Hello, dreamers. It’s #WIPWednesday again, and it was a rough one.

The Pioneer Era

Today, I finally opened the file and began reading. I hadn’t read through the master file since late last year, when I began re-working the story to bring it back to the original concept. At the time, I was focused on re-working several passages. In that, I believe I succeeded, But upon reading through the first chapter, I was immediately put off. This just didn’t feel right.

Writing a sequel is something I’ve never done before. Arguably the biggest challenge is the beginning. You’re not introducing a completely new story. You’re picking up where the last one left off. I know how I want the story to take off, but the opening as it currently stands falls flat.

While I’m still fleshing out my notes, I felt the need to take a look at the story itself, to see where I am. I’m left feeling I’m a lot further away from where I want to be than I’d realized…or hoped. That said, I think when I resume writing, a lot more of the existing story will need to be scrapped. I may simply start over, at least with the first chapter.

When I first began writing this story, I had a clear idea of how the story would begin. The more I get into the work of this story, the more I feel I really need to bring it all back to its roots. While this isn’t the beginning of a completely new story, I want it to feel like that. I want to write it as though it is. That means a strong opening: a tour de force that tugs at heartstrings while making it clear that this is a new chapter.

So I clearly have my work cut out for me. But I feel good about the next steps. I still plan to resume (or perhaps restart) writing this month. Until then, keep reading, and dare to dream. – MK