The energetic D.L. Hammons, founder of the amazing WRiTE Club, is at it again with another great idea for the community. He's teamed up with the lovely Elise Fallson to bring us the W.I.P. It Good Blogfest, a chance to share a bit about your current work, hopefully get a wee bit of feedback, and even hook up with CPs and betas. What's not to like?
This came along at just the right time for me because I'd just started a new project when it was announced. I'm always keen to know what people think of my ideas, and have pretty much got over my previous extreme shyness when it comes to discussing my work, so I didn't hesitate to sign up!
DL provided some prompts for us to answer in the post, so let's get into this...
WIP title: Whoops. Sorry, I've got nothing. That is usually the case at this stage though.
Word count: This will be a novella of probably 20-25000 words. So far I have 9,773.
Genre: I guess the nearest one would be sci-fi, though it is set in a near future not drastically different from the present.
How long have you been working on it? About three weeks.
Elevator pitch: A man suffering from chronic self-doubt has neurosurgery to increase his confidence, but how far will this push him away from his true nature, and what happens when he seeks revenge on those who have wronged him?
Brief synopsis: Reuben, a timid man who suffers daily humiliation at the hands of his workmates and even his family, thinks his life can't get any worse. But then he is put in touch with a mysterious surgeon who claims to offer a radical procedure that can alter people's personalities. In the wake of the cosmetic surgery boom, Dr Mistuna claims to be at the forefront of the next wave, offering bespoke character traits to change patients' lives. Reuben can't find any further information on the doctor, and has many reservations, but on the other hand he's very attracted by the thought of having all the confidence and charisma he ever wanted. But what will be the consequences of changing someone's intrinsic nature?
OK, I'm still working on the answer to the last part... pantser through and through ;)
Are you looking for a Critique Partner or Beta Reader?
I've got a full roster of CPs, but I'd be really interested in garnering some Betas to offer opinions further down the line, whether you specialise in SF or not.
Check out the other participants here! I know I've been a bit AWOL over the last few weeks, and I'll be back soon with more of an explanation. But in the meantime, I'm going to try to get to as many other entrants as I can. Always nice to see what people are up to!
73 comments:
You're so creative,I cannot WAIT to read this!
Wow, you've already written over 9K words in just three weeks?! Impressive!
Loving the synopsis, btw! It has such an intriguing premise. (I'm a total sucker for plots that deal with identity, such as Dark City and Dollhouse.) Good luck with this!
This novella sounds very exciting. I wonder how far he'll take things now that his personality has been altered. Will he just right wrongs or go over the deep end. Great story idea Nick and best of luck finishing it. I did The Faerie Prince Blogfest so we both have 'fest up today.
This sounds fascinating. I always like medical interventions to human nature. This kind of reminds me a little of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Or on a creepier level, a film called Antiviral. And I love that!
Sounds like an exciting read Nick. There's definitely a big market for a good revenge story and I like the altered personality aspect to it. It's going to rock when finished, I just know it! Thanks for sharing with us today. :D
And forget the dirty carrot pic, my mind was in the gutter today tis all. (;
This sounds great. I'm intrigues with the question of identity and m protags main struggle is with exactly that.
And I peaked at the cover for Ghost below - very nice.
Shah X
http://bit.ly/115vOR8
This sounds great. I'm intrigues with the question of identity and m protags main struggle is with exactly that.
And I peaked at the cover for Ghost below - very nice.
Shah X
http://bit.ly/115vOR8
Hi Nick, your brief synopsis sounds super interesting, surgery to change someone's character trait is intriguing and unique.
Nice to see you back, Nick. I really like the sound of your story!
Good to see you again! That sounds like a very interesting idea. Good luck with it.
To do all of that in a sort...I'm in awe! The premise sounds good.
Titles- The Twisted Mind of Dr. Mistuna, The Price of Confidence, Mind Bender
The synopsis is always the difficult part! And the title even more so. Your premise sounds intriguing though!
Hi Nick .. so pleased you're writing and that Elevator Pitch is refined .. it's an interesting thought ..
Good luck with finishing and getting the novella out there ..
Cheers Hilary
I think it sounds great! Intriguing concept and I bet it's fun to write! I can do a beta exchange with you later on. Just let me know. :)
Hmm, surgery to get rid of self-doubt? To boost confidence? Would that then make us who we truly are, bringing our best selves out, or would it change us in a negative way? Make us aggressive and selfish? Or is that we truly are?
Love the premise, Nick! Go for it! :)
I like idea of this. I have suffered from social anxiety for most of my life, so I know about wanting an instant fix.
I'll read it!
I love this concept Nick!! I would love to give personality make overs as Christmas gifts...imagine how much more fun family gatherings could be?
Nick I see this being a great adventure and could see myself finding a problem limiting it to a novella. i wish you well and will be checking back on your progress. I am part of the WIP Blogfest.
Are you going to submit this to Kindle Singles? Fascinating concept.
Hi Nick, popping in from WIP it! Sounds like a really unusual, and interesting :) story line!
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
Nick, I LOVE your story idea. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy reading. I want to know what happens to Reuben! What a twist on the theme of "be yourself"!
Talk about taking chances, especially when your doctor is a mystery man. I'm sure Reuben is in for some suprizes.
very creative and promissing premise. waiting for the final product ;)
It sounds like a very interesting premise!
This sounds awesome! Definitely contact me if you want a beta read. I don't know if my science background would help, but it might :)
Ooh, totally love the premise!
Hi Nick. I am really into your story. I enjoy these type of Sci Fi stories where it is not that far outside of the realm of possibility.
I would be open to beta reading it.
Amazingly clever premise. There are some issues I'd like to ditch...though they are on the opposite end of this poor guy...Keep us posted! You seem to be flying along! Good job.
Tina @ Life is Good
Sounds interesting! And kinda scary at the same time :) Good luck with it!
Oo... this sounds great, Nick! :)
I'm a panster, too, but I've been trying my best to at least "outline" a synopsis before I write. Mind you, this isn't a synopsis I would send to an agent. Just a story line to help my thought process.
That's a very intriguing story concept. And 9k in three weeks is a very impressive word count. Best of luck with it!
Sounds very cool and sort of "Twilight Zone"-ish :)
Let me know if you need a Beta Reader...I'm intrigued :)
That sounds very intriguing! I'd be up for a Beta read if you still need one. Thank you for taking part today! :)
Oh, this is very creative! If someone's personality can be changed through neurosurgery, would that someone even be the same person anymore?
Neurosurgery to increase confidence with the added possibility of changing their personality completely.
How interesting.
Be sure to tell me when you find the answer.
This is a really cool concept. The idea of having surgery to change our "selfves" is frightening and fascinating. Be sure to let me know about any beta reading for this, because I so want to read it.
Good luck with your novella!
Kyra - Thanks! Nice to hear that!
Heather - I didn't think it was much!
I like those sort of plots too. Just hope I can pull it off!
Sheena - Thanks! I have a feeling he will go off the deep end...
Kate - Thanks! I know the first film you mentioned but not the second. Might have to check it out!
Elise - Thanks very much! And it was a funny pic in any case. :)
Shah - I think he goes too far with trying to overcompensate for defects. I kind of took what happens to some people with plastic surgery and applied that to a mental plane.
Rachna - Thanks!
Jeff - Thanks. Good to hear that!
Sara - Thanks!
Jo - Thanks very much for the titles! I like Mind Bender quite a bit!
Alex - Thanks! I'm sure the title will announce itself at some random time.
Hilary - Thanks, I came up with the pitch on the spur of the moment. Not sure it's that good!
Pk - Thanks very much, I'll keep that in mind!
Madeline - All sorts of fiendish questions to explore!
deathwriter - Sometimes I could do with a quick injection - nothing drastic, just to serve a purpose!
Sounds like a great start!
Tim
The Other Side
OMGoodness! I totally want to read your story when it's done! It sounds super. I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, but this really sounds super. Well done on catching my attention. :)
Hey, I'm a pantser too -- though I should probably add "recovering" (not so much). Great premise; I'm a BIG fan of speculative fiction.
This sounds intriguing, and you have some deep questions to answer. Good luck!
I've tried being a pantser and it ended badly, so now I have to plan things out...
This sounds like a very intriguing story, Nick. I find revenge stories quite juicy, when done right.
I'm not participating in the blogfest, but I'm here just to visit. =)
Okay, wow! You really drew me in! I love the direction this could take. Hopefully I will be able to read more!!!
Love the sound of this story - I'd be happy to read it if you need more readers, when the time is nigh!
Go Panster!!! Love the premise! It sounds great! Count me in for a Beta, if you want.
I'm a pantser too - always will be. :) Have fun writing!
Elizabeth - Lol, there are definitely people that could do with one!
Dobson - Who knows, it could end up being longer - but hopefully less will be more!
Crystal - Not at that point yet, but great idea!
Suzanne - Thanks!
Julie - Thanks! Glad you're intrigued!
Joy - I don't think the doctor can be trusted!
Adriana - Thanks! Hopefully I can deliver it soon!
Carrie-Anne - Thanks!
Meradeth - Thanks for the offer! I'm sure you'd have very useful input.
Sarah - Thanks!
Sydney - Thanks. It is sci-fi, but set in the near future - no spaceships or anything. Thanks for the offer!
Tina - Thanks! He will learn it isn't the answer to all his problems...
Tiana - Thanks! And scary sounds good. ;)
Carrie - Thank you!
Ink - I do have a vague outline too, but it's very open to change as I go along and doesn't usually have an end.
M.J. - Thanks! I thought it was slow, lol!
Mark - Thanks! Quite a compliment and thanks for the offer of reading.
D.L. - Thanks Don! Never expected all these offers of betas, amazing!
Dianne - Trying to mess with our true selves is probably a mistake.
Aldrea - Glad you think so! :)
Jeanne - Thanks very much! Of course I'd love to have you read it.
Carol - Thanks!
Timothy - Thank you!
Sharon - Thanks so much. I feel overwhelmed with these responses!
Milo - Good luck with the recovery. I definitely see benefits to plotting!
L.G. - Definitely. Thanks!
TF - I do a bit of both but lean towards pantsing.
Cynthia - Thanks for stopping by. Hope I can get it right!
Courtney - Thanks! That's great to hear.
Trisha - Thanks. I will definitely take you up on that offer!
Sounds like you're well on your way to your 20-25,000 word goal. Well done and good luck with the rest.
This sounds intriguing, I'm definitely interested to learn more.
I'm currently in the planning stages of my first WIP, but I don't think I'll manage 9000 words in three weeks! Good work!
The consequences of changing someone's intrinsic nature?? Way to leave me hanging. You said you'd like to beta my SF and I'm definitely interested in yours too!
This sounds amazing! I'd love to read it one day. :-)
Really neat take on the whole surgery idea!
That is a fascinating question you've posed. I've never even considered this! I've thought about engineering someone's traits before they're born, but afterwards? Like some kind of personality surgery? Some writers are just amazingly inventive ;-)
Oh! Bespoke character traits! So many possibilities inherent in that idea...
The elevator pitch alone makes me want to read this. Sounds awesome. Good luck! :)
wow. That's cool. i like your elevator pitch:)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Sounds like an awesome pitch!
All the best!
Nas
Stopping by from the WIP it good Blogfest.
@JLenniDorner
Sounds like an interesting work. Like Limitless/ The Dark Fields - but adjusting personality instead of intellect.
This premise sounds really interesting. I'd read it, just to find out what happens to him.
Cheers, Nick, for stopping by and commenting on my D-Day post.
I told CSM Ryan that more than 130 Bloggers left remarks - and he was completely floored :)
I'd love to see how this pans out. I love the idea!
I don't know how you pantsers do it, though. I need an outline of just about every scene.
I love the premise Nick! Such a creative take on personality-trait engineering...
Definitely plenty of intrigue!
Writer In Transit
I loved the "Whoops, I've got nothing." How often I've had to write or say that. You will have something soon, I'm sure. So I'll come back to see what you come up with.
Back from my break and looking forward to connecting with bloggers who write again.
Hi Nick! Just dropping by to say hello and hope you're doing dandy:)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
That's a really cool story premise! Best of luck with writing the rest of it!
I love this idea. I think people have thought about it for themselves or others.
It all sounds intriguing. Good luck.
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