It was exactly what I needed to get my juices flowing again. This will be the next novel I work on as soon as I am done with my WIP. This one will be YA though...
GPS
She was practically born on the back of her father’s motorcycle, learning to navigate with the wind in her face at 60 mph. Her father’s broad back kept her somewhat sheltered.
She learned to position the map the way they were headed on the road so she wouldn’t accidentally say, turn left, when she meant turn right and they’d end up in Toledo.
This time they were headed to the Amish Country, PA. “Which way,” he yelled over the roar of the wind.
“Make a left onto Bird in Hand Road and then a right at the fork.”
He knew he could trust her directions, after all he had taught her. And no daughter of his would read a map like a girl. It was the same with driving a stick too. “My daughters drive like men, aggressive behind the wheel, smooth with the gears, and hugging the inside of curves.”
But how could she tell him this summer things had changed, despite map reading and driving a stick. She had unwillingly become a woman. He wouldn’t want to know but fear buzzed like an electric wire in her brain. “This is why daughters need mothers,” she thought to herself.
As the darkness engulfed her, she convinced herself she was still a virgin and no one would ever need to know.
She studied the map in-between whizzing streetlamps and wished it could help navigate her through this slippery world of sex for a motherless girl.
16 comments:
HA! How bizarre, here I am catching up on blogs and postings and here you are doing the same!!!!
What an awesome concept for a YA — I'm lovin' it already girlie - you GO!!!!!
Tell us more, tell us more. No wait — you can't, you have to finish OW first... that's good I can wait for both.
Feels good doesn't it? when those juices just take on a life of their own???
I love this premise! It's so fun when a good idea takes over.
Hey Leeza!!! Glad to see your smiling face! And thanks about the new YA. I am so stuck on OW and just can't seem to get out of my own way. I know I shouldn't abandon it and start something new, because I'll never go back to OW then. But I am just so.... so... STUCK!
Ideas taking over is the fun part of being a writer, right Angie. It's struggling through the muck and mire of a novel that really stinks. And that's where I am now for my WIP. But we writers need to do that part too.
I love this, Sheri! I'm hooked! And I so get the idea taking over thing. And it's a great feeling!
Thanks PJ. I used to feel this way about my WIP. What do you do to get yourself back into that feeling when you've lost it in the dark and murky first draft...
Good question. Maybe reread what I have and realize it doesn't totally suck? But mostly now I just shove through the first draft and try to get excited about all the revisions I'll be able to do.
Wow, it's like exercising. It feels so great to feel healthy, but how do you convince yourself of this when you smell the butter at the movies?
OK, but also it's like goals. I used to be much better about this, but I have this one book on goals by Brian Tracy called Goals, and I used to listen to it on audio every couple months. I've slipped on it, but honestly, it's like I need to force myself to do it because it's so motivating!
And chocolate always helps.
Hahaha, PJ. I have a secret stash of chocolates and almonds to the right of my mouse... Sadly it's not helping my writing or my hips...
Mmmmm Buttered popcorn...
I've re-read all 85 pages and basically my problem is something an agent said. I can't stop hearing it as I am TRYING to write forward, thank you very much, Mr. Agent! I guess I know he's right and so I am feeling it is very hard to write forward with this knowledge clouding my brain.
But yes, goals, goals, goals. I will try to block out Mr. Agent and focus on my goals and let my story suck if it needs to suck for now... (that's easier said that done.)
Loved your story for the contest, Sheri! I'm glad you took part. :)
I'm so glad that you've already got the next book in mind, too. It's important to think ahead, and keep the engine running.
How do you know Agent man is right? He is just one person with just one opinion. I know he has gotten under your skin, but at least seek out two more agent opinions before you use his every word to give up on OW. Pretty please.... don't throw the towel in yet. PJ gave some great advice — steam through and finish that first draft. Maybe put it away and work on GPS. Then when it's ready, OW will find it's way back to you and vice versa and you'll see all that magic and gold that your were so in love with at it's conception.
What if: OW is ahead of it's time. That this is something so, so special, it is going to take someone so so special to want to nurture it with you, help OW grow to become a most magnificent novel EVER... you never know.
Well, that would be wonderful, Leeza. And don't worry, I have not given up on OW. I will not abandon it or throw in the towel. I am just stuck, that's all. I will work through this. I will finish what I started. And once I am done, I will begin outlining - yes I just said that dirty little 9 letter world - GPS.
But isn't it interesting that the next story to come to me is also about a trouble father/daughter relationship, but this one is fiction, not reality-based fantasy. And it is the fantasy element in OW I have been questioning.
I don't believe everything Agent Man said. But I had already been questioning the need for the fantasy element and that was what he didn't buy about my story.
I will, eventually, figure it out. Boy it sure would be nice if Tristan woke me up from a deep sleep again to tell me more about her story...
Thanks so much for believing in OW and for believing in me. You truly are a cher bon ami!
I'm late on this, but yes! Strong voice! Good premise.
I enjoyed the preview at 'Clarity of Night'. You have a solid concept for much more. :)
Thank you so much Danette! I am so honored to hear that from you who has a real, actual, beautiful hard cover book with her name on it in her very hands! :)
And thanks so much to you too, Bernard and for visiting me here on the Blogosphere.
Loved reading it yet again!
Sad that she was forced to become a woman,and even worse,has to harbor this fact within herself.My heart really goes out to her.
Looking forward to the novel :)
Hi Sameera, thanks for coming by...
I have a feeling she is going to be just fine in the end. She will come out stronger and believe it or not, better for the life experience. Not to sound like rape is ever a good thing - DO NOT misunderstand. But I know from my own life, my life was really painful at times, but it has colored my canvas in its own unique way and it is because of the hardships I have had to endure that I am who I am today. I hope that makes sense and does not offend in any way!
Sheri,
looks like you're a busy blogger - thanks for visiting mine - I love your tree photo :)
When stuck I like to walk in amongst the trees.
PJ is right, Brian Tracy sometimes helps, too. :)
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