S.A. Larsen, Award-winning author of middle grade & young adult fiction

Much gratitude goes out to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group co-hosts:  Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre and Shannon Lawrence! Make sure to hop over to their sites to see what they have to say!

 

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This month's IWSG (optional) question is: Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

 

Although this might seem like an easy question to answer, I really had to think about this one. I don't think I've ever been conflicted about writing a scene in a story; more like should I include such and such in a scene and if I should, when to do it. But that's part of story development, so I don't look at it like a conflict. 

 

I might categorize my current middle grade WIP as a conflict in itself, though. Most of my stories contain some level of spookiness. My current WIP is/was no exception. I say was because I haven't worked on it in months. 

 

Why? Conflict. Not within the story, but within myself. The story still cries out in all spookiness, but the thread of a faith-based theme began to weave its way through the six chapters I'd written. I tried to fight it and rewrite the chapters, but to no avail. God wants to be heard in this book. This left me conflicted because of all the spooky elements I'd already included. What's appropriate? Is there a conflict with Church doctrine? Where is the audience for such a story? 

 

I suppose I could keep the chapters and keep on truckin' forward. The spooky elements do add to tension, mood, and suspense. I'm just unsure how far to go with the spookiness mingled with ponderings about God.

 

Sorry to leave you with such a cliff hanger. Such has been my life since the vid. :) How have all you been doing? Any news you'd like to share here? I'd love to hear it!

 

Happy Writing & Reading to you all!

 

Sheri~