Having made the decision that my next novel will be built around the 23k words I’ve already written for “Worlds Without End” (see sidebar or Menu, depending on how you’re viewing this), that means I’ve already an established location, Knoxville/Oak Ridge, established characters, the Hartmann’s and the Tohsaka Machines, a pre-existing relationship, Gary & Henge’s love for each other, a well as a sprinkling of tension, Gary’s sister’s, Faustina’s jealousy of the Machines and even mentally crippled Tracy.

I’ve even one plot arc:  Pinocchio.  Henge’s desire to manifest a human body and make children with Gary.

What I lack is opposition; an antagonist.  I cannot use Faustina, as that is merely to replay “Cursed Hearts.”  I’ve broadly hinted that there may be other Machine tribes, perhaps made in St. Petersburg and Milan, but I’ve not seen anything about them.  Having made a page of notes on New Years Day that summed up to nothing at all, I tried letting my mind roam free these past few days.  What I recalled was the significance of music in letting these stories unfold in my mind.

“The Fourth Law” and “Echoes of Family Lost” would have turned out very different, if at all, without my listening to the old ELO album, “Time.” Nightcore and Trance was the backdrop of my descent into madness for “Cursed Hearts.”  Gary Numan’s “Down in the Park” and “Are Friends Electric?” were the direct cause of “Friend and Ally” and its sequel, “Foes and Rivals.”

At work and home, I’d been listening much to my Pandora J-pop station.  As much as I enjoy it, I don’t speak Japanese, so no story-related ideas could come into my head.  For now, I’m back to a little Nightcore, hoping to  be shown something.  This weekend, I’ll try pulling out some CDs and playing those, too.  Oh.  And if you think CDs are retro, I’ve cassettes and even vinyl in the basement; get off my lawn, whippersnapper!

Not sure what I can do over the next week; a week from today the big central Ohio animecon, Ohayocon, starts.  Per normal, we’ve a hotel room and I’ve cosplay ready to go.  Perhaps some notes between now and then?  Afterward, I’m back into writing, with both feet.  Ideally, I’d like the “WWE” manuscript to be complete by Easter.

If any of y’all have suggestions for an antagonist/antagonists, plot lines, music I should listen to, please comment away!