My Vision of Rounding Jupiter

As a kid I closed my eyes and experienced colorful, vivid visions…that’s how my dreams were to me, visions. They were the same for both my nighttime and daytime dreaming. And ever since I picked up my first science fiction book these dreams were always set in space, or on an alien planet.

Several years ago I woke up after taking a mind trip around the planet of Jupiter. I’ll tell you what y’all, it was wonderful. Below is the insert of this dream that I used for a scene of Galileo.

It was on the third day Jupiter appeared as a bright glowing dot, quickly growing into a massive giant. Fear skittered through as reality of its size dawned on her. The large planet eclipsed all glimpses of dark space beyond. The swirls of peachy orange and creamy white encompassed her view.

The shuttle tilted one-hundred and eighty degrees, riding along the planet’s curve. Vertigo set in as the perceived upside down tilt gave a false sense of direction. As the shuttle continued rounding Jupiter, the sun burst from the horizon and muted peaches and creams transformed into bright oranges and whites. Nettie realized they’d boomeranged around and were veering outward, away from the tumultuous giant…

I hope you enjoyed the trip…I know I did. Funny how even dreams can become fond memories.

It’s Progress

Last night was another progressive work session. I cut 1,000 words of useless content and then added double that fleshing out telling sections.

It’s not that I don’t EVER like to write in a telling format. Sometimes it’s useful, but most of the time it disconnects the reader from the story. I know that’s how I feel when I’m in the role of reader.

The scenes I focused on last night were battle scenes. When I reread them, the scenes felt more like a dictation or debriefing report. That is so not what I want the reader to feel. I want them to feel like they, themselves, are going through the battle. I want them to forget the main character is Nettie and start thinking [insert readers name here] is the main character.

Example:

…The bent metal cut into Nettie, causing pain…

The last part of the sentence is telling, but the scene really calls for a connected experience. I needed to show how and what kind of pain Nettie felt. I want to make it obvious and real to the reader.

Solution (for me):

…The bent metal tore into Nettie’s arm. She winced, biting back a scream. Her eyes watered as the pain shot through her forearm and up to her shoulder. Warm blood pooled at the ripped flesh then ran off, dripping onto her flight suit…

When you’ve finished your draft and start the revision phase, take a look and see what you’re telling versus what you’re showing. Then ask yourself if it’s the right format for the scene. You might find the story more enriching when you’re done.

Good writing all!

Letting Go

My creative muse is back. Yesterday I commented on my vibe search through my various industry sites. It worked! Yay! I started feeling the creative flow yesterday afternoon and after work…wrote like a madwoman.

I also did something more important. I let go of the remaining core of my story concept. Galileo has been a project I’ve been “working” on for over 16 years. Last night I was finally able to cut the last pieces of the original story and close a long-opened and quite drafty door.

There are still fond memories of that story. The characters fit in it because, like me in my writing, they were innocent and new to there “world”. But as I grew and evolved, so did my characters. They no longer were those young adults tossed into war, but adults tossed into political conflict.

My understanding of the world now, with all my experiences and knowledge gained since those first drafts, surpassed the ability to keep the story as it was.

Oh, I fought it. It was like a bittersweet romance that, although you knew it was over, you were afraid you’d forget the feelings after goodbye. But yesterday I realized those feelings and memories are apart of me, at the infrastructure of the writer I am now.

I’ve kept a version of the original story and will probably bind it…to look at from time to time when I’m feeling nostalgic. But as for right now, I’m honoring the memory by writing the correct story in the correct setting.

I feel released and finally free to wholly delve into the writer I’ve become. Today is definitely a good day.

Progress During Chaos

have been working on edits for Galileo and thinking about changing over to Sorcerer’s Carnival for a bit. My creativity is on the border of boredom. I guess I’ll never be one of those writers that works on projects one at a time.

With the holiday’s, school, and work, I’ve had little time to keep progress here and write.

Chapter 13 is coming along well. With the subplot and character changes outlined in earlier entries here, I’ve been busy making a lot of modifications. I’m hoping to have Chapter 13 completed by next Friday.

Then I have to decide, as mentioned above, whether to trek through to Chapter 14 or change over to Sorcerer’s Carnival for a bit. I guess my creative flow will veer in its own direction when I get there.

Good writing to all and I hope to bring a more thorough entry tomorrow or Sunday.

Progress Update

Galileo War is going well, finished the last two scenes I needed for the chapter. Now I just need to flesh out the transitions between them. Then it will be moving to the editing marathon phase.

I’ve been so focused on Galileo, once the characters and I started conversing again in my head, that I’ve neglected my short story Sorcerer’s Carnival. I need to find time to finish those revisions. The deadline is not until March, but I’d like to keep some breathing room for brain freezes and character tantrums.

Well, signing off for today…good writing to all my fellow writers out there.

Goldilock Syndrome

It must’ve been poetic karma that all this changing and major story revelations kicked off with lucky Chapter 13. I’m sure it’s there…somewhere.

Any-who.

Lot’s of rearranging done tonight. Chapter 13 started out at 6,549 words. For those of you who are familiar with my writing, this is way longer than any chapter I would do. After the replotting and overall enlightenment of the last few days Chapter 13 was cut down to 980 words. This, of course, is way to small for my chapter taste. Adding the fact that it was just a Hodge-Podge of remaining scenes I was really stressing about the Chapter.

So, tonight. I went back to the basics. Paper, pen, index cards. It’s the easiest way for me to focus and streamline my creative thoughts.

• I separated each scene and laid it out on the coffee table
• I took some index cards and put a plot point on each one, then lined them along the coffee table
• I ordered my scenes along the plot, where they fit best
• I then took a different color index and identified transitions and missing scenes to complete each plot point for the chapter

It was then I moved to the computer:

• I put a bold plot outline 
• I moved the scenes to their appropriate section
• Then I entered highlighted text summarizing the needed scenes to add

Whoa’la…rough (very rough) draft of Chapter 13. From that point I’ve been busy fleshing out the missing scenes, and smoothing out transitions.

In summary: I ended up with Goldilock syndrome. The first version was way to cold, the second was way to hot, and the third? It is just right! (As a new draft, that is)

Replotting the Subplots

Subplot: a secondary or subordinate plot, as in a play, novel, or other literary work; underplot. (As defined by Dictionary.com)

Yesterday’s personal honey do list started with a review and revision of my subplots.

Okay…there is a main plotline the two sisters follows, where they push and trigger drivers in each other’s story. But for the most part, they have individual stories independent of each other. For the purpose of my sanity, I’m going to treat each one as their own plot with timed exchanged points that have to happen (Back to the Future comment anyone?).

Nettie: Her story had three main subplots. I cut one subplot out all together because is was unproductive and…well, retarded in retrospect (yes, I’ll admit it). Okay, one down. It was decided (through an internal conversation between me and the character) that the other two subplots must happen. I will be working out the other kinks mentioned in September 26th post to strengthen these two.

Annie: Her story had what seemed like fifty zillion subplots that were pointless and counterproductive to the story. I took a huge mental machete and chopped away all but three subplots. These three are vital to the storyline and Annie’s motivation in the last half of the story. They need major renovations, but at least I have them identified and ready to go.

Once I worked out both sister’s plot lines I adjusted the exchange points, eliminating one of them, and moved the climax to a better position. I also ended up cutting out several secondary characters. By doing this exercise, I also managed to strengthen the theme, reduce the repetition, and delete several implausible scenes.

Plot and subplots are now strategically laid out. Today will be all about revising, smoothing, and fleshing out what’s left.

I feel like a writing surgeon…

A Honest Look

Last night I finished up my Chapter 12 edits and decided it was time to pause and take a respective look at the plot. There has been many changes since the final editing phases started. It was at this point I realized that many parts of my stories have changed so much, I needed to once again revise the ending.

To ensure the plot is believable I need to do the following:

• Revise a few of the subplots
• Move the climax of the story
• Modify two of the character’s motives (one MC and one secondary character)
• Delete several implausible scenes
• And change several settings

To strengthen my writing, I need to:

• Ensure my narrative voice is consistent throughout, several areas have a severe change in tone
• Strengthen the theme through stronger word selection
• Reduce the repetition of activity, mix it up a bit
• Realize my strengths and ensure it’s applied throughout (description, realistic dialogue, emotional connection)
• Realize my weaknesses and overcome (transitions, internal dialogue)

It’s important to a writer to take stock of their writing often. This is the only way they can improve. I hope that an honest approach is the key to improving my own writing.  If you’re interested in some information/tips on revisions , here’s some links:

Creative Writing Fiction  (Writing Tips)

Revising Strategies for Fiction and Non-Fiction

Editing a Novel and Surviving the Rejection Slip

Chapter 12 Revisions Complete

Revisions are complete. The  draft held a lot of issues and it took several weeks to work out.  The finished product, though, is wonderfully true to my vision. It’s interesting and inline with the moments Nettie, her crew, and her family face.

The drama was high but without seeming forced. The battle scenes are now accurate, tight, and action-packed. I almost made the mistake of having Nettie black out, but decided she should stay conscious for the aftermath of the hit. This gave an added touch of Kaitlin-ism, always my favorite scenes to write.

Next step: Editing and prepping for critique group submission. Then onto Chapter 13.

Good Weekend

Okay, good weekend with nice progression on both Galileo War and Sorcerer’s Carnival.

Galileo War Chapter 12

Fleshed out the action scenes for the main battle. Worked on pinning down the emotions for the hospital scene. Annihilated a few telling paragraph’s and filled in with some showing (hopefully). Tonight I want to double check the transitions and make sure they’re smooth. Then it’s all about the grammar and final editing.

Sorcerer’s Carnival

Focused on transitions and modifying POV’s in merged scenes. Still struggling with outlining the Sorcerer motivations, but I think I might have that worked out with some internal dialogue. I’m going to focus on that tonight.