:-)

I agree it’s possible to take a cliche’d plot and make it real / interesting in the writing.

But then the sex scenes would just be scary.

Actually, Martha is tough as nails, despite the fluffy cream pies. I was thinking more that you shouldn’t let her be Juliet or Sandra Dee ;- Why not let her be an ordinary working woman? Maybe someone in an IT field – surely you know some good strong women in that field that you can use as models!

So yes, it’s hokey and it’s cliche. But hopefully I can grind through this part of the story and come back to it after the 50,000 word finish line is crossed. As they say, “fix that in editing.” Your characterization of Keenan (the king’s adviser) as Merlin meets Rasputin is dead on. I just got through writing the section where he convinces the king to curse Carmichael.

In regards to Clara, she will not be a Martha Stewart. In my first run of this story she was a law student volunteering at a womens’ crisis center; this time around I’m not entirely sure what the take will be. I found the lawyer-in-training bit boring.

That’s all I’ll reveal for now, other than that I’m already struggling with my desire to carry Nanowrimo out. It’s daunting, and the more words I put to my novel the less I seem to want to put towards Gibberish. We’ll see how it pans out.

You’re right – you have no plot. What ties these characters and times together? Clearly the evil Grand Vizier has set in motion some series of events that bring Sir Gargoyle and Fair Maiden together in modern times. You can probably also link in the not-so-savory tasks the gargoyle has has to perform over the centuries, as part of the master plot. Sir Gargoyle and Fair Maiden obviously unravel the knots and resolve the current situation (please don’t let her kiss the gargoyle and have him turn back into the handsome knight!!! please please please!)

Issues I see: “Camelot”. You’ve already set up Arthur, Lancelot & Guinevere. The Grand Vizier seems to be Merlin with a Rasputin cast. It would be a challenge not to make the early part be too fairy-tale like or cliched.

Once you get into modern times, I can see interesting character development between Sir Gargoyle and Fair Maiden. Especially if you write Fair Maiden as a normal contemporary woman and don’t make her either a clinging vine or a doormat. If you do, I will be forced to …well, I’ll count to 3 and think of something! I know my reaction on meeting a gargoyle would not be to run off looking for a babbling brook ;-)

For your villain and his master plan – please do not use the Holocaust, racism/slavery, or “the war on terrorism” as part of the evils thereof. Too cliche. I think what scares me most is “the banality of evil” – another challenge, if you go that route.

So – I think this has potential. I think it also has huge challenges. I’d like to see what you do with it. And may I, pretty please, see the final product?

Not sure any of this was actually useful…let me know.