And so I started a new story, a novelette that’s supposed to be the first in a series.

I already discussed this project in the past – a series about the adventures of a lone character moving around the Mediterranean in a small sailing ship called The Corsair (or Le Corsaire, French-like).

I have started and stopped dozens of times – despite detailed outlines and tons of research material.
But today I needed to write, to get the gears in motion.
It felt like a good idea, starting something new on my birthday.
And while I was waiting in line at the supermarket, the right idea came to me, and I saw where my story should start.

Once that was solved – the idea being to open with a small action piece as seen through the point of view of a secondary character – it became easy seeing what had been stopping me so far.

First, I was stuck in the head of the main character – but because of the kind of character he is, I needed some contrast, some alternating voice.

Second, I was stuck with this scene I was seeing, of the Corsair, the ship, entering a Mediterranean port.
I wrote that scene no less than five times, in the last year or there abouts – and it always sucked big time.

So, different setting, different venue, different opening and point of view.
I did three scenes, for a total of about 1500 words, in about one hour.
And I have a title, which is good for a change.

My story will be called The Corsican Sisters (aka Le Corsaire, #1).
It’s a straightforward pulp thriller, but hopefully it will help me get the measure of my characters, and will start the ball rolling for good.

Now it will be fun trying and writing the first draft in the weekend.
I have 1500 words already – I’m 10% there…