This is what happens when projects take on a life of their own

[crowdog66]

So today I'm busily plotting away on my NaNo project while I'm laying flats on HB, when suddenly my novel sucker-punches me in the gut.

The Great Novel-Writing Machine in my head, which is pretty much self-sustaining once it gets going, added a detail to the planned climax to the novel that makes sense from every point of view I've applied to it so far.

Unfortunately, it involves an issue that REALLY pushes all my buttons. And I can't see any way to write "around" it so that it comes out as a happy ending.

As a way of torturing the female MC, the antagonist gets hold of her cat (based on my own cat Emmie) and sacrifices it in front of her. Slowly. And painfully.

Yes, the female MC gets indications later that her cat is happy and well in the spirit world. And seeing the death of her cat is what enables her to come to an epiphany and a realization that leads to the antagonist's defeat and thus to the Saving of the World. But still...

The thought makes me sick, but that might just be my immediate reaction (my period started today and I'm a bit "off" emotionally). I'm going to sit with it for at least a day and see if I can live with it then.

Comments

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

See that's the hard part... If it drives the plot and makes the end all the more hard won and worth it than I would say yes (Like harpooning Wash in Serenity, ... no one wanted him to die, Joss didn't really want him to die, but to make it *REAL* he did it anyway...)

Or, alternately it was all a mental trick and the antagonist made it look/seem/behave like Emmie in order to drive the MC to the edge, but in fact when she gets home Emmie is there and all is well... *shrug*

Either way, you have to be happy with it in the end yes, and if the idea of it makes you ill, period or not... it may be best to leave it off... :)

I'm still dying for an idea, anything, something to experience the joy of plot, outline, write write write. I'm dry, isn't that sad?

[lacontessamala.livejournal.com]

I heard once that you should always write the thing you're afraid to write about. It's gross and disturbing, but if it helps your plot, go for it.

[chimera452.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite authors, Lois McMaster Bujold, has often said that she has a catch-phrase to describe her plot-generation technique. It goes like this "What's the worst possible thing I can do to these people?" She thinks of the worst situation that she can put her characters in, and that's what she writes about.

I think you should pluck up your courage and write what you're afraid of. It will make your novel all the more powerful and truthful.

[lacontessamala.livejournal.com]

Just had to say, I *love* Lois McMaster Bujold! Cordelia's Honor was great--you don't often get to read sci-fi written from a mother's perspective.