I clicked to open the document and stared at the pulsating text at the top of the screen – “Chapter 30” – and then at the white space below. The heart of the story would lie in these final words. Events had shaped these characters at breakneck speed and I had difficulty just keeping up with them. Two years of my life – countless hours of writing and thinking and stewing and churning and tweaking – had been invested in this novel.
Vicky, my main character, began Chapter 1 as an earnest young girl, fresh out of college and ready to succeed in the corporate world. We followed her fledgling career at the anchovy bottler. I had wanted Vicky to work at the accounting firm, but she had a soft spot in her heart for anchovies. In Chapter 3, she met Lloyd – a manager from another department – who turned out to be a mentor and instant crush. In Chapter 5, their relationship turns romantic. Driving through a blizzard to Vicky’s house with Doritos and a bottle of port, he stole her heart and nobody was surprised when the snow rendered the roads too icy for the return trip to his own house that night.
The story took an unexpected turn when Lloyd decided to take a sabbatical and spend six months in an ashram in the Himalayas. While Lloyd was finding spiritual enlightenment, Vicky met a chiseled personal trainer named Ludwig and turned her attention to physical enlightenment. I told Vicky to stay away from Ludwig, but she wouldn’t listen. Lloyd returned to Vicky convinced that debauchery is preferable to an ascetic lifestyle and learned that Vicky had turned towards an austere body-building lifestyle that permits no drugs or alcohol. However, he was relieved to learn that sex was an integral part of the program.
In chapter 25, when Lloyd learns of Vicky’s fling with Ludwig, things take a turn. Pencil-necked Lloyd tried to go after Ludwig and quickly realized that a punch from a man who weighs twice what he does can do extensive damage. Vicky stayed by Lloyd’s side to nurse him back to health but Lloyd still had difficulty forgiving Vicky for her betrayal.
At the end of chapter 29, Lloyd was ready to be released from the hospital after three months and he must decide whether there is a future in their relationship. Where do their hearts lie? Is it with each other or have the challenges that they have faced been insurmountable? I paused and listened as Lloyd and Vicky began to tell me the final chapter and I began obediently typing.
I love it when characters do that! Great picture of a novel that goes the way I wish mine would.
Cecilia
Finally, I have a chance to read one of your FFs and this is great! I like that we are able fast forward through Vicky’s life from new grad to being an adult making very complicated with the accompanying ramifications. Plus, I like that you used the name, Ludwig. How often do you see that name used. Nice story!
I enjoyed this very much, laughing at many of the lines and descriptions!
Pencil-necked Lloyd, and Vicky’s soft spot for anchovies, are two examples of the funny…
So true. Writers THINK their story is going to go one way, but too many times, the characters take over the process and dictate.
A fun flash. Yep, always listen to the characters. They know what’s best.
It’s always best when characters have their own way.
I loved the way your characters wouldn’t do what you wanted them to. Sounds so familiar….
That’s what they do, over and over and over again… (^v^)
Maybe there would have been a less obviously telling resp. “listing” way of informing the reader what happens throughout the novel?
But I like the way the characters interact with the narrator.
I agree, a fun flash. Characters dictate, we are merely transcribers. Buggers. Heh.
Interesting slant on tackling the weird way that actually happens, when the characters are almost dictating to you by the end. Well, hopefully. Sometimes they’re frustratingly mute. That’s when you have them drown in a toilet or something.
I agree too, a fun read. It made me laugh that the characters didn’t listen to your advice.
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Doritos and a bottle of port? What a romantic – that line had me chuckling!
oh this is funny – great to read – well done
Oh, I protest, no fair, I want to know what happens in the last chapter – you tease!
That was really fun – and my characters definitely do the same thing – they never listen to MY ideas!
Now write this novel so we can read the last chapter!
Very clever!
I loved how you slipped in fun little details in such a matter-of-fact manner. The anchovies, the Doritos and port, just the sorts of things that give a deadpan delivery a wry twist. Enjoyed it!
Take care,
Jess
This was great! I loved the story she was writing and the fact that her characters never listen to her.
Awesome job.
Will it involve a reunion dinner of cheetos, and champagne, or will they wander off in separate directions, renouncing anchovies forever? Will we ever know?
Your characters are clearly in cahoots with some of mine!
Port and Doritos – I like that!
I’m thinking how interesting it would be to actually write a larger work, a novel say, and include this as a chapter. Bring the author into the story and the author’s emotions and feelings. Not a fictionalized version of the author or his/her experiences, but the actual author. Interesting stuff.
They’re the voices in our heads… I hear there’s medication for that!
Nice story!