Distracted

I always seem to get distracted at the most inconvenient times. I need to be writing!!! Seriously, I DO! But this whole thing that is going on with my friend has just taken over my thoughts. I hate what is and has happened to him and if I were a famous author with loads of cash, he’d never have to worry again. BUT, I’m not. The best I can do is help with a fundraiser and ASK people to help. Please help!

http://www.gofundme.com/helpgaystudent

Other than that…. I DO seem to get distracted when writing. WHY? Maybe because part of me KNOWS I need to write and that devilish wicked part whispers, “no you don’t. Just take a break. Ten minutes, what can it hurt?” And then I’m off doing some other project and my writing suffers. Sometimes though, it is deliberate distractions. I think, “No I don’t have time to write because I need to do laundry! I can only wear this same shirt so many times!” Eating, showering, sleeping etc are all valid things that a person needs to do and often I see them as the easy way to skip what seems daunting.

Writing 100,000 words can be daunting!

I was writing Darian’s tale and it is draining. But I can’t use that as an excuse not to write it. It is also difficult and multi layered and overlaps with other information so I can’t get the events, dates, and scenes wrong! It takes a lot of thinking. So sometimes I just don’t feel like thinking. Ya know?

Then… recently… I keep thinking of this other book I started. (Started in my head, not on paper.) I’ve taken notes on it. I have a general idea of how the two MCs meet and where. Jobs for both etc… And then this morning I woke up thinking about one pivotal scene near the end to tie up the “traumatic” part of the story. I have not decided on a HEA yet. Although I know you all want one! I don’t know the name of the story and I can’t make my mind up on serious or comedy. I can visualize the two MCs, I see then together. I see what makes them click. Names though…. Argh! Stuck on names.

I am seriously thinking of Nick for one. Nick is the perfect name for the guy but I know a “Nick” so I was leaning against it because I try to steer clear of using names of friends and family. Sometimes people get weird and think you are writing about THEM and not creating a character. Odd, but it happens. My dilemma comes with the other dude. Elliot keeps jumping in! It irritates me. He IS an Elliot! When I write in my head I call him Elliot. BUT my comedy (My Roommate’s a Jock…) has a lead MC named Ellis Montgomery. Ellis… Elliot… WAY TOO SIMILAR! Don’t you think?

Although the description of the two characters is totally different. In my mind I DO NOT get them confused. But will readers? This is my question to YOU OUT THERE! Does that bother you? If I picked a name similar to another character of mine would that confuse you as a reader? Or does the fact that the stories are so different separate the characters for you?

I have read a number of books where the lead guy is named Jake. I keep them separate. BUT I didn’t write then AND they are by different authors. Is it the fact that these characters would BOTH be by ME. IF I had a character named Ellis in a college kid comedy and later wrote one with a guy named Elliot, would you readers get confused, upset, or bewildered?

AND if I need a new name, what is a good replacement for Elliot? I’m asking. I want comments!

So, this is what is on my mind today. Hope you all had a grand weekend!!

Wade Kelly

xoxo