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%)