Hello, Readers! Clevenger here.

So, after that PROLIFIC drop of ideas that Graham provided last week, I’m going to be a bit lackluster. Because right now… all my little thoughts are swirling around and not fully formed into the ideas that they will be. I think it is somehow tied to how my brain works in life. You know that boy who would get his lunch tray and eat each item in order, start to finish, before moving on to the next item on the tray. That’s me. I’m that boy.

Somehow I cannot form another idea that is needing development while working on my main story. I don’t split well. So, I’m collecting tidbits.

Some of these tidbits, I believe, will become something. Something grand. So, let’s discuss.

My first idea is to take a Mystery tale, red herrings, twists, investigation, the whole nine yards and set it in fantasy. What would magic provide? How could it be limited? How could the culprit use it to obscure the crime? So much to work with. I’ve had an idea that was inspired by my wife and her LOVE of historical documentaries and shows. I asked a “What if?” question and she was APPALLED by the thought. Well, that thought is now the plot of an Assassination attempt against the King and Queen of the realm, the motives and sinister story behind it, and a gritty investigator that gets trapped in this web.

My second idea is a serial killer story. I would love to bring in some supernatural or horror elements to it. I have the nugget of the killer, and the nugget of the primary investigator, but no motives, no setting, and a lot left to go. How would a fantasy serial killer story go? Should I abandon fantasy and go modern day? What resources would change either direction? This is my “youngest” idea, and will marinate quite a bit longer.

My third idea is… well. I don’t have one. 😛 You see, that’s it. I’m still ruminating on the current WIPs. Now, I do have a “writing” project that I’m working on, but the story is being sourced and controlled by someone else. I’m merely a participant, and using my writing to help capture the tale and share with the other participants. So far, so good!

Graham and I did (as he mentioned here) are switching our WIP to a new tale. A story that is also 20 years in the making about one of our first RPG games together. We are exploring the Uldarthai, a race known for developing the fiercest warrior-mages in all the realm. A darker story, set in a broken realm besieged by dark forces, this new WIP will explore pain and loss in a way that the Stories of Sainan only touched on. Blight was a character that I created with Graham during some of my darkest personal times and is an embodiment of my depression and suffering. While not a cheerful character, he will be a strong force and the new characters we’ve built around him will be stunning.

The other little things I have floating may actually attach to some of Graham’s ideas. I have an “Elemental” and “Tapestry of Life/Multiverse” metaphysical magic system that has been floating in my head for a bit… it might be a missing piece for Graham’s EXO story. I have a concept of a Roman Legionnaire who was turned into a Vampire and is sitting today as a modern day Weapons Manufacturer and ruling some of the city from a position of wealth and privilege. Not enough to build a story around, but maybe enough to make a cameo or position in Graham’s Gothic Horror novel.

That’s what I love about working with Graham. Our minds work so differently, but so complimentary to each other. I think of story elements that he would not, he has characters and plots that I could never dream of… but when they get laid side-by-side… magic happens. We are the other half that each other needs.

Now, how differently do we work? That’s a fun experiment. For that reason, we are going to take next week off from blogging! Our goal, we are getting our writing prompts this week. We will start this weekend and each take the SAME prompt and write a 2500-3500 short story. This is not a competition, this is a workshop of HOW we approach a concept. What ideas will we come up with? What will be the same? What will be different? This is not a better/worse scenario, just a good ole’ fashion showcase. No restrictions of merging our styles, and a raw glimpse into the minds of two fledgling authors. Stand by, it should be fun!

We will resume posting on Sunday, November 6th. But somewhere in there, we will do a SPECIAL DOUBLE POST UPDATE! Watch your blog boxes soon!

Until then,

Be Kind

-Clevenger