Progress report, Break

[clarentine]

Today we finally rolled over and past the first turning point and into the second act, and I got to write two brand new scenes for a total of 1500 words by MS Word's count or approximately five and a half pages SMF (standard manuscript format).

Wow. It feels so good to write new material again.

I'm sure the rest of the Dreaded Middle of this book won't go as easily as today's words did, but I'm glad to have had the experience.

***

The interesting thing about worldbuilding on the fly is that, sometimes, the thing you add just for the hell of it, just for color, turns out to be an important element in the story. I love when that happens.

Comments

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

The interesting thing about worldbuilding on the fly is that, sometimes, the thing you add just for the hell of it, just for color, turns out to be an important element in the story. I love when that happens.

I second this. Anything you throw in with character or plot pretty much has to be vital to the story, but those little world-building gimmes can turn into terrific, unexpected gems.:D

[clarentine]

I have long tussled with the concept of a neat wrap-up of elements, both plot and setting--if it's in the book, must it matter? Must it relate in some fashion, or can there be items you put in just for color?

I don't know that there's one good answer to that ("Does it Work?"). I can tell you that I tend to fall on the neat wrap-up end of the spectrum. I can, however, see value in deliberately not wrapping up some things, especially if we're talking about a series where the things left dangling can be picked up again later to enrich the series. I can also see value in deliberately leaving something unresolved...but I don't know that I have the skill to do that right, just yet. *g*

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*nods* I think I sounded a bit like a writing nazi in my last comment. I, for one, happen to like the occasional digression in novels, and I don't think every little quirk and happenstance has to further the work. In fact, I tend to walk away from books that are *too* strictly controlled and orchestrated with a meh feeling.

I haven't really explored my thoughts on the matter, but I think a little mess and breathing room give me a chance to connect more fully with the story world. (I'm speaking as a reader. I don't think I've managed the artful use of mess in my own work. ;) )

[clarentine]

Ah, but your convictions made me think about mine out loud, so good was done. *g*

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*is a do-gooder*