Of Characters and Plots

What's amazing, with only a couple of thousand words left in the NaNo competition, is how the plot, which I'd been vaguely trying to move forward, is finally putting itself into place. Honestly, as a poet I've always known that while I might suggest an idea or opening line, the poem writes itself.

Plots in stories are far more complex; it's in that complexity that clarity more easily arises. Poems have a flow and rhythm that, while edited, essentially is unchanged: a poem about trees might turn into one of life changes, but it's based on the essence of tree and initial thought. Stories with multiple characters, each of whom is imbued with their own personality and vector through the story's existence, have unlimited paths to take to reach a certain plot point or consensus.

So it is here. I wanted Iris to meet, and then create separate relationships with, each of the other family members. So while Thomas was the meeting catalyst, and they four are about to have their first group date, Jane "informed" me as to how things were going to proceed. She's a wonderful, wise woman, the earth woman in this story. And the more I write it, the more fun little description and personality nuggets come through and tantalize me. I'm going to enjoy finishing this puppy up after NaNo's over.