant soon, both from Holly Black.

I'm a huge fan of Agatha Christie, and it was my goal to write something like her, but I realised that I don't have her gift (to put it mildly) and  furthermore, I don't like violence.  I always thought I would write a who-done-it kind of novel, but I don't think so.  Not in a near future anyway.  I still love to read them, but I find that there's too much violence nowadays, to my taste anyway.

One of my kid just went to a friend's house, so it will be quieter.  I'll try to get some work done.

Bringing a character to life

Well, I'm still writing.  Even I'm amazed by it.

Continuing with the book, I'm suppose to do just that:  bringing a character to life.  I'm suppose to bring conflict between characters.  I really don't know how to do that.

Read the chapter again (I read it as I do the blog;  not the best way to do it!!!)

Astrid is a teenager, so conflict is her life right now.  Perfect.  Her brother Barnaby is fourteen, so he's also conflicted.  I know it's not what the author had in mind, but for a beginning, that will do.

Prunella and Arthur Moreton are the maternal grand-parents.  They are as dissmilar as can be.  She's a bit extravagant and he's donw-to-earth boring.  I did great without knowing it.  I read the book before, but I didn't remember much about it.

birthday boy

I should've known.  My first instinct was to start writing after the Holidays, like the new year's resolution.

 We're all healthy now, but I'm too busy.  Monday, I had to go with my husband for a medical appointment.  Tuesday, I volunteer at my kids' school, and this coming week-end is my kids' birthday.  It will be the first time that I'm having kids in the house.  Usually, we're having family only, but this year, we're having two parties on the same day.  So this week, I'm planning every thing, not to mention making the teacher's Xmas gifts (baking).  Christmas rush.

On a sad note, my cat has met her sister yesterday.  I took both cats fifteen years ago because the owners wanted them to be together (probably wanted to get rid of them all).  The sister was put to sleep three years ago, but my beloved one was put to sleep yesterday.  It's hard.  My husband doesn't want more cats (allergies in his family, not to mention that he doesn't like pets).  Hoping that the kids might help him change his mind on the matter.  There's many cats for free out there ...  Thinking of you, Anik.  You went through the same thing last week.  We knew it was coming ....

Well, now meet Astrid Standish.  She's 18 years old, blue eyes and long brown hair.  Her eyes change colors, depending on her moods (blue, grey, green).She's rather tall, slim and she's active (jogging and yoga, wich she practices with father and mother, respectively).  She will have a car accident at the beginning of the story that will change her life forever.  How's that for an heroin?

how to write a damn good novel

It's been a tough week.  The kids've been sick, and the parents followed.  My hubby is still out of it, so we're back in the basement, trying to allow him to get some rest.  Yeah right!  With 3 noisy kids, how don't know how he's going to achieve that, even with ears plugs.

I've finish my main character's biography.  I know I'll have to work on some others eventually (I see them, but they will be further in the story, so they can wait), but they all have shapes and names.

Will try to have more discipline next week (said that before!).  Hopefully, everybody will be healthy by then.

How to write a damn good novel

It's Sunday and the house is full of kids.  Again.  They live on the same streets.  It's very difficult to concentrate.

Not been doing much writing, but I thought a lot about it.  Already know how I will start the story, which surprised me very much;  usually, that's one of the hardest thing.  The story is taking shape.  I will try to write the character's biography (if the kids don't annoy me too much!!!).