Motivational Changes in Writing

When I began thinking through The Shadows the Ocean Keeps, I was in love with the idea of writing about submarine warfare in WWII. Seriously, there are so many incredible stories that could be told that I had the opportunity to learn about during my submarine qualifications.

Even when I began writing, I was motivated by the scenes of action. Those that showed the crew actuating the torpedo tubes, inhabiting the boat, and even things as mundane as loading food.

Now, though, I’m finding that my motivation is shifting.

I’m nearly done writing about the USS Bonefish’s first war patrol, just over a third of the way done with the expected manuscript length overall… and I find myself thinking about the relationship between Landry and Parker more than the action happening around them.

I am having trouble falling asleep at night because I’m envisioning their relationship and what happens next. Using Siri to send myself text messages while driving as new ideas pop in my mind so I won’t forget them.

And, to be clear, I think that’s a good problem to have. It means that the characters I’ve developed are working. That there is chemistry on the pages.

So what started as a unique retelling of submarine warfare has transitioned into a slow-burn romance between two men that find themselves entrapped in a steel tube through the height of war. It doesn’t negate the submarine stories; I think it enhances them instead.