Figuring It Out

To be honest, I would have preferred to sit and listen to my novel being read to me yesterday, but my writing sessions are few and far between, so I knew I needed to dive back in.

The good news is that my main character has kicked her alcohol problem. It wasn't really an addiction, per se, but a crutch, and it was short-lived. She just needed a kick in the ass to set her straight. That doesn't negate the fact that she, when in the throes of her episode, managed to essentially kill the band's momentum. It was a really embarrassing moment (if she could remember it). Her cousin and band member is more than happy to fill in the details for her. Gossip, especially small town gossip, is brutal. Scores of people witnessed her onstage debacle and now the club's crowds have dissipated. (Quite judgemental, I must say.) The club's manager won't even speak to her ~ or look at her. He's only keeping the band on the roster until he can find a replacement. Needless to say, her band members are disillusioned, and her cousin, who's been her best friend for years, has turned ice cold.

The band's independent album still isn't ready for release, so there are no bright spots on the immediate horizon. While managing to rid her life of tequila, and despite her newly pledged optimistic outlook, she finally succumbs to reality. 

Meanwhile, there are a couple of mundane issues that need resolving; little asides, if you will. The band hadn't given a thought to cover art for the album, until their producer calls and reminds MC. Knowing that all expenses would now fall to her (as her penance), she tries to think of a way to pay for band photos. Considering that she's already working two jobs, she needs an at-home gig she can wedge into her few free hours. She spies a Craigslist ad from someone looking for a demo singer for their self-penned songs. This turns out to be a real experience. The songs are not only bad, but weird. This scene is a one-off, but it adds a bit of flavor. 

Back to MC's melancholy, she finally breaks down one night after witnessing only two customers inhabiting the club and once again enduring her bandmates' accusatory looks. She exits through the back door on a break and allows her tears to flow. This provides the opportunity for she and her cousin to reconcile. He comes outside and finds her, and they have a heart-to-heart. 

That said, overall circumstances remain gloomy. She has four guys depending on their regular gig for income, and she can't think of a way to fix things. 

Nor could I think of a way. Until MC's mentor calls. She tells MC about an upcoming showcase her management wants her to do to promote her new album. She insists that MC attend, especially since most of the album's songs were written by her and her cousin. But finances again rear their ugly head and MC makes up an excuse for not attending, saying she has to work that night. Except the mentor hadn't mentioned a date; in fact, the date hasn't been set yet. MC is momentarily embarrassed at getting caught in a fib.

Then the mentor begins complaining about how much she hates those staged events, attended by industry people ~ label execs and the like ~ and that she really only enjoys performing for her fans. That's when MC (and I) hit on an audacious idea. If it works out, it'll give the band some cachet with the club.

And that's where my session ended.

On the cleanup side, I did have to go back and fix a couple of issues with my prior session. I blogged about how MC seemingly developed a drinking problem overnight, because I'd only written one representative scene, so I went back and added. A passage I hated was when MC's old friend related an anecdote, which went on and on needlessly. I rewrote it, tightening it up. 

So, forward my novel goes.