mary_j_59

So I'm still at it! Still revising the perpetual SF novel, as a result of another R&R from another small press. And--

It's so much fun! Really, I love this book with all my heart partly because it's been such a journey of discovery for me. I never imagined I would love editing so much; I always preferred the dreamlike state of drafting. But fine-tuning this book is just a blast so far. It's so great seeing scenes come into focus with small cuts or changes in phrasing. I've managed to cut close to 1.3 K words from the manuscript so far and, as far as I can tell, it's helped it. I HAVE added a couple of scenes as well, and there's another scene--a flashback--to be added to the latter half of the story. That's all good. However--

I am trying to correct the position of major plot points as I edit. It was my hope that, by cutting extraneous words and scenes, I'd move the first, second and third turnings where they ought to be (before 1/4 of the way through, before and just slightly after the halfway point). And--it's not happening. You see, as the book itself gets shorter, those percentages don't move. My first turning is still just under 26 percent of the way through, and the second sits at 51 percent.

This is why, in order to force major plot points into position, authors may rely on flashbacks.

As my faithful readers know, I'm averse to flashbacks for this story. I do have a couple already, and as I said, I'll add at least one more. But, in general, I think readers need to experience this world in real time. Else they'll get utterly lost. So I'm kind of stuck.

But here's what I think: What matters more than some arbitrary number is the flow of the story, and its clarity. If I improve those things--and i think I have--it won't matter so much if a plot point happens a few pages after its "supposed to". At least, that's my hope. I'm trying to make sure every word and every scene carries the story forward. If I do that, I really think I'll be okay--if not for this small press, then hopefully for another.

Wish me luck!

I have, as some of you know, two WIPs going at once. HONOR is (I truly think) nearing completion, after several rewrites. I need to do a little more trimming and revising of the latter third, and this is where these come from.

As they left the sickbay, a tall man scowled and muttered something, and Kiril shoved Kennet behind him and reached for the knife at his belt - but it was gone. “Kiril?” Kennet whispered.

“It’s all right,” Kiril answered, and tried to make himself believe it, so that Kennet would, as well. But he could feel himself shaking. How could he protect his brother and cousin, weaponless and surrounded by enemies? Then Donahue stepped forward.

I'd love to know what those (few) who know the story think of that! I think it helps, as far as it goes. And - okay. Just a touch more from the dragons:

I must say, it’s rather hard to read. Look,” and lady Ash held the book out to Verity. “Can you make it out at all?”

Verity peered at the open page in front of her and then laughed. “Her writing was awfully scraggly, wasn’t it? Worse than father’s. I think it says something about combing sulfur?”