Where are you going Tabitha?

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Published by: conjensen on 15th Jan 2011 | View all blogs by conjensen

You have a choice in front of you. Up to now you have found it easy to enjoy your fantasies of running away to sea, having adventures and finding your unicorn, so indulging them was harmless play, although irritating to others. Now that you are offered the real chance of escape and you are on the edge of a cliff, looking into a huge abyss, dare you jump? You're not a modern girl; you were born over three hundred years ago- your choices are limited!

Hang on, I am forgetting- you were in fact born not much more than a year ago, but I have come to know you, and for me, you are at least as real as any person that I see on screen. I should have complete power over you Tabitha, and can make you do whatever I like, but it doesn't seem that way. My freedom to make you do certain things is limited by the way I have already created you:- the more I write, the fewer choices I have. Just like you. Why then, is it so difficult for me to see how it ends. I left you sobbing, and asking “What shall I do, what shall I do?” Ok, I’m not sobbing, but I am asking the same question.

Speak to me Tabitha. Please. And soon.

Comments

16 Comments

by Caducean Whisks 1 year ago

This made me smile - I talk to my characters too - wonder what they're up to when I'm doing something else. If she's stuck, have her bake a cake while she thinks - or visit an art gallery - or go for a walk - just don't let her sit down or the action stops.
by conjensen 1 year ago

Thanks for that Whisks- it's given me an idea that perhaps she goes to to see Karkadann, the beautiful horse belonging to her betrothed.
by Caducean Whisks 1 year ago

Sounds good to me! So painting her fingernails and phoning her friends is out, then? No matter, as long as she keeps moving. Good luck!
by conjensen 1 year ago

She lives in 17th century Cumberland, and she's a bit of a tomboy, so going to see the horse is good- and she can whisper secrets to him without him telling her what to do- as every body else does. and perhaps somebody else could have the same idea! Oh no- that could add to my list of possible endings! Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh!
by Barb 1 year ago

How do you want the ending to feel? Sometimes I find a way forward when I work that out, rather than looking at the plot.
by Wrathnar the Unreasonable 1 year ago

Tabitha: "Fuck this, I'm going down the pub!"
by conjensen 1 year ago

Good thought- sad, but with a little tiny glimmer of hope buried in it for those that look for it
by conjensen 1 year ago

Last answer was to Barb btw! and yeah Wrathnar, that's a good idea- for me, anyway, but as the pub's closed, I've raided the single malt and now I'm going to bugger off to bed, and hope I have an idea or two tomorrow. Night all
by MinxieAD 1 year ago

I'd let Tabitha tell you. You've probably started off with it all planned out and she's taken you off in different directions and now you've lost your end ? You've created a real person; she must know what she would do. I have three male characters in something I'm writing and I'm quite strict with some on most of the storyline, but saying that, I'm letting them ad lib the scenes. Best of luck with it.
by spike1 1 year ago

You could just have her wiggle her nose and suddenly everything'll be alright again... apart from the disapproving look from her somewhat less magical brother.
by JtF 1 year ago

This sort of thing happens with the spawn of Elizabeth Montgomery.
(Tabitha was her and the human's baby) It's always a puzzle.
by conjensen 1 year ago

Spike and JtF- you've lost me now!
by conjensen 1 year ago

Thank you to all for your suggestions and comments- I do like the Word Cloud! And it really helped. Wisks' comment about keeping her moving got me moving too. (Blimey, sounds like an advert for Sennapods) A group of friends round for a practice read-through gave me more ideas, and I am now a lot closer to a resolution. Might post a scene or two when it's finished! Thanks again guys
by spike1 1 year ago

conjensen, Tabitha was the daughter of Samantha Stephens (housewife and witch) and her hubby Derrin Stephens (an advertising executive). She had a younger (totally mortal none witchy) brother called Adam and a lot of interfering witchy relatives like (in Bewitched), Endora, Samantha's mother and in the spinoff where Tabitha had grown up, an interfering Aunt.

cf. Bewitched, 1960s american sitcom and Tabitha (made in the 1970s and a bit of a flop).
by conjensen 1 year ago

Cool! I've got a lot to learn!
by anchovy 1 year ago

She could go to Ibiza.