Conflicting Possibilities

In my last post I provided a summary of the novel I wanted to write for NaNoWriMo this year. However, that wasn't my first plan. Initially I wanted to write another story that's been working itself into my mind. It's deeper, more emotional, and has stronger characters so far. I decided against it when the other idea presented itself, mostly because I didn't think I could write it well. But I'm reconsidering that decision. The story is better-developed (but still raw), and it hits more strongly when I think about it. I feel like I may be able to be better emotionally committed to it.

The story? It's about a boy named Evan who tinkers in his grandfather's old workshop. He is incredibly reclusive, preferring machines and computers to other people. Laura, a tough runaway struggling with a recent traumatic experience, finds him working one day on a project. She befriends him and they form a close mutual bond, working on the project and providing needed company.

Even writing the summary causes me to realize the greater potential in this story. I've written a good beginning already (I'll rewrite it for NaNoWriMo, don't worry), but I haven't been able to go further. Laura's emotional struggles mix with my own, which makes some times for writing better than others. To help resolve this, I'd like to introduce another point of view. It would enable me to switch out of her head and into a parallel story-line when necessary.

Who could be that other point of view? Evan is an obvious answer, but my first inclination is to hide his perspective. Laura doesn't understand exactly what Evan's making. The reader should learn with Laura. I could also write from someone else's point of view. Other antagonists enter the scene later on, but I don't want to distract the reader from the main storyline by roping in someone else who isn't relevant for a long time. Nor do I want the antagonist to give away what's happening next.

I'll consider what would happen if Evan becomes an important point of view. Meanwhile, consider this quote by Shannon Hale:

> I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.

Don't build any castles during NaNoWriMo. Shovel the sand.