There's a type of series that are called Parallel Novels. Where the main character isn't consistent in all of the books. Where the setting and world details are the same, or the the worlds are all in the same galaxy. And the MC of one book is a secondary character in the other.
I am totally in love with the idea of these novels. I love series, and getting to know the world and characters better. I love parallel novels even more because I get to see more of the world and meet more of the characters. Not just the world according to one MC.
Sherrilyn Kenyon does parallel novels well. Her League and Dark Hunter books are excellent examples of novels with the same characters and world but with different people as Main Characters. Melissa Marr is also really good at parallel novels in her Wicked Lovely series.
In writing my book, I have developed an amazing world. At least I think so. I had two series planned one is four books with the MC of the first book and a second three books with the first MC's son. About a year ago I had an awesome idea for a scifi/steampunk YA adventure. I began to work on it in my head and jot down notes. Then I realized this was an extreme prequel to my series and was on the same world.
I refused to accept it for a long while. I almost felt it was cheating. But after a few months I realized that indeed it was the same world just hundreds of years in the past. Then I also realized that with this book I had an opportunity to create an amazing world and have a lot of fun with it.
Since then I have added another trilogy to this same world, and two stand alones. (at least in ideas and plotting out books) As the idea of the story became parallel instead of series, I became more excited. I also have a few novel ideas in an Urban Fantasy world. I'm excited to get working on them too.
So what makes it a parallel novel(s)?
Anchor characters and anchor worlds.
Anchor characters are a character that is seen in all of the novels. Or you might see a handful of characters throughout the books but there is always at least one.
In my Emergence world there are three main characters, one in each series/trilogy. But my anchor character(s) isn't one of them. He is a secondary character in all of the books though. He's a genius inventor and entrepreneur from Australia. He is the character that links all of the books together. I also created a character that although he is almost non existent in four of the books, (but is mentioned in a round about way) is a larger character in the others. He IS is the fix to a universal plot hole in all of the books.
Another type of parallel anchor is world or setting. If you have a world that is unique and interesting you might want to revisit it again and again with different characters.
While two of my series books and one stand alone in the "parallel universe" are based on Earth. The other trilogy/series, and the one extreme prequel is on another world.
In this way, everything is connected by either world or character and you get to enjoy many different places and characters as well as keep up on some old favorites.
Give them a try, I hope you decide you like them.
Showing posts with label Latent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latent. Show all posts
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Lessons Learned
At the moment, I am editing as well as drafting. While I am awaiting the release of my first tech suspense, I am writing a new YA scifi/steampunk, and editing the #2 book to the one being released this summer.
This sweep is probably the tenth or eleventh time I have gone over the book in preperation for it's submission to my publisher. I am down to the point where I am making tiny little adjustments. Adding or subtracting words, punctuation, rearranging sentences for clarity and deleting fluff. The major stuff is all done. Chapters added, plot holes fixed, character developement polished.
So yesterday I sat down and re-numbered my chapters. I will not be adding anything major to the MS and felt safe making sure they were all in order and no numbers were off.
This is where the little lesson comes in.
After I write the rough draft I take a seperate document and make a "master chapter outline". It's usually about four pages long and includes the chapter number, the "unofficial" title* of the chapter, the plot reasons for the chapter, and a short synopsis. *unofficial title: a word or short phrase that gives me a clue as to what the chapter is about. IE the begining chapter of soon to be released book is titled "blood". Have I intrigued you yet? LOL
THIS document is my lifeline for the duration of the story. I print a copy of it and paste it into my project notebook. I also take this notebook everywhere I go. If I have an idea or an epiphany it goes into this book.
Back to the chapter outline though.
As I re-numbered the chapters I found two problems. I'd written down two chapter entries for a chapter I eventually didn't split, so I had an extra number. I'd also forgotten to add in four chapters as I wrote them into the MS. So instead of 46 chapters I actually have 49. Talk about messing with my allready addled brain.
While this "master chapter outline" saves me TONS of time. (Being able to "see" the book in four pages.) Forgetting to add those chapters and not correcting the non-split, messed with my productivity and took almost an hour out of time I could have have been doing something else.
I am sure there were reasons, whether good or bad, that I didn't update my list. But I have learned my lesson. I will definitely not avoid updating on purpose again. I'd rather take a few minutes on occasion than hours fixing it later.
This method works for me. It might not work for you. But hey its worth trying anything once right?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Gasp!!!!!!
I actually wrote something last night. Gasp! Choke! Breathe deeply!
And it wasn't a synopsis or query. It was actually a MS.
Even better? It was my Nano project from last year! I have pulled out Latent and am getting it ready for a new round of critiques and editing.
Still not freewriting, but at least my muse isn't long gone.
And it wasn't a synopsis or query. It was actually a MS.
Even better? It was my Nano project from last year! I have pulled out Latent and am getting it ready for a new round of critiques and editing.
Still not freewriting, but at least my muse isn't long gone.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
First 250 words blogfest.
I'm so totally late!!! So Sorry! I've been up since early morning with fall allergies and I forgot to post.
This blogfest is from Elle Strauss. I thought it would be good to participate.
This is the first 240 (the next ten words would have made no sense w/o the next pararaph.) words from my WIP it is the second book to the one that is pollished and being sent out now.
The working title is Latent as in something lying latent within someone.
The blown sand stung at Antony’s exposed skin and imbedded itself in his shoulder-length brown hair. He stood at the top of the pyramid of Khufu; the wind howled and buffeted him like it didn’t want him standing there. As if it policed the area, and knew, just the act of climbing the pyramid in the middle of the night, was not allowed.
Five years ago, it wouldn’t have mattered. The former assassin would have balked in the face of the laws of the land, but that was a long time ago. Now, the Speaker, the Head Elders mouthpiece, wasn’t in the habit of breaking the rules. This is different, he justified as he pulled an old piece of paper out of his pocket.
Elite’s list was now worn and tattered. The folds almost ripped through, keeping the paper in his pocket for years made it dirty. He read it again; her delicate handwriting graced the page.
Be bound together forever. He smiled at the memory of the top item on the paper. Kneeling on the cold stone floor at sunrise, he held the hand of a woman who took the place of his deceased wife Elite. The High Elder, Sori Katsu, pronounced that Antony and Elite Danic were bound together forever with their son Lucius. The bonding performed the morning Antony left Natani, a confirmation that after five intense years as Katsu’s student, his time of penance was over.
This blogfest is from Elle Strauss. I thought it would be good to participate.
This is the first 240 (the next ten words would have made no sense w/o the next pararaph.) words from my WIP it is the second book to the one that is pollished and being sent out now.
The working title is Latent as in something lying latent within someone.
The blown sand stung at Antony’s exposed skin and imbedded itself in his shoulder-length brown hair. He stood at the top of the pyramid of Khufu; the wind howled and buffeted him like it didn’t want him standing there. As if it policed the area, and knew, just the act of climbing the pyramid in the middle of the night, was not allowed.
Five years ago, it wouldn’t have mattered. The former assassin would have balked in the face of the laws of the land, but that was a long time ago. Now, the Speaker, the Head Elders mouthpiece, wasn’t in the habit of breaking the rules. This is different, he justified as he pulled an old piece of paper out of his pocket.
Elite’s list was now worn and tattered. The folds almost ripped through, keeping the paper in his pocket for years made it dirty. He read it again; her delicate handwriting graced the page.
Be bound together forever. He smiled at the memory of the top item on the paper. Kneeling on the cold stone floor at sunrise, he held the hand of a woman who took the place of his deceased wife Elite. The High Elder, Sori Katsu, pronounced that Antony and Elite Danic were bound together forever with their son Lucius. The bonding performed the morning Antony left Natani, a confirmation that after five intense years as Katsu’s student, his time of penance was over.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hesitation, epithany, and the gift of inspiration
As many of you guys know I am a green stripe in Tang Soo Do testing to be a green #2 in a few weeks. I am also LDS.
A couple of days ago my hubby found a discussion on a very conservative LDS board about how evil martial arts are. He forwarded the discussion to me because he knew I would be interested. I read it and for a few minutes sat in shock. How could something that has been amazingly wonderful for me be seen as so evil by some.
I can see some of their points, some people who become involved in the art become disillusioned and tend to fall away from the church. That they begin to substitute the adversary's power for the priesthood and open themselves up to the bad influences that come with it.
This train of thought came to a dreadful realization for me, if people can think that this is bad, then the magic system (or power system) I have set up for my world and characters can be also perceived as evil by some. That is definately not what I want. Like I said I am LDS and live in Utah, I don't want something I write to be constrewed wrong. Granted some people are going to think badly of it inspite of every precaution I make. I can't controll that. But I can make sure that what I write is positive and good.
I spent many hours that morning in quiet contemplation over what I had read, what I had created in my book, and what I believe. Curtains drawn I sat at my computer and contemplated changing my entire second book. Then quietly in the silence of serious meditation it came to me as it always does.
In every magic system you create there has to be rules and consequences. Both good and bad. You can't have somebody just storming through your book creating either unending good or unending chaos. The reader is not going to buy it or your next book for that matter.
AND just like real life if there's a an evil side to something there has to be a good. God's laws are like that. So If my main character uses good powers. There must be a dark and bad side to emphasize the good. So if my MC is good, then I should give the opposite to my antagonist.
I sat back as a wave of relief washed over me and I realized that I had just recieved my answer. All I needed to do, is make my bad guy the opposite of my good guy and make the reader aware of how evil what my bad guy believes and practices is. (for those who are interested in what I am talking about, on the bad side, look up De' mauk.)
Simple and easy, at least the thought is.
Now I need to revise the whole book.
Sigh!
A couple of days ago my hubby found a discussion on a very conservative LDS board about how evil martial arts are. He forwarded the discussion to me because he knew I would be interested. I read it and for a few minutes sat in shock. How could something that has been amazingly wonderful for me be seen as so evil by some.
I can see some of their points, some people who become involved in the art become disillusioned and tend to fall away from the church. That they begin to substitute the adversary's power for the priesthood and open themselves up to the bad influences that come with it.
This train of thought came to a dreadful realization for me, if people can think that this is bad, then the magic system (or power system) I have set up for my world and characters can be also perceived as evil by some. That is definately not what I want. Like I said I am LDS and live in Utah, I don't want something I write to be constrewed wrong. Granted some people are going to think badly of it inspite of every precaution I make. I can't controll that. But I can make sure that what I write is positive and good.
I spent many hours that morning in quiet contemplation over what I had read, what I had created in my book, and what I believe. Curtains drawn I sat at my computer and contemplated changing my entire second book. Then quietly in the silence of serious meditation it came to me as it always does.
In every magic system you create there has to be rules and consequences. Both good and bad. You can't have somebody just storming through your book creating either unending good or unending chaos. The reader is not going to buy it or your next book for that matter.
AND just like real life if there's a an evil side to something there has to be a good. God's laws are like that. So If my main character uses good powers. There must be a dark and bad side to emphasize the good. So if my MC is good, then I should give the opposite to my antagonist.
I sat back as a wave of relief washed over me and I realized that I had just recieved my answer. All I needed to do, is make my bad guy the opposite of my good guy and make the reader aware of how evil what my bad guy believes and practices is. (for those who are interested in what I am talking about, on the bad side, look up De' mauk.)
Simple and easy, at least the thought is.
Now I need to revise the whole book.
Sigh!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Blog Maintainence Note. . .
I have added a playlist to this blog. This is the "soundtrack" to Emergence. The music I listen to as I write. It's on the sidebar and you have to click on it to play the music. (I don't like blogs that automatically play music.)
I will say some of it is hard music and if that isn't your style then you don't have to click on it. If your curious, I encourage you to listen.
Songs of note: Lean On Me by Limp Bizkit (not what you think) is particularly relevant "theme song" to Emergence. What I've Done by Linkin Park is the "theme song" for Latent, book #2. Dress by Buck Tic (Japanese music) is the song I just love to sit in my chair and write to.
Hope you enjoy.
I will say some of it is hard music and if that isn't your style then you don't have to click on it. If your curious, I encourage you to listen.
Songs of note: Lean On Me by Limp Bizkit (not what you think) is particularly relevant "theme song" to Emergence. What I've Done by Linkin Park is the "theme song" for Latent, book #2. Dress by Buck Tic (Japanese music) is the song I just love to sit in my chair and write to.
Hope you enjoy.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
If I Am A Writer. . .
Then why can't I write a romance?
I write science fiction. I love to sit down at my laptop and just let the words flow about my MC and his family. In fact what was once a two book "set" is now both a four book series and a three book trilogy with at least one companion book. They flow from my brain as if i opened a little door on my forehead.
When I started this whole mess I actually wrote a fantasy with some romance in it as my first book. I love the book and while it needs work, (don't all first books need work?) I will revisit the world of Amalathea again sometime, maybe even turn it into a series too. There are some characters in that story that I would love to explore thier lives.
It was actually the third book I wrote, "Dominion Day" that had shoved its way to the forefront of my brain PAST the safety glass and demanded that I tell its story first. So there I stand, Emergence is being edited as I type this and I am just waiting to finish it so I can re-submit it to the publisher I really desire. Then I have the rough of Latent #2 going through my crit group right now and books 3 and 4 plotted out waiting for that month of massive motivation so I can write them. I am also waiting a little to see how the big bad guy develops in book #1 because they are more prominent in books 3 and 4.
So if the sci/fi comes so easily to me and I have some awesome ideas for two romances, why can't I write them? What is it about romance VS sci/fi or fantasy for that matter that makes my brain literally shut off? My sci/fi and fantasy have romance, I am the queen, my readers tell me, at putting two characters together and having them fall in love. If I can do that surely I can write a simple boy meets girl fall in love romance. Right?
Except my romances aren't typical. One deals with Post Partum Phychosis and the after effects of that depression and a suicide attempt. The other deals with excaping an abusive marriage and finally fulfilling their dreams. Hmmmmmmmmm...... Perhaps that is why. Maybe the simple boy meets girl would be easier.
I write science fiction. I love to sit down at my laptop and just let the words flow about my MC and his family. In fact what was once a two book "set" is now both a four book series and a three book trilogy with at least one companion book. They flow from my brain as if i opened a little door on my forehead.
When I started this whole mess I actually wrote a fantasy with some romance in it as my first book. I love the book and while it needs work, (don't all first books need work?) I will revisit the world of Amalathea again sometime, maybe even turn it into a series too. There are some characters in that story that I would love to explore thier lives.
It was actually the third book I wrote, "Dominion Day" that had shoved its way to the forefront of my brain PAST the safety glass and demanded that I tell its story first. So there I stand, Emergence is being edited as I type this and I am just waiting to finish it so I can re-submit it to the publisher I really desire. Then I have the rough of Latent #2 going through my crit group right now and books 3 and 4 plotted out waiting for that month of massive motivation so I can write them. I am also waiting a little to see how the big bad guy develops in book #1 because they are more prominent in books 3 and 4.
So if the sci/fi comes so easily to me and I have some awesome ideas for two romances, why can't I write them? What is it about romance VS sci/fi or fantasy for that matter that makes my brain literally shut off? My sci/fi and fantasy have romance, I am the queen, my readers tell me, at putting two characters together and having them fall in love. If I can do that surely I can write a simple boy meets girl fall in love romance. Right?
Except my romances aren't typical. One deals with Post Partum Phychosis and the after effects of that depression and a suicide attempt. The other deals with excaping an abusive marriage and finally fulfilling their dreams. Hmmmmmmmmm...... Perhaps that is why. Maybe the simple boy meets girl would be easier.
Friday, November 13, 2009
One drafters VS Multi drafters
Just as there are plotters and seat of their pants (pansters) writers and levels between those two extremes. There are One drafters and Multi drafters, and all sorts of levels between these too.
Multidrafters write the rough draft and then proceed to write several other drafts before even thinking of editing it or sharing it with a group or friends. They will also think of a cool idea and rewrite the whole MS to accomodate said idea. The great thing about Multi's is that if they actually get it done, it should be awesome. The drawbacks, would be that they get so bogged down in re-writes they never finish.
One drafters on the other had write one draft and usually think it's pretty perfect. Often times they don't like to revise and instead of working to perfect a story they move on to the next idea and the story regardless of how awesome or not it is, never sees the light of day. The good thing about One's is if they actually put thier but down in a chair and suffer a little revision and editing the story should be awesome. The drawback is getting them to work on one idea long enough to prodouce a story that is ready to be seen by anyone.
I'm sure just as every writer is somewhere in between pansting and plotting they are also somewhere in between one and multi drafting.
The point of my story is this, I am a story structure panster and more of a one drafter then a multi but I know the benefit of good edits and revisions. Ask me to rewrite and my head might just roll off my shoulders and hide.
Two nights ago I had written about 900 words of some beautiful prose when my laptop freaked out and started to eat my MS letter by letter. I lost the whole 900 words and had some long moments of extreme frustration. Because I am a one drafter I was not able to reprodouce any of the origional prose and had to write something comepletely new. To be honest I am not as happy with it and I mourn the loss of those words. :(
I guess the moral of the story is, if your a one drafter and your computer has a tendency to do weird things, BACK UP your darn computer!
Multidrafters write the rough draft and then proceed to write several other drafts before even thinking of editing it or sharing it with a group or friends. They will also think of a cool idea and rewrite the whole MS to accomodate said idea. The great thing about Multi's is that if they actually get it done, it should be awesome. The drawbacks, would be that they get so bogged down in re-writes they never finish.
One drafters on the other had write one draft and usually think it's pretty perfect. Often times they don't like to revise and instead of working to perfect a story they move on to the next idea and the story regardless of how awesome or not it is, never sees the light of day. The good thing about One's is if they actually put thier but down in a chair and suffer a little revision and editing the story should be awesome. The drawback is getting them to work on one idea long enough to prodouce a story that is ready to be seen by anyone.
I'm sure just as every writer is somewhere in between pansting and plotting they are also somewhere in between one and multi drafting.
The point of my story is this, I am a story structure panster and more of a one drafter then a multi but I know the benefit of good edits and revisions. Ask me to rewrite and my head might just roll off my shoulders and hide.
Two nights ago I had written about 900 words of some beautiful prose when my laptop freaked out and started to eat my MS letter by letter. I lost the whole 900 words and had some long moments of extreme frustration. Because I am a one drafter I was not able to reprodouce any of the origional prose and had to write something comepletely new. To be honest I am not as happy with it and I mourn the loss of those words. :(
I guess the moral of the story is, if your a one drafter and your computer has a tendency to do weird things, BACK UP your darn computer!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A Little Funny. . . .
So I am writing Latent, a MS for Nanwrimo and I am still editing Emergence. My "editor" is a wonderful friend who is helping me with my MS Emergence. This person is amazing and I learn things everytime I work with them.
Well I am sitting at my computer yesterday and I was writing about a sub character ordering pizza. As the scene closed, I wrote about the character taking the pizza box from the delivery guy and placing it on the coffee table. In the back of my head I hear my "editor" ask: "did he pay for the pizza or did he steal it? Please clarify."
After I laughed for a while I went back and added that he placed it on the coffee table after he paid for it.
Now I not only have characters in my head, my editor is in there too. At least they're wonderful company.
Well I am sitting at my computer yesterday and I was writing about a sub character ordering pizza. As the scene closed, I wrote about the character taking the pizza box from the delivery guy and placing it on the coffee table. In the back of my head I hear my "editor" ask: "did he pay for the pizza or did he steal it? Please clarify."
After I laughed for a while I went back and added that he placed it on the coffee table after he paid for it.
Now I not only have characters in my head, my editor is in there too. At least they're wonderful company.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
I'm back!
Well, I survived a whole month of being sick. What was a cold turned into pneumonia and I battled with that for days on and off.
I have signed up for Nanowrimo which is a world wide writing challenge. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. I don't know if I will even get near that goal, but I did write 44 tho last September so I know I can come close.
I debated for a long time on what I should work on in November, my space western or me sequel to my current WIP sci/fi. It has been a long and hard decision, because in someways I am ready for something new. But in some ways I have the sequel in my head so strong, that it's impossible to escape thinking about it. Almost like I was obsessed. :)
In the end I deciced that I would work on the sequel since the plot is completely hammered out and is complete. The rough draft was written last year the rewirte should be easy and fun.
Either way, I am looking forward to a month of great writing.
I have signed up for Nanowrimo which is a world wide writing challenge. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. I don't know if I will even get near that goal, but I did write 44 tho last September so I know I can come close.
I debated for a long time on what I should work on in November, my space western or me sequel to my current WIP sci/fi. It has been a long and hard decision, because in someways I am ready for something new. But in some ways I have the sequel in my head so strong, that it's impossible to escape thinking about it. Almost like I was obsessed. :)
In the end I deciced that I would work on the sequel since the plot is completely hammered out and is complete. The rough draft was written last year the rewirte should be easy and fun.
Either way, I am looking forward to a month of great writing.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Ahhhh to dream. . .
Both my MC in my book and I like unique (and fast) cars. His favorite (and mine) has untill now been a Dodge Prowler.
I say untill now because I just found a little no door two seater race car called a Catherham Road Sport.
Beaut isn't she?
Sigh, at 115,000 pounds it is definately a DREAM.
I say untill now because I just found a little no door two seater race car called a Catherham Road Sport.
Beaut isn't she?
Sigh, at 115,000 pounds it is definately a DREAM.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Voice and person. . .
Post #199, 200 is next!!!!!!!
Last night as I re-read some blog posts my MC of Dominion Day made last year I realized that when written in first person he has a quirky voice not evident in third. This frustrates me because I am not a first person writer, I write in third. No offence to those who write in first it is a hard position to write and I admire them.
I have struggled in the rough draft of the second book because the MC comes across as boring to some people. When I read his journal entries I am surprised at how personable he becomes. The question is, HOW do I translate it from one person to another.
I will figure it out, I love the story too much to let it go for a stupid reason. It will take time, and that is why I am glad the problem is in the second book not the first.
Just to illustrate what I mean I am including a journal entry (or two) from the things I was reading last night.
Planning to die
For those of you who don't know or haven’t thought about it. Planning to fake a death isn't as easy as it sounds. There were things that you don't normally think about. Wills, where to get a new identity, where to live, how to transfer your assets if you can... How to "Kill" yourself.
I was working on things as the new cloaking program was being tested and loaded on the Infinity, the ship we flew on. A plan was forming in my head and I was getting exited to see if it would work. I prepared my house and assets to transfer to Gage's possession if I succeeded.
There were two material possessions I hated to leave; my home which I had lived in for almost nine years and my Dodge Prowler my vanity item. But no material possession was worth staying in the Corps and under Derek's thumb.
I shipped a few boxes to be delivered to my sailboat, it was docked in Sydney Australia at the moment. I would live on my boat while things calmed down from the spectacular act that would hopefully end the war and secure my "death" in the eyes of the Corps.
The act...
Of course Gage's cloaking program worked, it had to. Everything that came from GA Tech was a huge success. Gage and his "housekeeping program" Mat, which was really an artificial intelligence program were genius'. My 60% of the company had given me quite a large retirement. If I really lived to be able to use it.
The plan was in place, and I had one definite advantage. As the munitions expert I insisted that I work alone. So if something went south, I wouldn’t take anyone with me. Once I was on the ship I would head straight for the engine compartment and set things up to destroy the ship. I would be alone and no one would see me from that moment we parted.
First, I killed an officer and stole his uniform. I made sure a door key was on his person. That was my ticket off the Mother ship. I dressed the officer in my uniform and stuffed the dead body in a utility closet. My homing beacon was in the pocket. Second, I opened the door to the engine with an EMP that melted the door controls. Whoever was guarding the area in the middle of the Anterrans sleep shift would have to fix it themselves. Third, I placed the explosives on the engine and critical points. They, of course had designed their smaller ships just like the big ship. And I knew every inch of the engines in the smaller ships. I had taken many down in my years of service.
I placed the last of the explosives, and left for the third level where the escape shuttles were housed. As I ran with the five minute detonator in my chest pocket the Earth military engaged the mother ship. In the violence that occurred as I attempted to escape the detonator was engaged. Just before the doors to the escape shuttles I informed Derek that the doors to the engine housing were locked shut and I was stuck inside. I told him I was trying to get out but I might not make it.
I opened the first shuttle door that I saw and jumped in. The shuttle was jettisoned and I flew in a haphazard way towards Earth. My boat was following my global positioning receiver and would meet me when the shuttle touched down in the ocean west of Africa where the mother ship had been this morning when we entered it. The explosion happened too soon and my shuttle was caught in it. The explosion fried my instruments, and sent me off course. A reality that I hadn't even considered. (I told you it wasn’t easy to fake your own death)
I saw, as I attempted to control the crafts descent, land where there should have been water. As the shuttle, under emergency landing procedures, hit that land it knocked me unconscious.
Last night as I re-read some blog posts my MC of Dominion Day made last year I realized that when written in first person he has a quirky voice not evident in third. This frustrates me because I am not a first person writer, I write in third. No offence to those who write in first it is a hard position to write and I admire them.
I have struggled in the rough draft of the second book because the MC comes across as boring to some people. When I read his journal entries I am surprised at how personable he becomes. The question is, HOW do I translate it from one person to another.
I will figure it out, I love the story too much to let it go for a stupid reason. It will take time, and that is why I am glad the problem is in the second book not the first.
Just to illustrate what I mean I am including a journal entry (or two) from the things I was reading last night.
Planning to die
For those of you who don't know or haven’t thought about it. Planning to fake a death isn't as easy as it sounds. There were things that you don't normally think about. Wills, where to get a new identity, where to live, how to transfer your assets if you can... How to "Kill" yourself.
I was working on things as the new cloaking program was being tested and loaded on the Infinity, the ship we flew on. A plan was forming in my head and I was getting exited to see if it would work. I prepared my house and assets to transfer to Gage's possession if I succeeded.
There were two material possessions I hated to leave; my home which I had lived in for almost nine years and my Dodge Prowler my vanity item. But no material possession was worth staying in the Corps and under Derek's thumb.
I shipped a few boxes to be delivered to my sailboat, it was docked in Sydney Australia at the moment. I would live on my boat while things calmed down from the spectacular act that would hopefully end the war and secure my "death" in the eyes of the Corps.
The act...
Of course Gage's cloaking program worked, it had to. Everything that came from GA Tech was a huge success. Gage and his "housekeeping program" Mat, which was really an artificial intelligence program were genius'. My 60% of the company had given me quite a large retirement. If I really lived to be able to use it.
The plan was in place, and I had one definite advantage. As the munitions expert I insisted that I work alone. So if something went south, I wouldn’t take anyone with me. Once I was on the ship I would head straight for the engine compartment and set things up to destroy the ship. I would be alone and no one would see me from that moment we parted.
First, I killed an officer and stole his uniform. I made sure a door key was on his person. That was my ticket off the Mother ship. I dressed the officer in my uniform and stuffed the dead body in a utility closet. My homing beacon was in the pocket. Second, I opened the door to the engine with an EMP that melted the door controls. Whoever was guarding the area in the middle of the Anterrans sleep shift would have to fix it themselves. Third, I placed the explosives on the engine and critical points. They, of course had designed their smaller ships just like the big ship. And I knew every inch of the engines in the smaller ships. I had taken many down in my years of service.
I placed the last of the explosives, and left for the third level where the escape shuttles were housed. As I ran with the five minute detonator in my chest pocket the Earth military engaged the mother ship. In the violence that occurred as I attempted to escape the detonator was engaged. Just before the doors to the escape shuttles I informed Derek that the doors to the engine housing were locked shut and I was stuck inside. I told him I was trying to get out but I might not make it.
I opened the first shuttle door that I saw and jumped in. The shuttle was jettisoned and I flew in a haphazard way towards Earth. My boat was following my global positioning receiver and would meet me when the shuttle touched down in the ocean west of Africa where the mother ship had been this morning when we entered it. The explosion happened too soon and my shuttle was caught in it. The explosion fried my instruments, and sent me off course. A reality that I hadn't even considered. (I told you it wasn’t easy to fake your own death)
I saw, as I attempted to control the crafts descent, land where there should have been water. As the shuttle, under emergency landing procedures, hit that land it knocked me unconscious.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I have created a monster. . .
Authors note. . . I am at post 191. I'll have to do something next month to celebrate 200 posts.
As I sit in the darkened lab, I mean office, and concoct, I mean write, my books I have done something dastardly wrong.
I have created a monster.
I took an old story and twisted it into something new and exciting. Something my readers are saying they can't finish because it pulls too much emotional response if they are living a stressful life. OR they think they know what's going to happen and don't want to know if they are right. OR they call me screaming and panting and tell me I'm an idiot for putting a paragraph of exposition in the middle of an action scene.
Emergence IS the best thing I have ever written. My readers confirm what I see myself. Emergence might be THAT book that gets me published. It is fast paced, full of action scenes, interesting characters, a deep and conflicted main character, and a plot that rocks thanks to my friend Paulette.
I have created a monster. Why you ask? Because now everything after this must be as good or people won't like the rest of the books in the series. Talk about setting a high standard for myself.
Well, I think I'll just go down to my lab, I mean office, and concoct, I mean write another story as good as emergence. Hopefully.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Acomplishment
It is done!!!! After months of typing and several headaches and sleepless nights Latent the second book in the series I am writing is finished. As it stands it is 70,546 words and 249 pages. (Emergence is 72,102 words and 244 pages.) I am one happy girl!!!!!! I added about 50,000 words this month!!
All I can say is GO MICHELLE!
All I can say is GO MICHELLE!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Acceptance and sorrow.
I knew it. Right on time. I begin another writing challenge and the adversary has blown me out of the water again. No, this time my family is intact. But my book leaves something to be desired. I knew that when I began Emergence that Latent was going to be a bear to write, and true to form it has. The problem with Latent is while some of it is vastly different some of it has remained the same with very little change. Writing that mixture of change and same is difficult.
As it stands I have had to accept that Noble my MC is no longer an Agent and this changes EVERYTHING. All of Noble's adventures were based on the fact that he was an agent and now none of that is relevant. Granted the opposition he faces in books #3-#7 from becoming a good guy is enough material for me to RE-WRITE everything. But there is so little opposition in book #2 that I am feeling if I force it that it will look like I forced it. I have an antagonist and he does some pretty good damage in #2 but he isn't around every chapter and when even the writer looks at the page and thinks it is boring it probably is. I also have scenes that HAVE to happen in this book that I worry aren't the same level of book that Emergence is.
Second I have a cool character with his own book that I added into the series because I wanted the MC's to meet but in the new rewrite I can't seem to add him in without seeming again like I forced it. His story stands on its own and I'm not worried that he will disappear but I am saddened that I might not be able to add Foxproof in as Book #4.
I know everything will work out. It always does, but in the meantime I will feel a bit of sorrow at the situation presented to me.
As it stands I have had to accept that Noble my MC is no longer an Agent and this changes EVERYTHING. All of Noble's adventures were based on the fact that he was an agent and now none of that is relevant. Granted the opposition he faces in books #3-#7 from becoming a good guy is enough material for me to RE-WRITE everything. But there is so little opposition in book #2 that I am feeling if I force it that it will look like I forced it. I have an antagonist and he does some pretty good damage in #2 but he isn't around every chapter and when even the writer looks at the page and thinks it is boring it probably is. I also have scenes that HAVE to happen in this book that I worry aren't the same level of book that Emergence is.
Second I have a cool character with his own book that I added into the series because I wanted the MC's to meet but in the new rewrite I can't seem to add him in without seeming again like I forced it. His story stands on its own and I'm not worried that he will disappear but I am saddened that I might not be able to add Foxproof in as Book #4.
I know everything will work out. It always does, but in the meantime I will feel a bit of sorrow at the situation presented to me.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Themes and symbols
As I peruse the web reading things that others say and do with writing I have found that other writers besides me have themes and symbols for their works. There is a romance writer who has dragonflies on her book covers, business cards book marks etc. I wish I could remember your name sorry, what you wrote had such an impact on me.
I love dragonflies and there are very pretty renditions of them out there but I felt that she as a writer "owned" that symbol. I have thought about it a lot: What is my symbol do I have a theme?
As I wrote Emergence a group of darker brooding songs were repeatedly played on my playlist. One especially, called ironically "Lean On Me" by Limp Bizkit. It isn't what you would think. It is dark and brooding and for the book I was writing at that time it fit perfectly. That song has become the theme song for that book and scenes play in my mind when I hear it. My second book Latent the song is "What I've Done" by Linkin Park. Each strangely appropriate for the work I am doing. I suppose that my other books will also acquire theme songs as I write them too.
As for the symbol, I was writing in Latent and my MC is pondering his past and thinking that no one will be able to see the new person he has become. His mentor tells him that even the most beautiful butterfly was once an ugly caterpillar. THERE it was my symbol the butterfly the symbol of the whole series, transmutation, metamorphosis, evolution. Bad guy going good.
I have lots of butterflies in my house, I like them but now they have special meaning. I chose butterflies on my website on a whim now they mean something deeper than just a pretty insect. What my MC's mentor said to his charge has become the theme for my entire series.
My Muse is truly working overtime and will be justly compensated.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Keeping the bad guy bad.
I may struggle with plot. But I feel I do well in characterization. So I was surprised when in the first book was finished and sent to my line editors. (hi girls) That I was having a hard time pegging the two main characters in the second book. The first book has a dark and conflicted assassin and his energetic and sometimes quirky wife.
Then as I began to write the second book I began to struggle with the characters and plot seeming boring. As I talked with my friend she suggested that perhaps I was trying to write the MC as the calm and self assured character at the end of the series when I still needed the raw dark and conflicted MC. (Just a bit older and no longer an assassin) She was so right and as I pondered the problem this morning I had some very good ideas as to how to handle the MC and make it work.
I should know this by now; however some times I am a slow learner. When I get stuck, or a block threatens to derail me. I need to remember that in the past it was a symptom that something isn't right in the book. Hopefully if I realize it a few more times I'll remember it.
Then as I began to write the second book I began to struggle with the characters and plot seeming boring. As I talked with my friend she suggested that perhaps I was trying to write the MC as the calm and self assured character at the end of the series when I still needed the raw dark and conflicted MC. (Just a bit older and no longer an assassin) She was so right and as I pondered the problem this morning I had some very good ideas as to how to handle the MC and make it work.
I should know this by now; however some times I am a slow learner. When I get stuck, or a block threatens to derail me. I need to remember that in the past it was a symptom that something isn't right in the book. Hopefully if I realize it a few more times I'll remember it.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Mastering plot. . .
As I have said before plot is not my strong point. I struggle with it. My friend Paulette at 700blankpages has got it. So with her help I eeked out a great plot for my second book.
When I typed out my scenes/chapters I origionally started with a white page with black text on the left side of the page. Then I added the plot points I was trying to establish, transition notes in necessary chapters, and the relevance of the scene in the basic plot of the story.
On a whim I highlighted the parts where the antagonist is present or antagonizing my MC's in yellow and it looked like this. . .
Please note: by nature of origination, I own these plotlines and they are copyrighted by me.
Then I had an awesome idea, what if I highlightd the other parts in diferent colors? I asked myself, so I did. Anyway here is what I came up with. . .
Here is the color code so you have an idea what this post is about.
Light blue- MC's moving from average guy to better guy.
Pink- MC's romance with the girl, and the girls actions.
Yellow- the bad guys actions.
Green- MC's best friend and his part in the book
Red- MC's normal life
Grey- MC's past
Purple- times and seasons (marking time)
dark blue- secondary characters
No highlight- writing notes
If you notice the three main plots: MC's progression, (light blue) the romance (pink) and the antagonist (yellow) are the most seen colors. Then the others are nicely interspersed throughout the body of the book.
Judging by the colors, I think the plot appears well rounded and pretty evenly interspersed. What do you think?
Please note: by nature of origination, I own these plotlines and they are copyrighted by me.
When I typed out my scenes/chapters I origionally started with a white page with black text on the left side of the page. Then I added the plot points I was trying to establish, transition notes in necessary chapters, and the relevance of the scene in the basic plot of the story.
On a whim I highlighted the parts where the antagonist is present or antagonizing my MC's in yellow and it looked like this. . .
Please note: by nature of origination, I own these plotlines and they are copyrighted by me.
Then I had an awesome idea, what if I highlightd the other parts in diferent colors? I asked myself, so I did. Anyway here is what I came up with. . .
Here is the color code so you have an idea what this post is about.
Light blue- MC's moving from average guy to better guy.
Pink- MC's romance with the girl, and the girls actions.
Yellow- the bad guys actions.
Green- MC's best friend and his part in the book
Red- MC's normal life
Grey- MC's past
Purple- times and seasons (marking time)
dark blue- secondary characters
No highlight- writing notes
If you notice the three main plots: MC's progression, (light blue) the romance (pink) and the antagonist (yellow) are the most seen colors. Then the others are nicely interspersed throughout the body of the book.
Judging by the colors, I think the plot appears well rounded and pretty evenly interspersed. What do you think?
Please note: by nature of origination, I own these plotlines and they are copyrighted by me.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
To blog or not. . .
Okay, I was psyched and ready to write for Tristi's book in a month challenge. I sat at my lap top and tried to write. The wall however was too tall for me to climb.
My brain is fried. I had to remind myself that I did just write 70,000 words in four months. (Actually it is approximately 116,000 words since July.) My BFF reminded me that I was going to reward myself with a reading reward for finishing my novel. So, in response/reward I shut my word program down and have taken a break. However taking a break has meant that my writing brain which includes my Blogging brain is somewhere on some island sipping non-alcoholic margaritas. So in desperation I have tried to think about what I should blog and nothing amazing has popped into my brain.
Never fear my blog friends, I have been mulling book #2 over in my head; even though my writing brain is on vacation I guess my plotting brain missed the plane.
Perhaps I will have some amazing totals some time before Thanksgiving.
My brain is fried. I had to remind myself that I did just write 70,000 words in four months. (Actually it is approximately 116,000 words since July.) My BFF reminded me that I was going to reward myself with a reading reward for finishing my novel. So, in response/reward I shut my word program down and have taken a break. However taking a break has meant that my writing brain which includes my Blogging brain is somewhere on some island sipping non-alcoholic margaritas. So in desperation I have tried to think about what I should blog and nothing amazing has popped into my brain.
Never fear my blog friends, I have been mulling book #2 over in my head; even though my writing brain is on vacation I guess my plotting brain missed the plane.
Perhaps I will have some amazing totals some time before Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Found: one main character. . .
I'm so relieved, because how are you supposed to write a book when your character has repelled out of your head in the middle of the night.
My friend at 700blankpages sent me a cool video:
And as I was watching it my missing Lyris appeared in my head and informed me that she knows how to do this. It was then I had an epithany. I have assumed that although my male MC changed and has a different past my female didn't. Boy was I wrong. Not only is Lyris an agent. She is a sword master and is teaching at the school that my never been officially trained as an agent Noble comes to teach at. Of course with years of training and agent work she is going to be better than he is at alot of things. I was assuming she was still the shy demure Lyris in the old book. She isnt; she is a kick butt woman who is sure of herself and packs a powerful round-house kick.
Welcome back Lyris I am glad you're so patient with your author.
My friend at 700blankpages sent me a cool video:
And as I was watching it my missing Lyris appeared in my head and informed me that she knows how to do this. It was then I had an epithany. I have assumed that although my male MC changed and has a different past my female didn't. Boy was I wrong. Not only is Lyris an agent. She is a sword master and is teaching at the school that my never been officially trained as an agent Noble comes to teach at. Of course with years of training and agent work she is going to be better than he is at alot of things. I was assuming she was still the shy demure Lyris in the old book. She isnt; she is a kick butt woman who is sure of herself and packs a powerful round-house kick.
Welcome back Lyris I am glad you're so patient with your author.
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