My struggles with the project prompted me to jump out of writing and back into research again. I was at a loss trying to figure out what else I could do. I still like the ideas behind my story but bringing the idea to life simply was not working. The characters were not developing like I wanted and organizing the plot into a solid narrative structure seemed impossible. Giving up did cross my mind. I do have plenty of projects in the works without stressing out over this.
Instead, I think a short break is in order. I need to learn more about what I am doing. I want to learn more.I am not taking about learning how to write or learning structure. I want to learn what makes a story compelling. What are the underlying mechanics that move the story and drives interest. I am not talking about character, tone, symbolism, or narrative structure. Or maybe I am. I don't know. I think there is a deeper mechanic or mechanics that I am missing. What is it? I don't know.
So I decided to spend some time finding out. I may play with this project off an on but my focus right now is to learn. My first sub-goal in my new focus on learning - read the Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. Why? It seemed like a good place to start.
