“You come out at night that’s when the energy comes and the dark side’s light and the vampires roam.”
Sarah McLachlan – Building a Mystery
(Note:you can read part one of this post here)
So there I was with my weathered brown expanding file folder full of story seeds.
It had been 14 years since I set foot in my story garden. Weeds and thick roots twisted underfoot while many of the trees had grown wild blotting out the sky. Still other trees were merely skeletal remains of what had been. With a bit of time and care, I could nourish this garden back to life.
The folder contains four stories immediately worthy of taking root and several saplings which could someday be something beautiful.
I’d love to guide you through the garden and point out the flora, but it‘s not quite ready. There is much work to be done, new seeds to plant. And to be honest, telling you about these stories would take away from the thrill of bringing them to fruition.
There is one story, I’m ready to talk about, though. It’s a vampire story, of sorts. A man wakes up naked, bloodied and left for dead inside a coffin. Oh yeah, he has no memory of anything prior to waking up.
Suddenly, the idea sprouted wings.
Who is this man? Who left him for dead? What happened to him? What was going to happen? I spent nearly three years on his tale and the story took many surprising turns and twists as it revealed itself to me.
Like the title of the song in the opening quote, I was building a mystery. Actually, I was building a vampire-like mythology. A far reaching tale unlike the standard vampire fare. One that will stretch across several novels (though I envisioned the story more as a television series when I started).
The only problem with the story is that I haven’t had the proper time to devote to it. I’ve been writing another book, working on this blog and working on my comics. I have more ideas than time. I was going to let it sit in the garden a while longer. But then something happened.
I met the perfect writing partner.
While I consider myself fairly humble, and definitely see the shortcomings in my own work, I do have an artist’s ego. I have a story to tell and I don’t want another artist tinkering with it.
As I mentioned before, Sean Platt and I have worked on a few things together in recent months. In our standard working arrangement, he handles the writing and I handle the graphics. During the past few months, we’ve collaborated increasingly more on writing – checking and sometimes editing each other’s work and offering suggestions. Our strengths and weaknesses seem to compliment each other perfectly.
On Halloween, we had our first true writing collaboration. It was an awesome experience. Together, we came up with something better than the sum of the parts. One day we got to talking about serialized fiction and how much we enjoyed reading it back in the day.
I’d always wanted to present something in the format. Sean was equally excited by the prospect. That’s when I thought about the folder – I had a perfect story waiting in the garden.
I sent Sean the first mini-chapter of my vampire story. It was a rough, ROUGH edit. Something I wrote late at night just to get the ball rolling. When I woke the next morning, Sean had turned my rough draft into polished prose.
And it gave me chills!
My first instinct was, damn, he wrote this better than I did. A bit of artistic jealousy flared up, I’ll admit. But that feeling subsided quickly because it’s Sean, someone I’ve come to know, like, trust and respect during the past few months.
It’s a good working relationship – the kind I never imagined just prior to my starting Blogger Dad.
More importantly, he gets the story, gets what I am trying to do, and is reading it as I provide the chapters – first as a reader, then as a writer before working his own magic. And it is magic, as this story might not have seen the light of dawn for several more years if I hadn’t met someone who I trust as much as Sean to help me bring it to life.
We’ll be bringing you to the garden in February when we present the as-yet-untitled story in serialized form.
This is a working draft, a taste of what is to come…
His body tensed from a sudden sound. He pulled himself upright and peered through the darkness. He was in the midst of thick woods. Tree branches pierced the gloaming like ink stained daggers, barely illuminated by the pale silver moon. Shivering, he finally registered his nude, blood soaked body.
He would have screamed for help if the whisper had not risen inside him.
He pulled himself from the casket, his numb foot sinking into the cold, moist soil. Beside him lay a hole, three feet deep and long and wide enough to swallow both he and the casket whole. A shovel bulged from a mound of dirt; an invitation for whoever had started digging to come back and finish the job.
Reminder: If you’re interested in a one-of-a-kind custom written and drawn holiday gift for your favorite person, time is limited. We’re taking orders on a first come first served basis. Check out the details here.
Want BloggerDad delivered to your email every time I post? Well, you’re not alone. Join the literally tens of others who have already subscribed for free! Email not your thing? That’s okay, you can also subscribe via RSS – It’s also free.
Love ya, Man. I can’t wait to see where this pony takes us. Thanks for trusting me with your wonderful serial and letting me add the milk.
: > )
Writer Dads last blog post..Writer Dad in Rough Draft
You realize that you just left Fowler with the perfect setup line.
OMG You two are just sooooo gay.
Dave Fowlers last blog post..The Crack Of Dawn
Ok, I am a bit confused. I thought this was a vampire story, not one about breakfast. And why is Sean adding milk to your cereal? Can’t you do it yourself? Sean, are you now taking jobs as a house helper? I have some laundry that needs folding.
I’m just kidding guys. The story looks great. I can’t wait to hear the rest in February. My birthday is actually on Feb. 4th, so that will be a nice little present. You guys rock together!
Sals last blog post..The Host with the Most
LMFAO
Dave Fowlers last blog post..The Crack Of Dawn
@Dave: You didn’t take it, so I figured I need to step in and clean up. You are getting soft man, like soggy cereal. Yuck.
Sals last blog post..The Host with the Most
I know, but I’m glad I left it to you. This line is priceless:
Hahahahahahaha
Dave Fowlers last blog post..The Crack Of Dawn
Dave,
You have many gifts that remain to be unopened. The greatest gift of 2008 has been teaming with people thousands of miles away. 2009 will be so fine my friend. Buckle up! It’s the law and get ready for the ride of your life. Whoo Hoo! Dominate and take some names with you. You know your strengths and the strengths of the energy from people that spend time with your thoughts. Priceless. Happy Ho Ho! and Weekend.
Cindy
cindy platts last blog post..Opening Presence
Dave – not that there’s anything wrong with that. I knew you couldn’t resist.
Sal – Thank you. And since you mentioned it, I COULD use some help around the house. I’m fairly certain that Sean wouldn’t get much work done, though, as we’d be busy goofing off and you know, pouring milk on each others cereal and stuff.
Cindy – Thank you for the kind words. And please excuse the guys that hang around here for talking trash about your husband and I.
Quite right my friend. There’s nothing wrong with that at all. But I have to tell you I was only three fifths the way through before that thought occurred. The milk on the cereal was just his icing on your cake.
Can I be a bridesmaid?
Dave Fowlers last blog post..The Crack Of Dawn
Dave – LOL. Icing on my cake. You have such a way with words. You should write for some gentleman’s magazine. As for being bridesmaid, sure, so long as you wear the same dress as the others – AND get us a nice gift! Maybe some dragon art we can hang in the foyer.
LMAO!
Anyway, I’m not into vampires and stuff but your little excerpt caught my attention and I found myself wanting to read more. This is a brilliant idea for a collaboration. The great thing is you have plenty in reserve now you’ve found your folder. It’s good to think some of your early work will see the sun.
Good going you two. You’re both very talented and I hate you for it.
Dave Fowlers last blog post..The Crack Of Dawn
@Dave: I second the motion:
“Good going you two. You’re both very talented and I hate you for it.
”
Sals last blog post..The Host with the Most
Holy Crap All Y’All!
Dave, you should have deleted that the second you saw it. My goodness, what was I thinking. And imagine my surprise to see my wife was here as well. You do realize I tell her I’m “working” when I spend all day upstairs.
LMAO, all of you.
Writer Dads last blog post..Writer Dad in Rough Draft
Oh my gosh, guys, thanks for the best laugh in several days.
And get working on that story, I can’t wait to read it!
Sean, good on you for remembering you are Twitter. Now Dave…I’m waiting.
BJ Keltzs last blog post..Making Write Time
Tag, you’re it! Come to my place to see..
Mom/Mums last blog post..Seven/sept/sette/siete/sieben is the magic number!
Dave – Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. As for vampires, this won’t be like your average vampire story.
Sal – LOL
Writer Dad – I swear, you can’t take Dave anywhere! As for the lie you’re telling your wife, your secret is safe with us and the tens of others who read this.
BJ – Thanks. I can’t wait to write it. As for Twitter, I’ve been so busy offsite, I haven’t been around as much online to tweet. I’ll make a note to get on it, though.
Mom/Mum – Great, now I have to think of stuff! Thanks!
you know what???
#she’s writing her first novel and I have one sort of stuck…
you and my wife have actually inspired me now!!
but I think I can get something out of now… as long as I see there is enough people struggling like me… hehehehe
Just kidding!
keep up the good work!
ah…. tomorrow is the last day of the Drinks are on ME competition!!
Go on… leave your comment!!!
zya!
UrbanVoxs last blog post..Drinks are on me!!