P.D. Haggerty's Blog, page 3
July 16, 2023
Let the trumpets sound! The Lynx Who Came in From the Cold could be ready as soon as next week.
Note the weasel words though, I would hate for anyone to think I have been less than forthright.
I've made a number of changes to the manuscript based on my beta reader feedback. Not all of the suggestions, of course, those beta readers need to know their place. So, just 99% or so.
And now the manuscript is in the hands of my editor, who has completed proofing of about one-half of the book, and is claiming to be generally in favor of what she's found. She'll never be truly happy though, her need to irradicate the word "that" from all printed material (and spoken speech if she should find a way) is insatiable. In this, I also stand in the role of guardian at the gate. No! I tell her. I will hear no more of this insanity. Only 98.376% of 'that' occurrences need to be removed.
So, if all goes well, I'll be able to upload the manuscript soon and unleash Hyperion upon the world in all of his snark and curmudgeon-hood. Pity poor Meagan, for she knows not what she's getting herself into.
-------------------------------
"Two weeks. How had her life been turned upside down in only two weeks?"
I've made a number of changes to the manuscript based on my beta reader feedback. Not all of the suggestions, of course, those beta readers need to know their place. So, just 99% or so.
And now the manuscript is in the hands of my editor, who has completed proofing of about one-half of the book, and is claiming to be generally in favor of what she's found. She'll never be truly happy though, her need to irradicate the word "that" from all printed material (and spoken speech if she should find a way) is insatiable. In this, I also stand in the role of guardian at the gate. No! I tell her. I will hear no more of this insanity. Only 98.376% of 'that' occurrences need to be removed.
So, if all goes well, I'll be able to upload the manuscript soon and unleash Hyperion upon the world in all of his snark and curmudgeon-hood. Pity poor Meagan, for she knows not what she's getting herself into.
-------------------------------
"Two weeks. How had her life been turned upside down in only two weeks?"
June 28, 2023
Warning: Plot math ahead!
I'm taking a bit of a break from the International Criminal Conspiracy to work on a short story idea I had involving Hyperion and Kaylee.
It's a caper plot where they have to retrieve an item that's been planted in Kaylee's high school locker before the authorities find it.
So what’s the issue? I’ve already established certain dates and character ages. This is like the issue with Kaylee not being in school in October, only worse.
The genesis of the plot revolves around something that happened in the ICC, which takes place in 2019, so it has to take place after that book.
However, it's clearly established that Kaylee is 14 going on 15 in The Lynx Who Came in From the Cold, which takes place in 2016.
Doing a bit of math means that she'll be 18 going on 19 during the short story. And given the mapping of age to school year, it also means that by the time ICC ends, she'll have already graduated from High school and be getting ready for college.
So why would she need to get into her high school locker? Oops.
Well, could I set the short story the year before? Nope, it has to be after ICC. The plot doesn't make sense otherwise.
Okay, since the problem is based on her age in The Lynx, could I just make her 13 going on 14 in that story, then she'd be the right age in 2019? Nope, a significant part of The Lynx revolves around her having just gotten her driver's permit, which requires her to be 15 at that point in the book.
sigh!
What to do, what to do, what to do. Which, while quoting Winnie the Pooh, reminds me of the cartoon which stated that it would be a horrible idea for Pooh to join Star Fleet given his penchant for wearing red shirts.
Anyway, I see, given the temporal straightjacket I've placed myself in, I have two choices.
1) Forget the short story.
Reply: Are you mad?
2) Move The Lynx from 2016 to 2017, which requires me to recalculate the dates of all the events in the novel.
Reply: This isn't actually bad, it's almost only in the chapter headings. Subtract 1 from the day, add one to the year to keep them on the same day of the week. No problem.
Okay, but you'd better check Road Kill and make sure you didn't screw anything up there.
Moles and Trolls, moles and trolls, work, work, work, work, work. (source: Real Genius)
Seriously, do you really think anyone would be pedantic enough to do the math and check this kind of thing? Sure, I did.
---------------------------------------------
Snippet from the beginning of the short story:
"Foghorn Leghorn to Chicken Hawk. SitRep. Over."
"Hype, I’m right next to you," Kaylee Tranter reminded her feline compatriot.
The two were hiding behind a low hedge marking the edge of the high school parking lot, Kaylee, a seventeen-year-old high school student crouching low to stay hidden, yet keep her skirt from getting wet from the ground still wet from the overnight thunderstorm, and Hyperion, the five-foot-long, 125lb cat peeking over the top, totally uncaring as to the state of his fur.
"Caution Chicken Hawk, Savoir-Faire is everywhere," Hyperion continued in a fake southern drawl. "Do you have eyes on Miss Prissy? Over."
"I should have asked Meagan to come with. Why can’t I know any sane adults?"
It's a caper plot where they have to retrieve an item that's been planted in Kaylee's high school locker before the authorities find it.
So what’s the issue? I’ve already established certain dates and character ages. This is like the issue with Kaylee not being in school in October, only worse.
The genesis of the plot revolves around something that happened in the ICC, which takes place in 2019, so it has to take place after that book.
However, it's clearly established that Kaylee is 14 going on 15 in The Lynx Who Came in From the Cold, which takes place in 2016.
Doing a bit of math means that she'll be 18 going on 19 during the short story. And given the mapping of age to school year, it also means that by the time ICC ends, she'll have already graduated from High school and be getting ready for college.
So why would she need to get into her high school locker? Oops.
Well, could I set the short story the year before? Nope, it has to be after ICC. The plot doesn't make sense otherwise.
Okay, since the problem is based on her age in The Lynx, could I just make her 13 going on 14 in that story, then she'd be the right age in 2019? Nope, a significant part of The Lynx revolves around her having just gotten her driver's permit, which requires her to be 15 at that point in the book.
sigh!
What to do, what to do, what to do. Which, while quoting Winnie the Pooh, reminds me of the cartoon which stated that it would be a horrible idea for Pooh to join Star Fleet given his penchant for wearing red shirts.
Anyway, I see, given the temporal straightjacket I've placed myself in, I have two choices.
1) Forget the short story.
Reply: Are you mad?
2) Move The Lynx from 2016 to 2017, which requires me to recalculate the dates of all the events in the novel.
Reply: This isn't actually bad, it's almost only in the chapter headings. Subtract 1 from the day, add one to the year to keep them on the same day of the week. No problem.
Okay, but you'd better check Road Kill and make sure you didn't screw anything up there.
Moles and Trolls, moles and trolls, work, work, work, work, work. (source: Real Genius)
Seriously, do you really think anyone would be pedantic enough to do the math and check this kind of thing? Sure, I did.
---------------------------------------------
Snippet from the beginning of the short story:
"Foghorn Leghorn to Chicken Hawk. SitRep. Over."
"Hype, I’m right next to you," Kaylee Tranter reminded her feline compatriot.
The two were hiding behind a low hedge marking the edge of the high school parking lot, Kaylee, a seventeen-year-old high school student crouching low to stay hidden, yet keep her skirt from getting wet from the ground still wet from the overnight thunderstorm, and Hyperion, the five-foot-long, 125lb cat peeking over the top, totally uncaring as to the state of his fur.
"Caution Chicken Hawk, Savoir-Faire is everywhere," Hyperion continued in a fake southern drawl. "Do you have eyes on Miss Prissy? Over."
"I should have asked Meagan to come with. Why can’t I know any sane adults?"
June 20, 2023
State of Hyperion's Universe
Some of this has been covered in other venues, but I wanted to try to pull it all together.
First of all, you can access all my books, stories, blog posts, etc at https://pdhaggerty.com/
Now, to the two people who read my novelette, Twice Told Thomas, using Kindle Unlimited -- thank you. And the person that left a review -- you have my undying gratitude. I need 48 more for Amazon to give a damn, but every bit helps.
Amazon requires me to charge far too much for the ebook version, so Kindle Unlimited is really the way to go. At least until I can complete three or four more short stories and release an anthology worth the price.
The prequel novel, The Cat/Lynx Who Came in From the Cold (Hyperion and Meagan's origin story) is on track for next month, and the sequel, The International Criminal Conspiracy (an ensemble adventure) for early 2024.
Meanwhile, Road Kill's domination of the multiverse is barely limping along. Ten reviews, need forty more.
I have one enthusiastic fan (Hey Charley!) but otherwise I've pretty much exhausted the pool of friends and family.
And even having friends hawk the book to their friends hasn't resulted in any bumps. Not complaining, just pointing out that fame and wealth through networking is more fantasy than fact. Although hawking the concept of networking has made other people wealthy. The universe is perverse. What else is new?
If these books are going to go anywhere I'm going to need a viral transformation where someone with a lot of reach (anyone want to slip a copy to Oprah or Dolly?) finds it, loves it, and plugs it to book clubs across the country. Odds? Waking up with superpowers is more likely.
Of course I do have a couple of author friends, but begging for exposure feels rather slimy, especially when they're busy trying to get their own books in front of more eyes. Hey famous author, can I exploit your hard-earned success? Ick. Of course, if you are a famous author and would like to use your success on my behalf, I'm not going to turn you down. I'll even put you in my will. It will just be a thank you, but it will be in there.
And, lastly, two questions, if you're in the mood.
The first is for the title of the prequel. I had originally named it "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold". But I'm worried that people will think it's part of Lillian Jackson Braun's series (she never wrote one with that title, but...) and figure they've already read it. And, in fact, there actually are several books by other authors with that title. I know that I can call it whatever I want, but perhaps I should call it "The Lynx Who Came in From the Cold" just to make it unique. On the other hand, The Cat Who... is more common and more likely to attract attention than "The Lynx Who..."
I have my preference, but what are your opinions?
The second question is: I now have two books, with a third on the way. It's officially a series. What should the series be called?
First of all, you can access all my books, stories, blog posts, etc at https://pdhaggerty.com/
Now, to the two people who read my novelette, Twice Told Thomas, using Kindle Unlimited -- thank you. And the person that left a review -- you have my undying gratitude. I need 48 more for Amazon to give a damn, but every bit helps.
Amazon requires me to charge far too much for the ebook version, so Kindle Unlimited is really the way to go. At least until I can complete three or four more short stories and release an anthology worth the price.
The prequel novel, The Cat/Lynx Who Came in From the Cold (Hyperion and Meagan's origin story) is on track for next month, and the sequel, The International Criminal Conspiracy (an ensemble adventure) for early 2024.
Meanwhile, Road Kill's domination of the multiverse is barely limping along. Ten reviews, need forty more.
I have one enthusiastic fan (Hey Charley!) but otherwise I've pretty much exhausted the pool of friends and family.
And even having friends hawk the book to their friends hasn't resulted in any bumps. Not complaining, just pointing out that fame and wealth through networking is more fantasy than fact. Although hawking the concept of networking has made other people wealthy. The universe is perverse. What else is new?
If these books are going to go anywhere I'm going to need a viral transformation where someone with a lot of reach (anyone want to slip a copy to Oprah or Dolly?) finds it, loves it, and plugs it to book clubs across the country. Odds? Waking up with superpowers is more likely.
Of course I do have a couple of author friends, but begging for exposure feels rather slimy, especially when they're busy trying to get their own books in front of more eyes. Hey famous author, can I exploit your hard-earned success? Ick. Of course, if you are a famous author and would like to use your success on my behalf, I'm not going to turn you down. I'll even put you in my will. It will just be a thank you, but it will be in there.
And, lastly, two questions, if you're in the mood.
The first is for the title of the prequel. I had originally named it "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold". But I'm worried that people will think it's part of Lillian Jackson Braun's series (she never wrote one with that title, but...) and figure they've already read it. And, in fact, there actually are several books by other authors with that title. I know that I can call it whatever I want, but perhaps I should call it "The Lynx Who Came in From the Cold" just to make it unique. On the other hand, The Cat Who... is more common and more likely to attract attention than "The Lynx Who..."
I have my preference, but what are your opinions?
The second question is: I now have two books, with a third on the way. It's officially a series. What should the series be called?
June 11, 2023
One month until Hyperion and Meagan make their proud debut
And .............. that's the Epilogue of The Cat Who Came in From the Cold.
I've finished the revisions, re-aligned the timeline, reversed the polarity of the neutron flow, and ensured that things I'd deleted weren't still being referenced.
Now it's in the hands of my editor. She's completed just under 1/2 the book, and the rest of it needs to be worked in around multiple other clients and the needs inherent in publishing two online review magazines.
It's not a silver bullet, but I do have one mode of enticement that the others lack ... I'm sitting in the same room with her, making anime-style 'big eyes' and whimpering piteously.
"Another slice of carrot cake, my lady? Refresh your coffee, my lady. Give that impudent author a good thrashing until she learns not to use British spelling, my lady?"
Once she's finished her run-through, I'll fix all the problems she's found (and she does seem to find a lot of them, no matter how carefully I go through it) it will be off to my beta reader for one last overview. I'm still hoping to be able to publish in July.
Then, after I read a couple of books for fun, and see a few movies I've been putting off for months, it will be back to Book 3: The International Criminal Conspiracy.
I've finished the revisions, re-aligned the timeline, reversed the polarity of the neutron flow, and ensured that things I'd deleted weren't still being referenced.
Now it's in the hands of my editor. She's completed just under 1/2 the book, and the rest of it needs to be worked in around multiple other clients and the needs inherent in publishing two online review magazines.
It's not a silver bullet, but I do have one mode of enticement that the others lack ... I'm sitting in the same room with her, making anime-style 'big eyes' and whimpering piteously.
"Another slice of carrot cake, my lady? Refresh your coffee, my lady. Give that impudent author a good thrashing until she learns not to use British spelling, my lady?"
Once she's finished her run-through, I'll fix all the problems she's found (and she does seem to find a lot of them, no matter how carefully I go through it) it will be off to my beta reader for one last overview. I'm still hoping to be able to publish in July.
Then, after I read a couple of books for fun, and see a few movies I've been putting off for months, it will be back to Book 3: The International Criminal Conspiracy.
June 5, 2023
The Cat Who Came in From the Cold is complete!
Well, sort of.
I finished the final scene for "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold" which is a prequel to my first novel, "Road Kill". This is the origin story of Hyperion and Meagan, how they met, and their first adventure together. By the end of the book, you'll know a lot more about Hyperion, but not everything. Some details will remain a mystery until at least book four. But that might be a while as I only have the first three planned out.
By complete, I mean all the words for all the scenes are out of my head and into Scrivner, reaching a total of 77,000 words. There's still at least a month's more work doing all the editing and revision. Plus, I have one important detail that happens near the end of the book. I'll need to go back and put a sentence or so into one or more of the previous scenes just so it doesn't come out of nowhere. And another detail that is mentioned in a rather important early scene might cause people to think that it's more important than it actually is, so I'll need to put a few sentences in later scenes just so readers will recognize it as just a detail of the world.
Still, that's a major milestone met. And, after a short rest, I'll be pushing forward with "The International Criminal Conspiracy", book 3 in the still unnamed series. That one is already about half done. I put it on the back burner so that I could concentrate on this one. "The International Criminal Conspiracy" is an adventure featuring all the major characters of the first two books.
I'm hoping "The Cat" will be available in ebook and paper by August and, with luck, I might be able to get the 3rd book into Alpha shape by the end of the year.
I finished the final scene for "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold" which is a prequel to my first novel, "Road Kill". This is the origin story of Hyperion and Meagan, how they met, and their first adventure together. By the end of the book, you'll know a lot more about Hyperion, but not everything. Some details will remain a mystery until at least book four. But that might be a while as I only have the first three planned out.
By complete, I mean all the words for all the scenes are out of my head and into Scrivner, reaching a total of 77,000 words. There's still at least a month's more work doing all the editing and revision. Plus, I have one important detail that happens near the end of the book. I'll need to go back and put a sentence or so into one or more of the previous scenes just so it doesn't come out of nowhere. And another detail that is mentioned in a rather important early scene might cause people to think that it's more important than it actually is, so I'll need to put a few sentences in later scenes just so readers will recognize it as just a detail of the world.
Still, that's a major milestone met. And, after a short rest, I'll be pushing forward with "The International Criminal Conspiracy", book 3 in the still unnamed series. That one is already about half done. I put it on the back burner so that I could concentrate on this one. "The International Criminal Conspiracy" is an adventure featuring all the major characters of the first two books.
I'm hoping "The Cat" will be available in ebook and paper by August and, with luck, I might be able to get the 3rd book into Alpha shape by the end of the year.
May 21, 2023
Closing in.
This will be partially a structural engineering, and partially a progression post, with a fun snippet at the end to reward you for slogging through the first part.
Of course, you could just skip to the end, but I know you're all far too honorable to do something like that.
Chapters 1-12 of The Cat Who Came in From the Cold have been turned over to my editor, who is currently working her way through them. This is a good thing/bad thing as I appreciate and respect her opinions, but she uses a lot of red ink.
Chapters 13 and 14 are complete, as are chapters 17 and 20. I need to write (from scratch) 1 scene for chapter 15, plus finish writing scenes in chapters 16, 18, and 19.
Technically 18 is done, but I hate it.
And that will be the book finished ... or at least all the words will be on the page. Currently 73,400 words, so I'm a little over my estimate, but not by much. And the remaining writing might push it to 75K, or the editing may bring it back down a little. We'll see.
Of course, once I get the notes back, I'll have to go through the whole thing and fix the misspelling, grammar errors, and continuity bombs plus, as I call it, "The What the Hell is This Suppose to Mean?"
So it looks like I'm on track to complete the writing by the end of May, and hopefully have all the editing done by the end of June.
Then it's on to the International Criminal Conspiracy which will feature Chris, Emily, Hyperion, Kaylee, Meagan, and a couple of brand-new weirdos, plus cameos from other secondary folks.
There's romance, mystery, time-travel, bad jokes, daring do and, at the end, Chris and Emily finally tie the knot.
-------------------------
Snippet: Someone makes the mistake of trying to mug Meagan
"That is not going to happen," Meagan informed him calmly. "Put the knife away and walk off."
The man snorted.
"I appreciate the backbone. I really do. Nothing pisses me off more than sniveling and cowering. But the pussy cat isn't going to do anything, and neither are you."
He turned slightly, bringing the knife back in front of Meagan.
"Bravado won't help if I have to introduce you to Camilla here, so let's do this the easy way."
He then stared for a second at his empty hand, Camilla skittering across the pavement twenty feet away, and the paw Hyperion had used to slap it from his grip already back on the ground.
Two seconds later, he was also on the ground, Meagan looming over him.
"In case you missed the introduction, that was my knee."
Of course, you could just skip to the end, but I know you're all far too honorable to do something like that.
Chapters 1-12 of The Cat Who Came in From the Cold have been turned over to my editor, who is currently working her way through them. This is a good thing/bad thing as I appreciate and respect her opinions, but she uses a lot of red ink.
Chapters 13 and 14 are complete, as are chapters 17 and 20. I need to write (from scratch) 1 scene for chapter 15, plus finish writing scenes in chapters 16, 18, and 19.
Technically 18 is done, but I hate it.
And that will be the book finished ... or at least all the words will be on the page. Currently 73,400 words, so I'm a little over my estimate, but not by much. And the remaining writing might push it to 75K, or the editing may bring it back down a little. We'll see.
Of course, once I get the notes back, I'll have to go through the whole thing and fix the misspelling, grammar errors, and continuity bombs plus, as I call it, "The What the Hell is This Suppose to Mean?"
So it looks like I'm on track to complete the writing by the end of May, and hopefully have all the editing done by the end of June.
Then it's on to the International Criminal Conspiracy which will feature Chris, Emily, Hyperion, Kaylee, Meagan, and a couple of brand-new weirdos, plus cameos from other secondary folks.
There's romance, mystery, time-travel, bad jokes, daring do and, at the end, Chris and Emily finally tie the knot.
-------------------------
Snippet: Someone makes the mistake of trying to mug Meagan
"That is not going to happen," Meagan informed him calmly. "Put the knife away and walk off."
The man snorted.
"I appreciate the backbone. I really do. Nothing pisses me off more than sniveling and cowering. But the pussy cat isn't going to do anything, and neither are you."
He turned slightly, bringing the knife back in front of Meagan.
"Bravado won't help if I have to introduce you to Camilla here, so let's do this the easy way."
He then stared for a second at his empty hand, Camilla skittering across the pavement twenty feet away, and the paw Hyperion had used to slap it from his grip already back on the ground.
Two seconds later, he was also on the ground, Meagan looming over him.
"In case you missed the introduction, that was my knee."
Milestone? Maybe yardstone. Things move along.
Finished another two scenes this evening, pushing The Cat Who over 69K words. I've always figured that it would end up being about 70K, and I think I'm pretty much still on track. One more scene to write from scratch, and at most a half-dozen scenes that are almost completely written, but just need a little fleshing out or completion.
This one is very different from Road Kill. "The Cat Who" is more of a mystery adventure. There's no romance at all and, in fact, it's a bit darker in a few places.
The first nine chapters are completely finished and have been sent off to the editor for copy editing. Since she lives with me, whining and complaining are easy and efficient.
I remain convinced that I'll have the novel completed (from a "it's all written down perspective") by the end of the month. All the fiddly bits that take it from "Alpha" to "I'm no longer ashamed" might take a little longer.
---------------------------
Snippet: Kaylee has just returned Maeve,
Meagan's Maine Coon cat to her cat tree.
"Well, she’s a sweetie, but it’s hard to pay attention to the plot with all that math going on," Kaylee explained as she took her seat again and nudged Hyperion’s head onto her leg where it belonged.
"Math?" the cat asked, as confused as anyone would be by such a response.
"Yeah, it’s a cat thing. All cats, at least all the ones I know, start doing math problems as soon as they fall asleep. Except for you.”
"Seriously?"
"Seriously," she confirmed. "I first noticed it with Lucy, of course. I have no idea why they do it, and no idea what any of the math means, it’s all way over my head. And if you whisper an equation in their ear, they’ll solve it for you."
"Seriously?" he asked again. A bit repetitive, perhaps, but it really was the most accurate question.
"Yeah, it was fun at first. Then I got in trouble when Mom found out Lucy was doing my homework for me. She made me promise."
This one is very different from Road Kill. "The Cat Who" is more of a mystery adventure. There's no romance at all and, in fact, it's a bit darker in a few places.
The first nine chapters are completely finished and have been sent off to the editor for copy editing. Since she lives with me, whining and complaining are easy and efficient.
I remain convinced that I'll have the novel completed (from a "it's all written down perspective") by the end of the month. All the fiddly bits that take it from "Alpha" to "I'm no longer ashamed" might take a little longer.
---------------------------
Snippet: Kaylee has just returned Maeve,
Meagan's Maine Coon cat to her cat tree.
"Well, she’s a sweetie, but it’s hard to pay attention to the plot with all that math going on," Kaylee explained as she took her seat again and nudged Hyperion’s head onto her leg where it belonged.
"Math?" the cat asked, as confused as anyone would be by such a response.
"Yeah, it’s a cat thing. All cats, at least all the ones I know, start doing math problems as soon as they fall asleep. Except for you.”
"Seriously?"
"Seriously," she confirmed. "I first noticed it with Lucy, of course. I have no idea why they do it, and no idea what any of the math means, it’s all way over my head. And if you whisper an equation in their ear, they’ll solve it for you."
"Seriously?" he asked again. A bit repetitive, perhaps, but it really was the most accurate question.
"Yeah, it was fun at first. Then I got in trouble when Mom found out Lucy was doing my homework for me. She made me promise."
May 12, 2023
Just one of those days
Excuse me, Mr. Author?
Yes, Kaylee, what is it?
Well, I'm in this scene here.
Yes, you are. It's an important scene.
But, the thing is, this scene takes place on Thursday afternoon.
That is correct. Is there a problem?
And I'm supposed to have been watching Hyperion for a while.
Yes?
Well, it's just that it takes place on a Thursday afternoon in early October. Why aren't I in school?
%#$^!@#$^@$^! Um, I'll get back to you.
Yes, Kaylee, what is it?
Well, I'm in this scene here.
Yes, you are. It's an important scene.
But, the thing is, this scene takes place on Thursday afternoon.
That is correct. Is there a problem?
And I'm supposed to have been watching Hyperion for a while.
Yes?
Well, it's just that it takes place on a Thursday afternoon in early October. Why aren't I in school?
%#$^!@#$^@$^! Um, I'll get back to you.
May 9, 2023
Exposition versus Flashbacks
One of the writing issues I struggle with is the problem of revealing information that has already happened. I tend to get bogged down in long conversations where one character tells another character the story. I know this isn't the most enjoyable method, but I find including literal flashbacks to be even more difficult. Still, I'm sticking with trying to get better.
The Cat Who Came in From the Cold starts with Meagan returning home after a business trip two weeks after she's met Hyperion. I choose this starting point because I thought it was more 'straight into the action' rather than a chapter or two of slice-of-life dealing with two strangers who can't communicate, meeting on a mountain.
The problem quickly became that the non-primary characters in the novel immediately demanded to know how the two had met. Which resulted in a long 'as you know, Bob' recitation of those same facts.
I've re-written most of the first three chapters, removing the exposition, and replacing it with cleverly (I hope) dove-tailed flash-backs. I'm working on the final scene now where Meagan has brought Hyperion home and is in the process of dealing with the revelation that he is even more unique than she'd first supposed.
------------------
Clean, dry, and fully dressed, Meagan opened her bedroom door and stepped out onto the balcony, ready to take on her inexplicable house guest and whatever insane events surrounded him. Only to find him missing.
The TV was still playing, but the lynx was gone, replaced by her cat, Maeve, who was curled up on the rug where he’d been just a few minutes before.
She cast a glance toward the kitchen, but the mudroom door wasn’t visible from this angle.
She leaned over the railing, scanning as much of the ground floor as she could. Still no sign.
She took a few steps towards the stairs and then froze as the sound of a toilet flushing filled the void. The seconds she stood frozen were sufficient for the lynx— Hyperion, she told herself again— to emerge from the downstairs guest suite. Even limping painfully, the cat had no problem returning to his spot on the rug, scooping up Maeve in the process and gently laying her down along his side after he’d stretched out. The house cat squirmed a little, but seemed quite content to snuggle in and go back to sleep.
The Cat Who Came in From the Cold starts with Meagan returning home after a business trip two weeks after she's met Hyperion. I choose this starting point because I thought it was more 'straight into the action' rather than a chapter or two of slice-of-life dealing with two strangers who can't communicate, meeting on a mountain.
The problem quickly became that the non-primary characters in the novel immediately demanded to know how the two had met. Which resulted in a long 'as you know, Bob' recitation of those same facts.
I've re-written most of the first three chapters, removing the exposition, and replacing it with cleverly (I hope) dove-tailed flash-backs. I'm working on the final scene now where Meagan has brought Hyperion home and is in the process of dealing with the revelation that he is even more unique than she'd first supposed.
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Clean, dry, and fully dressed, Meagan opened her bedroom door and stepped out onto the balcony, ready to take on her inexplicable house guest and whatever insane events surrounded him. Only to find him missing.
The TV was still playing, but the lynx was gone, replaced by her cat, Maeve, who was curled up on the rug where he’d been just a few minutes before.
She cast a glance toward the kitchen, but the mudroom door wasn’t visible from this angle.
She leaned over the railing, scanning as much of the ground floor as she could. Still no sign.
She took a few steps towards the stairs and then froze as the sound of a toilet flushing filled the void. The seconds she stood frozen were sufficient for the lynx— Hyperion, she told herself again— to emerge from the downstairs guest suite. Even limping painfully, the cat had no problem returning to his spot on the rug, scooping up Maeve in the process and gently laying her down along his side after he’d stretched out. The house cat squirmed a little, but seemed quite content to snuggle in and go back to sleep.
May 2, 2023
Weekly report and snippet
Well, it's Tuesday again. Time to say something about the old writing process. And today, that something will be ... oh look! Squirrel!
I've been slogging along, finishing up a couple of the final scenes, but it's been slow. I don't think the characters are particularly happy with the situation I've put them in and they're dragging their feet/paws. For the most part, when this happens, I just move on to another scene and try again, or switch the point of view character and see if I can't get it to work from a new perspective. But there aren't that many scenes left, and I'm trying my hardest to stick with my commitment not to get sucked into the sequel until I complete the prequel.
So it looks like another couple of weeks of dedicated slogging, but I swear to Bast, I will overcome ... eventually ... hopefully ... with just a little bit of ... Squirrel!
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A snippet of a conversation between Meagan and Chief Howe.
"Ms. Robichaud, I assure you, you're neither the first person to yell at me this week, nor the worst. At least your objections are rational."
"As opposed to...?" Meagan prompted.
"I had a report that your cat was seen driving your truck down Pritham Ave. Your immediate arrest was demanded in no uncertain terms."
"Hyperion was driving my truck? His legs couldn't reach the pedals."
"It's interesting that's the first objection to occur to you," the Chief mused.
I've been slogging along, finishing up a couple of the final scenes, but it's been slow. I don't think the characters are particularly happy with the situation I've put them in and they're dragging their feet/paws. For the most part, when this happens, I just move on to another scene and try again, or switch the point of view character and see if I can't get it to work from a new perspective. But there aren't that many scenes left, and I'm trying my hardest to stick with my commitment not to get sucked into the sequel until I complete the prequel.
So it looks like another couple of weeks of dedicated slogging, but I swear to Bast, I will overcome ... eventually ... hopefully ... with just a little bit of ... Squirrel!
--------------
A snippet of a conversation between Meagan and Chief Howe.
"Ms. Robichaud, I assure you, you're neither the first person to yell at me this week, nor the worst. At least your objections are rational."
"As opposed to...?" Meagan prompted.
"I had a report that your cat was seen driving your truck down Pritham Ave. Your immediate arrest was demanded in no uncertain terms."
"Hyperion was driving my truck? His legs couldn't reach the pedals."
"It's interesting that's the first objection to occur to you," the Chief mused.
