DoML - Chapter 9

I spent a lot of time today finishing Chapter 9 in my book, and it's one of my favorite chapters so far!

It's fun how ideas in the plot line will just pop into your head when you sit down and force yourself to write. It seems I can't just wait for inspiration to come, but I have to kind of squeeze it out, like toothpaste!

I've incorporated a new character in my book, who first appears in Chapter 9, named Pierre Peintre. He's an artist, like those that you find scattered around Paris with their artwork displayed behind them as they paint a new masterpiece, and he plays an integral part in the storyline of the two poodles, Didier and Colette.

The chapter had started out as just a way to break the monotony of Maddi's boring and miserly lifestyle. I had already created the poodle characters in the first chapter of the book, and they had made a cameo in the third chapter as well, but now they get their own side plot-line, which will somewhat tie together with Maddi's story in the end.

I had had difficulties making Chapter 9 interesting, but then, as I was squeezing out the ideas, Pierre came to mind. What was supposed to be just a fun and silly chapter (the comic relief of the book, if you will) actually became a serious chapter that included both sides of the lucky/unlucky dichotomy and incorporates that kind of a bittersweet feeling that is popular throughout a majority of the book. I think the new layer creates interest though, and will compel readers to continue on.

Here's an excerpt!

"As they were crossing the bridge, Colette ran ahead of Didier a little ways, stopped, got into a pouncing position, and motioned with her head for him to follow just before dashing away. Didier took this invitation to a race with pleasure and ran after her.

He had dated many a pooch who had just wanted to lie around and look pretty in their new puppy couture; the spoiled brats that they were, but Colette was different. She liked to flirt and have fun with him. What could he have done in the past to deserve such a perfect mate?

They flew down Avenue Rapp. Didier was closing in on Colette. He pulled up beside his gal's left, and was almost nose to nose with her, when she took a quick right down Avenue Franco-Russe.

Didier was quick to recover from the unexpected turn, but Colette had already put two houses’ length in between them. A block ahead the road bent to the right, and one block further it came to an end at the Rue De L’Universite. Colette took a left at the intersection, with Didier trailing close behind.

The Eiffel Tower greeted them just a couple blocks ahead."

- excerpt from The Downfall of Maddi Lavare, Chapter 9 by Robbie McNamee