Darragh Ó Bradáin

As I’m writing this post, I’m taking a quick break from writing the final scene in the first act of Lessons in Absence. I’ve written the opening, and the rest of what will become the scene will wrap up the first third of a project I toyed with the idea of just over ten years ago, and actually put in motion mere months ago. Although I haven’t finished the actual novel yet, I’m feeling a sense of accomplishment akin to it. I’ve written approximately 13,000 words so far. The second part promises to be busy, so it’ll end up significantly increasing the word count.

For me, this is a unique feeling. I have planted the seeds that will sprout throughout the middle of the story. I have introduced the characters and the settings that matter. The reader will hopefully know enough about the characters to care about what happens to them. If the reader doesn’t care, the first act has failed in its job. This is a lesson that I have learned during the writing process. There’s more to writing a story than words on paper. The reader needs to be invested in what the writer has set out to do.

I feel as if the second act of the story will be more challenging. After giving the reader enough meaningful backstory, executing an effective main plot and maintaining realism throughout will most likely keep me on my toes.