3 Chapters
It's been a while since the last update, and I thought it wise to get something down before I jump into the next chapter.
Since the last update, I took six or seven days off from writing. It was time for a short recharge of the ole' writing battery. For me, there is nothing better than taking a short trip to a new place and this time I ventured deeper into Washington State's San Juan Islands. I rented a place with friends on Orcas Island where we relaxed, BBQed, hiked, whale-watched, traveled to a vineyard, and conversed politics, good books, and great wine. It was exactly what I needed after a year of no real vacation other than my trip to New York City, and I'm happy I went even with the loss of a week of writing.
Upon returning, I jumped right back into The Dark Thorn. It became very apparent that I had shorted the story in the middle chapters. Events as I was writing them were transpiring far too quickly; the story needed to breathe to eventually set up the climax of the book. I added two chapters, both of which helped the character development of Bran and Richard, as well as gives the reader a greater sense of what it means to be in this new world Bran has found.
Three chapters later, here is the word count:
Prologue: 3045
Chapter 1: 4075
Chapter 2: 2973
Chapter 3: 3241
Chapter 4: 4144
Chapter 5: 4547
Chapter 6: 2793
Chapter 7: 3598
Chapter 8: 4939
Chapter 9: 4257
Interlude: 2372
Chapter 10: 3346
Chapter 11: 3185
Chapter 12: 3639
Chapter 13: 4878
Chapter 14: 4562
Chapter 15: 3840
Chapter 16: 3984
With the additional chapters, that means there are 29 chapters, two interludes, a prologue and an epilogue. That means it is 33 chapters. I don't foresee any additional chapters being necessary, and there is a possibility at the end I can consolidate two into one. But right now I am 55% finished and by Monday that will probably go up to 58%.
As you can see, every little bit. And by the time all the little bits add up, you have a book written.
Chapter 17, a Bran chapter, should be written in a few days. It will be a fast chapter and is the pivotal turning point of the book as it marches toward the end.
In other news, I will be attending the San Diego Comic Con next month. Eldon Thompson has conned me into going, and the stars aligned just right for it to happen. There is another, potentially very fun project that might get me down there to in a professional capacity, but I won't speak of that until I know more next week. It will be nice going to San Diego again and seeing many writing and editing friends.
More soon!
Since the last update, I took six or seven days off from writing. It was time for a short recharge of the ole' writing battery. For me, there is nothing better than taking a short trip to a new place and this time I ventured deeper into Washington State's San Juan Islands. I rented a place with friends on Orcas Island where we relaxed, BBQed, hiked, whale-watched, traveled to a vineyard, and conversed politics, good books, and great wine. It was exactly what I needed after a year of no real vacation other than my trip to New York City, and I'm happy I went even with the loss of a week of writing.
Upon returning, I jumped right back into The Dark Thorn. It became very apparent that I had shorted the story in the middle chapters. Events as I was writing them were transpiring far too quickly; the story needed to breathe to eventually set up the climax of the book. I added two chapters, both of which helped the character development of Bran and Richard, as well as gives the reader a greater sense of what it means to be in this new world Bran has found.
Three chapters later, here is the word count:
Prologue: 3045
Chapter 1: 4075
Chapter 2: 2973
Chapter 3: 3241
Chapter 4: 4144
Chapter 5: 4547
Chapter 6: 2793
Chapter 7: 3598
Chapter 8: 4939
Chapter 9: 4257
Interlude: 2372
Chapter 10: 3346
Chapter 11: 3185
Chapter 12: 3639
Chapter 13: 4878
Chapter 14: 4562
Chapter 15: 3840
Chapter 16: 3984
With the additional chapters, that means there are 29 chapters, two interludes, a prologue and an epilogue. That means it is 33 chapters. I don't foresee any additional chapters being necessary, and there is a possibility at the end I can consolidate two into one. But right now I am 55% finished and by Monday that will probably go up to 58%.
As you can see, every little bit. And by the time all the little bits add up, you have a book written.
Chapter 17, a Bran chapter, should be written in a few days. It will be a fast chapter and is the pivotal turning point of the book as it marches toward the end.
In other news, I will be attending the San Diego Comic Con next month. Eldon Thompson has conned me into going, and the stars aligned just right for it to happen. There is another, potentially very fun project that might get me down there to in a professional capacity, but I won't speak of that until I know more next week. It will be nice going to San Diego again and seeing many writing and editing friends.
More soon!
Labels: The Dark Thorn
posted by Shawn C. Speakman | 11:01 PM
6 Comments:
You're moving at a great pace, Shawn. Do you have set time that you'd like to have the first draft finished?
Have fun in San Diego! I wish i could go.
Chris: I want the first draft done by September 1st at the very latest.
The great thing about writing a story is the closer you get to the end the easier it becomes to write because you've 1) lived with it for so long and know exactly where it is going, and 2) climaxes are by definition quick and hard-hitting and shouldn't be spent in huge descriptive paragraphs that take time to write.
Originally I wanted the book done by June 1st. That would be six months of writing. But the story grew larger a bit and I've spent time I should have been writing devoted to my business. I haven't rushed, but neither have I been lax. I am happy with that.
And I can't wait for San Diego. I might be offered a very fun job in the next few days that would make it certain I go. It will be nice seeing some friends and I'll be seeing my brother leading up to that weekend who lives in Bakersfield. It will be like a vacation but I'll be able to write every morning like usual. I highly recommend going sometime, Chris, if you have the opportunity. It is insanity but fun.
I'm glad you were able to relax and have a good time with friends, Shawn. It's amazing how much good such a trip can have^^
You are truly moving at a great pace! I can hardly wait till the day I can read the whole story :D go go you!
ooo San Diego, niice! How did it go, did you have a good time?
Cara: I can't wait for you to read the book too! haha
The San Diego trip is coming up in late July. It's always a fun time. You'll have to see my blogging/reporting at www.suvudu.com; I'll be writing directly from the convention!
^^ aaand it's bookmarked!
Excellent progress Shawn.
Orcas Island is a great please to go and get your bearings. The great thing about it is that you can go and relax, put your head back on, or go and have an adventure.
Either way, the place is Magical.
Take care,
Mark
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