Read through completed...
So, I've read through the WIP. The most recent writing done to it seems to stand out as better than the earlier writing. That's a good sign. By no means is there anything worth showing to a beta reader yet, but that I can see some improvement is good.
One thing I noticed was the contrast between my complete re-write of the opening chapter from the rest of the book. The new opening really seems to work well in establishing some of the main characters and the structure of the novel itself.
The downside of this is I have the feeling I'm going to need to scrap all the rest of the WIP that was written prior to this revised opening. The characters in the later (though written earlier) chapters don't feel right to me. Plus, since the actual writing of a story often brings about changes that range from subtle tweaks to tear it down and rebuild it reconstructions, some of what happens, or more importantly: who is present at these events, or who is now causing them, has changed.
So, I'm looking at scrapping a good 30,000 pages words.
Aside from this, I also did a complete re-read of my Notes file for this book. That was quite entertaining and amusing. My notes files range from concrete ideas to a bunch of what if tangents. Some gems in there, and a lot of clunkers. Thankfully most of the bad stuff never even made it to the page. I guess sometimes I need to jot the bad ideas down just as much as the good ideas to get them out of the way.
Aside from my re-read I've been working on the new subplot idea. It's actually a part B to the existing subplot and throws another character's story arc into a real loop (which is a good thing).
Sometimes people need to learn that they can't control prophecies. Even the ones they fabricate themselves.
Lots of work to be done. And the rest of what's written to be re-written but with a clearer focus. The story as a whole is much clearer now. Huge stumbling blocks have been either solved or cracked open enough to see that a resolution is close.
A major one was put to bed last night (one of the positive side effects of the day job having me work in the middle of the night on occasion). And the solution was so simple, so smack me upside the head obvious I'm amazed that it never occurred to me before.
Now, back to writing the darn thing, hopefully this weekend. Another night where the day job turns into an all-nighter tonight. Then to the gym tomorrow night for my personal assessment test to see what I need so I can set up a proper workout routine. Haven't been in a gym in 20 years. I know I'm going to be sore. But hey, I plan on using all the creative ways of complaining to my advantage when it comes to writing some of the forced march scenes later and the aches and pains it will put some of my characters through.
Everything in a writers life (even an amateur, aspiring one) is useful fodder for a story.
One thing I noticed was the contrast between my complete re-write of the opening chapter from the rest of the book. The new opening really seems to work well in establishing some of the main characters and the structure of the novel itself.
The downside of this is I have the feeling I'm going to need to scrap all the rest of the WIP that was written prior to this revised opening. The characters in the later (though written earlier) chapters don't feel right to me. Plus, since the actual writing of a story often brings about changes that range from subtle tweaks to tear it down and rebuild it reconstructions, some of what happens, or more importantly: who is present at these events, or who is now causing them, has changed.
So, I'm looking at scrapping a good 30,000 pages words.
Aside from this, I also did a complete re-read of my Notes file for this book. That was quite entertaining and amusing. My notes files range from concrete ideas to a bunch of what if tangents. Some gems in there, and a lot of clunkers. Thankfully most of the bad stuff never even made it to the page. I guess sometimes I need to jot the bad ideas down just as much as the good ideas to get them out of the way.
Aside from my re-read I've been working on the new subplot idea. It's actually a part B to the existing subplot and throws another character's story arc into a real loop (which is a good thing).
Sometimes people need to learn that they can't control prophecies. Even the ones they fabricate themselves.
Lots of work to be done. And the rest of what's written to be re-written but with a clearer focus. The story as a whole is much clearer now. Huge stumbling blocks have been either solved or cracked open enough to see that a resolution is close.
A major one was put to bed last night (one of the positive side effects of the day job having me work in the middle of the night on occasion). And the solution was so simple, so smack me upside the head obvious I'm amazed that it never occurred to me before.
Now, back to writing the darn thing, hopefully this weekend. Another night where the day job turns into an all-nighter tonight. Then to the gym tomorrow night for my personal assessment test to see what I need so I can set up a proper workout routine. Haven't been in a gym in 20 years. I know I'm going to be sore. But hey, I plan on using all the creative ways of complaining to my advantage when it comes to writing some of the forced march scenes later and the aches and pains it will put some of my characters through.
Everything in a writers life (even an amateur, aspiring one) is useful fodder for a story.