Avoidance is another kind of problem-solving

[desperance]

He might have left the doctor, who was no kind of sailor; he might have left the girl. He took them both, because

That's where I left it, when I went down to have lunch. Why did I stop there? Because I have no idea why he took them with him. I know why I want them there, but that's a whole different issue. He has no observable reason to trouble himself with them on this trip.

But he must. Therefore he shall. Therefore there will be a reason, I only have to dig it out from somewhere in his murky subconscious. Damn pesky characters, with their obscure motivations; why can't people be clear and straightforward, like me?

Just for now, though, I shall leave that sentence hanging and do something else. Lunch wasn't enough; it needs more time, for something foul to rise to the surface. Or simply something logical. He's a practical man. It needs to seem logical to him anyway, so it might as well be so. Hmph.

I think I'm going to review this batch of unfinished stories I came home with, while this festers.

Or maybe I'll just go for a walk. Look, sunshine! The cats have snared it on their windowsills, but there's plenty left outside for me.

Comments

[szandara.livejournal.com]

Maybe he doesn't know the reason yet, either. If you stop at "he took them both" and write on, I suspect the reason will become apparent.

I have finished Bridge of Dreams and am not enjoying River of the World (which, as you warned me, would make no sense at all if I hadn't read B of D first). Really, really good stuff--characters and worldbuilding and plot and sheer beautiful sentences and images.

Yes yes yes, liking very much indeed.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

I have finished Bridge of Dreams and am not enjoying River of the World

I am, obviously, choosing to read that as "am now enjoying". It did worry me, but only for a second...

And, yes. I think you're absolutely right. I shall stop worrying about his motives, and let them emerge. The damn man is bound to have his reasons. And they will be twisty, if they are not dark.

[szandara.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, I meant NOW enjoying! Why can't I edit my comment?

Okay, now I see, I can only edit a comment if no one has replied to it. That sort of makes sense.

[jeremy-m.livejournal.com]

He took them both, because ...

... they were quite plump and would serve well if the sea-biscuits ran out again.

or

... lately he had lost so many papers blown over the side that he really needed some good paper-weights.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *g*

[tammy-moore.livejournal.com]

He took them both, because

I rather like it as stands. Of course, I'm hearing it in the voice of a terribly world-weary dandy in shop-worn finery, his lace grubby and his velvets napped, who has tired of explaining himself and has a bottle of ether to consume. Which might not be the voice at all.

Or possibly, 'He took them both, because he couldn't find anyone to come in and water them.'

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Perhaps he didn't take them, and they came anyway?

[agoodwinsmith.livejournal.com]

My suspicion is that he took them both because they didn't want to come - and certainly not with each other. But I agree it is more appealing to let the sentence hang and offer clarification (or not) later.

[glass-mountain.livejournal.com]

Argh.
That sort of thing drives me bonkers.
I have just killed off a character, hesitated, and then changed my mind. Which required some re-writing and threw me rather off-course.