The book formerly known as 'untitled project'

I've been tinkering with a new project for months. No matter how many times I write the first five chapters, they just fall flat for me. To say it's frustrating doesn't quite cover it. It isn't lack of inspiration, per se. It isn't writers block. It's about listening to the voice in my head and what it's telling me. And it's been telling me no.
This isn't the right story.
The voice is familiar, it's the setting that's flawed.
So I go back to the drawing board and try again.
Some books, like EXTRACTED, require intense outlining. Because it is a time travel novel, every tiny move had to be calculated, each twist had to be carefully planned. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but it was exactly what the story required.
Military Brats was the same way.
I assumed this one would be the same. But nothing worked. Everything felt forced or contrived. So I got frustrated and the delete key became my best friend. But then I sat back and took another look at my first trilogy FORESIGHT. It wasn't my best writing, being my first novel. I've grown so much since then, but the process was one of being carried along by a strong character and letting the plot fall where it may. It was haphazzard, seat of your pants writing at it's finest. Every suprise in the plot came as a suprise to me too. I didn't know where or how it was going to turn out until I was typing the words. It was like jumping out of a plane and praying something would break the fall.

This book is more like that.

It needs breathing room, I've realized. My main character is so strong and so demanding, she wants to lead me by the hand into her story (kicking and screaming). So now that I've learned how to plot and plan and create a world before ever begining a story, I have to learn once again to let go. To enjoy the free fall and let myself be suprised. I don't know how it will end. I don't think she does either, but we'll find out together. I don't know if her story will be one book or three books, or a dozen. But I'm excited to find out. I can't wait to share the ride with all of you. Because if there's one thing I do know, it's that this story is going to be a doozy. And I'm pleased to tell you, it has a title.

OBLIVION