Sandi Layne's Blog - Posts Tagged "process"
Destination
I'm in the process of plotting out book three of the Éire's Viking trilogy. This is both easier and more difficult than plotting book two was, for me.
On the one hand, I am operating rather more with a calendar. The things that happen with Tuirgeis, Éire's Devil King, happened in reality, providing a frame and timeline for many events in the story. Some accounts differ as to years, but years are iffy in the 9th Century, anyway.
On the other hand, I have to have a destination. A place beyond the climax of the book. A goal that will end this trilogy on a note that suits me. A place that is beyond the historical accounts.
And I have to have this place set in my mind before I can begin writing. It is always this way, for me. There are many ways to approach the craft of writing a novel, but for me, I have to have an end before I can properly get to my beginning. I need that finished product in my imagination so that every chapter and every scene and even pieces of dialogue will work the reader to that point.
It's a delight to plan, let me tell you.
I approached the Spousal Unit last night with my current dilemma and he let me talk it out to him. I think he's read the first book, but I'm not sure - still these are characters he's been hearing about for about ten years, lol, so they're old friends. He listened and nodded and when I had finished, he gave me some thoughts.
I liked them.
Will I use them? I am not entirely certain, but his ideas gave me a place to think on, as I peruse more historical notes. I will have that destination soon, though.
I can practically see it.
On the one hand, I am operating rather more with a calendar. The things that happen with Tuirgeis, Éire's Devil King, happened in reality, providing a frame and timeline for many events in the story. Some accounts differ as to years, but years are iffy in the 9th Century, anyway.
On the other hand, I have to have a destination. A place beyond the climax of the book. A goal that will end this trilogy on a note that suits me. A place that is beyond the historical accounts.
And I have to have this place set in my mind before I can begin writing. It is always this way, for me. There are many ways to approach the craft of writing a novel, but for me, I have to have an end before I can properly get to my beginning. I need that finished product in my imagination so that every chapter and every scene and even pieces of dialogue will work the reader to that point.
It's a delight to plan, let me tell you.
I approached the Spousal Unit last night with my current dilemma and he let me talk it out to him. I think he's read the first book, but I'm not sure - still these are characters he's been hearing about for about ten years, lol, so they're old friends. He listened and nodded and when I had finished, he gave me some thoughts.
I liked them.
Will I use them? I am not entirely certain, but his ideas gave me a place to think on, as I peruse more historical notes. I will have that destination soon, though.
I can practically see it.
