
Photo inspiration
I started work on my Middle Grade novel this morning. Well, I wrote 300 words this time last year, but never got further with it than that. I only added 2,000 words today, but as I’m a Pantser, the beginning of a story is always slow. Once it gains momentum, and I have a clue what the story is about, it should hopefully pick up speed. The start of a new novel is always time consuming as well because there is an element of necessary research. I try not to jar the flow too much when I’m writing, as it’s easy to lose hours to internet research, but I do like to check facts as I go. I always have the iPad next to me for quick searches like “When do skylarks nest?” and “When are potatoes harvested?” (Both from this morning.)
I also like to have some photographs of my story setting to help me make it more three-dimensional. The 300 words I wrote last year were all dialogue, with no setting at all. If I don’t have something to prompt me, I do tend to only write dialogue and feelings. This story is set on a traditional small farm, starting in the kitchen, so I looked for a few images to help me. Once upon a time I would have searched until I found the perfect property, so I could steal all the photos, layout, floor maps, street view images, the works. But I’ve lost valuable hours and chunks of sanity to that task in the past, so now I look for general images and piece them all together into one page that I can have beside me when I’m working.

Character names made easy
As this book will be fantasy, I wanted to come up with an easy way to generate names: I really struggle with character names and often find the same ones cropping up time and again (I have two Daniels as main roles in different manuscripts, for example, even though – or possibly because – I don’t know anyone called Daniel.)
I wanted quirky names for my ‘other world’ people, but ones still more or less easy to pronounce. I find, reading fantasy, that I get irritated if the names are too complicated.
Anyway I came up with the idea of using latin bird names, using a little pocket book that used to belong to my dad (that I think I’ve rescued from hubbie’s charity shop pile more than once!)
So far I have my female protagonist Merula, from Turdus Merula – Blackbird. Naevia, her friend, from Locustella Naevia – Grasshopper Warbler. Otus, from Asio Otus – Long-eared owl, and Alba, from Tyto Alba – Barn Owl. How easy is that? 🙂
I’m quite nervous starting something completely new, and in a new genre (middle grade fiction). It’s been two years since I wrote Dragon Wraiths, and I had such a strong sense of the story when I started it. This time I’m driven more by a desire to try my hand at the genre and hopefully write something my children might like to read before they’re twenty! It’s daunting and exciting at the same time. I know so much more than I did two years ago, and I write more self-consciously, having done a LOT of editing in that time. I don’t know if I can lose myself in a story and just write. Time will tell, I guess! In the meantime, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed and tapping out the words.
I wish I could write a novel – it sounds so exciting! I have tried in the past, but not got very far – I am the kind of person that needs instant gratification to feel motivated! Love your names, by the way!
I used to say I wish I could write a novel! Then I did a creative writing course and discovered NaNoWriMo (national novel writer’s month). Now I’ve completed three novels and a serialised nivel, and have another three drafts over 50,000 words, all from NaNo. You just have to get on and do it! The gratification is in watching the numbers build and in creating a whole new world out of nothing.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I think I know deep down I could do it, only I am somewhat of a procrastinator and a little on the lazy side (plus, with two kids, when do you get the time?). I am certainly not lacking in imagination! I have come across NaNoWriMo before, so will check it out!
Imagination is the tough bit for me. Join NaNo, it kicks your butt to get writing!
I have had a quick look and yes, that is the kind of thing that gets me motivated! Thanks for the tip 🙂
🙂
Great idea for names! Good luck with the newe novel. I know that feeling of starting a new one after all that editing! Hope it flows smoothly for you.
What a great way to name characters. Hope it goes well. I’ve just sent the last two in my current series off to the beta readers. We’re getting there, slowly but surely.
Cheers
MTM
Ooh how exciting. I love/hate that time of suspense, waiting to get the verdict from beta readers (I’m chewing my nails over Class Act at the moment!)
Weeee! Good luck with it then and I hope the fact that someone else is chewing nails is a comfort!
Cheers
MTM