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%)