California Sunshine and a Ride Through Glitterati Zoo

Chapters 7 and 8 are now live. I think I’ve identified a bit of a flow issue in that I have three short chapters back-to-back that really are all part of the same transition, so I’m considering whether to merge them into one chapter. The question is, are they interesting enough on their own or are they stronger together? That’s something I’m still thinking about.

I like the idea of varying chapter lengths, and I don’t like when chapters get too long, personally. I’ve been known to flip ahead in a book to find out how long a chapter is to prepare myself for it, and look for a good break point if needed. I don’t know if that’s an ADHD-inattentive thing or not, but shorter chapters do tend to make me feel like I’m achieving something as I finish them, while my mind wanders during longer chapters, even if I’m interested in the story. I can’t really help it.

Anyway, these chapters explore how ill-prepared Cara is for their change in plans and her insecurity about socializing with people who she fears may judge her, based on nothing really, but her own self-perception. This is in contrast to the easy way that Griffin floats through life, adapts to changes, and is generally not too concerned with looking like a fool or a fanboy.

Cara’s super-attuned cringe-meter is quivering with nervous anticipation. It gets her thinking about a recent therapy session where the main discussion point is about masking and authenticity, and what it would mean for Cara to drop the mask and just be herself. Whether she does or not, we’ll soon find out.

These scenes are very much a slow-burn at least for me! I know what’s coming, and I’m a bit antsy to get to some new scenery and for the next bit of action to unfold. Very similar to how my own daydreaming works. I know where I’m trying to get to, but there are avenues that need to be explored beforehand before I get there. 

It’s really part of the experience, and it’s why for me personally, a single daydream story can last for weeks, or longer, even if I’m in a maladaptive phase where I’m ignoring real life in favor of daydream world-building for the better part of the day. It can get intense, and addictive. And getting to the main goal is not satisfying unless I’ve spent a lot of time building up to it.

So I hope that I’m creating that tension with these interstitial scenes. This “slice of life” style pause is temporary. Things are about to happen.