Over the last two week’s I’ve been editing my latest manuscript, working title Love Thy Enemy. As I worked this afternoon, the task was to search the word ‘need’ and replace it with synonyms if it popped up too much.
This is a fascinating exercise and I did discover I used the word a lot; which led me to ponder on ‘need’. Obviously my story is a story of need, of craving, of desiring something, or many things. This word conveys a strong urge, perhaps a necessity in the lives of the hero and heroine. Merielle desires to leave her former life and fulfil her destiny. She knows if she stays with her people, her spirit will die. That’s a pretty strong motivation for change.
When she meets the hero, he is searching for a lost brother. Nik’s ‘need’ to find his brother is all-consuming. Merielle becomes wrapped up in Nik’s search when he believes she can help him.
Pretty soon, sparks are ignited and a whole new bunch of ‘needs’ are clamouring to be met. Need is such a powerful world. It doesn’t imply there is an alternative; suggests no other option can be considered. The word suggests something that can’t be lived without, like air, or food, water and yes, love.
This is why I enjoy editing. It enables me to analyse my work with a certain amount of detachment and truly see the meaning of what I’ve written. The light bulb moment for me this afternoon: I can use the theme of ‘need’ when trying to encapsulate what this book is about. Love Thy Enemy is not about revenge, sorrow, guilt or even love. All these themes play a part but the over-riding subject of the book is need. How powerful is that?
