I know it's very premature to even think of a third book seeing as how I am still editing the first. I couldn't help but come up with a few ideas for what will be the third in my series however and I am outlining this one as well. For all I know it may not become anything, but I have a feeling it will. It will be a story that shifts focus a little from my main character to a character that was supposed to be a only have a supporting role. While writing the first book, the character took on a life of her own and became more than I could have ever imagined and I am very happy that she did. She will become a main and even, at times, a leading player in the second book and very much so in the third. I will not be developing her very much in the 2nd installment, however she will see some much deserved fan service in the third. It will focus on her life and the path she took to where she will be soon be and the friendship that she has managed to forge with my protagonist.
All of this is very exciting for me and I am so pleased with the fact that I am still able to come up with what I feel are terrific ideas for these characters as I have found myself getting closer to them. While I could have ended their story in the first book, I am glad I chose to keep things going as I've discovered many of them still have a lot to say.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Life is Sweet
Been staying up a bit later than normal. Trying to figure out why. Could also be that I am doing other things rather than writing. I wouldn't say it's a distraction, but it has drawn my attention from my routine which is not all bad. Maybe it's good that I am taking a step back from the book for a little bit so that I am not drowning in it, although I doubt I would.
I did manage to come up with a new idea. I had originally thought to retire the characters, seeing as how the ending could have been seen as a terrific and logical closure point. However, should the book take off, I have a feeling people will become attached to them and possibly want more. I am outlining the idea now and seeing where it takes me. The plot which I was thinking about for the last few days is pretty intense. The overall idea would have my main character stepping back into his past and exploring his decisions which ultimately led him to where he is today. It's a somewhat introspective look, taking aim at the butterfly affect and making people think about making one decision over another. As most of us have thought about at least a few times in our lives, the character thinks about how different his life would be had he chosen one seemingly simple path over another. It would be something as small as choosing to go out with friends one night or something as pivotal a taking one major opportunity over another. He is eventually given the choice to relive his past and with that, facing the prospects of a very different future.
Given the chance, would any of us make different choices in our lives? I feel overwhelmingly the answer would be yes. However, I think given ample time to take all things into consideration, most of us may back away from that choice and ultimately choose to stay where we are today. We all have regrets, some of us more than others and for fewer still, regrets so painful we'd do just about anything to go back and relive our lives. I have had parent's tell me that they'd want to go back and wait a few more years to have their kids or to have their children with a different person. Many don't realize if that change is made, it could have dramatic affects on other things currently in their lives, some positive and some negative. I was speaking on the phone to a friend of mine and i posed a question to her. She has children and I told her if she was faced with the painful choice of saving one child over another, what child would she choose and based on that decision, could she then live the rest of her life with that choice? As I am sure you are already thinking, it's a nearly impossible choice. To force a parent to choose one child over another is not only cruel, but for most, unfathomable. Sadly, there have been situations where a parent has been forced into making that choice. Obviously, this choice is usually made under an extreme amount of stress as saving the life of one person and damning that of another isn't something any of us would ever wish on anyone else.
In this idea, I am posing that question and forcing someone to make a similar choice. For some, this idea may damage the character while for others it will show a very human side to them. I think ultimately it will show that while reliving life and making different decisions may seem like the greatest thing in the world, it may not always be a viable answer. As a way of thinking about it, pose these various questions to yourself. Would you have chosen a different person to be with or marry? Would you have chosen one job over another? Would you have chosen to take that road trip out of town knowing that tragedy was waiting for you around the corner, while at the same time knowing that if you did change that decision, you would never have met the person who is now most dear to you in your life? Again, I volunteer that these questions are impossible to answer for most of us. It all leads back to that heart-retching question...would you choose that other child's life over the other if given that second chance? Would you choose to let someone else die if it meant saving the life of the other if you had a chance to relive that moment...
It's one hell of an idea. Thought provoking and almost unimaginable...but I am going to explore it.
I did manage to come up with a new idea. I had originally thought to retire the characters, seeing as how the ending could have been seen as a terrific and logical closure point. However, should the book take off, I have a feeling people will become attached to them and possibly want more. I am outlining the idea now and seeing where it takes me. The plot which I was thinking about for the last few days is pretty intense. The overall idea would have my main character stepping back into his past and exploring his decisions which ultimately led him to where he is today. It's a somewhat introspective look, taking aim at the butterfly affect and making people think about making one decision over another. As most of us have thought about at least a few times in our lives, the character thinks about how different his life would be had he chosen one seemingly simple path over another. It would be something as small as choosing to go out with friends one night or something as pivotal a taking one major opportunity over another. He is eventually given the choice to relive his past and with that, facing the prospects of a very different future.
Given the chance, would any of us make different choices in our lives? I feel overwhelmingly the answer would be yes. However, I think given ample time to take all things into consideration, most of us may back away from that choice and ultimately choose to stay where we are today. We all have regrets, some of us more than others and for fewer still, regrets so painful we'd do just about anything to go back and relive our lives. I have had parent's tell me that they'd want to go back and wait a few more years to have their kids or to have their children with a different person. Many don't realize if that change is made, it could have dramatic affects on other things currently in their lives, some positive and some negative. I was speaking on the phone to a friend of mine and i posed a question to her. She has children and I told her if she was faced with the painful choice of saving one child over another, what child would she choose and based on that decision, could she then live the rest of her life with that choice? As I am sure you are already thinking, it's a nearly impossible choice. To force a parent to choose one child over another is not only cruel, but for most, unfathomable. Sadly, there have been situations where a parent has been forced into making that choice. Obviously, this choice is usually made under an extreme amount of stress as saving the life of one person and damning that of another isn't something any of us would ever wish on anyone else.
In this idea, I am posing that question and forcing someone to make a similar choice. For some, this idea may damage the character while for others it will show a very human side to them. I think ultimately it will show that while reliving life and making different decisions may seem like the greatest thing in the world, it may not always be a viable answer. As a way of thinking about it, pose these various questions to yourself. Would you have chosen a different person to be with or marry? Would you have chosen one job over another? Would you have chosen to take that road trip out of town knowing that tragedy was waiting for you around the corner, while at the same time knowing that if you did change that decision, you would never have met the person who is now most dear to you in your life? Again, I volunteer that these questions are impossible to answer for most of us. It all leads back to that heart-retching question...would you choose that other child's life over the other if given that second chance? Would you choose to let someone else die if it meant saving the life of the other if you had a chance to relive that moment...
It's one hell of an idea. Thought provoking and almost unimaginable...but I am going to explore it.
Monday, January 10, 2011
A Stroke of Luck - Chapter 1
Editing has begun and I almost feel bad for my proofer as she has read the first 5 chapters and now may be asked to reread them. Hope she doesn't mind because chapter 1 is getting a makeover. I've given it a slightly different feel as I now know exact how my story should flow. I've also retitled the chapter "A Stroke of Luck" as you can tell. One recurrence within the book is its musical theme. I am not referring to it as a book based on music or a novel in which people constantly sing because that might get pretty boring. It will have some musical influences which just a few chapters will will make itself well known. In several instances, I am using chapter titles named after songs. I am planning on having an acknowledgments page listing all of the musical influences so that I may properly credit them all, although in most instances it shouldn't be necessary. I could probably site Fair Use, but I like to give credit where credit is do given that they have inspired me to write this story in the first place. While they will not receive any direct compensation from this work, I would still like to offer them a tip of the hat, and I am sure they wouldn't mind being mentioned being as it may assist their record sales.
Back to editing, I have a long day ahead of me.
Back to editing, I have a long day ahead of me.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Editing to Begin Monday
Planning on editing starting tomorrow. I have a proofer reading right now, but she is getting delays by other events in her life, so I will proceed with editing so that I can keep my schedule moving. She's already provided some good feedback on the first five chapters. While errors have been minimal, I do admit I may have missed them since I tend to skim over my own work rather than actually read it. I am trying to correct that so I can become more effective in self analysis. I know i need to strengthen some relationships in the story and also provide a better introduction into chapter 5.
If anyone is at all interested, I do have PDFs available. I am also looking to prepare a living document that while not editable, will accept the addition of notes and it will be based off of the Word 2010 format. To provide for ease of reading and editing, I originally wrote the book using double spacing. I prefer this method as it helps me separate certain parts of the book along with making the sentences not look as if they are running together.
In the coming weeks, I will try to setup photography time so that I can begin exploring various cover options and maybe even include a picture of myself on the "back" of the book. Right now I can only imagine that the book will be digital, but based on how well accepted it is at my college, I may try and make a connection with a traditional publishing house.
If anyone is at all interested, I do have PDFs available. I am also looking to prepare a living document that while not editable, will accept the addition of notes and it will be based off of the Word 2010 format. To provide for ease of reading and editing, I originally wrote the book using double spacing. I prefer this method as it helps me separate certain parts of the book along with making the sentences not look as if they are running together.
In the coming weeks, I will try to setup photography time so that I can begin exploring various cover options and maybe even include a picture of myself on the "back" of the book. Right now I can only imagine that the book will be digital, but based on how well accepted it is at my college, I may try and make a connection with a traditional publishing house.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Chapter 28
In an epic all night writing performance, I was able to finish the final chapter of my book. The last chapter took much longer than I first anticipated and it went a lot longer than I thought it would, but it was worth the time and effort to get it finished. So to say it simply, the first draft of the book is in fact finally done.
Editing will begin in the next couple of days as i am sure a handful of chapters could definitely use it. I am currently creating PDFs as I have a few people who are excited to take a look at my work. I hope they aren't terribly disappointed as I know my first draft will not look all that pretty. The main idea, characters, story, plot twists, are all there, but there might be a few minor loose ends that i forgot to tie up...which is why i am happy to have readers willing to do a little proofing for me.
Having been up for way too long, now I will rest.
Editing will begin in the next couple of days as i am sure a handful of chapters could definitely use it. I am currently creating PDFs as I have a few people who are excited to take a look at my work. I hope they aren't terribly disappointed as I know my first draft will not look all that pretty. The main idea, characters, story, plot twists, are all there, but there might be a few minor loose ends that i forgot to tie up...which is why i am happy to have readers willing to do a little proofing for me.
Having been up for way too long, now I will rest.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Chapter 27
Damn, this one was hard and it will need some revision, especially color-wise. I stepped out of my comfort zone of dialog heavy writing and tried like hell to describe a very intense and dramatic scene. It was hard and I know it doesn't sound great right now, but I am glad to have gotten through it. I am sure in the coming weeks when i revise it, I can add a lot more to it and make is sound more like my style. I make a real effort to not use any dialog in this chapter, wanting to try and focus on the raw emotion of descriptive writing. I hope I was able to pull it off. I will know soon enough.
Last chapter is being written right now. I think this one will be much easier as I am just letting the words flow out without thinking about style. I am sure there will be a lot of dialog and it will be a recapping of sorts. Will also being tying up all the loose ends and bringing things to a close. It's been an adventure and I hope that the world will at least appreciate my efforts in all this.
Last chapter is being written right now. I think this one will be much easier as I am just letting the words flow out without thinking about style. I am sure there will be a lot of dialog and it will be a recapping of sorts. Will also being tying up all the loose ends and bringing things to a close. It's been an adventure and I hope that the world will at least appreciate my efforts in all this.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Chapter 26
It's done. I pushed myself to work on it and I got it done. I already know how I will begin the final chapter. Not looking to do a huge style change, but the dialog will be lighter.
I was worried that I would be able to write 26 the way i wanted to, but it came out OK. Revisions are already in the works to get the kinks ironed out, but overall it was terrific; clocking in at 36 pages and the longest and largest chapter in the book. I may start chapter 27 tonight, but first I need a meal. Hunger headaches are not good.
I was worried that I would be able to write 26 the way i wanted to, but it came out OK. Revisions are already in the works to get the kinks ironed out, but overall it was terrific; clocking in at 36 pages and the longest and largest chapter in the book. I may start chapter 27 tonight, but first I need a meal. Hunger headaches are not good.
Recorded Butterflies
This chapter (26) is kicking my butt. I admit it, this is a little tough. It's the next to the last chapter of my novel and it's not at all easy to write. As I have been writing, I have been editing it because certain things have to be just perfect or the story loses it's direction. For awhile there I was just pouring words out and it was working well. I am already 32 pages into this chapter (I Knew it was going to be long) and I am trying to tie things up nice and neat, but I am having trouble determining where and when I want things to happen. It's a little more dialog heavy than I was expecting and I am looking to finish it off with minimal conversation between characters. I think I have got them in the position I need them to be in, now I just have to write my way to the climax which will be unseen and a complete surprise. I think i am just 2-4 pages from the end, but I have made a solemn promise to myself that I am not going to close it or walk away till I have it done. I generally don't like working with deadlines, but when it came to school, for some reason I did my best work when pressured with one. I am not sleeping till it's finished.
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