When Secondary Characters Demand Their Own Story

This past April I finished the first draft of my third book in my yet-to-be-named series. For quite some time I’ve had an idea for a fourth book in this series and have gone back and forth about whether or not to pursue this idea for my 2015 NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) project in November. I figured I’d have to go forward with that idea as my one other book idea has been slow coming in the plotting stage and I don't have enough for a full book yet. So for now that project is on the back burner.

However, I have a problem with going forward with the fourth book in my Pennie series for a couple of reasons (I call it that as it has yet to be named and since my female protagonist is named Pennie, that has become the default temporary name). The first reason is that this story requires a lot of research and since research happens to be my least favorite thing about writing, I’d rather put it off. But the second reason, and probably the stronger of the two, is that I’m not even sure I want to write this story.

Simply put, I’m not sure I want to put my characters through the plot I’ve developed in my head. After spending years with these characters and growing very attached to them, it’s tempting to simply leave the story as is, sit back, and let them live happily ever after.

But that’s not how life goes. And since my writing philosophy is to produce as real of a story as possible with flawed, relatable characters, I’m leaning towards the idea that this story needs to be told. My characters need to go through the valleys in order to truly appreciate the mountain peaks. I’m just not quite ready to put them through that.

Fortunately, in the last book I wrote, one of my secondary characters developed such a strong personality with glaring flaws, it was as if he was demanding his own story. The plot quickly developed and before I knew it, I had my story for this year’s upcoming NaNo. So as a branch off from my current series, I’ll be working with a new male and female protagonist.

I’m looking forward to working with these characters. And with the male protagonist an arrogant, tactless, no-filter-on-his-mouth type of guy, things are bound to get interesting.

Anyone is capable of growth and change. But first you must recognize your need. And who better to point that out than a strong, independent woman who steals your heart and makes you realize maybe you aren’t as perfect as you thought you were.

Is it November yet? J