After my trip to Japan, I’ve struggled with my next novel about a cat who helps lost souls in Tokyo Station. I have the idea but getting it written on the blank pages have taken a couple turns and detours.
Thinking of my target audience, I’ve gone back and forth on the age range. Is this for a younger audience, like Harry Potter age. Or older? Of course, my stubborn self had to make things hard. I ignored the voice that first came out while I was sitting in my hotel room in Tokyo.
My page started to write a story for adults. Adults like cats right? Why not imaginary cats who help humans?
Well, I’ve returned to the original voice of a story and my station cat is happy again. I can actually picture my imaginary cat smiling. One of the “rules” of writing is to listen to your inner voice. Mine just happens to be a cat character. Don’t fight it, even if you don’t think there’s nothing on the shelf like it. You just never know.
So, I’m doing my best to let my inner cat speak in their voice. The voice was always there and never changed, I just needed to let it continue to speak. When I tried to change the voice, something didn’t feel right. Then, when I wandered the aisles of the children’s section of the book stores, it still didn’t feel right.
My next novel isn’t meant to be a children’s book. It’s meant for adults, who are still growing and might feel a little lost. As I age, I’ve come to accept that we may never truly grow up inside. We just take the inner child along for the ride, in the back seat. Maybe being adult is aging in reverse, a Benjamin Button. Except our bodies get older as we try to reconnect with our imagination and those lost dreams we had as a child.
Hopefully, we’re more brave and daring this time around. When you’re feeling too old, remember, we have more money and freedom from parental consent as adults. No one has to approve your dreams this time. So, go for it! This time you can pick yourself up off the playground and get your own bandaid, even if you still want your mom. There’s no shame in still needing your mom or dad as an adult.
What’s your writing prompt for today? Listen to the characters in your story, their voice when you have doubts. If you’re still lost, then wander the wrong aisles in the book store, it will let you know if your in the wrong section.
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Writer's Block Inc 