Killing Our Darlings

I'm a little under the weather today, but tried to get some writing in. I've got Chapter 4 of BTPM pieced together -- just need to go through to make sure everything flows okay. I also need to add a short bit at the beginning of the chapter --nothing too major. As of right now, I'm still unsure what to do with the flashback that's in the original version. Goodness, you'd think I'd have made a decision by now. But noooo. I think I've finally convinced myself to keep the blasted thing, only abbreviated. We'll see.

I vowed I would get FI cut up today so I could begin work on the front end, but my body isn't cooperating. (g) I'm heading to bed -- I think this early hour is a record for this night owl. I must be hung-over from Potter mania. LOL.

Today I decided the fate of one of my characters... he/she is gonna buy the farm in book 2 of BTPM. It's an odd thing to decide this ahead of time. Right now the character isn't that likable and well, I know my job is to make his/her death sympathetic. So, the goal is to turn the character around and make you care for them. Carol said that would be easy for me, which was a really great compliment. (Thanks, Carol!) This led me to think about my process again.

I knew right from the birth of this character that he/she would play an essential part in book 2 -- and that one of my MC's would grow to depend on this person. I also knew that his/her presence would cause a lot of strife between my two MC's. I didn't necessarily want that, but knew it would be good conflict within the main story. So, how do I get them all to exist without disrupting the main relationship of the story -- i.e. Mac and Ty? Well, I went back to the mantra I've been trying to keep in mind while I revise my books. These are simple questions to help you add conflict to your story.

Who is the only ally your protagonist cannot afford to lose? Kill that Character.

What is your protagonist's greatest physical asset? Take it away.

What is one article of faith that for your protagonist is sacred? Undermine it.

How much time does your protagonist have to solve his/her main problem? Shorten it.

All from the fab Donald Maass, of course.

With that in mind, the answer was simple. Kill off the character and leave my MC completely vulnerable. When this hit me, it hit me at a completely emotional level. I could envision the reaction of my MC. Man, I found myself almost tearing up by the raw emotions it evoked. All of this before I've even truly begun to like the character. Crazy, innit? I knew then and there that it HAD to be in the book. No doubt in my mind.

I once almost killed off a character before introducing him. That would've been weird, but it's all a part of my crazy chunk method. (g)

Although I'm trying to focus on BTPM, WALKING IN SHADOW is slowly taking shape in my mind -- I'll be ready to tackle it as soon as I finish revisions. I can't wait. :)