Finally, finally, finally. The nightmare story has an END at the bottom of its first draft, and there is much rejoicing. This was a really difficult story to write, out of my comfort zone on every possible count. It came in a smidge over 4100 words.

I hope it doesn't suck. I know I've said more than once that there's some nice writing here. Tomorrow, I'll start tearing into it and also send the Hubby off with a copy to peruse on his overnight.

But for now? I'm just going to... collapse.

Yaaaaay.

I'm poking the Nightmare story's outline right now, and debating if I want this to be a Ben story or not. I've completed six stories this year, and two of them were Ben's. I adore the guy, but I may have him sit this one out, even though he's ideally suited for it because of his very specific triggers. However, the way I'm thinking about ending it isn't suitable for Ben, because it's a horror story and leaves the protag in a pretty bad place.

Understand that I'm not opposed, on principle, to leaving Ben in a bad place. I am me, after all, and I do terrible things to him in the name of fiction and RP all the freaking time.

What I am opposed to is breaking my universe, which is what the end I have in mind for this does. I have under 7000 words to work with, and the preferred length is between 4000-5000 words, so I don't have time to mount a rescue operation (or have him rescue himself). The end I have in mind leaves the protag (whoever he is) firmly tied to the railroad tracks (metaphorically speaking), and yep, that is an oncoming express train that will not stop for him.

*squint* Or not. I have just realized that my putative ending for this thing kind of sucks and should probably, actually, be Pinch One. And oh, holy crap, I just thought of something awesome to do with this--which will make Ben the perfect protagonist.

I've said it before: this right here is why I do these blog posts. Something about noodling ideas this way breaks things loose.