Charting the Course
I’m currently working on a project related to an airplane crash at the same time that Boeing has had its fleet of 757 Maxs grounded in several places.
It’s unnerving to think about a plane going down with a couple hundred people on board. Especially when you just got off or plan to get on a plane in the near future.
Yet that’s part of the plot for my next novel.
And it’s part of current headlines.
Sometimes my novels chase headlines. Sometimes they precede them. And other times I’m writing as the headlines form.
It creates a challenge as I’m building the story. This current novel, now titled Flight Risk, starts with a plane crash. I had lunch with a couple friends of mine who teach in the Purdue Aviation Technology program about pilot error and what happens when planes go down. I’m sure it was a fascinating—and weird—conversation to catch pieces of.
That’s what it takes to get the story right though. Conversations in Chipotle about pilot error, automation challenges, and other potential issues. Building the layers of character and conflict that overlay the initial what-if. Noticing the headlines, but letting the story organically develop from the spark of an idea. Thinking and dreaming and scheming to a story I can love, but more importantly that readers will love.
By the way, one of my ripped from the headlines books is on ebook sale for $1.99 right now. Grab Delayed Justice at this price while you can.
I’d love to know, what are your favorite elements of a story? The character? The plot? The feeling it could happen to you?
Cara
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Hi Cara!
I think my favorite elements to a story are the characters themselves…if they’re “real” and believable in their thoughts, actions, but especially dialogue with each other. But the plot is what initially causes me to pick a book/kindle book…if it’s in the time period and type of plot that appeals to me as a reader.
This whole Boeing thing is tough…my 16 yo son is in Trinidad on a Mission Trip during Spring Break this week and was scheduled to fly home on 2 of those specific planes (now grounded)…so we’re waiting to see if flight times change due to the airline (American) having to find other planes to fill in those flights! Crazy!
God Bless you as you fly to new heights in your coming novel! (Pun intended…sorry!)
I am drawn to the settings and the history or reality that the story is based on. I love it when the author takes a nugget of a real incident and weaves a story around it.
I love characters that are real to me. That I can build a relationship with, and race through the book with. Fighting believable enemies, and bringing them to justice. while I love contemporary times, I can live vicariously through any time span or location.