Well, I haven't been successful at the blogging every day thing, but I will give myself props for blogging three times in the past week. That's like...a record for me these days. (g) Especially given that I haven't blogged since MAY. :)
The title of this post says it all. I am in...outlining...flowchart...don't know what you call it exactly...hell. I realized very quickly this week that the problems I've often complained about in the middle of FI were NEVER fixed, and that essentially I had to address them now or I'd be forever rowing in circles with this book. It's so funny! I can't tell you the number of times I've looked at this section, the number of times I thought I had it JUST RIGHT...and yeah, it was NEVER right. I simply kept skating over the issue. In essence, hoping the dang book would fix itself as I went through pass after pass.
Uh yeah...not quite.
So instead of the writing I was hoping to get in, I've had to put the brakes on and head back to the basics.
But but but...I think I've finally had a breakthrough! Sadly, it means cutting a couple of scenes I absolutely love. :( The good news is that with the changes I'm making -- some basic reordering of scenes -- the tension level should get a nice little boost.
I'm trying to see the positives.
1. Essentially the first 1/3rd of the book is set in stone and won't see any of the ripples these changes will send out.
2. I have four scenes on the chopping block right now--and they may not all remain there. If I can salvage them, you bet your bottom I will.
3. Character motivations are much clearer with scenes laid out in this new order. It may cause them to be a bit less sympathetic, but they're definitely true to who they are and what forces drive them to act. And yeah, maybe readers will finish this book a little ambivalent about who they're cheering for, but alas, don't you love a comeback story? Yeah, me too. :)
4. I'm THAT much closer to getting to some actual writing, which I'm now itching to do in a major way.
So yes...progress, though not the kind I had intended to have by now.
That said -- tomorrow I'm going to go back through my proposed changes...write up a chart of just what I want to happen, and basically see if it all still makes sense in the light of day. Cross your fingers for me! Hopefully I'll keep working in my dreams and wake up ready to pound this puppy out. :)
1 comment:
Go Jen Go!
It's great to see you back in the game and hope you jump in with both feet soon - best way would be to post a snip or two on the forum, no? *she said, in a suggestive voice...*
(word verification: bogroft. Now there's a word!)
Post a Comment