I had some delays getting started last night. I blame Borders. They sent out a 40% off coupon. That kind of sign from above shouldn't be ignored. So I ended up buying Empire in Black and Gold. I didn't start reading it but the time delay sort of bled over into my writing time. I need to do better at getting into the Throne of Writing (tm) and just starting to write instead of sitting there getting into the mood to write. Mind you, once I get into the zone words flow pretty well.
Case in point, I started chapter 15 last night, so we're officially at the 1/3rd point. I think. I'm envisioning about 40 to 45 chapters with epilogue. Anyway, the chase scene, running from the brunes, went pretty well. Good expression of emotion, I think. (Though I won't know for sure until I re-read it for the second draft) But something odd happened and I had to stop and think. The two leads were running from the brunes, not sure if they or some unfortunately animal was the target of the monster's hunt. They cut across the brunes path to make for a granite outcropping; the kind of thing I used to see in the Rockies all the time, basically it's a granite hilltop with all the topsoil gone, just bare rock with some wisps of grass and some stunted trees trying to live in the cracks in the solid rock.
The problem is, my original intent in introducing Balt (which is where I stopped) was that HE would be the one the brunes were chasing. He'd come across the main character's and just about two minuetes after that, the brunes would attack. That's not what's happening. Right now, Jacob and Jael are on this bare hilltop, backs to a rocky outcropping, catching their breath and hoping the brunes pass them by. Then, Jacob sees a brune come onto the hill. Great scene, good tension. Where's Balt?
That's what I'm trying to decide. I MIGHT need to introduce Balt in a 'Big Damn Heroes' moment instead of a 'keep running, keep running' moment, like I planned. Introductions are a delicate thing. How I introduce Balt sets the tone for his character. So I stopped early, after only doing about three pages last night.
Still pondering. Do I want Balt to be this ultra-competent badass, a Big Damn Hero? Or do I want him to be a bit more 'roguish', as he is in my head. Do I want a comedic beat on his introduction or should I go with the fear and tension I've built up, let it ratchet up higher?
Honestly, I'm not sure. I'm going to bull ahead tonight and see what happens. Need to keep the forward momentum going. Still, exciting stuff. I'm liking writing this book!
Case in point, I started chapter 15 last night, so we're officially at the 1/3rd point. I think. I'm envisioning about 40 to 45 chapters with epilogue. Anyway, the chase scene, running from the brunes, went pretty well. Good expression of emotion, I think. (Though I won't know for sure until I re-read it for the second draft) But something odd happened and I had to stop and think. The two leads were running from the brunes, not sure if they or some unfortunately animal was the target of the monster's hunt. They cut across the brunes path to make for a granite outcropping; the kind of thing I used to see in the Rockies all the time, basically it's a granite hilltop with all the topsoil gone, just bare rock with some wisps of grass and some stunted trees trying to live in the cracks in the solid rock.
The problem is, my original intent in introducing Balt (which is where I stopped) was that HE would be the one the brunes were chasing. He'd come across the main character's and just about two minuetes after that, the brunes would attack. That's not what's happening. Right now, Jacob and Jael are on this bare hilltop, backs to a rocky outcropping, catching their breath and hoping the brunes pass them by. Then, Jacob sees a brune come onto the hill. Great scene, good tension. Where's Balt?
That's what I'm trying to decide. I MIGHT need to introduce Balt in a 'Big Damn Heroes' moment instead of a 'keep running, keep running' moment, like I planned. Introductions are a delicate thing. How I introduce Balt sets the tone for his character. So I stopped early, after only doing about three pages last night.
Still pondering. Do I want Balt to be this ultra-competent badass, a Big Damn Hero? Or do I want him to be a bit more 'roguish', as he is in my head. Do I want a comedic beat on his introduction or should I go with the fear and tension I've built up, let it ratchet up higher?
Honestly, I'm not sure. I'm going to bull ahead tonight and see what happens. Need to keep the forward momentum going. Still, exciting stuff. I'm liking writing this book!
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