Ever wonder how a manuscript progresses from first draft to last? Because I often think of the individual scenes, and even pieces of scenes, as building blocks, I decided to do a visual representation of my process. Using blocks.
This is my synopsis, which is basically my outline. It's the basics of the story - the who, when, major plot points, the beginning, the end. It's short. A reader would understand what and who the story's about and generally what's going to happen, but there's no dialogue and it's lacking details.
Then it's on to the first draft, which turns out something like this:
Obviously there's a lot more going on. Now we have dialogue, setting details, more characters and more character development. It resembles the synopsis, and yet...it's different. Looks a little weird, too, doesn't it? That's because I throw in all kinds of material in the first draft, some that stays, some that's clearly not going to work.
So I start renovating, and wind up with something like this:
Some material is still there, especially the basics, or foundation. But lots has been taken away, too.
That means rewriting, or adding new material, until I have this:
Almost, but not quite. Now, sometimes I'm lucky and I only have to do one more draft. Other times, I will tear down and rebuild two or three more times, until I get to the finished edifice:
Now, being me, I could tinker with this for, well, probably years. But there comes a time when I'm tired of playing with those particular blocks and I want to try something else, with different colors or shapes. That's when I know the story is as good as I can make, and if I keep working on this project, all I'm going to do is start making a mess.
There is both a pond and a large bay near our cottage. The swans are on the pond all summer. In winter, they go to the bay where there's a patch of unfrozen water.
I was taken aback to see the swans in the pond this week. Well, not in the pond. On the pond. See what I mean?
I've never been so close to them and let me tell ya, those birds are huge
Today on my walk, I saw them swimming in the bay, where there is very little ice yet. This is good for the swans and ducks. Not so good for the folks who want to set up ice fishing huts.
Wonder what else I'll see this week?
I rushed outside while making dinner to take a picture of the gorgeous sunset. The picture doesn't really do it justice. The colors were really breath-taking.
I want to party more.
Well, party might not be quite the right word. I'm not a fan of large, noisy gatherings with people I may or may not know. I mean I want to socialize more with the people I do know. Talk and visit with friends, not just exchange emails or tweets.
After years of deadlines, some thrown at me at the very last minute, I got to the point where I was reluctant to commit myself to much of anything. I was afraid I'd have to cancel abruptly, or feel guilty that I wasn't working when I did socialize. Over time, this meant I was spending much less time with friends.
This is not good.
Yes, I got my work done. Yes, I saw my family and I was online, so I wasn't completely isolated. Yet I was also beginning to feel like a troll living in a cave. When I did venture out to meet with friends, I was feeling more and more as if I was saying the wrong things, or being too crabby. Non-writers will never understand what writers do, how they do it, or why it can be so mentally and emotionally taxing. I knew that, yet I was turning into a grumpy, bitter writer nevertheless. And worrying that I might say the wrong thing was turning into a reason not to socialize. Like I said, not good.
So this year, I'm taking steps to get out of my cave more, such as arranging to lunch with friends or having company at the cottage.
So, there you have it. My goals for 2012: write and submit a manuscript, lose 15 pounds, try to avoid using "but" and socialize more. Nothing earth-shattering, yet I hope striving toward these goals will help me lead a more fulfilling, healthy and balanced life in 2012.
What about you? Any similar goals in 2012?
I have one rather unusual goal for 2012. I want to decrease my use of the word "but."
Recently I was having lunch with a friend who has taken a volunteer job as an usher at a community theater. She was telling me about some of her training, including not using negative words such as "but."
I confess that struck me as odd, because I'd never really considered "but" a negative word. Then I recalled something else I'd heard. If you're asking for something, and you get a response along the lines of "I'd love to, but...", ignore everything that comes before the "but." What comes after the "but" is the answer.
Often, it's the request denied. The submission rejected. The job lost.
"But" is the sound of the door being closed.
I saw the insidious negativity of "but" in action while I was working on my recent blog posts. No, it does not herald a positive remark, so I'm going to try not to use it, unless, of course, I really want to be negative. The difference will be that I will be thinking about it, not just letting it creep in, bringing its negative inference with it.
This kind of goal is a subtle one. It isn't going to be very noticeable to anybody else. Yet I can see this small change having a real, positive impact on my daily life, so for me, it's as worthy a goal as losing weight.
This goal is, alas, a repeat of a former one. I stopped exercising diligently, ate too many sweet and/or less healthy foods, and now have the extra weight to show for it. Therefore, my second main goal this year is to lose 15 pounds (although 20 would be better) and 4 inches around the waist (although 5 would be better and 6 would be wonderful). Why not inches elsewhere? I have the sort of body where all the extra weight goes to the waist. Yep, the dreaded, unhealthy "belly fat."
How do I intend to meet this goal?
I hope to exercise every day. As I discovered the last time I set a weight-loss target, consistency is key. My main way to exercise is by walking at least 10,000 steps a day or using a treadmill we got for $40 at a rummage sale, powered by the walker. I have a Pilates ball and found that two different lifts using it are great for tightening and strengthening the abdominal muscles.
I won't have the treadmill at the cottage, though, (and have no plans to lug it down there), so I want to investigate a gym in the nearest town, and perhaps the local indoor pool. I also have a hankering to try horseback riding lessons. I fear, though, that the price may be too much for the budget, at least for this year. Still, worth a call or two, because it's something I've always wanted to do.
I let myself indulge in chocolate and cola over the holidays, and am now in a period of abstinence, save for the occasional treat and writing reward (sometimes you need a little something special after wrestling with a particularly difficult scene). Cola's a lot easier to give up in the winter, so now's a good time to start that. White foods (like potatoes, white rice and bread) also go on the special occasion list.
So far, I've lost a pound from my highest holiday weight, so I'm already on the right track. (Yeah!)
Getting a manuscript finished and submitted and losing weight are my two major goals for 2012. I have some minor ones, too. More on those tomorrow.
Happy New Year, everybody!
I've decided not to make resolutions this year. Instead, I'm having goals, things to aim for that I believe are in the doable realm. I've also thought about how I'm going to accomplish those goals.
Today, the work goal: I want to revise and submit a complete novel by the end of March.
First step is to reread the first draft that I finished in mid-November. In the past, I've always printed a hard copy and read it through, editing and making revision notes as I go.
This year, I'm going to try something different. I'm going to try reading through the manuscript on my computer, not editing and only making revision notes at the end of a scene. This is not going to be easy for me. After all, I've been working one way for over twenty years. So why do it this way? I want to get an overview of the novel, to see what major changes have to be made, before I tackle minor details. And after my long break, maybe it's time for a fresh approach. This may not work for me, but I figure it's worth a try.
I'm also hoping to schedule time at the cottage in January. It's very quiet in the village in winter, and we only have over-the-air TV, which means I get the news and some of the major TV shows, but not cable shows, like HGTV, A & E and TLC. It'll be my own writing retreat.
One thing I'd like to note - when I posted in my latest newsletter about this goal, I received several responses from readers saying how happy they were that I was writing again. Talk about inspirational! It was wonderful to hear that people were anxious to read more of my stories.
So that's my first main goal for 2012. I'll blog about the second one tomorrow.
Whoo hoo! They're back! Two of the medieval romances I wrote for Avon Books are now available again - in print and on sale!
From the back cover:
Everyone knows that red-haired women are nothing but trouble, so when enchanting, flame-haired Fiona MacDougal rides into his castle courtyard announcing that she is willing to become his bride, Caradoc of Wales knows to be wary -- even of such a beautiful Scottish lass bearing gifts. He has no desire to take himself a wife, but her kisses are so tempting that the idea of an intimate -- and permanent -- union becomes most appealing indeed.
The thought of marrying this bold, handsome warrior sends shivers of delight down Fiona's spine. She wants nothing more than to tell him the entire truth -- that in his strong embrace she is certain to be safe from the despicable blackguard who would marry her for his own selfish gain. Fiona loves Caradoc dearly, but can she ever win her passionate husband's trust -- or gain his love -- if he discovers the real reason she sought him out?
"Tempt Me With Kisses was an absolute pleasure to read. I enjoyed meeting the characters, and felt a kinship with them even after the last page was turned."
-- The Romance Reader
"Ms. Moore has written a fantastic story of love, betrayal and forgiveness....a definite must read for those who enjoy stories of secrets, inner turmoil and creative resolutions to difficult situations. Kudos for a perfect story."
--Romance Reviews Today
Read An Excerpt
From the back cover:
His Every Desire
Seeking vengeance on the lord who robbed him of his birthright, Sir Alexander DeFrouchette set out to steal his enemy's bride...and, in his haste,carried of the wrong lady! Now it would be far too dangerous to release the exquisite Lady Isabelle -- whose sister was the true captive he sought. The bold, spirited hellion has enchanted him, and Alexander longs to tame her and taste the sweetness of her kiss. But she is related to his hated foe, and the noble knight will never know Isabelle's love until she offers it willingly -- and this she dares never do.
All Her Dreams
Gallant knights are supposed to protect fair maidens -- not kidnap them! Yet here is Lady Isabelle, a prisoner of Sir Alexander, who is strong, virile, handsome, everything she ever dreamed of in a man. But proud, fiery Isabelle will never succumb to force -- no matter how powerfully he inflames her passion...or how quickly her heart beats when he's near...
"Readers will enjoy the antics and especially the debates between the brooding sexy hero and the intelligent captive who knows where her safety lies. As usual the audience gets more from a novelist who always provides an inviting tale."
-- The Best Reviews
Read An Excerpt
HarperCollins has several links to purchase. I note that while both are available from Amazon.com, it appears the reprint of TEMPT ME WITH KISSES is not yet available from Amazon.ca. Hopefully this is just a temporary delay. Both are available for ordering in Canada from Indigo online.
May we all have a happy, safe and wonderful holiday!
I think we may have a stowaway....
Now that I've finished the first draft of my current project for My Own NaNo, what have I been doing?
Not doing more work on the book...yet.
I've been doing a lot of other things that got a bit sidetracked, including updating/revising some of my webpages, like the one for my Warrior Series. When you've got a series that has fourteen books and a novella, it takes a while to make changes.
We also did a maintenance run to the cottage. And we've been getting ready for our trip to visit our son next week.
If I feel I have time, I may print up a chapter or two of the My Own NaNo manuscript. The first chapter is surely a mess in need of drastic revisions. However, unless I have at least two hours to spare, I'll leave it until we're home, when I can go through the entire manuscript, hopefully at least once, before Christmas.
Since I'll be away next week, let me take the time now to wish everyone who's on the road next week a safe and happy holiday!
Whoo hooo! I have made My Own NaNo goal and finished my first draft - a day early, too.
Here are the details:
Total Word Count - 58,405
Total Days - 28
Average Word Count Per Day - 2085
Total Number of Chapters - 20
So now what do I do?
I'll print up a hard copy that I'll read and make copious notes upon. (I am old school that way.) I'll be revising and editing, and noting where I need "more", including whole new scenes. I'll be moving scenes and deleting others entirely. I'll be adding back story and a lot of description (because right now, there is pretty much none). I need to research some historical details, and I really need to make a map of the village and surrounding area, so those details are consistent. In other words, I have a lot more work ahead of me.
But here's the thing - I now have the journey all mapped out. To be sure, there may yet be some twists in the road and I will do at least two more complete drafts (if not 4 or 5), but I know who these people are, where they're going and how they're going to get there. I know who's important and who's not. And I have a couple of sequel possibilities to either work on more, or let die on the vine.
Somebody asked me how long the finished book will be. At this point, I'm thinking about 80,000 words, but I don't know for certain. I'll see when I get there.
Most important of all, though, I've proven to myself that even after a very long break with no writing at all, my imagination is still capable of creating a story and characters. I've experienced that rush of excitement when something unexpected happens as I'm writing, something that takes a character or a story to a whole new level.
If My Own NaNo had done nothing more than that, it would have been totally worth it.
On October 13 I started My Own NaNo. My goal was to jump start a writing project after a long break and finish a first draft. I hadn't really considered a date for the deadline; however, National Novel Writing Month uses a deadline of - obviously - a month, so my deadline for a finished first draft should be November 10.
I think I'm gonna make it!
I'm in the final chapters of my first draft. I've written a total of 51,464 words and figure I'll have another few thousand before I'm done.
This novel actually started out as a 20,000 word novella. Of that novella, I have used the same names for the hero and heroine, the same setting, some of the original set-up and approximate two paragraphs of text.
Yep, tossed out most of the novella and started fresh. There were major changes to the plot and the heroine's situation and background so rather than struggle to use what I'd already written, it was easier to just forget it and write fresh material.
What happens after the first draft is done?
I tear it apart, cut it down, revise and rewrite, adding new material as necessary. I expect to lose at least 10,000 words from the first draft and probably a lot more.
On the plus side, I've figured out the basic emotional arc of the main characters, as well as their backstories. I've decided on the basic plot - what happens to who, if not precisely the best order. I know which secondary characters are more important than others, and created some that come in at the end that are going to have to be added earlier. I've discovered what I need to spend time researching, and what I don't.
All of this means I still have a whole lot of work to do. But I'm not feeling my way in the dark anymore. I have lighting and a path to follow, even if the journey is far from over.
Avon is reprinting two of my medievals!
Yes, that's right - reprinting, as in, available in print again. They are TEMPT ME WITH KISSES and ALL MY DESIRE. I don't have a firm release date, but hopefully in December. It's my understanding that the covers will be the same.
These are the second and third books in a trilogy. The first book, THE MAIDEN AND HER KNIGHT, is currently available in ebook form or used. As far as I'm aware, there are no plans to print it again. However, as with any of my series, I assumed that the readers of the later books wouldn't necessarily have read the ones preceding it, so you shouldn't feel lost if you haven't.
TEMPT ME WITH KISSES and ALL MY DESIRE are not currently available in digital form. There are plans to do that, but there are some details yet to be worked out.
I've noted how the stories are connected on my website.
As soon as I know more, you can bet I'll let you know!
(Just FYI, my newsletter subscribers heard about this first.)
I've decided it would make more sense for me to use my computer word count for my daily goal for My Own NaNo.
For one thing, that's how publishers determine length these days.
For another, it was starting to feel like I was cheating if I was counting one paragraph at the top of a page as a full page. And I've changed fonts, so I was actually getting more done than I thought, which is a good thing. However, I think it would be better to have a more accurate sense of what I'm accomplishing on a daily basis. So word count it is!
That's the thing about doing My Own NaNo. I can change things as I go, if need be.
Something to note: This is a very lean draft, as my first drafts tend to be. I'm not worrying about description. I'm not concerned with much historical detail. I'm thinking primarily of the emotional arc of my characters. How their relationship is changing. How they're changing. How other people are impacting that relationship, and how they're changing, too. At this point, other plot elements are less important, so I'll leave them for later drafts.
And hooray! My story and characters are beginning to take on a life of their own. That means I no longer feel like I'm inching my way through a dark tunnel. There are shafts of light and parts where I can scamper. Yippee!
Today, a quick blog post about writing historicals and language. One of the things I try really hard to do is avoid obvious anachronisms, especially in dialogue. I vividly remember being ripped right out of a historical novel by an author's choice of the word "ego" in a story set in the Regency. That word was tecnically correct, as in, it was in use at that time, yet it struck me as too modern. I also thought that "pride" would have meant much the same in the context and would have been a lot less distracting.
Avoiding anachronisms isn't always possible when writing historicals, but I do try to avoid words that might yank the reader out of the world of the story. To give you an example from the book I'm writing now: I needed a word that meant "spoil" as in "You spoil that boy." I chose "indulge." Both are too modern for a medieval (well, so is most language my readers and I would understand!), but "indulge" sounds less anachronistic to me than "spoil," so indulge it is.
And now, back to it!
When I started My Own NaNo, I set myself the goal of 12 pages a day. Realizing that was too ambitious after such a long break from writing, I switched to 8 pages.
The fact that I'm using page count instead of word count indicates I'm old school. When I started, novel length was determined by page count and average number of words per page. The standard formula was number of pages times 250 words, no matter if the page had extra space at the bottom or top or not (beginnings and ends of chapters, for instance). These days it's done by computer word count.
Now, I've been getting pages done, although I haven't always made my goal, and I certainly haven't filled every single page. I've also changed the font I used and the size.
Today I decided to do a comparison between the amount I've written based on the old formula vs. computer word count.
By traditional count: 77 pages x 250 words = 19,250 words
Computer word count: 25,966
Either way you look at it, I've written what could constitute a novella in one week - if I weren't aware that probably a third of it is going to wind up on the cutting room floor.
Nevertheless, I confess I'm pretty thrilled. If I'm aiming for an 85,000 word first draft, I'm nearly a third of the way there, and in one week. That means I could have this draft nearly competed in another two weeks.
Even I am having a hard time believing that.
On the other hand, and as tough as first draft is, there will be plenty more hard work revising and rewriting before I'd have something ready to submit.
But to quote Mr. Kennedy from Gone With The Wind, "I'm mighty encouraged."
So I'm three days into My Own NaNo and have come to some conclusions:
1. My daily goal was too ambitious. I haven't been writing for several weeks, and that means the ol' writing muscles are out of shape. Twelve pages a day is just too many when I'm trying to get going again, so I'm changing my goal to a more manageable 8 pages.
This is why people say you should write every day - so the writing muscles don't get stiff. That said, I don't regret taking that time off. I needed it, so if I have to pay a price now, so be it.
2. Just when I thought I'd be free of major distractions, my son ran into some issues. Some writers are able to close out such distractions and concentrate on the writing. They even find it helps to focus on the work in tough times.
I am not of that ilk. I find it very difficult to concentrate on a job that requires so much creativity when I'm worried. And no, I cannot stop worrying if something is out of my control. I can certainly do things like revising, update my website or other administrative tasks, but writing a first draft? That's another story. So the first two days of My Own NaNo were kinda sunk before I started. Still, I did get more done than if I hadn't set myself a goal.
So what have I accomplished? I got 8 pages done on Day 1 and 7 pages on Day 2. So far today, the count is 7 pages. I may do more, I may not. Tomorrow I'm getting together with friends, so I may not get anything written.
Am I going to beat myself over missing a daily goal, or a few of them? Oh, heck no. By my own choice, I don't have an official deadline, so this goal is just for me, and it was never to get a first draft finished in a month. My main goal is simply to get back to the computer on a consistent basis.
Still, I'm hopeful I'll be more successful meeting my 8-page-a-day goal, especially since my son's issue was successfully straightened out yesterday.
Onward!
