Finally. Finally. I'm getting to the part of the story I've been excited about since I started working on my original outline in early 2005.
I can honestly say that everything that has happened so far has been to set the table for the rest of the book. Not an "introduction" per se, but more like "Act 1". We're still on Graedin's point of view, but I am finally introducing the last MAJOR character in the book, and now things can start happening.
I've outlined the scenes of Chapters 19 and 20, and soon now, the furious writing can begin. I hope.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chapter 17 Delivered
Well I had a really nice plan for Chapter 17. Four scenes, spanning about a year and a half where Graedin's life could be developed to the point I needed it to be for the meat of the story (you know...the rest.). Chapter 17, and I feel like the story's only getting started, sheesh.
Anyway, it got long. 21 pages after Scene 2, and I realized that Scenes 3 and 4 were likely to be even longer than 1 and 2. So I ditched the idea, called 1 and 2 "Chapter 17" and moved Scenes 3 and 4 to a new chapter, pushing everything else back a notch.
To me, Graedin feels like a different character than Brand. I hope he comes across that way to other readers. I find myself writing deeper thoughts, using bigger words, and utilizing internal commentary when writing for Graedin. I did none of that for Brand, but honestly I don't feel like I've had to force that. I wondered if I would struggle with writing for multiple points of view, but I realized that I understand their characters so well by this point that my writing automatically adjusts to reflect how they would react to things. It almost is unconscious, other than to be interested by the phenomenon.
Anyway, it got long. 21 pages after Scene 2, and I realized that Scenes 3 and 4 were likely to be even longer than 1 and 2. So I ditched the idea, called 1 and 2 "Chapter 17" and moved Scenes 3 and 4 to a new chapter, pushing everything else back a notch.
To me, Graedin feels like a different character than Brand. I hope he comes across that way to other readers. I find myself writing deeper thoughts, using bigger words, and utilizing internal commentary when writing for Graedin. I did none of that for Brand, but honestly I don't feel like I've had to force that. I wondered if I would struggle with writing for multiple points of view, but I realized that I understand their characters so well by this point that my writing automatically adjusts to reflect how they would react to things. It almost is unconscious, other than to be interested by the phenomenon.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Wear Sunscreen, and Other Stuff
Wear sunscreen.
Tonight I inked some of my recently drawn map of the Greater Gladiator League complex. In typical fashion, I tried to make it more complicated than necessary. The end result should be good, but dang, I really could have approached it in an easier way. You'll see one of these days.
I also recently finished the blueprint of the MOP building first floor as promised, though I haven't scanned it or sent it. Frankly, it's not that interesting, but it did help me plan the setting of Chapter 16.
Speaking of "frankly", I completed Chapter 17 Scene 1 tonight. Chapter 17 is going to be four scenes, and it is a "time passing" chapter. I realized it was extremely difficult to make this type of chapter interesting, so it's taken some careful roadmapping and contemplating in the shower. After rereading Scene 1, I'm very pleased with the result, and I will try to make the other three scenes flow as well.
When you read the end of Ch 17, Scene 1, you'll understand the "frankly" comment.
Tonight I inked some of my recently drawn map of the Greater Gladiator League complex. In typical fashion, I tried to make it more complicated than necessary. The end result should be good, but dang, I really could have approached it in an easier way. You'll see one of these days.
I also recently finished the blueprint of the MOP building first floor as promised, though I haven't scanned it or sent it. Frankly, it's not that interesting, but it did help me plan the setting of Chapter 16.
Speaking of "frankly", I completed Chapter 17 Scene 1 tonight. Chapter 17 is going to be four scenes, and it is a "time passing" chapter. I realized it was extremely difficult to make this type of chapter interesting, so it's taken some careful roadmapping and contemplating in the shower. After rereading Scene 1, I'm very pleased with the result, and I will try to make the other three scenes flow as well.
When you read the end of Ch 17, Scene 1, you'll understand the "frankly" comment.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
M.O.P. Map coming soon!
Keep an eye out for a map of the first floor of the Ministry of Preclusion. I sketched it out a few days ago to help my brainstorming for Chapter 16, and it's worthy of distribution. After a little cleaning and scanning, I will send it on.
Chapters 15 and 16 Delivered!
Well I sent Chapter 15 out a couple weeks ago, pretty close to my deadline. Chapter 16 practically wrote itself soon thereafter.
Chapter 16 is a pretty important one, from a conceptual standpoint. It reveals more about the politics of Arland and the restrictions that have been placed on Graedin.
Chapter 16 is a pretty important one, from a conceptual standpoint. It reveals more about the politics of Arland and the restrictions that have been placed on Graedin.
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