Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Obstacles

You know that feeling you get when you read something that really turns your head, makes you see your life and stories in a new light, and realize you've been looking at everything the wrong way? Well, I'm having that feeling since I read Kathryn Craft's post at Writers in the Storm. Check out Turning Whine into Gold: Surmounting Obstacles. It's opened up a new theme in my WIP FRIENDLY FIRE.

In FF's original form--MOTHER'S DAY--was all about Laura Grace and her childlessness.  Every part of the story at that time was about how and why Laura Grace became a mother. In fact, Samantha was little more than a placeholder child. That was until I couldn't keep from learning more and more about Samantha's story and the idea of abuse being friendly fire, that those closest to us inflict our deepest wounds. Child abuse is a prime example since the great majority of victims are abused by people in their families and neighborhoods--those who should be protecting the child, not preying on them. That new focus forced LG's motherhood into the background.

But after reading Craft's post, I realized that both themes need to run parallel lines in the story. LG has a deep well of motherhood that was not allowed expression in the normal journey most people take. She is childless after 30+ years of happy marriage and a career of teaching has only touched the tip of the iceberg of what she has buried inside. The obstacles to motherhood looked insurmountable. Then Samantha, a child with needs so deep that only a mother with an endless reserve to call on can provide the mothering she needs. And a match made in Heaven was created.

Needless to say, I'm trilled. I've already begun to add this new insight into my WIP, so if you think I'm a bit distracted, I might be. ; )

8 comments:

  1. Yay! I hadn't realized you had pushed LG's theme all the way to the background. I think the two themes will showcase each other perfectly.

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    1. Thanks, Sara! It's like I ran after the new, shiny idea and forgot the foundation that really is a part of the new one. Sometimes you wonder what you were thinking. ; )

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  2. Sounds intriguing, Zan Marie! I like the idea of having more than one theme running concurrently.

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    1. Thanks, but the story is moving me on that route. On I go!

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  3. Sounds like your two themes really compliment each other--now you'll have a braid rather than parallel lines! :)

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  4. And things like this are why I love writing so much...that flash of inspiration that gives you new insight into your characters and your themes. Sounds like this was a wonderful epiphany for you.

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