Back in the Saddle

I have been struggling with trying to introduce a new character into one of my novels where the existing characters are all fairly well established. I know them. I don’t know this new one.

I kept running into walls. I’d write part of a scene, and nothing worked. It was all too contrived.

But today after a critique session of the Lawrenceville Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers, I had one of those “audible click” moments where it came to me all at once how I could not only introduce the new character, but bring her into instant conflict with one of the existing characters, while at the same time make something that I’ve been using as a running joke have a more serious meaning and give a little more depth and insight into a well-liked¹ existing character. Maybe he’s not always as even-tempered as he wants people to think he is.

I’ve written more than 1,200 words today and can feel myself getting back into wanting to tell this story.

Yay!

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1. By most of the members of my Tuesday night critique group, The Fountain Pen.