I'm very near the end of the first draft of Tuskers III. Should have it done by Wednesday.
I'm right on schedule, though it felt at times like I wasn't making any progress. None of this book was easy. I spent many hours just sitting or lying there, trying to come up with the first sentence of a scene. It felt like I was wasting a huge amount of time.
But finishing forgives all. Finishing means it was worth it. Finishing means it wasn't wasted.
I think it's a worthy addition to the storyline. It's probably the least conclusive of the first three books in that it is a set up for the final climax of the next book(s). A matter of getting the characters in deeper and deeper trouble.
In other words, a third act in a four or five act play.
I've decided I will finish the story in four books, instead of five -- if I can. If, in writing the fourth book, I find that the story needs to be continued, then I'll do that.
The hardest part of writing a long story like this is to come up with a satisfying conclusion. The reason I'm writing this as a four or five part story is because anything less would feel rushed and wouldn't have a final payoff worthy of the story.
I realized the thematic arc of this story required that I spin two plotlines per book, instead of trying three plotlines, so that it will be less confusing to the reader. So, in a sense, I'm simplifying by adding, if that makes any sense. Two plotlines each for two books, instead of three plotlines for one book.
Book III is going to require a good stiff rewrite, but I can do that. For example, I wrote a chapter yesterday that was very unsatisfying. I went back, added in what I thought was missing, and when I was done, the chapter felt firm, it felt good. I just need to do that to the entire book.
I'm right on schedule, though it felt at times like I wasn't making any progress. None of this book was easy. I spent many hours just sitting or lying there, trying to come up with the first sentence of a scene. It felt like I was wasting a huge amount of time.
But finishing forgives all. Finishing means it was worth it. Finishing means it wasn't wasted.
I think it's a worthy addition to the storyline. It's probably the least conclusive of the first three books in that it is a set up for the final climax of the next book(s). A matter of getting the characters in deeper and deeper trouble.
In other words, a third act in a four or five act play.
I've decided I will finish the story in four books, instead of five -- if I can. If, in writing the fourth book, I find that the story needs to be continued, then I'll do that.
The hardest part of writing a long story like this is to come up with a satisfying conclusion. The reason I'm writing this as a four or five part story is because anything less would feel rushed and wouldn't have a final payoff worthy of the story.
I realized the thematic arc of this story required that I spin two plotlines per book, instead of trying three plotlines, so that it will be less confusing to the reader. So, in a sense, I'm simplifying by adding, if that makes any sense. Two plotlines each for two books, instead of three plotlines for one book.
Book III is going to require a good stiff rewrite, but I can do that. For example, I wrote a chapter yesterday that was very unsatisfying. I went back, added in what I thought was missing, and when I was done, the chapter felt firm, it felt good. I just need to do that to the entire book.