My mission: Write write while at a convention.

Day 1 status: SUCCESS!

Yesterday, I flew into Chattanooga for ChattaCon. I knew I would have to really work to find writing time, and I managed to get at least 2 hours in!

First, I used the plane ride. I’m glad I brought my laptop, because pulling out a laptop is a silent signal to leave me alone. The only problem with laptops: they take up the entire seat tray, and I had to forgo my complimentary airline beverage due to lack of space.

Second, I arrived at the convention before registration, and I found a quiet spot to write just away from the lobby.

Without going into too much detail, I realized a major issue in my storyline I will need to monitor. My hero is immortal. It’s hard to created tension when your character can’t die. It’s possible, but it takes creativity and work. Fortunately, one of my friends, Cathe Smith, dropped by just as I was thinking through how I could increase tension in a scene where my hero had fallen into the ocean. After a quick conversation about it, Cathe basically confirmed my decision to make sure people knew he could still suffer even though he couldn’t die. We chatted a bit about the psychological effects of being immortal and other such things.

What a great experience! Writing is a solitary exercise, but no writer can complete a good story without the help of others.

Again, I am really seeing the benefit of writing every day. When you make it your mission to write everyday, you look for opportunities. I saw the quiet corner in the lobby because I was looking for it. I got some writing in and got to have a needed, meaningful conversation with a wonderful person.

How about you? Have you ever found that you were getting bored with your story and needed to create tension? What did you do?

Toodles!