Where to (re)start? The Brooklyn Bridge novel redux

Charlotte lowered the revolver to her side. Aedan clutched at her hand and the gun slipped from it, clattering against the floor. The sound, more than his sudden movement, startled her; but Charlotte stood rooted the floorboards. She should have fled out of fear, but something held her there.
            Squeezing her hand tenderly, he pressed it against his chest—his heart—where a moment before she had aimed her weapon. She reached out her free hand and Aedan anticipated a slap across the side of his head. But rather, Charlotte caressed his ruddy cheek, the eyelets of her lace gloves catching on his stubble, producing a rasping sound heard only by him. But, when they passed just below his chin, her fingers curled into a small fist hidden from his sight.




I tried to finish up the lover’s spat between Charlotte and Aedan, but since I forgot Charlotte’s motive—it’s difficult for me to figure out how to resolve it. Either way, he should probably reject her later on. You know, screw up the relationship in a typical guy way. He’ll get in trouble for neglecting his sister at some point (not sure how yet … I need to refresh my memory tonight of all the big plot points and structure.) Probably still too early in the process to reconsider casting a prostitute as his love interest. Too melodramatic or easy? Right now I should just go with it. He saves her from his father, and then they meet again on the street. She takes him in to thank him, he falls for her. But I guess she should remain reluctant to have any more to do with him. She’s trying to run a business, and a boyfriend would probably interfere with that. But naturally, she probably also feels comforted by him—the love, safety, and security (not monetary, of course) he provides. Again, that is awfully simplistic, and I have to be careful not to stereotype women and approach toward relationships, etc. 

This is supposed to be exploring the complexities of all this for a teen audience. I can't forget my audience. I'm trying to write the cool book I would have wanted to read as a 14-year-old: history, swearing, sex, violence, etc. This is a historical novel, but it cannot sound like one long history lesson. I need to keep in mind that it is a novel—and keep in mind why people read novels … why after 250 years they remain popular, despite movies and shorter attention spans. People want to read fiction, people like to write fiction, because of what it can do to reveal and explore truth—with or without any semblance of a grounding in reality. Fantasy, sci-fi, magical realism … departures from reality than nonetheless say something about real life. I choose the past as a setting both to educate the stories people/places/objects/events we might not consider being relevant or fascinating, and to comment on the present—to solve my own problems, and perhaps allow others to consider their own lives and history. 

With this novel, as with the Rite of Spring project, I strive to educate, delight, and inspire. However, this Brooklyn Bridge story is fiction. The boundaries of my creativity need to be established—but within that, the freedom is nearly limitless. Of course, it needs to be based in the realities of that time and place: New York City, January 1872 through May 1872. Just five months, almost the amount of time I have before me. Actually, almost a month fewer.. Let’s call that greater urgency.