Category Archives: Developing novel

A pre-natal and baby book of sorts

Where to Start Cutting Words From Your Novel

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The conversion of this blog post and this novel was the motivation for my recent purge of words.

The impressively quick process of cutting gives me great hope and excitement that (once I’ve reviewed my second half well enough to cut it similarly mercilessly) I’ll be in completely “normal” teritory on my word-count.

What neither motivating source gave me, however, was hints or guidelines about where to look to begin cutting.

I’m down over 10,000 words since I started seriously cutting two days ago: setting word-count at 116,486 as I dive into the second half of my story.

Please, no snarky comments about how cheap my work must be to cut so much so quickly.  A big part of being able to do this was

  1. My *blah* over the many-but-unenriching words in Magyk
  2. The familiarity-with-distance that I had from (relatively) recent revision, allowing me to be certain of content without the seductive re-reading that creates the certainty these words must be read by everyone.

So here is my contribution to the discussion, for whatever it’s worth.

Things these last two days have taught me about good words to cut:

  • If the majority of a passage is “character development” or explaining something to the reader, I just need better/clearer writing in a different spot– not 700 words here.
    • Blue will always be blue when you see in in the light– it doesn’t matter how much of it you see.  In the same way, Runa will always present as Runa, as long as I know who she is and present that.
      • She is not the main character, so if her inner life is a little less-explored, I will be forgiven.
  • If the main event of a passage can be explained in a sentence– and that information can be inserted with fewer words elsewhere– that would be a good idea.
    • From my notes:
      • Cut the long conversation on the way back from the first fight (End of scene 42).  Somewhere else need to make clear:
        • Ivan adores Linnea
        • On the strength of his love for her she wrings a promise not to use magic for a time
  • If watching a scene creates more questions (that require more words to answer) about something outside the main action, cutting is a gift to yourself: you are reducing your to-do list.
  • If you see something distinctly outside of your pattern (in my case it was switching POV within a chapter– only four out of 50+ scenes had this) prime material for cutting is before you.
    • By the same rule I am currently prevented from cutting what I feel are a couple weaker scenes, simply because their disappearance would break the rhythm that has been giving structure to the whole up till now.
      • This will probably warrant “professional help.”  Unless my test-readers think more of it that I do.  But I find that hard to imagine.
  • If the result is more important than the process (be honest: sometimes you’re only getting from point A to point B), see if you can just jump-cut to point B.  Trust that your readers (who were just shown how much the character needs to leave point A) will make the leap with you.

These are the reasons behind my current flurry of slicing.  The fact I’ve been forced to fallow the novel several weeks helps too, I’ll admit.

Any more ideas from the audience?  What kind of suggestions can you extrapolate from that book or movie (or mss) that wouldn’t *end*?

Cut 6,000 words

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And it was relatively easy.  I wanted to do more, but found it was easier to see what was unnecessary in the first half that I had rehashed already.

I trust I’ll be able to do it in the second half once it’s done.

Life’s been full.  That’s what blog-silence is supposed to say.

I’ve been without my laptop for weeks now, which means no quick grab-and-go moments with a laptop in the evenings since I have to coordinate sharing with Jay’s.

And since I’ve got enough other things to do that I don’t have much reason to wrestle him for it.

I’ve gotten my first 5-weeks of lesson plans drawn up, which is quite a feat that I am very proud of.  I’ve been finding all sorts of treasures at the used-book stores for school, and a few for me (Ranger’s Apprentice #4, for example, after I picked up #3 with a gift card).

And after looking at Delicious Library 2 I totally want a Mac. (I’ve wanted one for it’s lit keyboard too.  I’m totally fickle about platforms. I don’t *love* either one– I just want really specific things– like being able to type in a dark room and being able to track where I’ve put what books.)

Jay pointed out Dell finally has an illuminated keyboard.  Does anyone know a home-library program for PC that will track what I box I put each book into?

Anyway, I’ve got grand plans for the start of school, and continuing my novel and reading these fabulous finds I’ve collected… all to be enjoyed more fully when I’m not so tired.

With as painless as that major cutting was, I’m really looking forward to finishing the second half and seeing if I can do it again.  I’ll be in almost-normal territory by then. If you’re talking length, like I am.

Still Chipping Away

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I’ve officially made it to the half-way mark.  Yay me.

More accurately, Yay God for providing the people who share my world and my kids.

I’ve worked on my novel on the mornings my children play with friends, and in the evenings I’ve been continuing to get ready for school.

(Starting on the 17th of August.  Clock’s ticking.)

One element of preparation has been to work out a schedule, and toward that end I’ve been working my way through the MOTH workbook.  This morning I officially *finished* assembling a (mathematically) workable schedule.

I have made schedules before, and they didn’t “work” for me, but based on how useful I found WW– despite it not actually offering any new information– I figured a very basic, highly structured approach could also be useful.

Best as I can evaluate so far, it has been.  I’m looking at something that seems possible, that I’ll only have to implement half of for at least a month.

The interesting thing about this workbook is how it guides you to begin by listing “What God wants you to accomplish in a day.”  This starts things out with a proper perspective, and keeps my to-do desire  in perspective.

Since we know that God prepares the work he has for us to do, and that he prepares us for the work, there is in my mind the settled assurance that everything He wants me to do for Him (and it’s all to be done as to the Lord, right?) will fit.

With the focused use of time, I can interact individually with my children, and (at least) begin teaching those things I’d be disappointed if I didn’t try for.  I also have a slot for writing each day and for maintaining my home.

Those slots may become somewhat interchangeable if I can prove to myself that maintenance is possible with less devotion, but for now the fact that I can have a sacred hour every day should make it easier to do home-keeping first.

~ ~ ~

Moving into the second half of the novel, I am going to be meeting “younger” work than I have revised in years. And while I console myself by saying these “first-draft” additions are probably already at the 3rd- or 4th- revision level (if I could compare their quality to my first-first draft), they still are very young and un-tried.

So I have to expect the process to be slower.

Still, I am excited, because I now have a level of comfort that I won’t need to abandon the writing altogether, making it easier to spread my focus out as I continue to prepare for school.

I know how to move slowly; I just don’t want to stop moving.

And here we come back to knowing what God wants of one, and trusting that he will provide a way to obey.

I know God wants me to write this story.  I do not know yet if He wants it published, but I know I have to be responsible for my own obedience, whatever He plans to do with it.

The Best Laid Plans…

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My computer is now en route to Dell for Doctoring.

Jay transferred my e-mail and Firefox to a stick that I am able to work off of, but apparently my novel and related documents (including the most-current version of my novel) are on a different stick that has been misplaced.

This has only served to be yet another strand between me and finishing my novel.

Before school starts, that is.

And if I don’t finish before school starts it will most-certainly be shelved until we get into our new routine (she said determinedly).

I have chosen a very demanding, high teacher-involvement course of study, and have determined (as a sort of shaping criterion) that I’d rather not have regrets.  So I’m planning in terms of What will I *wish* I had done?

Which, granted, is still very embryonic– since I’m not yet sure how I’ll implement everything I’d want to do.

This last month (June) has been very educational for me:

  • I’ve learned my life can be full enough to push out writing
    • I joined Weight Watchers. Relearning how to cook will fill a lot of your life.
  • I’ve learned I can put writing on hold
  • I’ve learned I can return, albeit with less passion and *need* to immerse myself to the exclusion of my world.
    • This could be good or bad, depending on your goals, but for where I’m at it is good, because “holding loosely” needs to be the MO for this season of my life, and when inclination seconds necessity, I rejoice.

I think all these things were preparation for homeschooling beginning for real next month.

Yes, Fairbanksans begin school in August. It means being done with first semester before Christmas, and out for summer in May.  This is good because, while “newness” will keep kids inside for the sunny days of August, there’s not much can keep Alaskan kids focused once the snow starts melting.

Anyway, one day to not have access is a relief in one way: I can focus on non-writing miscellanea for a bit, and fully focusing on the approaching life-change.

I feel like I’m pregnant again.

Not physically, but mentally.

I’m preparing for an utterly new stage that I simply could not accommodate before– but then, I didn’t need to before.

I am most certainly nesting. Preparing.  And it’s hard not to give in to Natasha’s and Melody’s entreaties to begin early.

But I am determined to wait until I’m as ready as I can be: all texts here, their timing lined out, and the reality check of instruction-hours vs. available hours completed before it runs us over, incapacitating or maiming us in its Joule-like enthusiasm.

If I can’t find the document stick today Jay will bring home a copy of my Lindorm folder from work.  He mirrored my drive before removing my personal stuff and sending it with the laptop off to Dell.

I’m sure my peaceful blandness about the project will be quickly dissolved tomorrow with the opportunity to work uninterrupted.  (The children will be playing with one of their adopted aunties all morning.) “If it is the Lord’s will,” I still think the novel could be ready for its testers before August, but I can’t stress about it any more.

I’ve got more important things to focus on. :)

Round Two Tomorrow

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So the silence is not deceptive I will say it: I have not been writing or reading.

I have been tending to real life: Primarily, learning a new way of cooking and eating, secondarily managing my household and planning for school come fall.

I have started a few books, but not continued them because that instinct to stay only with what will delight me (also known as what I wish to be like) has made it easy to let them go uncompleted.  I do have a queue now, waiting for my attention, for various reasons (though any of these could be thrown aside for reasons as fickle the most recent).

In The Ill-Formed Mute I encountered what I’ve only heard of to this point: a fantasy assuming an adult audience, and stretching that audience for all their brains and patience are worth.

The story was all about setting (which, for my just-get-to-the-story self required discipline to stick with as long as I did), and set-up.  I could see the purpose of all of it, but it was far too distracting to actually get lost in the story.  I’d start to lose myself, then the author would use a $25 word that reminded me I was reading.

She did have deliciously original similes though, and some original ideas that the flap-copy somewhat ruined the suspense of (such is life for us long-story tellers).

Anyway, tomorrow Jay’s giving me the day to write again– splitting the kids’ day with a family friend. I’ve done one scene since last time when I got through a quarter of the novel in the *Whole. Day.*

Continue reading »

Fun Observation

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I’ve been tossing my first chapter around for feedback (shameless begging for encouragement) as I wrestle further into my “final” read through before sending to my last round of readers and this is one comment I got back:

This chapter is full of tension and intrigue even though the only real action is a woman stumbling around and a man digging a hole.

And I laughed, because I’d never seen it that simply laid out.

Thank you to all my repeat-volunteers to read the manuscript.  I feel honored that you would be willing to plunge back in after your (already thoughtful and thorough) investment.

My High and far off [goal], O Best Beloved, is to have the “finished” product distributed by the second week of July.  Sooner will be a bonus, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

Latest Summary

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When a feud among Djinn spills into the realm of Men, a teen-aged single mother stumbles into the middle of it all and finds more than the happy part of fairy tales can become real.

Jay’s got the kids.  It’s just me and the dog today.

She keeps reminding me she’d like the kids’ attention– rather than the computer getting it.

Finished Again.

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I feel silly saying that.  But proud too.

My next step is to read-through everything in as few sittings as possible, to check continuity.  One of my birthday presents this year was several gift certificates for “vacation days” from Jay.  I told him tonight I’d like to ring one of those in to try and work the book in one sitting.

After that I’ll be sending the critter to another round of readers (I have two generous people who’ve volunteered to repeat.  Any other takers?), possibly including the “high-stakes” people I avoided last round– those who intimidate me a bit more– just because I need the feedback and they’ve indicated a willingness.

Pre-cleaned version is at 125,180.  And that feels quite spectacular to me.  I expected higher, but am thankful to be this low.

May cut it a bit more before sending it to the readers; that will depend on whether I can scare up one or two more THADs.

If I ever get famous enough I could do a version with the half-dozen+ “cut scenes” included– it definately makes the story more complex.  But as long as the story hangs together (Please God) I will be content with this version.

7 Quick-Takes (Vol. 10)

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Another brain-dump thanks to Jenn’s lovely idea at Conversion Diary.

Enough on my mind I did two this week (another one at Family News)

~ ~ 1 ~ ~

The novel.  I am closer and closer.  It’s constantly on my mind– almost like nesting.  Which I hate, in theory.

~ ~ 2 ~ ~

Someday I want to write down what I’ve been describing as the “math” of the story.  This is composed of several elements, but math just seems like the best word so far:

  • The way each event after the inciting event needs to be precipitated by something that came before (nothing is random in a well-done story)
  • The weaving of view points, physical (story) location, and story lines to maintain or increase tension
  • The awareness of time and space as part of the storylogic.

~ ~ 3 ~ ~

Love it and can’t use it–So onto the blog it goes.

This moment takes place before the scene (in the final version) actually starts– so it won’t appear in the novel.

Kennett felt the blood stop flowing to his hand as they saw a silhouette rise between them and the fire. Torbjorn had clasped his arm, for the figure approaching was obviously female. And unaccompanied.

It’s the moment the brothers have been hunkered down and waiting for– thinking they’ll collect more information about the kidnapped wife, and now it appears she herself is being sent toward their hiding place.

It doesn’t really work as a scene any more, because it was written in the traditional light/darkness cycle farther from the arctic circle, and I’m telling you no one is walking about in the dark of June.  Especially since the closest you find is going to be between 1 and 3 a.m.

~ ~ 4 ~ ~

I have a bunch of cassettes I’ve been picking up from thrift stores and I’m working at “digitizing” them now– recording them onto the computer so that I can snip them into individual songs and have (legal) digital copies to mix and make playlists on my iPod.

Cassettes are 50-cents, so buying one for a single song is much better than a $4 CD (For that I’ll buy by the song alone) and *fabulous* when I like multiple songs.

(I’ve mentioned before I create playlists that capture a character’s personality throughout its evolution.  Usually on YouTube, because it’s free, but lately– especially as the songs most important to me have become unavailable– I’ve begun buying them.)

~ ~ 5 ~ ~

Picked up the 10th Anniversary “special edition” Pride and Predudice BBC production + how-we-did-it book for $5.50 Tuesday.  Watched my favorite scenes from the 2005 version to compare styles.

There’s a point when Darcy comes to visit Elizabeth and makes a comment about some women liking to be farther away from home/their mothers once they’re married.

“You for example, wouldn’t mind being so far from [home].”

And I couldn’t tell if it were a question or an observation, but I whooped, calling Jay over to listen to the line.

Before we were engaged (sometime in April, I believe) Jay asked me if I thought I could be happy anywhere but Fairbanks.  I went to my mom that same night and told her (in high anxiety) I expected a proposal soon. (“Are you sure you’re not just borrowing trouble?” she asked, and I told her his question.)

~

The funny part is that Jay was trying to feel me out for a proposal, but thought he was being so subtle and clever, trying to go under my radar.

Anyway, because of that event there was no subtle or casual way for me to read that observation of Darcy’s.

~ ~ 6 ~ ~

Trying to determine the level of PDA for my novel has been an interesting exercise.

Back when I was firmly resisting any idea of “seriousness” in my relationship with Jay, I always wondered if my parents cuddled more right before my visits with him in order to make me more wistful and willing to be snugly myself.

Because if that was their goal it worked.

~ ~ 7 ~ ~

Came across a new way of writing a teaser, and based on that (“First 25-pages”) model, this is what mine looks like (Sorry Becky for sending it to you already– I forgot I had 7QTF to set this out for.)

For my almost-finished (again) work, The Sarsé’s Lindorm:

When Linnea faces the grey-skinned man unearthing her father’s coffin, she has no idea it is about a knife. When Tykone uses that knife to attack a dragon-like snake, the lindorm, he has no idea he’s wounding a missing prince. And the perfect Prince Torbjorn, who believes he is to inherit the throne, has no idea when he dutifully goes off to wed his arranged bride that she might have to train Linnea to be queen in her place. The grey-skinned stranger guesses, only he has come North to leave behind the world of magic in the hot lands.

But evil magic has followed him—and under the unsetting sun of summer it will seek new entertainment. And revenge.

Naturally the reason I give it is for suggestions/feedback, so feel free to share your wisdom (or opinions, if that’s all you have to offer ;) ).

I really hate the word “revenge”.  I know it is a real and frequent motivator, but any time a read a description like the one I just gave you, I roll my eyes (feel free to tell me you didn’t).

Blessings on your day!

For more 7 Quick Takes visit Jen’s Conversion Diary

Other 7 Quick Takes on Untangling Tales