The Chapter Three Blues

Yep. That's right. I have the chapter three blues. Over the years thy way I delve into writing a long work of fiction or a novel is has taken this layout:

Preface: (More for my information & not normally included in final product
Chapter 1: Start with a bang! Jump right into it.
Chapter 2: Fill out the character, but keep the story line moving.
Chapter 3: The set up. Basically, the entrance ramp to my story express-way.

Normally, my chapter three is bla. And normally I'm okay with this. I just tell myself I write a few more chapters and come back and edit it later. That works for me. But not this time. This time, I feel like I'm staring at Mt. Everest. While the plot line is moving, its slow in comparison to Chapter 1 & 2, the dialogue is heavy and stiff, and my descriptions seem too long but hold vital information.

It's been a week since I've written Chapter 3. And no matter how hard I try to start Chapter 4, I just can't, because Chapter 3, just feels so unnatural. And this is after I've scrapped it and re-written. So, ladies & gentlemen of the internet...any suggestions? 

Where One Adventure Ends--Reflections

Well, my four month adventure in Europe is over. It must have been the fastest four months of my life...it feels like a dream. I've been back in the US for almost two weeks, but the reverse culture shock is killing me! When I first moved to England, I was able to slide right into the culture and the way of life so easily, there wasn't really an adjustment period for me. But coming back, I feel out of place. Like I have this big arrow above my head, pointing me out. I don't feel like I fade into the background anymore. Scary. That old cliche about always moving forward applies, I can't undo the four months I spent independently that made me a better, stronger, more out going person. So now I have to find a way to fit this new me inside Small Town, USA. And I'm afraid it isn't going to happen. I've always known I wasn't staying here, but now I feel like I'm suffocating. Still, I wouldn't trade a moment of those four months for anything, and I would go back in a heart beat.

One adventure has ended. So, naturally, another must begin. What in my future, you ask? More traveling (when I have the time and money), graduating for college in two years, continuing trying to break into the book publishing market, and getting into all sorts of shenanigans, and sorting out grad school. It might not be Europe...but its something. And it gives me time to daydream up a grand travel scheme. Who knows, maybe I'll do my masters abroad. It's all up in the air at this point.