Chameleon is undergoing a metamorphosis. I got about two-thirds in and was still grappling with the questions,
“What is driving Sam? What does she need? Why does she get involved here? What does she have to lose if the other guys win? How is her strength a flaw?”
I need to answer these before I go on, but they have been surprisingly tough questions for me. I do a lot of self introspection, but doing the same for this character has been incredibly difficult.
Still, I think I’m finally on the right track. Cross your fingers, will you?
Categories: Writing
MOMENT by MOMENT 
WOW! First I get excited to find out that you’re writing (thanks for “friending” be back). I read a couple of your blogs (love your writing style). Now I see this post from Lynne (what awesome input). Then I have to ask, “When are you getting published so I can buy your book about Sam and Bill?”
I also grew up writing stories, so you have my envy that you are able to be dedicated to the need to share them. To this day, I sometimes wish I could connect some sort of device to my dreams that would transcribe them for me, similar to that creation in ‘Tommyknockers.”
Several years ago after taking a careers class and hearing ‘do what you love,’ I tried to figure out a way to incorporate one of my greatest passions – reading – into something productive. Still at a loss there. So, you have my admiration at accomplishing one of your dreams.
I don’t know if Lynne is your editor, but kudos to such awesome constructive input! If you decide you need a proofreader, I’m your gal!
Looking forward to more blogs & book updates!
Wow, Lynne. Just wow. Thank you so much for your comments.
These are tough questions, and it’s been a while since I’ve read the story — not that I’m hinting about an update or anything — it can be very hard and a long process to work through these kinds of plot points. I don’t have answers for all the questions, but I have thoughts on a couple of them –
Why does she get involved? I think that growing up in a cop family – having been a cop, herself, Sam just has this innate sense of what’s right and wrong and a need for there to be justice in the world — and if not the world, at least her immediate piece of it. To me that’s been evident in her involvement with this local trouble involving her niece’s friend. Getting involved in all of that is counter-productive to the more immediate problem that her former employer used her in a major way and now wants her dead. She sees a wrong – senses something dark and evil at work in that club, and she can’t ignore it. That’s just who she is.
How is her strength a flaw? To me, her biggest flaw is her need to handle everything on her own. She tries so hard to prevent deep, emotional entanglements in her life, but at the same time, she instinctively creates them. Tonya in Houston. Retreating to her family. She pushes away the idea of anyone helping her, but at the same time, she seems to reach for it. She’s stubborn. She’s independent — and while there’s nothing totally wrong with either of those things (I say THAT because it was starting to sound TOO familiar to my ears) — she takes them to the extremes. I don’t think she’s going to get out of either mess without having to open up to her family.
Just my half-a-cent — just keep writing — the story will guide you.