I've taken two weeks off from writing, except for the occasional idea storm and background notetaking. I finally started my first reading of Imperfect Hope over the weekend. As I'd planned, my first read through will be sans-notes, I just want to get an overall feel of the story. Later, I'll have notepad at side as I pick through the individual scenes.
Inner Critic has taken to the reading with a harsh eye. I have to admit, I started out dismayed by my writing, but I have to keep reminding myself, this is only the first draft, it's far from complete. Lots of description will get added later, as will cleaning up of dialogue, developing consistency in voice and mannerisms and adding enough background. My first reading is going to concentrate on the overall storyline, is it viable, what is weak, what needs further development, what just fails completely. After I read it through, I'll sit down and have a conversation with the author...
However, I've noted one major flaw during my first reading already. If this is a ten chapter book, it feels as if you've begun reading it in chapter four. Essentially, I've dropped the reader into the middle of the story. The maturation of the characters is too far along for my original story concept, and I make assumptions that the reader will understand things I've referenced that really should be shown or explained well before this point in the tale.
This isn't the disaster I first felt it was, because as I looked at how I've started things, I realized that there are a couple of ways I can add the missing content. I'm going to belay deciding exactly how to restart the beginning of IH until I've finished my first reading. Once I know where I'm going to restart, I should be able to churn it out fairly seamlessly, since I know where the story needs to go.
I've also been considering my observation from a couple of weeks ago that I needed some more content, sub-plot wise. I'm mulling over one possibility, that involves the older brother of Cerryn, serving as an officer in the confederacy in Half Moon Harbor. Since I'm almost certainly going to begin Imperfect Hope with Cerryn's early years, I can introduce her older brother and show how his influence has influenced her own development over the years. I can then put him in the story logically, and tie in that storyline with the whole empire plot line. As a side note, Del asked about the cantankerous old mage/brewer concept. Though I don't want to turn any IFGS-era characters into a comical stereotype, I do have an idea building around a pseudo-Delanore mage from the old days who is forced out of happy retirement (from adventuring) by the heavy hand of the "Damned Impies" (old-timey nickname for the imperials of Sha'te fame). Having him reluctantly join up with Cerryn's brother in resisting the Impies in Half Moon Harbor seems like a good idea right now... (Famous last words... "Here, hold my beer, I want to try something, seems like a good idea...")
Finally, a work-related note: This has been a really ugly summer for bad weather, aviation wise. This week in particular has really chewed us up. Anyone out there know how to placate the thunderstorm gods???
TTFN, Jim
Inner Critic has taken to the reading with a harsh eye. I have to admit, I started out dismayed by my writing, but I have to keep reminding myself, this is only the first draft, it's far from complete. Lots of description will get added later, as will cleaning up of dialogue, developing consistency in voice and mannerisms and adding enough background. My first reading is going to concentrate on the overall storyline, is it viable, what is weak, what needs further development, what just fails completely. After I read it through, I'll sit down and have a conversation with the author...
However, I've noted one major flaw during my first reading already. If this is a ten chapter book, it feels as if you've begun reading it in chapter four. Essentially, I've dropped the reader into the middle of the story. The maturation of the characters is too far along for my original story concept, and I make assumptions that the reader will understand things I've referenced that really should be shown or explained well before this point in the tale.
This isn't the disaster I first felt it was, because as I looked at how I've started things, I realized that there are a couple of ways I can add the missing content. I'm going to belay deciding exactly how to restart the beginning of IH until I've finished my first reading. Once I know where I'm going to restart, I should be able to churn it out fairly seamlessly, since I know where the story needs to go.
I've also been considering my observation from a couple of weeks ago that I needed some more content, sub-plot wise. I'm mulling over one possibility, that involves the older brother of Cerryn, serving as an officer in the confederacy in Half Moon Harbor. Since I'm almost certainly going to begin Imperfect Hope with Cerryn's early years, I can introduce her older brother and show how his influence has influenced her own development over the years. I can then put him in the story logically, and tie in that storyline with the whole empire plot line. As a side note, Del asked about the cantankerous old mage/brewer concept. Though I don't want to turn any IFGS-era characters into a comical stereotype, I do have an idea building around a pseudo-Delanore mage from the old days who is forced out of happy retirement (from adventuring) by the heavy hand of the "Damned Impies" (old-timey nickname for the imperials of Sha'te fame). Having him reluctantly join up with Cerryn's brother in resisting the Impies in Half Moon Harbor seems like a good idea right now... (Famous last words... "Here, hold my beer, I want to try something, seems like a good idea...")
Finally, a work-related note: This has been a really ugly summer for bad weather, aviation wise. This week in particular has really chewed us up. Anyone out there know how to placate the thunderstorm gods???
TTFN, Jim
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