Initially this post was going to strictly be about my writing woes, but I realized during lunch today that reading “Infinity: Chronicles of Nick” is making me far too happy to be in a negative state of mind in regards to my own book. (Which is actually a REALLY good thing!)
So, first let me reiterate how amazing “Infinity: Chronicles of Nick” is. It has been a long time since a book made me feel so revved up (well I guess not that long, Terry Goodkind’s “Law of Nines” had a similar effect, but this one is even more exciting). It has such a great pace and such a perfect mixture of doom and humor all with this southern twang to it! I’m already disappointed to know that its sequel “Invincible” won’t be released until February 2011. (Ugh! That seems too far away). This is the only young adult novel Sherrilyn Kenyon has written so far (although this series is slated to have 10 books), but she has a multitude of adult novels with the same characters only as adults and since I’m enjoying her writing style so much I really think I might dive into them as well while I wait.
Now, onto my writing woes although I shouldn’t make it sound so bad because in truth I’m feeling much more positive about it this week than last. In fact I was happily acting out scenes this morning and afternoon opposed to listening music on the way to and from work. It felt good to be back in character.
I did end up deciding to can two characters. They were important characters, being the older-wiser ones of Bryce & Brynn’s family, the ones with the most back knowledge on the mystery surrounding Teagan. But essentially I decided the mystery would be more believable without their knowledge. I kind of like the idea of keeping my characters in the dark even about themselves until they absolutely need to know. It will also probably cut some thickness from the story if there aren’t two more people’s lives to tell you about.
A while ago I debated killing the dog in my story for two reasons: 1 – once things start going down, worrying about the dog will be difficult and 2 – I want something extreme to happen so the levity of one of the characters role sinks in. I’ve finally decided that the dog will live (I think, unless I kill him over natural causes because he’s old), but someone else even more important will –almost- or maybe –actually- die now. I can’t tell you for sure, although I know the answer 😉
Event though I dread doing so, I believe it’s time to re-write again. So bye, bye newly shaped chapters 1 and 2. Well maybe not all of chapter 1, most of it can be salvaged. Chapter 2 on the other hand is null and void now. And with all the chopping going on in my mind for the rest of it I really feel like the pace is where I finally want it. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll even be able to fit it all into one book!
Man, I feel like I’m running with a hatchet again. Only I’m not a depressed clown this time around! (Does anyone who reads this even get that reference? Probably not, but that’s okay… here’s a hint if you’re interested though Me – 2004.)
Okay so now I have some questions. I kind of enjoy doing things nontraditional as long as they are not immediately rejected, and I’m pretty sure what I’m about to suggest is not normal, but tell me what you think (if you don’t mind).
My book opens with a journal entry from Teagan’s perspective. There will be a few journal entries throughout the book and talk about this journal because it keeps very secret & disturbing events in it. The opening entry is dated 6 months before the book starts to give you some inkling of where she’s been and what you might expect next and I was just going to leave it like that. But I started thinking it might be neat to briefly add the perspective of the enemy and some hint about their plot far before you ever know who they are in between the journal and chapter 1. It wouldn’t be long, but it would give you that great sense of doom-to-come feeling that once said doom arrives you’ll go, oh yeah I almost forgot about that! This would basically be like having 2 prologues though and one from a perspective you’ll never see again. Would something like that ever work?
Also, how do people feel about the length of chapters? I ask because I’ve read some books where chapters were only a few pages long and others where the chapters were so long they could be short stories in themselves and then there are some that jump all over the place with short and long chapters. Does it really matter? I personally don’t care, but do some readers get bothered by this shift in sizes?
Alright, I’m too antsy about finishing “Infinity: Chronicles of Nick” now so I’ll end it with that. Oh yeah though, two totally unrelated side notes before I go (well not completely unrelated, but rather random).
1. My library actually had two of the books in my wishlist yesterday – which is extremely rare considering we have by far the worst selection of young adult books, not to mention the worst way of sorting. I found one of them in a section labeled “Teens” and the other in the “Middle School” section of the children’s side of the library. Anyway though, I won’t read their entirety because you know I have to own everything I read, but I am excited to read a bit of them to make sure I’ll actually like them first. Those two books are: “Hex Hall” by Rachel Hawkins and “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman.
2. I want an icon that’s book related, maybe like this beautiful pile of books one I saw someone use on Maggie’s blog. It would have been nice to use in this post. Maybe I’ll have to play around with some pictures of my own books and see if I am capable of making something cool. Everyone always has cool icons… I got nothing.
Peace – Sarah
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Edited Note: I almost forgot to mention one GREAT thing concerning writing. Someone agreed to be critic partners with me and this is making me oh so motivated to get my act in gear. It also makes me super excited, nervous, and a whole bunch of other mixed emotions, but overall just happy & grateful! 😉
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