I had such a great idea of where to take the novel. I was writing and worked myself to a point where the main character suffers a major setback at work. He bases his self-worth on his work and putting a ruff over his family’s heads. Work is everything to him. He, of course, doesn’t see it. It is one of his blind spots.
In the last seventeen years he has poured his heart and soul into the company. Someone that he trusted, appears to betray him. He is called into a conference room, and he is berated. He is done. He negotiates a deal that works for the company and gives him a graceful out.
I put him there.
I spent way too many words describing this scene. It is, I hope, powerful. It is the ultimate confrontation and conflict. His worst nightmare happening.
I jumped ahead to set up his comeback. He’s going to set up his own company. This is truly strong stuff.
Wait.
What?
What is this novel about? It is erotica. It is a romance with erotic sexual content. This is not the life and times of Miguel. There’s no sex in that scene, or that full chapter. There is nothing sexy going on. There’s nothing romantic. What is the purpose of such an amazing chapter and especially the board room (fancy conference room) scene?
What is the purpose of a chapter? It’s simple. It moves the plot forward, and it moves the characters through their arc.
So, what is a scene about? It is the subsets within a chapter that set up tension, move the plot forward, and in the case of a sex scene, make the reading more enjoyable. If possible, turn you on as well.
Board room? Main character getting fired? How does that move the plot forward? It certainly creates tension. But does it require an entire chapter? Can I justify, even in my most kind moment, the emotional toll it takes on the main character?
No, I don’t think so. Perhaps in another genre, or in a larger work, but not in an erotic romance story. At least in my opinion, that’s the case.
I’m not sure I can recover from this. Time to put this story down, and see if I can find a way back to the path I originally planned.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
I am curious. Very curious. How close do you stick to the original idea?
Do you ever write yourself into a corner and have to wait for the paint to dry, back away and get a new perspective?
Sometimes, I start a story, get involved with developing the characters and then cant find a way to continue. I think I get too caught up in the sex or introducing other characters trying to make the story even more erotic. Finding an ending or developing an epilogue isn’t easy.