I have a few stories I am working on right now that I could call my ‘work in progress’, but there is one I have been really focusing on since early December.

I have been having a lot of trouble with this WIP – the kind of WIP that has, on occasion, made me wonder if I should just put it away and work on something. But I believe I have a good idea here and all the issues that are popping up are ones that come from my own head.

One big problem I have had is that my main character remained not so much a mystery as inconsistent. One moment she was adjusting to her circumstances fine and well, the next moment she was emotional and yelling at her newest friend.

While this makes for great drama in the story, it doesn’t make for a likable main character – and it certainly doesn’t make my job easier.

I fully admit that my main characters are all a part of me in one way or another. I don’t see that as a problem unless they are utterly and completely me. This woman? This woman wouldn’t even tell me her name. I keep switching it in the hope of finding a right fit for her. I felt like she was refusing to tell me anything about her, and so the book would fail for lack of a clear character.

In comes the light bulb. In the bath, no less, which is one of my favourite places to think.

After weeks of worrying and trying to figure out exactly who my main character truly is, it finally occurred to me:

My main character was so much like me that I couldn’t see it.

No wonder I couldn’t figure her out! I can’t figure myself out at this point in my life.

Of course, this means I’m going to have to do some major revising with her so it’s an actual book in the making rather than me simply going on a joy ride in my imagination. But finally, finally, I feel like I have gotten rid of one of those ruddy hurdles making me feel like I can’t write anymore.

Phew!

Have you had any light bulb moments lately?