A Novel Affair
Okay, so instead of writing my novel, I’ve been goofing off a bit. This little distraction was something I came up with while messing around with last year’s novel’s playlist in iTunes (I had a new song I needed to put in there).
What happens if your Chick Lit novel suspects you’re cheating on it?
Dear Author,
HOW DARE YOU?! I TRUSTED you! We’ve been together for so long, and now . . . now . . . I think you’re CHEATING on me!
You’re listening to that OTHER playlist — you know, the one from last year’s novel. You told me you were OVER it! You said we were in this for the “long haul”! I bet you’re thinking about it again, aren’t you? Contemplating what you can do with those other characters, how you can retouch those scenes . . . I’m so disgusted. You probably haven’t even stopped with that novel, either — you’re probably thinking of all the ones before it, too, wondering what you could be doing with them if you weren’t “stuck” with me.
Please don’t leave me! We still have so much we can do together! I know I’m not really “your type” — I mean, you’ve considered Chick Lit before, but you’ve always been more comfortable with Science Fiction and Fantasy. You thought I would be easier. You thought I would be less complicated. I’m NOT, okay? I can’t help what I am! My characters are just as willful and passionate as characters in any of your other stories! They have just as much potential for word count!
Is this the end? Are you really thinking of dumping me? I can’t believe this is happening . . . Please reconsider! I can’t live without you!
With much love,
Your Current Novel
And my apology:
Dearest Current Novel,
I’m so sorry . . . I’m ashamed to admit I was fantasizing about Fantasy, and revisiting Last Year’s Novel — but only in my head, I swear! I didn’t write a single new word! I didn’t touch their files even once! I had to drop something off at the old playlist, and it got me thinking, but that was all.
I can’t apologize enough for my wayward thinking . . . But they’re still a part of my life! I can’t just abandon them to a lonely, unfinished existence in that dusty old Documents folder, you know that.
This is your time, though, and I’ll try harder to be more faithful to you. I know we haven’t gotten very far in the time we’ve had, but there’s still time! I’m not dumping you — we’re going to finish this!
I hope that helps. Let’s meet over hot chocolate and see what we can work out.
Most Sincerely,
Your Author