When the character takes over in an unexpected way

I am now writing the Carlisle section, set in the present time, without alternating with what happened the year before.  The reason for this is that I am finding it difficult swapping from first person present tense to third person past tense on alternate chapters. I’ll go back later to do the Hexham part of the story.

On 6^th November 2010 I made this note in my journal:

‘Oh no! I am starting to like Judith.’

Not only that, but she is starting to like her life in Carlisle; her job, the people she works with, her friend outside work, her boyfriend, and she is starting to like herself. She decides not to upset anyone any more.

I am going to be very sad when it all goes horribly wrong.

My lovely London step-daughter asked what I would like for Christmas – ‘Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook 2011, please.

9^th November 2010

I led a lesson on play-writing with Eden Women’s Theatre Group. It was fun, they loved it and they found it useful.

Feedback and influences

On 20^th October 2010 I had my first 1:1 tutorial with my M.A. supervisor. It was a highly motivating experience. She said she was enjoying reading the story, that it flowed well, it was gripping and a page-turner. She also said she could imagine taking it with her on a train journey.

I thought that was enough of a tutorial but we actually spent the next hour talking about ways in which I could improve it.

We discussed Judith’s complex personality and why she behaves the way she does; why she is so antagonistic towards her sister and mother, and why she is so needy in her relationships with other people. I will have to do some more work on this to make sure that I know the reasons why, even if the reader never knows. She is attracted to women and I wonder whether she has lesbian tendencies. I hadn’t intended that to be the case and still don’t think it is.

We discussed how the parts I wrote in the first person contributed to the tension as Judith’s thoughts and devious plans unfold and develop.  Two books I have read recently influenced that aspect of my writing.  They were Engleby by Sebastian Faulks and Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller; amazing books and certainly a standard to aspire to.

I told Eliza that I found it quite demanding and sometimes exhausting writing in the first person from within Judith’s head. She referred me to some academic writing on the subject but also admitted that there wasn’t much that had been written about it from the author’s point of view. Maybe a subject for my PhD? (ha ha).

Facts or fiction

There seems to be so much research associated with every new idea. I have talked through with my ‘writing buddy’ Lizzie Gates what needs to be factual and authentic and what I can make up. Some conclusions:

·         Old artists – I can make up some names

·         Power of attorney – I need facts

·         HMRC rules – I need facts

·         Music for a school concert – I won’t specify

Lizzie has a great Writing Blog: http://authorgym.wordpress.com  

I was wondering who I could ask about Power of Attorney and couldn’t think of any friendly (free) solicitors. Then when I was visiting one of my management students at the Alzheimer’s Society in Workington I realised that she and her staff would know all about that. They discussed it with me and printed off some information too. Thanks Lou and Jackie. I have named a character after Lou – D.S. Doggart.

On 6^th October 2010 my journal entry read:
‘Today my word count reached 15,000 – that’s about a 6^th of a book.’

People are very kind. I was talking to a manager from a care home in Kendal about people suffering from dementia in old age. She sent me a book with some case studies for me to adapt and use in the book.

Two weeks later, I had increased my word count to 23,000 simply by making sure I write something every day. I am still resisting the temptation to edit as I go along. It will need to be done later but at least the story is moving on at a good pace.