The joke’s on… One of the fears I’ve always had about my novel is that people won’t get it. I’ve been thinking about that lately. I’ve tried to keep a loose style, especially in the character dialogue. The two main characters have their own shorthand that they slip into every once in a while. I know that everyone does it, but strangely you don’t really see it too much in books (at least I haven’t…) I think that in itself is interesting, trying to pull that off. It’s also scary for a first-time novel, to cover new ground. Maybe there’s a reason it hasn’t been done…
As I say, I’ve been aware of this since the beginning, and I’ve tried to combat this potential for miscommunication by not relying on these passages to carry too much of the plot. I guess the conversations are a literary device in themselves (now that I think about it) rather than the words. Still, I’m a little worried it might be confusing or (worse) off-putting.
Of course that’s not going to change anything — yet. I’m still pushing ahead, writing the book I want to write first, and make changes if needed later…
What do you do with a drunken sailor? Very excited to hear over the weekend that The Rum Diaries by Hunter S. Thompson is now a movie starring Johnny Depp. I just caught 30 seconds (or less) of the trailer, but already I like Depp’s take on the character. Seems like a quieter, more reserved Thompson. Which is still pretty loud.
I haven’t actually read that book yet, but maybe I should move it up in the rotation in time for the movie…
Germs of an idea can be infectious – Got an idea for my third novel. Yes, I haven’t finished the first, I know. The second isn’t even in the works yet (in case I haven’t mentioned it here, the book will be about a restaurant owner/entrepreneur).
This third one is actually based on an idea I had many years ago, but I couldn’t find a way to make it work. This weekend, inspiration struck, and the whole structure of the book came to me in a flash (a cliché way to put it, I know, but it is so true…). I still don’t know the plot or characters that well. But at least I know how to tell that story when I do…
Should be able to block out some more time for the novel this weekend. I’ll keep you posted.
~Graham
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads