Writing News

Status reports of my efforts and progress

Novel’s First Four Chapters Ready for Beta-Read

by Cindy Rae

When I say “ready,” I don’t mean I actually think my chapters are ready.  I like to keep going over and over the same scenes, tweaking them and making them better.  But, one does finally reach a point of diminishing returns.  One does reach a point when one shows one’s baby to the world.

So, I’m ready for an avid reader or two to read the first four chapters of Sifa and Peter and tell me what he or she thinks.  Researching beta-reading and identifying readers will occupy much of my administrative overhead this month.

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Writing News: Zeddy and Bubba

by Cindy Rae

I finished a draft of a Zeddy and Bubba story!

My concept for the Zeddy and Bubba series is becoming more robust.  It will consist of travel adventure stories, introducing the reader (or the listener) to a wide range of experiences and locations in this world.

The next thing?  Besides revising the draft?  Deciding how much conflict needs to be in each story.  Right now, the stories are without much conflict, if that makes sense — almost like a travel report.

Writing Status: S&P Progress

by Cindy Rae

The first part, of three parts, of my novel about Sifa and Peter, is shaping up nicely.  I feel like the section now builds the characters and builds up tensions for the upcoming conflicts in a decent way.  I’m still struggling a bit with Laura’s story — how much to reveal about her personal tragedy in the first part.  How much allusion versus specific detail should be included?  How much should I unravel, or unveil, about her problems?  After all, her story is not as prominent as Sifa’s, or Peter’s.

I may have finally found someone to review Peter’s work scene, someone who knows of the profession Peter has in the book.  We’ll see!

Writing Status: Journal and S&P Revisions

by Cindy Rae

I’ve spent more time in my journal than anything else this month.  I’m just thankful to be writing something, and the journal has been valuable in a number of ways.

I’ve also tried a few self-assigned writing exercises, and I’m still eyeing the outline of S&P on my desk.  I’d like to get the calendar of events in the novel straightened out.

It’s been fun editing for the whole participle phrase thing.  Now, in addition to writing at least three more scenes, I’d like to expand my current dialogue with more action in light of this advice.

That’s probably enough work for the next month, although I’d love to fit in some scene overhauls and consider making some scenes more emotional with different word choices.

 

Character Arcs and Story Structure

by Cindy Rae

In addition to writing, I’ve been doing more research into story structure.

The problem is, my story doesn’t quite fit the standard model, as each of the three character arcs is well-formed enough to have its own introduction-conflict-resolution — but not at the same points in the overall story.  I think I can strengthen each character’s arc to be more of a solid story, though.

As with all writing advice, I’m going to let it sink in and discard what doesn’t apply.

I also may have too many scenes that are too short.  I’ll be looking at scene structure over the next month.

 

 

Writing Status: Slow Month

by Cindy Rae

I had high hopes for more writing time this summer. Parenting, gardening, and purging excess stuff have really eaten up June.

However, despite limited time, I’m learning more and more about my craft. I’m starting to hone character development in my novel, and I’ve finished the first draft of a science fiction short story.

Although I do read short stories, I’ve always liked reading novels better. However, it turns out, writing short stories is fun. I’m learning how to make every sentence work, more about pacing the action, how to not complicate things. I’m looking forward to shaping and finishing the short story.