Writing Sequels for April Camp NaNoWriMo

As I move towards April's edition of Camp NaNoWriMo the plans regarding what writing project I should work on begin to swirl around in my head.  Whereas in previous years the answer has been clear this time around I have several projects to choose from.  Below I will outline the three key ideas and a brief description of how likely I am to work on them.

1) The Rules Book 3: This book's rough draft is almost finished and it would be nice to complete my first series.  Despite this fact I would need to refresh myself by re-reading the book and am just not feeling it this NaNoWriMo.  I think there will be typing and editing of what I have before I finish it.

2) Land and Sea 2, Sinister Depths:  Sequel to my first Belle and Ariel fanfiction this story follows the two heroines five years after their marriage.  Children have been disappearing from the area where they're tutoring.  Uncovering why leads to the women discovering a variety of Europe's mythical creatures, both benign and sinister.  I've got a good portion of Chapter 1 completed so it's possible that more of this will get written this April.

3) Call of the Black Panther 2: Filled with rage after the events at the end of the first book Irene wanders the wilderness, her sole purpose the preservation of the lives growing within her.  I'm currently quite pumped to write this second installment.  Although not much is set in stone yet there's a great deal of possibility and I look forward to seeing where this narrative could take me.  It is the one I am most likely to work on.

Here is the link to my Camp NaNoWriMo page: http://campnanowrimo.org/campers/starfire-falcon/novels/cotbp2

Image of a bobcat and two kits.  

Source (Google search): http://fineartamerica.com/art/photographs/bobcat/all

Inspiration

            There haven’t been many times in my life when I’ve been at liberty to wallow in the search for story ideas.  Generally I am working on completing or polishing a narrative that presented itself many years before, not lazing around in the summer sun waiting for inspiration to strike me with its fiery bolt.  Still, I can recall one occasion in the past when this did occur.  I had just finished writing Call of the Black Panther, it was late in my high school days; I was sitting under a tree in my backyard pushing around ideas, waiting for one to grab me with the rush of exhilaration I’m certain some drugs elicit.

            Most of my story ideas happen in mid-project rather than neatly at the end of one.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  One encounters the challenge of never finishing all of their projects but also has several to choose from should enthusiasm be lacking for the current tale.  Inspiration is not something that can be forced although it can be encouraged.  Exposing oneself to literature, interacting with others, and simply experiencing the world exposes an author to millions of themes, backdrops and characters, and within this mix of constantly shifting existence lies the hearts of stories waiting to be realised.

            This topic came to mind since I am currently reading a fanfiction that, while interesting and expansive, follows a few too many romantic clichés and is dragged out a bit too long for my liking.  Reading this fanfiction has made me want to write my own romantic adventure, although I like to focus my energy on original works rather than fanfiction.  This is an example of how reading another’s work, whether you love it or hate it, can benefit an author.  Although I’m not sure where this desire to write a romance will lead I’m glad that my creative will is still active.  Perhaps by the time April Camp NaNo rolls around I’ll have some more ideas to work with.

                                             Great little image about inspiration by Lehanan