THE CRUCIAL POINT IN WRITING WHERE YOU TAKE A STEP BACK
Posted on April 15, 2016
The last three weeks have been very productive. I managed to write 35,000 words during my break from school. The book is at 54,000 words, and I'm steering the characters into the climax. My hope is the final book will shake out to be around 63,000 words, but it may wind up closer to 70,000.
The challenges I put on myself with Here Is Where I . . . Wield a Really Big Sword were ambitious. I wanted to have a large cast and make sure the interplay and character growth happen for most if not all. I feel like I'm succeeding.
I'm going to take the next week to reread what I have so far and then target finishing the book in six weeks. Doing a read through at the two-thirds point always helps me clarify my direction and where the characters need to go. It also allows me to step back and see if the threads of the story are moving and interweaving the way I intended from the onset.
Something that was a crucial aspect of the story that I wanted to really explore was the banter. I wanted the tone to be a mix of serious and playful. I feel this falls closer to a YA Fantasy than a Middle Grade book.
I've really enjoyed the expansive cast, finding that even the supporting members have such fun potential.
I've structured the book so that it tells a single adventure, but I certainly leave it open to come back to the characters.
If all works out, I should be revealing a cover in the next few weeks. Fingers crossed I can convince Keith to pull out another one of his fine designs.