Indecision 2008

This has nothing to do with the elections.

Rather it has to do with what story to prep for the fast approaching Nano.
I was going to figure this out last night, but I fell asleep at 10pm [super early for me]. So I'm going to hash it out here instead.

-------------------Begin "Scrubs" moment-------------------------

The Contenders!

In one corner, holding the age old influence of greek mythology and the ancient glory ripe with characters is a story based on Daedelus, Icarus and the amazing labyrinth.

And in the other corner, is an original but fragmented story that puts a young girl as a companion to a brilliant man, who doesn't remember who he is.


The Fight!

The mythical tale seems to be a heavy hitter, with its already existing story providing a very good layout for a new story to be based on. Oh no, the original story is being knocked down for it's lack of goals and clear antagonist. Wait, the original story is back up, jabbing back with it's intriguing characters and possibilities as a series. Yet another jab with its left hook of unfamiliarity and darker elements.
It looks like the original story might win, it's even strutting around the ring--but it's back is turned. And whammo! Mythical came from behind with a one two jab of limited time to come up with a compelling story. Oh and now original's been hit one more time with the chance for comedy.

Original is down for the count. He's been K.O'ed!

Mythical wins! Mythical wins!


--------------------End "Scrubs" moment-----------------------------


Okay...I supposed I solved that one myself. And perhaps I already knew the answer.


So I'm going to say it here and now (and hopefully not jinx myself), the basis of my next NaNo story is such:

A steampunk adventure story based on ideas and characters presented in the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus. Specifically involving the Labyrinth of Minos.

For those who don't know or forgot the story, it goes like this:

In Crete, King Minos' wife was cursed to mate with a bull and produce a monstrous offspring known as the Minotaur [half man and half bull]. The king decides to encase this monster within a Labyrinth and hires Daedalus to build it. Daedalus and his son, Icarus, build the maze and Minos puts the Minotaur at the Labyrinth's center and lures men there to be eaten. Of course, the King decides that he would rather not have people know that Labyrinth's secret so either locks Daedalus and his son either in the Labyrinth or a tower [depending on the version]. Nevertheless they escape by flight by fashioning makeshift wings. Icarus, however, is foolhardy and flies too high, melting his wings and falling to his death. Daedalus survives and mourns his son in a much safer city and lives to a ripe old age.

And that's the most important part of the story...at least what will inspire me.

The key words being inspired. I have no intention of writing a story that is verbatim or even following the similar turn of events--that would be boring. Rather I plan to use these key elements from the story:

Labyrinth--could be a maze, a machine, prison or a city itself

Minotaur--animal, human, metaphor, ghost, mistake created by science or a machine

Wings/Flight--mechanical, magical, genetic, well made or shoddy

King Minos--rich man, king, eccentric, position of power, old friend

Daedelus--father/mother/brother/sister, brilliant inventor, shambling fraud, old, young

Icarus--son/daughter/brother/sister, innovator, curious, young, old


What a good start...always helps to make up your mind first.

Revenant

So because I was so badly prepared for Blood Stone, I figured early prep is the key to a good novel, which means slightly easier editing later. *hopefully*

So what is Revenant?
Well it is based on my original Nano plot I was planning before I frantically ditched it for a new plot [Blood Stone]. But I've revamped it a lot and I like it much better now.

A young woman discovers at the age of 23 that she is a revenant--a group of humans who fight the evils of the world and cannot die. Well they can die, but they just keep coming back no matter how they die [ala Claire in Heroes but far more immortal].

The dictionary definition of "revenant" is: one who returns or one who returns after death.

The deal is that her family is under a "curse" or "blessing" [depends on who you ask] that turns the "first of the first" [first born of the first born...etc]. Which in this case means her mom and her grandmother. But no one seemed to think it was necessary to warn her...thus hilarity ensues.

Overall this story is going to be much less serious than Blood Stone and set in an slightly alternate universe of our world, specifically in San Francisco.


That's all I'll say for now--but I'll start dropping more info closer to Nano...I just don't want to jinx it.