This is KAMWyland, and you're listening to the 98th episode of the Word Play Podcast.

Sometimes one of the most frustrating things about writing a novel is the fact that it

takes so long.

From outline to completed first draft, my novels usually take upwards of three years.

In one sense, of course, this is fabulous,

since it allows us to spend some serious quality time with our characters.

Since saying goodbye to our imaginary friends is always difficult.

It's great to know they'll be with us for a while.

But by the same token, the large amount of time spent focused on one story can sometimes leave

us fidgety to start on something new.

I experienced a bit of that this week,

when a new story idea blossomed, begging to be written,

and I had to push it on to the back burner

while I continue writing my historical work and progress the deepest

breath. It isn't that we love our current stories any less. It's just that those new

ideas are always tantalizing in all their glitter. Also I suspect we always have this tendency to think the next story will be easier to write.

You'd think the fact that it never turns out that way would teach us to know better.

Why you should spend more time on character than action. The latest

post in the video series on my blog shows how the classic action thriller Jurassic Park

achieved the lasting success through its attention to character.

You can watch the video on my blog at wordplay-K-M-Y-L-N-D

that's W-E-I-L-N-D. BlogSpot.

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