I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Here I am, at the end of my first month of writing. It feels like I've been doing this for much, much longer than a month. Not in a bad way--it's just starting to feel completely normal to spend nearly two hours a day before work on my writing, and then more in the evenings if necessary.
I can already foresee the emotions I will feel when this novel is finished. Triumph, but also a feeling of loss. I can understand how writing becomes habit forming, and I'm thoroughly hooked.
--
I always feel kind of bad when I do horrible things to my characters, and Zeoly's backstory is one of those times. It was meant to parallel the scene where Bryony was set middling, because it's a similar sort of punishment. It comes unexpectedly, in front of whoever happens to be there at the time, and it is not pleasant. And I'm sorry to say that it won't be the last time we see someone brought low. (Come on, you thought I was going to set that up and then not use it? Honestly.)
I tried to get several things across in the section with Zeoly--her reasons for hating the highborn, her affection for Sili, and the genesis of Bryony's new approach to being one of the middling. the first two I accomplished; the second is more fully realized as she talks to Devan in the next scene.
So what about Bryony and Devan? Yes, he's a major character. Yes, he's important to Bryony. But unless you've peeked at my notes, you probably won't guess the direction this is going. (No, dammit, they're not related. This isn't Star Wars.) I find their relationship satisfying, though whether anyone else does is up in the air.
And so ends October. I nearly managed 60,000 words, and if I weren't so tired I'd push ahead for the extra 800. But there's no rush. I'm making steady progress, and anyway, I finished more than 4 days ahead, if you get right down to it.
Chapter 15 continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 2,135 / 1,689 words (126.4%)
Progress to Date: 59,224 / 52,347 words (113.1%, 4.1 days ahead)
October Progress: 59,224 / 52,347 words (113.1%)
November Progress: 0 / 50,670 (0.0%)
Est. Completion: 59,224 / 250,000 words (23.7%, 113 days to go)
31 October 2008
30 October 2008
Day Thirty - 57,089 words and counting
I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I'm picking up the story today back with Elma. It's it nice when a plan comes together? Not that I can really claim to have planned how all of it worked out. But perhaps you might remember what I said about leaving handles behind.
Well, today I picked up one of those handles. Upon first arriving in her new room, Bryony noticed a couple of yarn-wrapped sticks on Yancy's bed, which must have meant something to her. I didn't pursue it at the time.
Now I have. Elma had a gift for Bryony, but had not expected Yancy. She gave her a length of yarn. That's a cultural thing for Yancy--she is supposed to add different kinds of yarn to it, each color to represent a stage in her life. She has just ended the first stage and begun a second. Elma is aware of this tradition and gives her a beautiful piece of yarn to use.
I totally had not planned that when I introduced it back in, what, chapter 7 or so? But now I can see the potential of it. It can now become a device to indicate the passage of time. As the story will eventually stretch over about a decade or more, with gaps in between, that will become important.
By the way--I've been asked recently how far along I am in the story. My estimate is about 25% of the way through. At about the 33% mark, there is going to be a jump in time of about five or six years. There will be flashbacks to the skipped time, but it will be done in the framework of that future time, when Bryony is 18 or 19. I'm going to try to cover a period in her life that lasts until her early 20s.
Thereafter it gets a little fuzzier, but I'd say around the 67% mark, there will be another jump in time, this time to Bryony at around 27 or 28, and I will then carry through into the end of the story. So I guess that's more of a fifteen year time span. Given that I've only covered about a week in her life so far, I can understand the doubters who think I'll never get there.
But I'm fast approaching something that I believe will be the trickiest thing to pull off. One of the defining things about Bryony's character right now is what she doesn't know. She has a week's worth of memory at present. That's it. When I jump forward in time, I'm going to be adding all sorts of memory and experience to her without the reader having seen her accumulate it.
I've got to somehow carry the thread of her character through that change, showing what is different and also what is the same. I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I'm also a little nervous about it.
Still, that's all in the future. I probably won't hit that point until mid-November, or thereabouts. There's a lot of work for me to do to get to that point. One last note about it, though--since the story is set in three major eras, I think I'm going to make note of it by calling each section Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. They're all intended to be published together, but I think an internal division will make the split more apparent to the reader.
--
As for today's section, I was able to get across what I wanted about Yancy's thing, and I even named it--sun sticks, thought that may change. Whatever, I liked it.
If you don't care for the way today's section ended, know this: I wasn't up to delving into Zeoly's backstory tonight. But you'll be happy to know that at least some of that is coming tomorrow. And in the finished novel, that won't be a cliffhanger point, but just another line in the chapter.
I may have to reevaluate once again where 14 ends and 15 begins. I now kind of think that my original plan to finish the evening in chapter 15 was a good one. The Bryony part of the story will pause there while we check back in with Merona.
Do any of you care about the Merona/Cohenrad subplot at the moment? I know it may seem minor at the moment, and it may distract from better-liked characters. I can't really judge, but I'd appreciate your comments.
But I'll have to wait, because we won't get that far tomorrow, when Chapter 14 concludes and Chapter 15 begins.
Today's Total: 2,012 / 1,689 words (119.1%)
Progress to Date: 57,089 / 50,658 words (112.7%, 3.8 days ahead)
October Progress: 57,089 / 52,347 words (109.1%)
November Progress: 0 / 50,670 (0.0%)
Est. Completion: 57,089 / 250,000 words (22.8%, 114 days to go)
I'm picking up the story today back with Elma. It's it nice when a plan comes together? Not that I can really claim to have planned how all of it worked out. But perhaps you might remember what I said about leaving handles behind.
Well, today I picked up one of those handles. Upon first arriving in her new room, Bryony noticed a couple of yarn-wrapped sticks on Yancy's bed, which must have meant something to her. I didn't pursue it at the time.
Now I have. Elma had a gift for Bryony, but had not expected Yancy. She gave her a length of yarn. That's a cultural thing for Yancy--she is supposed to add different kinds of yarn to it, each color to represent a stage in her life. She has just ended the first stage and begun a second. Elma is aware of this tradition and gives her a beautiful piece of yarn to use.
I totally had not planned that when I introduced it back in, what, chapter 7 or so? But now I can see the potential of it. It can now become a device to indicate the passage of time. As the story will eventually stretch over about a decade or more, with gaps in between, that will become important.
By the way--I've been asked recently how far along I am in the story. My estimate is about 25% of the way through. At about the 33% mark, there is going to be a jump in time of about five or six years. There will be flashbacks to the skipped time, but it will be done in the framework of that future time, when Bryony is 18 or 19. I'm going to try to cover a period in her life that lasts until her early 20s.
Thereafter it gets a little fuzzier, but I'd say around the 67% mark, there will be another jump in time, this time to Bryony at around 27 or 28, and I will then carry through into the end of the story. So I guess that's more of a fifteen year time span. Given that I've only covered about a week in her life so far, I can understand the doubters who think I'll never get there.
But I'm fast approaching something that I believe will be the trickiest thing to pull off. One of the defining things about Bryony's character right now is what she doesn't know. She has a week's worth of memory at present. That's it. When I jump forward in time, I'm going to be adding all sorts of memory and experience to her without the reader having seen her accumulate it.
I've got to somehow carry the thread of her character through that change, showing what is different and also what is the same. I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I'm also a little nervous about it.
Still, that's all in the future. I probably won't hit that point until mid-November, or thereabouts. There's a lot of work for me to do to get to that point. One last note about it, though--since the story is set in three major eras, I think I'm going to make note of it by calling each section Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. They're all intended to be published together, but I think an internal division will make the split more apparent to the reader.
--
As for today's section, I was able to get across what I wanted about Yancy's thing, and I even named it--sun sticks, thought that may change. Whatever, I liked it.
If you don't care for the way today's section ended, know this: I wasn't up to delving into Zeoly's backstory tonight. But you'll be happy to know that at least some of that is coming tomorrow. And in the finished novel, that won't be a cliffhanger point, but just another line in the chapter.
I may have to reevaluate once again where 14 ends and 15 begins. I now kind of think that my original plan to finish the evening in chapter 15 was a good one. The Bryony part of the story will pause there while we check back in with Merona.
Do any of you care about the Merona/Cohenrad subplot at the moment? I know it may seem minor at the moment, and it may distract from better-liked characters. I can't really judge, but I'd appreciate your comments.
But I'll have to wait, because we won't get that far tomorrow, when Chapter 14 concludes and Chapter 15 begins.
Today's Total: 2,012 / 1,689 words (119.1%)
Progress to Date: 57,089 / 50,658 words (112.7%, 3.8 days ahead)
October Progress: 57,089 / 52,347 words (109.1%)
November Progress: 0 / 50,670 (0.0%)
Est. Completion: 57,089 / 250,000 words (22.8%, 114 days to go)
29 October 2008
Day Twenty-nine - 55,077 words and counting
I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I've made a change in my percentage counters below. Since I've decided to continue after October finishes, the counter for the month will reset. That means that my current buffer of 3+ days will go away. And so I've gone ahead and added the counter for November, which of course won't start advancing until November 1st.
I'm happy with how the scenes with Devan turned out yesterday, even though once again, he wasn't supposed to take such an active role. It just seemed in character that he would have befriended the guard, and based on that, would be in a position to help out Bryony and Yancy. I also wanted to show one more way in which people of Yancy's ethnicity were mistreated, and begin to draw the distinction between old-market and new-market, the conservative and liberal elements within the politics of that society.
Let's just say that Gessica is decidedly old-market.
My biggest concern about this chapter is how to get out of it. You can't end a chapter without... well, an ending. I usually try to wrap up the scene while providing a hook into the next, and it's not easy to balance cliffhanger and closure. (Hmmmm... alliteration. That must be right!) In this particular chapter, I don't have any really good candidates for closing scenes.
Unless... yeah, I think I might have it. I don't see a deep need for this chapter to go on until Bryony makes it back to her room. It can end within a very short space of time, and then I can pick up with Chapter 14. The Bryony scenes in 14 will go about halfway, and then I want to look in on Merona again. I had planned that for Chapter 15, but I don't think it's worth a whole chapter.
The result will be a tightening of my plans for 13-15 into 13-14. I think that'll be okay.
--
What do they say about the best laid plans? I wasn't expecting Yancy to open up like that, but it seemed like a good chance to give out some of her back story. Not to mention the fact that she's putting ideas into Bryony's mind. If you read that passage and consider it to be foreshadowing, well, you're probably right. But exactly what it's foreshadowing I'm not going to tell you.
As a result, I ended Chapter 13 even earlier than I intended. I don't think 14 will be significantly different, though.
I'm happy to report that I devised a good ending for today's section as well. Chapter 14 will continue tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,815 / 1,689 words (107.5%)
Progress to Date: 55,077 / 48,970 words (112.5%, 3.6 days ahead)
October Progress: 55,077 / 52,347 words (105.2%)
November Progress: 0 / 50,670 (0.0%)
Est. Completion: 55,077 / 250,000 words (22.0%, 115 days to go)
I've made a change in my percentage counters below. Since I've decided to continue after October finishes, the counter for the month will reset. That means that my current buffer of 3+ days will go away. And so I've gone ahead and added the counter for November, which of course won't start advancing until November 1st.
I'm happy with how the scenes with Devan turned out yesterday, even though once again, he wasn't supposed to take such an active role. It just seemed in character that he would have befriended the guard, and based on that, would be in a position to help out Bryony and Yancy. I also wanted to show one more way in which people of Yancy's ethnicity were mistreated, and begin to draw the distinction between old-market and new-market, the conservative and liberal elements within the politics of that society.
Let's just say that Gessica is decidedly old-market.
My biggest concern about this chapter is how to get out of it. You can't end a chapter without... well, an ending. I usually try to wrap up the scene while providing a hook into the next, and it's not easy to balance cliffhanger and closure. (Hmmmm... alliteration. That must be right!) In this particular chapter, I don't have any really good candidates for closing scenes.
Unless... yeah, I think I might have it. I don't see a deep need for this chapter to go on until Bryony makes it back to her room. It can end within a very short space of time, and then I can pick up with Chapter 14. The Bryony scenes in 14 will go about halfway, and then I want to look in on Merona again. I had planned that for Chapter 15, but I don't think it's worth a whole chapter.
The result will be a tightening of my plans for 13-15 into 13-14. I think that'll be okay.
--
What do they say about the best laid plans? I wasn't expecting Yancy to open up like that, but it seemed like a good chance to give out some of her back story. Not to mention the fact that she's putting ideas into Bryony's mind. If you read that passage and consider it to be foreshadowing, well, you're probably right. But exactly what it's foreshadowing I'm not going to tell you.
As a result, I ended Chapter 13 even earlier than I intended. I don't think 14 will be significantly different, though.
I'm happy to report that I devised a good ending for today's section as well. Chapter 14 will continue tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,815 / 1,689 words (107.5%)
Progress to Date: 55,077 / 48,970 words (112.5%, 3.6 days ahead)
October Progress: 55,077 / 52,347 words (105.2%)
November Progress: 0 / 50,670 (0.0%)
Est. Completion: 55,077 / 250,000 words (22.0%, 115 days to go)
28 October 2008
Day Twenty-eight - 53,262 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Hot diggity damn. I did it.
If you'd asked me six months ago if I was capable of this, I'd have said there was no way. And I'd have been right--six months ago, I wouldn't have been. For that matter, six weeks ago I don't think I had the gumption and wherewithal to make this kind of commitment. I'm not quite sure what happened during the last few days of September to get me excited about this project, but whatever it was, it hasn't left me yet.
Specifically, today marks the day that I have achieved my goal of 52,347 words of writing in a month's time. But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop.
Next month, I'm going to do it all over again, this time a set 1,689 words a day. Since there are only thirty days in September, my goal is the more modest 50,670 words for November.
What about the last three days of this month? I'm going to keep going, obviously! 1,689 words a day, if not more. And I'm going to keep going at that pace, if I can, until the thing is done. However long that takes.
--
So, about today's section of writing. We left Bryony after she had just finished an unexpected quarrel with Zeoly. (Unexpected to me, at any rate.) I decided to go with it because I hadn't planned for it to happen anywhere else, and it needed to happen around this point in the story.
Would she still leave? I think so, because the pass was only good for one day, and she needed to see Elma. But it casts a pall over the day, and her trip won't be quite so lighthearted as I had planned. Still, it justifies something else that happens when she gets back from her trip in a way I hadn't expected, so I think it all worked out well.
Speaking of which, I had originally planned at least another chapter, but now I think it all might come together within this one. It'll be a long chapter, though... and it continues tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,807 / 1,689 words (107.0%)
Progress to Date: 53,262 / 47,281 words (112.6%, 3.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 53,262 / 52,347 words (101.7%)
Est. Completion: 53,262 / 250,000 words (21.3%, 116 days to go)
Hot diggity damn. I did it.
If you'd asked me six months ago if I was capable of this, I'd have said there was no way. And I'd have been right--six months ago, I wouldn't have been. For that matter, six weeks ago I don't think I had the gumption and wherewithal to make this kind of commitment. I'm not quite sure what happened during the last few days of September to get me excited about this project, but whatever it was, it hasn't left me yet.
Specifically, today marks the day that I have achieved my goal of 52,347 words of writing in a month's time. But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop.
Next month, I'm going to do it all over again, this time a set 1,689 words a day. Since there are only thirty days in September, my goal is the more modest 50,670 words for November.
What about the last three days of this month? I'm going to keep going, obviously! 1,689 words a day, if not more. And I'm going to keep going at that pace, if I can, until the thing is done. However long that takes.
--
So, about today's section of writing. We left Bryony after she had just finished an unexpected quarrel with Zeoly. (Unexpected to me, at any rate.) I decided to go with it because I hadn't planned for it to happen anywhere else, and it needed to happen around this point in the story.
Would she still leave? I think so, because the pass was only good for one day, and she needed to see Elma. But it casts a pall over the day, and her trip won't be quite so lighthearted as I had planned. Still, it justifies something else that happens when she gets back from her trip in a way I hadn't expected, so I think it all worked out well.
Speaking of which, I had originally planned at least another chapter, but now I think it all might come together within this one. It'll be a long chapter, though... and it continues tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,807 / 1,689 words (107.0%)
Progress to Date: 53,262 / 47,281 words (112.6%, 3.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 53,262 / 52,347 words (101.7%)
Est. Completion: 53,262 / 250,000 words (21.3%, 116 days to go)
27 October 2008
Day Twenty-seven - 51,455 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
For some reason, I had a tough time getting motivated to start this morning. It wasn't getting up that stood in my way--I was up at my normal time--but rather, the simple act of opening up the blog windows to start writing.
Perhaps it's because I knew that once I did, I'd have to start writing, and then I would realize that I wasn't quite sure where to go next.
So now the windows are open, and I'm staring at the nearly blank screen with the words Chapter Thirteen written above it, and I realize that my prediction was true. I certainly know what's going to come after Chapter Thirteen, but as for the chapter itself, I'm stumped. And it's not like I can just skip it, either, because there is some important stuff in there that I want to get across.
Yes. It's thirteen. It's unlucky. Hah. I appreciate the irony.
Maybe I have options, though. What if I blended the information I needed to get across in this scene into the next section... yes, I think that would be best.
See, here's the trick. I have certain story beats that I need to hit. When I say a "beat," I just mean a point of information that I want to get across. It might be a character moment, a plot point, a description of something, foreshadowing, or just a little handle that I might want to use later on.
But beats don't make a scene. A scene needs to be its own little short story, with a beginning, middle, and end, with a climax, and a hook into the next scene. And if I'm being sufficiently clever, you may not even notice when I work beats into the story. You'll think the point of the scene is one thing, when actually it accomplishes something entirely different in the overall narrative.
So my current quandry is that I've got some story beats to get across, but no scene to put them in. One of them I had always planned chronologically to follow immediately after Bryony's interview with Tynofast, but it's not necessary. The others I think I can move around to other points as well.
Okay, that's decided then. I will launch immediately forward into the future and handle anything I need to chronologically by flashback. Here we go.
More than three hundred words in, and I've already hit a couple of the story beats that I wanted to for this section. Bryony is cherry picking her information to convince herself that she's from Outside, but Yancy is a pragmatist, and is going to remind her of every single thing she's leaving out.
Their conversation allowed me to kind of recap all of the clues that I've given so far and to organize them into sides. There is evidence that Bryony was one of the highborn, and there is evidence that she's from Outside. Just try and figure out the truth. Go on, I dare you. (Nope, she's not a time traveler, but good guess.)
The scene that takes place the following morning is one that I've enjoyed watching develop. None of it was really intentional, except for the idea that Sili paints. I like these character moments between the girls that take place when everything is happy and good.
Of course, I then proceeded to ruin that. I hadn't expected Sili and Zeoly to find out about Bryony that way, but when she got out her giant moneybag, not realizing it was a small fortune, questions would naturally be raised.
Zeoly's backstory makes her reaction make more sense. If you really want to know that badly, I've mentioned it in some earlier posts, but it's not essential, just a bit of characterization.
This chapter will go on tomorrow, and the subsequent events of the day will continue at least into the following chapter. I'm afraid it's going to be a long day for Bryony. But then, aren't they all?
Chapter 13 continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,701 / 1,689 words (100.7%)
Progress to Date: 51,455 / 45,593 words (112.9%, 3.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 51,455 / 52,347 words (98.3%)
Est. Completion: 51,455 / 250,000 words (20.6%, 118 days to go)
For some reason, I had a tough time getting motivated to start this morning. It wasn't getting up that stood in my way--I was up at my normal time--but rather, the simple act of opening up the blog windows to start writing.
Perhaps it's because I knew that once I did, I'd have to start writing, and then I would realize that I wasn't quite sure where to go next.
So now the windows are open, and I'm staring at the nearly blank screen with the words Chapter Thirteen written above it, and I realize that my prediction was true. I certainly know what's going to come after Chapter Thirteen, but as for the chapter itself, I'm stumped. And it's not like I can just skip it, either, because there is some important stuff in there that I want to get across.
Yes. It's thirteen. It's unlucky. Hah. I appreciate the irony.
Maybe I have options, though. What if I blended the information I needed to get across in this scene into the next section... yes, I think that would be best.
See, here's the trick. I have certain story beats that I need to hit. When I say a "beat," I just mean a point of information that I want to get across. It might be a character moment, a plot point, a description of something, foreshadowing, or just a little handle that I might want to use later on.
But beats don't make a scene. A scene needs to be its own little short story, with a beginning, middle, and end, with a climax, and a hook into the next scene. And if I'm being sufficiently clever, you may not even notice when I work beats into the story. You'll think the point of the scene is one thing, when actually it accomplishes something entirely different in the overall narrative.
So my current quandry is that I've got some story beats to get across, but no scene to put them in. One of them I had always planned chronologically to follow immediately after Bryony's interview with Tynofast, but it's not necessary. The others I think I can move around to other points as well.
Okay, that's decided then. I will launch immediately forward into the future and handle anything I need to chronologically by flashback. Here we go.
More than three hundred words in, and I've already hit a couple of the story beats that I wanted to for this section. Bryony is cherry picking her information to convince herself that she's from Outside, but Yancy is a pragmatist, and is going to remind her of every single thing she's leaving out.
Their conversation allowed me to kind of recap all of the clues that I've given so far and to organize them into sides. There is evidence that Bryony was one of the highborn, and there is evidence that she's from Outside. Just try and figure out the truth. Go on, I dare you. (Nope, she's not a time traveler, but good guess.)
The scene that takes place the following morning is one that I've enjoyed watching develop. None of it was really intentional, except for the idea that Sili paints. I like these character moments between the girls that take place when everything is happy and good.
Of course, I then proceeded to ruin that. I hadn't expected Sili and Zeoly to find out about Bryony that way, but when she got out her giant moneybag, not realizing it was a small fortune, questions would naturally be raised.
Zeoly's backstory makes her reaction make more sense. If you really want to know that badly, I've mentioned it in some earlier posts, but it's not essential, just a bit of characterization.
This chapter will go on tomorrow, and the subsequent events of the day will continue at least into the following chapter. I'm afraid it's going to be a long day for Bryony. But then, aren't they all?
Chapter 13 continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,701 / 1,689 words (100.7%)
Progress to Date: 51,455 / 45,593 words (112.9%, 3.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 51,455 / 52,347 words (98.3%)
Est. Completion: 51,455 / 250,000 words (20.6%, 118 days to go)
26 October 2008
Day Twenty-six - 49,754 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Looking back at yesterday's section, I see that my dire predictions about inadequacy after a break did not come true. Now I believe the real problem was that the break also came at a point that I was about to write a scene that I didn't really care for, and where I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to go.
Neither was the case yesterday, and I was able to pick up where I left off without much of a problem. If I can at all swing it in future, I'd like to be able to do the same thing, and end in the middle of a chapter where I'm really excited about the next section. It sucks to stop in the middle of something you're interested in, but if it gets me started more easily, it's worth it.
Speaking of which, I didn't really want to stop yesterday, and as you may have noticed, I went over by about 500 words, which is a sign I was in the zone.
I tried to be very careful with Tynofast. He is the first highborn that Bryony has encountered, and first impressions are important. But he is not the usual highborn, either, and she may get some wrong ideas from him. That's not a bad thing, but I still need to be aware of it.
I find myself in the position of needing to start the next chapter, but only being able to get a little ways into it. Or do I... no, I think another capper with Merona would be appropriate. I did sort of leave her with a cliffhanger, and I need to follow up on that.
The Merona subplot is going well, I believe. As you might have guessed, it will eventually tie up to Bryony's story, just not right away.
So what's next? I have a couple of options about how to pick up with Chapter 13, and I think a nice long ramble is in order to decide that. You'll find out what I decide tomorrow, when chapter 13 begins!
Today's Total: 1,938 / 1,689 words (114.7%)
Progress to Date: 49,754 / 43,904 words (113.3%, 3.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 49,754 / 52,347 words (95.0%)
Est. Completion: 49,754 / 250,000 words (19.9%, 119 days to go)
Looking back at yesterday's section, I see that my dire predictions about inadequacy after a break did not come true. Now I believe the real problem was that the break also came at a point that I was about to write a scene that I didn't really care for, and where I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to go.
Neither was the case yesterday, and I was able to pick up where I left off without much of a problem. If I can at all swing it in future, I'd like to be able to do the same thing, and end in the middle of a chapter where I'm really excited about the next section. It sucks to stop in the middle of something you're interested in, but if it gets me started more easily, it's worth it.
Speaking of which, I didn't really want to stop yesterday, and as you may have noticed, I went over by about 500 words, which is a sign I was in the zone.
I tried to be very careful with Tynofast. He is the first highborn that Bryony has encountered, and first impressions are important. But he is not the usual highborn, either, and she may get some wrong ideas from him. That's not a bad thing, but I still need to be aware of it.
I find myself in the position of needing to start the next chapter, but only being able to get a little ways into it. Or do I... no, I think another capper with Merona would be appropriate. I did sort of leave her with a cliffhanger, and I need to follow up on that.
The Merona subplot is going well, I believe. As you might have guessed, it will eventually tie up to Bryony's story, just not right away.
So what's next? I have a couple of options about how to pick up with Chapter 13, and I think a nice long ramble is in order to decide that. You'll find out what I decide tomorrow, when chapter 13 begins!
Today's Total: 1,938 / 1,689 words (114.7%)
Progress to Date: 49,754 / 43,904 words (113.3%, 3.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 49,754 / 52,347 words (95.0%)
Est. Completion: 49,754 / 250,000 words (19.9%, 119 days to go)
25 October 2008
Day Twenty-five - 47,816 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Once again, although it may not be apparent to my casual reader, I have been off for two days. After a Herculean effort (given my schedule), I managed to get two full days ahead in new material, which I scheduled for release while I was gone.
Now that buffer is gone, which always makes me a little sad, because I like having a buffer. More importantly, I find myself in the position of trying to pick up from where I left off. Somehow, even after two days, that's not easy. I'm worried that the next couple of days will suffer just like Chapter Nine did.
I do have one advantage over my last return-after-an-absence. The scene today is one that I've been looking forward to. It begins as another confrontation between Bryony and Gessica, but then we meet another character, Lord Tynofast. He has appeared before, and been referred to even more, but this is the first time Bryony has met him. I've got some hints to drop (see if you can spot them!), and a very interesting relationship to begin. Tynofast is meant to be a counterpoint to Jorik in some respects, and I hope I can achieve that like I want.
This scene will definitely continue on through the rest of the chapter, and will likely conclude tomorrow. I'm very happy with how it has turned out so far, and although it won't be a cliffhanger in the finished novel, I think ending the day on Bryony's mental turmoil is a nice play to stop for all of you right now.
There are a couple of different explanations for what is going on, equally viable, though only one of them is the whole truth. For those of you who think I'm making this up as I go along, I can assure you that there is a single right answer which I already know.
In fact, that's something I think it's worth establishing now. I don't have the story planned out scene by scene, and to some extent I'm allowing the characters to drive the action. I'm even willing to meet new characters that I hadn't planned for and let them play major roles in the action.
But I know all the answers. I know what is going on. I know who Bryony is, how she got to the market that night, and why she was there. I know how the story is going to end, and I know the big climaxes that will lead us there. In fact, I know more about Bryony's past than I will probably mention in this novel.
What I don't know is exactly when she will discover each piece. Along the way, she may make "discoveries" about herself that turn out to be mistaken, or to mean something other than she thinks. Other times, she will be exactly correct. Remember that we are experiencing this story through her eyes, and she doesn't have a completely objective viewpoint.
For right now though, I'm going to close. You'll see the conclusion to chapter 12 tomorrow!
Today's Total: 2,164 / 1,689 words (128.1%)
Progress to Date: 47,816 / 42,215 words (113.3%, 3.3 days ahead)
Total Progress: 47,816 / 52,347 words (91.3%)
Est. Completion: 47,816 / 250,000 words (19.1%, 120 days to go)
Once again, although it may not be apparent to my casual reader, I have been off for two days. After a Herculean effort (given my schedule), I managed to get two full days ahead in new material, which I scheduled for release while I was gone.
Now that buffer is gone, which always makes me a little sad, because I like having a buffer. More importantly, I find myself in the position of trying to pick up from where I left off. Somehow, even after two days, that's not easy. I'm worried that the next couple of days will suffer just like Chapter Nine did.
I do have one advantage over my last return-after-an-absence. The scene today is one that I've been looking forward to. It begins as another confrontation between Bryony and Gessica, but then we meet another character, Lord Tynofast. He has appeared before, and been referred to even more, but this is the first time Bryony has met him. I've got some hints to drop (see if you can spot them!), and a very interesting relationship to begin. Tynofast is meant to be a counterpoint to Jorik in some respects, and I hope I can achieve that like I want.
This scene will definitely continue on through the rest of the chapter, and will likely conclude tomorrow. I'm very happy with how it has turned out so far, and although it won't be a cliffhanger in the finished novel, I think ending the day on Bryony's mental turmoil is a nice play to stop for all of you right now.
There are a couple of different explanations for what is going on, equally viable, though only one of them is the whole truth. For those of you who think I'm making this up as I go along, I can assure you that there is a single right answer which I already know.
In fact, that's something I think it's worth establishing now. I don't have the story planned out scene by scene, and to some extent I'm allowing the characters to drive the action. I'm even willing to meet new characters that I hadn't planned for and let them play major roles in the action.
But I know all the answers. I know what is going on. I know who Bryony is, how she got to the market that night, and why she was there. I know how the story is going to end, and I know the big climaxes that will lead us there. In fact, I know more about Bryony's past than I will probably mention in this novel.
What I don't know is exactly when she will discover each piece. Along the way, she may make "discoveries" about herself that turn out to be mistaken, or to mean something other than she thinks. Other times, she will be exactly correct. Remember that we are experiencing this story through her eyes, and she doesn't have a completely objective viewpoint.
For right now though, I'm going to close. You'll see the conclusion to chapter 12 tomorrow!
Today's Total: 2,164 / 1,689 words (128.1%)
Progress to Date: 47,816 / 42,215 words (113.3%, 3.3 days ahead)
Total Progress: 47,816 / 52,347 words (91.3%)
Est. Completion: 47,816 / 250,000 words (19.1%, 120 days to go)
24 October 2008
Day Twenty-four - 45,652 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
After today, I'll have exactly one week left in the month. I could completely slack off for three of those days and still make my goal, but what's the good of slacking? I've built up that buffer because I enjoy writing enough to do more than the bare minimum, and I shouldn't stop that.
And so however much I write between now and October 31st, my counters will all reset on November 1. The new total for the month of November will be 50,670 words, which is a straight 1,689 words a day. It's a target that has worked well for me so far, and why mess with a good thing?
As of today, I'm adding a new total at the bottom--Est(imated) Completion. This total represents how long I think the finished novel will be, and the number of days to completion if I continue to write at a pace of 1,689 words per day. I reserve the right to change the final word count as I get closer to the end. I can't decide whether 250,000 is an underestimate or an overestimate, which tells me it's probably a pretty good estimate.
Now, where to go from here? The quick answer is Chapter 12, which is accurate but unhelpful. I had previously promised that I would no longer be following Bryony's every move, and I hold to that. So I'll start with the fast forward, which establishes the pattern. Then I'll pick the first thing that breaks that pattern--namely, a run-in with Mistress Gessica. We'll see how far into this scene we get today.
As it turns out, I never got to Gessica, but I think I set it up right. For that confrontation, you'll have to wait until tomorrow...
...as Chapter 12 continues.
Today's Total: 1,810 / 1,689 words (107.2%)
Progress to Date: 45,652 / 40,527 words (112.6%, 3.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 45,652 / 52,347 words (87.2%)
Est. Completion: 45,652 / 250,000 words (18.3%, 121 days to go)
After today, I'll have exactly one week left in the month. I could completely slack off for three of those days and still make my goal, but what's the good of slacking? I've built up that buffer because I enjoy writing enough to do more than the bare minimum, and I shouldn't stop that.
And so however much I write between now and October 31st, my counters will all reset on November 1. The new total for the month of November will be 50,670 words, which is a straight 1,689 words a day. It's a target that has worked well for me so far, and why mess with a good thing?
As of today, I'm adding a new total at the bottom--Est(imated) Completion. This total represents how long I think the finished novel will be, and the number of days to completion if I continue to write at a pace of 1,689 words per day. I reserve the right to change the final word count as I get closer to the end. I can't decide whether 250,000 is an underestimate or an overestimate, which tells me it's probably a pretty good estimate.
Now, where to go from here? The quick answer is Chapter 12, which is accurate but unhelpful. I had previously promised that I would no longer be following Bryony's every move, and I hold to that. So I'll start with the fast forward, which establishes the pattern. Then I'll pick the first thing that breaks that pattern--namely, a run-in with Mistress Gessica. We'll see how far into this scene we get today.
As it turns out, I never got to Gessica, but I think I set it up right. For that confrontation, you'll have to wait until tomorrow...
...as Chapter 12 continues.
Today's Total: 1,810 / 1,689 words (107.2%)
Progress to Date: 45,652 / 40,527 words (112.6%, 3.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 45,652 / 52,347 words (87.2%)
Est. Completion: 45,652 / 250,000 words (18.3%, 121 days to go)
23 October 2008
Day Twenty-three - 43,842 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
My chronology was a little off. I had forgotten that the last Merona chapter occurred during Bryony's second day after waking, and that I was just concluding her third day. Of course, since Kalocia, Emecia, and Asry were in the Chamber of Expectation on B-2 and in class on B-3, it's a good thing it wasn't the same day.
As a result, though, it doesn't make sense for Merona to be bidding farewell to the Kindlebrys, who no doubt left for home at the end of B-2. Why should they remain overnight in the market when they have Lacewing Manor to stay in? (Of course, it isn't refurnished yet, but no doubt they could remain with some friends in the city, or somewhere similar.)
Even so, I had my heart set on a Merona scene. But what form? I've already done a meeting between her and Gessica in Gessica's study, and Bryony is destined to go there again in the not too distant future. Perhaps it's time to see one of Gessica's other traits... yes, it would make for an interesting setting, and give their hands something to do while they talk. Poof! The market now has a greenhouse. It needs a name... the Glass Garden. Done.
But what will they talk about? The Kindlebrys, in part. Bryony as well, perhaps, but at the moment, she isn't at the top of her thoughts.
Ooooooooh, just thought of something good. I don't want to give it away here, and I won't, but it should make for a good stinger at the end of the chapter.
Some politics? Politics between characters that we haven't met can be boring, especially because their significance is unknown. I want to stay away from unfamiliar names, if I can help it. But it might not hurt to mention the Emperor, and rebels in the west. I have to remember that the end game of the story is 15 years in the future, so only hints should emerge now.
So I'll introduce the setting, recap the Kindlebrys, set up the next meeting between Gessica and Bryony, then dabble in imperial politics for just a moment. Then my stinger at the end of the chapter, and I'm done. That should more than cover it.
Now that I'm thinking of the timeline of the story, this is happening mid-afternoon, and my last section ended at night. In the finished novel, I might want to switch the position of these two scenes within the chapter. Or I might divide them into two short chapters. I really like how I did the ending. A nice little cliffhanger without revealing anything.
As for right now, though, I will move onto Chapter 12. I believe it will start with a fast forward and pick up with the events leading up to Bryony's meeting with Lord Tynofast, which I believe will be interesting. After that, we will continue with Bryony's POV through Chapter 13. She has a Freeday coming up with a daypass, and something interesting is bound to happen then.
Chapter 12 starts tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,767 / 1,689 words (104.6%)
Progress to Date: 43,842 / 38,838 words (112.9%, 3.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 43,842 / 52,347 words (83.8%)
My chronology was a little off. I had forgotten that the last Merona chapter occurred during Bryony's second day after waking, and that I was just concluding her third day. Of course, since Kalocia, Emecia, and Asry were in the Chamber of Expectation on B-2 and in class on B-3, it's a good thing it wasn't the same day.
As a result, though, it doesn't make sense for Merona to be bidding farewell to the Kindlebrys, who no doubt left for home at the end of B-2. Why should they remain overnight in the market when they have Lacewing Manor to stay in? (Of course, it isn't refurnished yet, but no doubt they could remain with some friends in the city, or somewhere similar.)
Even so, I had my heart set on a Merona scene. But what form? I've already done a meeting between her and Gessica in Gessica's study, and Bryony is destined to go there again in the not too distant future. Perhaps it's time to see one of Gessica's other traits... yes, it would make for an interesting setting, and give their hands something to do while they talk. Poof! The market now has a greenhouse. It needs a name... the Glass Garden. Done.
But what will they talk about? The Kindlebrys, in part. Bryony as well, perhaps, but at the moment, she isn't at the top of her thoughts.
Ooooooooh, just thought of something good. I don't want to give it away here, and I won't, but it should make for a good stinger at the end of the chapter.
Some politics? Politics between characters that we haven't met can be boring, especially because their significance is unknown. I want to stay away from unfamiliar names, if I can help it. But it might not hurt to mention the Emperor, and rebels in the west. I have to remember that the end game of the story is 15 years in the future, so only hints should emerge now.
So I'll introduce the setting, recap the Kindlebrys, set up the next meeting between Gessica and Bryony, then dabble in imperial politics for just a moment. Then my stinger at the end of the chapter, and I'm done. That should more than cover it.
Now that I'm thinking of the timeline of the story, this is happening mid-afternoon, and my last section ended at night. In the finished novel, I might want to switch the position of these two scenes within the chapter. Or I might divide them into two short chapters. I really like how I did the ending. A nice little cliffhanger without revealing anything.
As for right now, though, I will move onto Chapter 12. I believe it will start with a fast forward and pick up with the events leading up to Bryony's meeting with Lord Tynofast, which I believe will be interesting. After that, we will continue with Bryony's POV through Chapter 13. She has a Freeday coming up with a daypass, and something interesting is bound to happen then.
Chapter 12 starts tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,767 / 1,689 words (104.6%)
Progress to Date: 43,842 / 38,838 words (112.9%, 3.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 43,842 / 52,347 words (83.8%)
22 October 2008
Day Twenty-two - 42,075 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I've been putting off the decision about where to go next, but now that I'm here, I really can't delay it any longer. I feel like I need a scene back in the dorms to wrap this up, but I'm not sure there's enough that can happen to make up a full chapter. Perhaps if I bring in Kalocia, Emecia, and Asry... yes , that's the ticket.
I actually introduced them somewhat tangentially in Merona's last chapter, but only Kalocia was named. And Kalocia also appeared in the class in the last chapter, though not by name. It would be a shame to waste all that foreshadowing and then not use her.
Here's my question to myself--is this is the right time for Bryony to come clean to Yancy? She's already told her story once that day. Yesterday, I thought it would be too repetitive, but I think that having told one person already, it would make it easier to tell someone else. Plus, I'm betting she's bursting at the seams to tell someone that she thinks she comes from outside the Empire. And you know what, I bet that Islanders have a unique perspective into what's Outside.
In case any of my readers are wondering how I write, you just saw it. There are certain requirements on my next chapter--that I wrap up what happened with Jorik, and that I account for the reactions of Bryony's friends to what happened in class. Because of the second requirement, that makes the setting the dorms. It could be in their room or in the common area. I prefer the latter because the scene becomes more dynamic.
There is also the possibility of interaction with other characters, including a few that I have hinted at but now fully introduced. So the conflict of the scene will be introduced when Kalocia and her crew shows up, and I will thus introduce a longer, ongoing conflict. The chapter will wrap up with a private conversation between Bryony and Yancy, and give a coda for Bryony's third day.
This chapter will also mark the end of the blow-by-blow description of Bryony's life. After this, I won't be accounting for her every waking moment. I may focus on some days more heavily than others, but we've seen her life from waking to sleeping three times now, and I think we've got a pretty clear notion of how to fill in the gaps.
Now that this section is done, this is looking like a short chapter. I could end it here, but the other option is to do a mid-chapter POV switch, to flash to something that's happening that same night. I'm thinking another quick Merona scene, as she's bidding good night to the Kindlebrys. It will tie up the day, fill out the chapter, and give me a chance to add another beat to that storyline. I think it's the right decision.
And you'll get to read it tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,826 / 1,689 words (108.1%)
Progress to Date: 42,075 / 37,149 words (113.3%, 2.9 days ahead)
Total Progress: 42,075 / 52,347 words (80.4%)
I've been putting off the decision about where to go next, but now that I'm here, I really can't delay it any longer. I feel like I need a scene back in the dorms to wrap this up, but I'm not sure there's enough that can happen to make up a full chapter. Perhaps if I bring in Kalocia, Emecia, and Asry... yes , that's the ticket.
I actually introduced them somewhat tangentially in Merona's last chapter, but only Kalocia was named. And Kalocia also appeared in the class in the last chapter, though not by name. It would be a shame to waste all that foreshadowing and then not use her.
Here's my question to myself--is this is the right time for Bryony to come clean to Yancy? She's already told her story once that day. Yesterday, I thought it would be too repetitive, but I think that having told one person already, it would make it easier to tell someone else. Plus, I'm betting she's bursting at the seams to tell someone that she thinks she comes from outside the Empire. And you know what, I bet that Islanders have a unique perspective into what's Outside.
In case any of my readers are wondering how I write, you just saw it. There are certain requirements on my next chapter--that I wrap up what happened with Jorik, and that I account for the reactions of Bryony's friends to what happened in class. Because of the second requirement, that makes the setting the dorms. It could be in their room or in the common area. I prefer the latter because the scene becomes more dynamic.
There is also the possibility of interaction with other characters, including a few that I have hinted at but now fully introduced. So the conflict of the scene will be introduced when Kalocia and her crew shows up, and I will thus introduce a longer, ongoing conflict. The chapter will wrap up with a private conversation between Bryony and Yancy, and give a coda for Bryony's third day.
This chapter will also mark the end of the blow-by-blow description of Bryony's life. After this, I won't be accounting for her every waking moment. I may focus on some days more heavily than others, but we've seen her life from waking to sleeping three times now, and I think we've got a pretty clear notion of how to fill in the gaps.
Now that this section is done, this is looking like a short chapter. I could end it here, but the other option is to do a mid-chapter POV switch, to flash to something that's happening that same night. I'm thinking another quick Merona scene, as she's bidding good night to the Kindlebrys. It will tie up the day, fill out the chapter, and give me a chance to add another beat to that storyline. I think it's the right decision.
And you'll get to read it tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,826 / 1,689 words (108.1%)
Progress to Date: 42,075 / 37,149 words (113.3%, 2.9 days ahead)
Total Progress: 42,075 / 52,347 words (80.4%)
21 October 2008
Day Twenty-one - 40,249 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
In the grand tradition of shows such as Lost, today's reveal about Bryony's past raises more questions rather than answering anything. This early in the novel, would you really have it any other way?
I say "this early" because, as I've indicated before, I feel like I've barely started. That's not what I expected at all. After today, I've got more than 40,000 words behind me--I'm past the three-quarter mark!-- and I'm starting to realize just how much there is left to do. I can only hope that I've set up all the clues I need for later on.
Still, I feel like today's section really moved the plot along in a definitive way. I had already set up the Sea Wall early on, and it was past time to come back to it. I have also established Bryony's notion that she's from outside the Empire, which is something that she will hold onto. I will not say whether it is true or not, and there will be evidence either way. I will say that the answer is more complicated, and perhaps more interesting, than you might think.
I had originally ended Chapter Ten with Jorik's repeated question, "Who are you," but I reached another good climax about the Sea Wall, and felt that would be a better chapter ender. Their interview continues, but not in the narrative. All the rest is just stage business that I can more cleverly deal with later on.
So as Chapter 11 begins, we find the scene shifting once more. There are a couple of directions I can go from here, and I haven't decided which to pick. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to decide.
And you'll have to wait until tomorrow too.
Today's Total: 1,946 / 1,689 words (115.2%)
Progress to Date: 40,249 / 35,461 words (113.5%, 2.8 days ahead)
Total Progress: 40,249 / 52,347 words (76.9%)
In the grand tradition of shows such as Lost, today's reveal about Bryony's past raises more questions rather than answering anything. This early in the novel, would you really have it any other way?
I say "this early" because, as I've indicated before, I feel like I've barely started. That's not what I expected at all. After today, I've got more than 40,000 words behind me--I'm past the three-quarter mark!-- and I'm starting to realize just how much there is left to do. I can only hope that I've set up all the clues I need for later on.
Still, I feel like today's section really moved the plot along in a definitive way. I had already set up the Sea Wall early on, and it was past time to come back to it. I have also established Bryony's notion that she's from outside the Empire, which is something that she will hold onto. I will not say whether it is true or not, and there will be evidence either way. I will say that the answer is more complicated, and perhaps more interesting, than you might think.
I had originally ended Chapter Ten with Jorik's repeated question, "Who are you," but I reached another good climax about the Sea Wall, and felt that would be a better chapter ender. Their interview continues, but not in the narrative. All the rest is just stage business that I can more cleverly deal with later on.
So as Chapter 11 begins, we find the scene shifting once more. There are a couple of directions I can go from here, and I haven't decided which to pick. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to decide.
And you'll have to wait until tomorrow too.
Today's Total: 1,946 / 1,689 words (115.2%)
Progress to Date: 40,249 / 35,461 words (113.5%, 2.8 days ahead)
Total Progress: 40,249 / 52,347 words (76.9%)
20 October 2008
Day Twenty - 38,303 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Today I write a scene that I have long planned, and I'm a little nervous about it. As I mentioned yesterday, it leads directly to a big revelation about Bryony's past. I've slightly rearranged the timeline of this section, and that big revelation will definitely come out tomorrow.
This section was probably one of the easiest to write, in part because it was already so clear in my mind. The idea that Bryony didn't know how to read was a compelling one to me, all the more so because it took her so off guard, and felt so monumentally unfair. She does know how to read, just not in a way that anyone else can, so it does her no good.
Their interview is concluded in the last part of Chapter 10, which will be yours to read tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,853 / 1,689 words (109.7%)
Progress to Date: 38,303 / 33,772 words (113.4%, 2.7 days ahead)
Total Progress: 38,303 / 52,347 words (73.2%)
Today I write a scene that I have long planned, and I'm a little nervous about it. As I mentioned yesterday, it leads directly to a big revelation about Bryony's past. I've slightly rearranged the timeline of this section, and that big revelation will definitely come out tomorrow.
This section was probably one of the easiest to write, in part because it was already so clear in my mind. The idea that Bryony didn't know how to read was a compelling one to me, all the more so because it took her so off guard, and felt so monumentally unfair. She does know how to read, just not in a way that anyone else can, so it does her no good.
Their interview is concluded in the last part of Chapter 10, which will be yours to read tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,853 / 1,689 words (109.7%)
Progress to Date: 38,303 / 33,772 words (113.4%, 2.7 days ahead)
Total Progress: 38,303 / 52,347 words (73.2%)
19 October 2008
Day Nineteen - 36,450 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I made the decision to move on to Chapter 10 instead of remaining in 9 any longer. I didn't have a really good ending for 9, but there wasn't really a better one coming, so decided to hit the fast forward button to the next morning.
By the way, if you're keeping track, that means that as of the end of today's section, right at 48 hours have gone by since Bryony first awoke. I did the math based on my word count. That's just about 11 words for each minute of those two days. Huh. I don't know what to do with that. The next day will be similarly well cataloged, from morning to night. And that should be the last time I do that in the book.
I'm very satisfied with the scene with Devan. I think I established his character pretty well, and I look forward to doing more scenes with him later. I'm guessing that a week of novel time will pass before we really meet him again, but I may be wrong. Given that time is about to accelerate, I'd say his next scene will be in a week or so.
Tomorrow's scene is one that I've planned for a long time, and I've been setting up for it all along the way. I'm excited--it's important, and I want to be able to do it justice. It will lead almost directly into another scene, one that happens in the evening, where Bryony discovers something intriguing about her past. I can't wait to find out how everyone reacts to it. That probably won't be written until mid week, however.
Chapter 10 continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,833 / 1,689 words (108.5%)
Progress to Date: 36,450 / 32,084 words (113.6%, 2.6 days ahead)
Total Progress: 36,450 / 52,347 words (69.6%)
I made the decision to move on to Chapter 10 instead of remaining in 9 any longer. I didn't have a really good ending for 9, but there wasn't really a better one coming, so decided to hit the fast forward button to the next morning.
By the way, if you're keeping track, that means that as of the end of today's section, right at 48 hours have gone by since Bryony first awoke. I did the math based on my word count. That's just about 11 words for each minute of those two days. Huh. I don't know what to do with that. The next day will be similarly well cataloged, from morning to night. And that should be the last time I do that in the book.
I'm very satisfied with the scene with Devan. I think I established his character pretty well, and I look forward to doing more scenes with him later. I'm guessing that a week of novel time will pass before we really meet him again, but I may be wrong. Given that time is about to accelerate, I'd say his next scene will be in a week or so.
Tomorrow's scene is one that I've planned for a long time, and I've been setting up for it all along the way. I'm excited--it's important, and I want to be able to do it justice. It will lead almost directly into another scene, one that happens in the evening, where Bryony discovers something intriguing about her past. I can't wait to find out how everyone reacts to it. That probably won't be written until mid week, however.
Chapter 10 continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,833 / 1,689 words (108.5%)
Progress to Date: 36,450 / 32,084 words (113.6%, 2.6 days ahead)
Total Progress: 36,450 / 52,347 words (69.6%)
18 October 2008
Day Eighteen - 34,617 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Maybe it was just the stressful day at work yesterday, but the first part of chapter 9 which I wrote after work felt like bullets being removed from my shoulder. (I'm guessing; never been shot.) Every word hurt as I typed it, because I knew it sucked but couldn't make it not suck.
Here's something a little frightening--so far, there are only four major characters that I've introduced that I really developed in advance: Gessica, Elma, Yancy, and Merona. (Well, Bryony doesn't count, since she's the narrator.) I feel that Yancy wasn't introduced well at all, and I'm not happy with what I've done so far to introduce the next new major character, Devan.
Most of the other characters have developed organically, but that's not always a luxury I can afford, when the plot demands someone else. Yancy and Devan are both vitally important to the story, especially Devan. Perhaps that's why I'm putting more expectations on his introduction.
Regardless, I keep having to tell myself that it's okay to write sucky prose, that sometimes you have to suck for a while before you can write something good. But it doesn't feel good, and I found it hard to motivate myself to get started this morning, something that hasn't happened since I started.
I'm going to make the assumption that if I get past the part of the story that I'm dissatisfied with, I'll get to a part I like better, and maybe the bad part will improve in rewrites. But enough of this... I need to actually start writing, don't I?
So far I'm half done with today's section, and I have to say that I'm more pleased with it than I expected to be. I think one of my strengths as a writer is bringing characters to life through dialogue, and rereading yesterday's entry, there was relatively little dialogue. I particularly enjoyed writing the exchange between Devan and his questioner. Given the crowd, the dialogue was the only information Bryony had about those people, and it allowed me to focus on those words in a way that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise.
And, I like the way I introduced Sili and Zeoly. I think it illustrated their characters very well, and I think the group feels natural. Two that are talkative, two that are quiet. I look forward to developing the dynamic more later.
I end the day's writing much more hopeful than I began it. I haven't decided yet whether there is more of Chapter 9, or if I'll start onto 10.
Either way, more tomorrow.
Today's Total: 2,066 / 1,689 words (122.3%)
Progress to Date: 34,617 / 30,395 words (113.9%, 2.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 34,617 / 52,347 words (66.1%)
Maybe it was just the stressful day at work yesterday, but the first part of chapter 9 which I wrote after work felt like bullets being removed from my shoulder. (I'm guessing; never been shot.) Every word hurt as I typed it, because I knew it sucked but couldn't make it not suck.
Here's something a little frightening--so far, there are only four major characters that I've introduced that I really developed in advance: Gessica, Elma, Yancy, and Merona. (Well, Bryony doesn't count, since she's the narrator.) I feel that Yancy wasn't introduced well at all, and I'm not happy with what I've done so far to introduce the next new major character, Devan.
Most of the other characters have developed organically, but that's not always a luxury I can afford, when the plot demands someone else. Yancy and Devan are both vitally important to the story, especially Devan. Perhaps that's why I'm putting more expectations on his introduction.
Regardless, I keep having to tell myself that it's okay to write sucky prose, that sometimes you have to suck for a while before you can write something good. But it doesn't feel good, and I found it hard to motivate myself to get started this morning, something that hasn't happened since I started.
I'm going to make the assumption that if I get past the part of the story that I'm dissatisfied with, I'll get to a part I like better, and maybe the bad part will improve in rewrites. But enough of this... I need to actually start writing, don't I?
So far I'm half done with today's section, and I have to say that I'm more pleased with it than I expected to be. I think one of my strengths as a writer is bringing characters to life through dialogue, and rereading yesterday's entry, there was relatively little dialogue. I particularly enjoyed writing the exchange between Devan and his questioner. Given the crowd, the dialogue was the only information Bryony had about those people, and it allowed me to focus on those words in a way that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise.
And, I like the way I introduced Sili and Zeoly. I think it illustrated their characters very well, and I think the group feels natural. Two that are talkative, two that are quiet. I look forward to developing the dynamic more later.
I end the day's writing much more hopeful than I began it. I haven't decided yet whether there is more of Chapter 9, or if I'll start onto 10.
Either way, more tomorrow.
Today's Total: 2,066 / 1,689 words (122.3%)
Progress to Date: 34,617 / 30,395 words (113.9%, 2.5 days ahead)
Total Progress: 34,617 / 52,347 words (66.1%)
17 October 2008
Day Seventeen - 32,551 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea that Gessica keeps all of her guests under constant surveillance. Moreover, I'm pretty sure it's with the blessing of the Patroness, who is not above such tactics herself. The biggest question is how many people are "in" on the practice. All the most senior attendants would be, of course, and probably others. My initial idea would be to make Fiya the spymaster, but the "unassuming secretary as spymaster" has been done before and better.
I have a feeling that in the final novel, this chapter will get seriously pared down, and that's making it harder to push through and write it. I think that the biggest problem is that it's not working hard enough for me. I need to get something out of it, a scrap of information that will drive the plot. Now that Mistress Gessica has shown up and split up the group, I think Merona will try to engage Illiantine about i.
But I think I need to have set up earlier in the chapter that Merona has an ulterior goal. But what? I have the germ of an idea... yes, I think that will work. And it'll make a good way of ending the chapter.
Of course, that leaves me about 700 words short for the day, so it's time to start Chapter Nine. We're back to Bryony, who when last scene was enjoying the chance to do a bit of exploring with her new friend. To my chagrin, I find I am about to introduce two or three more characters. I'm going to have to go back and see just how many characters I've introduced per chapter so far. It has to be pretty high. I just haven't had much of an opportunity to reuse them lately, although I promise, everyone that has come up so far will have an important role to play as the story progresses.
I've got two choices, to introduce Sili and Keoly, or to introduce Devan next. He needs to be memorable, somehow, and I need to think about how to best introduce him. Fortunately (?), I've run out of time to write this morning, so the next chapter will have to begin later in the day.
Man, this was such a busy day, I didn't think I'd have time to finish. But I didn't want this to be the first time I come in under my daily goal. Still, the beginning of chapter 9 was an immense struggle for me. Every word cost an effort, and I don't like where it's gone. Maybe after a good night's sleep, the way ahead will be clearer.
For what it's worth, chapter 9 continues tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,822 / 1,689 words (107.9%)
Progress to Date: 32,551 / 28,706 words (113.4%, 2.3 days ahead)
Total Progress: 32,551 / 52,347 words (62.2%)
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea that Gessica keeps all of her guests under constant surveillance. Moreover, I'm pretty sure it's with the blessing of the Patroness, who is not above such tactics herself. The biggest question is how many people are "in" on the practice. All the most senior attendants would be, of course, and probably others. My initial idea would be to make Fiya the spymaster, but the "unassuming secretary as spymaster" has been done before and better.
I have a feeling that in the final novel, this chapter will get seriously pared down, and that's making it harder to push through and write it. I think that the biggest problem is that it's not working hard enough for me. I need to get something out of it, a scrap of information that will drive the plot. Now that Mistress Gessica has shown up and split up the group, I think Merona will try to engage Illiantine about i.
But I think I need to have set up earlier in the chapter that Merona has an ulterior goal. But what? I have the germ of an idea... yes, I think that will work. And it'll make a good way of ending the chapter.
Of course, that leaves me about 700 words short for the day, so it's time to start Chapter Nine. We're back to Bryony, who when last scene was enjoying the chance to do a bit of exploring with her new friend. To my chagrin, I find I am about to introduce two or three more characters. I'm going to have to go back and see just how many characters I've introduced per chapter so far. It has to be pretty high. I just haven't had much of an opportunity to reuse them lately, although I promise, everyone that has come up so far will have an important role to play as the story progresses.
I've got two choices, to introduce Sili and Keoly, or to introduce Devan next. He needs to be memorable, somehow, and I need to think about how to best introduce him. Fortunately (?), I've run out of time to write this morning, so the next chapter will have to begin later in the day.
Man, this was such a busy day, I didn't think I'd have time to finish. But I didn't want this to be the first time I come in under my daily goal. Still, the beginning of chapter 9 was an immense struggle for me. Every word cost an effort, and I don't like where it's gone. Maybe after a good night's sleep, the way ahead will be clearer.
For what it's worth, chapter 9 continues tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,822 / 1,689 words (107.9%)
Progress to Date: 32,551 / 28,706 words (113.4%, 2.3 days ahead)
Total Progress: 32,551 / 52,347 words (62.2%)
16 October 2008
Day Sixteen - 30,729 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Although it may not be apparent from the release of new material, I've actually just concluded a two day break from writing. This was not a voluntary break--a business trip from my paying job necessitated a trip out of town, and the schedule did not permit any writing at all during the trip. I had written enough beforehand so that there was no apparent break, but I still feel like I'm starting up cold.
I'm now afraid that I'm introducing too many new characters too quickly. I've tried to make each distinct, and give everyone a memorable role in the story so far. In that way, I can start to build my cast in a way that advances the story while still making them stand out from each other.
Thing is, I don't think I have an option. This community is huge, and there are literally tens of thousands of people around. So far, Bryony has been through so many different environments in the market, that I've had to bring out the different characters found in each one. Now that she's in school, I've got even more to introduce, but once I do, the main cast should, for the most part, be established.
I guess it's not entirely true that I did nothing during my trip. I did write outlines for the next dozen or so chapters, almost to the end of Act II, and I'm happy with it. I even drew a rough map of the layout of the market, though it is of course subject to change later on.
First, though, I need to go back to Merona, where I left her three days ago. This scene serves two purposes--to introduce the Kindlebrys, and important highborn family; and to show us what an attendant does, and why it's so important. Now that the section is done, I can estimate that there will be at least one more day before this chapter is finished. I might decide to split it into two chapters, if necessary.
It was a surprise to me that Merona eavesdropped on them--indeed, that all the equipment was already there. In a rewrite, I will probably have to address this just a little earlier, so that Merona is less surprised at Gessica's sources of information. That shouldn't be a hard rewrite to do, however.
Chapter 8 is developing nicely, and it continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,890 / 1,689 words (111.9%)
Progress to Date: 30,729 / 27,018 words (113.7%, 2.2 days ahead)
Total Progress: 30,729 / 52,347 words (58.7%)
Although it may not be apparent from the release of new material, I've actually just concluded a two day break from writing. This was not a voluntary break--a business trip from my paying job necessitated a trip out of town, and the schedule did not permit any writing at all during the trip. I had written enough beforehand so that there was no apparent break, but I still feel like I'm starting up cold.
I'm now afraid that I'm introducing too many new characters too quickly. I've tried to make each distinct, and give everyone a memorable role in the story so far. In that way, I can start to build my cast in a way that advances the story while still making them stand out from each other.
Thing is, I don't think I have an option. This community is huge, and there are literally tens of thousands of people around. So far, Bryony has been through so many different environments in the market, that I've had to bring out the different characters found in each one. Now that she's in school, I've got even more to introduce, but once I do, the main cast should, for the most part, be established.
I guess it's not entirely true that I did nothing during my trip. I did write outlines for the next dozen or so chapters, almost to the end of Act II, and I'm happy with it. I even drew a rough map of the layout of the market, though it is of course subject to change later on.
First, though, I need to go back to Merona, where I left her three days ago. This scene serves two purposes--to introduce the Kindlebrys, and important highborn family; and to show us what an attendant does, and why it's so important. Now that the section is done, I can estimate that there will be at least one more day before this chapter is finished. I might decide to split it into two chapters, if necessary.
It was a surprise to me that Merona eavesdropped on them--indeed, that all the equipment was already there. In a rewrite, I will probably have to address this just a little earlier, so that Merona is less surprised at Gessica's sources of information. That shouldn't be a hard rewrite to do, however.
Chapter 8 is developing nicely, and it continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,890 / 1,689 words (111.9%)
Progress to Date: 30,729 / 27,018 words (113.7%, 2.2 days ahead)
Total Progress: 30,729 / 52,347 words (58.7%)
15 October 2008
Day Fifteen - 28,839 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Since yesterday's conclusion to chapter 7, it has become clearer and clearer to me that I need to step away from Bryony's POV for a little while. She's got a friend, so I'm going to let the two of them hang out for a bit before stirring up any more trouble in their lives. In Chapter 9, I'll pick up only a little while after I left off, because there are a few more characters to introduce before she starts classes.
We haven't checked in with Merona since Chapter 2, though, and I think this would be a good opportunity for us to learn a little more about just what the hell Merona does. And we haven't met any of the highborn other than Tynofast, and it's past time for us to do so. This will also give me an opportunity to bring back our old friend Pritchard, and see how different he is with the highborn. That probably won't happen until the latter half of Chapter 8, however.
I'm becoming more and more convinced that a map of the Market would be helpful. Nothing too restricting, but the main buildings where the action takes place, and where they are in relation to each other. I wish I could draw.
I wasn't expecting Kalocia to show up so soon, and I didn't even know who Cohenrad was until he came over to introduce himself. And I almost had Merona invite Kalocia along with her, but decided it would be too risky for her character. Ah well. Maybe some other time.
Chapter 8 looks to be another long one, since Merona hasn't gotten out to meet Lady Kindlebry yet. She will tomorrow, though, for sure.
As Chapter 8 continues.
Today's Total: 1,791 / 1,689 words (103.6%)
Progress to Date: 28,839 / 25,329 words (114.4%, 2.1 days ahead)
Total Progress: 28,839 / 52,347 words (55.1%)
Since yesterday's conclusion to chapter 7, it has become clearer and clearer to me that I need to step away from Bryony's POV for a little while. She's got a friend, so I'm going to let the two of them hang out for a bit before stirring up any more trouble in their lives. In Chapter 9, I'll pick up only a little while after I left off, because there are a few more characters to introduce before she starts classes.
We haven't checked in with Merona since Chapter 2, though, and I think this would be a good opportunity for us to learn a little more about just what the hell Merona does. And we haven't met any of the highborn other than Tynofast, and it's past time for us to do so. This will also give me an opportunity to bring back our old friend Pritchard, and see how different he is with the highborn. That probably won't happen until the latter half of Chapter 8, however.
I'm becoming more and more convinced that a map of the Market would be helpful. Nothing too restricting, but the main buildings where the action takes place, and where they are in relation to each other. I wish I could draw.
I wasn't expecting Kalocia to show up so soon, and I didn't even know who Cohenrad was until he came over to introduce himself. And I almost had Merona invite Kalocia along with her, but decided it would be too risky for her character. Ah well. Maybe some other time.
Chapter 8 looks to be another long one, since Merona hasn't gotten out to meet Lady Kindlebry yet. She will tomorrow, though, for sure.
As Chapter 8 continues.
Today's Total: 1,791 / 1,689 words (103.6%)
Progress to Date: 28,839 / 25,329 words (114.4%, 2.1 days ahead)
Total Progress: 28,839 / 52,347 words (55.1%)
14 October 2008
Day Fourteen - 27,048 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Now that I've established Jancel and Tonio as characters, I need to figure out where they work into the overall plot. Tonio is a little simpler, although given Jancel's personality, I think I can guess where she'll figure in. Of course, right now Bryony is still very young. After ten or twelve years have gone by, Bryony will be in her mid-twenties, and Jancel and Tonio in their mid-thirties. That's much less of a difference, and their relationship will change accordingly.
Still, that's looking ahead. The big news is that I've finally topped the 50% mark! I couldn't be more thrilled, especially since I reached it two days ahead of schedule. That's a big milestone; 27k words is over 100 pages. I have officially left the territory of the short story and moved into the novel zone. (Honestly, I probably hit that at 20k words if not earlier, but there's just something about a triple digit page count that sounds awesome.)
So now that I'm halfway through my one month plan, where does that leave me? As I continue to write, I revise the structure of the story in my head as well. Now what I'm calling the first Act, is everything up to the first confrontation with Gessica, which took place in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 is finished now, so this is technically the beginning of Act II, which will cover the early part of Bryony's experiences in class. For the benefit of those who want to remain spoiler free I won't say where it ends, but I will say that the bulk of the story will remain within Lair Middling for a while.
By Act III, we'll start to explore the wider picture, and we'll finally be leaving the market--not leaving it behind, but stepping outside its walls for the first time since the prologue. In Act IV, the story becomes even more wide ranging, and Act V cranks it up another notch. Its climax is one of the central images of the story to me, one of the three central images that inspired me to write it in the first place. (The first was Bryony's awakening with Elma at her side; the second is the climax to Act III.)
Act VI is still a little nebulous. I know how I'm ending the story, but precisely how I get there is yet to be determined. I think that's only natural, since I will probably meet someone people along the way who play a role, people I haven't yet encountered.
If what I've done so far is any indication, I can budget between 25k and 30k words per act. That'll put the whole thing between 150-180k.
So what happens when I finish this month? Well, I'm going to keep going, of course. I will re-evaluate my projected word count at that time, for both the current act and the novel as a whole. That will become my new target, with the same daily target rate of 1,689 words. According to current estimates, I should finish around Christmas, but it'll take as long as it takes.
For now, though, I can look back on what I've done with pride. It hasn't taken all that long on a daily basis, but the work really adds up in a very satisfying way.
Chapter Eight begins next!
Today's Total: 1,749 / 1,689 words (103.6%)
Progress to Date: 27,048 / 23,641 words (114.4%, 2.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 27,048 / 52,347 words (51.7%)
Now that I've established Jancel and Tonio as characters, I need to figure out where they work into the overall plot. Tonio is a little simpler, although given Jancel's personality, I think I can guess where she'll figure in. Of course, right now Bryony is still very young. After ten or twelve years have gone by, Bryony will be in her mid-twenties, and Jancel and Tonio in their mid-thirties. That's much less of a difference, and their relationship will change accordingly.
Still, that's looking ahead. The big news is that I've finally topped the 50% mark! I couldn't be more thrilled, especially since I reached it two days ahead of schedule. That's a big milestone; 27k words is over 100 pages. I have officially left the territory of the short story and moved into the novel zone. (Honestly, I probably hit that at 20k words if not earlier, but there's just something about a triple digit page count that sounds awesome.)
So now that I'm halfway through my one month plan, where does that leave me? As I continue to write, I revise the structure of the story in my head as well. Now what I'm calling the first Act, is everything up to the first confrontation with Gessica, which took place in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 is finished now, so this is technically the beginning of Act II, which will cover the early part of Bryony's experiences in class. For the benefit of those who want to remain spoiler free I won't say where it ends, but I will say that the bulk of the story will remain within Lair Middling for a while.
By Act III, we'll start to explore the wider picture, and we'll finally be leaving the market--not leaving it behind, but stepping outside its walls for the first time since the prologue. In Act IV, the story becomes even more wide ranging, and Act V cranks it up another notch. Its climax is one of the central images of the story to me, one of the three central images that inspired me to write it in the first place. (The first was Bryony's awakening with Elma at her side; the second is the climax to Act III.)
Act VI is still a little nebulous. I know how I'm ending the story, but precisely how I get there is yet to be determined. I think that's only natural, since I will probably meet someone people along the way who play a role, people I haven't yet encountered.
If what I've done so far is any indication, I can budget between 25k and 30k words per act. That'll put the whole thing between 150-180k.
So what happens when I finish this month? Well, I'm going to keep going, of course. I will re-evaluate my projected word count at that time, for both the current act and the novel as a whole. That will become my new target, with the same daily target rate of 1,689 words. According to current estimates, I should finish around Christmas, but it'll take as long as it takes.
For now, though, I can look back on what I've done with pride. It hasn't taken all that long on a daily basis, but the work really adds up in a very satisfying way.
Chapter Eight begins next!
Today's Total: 1,749 / 1,689 words (103.6%)
Progress to Date: 27,048 / 23,641 words (114.4%, 2.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 27,048 / 52,347 words (51.7%)
13 October 2008
Day Thirteen - 25,299 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I feel I'm running a risk of getting stale with my style here. New place, describe it, new place, describe it. The problem is, the market is so huge and it's all new to Bryony, so for a while, everywhere she goes is going to be new and notable.
Plus, I need to be very careful here. A fair portion of the book is set in the Hall of Students, so I need a very clear picture of what it looks like, and its internal architecture. Does that mean another tour? No, not really. I'd rather she explore it on her own, and with Yancy. But I would like to give her an ally there, and I think Tonio will give me the excuse. I feel a minor subplot coming on!
I had originally intended Tonio to abandon her at the gate, but why wouldn't he take the excuse to see Jancel? I would.
And you know what? I'm really liking this character. Jancel is kind, witty, and sardonic, with a keen understanding of human nature and the ability to laugh at herself. She's small, and because of that can look a little ridiculous in trying to accomplish things more suited for larger people, but she gets it done, and will bite the head off of anyone who tries to help. I love that.
Turns out I ended the selection for today in the middle of the scene. I know tomorrow will end Chapter 7, but I'll probably begin Chapter 8 as well. I don't think there's a full day's worth of new material in the end of this chapter, but who knows? I've been surprised before. Until this morning, I didn't know there even was a Jancel, after all!
Chapter 7 continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,881 / 1,689 words (111.4%)
Progress to Date: 25,299 / 21,952 words (115.2%, 2.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 25,299 / 52,347 words (48.3%)
I feel I'm running a risk of getting stale with my style here. New place, describe it, new place, describe it. The problem is, the market is so huge and it's all new to Bryony, so for a while, everywhere she goes is going to be new and notable.
Plus, I need to be very careful here. A fair portion of the book is set in the Hall of Students, so I need a very clear picture of what it looks like, and its internal architecture. Does that mean another tour? No, not really. I'd rather she explore it on her own, and with Yancy. But I would like to give her an ally there, and I think Tonio will give me the excuse. I feel a minor subplot coming on!
I had originally intended Tonio to abandon her at the gate, but why wouldn't he take the excuse to see Jancel? I would.
And you know what? I'm really liking this character. Jancel is kind, witty, and sardonic, with a keen understanding of human nature and the ability to laugh at herself. She's small, and because of that can look a little ridiculous in trying to accomplish things more suited for larger people, but she gets it done, and will bite the head off of anyone who tries to help. I love that.
Turns out I ended the selection for today in the middle of the scene. I know tomorrow will end Chapter 7, but I'll probably begin Chapter 8 as well. I don't think there's a full day's worth of new material in the end of this chapter, but who knows? I've been surprised before. Until this morning, I didn't know there even was a Jancel, after all!
Chapter 7 continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,881 / 1,689 words (111.4%)
Progress to Date: 25,299 / 21,952 words (115.2%, 2.0 days ahead)
Total Progress: 25,299 / 52,347 words (48.3%)
12 October 2008
Day Twelve - 23,418 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
My original plan for this chapter was a shopping trip for Bryony with Elma. But Elma is now out of the picture for the present, and anyway, they've bonded enough. I decided that my best course of action would be to get Bryony paired up with Yancy right away, and maybe add Sili, and Zeoly into the mix.
But how to get her there? Well, I did establish the character of Tonio at the beginning of chapter five, right? And Bryony's going to be coming right back through that door. I wish I could claim that I planned it all in advance, but I'm not nearly that swift. The thing with Tonio was a throwaway scene when I wrote it, but now it sets up the reason why Tonio would help her.
I wanted her to have a bit of a tour guide, and Tonio fit the bill. It makes him feel good to know things, since I don't think that knowing things is what he's known for.
The scene where Bryony made her decision to be a part of this world happened accidentally. I had not planned for it, but as she walked outside, I realized the significance of what was happening. All along up until now, she has been shuffled off from one minder to another. Merona, to Elma, to Fiya and Gessica, to Tonio. Even though she's about to go into the Hall of Students, where her freedom of movement will be somewhat curtailed, she'll also have greater freedom than she has up until now.
I wanted her to see what her future looked like and come to terms with it, at least a little. I had to justify her motivation to actually try in her classes. If she felt like she wasn't even supposed to be there, any effort on her part would seem unjustified. Now, I can have Bryony throw herself wholeheartedly at becoming a part of this world in which she finds herself.
I barely made the word count with this section, but it's not because I ran out of stuff to write, I wanted to end at a natural stopping place, and up next she goes into the Hall and stuff starts to happen. That, I'm going to save for tomorrow.
As chapter 7 continues!
Today's Total: 1,697 / 1,689 words (100.5%)
Progress to Date: 23,418 / 20,263 words (115.6%, 1.9 days ahead)
Total Progress: 23,418 / 52,347 words (44.7%)
My original plan for this chapter was a shopping trip for Bryony with Elma. But Elma is now out of the picture for the present, and anyway, they've bonded enough. I decided that my best course of action would be to get Bryony paired up with Yancy right away, and maybe add Sili, and Zeoly into the mix.
But how to get her there? Well, I did establish the character of Tonio at the beginning of chapter five, right? And Bryony's going to be coming right back through that door. I wish I could claim that I planned it all in advance, but I'm not nearly that swift. The thing with Tonio was a throwaway scene when I wrote it, but now it sets up the reason why Tonio would help her.
I wanted her to have a bit of a tour guide, and Tonio fit the bill. It makes him feel good to know things, since I don't think that knowing things is what he's known for.
The scene where Bryony made her decision to be a part of this world happened accidentally. I had not planned for it, but as she walked outside, I realized the significance of what was happening. All along up until now, she has been shuffled off from one minder to another. Merona, to Elma, to Fiya and Gessica, to Tonio. Even though she's about to go into the Hall of Students, where her freedom of movement will be somewhat curtailed, she'll also have greater freedom than she has up until now.
I wanted her to see what her future looked like and come to terms with it, at least a little. I had to justify her motivation to actually try in her classes. If she felt like she wasn't even supposed to be there, any effort on her part would seem unjustified. Now, I can have Bryony throw herself wholeheartedly at becoming a part of this world in which she finds herself.
I barely made the word count with this section, but it's not because I ran out of stuff to write, I wanted to end at a natural stopping place, and up next she goes into the Hall and stuff starts to happen. That, I'm going to save for tomorrow.
As chapter 7 continues!
Today's Total: 1,697 / 1,689 words (100.5%)
Progress to Date: 23,418 / 20,263 words (115.6%, 1.9 days ahead)
Total Progress: 23,418 / 52,347 words (44.7%)
11 October 2008
Day Eleven - 21,721 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
Something occurred to me yesterday--After five chapters and a prologue, I've really covered less than 36 hours worth of in-world time. Now, each day's part takes me between an hour and a half to two hours to write. So after ten days, I'm averaging approximately one hour of writing time to every two hours that pass in the novel.
Dunno what that means, but I thought it was cool.
That's all about to change, though, in not too long a time. For the next several chapters, we're going to be following Bryony's experiences pretty closely. Right now things are still pretty much in transition for her, but once I can get her settled into a pattern, I will be able to skip forward in time as I like.
Take for example the first Harry Potter novel. We tracked pretty much every waking minute of Harry's life from the time he got onto the train at Platform 9 3/4, all the way through his first day of classes. That established his environment and the pattern that his time would take, and we were then able to skip forward to the next "event," and allow the reader to understand that the intervening time had passed in a way much like what we had already seen.
In other words, Rowling first created his environment, then showed us Harry's place in it, then allowed our imaginations to supply the details while she got about the business of telling her story.
I'm trying to do very much the same thing, albeit in a less desirable atmosphere. So far, I've described how Bryony came to be at the market, and now we need learn what her place there will be. I've got a pretty specific plan all the way through chapter 9, with a pretty clear idea of the contents of chapters 10-12.
In other words, my estimate is that by the time we reach the end of chapter 12, or thereabouts, we will no longer be following Bryony's every waking move. That will be a relief in a lot of ways! There's a lot of things you have to keep track of as an author when you're following someone so closely. Meals. Bathroom breaks. Tiredness level. Sleep.
I'm not saying that those things can't be interesting, and can't be made to serve a purpose in the story, but they start getting old after a while. As a real life person, I rather enjoy going to sleep every night. But I sure don't want to read about it My own sleep is wonderful; someone else's is boring.
So I'm looking forward to skipping forward in time, and leaving all the tedium of meals and sleep out of the picture, except where it serves the story. But before I can do that, we have to see what an Average Day will be for Bryony, and that'll probably take another 15k or 20k words to accomplish.
But now we're up to the first confrontation between Bryony and Gessica, not counting the mask scene. I intentionally made Bryony play a very passive role here. Remember, she had just been struck several times, and was cut off from Elma, her only source of support. I wanted her to have some backbone, but not be particularly aggressive. This will not be their last meeting, after all. Gotta save something for later
The reader should know that Gessica's story is a lie. In chapter two, she tells Merona to start the rumor, after all. Gessica isn't sure whether Bryony is lying or telling the truth about her lack of memory, but she sees an opportunity to plant the seed of doubt, which will later be supported by those very rumors that she started. It gives her a measure of control over Bryony, because bringing her low serves her ends.
As it turns out, Gessica has ample other reason to dislike Bryony, but that won't be revealed until much later. The foreshadowing is in place, and hopefully not too heavy. If you have a guess, email me, and I'll be mysterious and refuse to confirm or deny it for you.
I'm struck by just how evil Gessica was in this scene. She's a master manipulator, and she's using that ability to crush the spirit of a thirteen year old girl. I mean, come on! You've got to hate her at this point! In fact, that has been my first task with her, to make the reader dislike her as much as Bryony. Later on, I plan to develop Gessica further and show that she does have good qualities, but since the reader is meant to identify with Bryony, we won't see those good qualities until Bryony does herself.
Once again, I've got a short chapter featuring an intense emotional scene. The next chapter is likely to be longer, two or even three days of writing depending on where I cut it off. I'm trying to space out the intense emotional moments with lighter, friendlier ones so that the story isn't all of one texture. So if you're reading along at home, you should find something to smile about in Chapter 7.
Speaking of which, chapter 7 begins tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Today's Total: 1,788 / 1,689 words (105.9%)
Progress to Date: 21,721 / 18,575 words (116.9%, 1.9 days ahead)
Total Progress: 21,721 / 52,347 words (41.5%)
Something occurred to me yesterday--After five chapters and a prologue, I've really covered less than 36 hours worth of in-world time. Now, each day's part takes me between an hour and a half to two hours to write. So after ten days, I'm averaging approximately one hour of writing time to every two hours that pass in the novel.
Dunno what that means, but I thought it was cool.
That's all about to change, though, in not too long a time. For the next several chapters, we're going to be following Bryony's experiences pretty closely. Right now things are still pretty much in transition for her, but once I can get her settled into a pattern, I will be able to skip forward in time as I like.
Take for example the first Harry Potter novel. We tracked pretty much every waking minute of Harry's life from the time he got onto the train at Platform 9 3/4, all the way through his first day of classes. That established his environment and the pattern that his time would take, and we were then able to skip forward to the next "event," and allow the reader to understand that the intervening time had passed in a way much like what we had already seen.
In other words, Rowling first created his environment, then showed us Harry's place in it, then allowed our imaginations to supply the details while she got about the business of telling her story.
I'm trying to do very much the same thing, albeit in a less desirable atmosphere. So far, I've described how Bryony came to be at the market, and now we need learn what her place there will be. I've got a pretty specific plan all the way through chapter 9, with a pretty clear idea of the contents of chapters 10-12.
In other words, my estimate is that by the time we reach the end of chapter 12, or thereabouts, we will no longer be following Bryony's every waking move. That will be a relief in a lot of ways! There's a lot of things you have to keep track of as an author when you're following someone so closely. Meals. Bathroom breaks. Tiredness level. Sleep.
I'm not saying that those things can't be interesting, and can't be made to serve a purpose in the story, but they start getting old after a while. As a real life person, I rather enjoy going to sleep every night. But I sure don't want to read about it My own sleep is wonderful; someone else's is boring.
So I'm looking forward to skipping forward in time, and leaving all the tedium of meals and sleep out of the picture, except where it serves the story. But before I can do that, we have to see what an Average Day will be for Bryony, and that'll probably take another 15k or 20k words to accomplish.
But now we're up to the first confrontation between Bryony and Gessica, not counting the mask scene. I intentionally made Bryony play a very passive role here. Remember, she had just been struck several times, and was cut off from Elma, her only source of support. I wanted her to have some backbone, but not be particularly aggressive. This will not be their last meeting, after all. Gotta save something for later
The reader should know that Gessica's story is a lie. In chapter two, she tells Merona to start the rumor, after all. Gessica isn't sure whether Bryony is lying or telling the truth about her lack of memory, but she sees an opportunity to plant the seed of doubt, which will later be supported by those very rumors that she started. It gives her a measure of control over Bryony, because bringing her low serves her ends.
As it turns out, Gessica has ample other reason to dislike Bryony, but that won't be revealed until much later. The foreshadowing is in place, and hopefully not too heavy. If you have a guess, email me, and I'll be mysterious and refuse to confirm or deny it for you.
I'm struck by just how evil Gessica was in this scene. She's a master manipulator, and she's using that ability to crush the spirit of a thirteen year old girl. I mean, come on! You've got to hate her at this point! In fact, that has been my first task with her, to make the reader dislike her as much as Bryony. Later on, I plan to develop Gessica further and show that she does have good qualities, but since the reader is meant to identify with Bryony, we won't see those good qualities until Bryony does herself.
Once again, I've got a short chapter featuring an intense emotional scene. The next chapter is likely to be longer, two or even three days of writing depending on where I cut it off. I'm trying to space out the intense emotional moments with lighter, friendlier ones so that the story isn't all of one texture. So if you're reading along at home, you should find something to smile about in Chapter 7.
Speaking of which, chapter 7 begins tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Today's Total: 1,788 / 1,689 words (105.9%)
Progress to Date: 21,721 / 18,575 words (116.9%, 1.9 days ahead)
Total Progress: 21,721 / 52,347 words (41.5%)
10 October 2008
Day Ten - 19,933 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I had not originally intended to do the flashback to the mask where I did, but I knew it had to be before Bryony met Gessica, which I have tentatively scheduled for Chapter Six. Her reaction to Gessica has to be justified, and I don't think I communicated just how bad an experience Bryony had, since the scene was from Merona's POV.
Doing it this way, we get the best of both--the pitiful sight of someone observing the scene, and the sense of it actually happening to her. It's also my first chance to delve into the magical aspects of the story, which gain in importance as the story progresses.
I like the idea that Fiya is the one that Elma is scared of. She does make Gessica seem kind in comparison, at least insofar as their outward actions are concerned. Fiya does not care if people like her. She prefers that they don't. Gessica can be just as cruel and unfeeling, but she likes to leave people with the impression that she did it for their own good, and that they owe her a favor for behaving to them so.
Now that I'm done with Chapter 5, I can definitely say Gessica will be making an appearance in Chapter 6. I had not original intended to ditch Elma so soon, but I think that cutting away her lifeline is important for the scene to come.
Chapter 6 starts tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,861 / 1,689 words (110.2%)
Progress to Date: 19,933 / 16,886 words (118.0%, 1.8 days ahead)
Total Progress: 19,933 / 52,347 words (38.1%)
I had not originally intended to do the flashback to the mask where I did, but I knew it had to be before Bryony met Gessica, which I have tentatively scheduled for Chapter Six. Her reaction to Gessica has to be justified, and I don't think I communicated just how bad an experience Bryony had, since the scene was from Merona's POV.
Doing it this way, we get the best of both--the pitiful sight of someone observing the scene, and the sense of it actually happening to her. It's also my first chance to delve into the magical aspects of the story, which gain in importance as the story progresses.
I like the idea that Fiya is the one that Elma is scared of. She does make Gessica seem kind in comparison, at least insofar as their outward actions are concerned. Fiya does not care if people like her. She prefers that they don't. Gessica can be just as cruel and unfeeling, but she likes to leave people with the impression that she did it for their own good, and that they owe her a favor for behaving to them so.
Now that I'm done with Chapter 5, I can definitely say Gessica will be making an appearance in Chapter 6. I had not original intended to ditch Elma so soon, but I think that cutting away her lifeline is important for the scene to come.
Chapter 6 starts tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,861 / 1,689 words (110.2%)
Progress to Date: 19,933 / 16,886 words (118.0%, 1.8 days ahead)
Total Progress: 19,933 / 52,347 words (38.1%)
09 October 2008
Day Nine - 18,072 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
It's becoming increasingly apparent that this will be a much longer novel than the 52,347 word target I set.
Without going into spoiler territory, I'd like to talk about where I am in the story. I've pretty much finished all of the introductory material, where we get to know the major players in the story, and have started into the plot itself. There are three major arcs in the story, and I'd say that we're about 1/4 of the way through the first one. Maybe less.
Based on that, I'm going to revise my estimate of the actual length of the novel to closer to 200,000 words. By comparison, Robert Jordan's The Shadow Rising, my favorite of the Wheel of Time series, is nearly 400,000 words. So as far as long-winded fantasy epics go, I'm not there yet.
I've decided to continue on with the Bryony POV for now. I'll be doing another Merona POV in a later chapter within the first arc, but it's way too early for that right now.
I did not expect to meet Yancy in the waiting room, and if you read my character outlines, you'll see that this will result in a wholesale adjustment of her history, if not her character. But I'd rather not adhere slavishly to the original if a change will better serve the story.
I never did give that balding man a name. There didn't seem to be a place to give it. I don't think Elma knew him, and he was unlikely to give it himself. If the character recurs, he'll get one, but as of now, he shall remain nameless.
I've reached the 1/3 mark! In another five days or so, I should be halfway there. That'll be nice.
Chapter five continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,799 / 1,689 words (106.5%)
Progress to Date: 18,072 / 15,198 words (118.9%, 1.7 days ahead)
Total Progress: 18,072 / 52,347 words (34.5%)
It's becoming increasingly apparent that this will be a much longer novel than the 52,347 word target I set.
Without going into spoiler territory, I'd like to talk about where I am in the story. I've pretty much finished all of the introductory material, where we get to know the major players in the story, and have started into the plot itself. There are three major arcs in the story, and I'd say that we're about 1/4 of the way through the first one. Maybe less.
Based on that, I'm going to revise my estimate of the actual length of the novel to closer to 200,000 words. By comparison, Robert Jordan's The Shadow Rising, my favorite of the Wheel of Time series, is nearly 400,000 words. So as far as long-winded fantasy epics go, I'm not there yet.
I've decided to continue on with the Bryony POV for now. I'll be doing another Merona POV in a later chapter within the first arc, but it's way too early for that right now.
I did not expect to meet Yancy in the waiting room, and if you read my character outlines, you'll see that this will result in a wholesale adjustment of her history, if not her character. But I'd rather not adhere slavishly to the original if a change will better serve the story.
I never did give that balding man a name. There didn't seem to be a place to give it. I don't think Elma knew him, and he was unlikely to give it himself. If the character recurs, he'll get one, but as of now, he shall remain nameless.
I've reached the 1/3 mark! In another five days or so, I should be halfway there. That'll be nice.
Chapter five continues tomorrow!
Today's Total: 1,799 / 1,689 words (106.5%)
Progress to Date: 18,072 / 15,198 words (118.9%, 1.7 days ahead)
Total Progress: 18,072 / 52,347 words (34.5%)
08 October 2008
Day Eight - 16,273 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
The next scene could go several different ways, and the one I chose ensures that I won't repeat myself later on. (That's a real danger with two cafeteria scenes in the works.) And as it turns out, it worked much better this way.
I love gossip and hearsay as an engine for plot. Because information is being reported second or thirdhand, the reader naturally questions the veracity of it. That way, I can bury truth amongst falsehood, and the reader doesn't know what to believe. I think it's a great way of hiding clues while establishing misdirection.
The characters of Pritchard, Lyall, and Nona emerged very organically. I liked the idea of their dynamic, born of long friendship, and their voices came out of that. Everyone in the market loves to gossip about everyone else in the market, and I got to use that to drive the plot forward--or at least, the subplot of Bryony trying to discover her past.
The appearance of Lowell at the end of the scene was a last minute addition, but I think it works. He was a throwaway character initially, just a POV that happened to be in the right place at the right time. But I think he may be too important to never revisit, and I believe he will be the first step in Bryony's investigation of her past.
I'm pretty sure that was the end of chapter four. Chapter five starts tomorrow. But whose POV will it be? At this point, even I don't know.
Today's Total: 2,250 / 1,689 words (133.2%)
Progress to Date: 16,273 / 13,509 words (120.5%, 1.6 days ahead)
Total Progress: 16,273 / 52,347 words (31.1%)
The next scene could go several different ways, and the one I chose ensures that I won't repeat myself later on. (That's a real danger with two cafeteria scenes in the works.) And as it turns out, it worked much better this way.
I love gossip and hearsay as an engine for plot. Because information is being reported second or thirdhand, the reader naturally questions the veracity of it. That way, I can bury truth amongst falsehood, and the reader doesn't know what to believe. I think it's a great way of hiding clues while establishing misdirection.
The characters of Pritchard, Lyall, and Nona emerged very organically. I liked the idea of their dynamic, born of long friendship, and their voices came out of that. Everyone in the market loves to gossip about everyone else in the market, and I got to use that to drive the plot forward--or at least, the subplot of Bryony trying to discover her past.
The appearance of Lowell at the end of the scene was a last minute addition, but I think it works. He was a throwaway character initially, just a POV that happened to be in the right place at the right time. But I think he may be too important to never revisit, and I believe he will be the first step in Bryony's investigation of her past.
I'm pretty sure that was the end of chapter four. Chapter five starts tomorrow. But whose POV will it be? At this point, even I don't know.
Today's Total: 2,250 / 1,689 words (133.2%)
Progress to Date: 16,273 / 13,509 words (120.5%, 1.6 days ahead)
Total Progress: 16,273 / 52,347 words (31.1%)
07 October 2008
Day Seven - 14,023 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
As I mentioned, I had originally intended that Chapter Three would take two days to write, and therefore be closer to the length of the first two chapters. But when I reached the end of the first scene of the chapter, I thought the scene was too touching to be buried in the middle of a chapter. And so we pick up with another Bryony POV in chapter four.
Am I spending too long describing the details of things like clothing and architecture? They're not "important," per se, though I think they give a sense of atmosphere. I have a very clear picture of how the market and its inhabitants look, act, and dress, and I'm trying to get that across.
Better in the rough draft to write it down and cut later, I suppose. If I start to repeat myself, it will be easier to gloss over a description later than to create it.
I had nearly written the entire passage about how Bryony and Elma were underground when I noticed I hadn't talked about where the light was coming from. In my mind, it wasn't coming from anywhere in particular, it just was. But that's no explanation at all.
Thank you, fantasy genre. When in doubt, it's magic! But in this case, it made sense. Part of the theme of this book is how magic can make otherwise untenable systems work, and the enormous underground complex of Lair Middling probably wouldn't work in the real world, at least not at the level of technology in this story.
I came up with the name Jacielle for the cook, but it didn't fit the character, so I'm saving it for someone else. Instead I called her Myrna, which I like.
No real cliffhanger today; I ended the selection at the best possible stopping place. Chapter four continues tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,926 / 1,689 words (114.0%)
Progress to Date: 14,023 / 11,820 words (118.6%)
Total Progress: 14,023 / 52,347 words (26.8%)
As I mentioned, I had originally intended that Chapter Three would take two days to write, and therefore be closer to the length of the first two chapters. But when I reached the end of the first scene of the chapter, I thought the scene was too touching to be buried in the middle of a chapter. And so we pick up with another Bryony POV in chapter four.
Am I spending too long describing the details of things like clothing and architecture? They're not "important," per se, though I think they give a sense of atmosphere. I have a very clear picture of how the market and its inhabitants look, act, and dress, and I'm trying to get that across.
Better in the rough draft to write it down and cut later, I suppose. If I start to repeat myself, it will be easier to gloss over a description later than to create it.
I had nearly written the entire passage about how Bryony and Elma were underground when I noticed I hadn't talked about where the light was coming from. In my mind, it wasn't coming from anywhere in particular, it just was. But that's no explanation at all.
Thank you, fantasy genre. When in doubt, it's magic! But in this case, it made sense. Part of the theme of this book is how magic can make otherwise untenable systems work, and the enormous underground complex of Lair Middling probably wouldn't work in the real world, at least not at the level of technology in this story.
I came up with the name Jacielle for the cook, but it didn't fit the character, so I'm saving it for someone else. Instead I called her Myrna, which I like.
No real cliffhanger today; I ended the selection at the best possible stopping place. Chapter four continues tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,926 / 1,689 words (114.0%)
Progress to Date: 14,023 / 11,820 words (118.6%)
Total Progress: 14,023 / 52,347 words (26.8%)
06 October 2008
Day Six - 12,097 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I now start onto chapter three, which returns to the girl's POV. I had to take a nice long ramble to figure out how to start this scene, to draw parallels with chapter one without covering the same territory. I think I managed it, but you be the judge.
Man, long expository sections are tough to write. I've spent two chapters and a prologue so far, setting up the mystery. There's still a lot the reader doesn't know, and shouldn't know, but it was time to reveal the setup.
Bryony, as we can now call her, doesn't know who she was. There is certain evidence that she was one of the highborn, and certain evidence that she was not. Either way, she wants very badly to find out who she was. She also wants to know where she is, since she has no knowledge of the geography or political situation. She, like the reader, is coming into this cold.
In this section, which comprises the entirety of chapter three, I also wanted to hint at where the story is going in the short term. We've made it past the first big set piece, which culminated with the scene with the mask in the bathroom. Now the first act of the story can begin, and it is centered around Bryony becoming a part of her class.
I had originally meant to make chapter three longer, but I like the end it has, and there's nothing wrong with a short chapter here and there.
Today's Total: 1,700 / 1,689 words (100.7%)
Progress to Date: 12,097 / 10,132 words (119.4%)
Total Progress: 12,097 / 52,347 words (23.1%)
I now start onto chapter three, which returns to the girl's POV. I had to take a nice long ramble to figure out how to start this scene, to draw parallels with chapter one without covering the same territory. I think I managed it, but you be the judge.
Man, long expository sections are tough to write. I've spent two chapters and a prologue so far, setting up the mystery. There's still a lot the reader doesn't know, and shouldn't know, but it was time to reveal the setup.
Bryony, as we can now call her, doesn't know who she was. There is certain evidence that she was one of the highborn, and certain evidence that she was not. Either way, she wants very badly to find out who she was. She also wants to know where she is, since she has no knowledge of the geography or political situation. She, like the reader, is coming into this cold.
In this section, which comprises the entirety of chapter three, I also wanted to hint at where the story is going in the short term. We've made it past the first big set piece, which culminated with the scene with the mask in the bathroom. Now the first act of the story can begin, and it is centered around Bryony becoming a part of her class.
I had originally meant to make chapter three longer, but I like the end it has, and there's nothing wrong with a short chapter here and there.
Today's Total: 1,700 / 1,689 words (100.7%)
Progress to Date: 12,097 / 10,132 words (119.4%)
Total Progress: 12,097 / 52,347 words (23.1%)
05 October 2008
Day Five - 10,397 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
At some point, I'll be switching back to the girl's POV, where the story will remain for a little while--as least as I've planned it now. But before that, I need to finish the scene with Merona, and tie it in with what our heroine is doing.
In this scene, we see the girl through Merona's eyes, for the first time since she was found. I did not spend a great deal of time describing her, since the girl had really just done so herself, and because Merona was distracted with her own troubles. I was far more interested in Merona's thoughts on Gessica.
Merona is Gessica's lieutenant in many ways, but knows that she is in the presence of a superior mind. She fears Gessica and is uncomfortable around her, but at the same time really looks up to her as a kind of mentor. It's an odd relationship, and I like exploring it.
I considered switching to the girl's POV for the scene with the mask, but decided that it would be more disturbing through a witness's eyes. In Chapter Three, we'll pick back up with her POV, and we'll get a bit of a flashback to what it was like for her.
Today's Total: 2,209 / 1,689 words (130.8%)
Progress to Date: 10,397 / 8,443 words (121.2%)
Total Progress: 10,397 / 52,347 words (19.9%)
At some point, I'll be switching back to the girl's POV, where the story will remain for a little while--as least as I've planned it now. But before that, I need to finish the scene with Merona, and tie it in with what our heroine is doing.
In this scene, we see the girl through Merona's eyes, for the first time since she was found. I did not spend a great deal of time describing her, since the girl had really just done so herself, and because Merona was distracted with her own troubles. I was far more interested in Merona's thoughts on Gessica.
Merona is Gessica's lieutenant in many ways, but knows that she is in the presence of a superior mind. She fears Gessica and is uncomfortable around her, but at the same time really looks up to her as a kind of mentor. It's an odd relationship, and I like exploring it.
I considered switching to the girl's POV for the scene with the mask, but decided that it would be more disturbing through a witness's eyes. In Chapter Three, we'll pick back up with her POV, and we'll get a bit of a flashback to what it was like for her.
Today's Total: 2,209 / 1,689 words (130.8%)
Progress to Date: 10,397 / 8,443 words (121.2%)
Total Progress: 10,397 / 52,347 words (19.9%)
04 October 2008
Day Four - 8,188 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
The next big question I had to figure out was where to go next. Up until now, I've tried to establish several important things--the regard in which the girl is held, the elements of culture that surround her, the fact of her amnesia, and the form it takes. Essentially, I'm trying to set down the rules of what you can expect her to remember or not. I've also give some clues, really no more than foreshadowing, about who she may really be, which is one of the central mysteries of the book. If you can figure it out from what I've written so far, then I salute you--but get out of my head.
I think it would be extremely tricky to convey the information that must come next through the girl's POV, as I did in chapter 1. There are three people at the next scene, Elma, Merona, and Gessica, so I need to choose one of them. Gessica knows too much of what's going on; Elma knows too little. I think Merona is the right choice. We've seen her POV once, so there's no need to get into another head. Her role in the scene is also one of observation and advice, which is the sort of thing I'm looking for.
Huh, it turns out that Elma doesn't turn up during the first part of this chapter at all. She'll pop up tomorrow, but I think I'll stick with Merona's POV for just a little while longer. She's in the dark about the girl's past but a part of the culture in which the story is taking place, which is the right blend for these scenes.
First of all, I wrote this section to give a better idea of the scale of the market, since it's the setting for so much of the story. I won't go into any more detail now, since I prefer to describe it in the narrative, but I do want to mention a note on the names.
The proper name is The Noble and Gentle Market of Her Excellency the Lady Eldercroft. This is, of course, too long for common use. The official abbreviation is Market Eldercroft, but this is used mainly in formal correspondence. The hill that is so central to the geography of the market is called Market Hill. People usually just say, "oh, I'm going to Market Hill" or even just "the Hill." When used in this sense, Hill is always capitalized.
Market, on the other hand, is a general term for this kind of place, and is not capitalized within a sentence. There are seven markets, around the city, of varying sizes and levels of clientele, but Market Hill is currently the best. There is a great deal of pressure to keep it so.
The three tenets of the society are law, tradition, and custom. Law is laid down by the emperor, in that area directly controlled by the emperor; by his dukes, in the duchies; and by the kings in the provinces. The emperor does not directly make law in the duchies or provinces, but can order the dukes or kings to do so, and can usually expect to be obeyed.
Traditions are rights accorded to individual families, and they vary greatly. For example, a duke may receive a traditional tithe from his vassals and servants, or have a traditional form of address, or be permitted a traditional right in the presence of the Emperor. Some of these traditions are so old that no one knows when or why they were granted, or even by whom. The Emperor can grant a tradition or remove it; nevertheless, "new" traditions are given less standing than the old, established ones.
Custom, in general, governs the way someone of lower rank behaves toward someone of higher rank, and vice versa. This applies between each of the castes, as well as within a caste. These customs are enforced at the discretion of the party of higher rank. For example, one of the highborn may give certain liberties to middling servants he particularly values. This is called "granting license." One of the greatest inequities of this society is that in a dispute between a highborn and a middling, or a middling and a lowborn, there need not be witnesses to the violation of custom. The word of the higher ranking individual is taken as truth. So there is no legal recourse in such a dispute, and no appeal.
Today's Total: 2,329 / 1,689 words (137.9%)
Progress to Date: 8,188 / 6,754 words (121.2%)
Total Progress: 8,188 / 52,347 words (15.6%)
The next big question I had to figure out was where to go next. Up until now, I've tried to establish several important things--the regard in which the girl is held, the elements of culture that surround her, the fact of her amnesia, and the form it takes. Essentially, I'm trying to set down the rules of what you can expect her to remember or not. I've also give some clues, really no more than foreshadowing, about who she may really be, which is one of the central mysteries of the book. If you can figure it out from what I've written so far, then I salute you--but get out of my head.
I think it would be extremely tricky to convey the information that must come next through the girl's POV, as I did in chapter 1. There are three people at the next scene, Elma, Merona, and Gessica, so I need to choose one of them. Gessica knows too much of what's going on; Elma knows too little. I think Merona is the right choice. We've seen her POV once, so there's no need to get into another head. Her role in the scene is also one of observation and advice, which is the sort of thing I'm looking for.
Huh, it turns out that Elma doesn't turn up during the first part of this chapter at all. She'll pop up tomorrow, but I think I'll stick with Merona's POV for just a little while longer. She's in the dark about the girl's past but a part of the culture in which the story is taking place, which is the right blend for these scenes.
First of all, I wrote this section to give a better idea of the scale of the market, since it's the setting for so much of the story. I won't go into any more detail now, since I prefer to describe it in the narrative, but I do want to mention a note on the names.
The proper name is The Noble and Gentle Market of Her Excellency the Lady Eldercroft. This is, of course, too long for common use. The official abbreviation is Market Eldercroft, but this is used mainly in formal correspondence. The hill that is so central to the geography of the market is called Market Hill. People usually just say, "oh, I'm going to Market Hill" or even just "the Hill." When used in this sense, Hill is always capitalized.
Market, on the other hand, is a general term for this kind of place, and is not capitalized within a sentence. There are seven markets, around the city, of varying sizes and levels of clientele, but Market Hill is currently the best. There is a great deal of pressure to keep it so.
The three tenets of the society are law, tradition, and custom. Law is laid down by the emperor, in that area directly controlled by the emperor; by his dukes, in the duchies; and by the kings in the provinces. The emperor does not directly make law in the duchies or provinces, but can order the dukes or kings to do so, and can usually expect to be obeyed.
Traditions are rights accorded to individual families, and they vary greatly. For example, a duke may receive a traditional tithe from his vassals and servants, or have a traditional form of address, or be permitted a traditional right in the presence of the Emperor. Some of these traditions are so old that no one knows when or why they were granted, or even by whom. The Emperor can grant a tradition or remove it; nevertheless, "new" traditions are given less standing than the old, established ones.
Custom, in general, governs the way someone of lower rank behaves toward someone of higher rank, and vice versa. This applies between each of the castes, as well as within a caste. These customs are enforced at the discretion of the party of higher rank. For example, one of the highborn may give certain liberties to middling servants he particularly values. This is called "granting license." One of the greatest inequities of this society is that in a dispute between a highborn and a middling, or a middling and a lowborn, there need not be witnesses to the violation of custom. The word of the higher ranking individual is taken as truth. So there is no legal recourse in such a dispute, and no appeal.
Today's Total: 2,329 / 1,689 words (137.9%)
Progress to Date: 8,188 / 6,754 words (121.2%)
Total Progress: 8,188 / 52,347 words (15.6%)
03 October 2008
Day Three - 5,859 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
I debated a couple of different ways that I could take the scene from here. This is my favorite, though I'm not sure it was the best.
I think I managed to catch most of the really glaring errors as I wrote. For example, at first when the girl left the room, she was still barefoot and wearing just her nightgown. Of course, at first I had picture a far less grand hallway outside, and with no guards, so perhaps the omission is understandable. Once the guards and the grand corridor with all its paintings entered the story, I knew that she needed something, to keep her warm and preserve her modesty.
The painting of the Sea Wall was an afterthought, though I think it fits. I think I needed to introduce it early in the story, and this was as good a way as any.
There's a reason that there aren't many mirrors around. It's no real spoiler, just a cultural note I thought I would throw in. Mirrors are considered to be unlucky. There's a
superstition that you should never look your reflection in the eye, because if you do, you risk trading places with your mirror self and being trapped in the mirror. To avoid this, you must touch each eye with water, which is the reason behind the basin just outside the door. The girl, of course, is ignorant of this.
In case you're wondering what the cheek tattoos look like, see the pictures at the right. The one with the wavy line is Elma's; the other belongs to the guards.
This was the end of chapter one. Thanks for reading, and if this didn't suck, I'll see you at 10pm tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,885 / 1,689 words (111.6%)
Progress to Date: 5,859 / 5,235 words (111.9%)
Total Progress: 5,859 / 52,347 words (11.2%)
I debated a couple of different ways that I could take the scene from here. This is my favorite, though I'm not sure it was the best.
I think I managed to catch most of the really glaring errors as I wrote. For example, at first when the girl left the room, she was still barefoot and wearing just her nightgown. Of course, at first I had picture a far less grand hallway outside, and with no guards, so perhaps the omission is understandable. Once the guards and the grand corridor with all its paintings entered the story, I knew that she needed something, to keep her warm and preserve her modesty.The painting of the Sea Wall was an afterthought, though I think it fits. I think I needed to introduce it early in the story, and this was as good a way as any.
There's a reason that there aren't many mirrors around. It's no real spoiler, just a cultural note I thought I would throw in. Mirrors are considered to be unlucky. There's a
superstition that you should never look your reflection in the eye, because if you do, you risk trading places with your mirror self and being trapped in the mirror. To avoid this, you must touch each eye with water, which is the reason behind the basin just outside the door. The girl, of course, is ignorant of this.In case you're wondering what the cheek tattoos look like, see the pictures at the right. The one with the wavy line is Elma's; the other belongs to the guards.
This was the end of chapter one. Thanks for reading, and if this didn't suck, I'll see you at 10pm tomorrow.
Today's Total: 1,885 / 1,689 words (111.6%)
Progress to Date: 5,859 / 5,235 words (111.9%)
Total Progress: 5,859 / 52,347 words (11.2%)
02 October 2008
Day Two - 3,974 words and counting
This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.
So looking back, I think this scene went on too long. Or maybe not, 2,000 words is only eight pages, which is a reasonable length for the first scene of the first chapter. It's not exciting, though, at all, and the "waking up with amnesia" thing is almost a cliche.
Still, this is how I always envisioned the story starting, so why not? I can always rearrange and delete scenes later. And I thought it was good to set up the relationship between the girl and Elma, which is pretty important to the early part of the story.
I also wanted to get across some cultural notes that I might not have a chance to bring up later. Oh, and for those of you playing along at home, I dropped some hints in this section about where she originally came from, a big reveal that I didn't even mention in my plot synopsis a few days ago.
Today's Total: 2,212 / 1,689 words (131.0%)
Progress to Date: 3,974 / 3,377 words (117.7%)
Total Progress: 3,974 / 52,347 words (7.6%)
So looking back, I think this scene went on too long. Or maybe not, 2,000 words is only eight pages, which is a reasonable length for the first scene of the first chapter. It's not exciting, though, at all, and the "waking up with amnesia" thing is almost a cliche.
Still, this is how I always envisioned the story starting, so why not? I can always rearrange and delete scenes later. And I thought it was good to set up the relationship between the girl and Elma, which is pretty important to the early part of the story.
I also wanted to get across some cultural notes that I might not have a chance to bring up later. Oh, and for those of you playing along at home, I dropped some hints in this section about where she originally came from, a big reveal that I didn't even mention in my plot synopsis a few days ago.
Today's Total: 2,212 / 1,689 words (131.0%)
Progress to Date: 3,974 / 3,377 words (117.7%)
Total Progress: 3,974 / 52,347 words (7.6%)
01 October 2008
Day One - 1,762 words and counting
Change of plans, guys!
It has been pointed out to me (thank you, Michy!) that writing this novel on a public blog would constitute a publication, and would therefore prevent me from ever selling first publication rights. That would suck, so let's not do that.
Instead, I'm writing it on a private blog, by invitation only. This blog can be found at http://1689words.blogspot.com. Feel free to email me for an invitation.
This blog is unlisted, non-searchable, and accessible only by password. And if that counts as publication, well, then so do the Word files on my hard drive.
So here's what I'm doing. All of the commentary about the novel, including my status counter, is staying on this blog. All of the novel text itself is going on the new one. That way I am still posting here on a daily basis, while maintaining the flow of new writing.
-----
Deep Breath. In... out.... Okay, let's do it.
First, a point of order. I'm going to set a time of 10pm Eastern as my update time every day. Anything I write in the morning will be set with a time delay until that evening, so that I can continue to edit the post until that time. Anything I write after 10pm will go into the next day's stuff.
Now onto the actual composition. My biggest decision was whether to do this in 1st person or 3rd person. I chose 3rd person, but a very limited and internal third person. Still, it gives me to option to do other POVs if necessary. Like in this prologue.
-----
Not a bad start, for my first day. I'm satisfied with what I've written, although I must admit, I'm itching to go back and edit what I've done so far. I will resist the temptation, though. You've got to understand, this is more raw and unfinished than I've ever let anyone read. Usually I edit almost as I write, paying attention to both language and content, but I don't think I'll be able to reach my goal if I do that. There will be plenty of time later to obsess over word choice.
The prologue was invented entirely on the spot. I picked Merona's POV because it sounded right, and threw her out into a snowy night to see what happened. I think I learned a lot about her character just by watching how she acted, faced with this crisis. I like how she turned out. I pretty much finished her part this morning.
The Lowell POV came about during my lunch hour. I revised the last paragraph of Merona's section and shifted the POV to someone else, who gave a few tidbits of information about the culture. I just liked the idea of this seemingly dead girl coming to life in his arms and scaring the bejeezus out of him. This is the section that needs the most work, in my opinion, but it can wait.
I've only barely begun the events of chapter one. These have been percolating in my head for years... at least four years, which is when the early bits of this story first came to me. This is the scene that almost convinced me to write in first person, but I think the third person narration has been strong so far. I'm ending at a place where I could keep going if I wanted, which should make it that much easier to begin again tomorrow morning.
Today's Total: 1,762 words
Progress to Date: 1,762 / 1,689 words (104.3%)
Total Progress: 1,762 / 52,347 words (3.4%)
It has been pointed out to me (thank you, Michy!) that writing this novel on a public blog would constitute a publication, and would therefore prevent me from ever selling first publication rights. That would suck, so let's not do that.
Instead, I'm writing it on a private blog, by invitation only. This blog can be found at http://1689words.blogspot.com. Feel free to email me for an invitation.
This blog is unlisted, non-searchable, and accessible only by password. And if that counts as publication, well, then so do the Word files on my hard drive.
So here's what I'm doing. All of the commentary about the novel, including my status counter, is staying on this blog. All of the novel text itself is going on the new one. That way I am still posting here on a daily basis, while maintaining the flow of new writing.
-----
Deep Breath. In... out.... Okay, let's do it.
First, a point of order. I'm going to set a time of 10pm Eastern as my update time every day. Anything I write in the morning will be set with a time delay until that evening, so that I can continue to edit the post until that time. Anything I write after 10pm will go into the next day's stuff.
Now onto the actual composition. My biggest decision was whether to do this in 1st person or 3rd person. I chose 3rd person, but a very limited and internal third person. Still, it gives me to option to do other POVs if necessary. Like in this prologue.
-----
Not a bad start, for my first day. I'm satisfied with what I've written, although I must admit, I'm itching to go back and edit what I've done so far. I will resist the temptation, though. You've got to understand, this is more raw and unfinished than I've ever let anyone read. Usually I edit almost as I write, paying attention to both language and content, but I don't think I'll be able to reach my goal if I do that. There will be plenty of time later to obsess over word choice.
The prologue was invented entirely on the spot. I picked Merona's POV because it sounded right, and threw her out into a snowy night to see what happened. I think I learned a lot about her character just by watching how she acted, faced with this crisis. I like how she turned out. I pretty much finished her part this morning.
The Lowell POV came about during my lunch hour. I revised the last paragraph of Merona's section and shifted the POV to someone else, who gave a few tidbits of information about the culture. I just liked the idea of this seemingly dead girl coming to life in his arms and scaring the bejeezus out of him. This is the section that needs the most work, in my opinion, but it can wait.
I've only barely begun the events of chapter one. These have been percolating in my head for years... at least four years, which is when the early bits of this story first came to me. This is the scene that almost convinced me to write in first person, but I think the third person narration has been strong so far. I'm ending at a place where I could keep going if I wanted, which should make it that much easier to begin again tomorrow morning.
Today's Total: 1,762 words
Progress to Date: 1,762 / 1,689 words (104.3%)
Total Progress: 1,762 / 52,347 words (3.4%)
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