After the last post was one of philosophical rants and depression, this one should hopefully be a bit more upbeat - albeit short on the same note.
Chapter 11 is progressing slow, and I mean - OMGWTFBBQ, slow. Even though it is meant to be a change of pace chapter and give the characters a chance to catch their breaths, I will be glad to get it over with. By this point of the book, I seem to have pretty well established the characters in their back stories that need them - so this would be the primer before the story starts toward the conclusion. Alana, Mark, Gabriel, and Travi have all had their input in their respective ways, with Travi probably being the one who closes out the rather short chapter - but I have a few things to flesh out before I get toward the end.
In the second draft, the ending is rather spontaneous - but I think in this edition, I would work toward it a bit more, giving me some excuse to make this chapter somewhat relevant. A few ideas that have come to life over the last couple days while I have been in a NyQuil induced coma combating this cold, have really pushed the envelop in how it will progress. (it involves some shopping, some doubt, and a "big question").
The only other thing tripping me up is the final battle of the book. As it stands, four combatants would take part in it, but it was originally written only for three. The introduction of Alana's character has added some intrigue, but has also its own set of hurdles, in how the final confrontation will proceed. In the second draft, it was a small chase via motorbikes followed by a small series of events that led up to Travi and Bill facing off against Mark. After a small conversation, Bill fires the first shot - followed by Travi, and they both gun the brother down. In this one, Alana's character adds another dimension to the encounter, but I still wish for Bill to be present as I feel that is his crowning moment of awesome in the book. But I will see how it plays out - as the encounter is completely different this time around, and has several different ways for it to play out and end.
May be an instance where I just let the characters tell me what they want to do. All four are screaming at me for ideas, which is a good thing (or bad, depending on how you view voices in your head). Once I clear these hurdles, I think I would be in good shape for what the finished product would look like. At this point, I am happy with the role that Alana has come into, as the "end-game" character whose back story is established rather quickly. While I may consider including her at some key moments in the earlier chapters, she had found her way into the book in a good way - showing herself a loving sister and fierce protector. Travi is a very lucky man, a sister in Alana, and significant other in Allison. Both of whom would give their lives for him if it came to it.
Such love can only exist in fiction, no?
It sure as hell seems that way in today's world.
Adieu.
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