Just like people, characters in a story experience stress and emotional challenges. As the story develops, I always wonder if my emotions are enough help the characters seem real. They may need to show or experience things I have not had the opportunity to encounter. There may be situations that I would not want to engage in myself.

As I shift through the storyline that I have outlined for A Curious Morrow - When Time Pauses, I am beginning to reconsider some of the paths and some of the emotions for the characters. While I probably should keep things the as they are planned, the writing becomes a little more challenging as it becomes personal. The change wouldn’t be for the characters, but for me as the writer.

The main character, Jack, experiences a loss prior to the start of the actual story. This is a loss that aligns to my personal past with a few extra twists. While it has been some time since my own emotional journey, it still stings. The emotions rush back in. The key clicks become more delayed as I translate the emotions to the screen. And, the question as to why I would write the narrative and relive the experience begin to surface.

What seems to be an unexpected release for me turns into a connection to someone I haven't really met, but know well. Jack is a person who cares for his family and will try to keep things together. Sometimes, he is expected to fail. Sometimes, he is hopeful that things will go his way. And, just like the rest of us, he is unsure of where the future will lead.

I would like to say that I know exactly what Jack is going through or that I know where he is headed. I should since I am writing things down. However, as the path becomes clearer, Jack may not encounter the alien in chapter three as planned or adopt a pet in chapter five. Right now, he is not scheduled to either of those, but who knows where the emotions and story may lead him.

I am excited to see where he is going and how he stays on his journey. I am excited that I get to go along with him. We'll have to see how true or superficial the emotions become. Along the way, I am hoping to expand my own understanding of these experiences and resist the ever-fearful edit and red pen before the time is realized.