03-05-2024 |10 Minute Writing – Fortress Fiction
In this 10 minute writing session, MJ writes A Grobug Tale Chapter 15 – Part VIII.
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Introducing My Insectoid Protagonist to the Critterbot Guardians in My Novel
Rewritten from transcript by Claude (https://www.anthropic.com)
As a fantasy author, I love sharing snippets of my writing process to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at how I craft stories and develop characters. In this 10-minute writing session from March 5th, 2024, I focused on a scene from Chapter 15 of my middle grade novel-in-progress, A Grow Bug Tale, where my insectoid protagonist Hopper meets the Critterbot Guardians.
The challenge in this scene was juggling multiple characters and their distinct personalities while moving the plot forward. We have Widget, the quirky sidekick, Gail Hoot, the wise but reticent owl, and Cinderstripe, the no-nonsense tiger who takes the lead in assessing Hopper’s intentions.
I had initially planned for the Guardians to arrive one by one for individual introductions, but the presence of Widget and Gail Hoot shifted the dynamics. The resulting awkward exchanges actually ended up humanizing Hopper as he confides his nervousness to Cinderstripe.
What I enjoyed most about writing Cinderstripe was his balance of seriousness and subtle amusement. As a seasoned protector, he’s not easily rattled, but he’s also intrigued by this strange insectoid creature stumbling into their midst. His choice to walk alongside Hopper rather than confront him aggressively shows his wisdom and adaptability.
Crafting the unique physicality of these chimeric characters is an ongoing challenge. The Guardians are an eclectic mix of mammal, reptile, dinosaur and even plant attributes, defying easy categorization. Conveying their appearances and movements vividly without bogging down the pace is a delicate dance.
While the scene didn’t unfold exactly as I had envisioned, I’m embracing the unexpected turns. Seeing characters surprise me on the page is one of the great joys of being a writer. It means they’re taking on a life of their own, steering the story in new directions. My job is to follow their lead and see where it takes us.
Of course, I still have a general roadmap for the overarching plot and character arcs. But the detours and scenic routes are what make the journey so exciting. I can’t wait to discover more about Hopper and the Guardians as their relationships deepen and their adventures unfold.
Let me know in the comments – do you enjoy these raw, unedited peeks into my writing process? What do you think of the dynamic between Hopper and Cinderstripe so far? I’m always eager to hear readers’ insights and reactions, so don’t hold back! Your feedback helps shape the story as much as my own imagination.
If you’re craving more writerly wisdom and behind-the-scenes goodies, be sure to subscribe to my channel. I’ll be sharing weekly vlogs documenting my progress on this novel, as well as diving into the wider world of kidlit and speculative fiction.
And if you really want to tumble down the rabbit hole of my creative multiverse, come explore my website. I’ve got a treasure trove of stories, artwork, and geeky meditations waiting to be discovered. Trust me, you’ll never be short on inspiration or entertainment!
MJ Muñoz 