I was going to share a watercolor painting I worked on this week, but I didn't get around to taking a photo.
Instead I will speak of my writing progress. I decided to reread volume one of Witherwilds. I'm happy to say that I was quite into it at the end of the story (maybe from a little before the 2/3 mark),. The downside of that, of course, is I have a lot of work to do on the opening. If the story, which I obviously like and feel is worth writing, did not engage my interest enough to be impossible to put down, it will not engage a uninvested reader.
At this point, I'm trying to decide if I should go back to the beginning and fix book one or charge on with bk 2. I have a scene that I know needs inserting at the start of bk 2, and I could do that now. But I also have a list of things and a stack of cards detailing changes that need to be made in bk 1. I know even more things will need changing by the time I get to the end of the trilogy, so the practical part of me says to write on and make changes at the end of having draft one. I don't *think* I have anything in the current list of changes that derails the plot, so I *can* keep on writing. I just don't know if I should. *sigh*
Hmmm. This is less of a snippet and more a glimpse into the brain of a troubled writer.
Anyone what to share what they would do if they were in my writing boots? :P
Instead I will speak of my writing progress. I decided to reread volume one of Witherwilds. I'm happy to say that I was quite into it at the end of the story (maybe from a little before the 2/3 mark),. The downside of that, of course, is I have a lot of work to do on the opening. If the story, which I obviously like and feel is worth writing, did not engage my interest enough to be impossible to put down, it will not engage a uninvested reader.
At this point, I'm trying to decide if I should go back to the beginning and fix book one or charge on with bk 2. I have a scene that I know needs inserting at the start of bk 2, and I could do that now. But I also have a list of things and a stack of cards detailing changes that need to be made in bk 1. I know even more things will need changing by the time I get to the end of the trilogy, so the practical part of me says to write on and make changes at the end of having draft one. I don't *think* I have anything in the current list of changes that derails the plot, so I *can* keep on writing. I just don't know if I should. *sigh*
Hmmm. This is less of a snippet and more a glimpse into the brain of a troubled writer.
Anyone what to share what they would do if they were in my writing boots? :P
Comments
(I spent today fixing up an older app.)
Your Magic 8 ball tag reminds me that I also published a "Magic Oracle" app that answers questions. I asked it "Should Miq write on or revise?" and it said "The first." So there you have it!
If I thought the fixes required for book one were not too time consuming--if I knew what I wanted to do and thought I could do it pretty quickly--I might do that. Buut, I would worry about losing forward momentum, and with a really big project, there are chances that by the very end, what you want to do with the beginning is going to change even more. By the end of the third book, you may want an even different-er beginning, if you take my meaning. I think what I'd like to think I'd do is make a note at the beginning part about what my thoughts were now about how to revise it, then *leave* it and plow on ahead.
And yeah, revision notes are our friends. :P
So, onwards it is. Go, forward momentum, go!
1. Do you expect to discover more as you work on book 2 that would affect changes to book 1? (And it sounds like you do expect this.)
2. What are your goals as a writer/where are you in your plans of submission?
If you think you'll discover story that will make book 1 stronger, I'd wait.
If you think book 1's story is set and that what you need to do is rewrite/strengthen it, and you'd like to get it submitted, I'd work on it.
Ultimately, you could get change suggestions from editors that could affect the rest of your trilogy, if you submit book 1 before the others are set in stone.
2. Very good question. Since I consider this trilogy as one LONG story and not 3 individual but strongly connected stories, I won't submit or otherwise try to publish anything until the whole trilogy is finished. If I had what has come to be thought of as a "traditional" trilogy, each book having its Big Climax, I would consider finishing one and subbing it for those very editorial suggestions you mention. :)
So, looks like I'm plowing on. Thanks for weighing in.