I’ve entitled my next (maybe) series to be War Mage.<\/p>\n
So far I’ve done more writing than researching. \u00a0(Did you know the Afghan war is STILL going on? \u00a0Since 2001?????) \u00a013,727 transcribed words, another 2K or so left to transcribe in my notebook.<\/p>\n
I outlined. \u00a0God help me, I actually outlined<\/em>. \u00a0Not anything major, because I knew darn well that if I detail-outlined, I’d never write the book. \u00a0I just put in one or two words of what the plot points are and put them in the outline. \u00a0The muse then takes a look at it and we write. \u00a0She knows, for instance that “Sarah” is when the main character meets his old flame. \u00a0What happens? \u00a0How does he treat him? \u00a0How does he treat her? \u00a0Do they still care?<\/p>\n I’ve noticed that as long as I got some semblance of an outline, that I will follow a set group of plot points or action points I want to hit. \u00a0I also need to write in my notebook the beginning of the scene, at least the first two lines. \u00a0So that when I sit down and start the writing, that I will know where I need to start and what plot point I may need to hit.<\/p>\n The other thing is, I’ve realized, that this book is not the first in the series. \u00a0The first in the series really needs to take place in Afghanistan. \u00a0Maybe a few of the books in the series need to take place there. \u00a0But it starts in Afghanistan, goes to the States, then ends back in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n I’m wondering if this character is any good. \u00a0He seems flat to me. \u00a0He’s got power and ability, doesn’t use it often unless he’s angry (“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”) or passionate or has extreme emotion. \u00a0He has a short fuse, the power to back it up, and he’s got luck on his side – until…<\/p>\n That’s the problem. \u00a0Nothing seriously bad has happened to him yet. \u00a0I know what the big bad<\/em> is. \u00a0I’ve been working on developing him as a powerful mage so much that I haven’t made bad things happen. \u00a0Or if they do, they just roll off him.<\/p>\n Well, something’s gotta give. \u00a013K words, and nary a conflict.<\/p>\n Okay muse, let’s go to sleep and think about this.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’ve entitled my next (maybe) series to be War Mage. So far I’ve done more writing than researching. \u00a0(Did you know the Afghan war is STILL going on? \u00a0Since 2001?????) \u00a013,727 transcribed words, another 2K or so left to transcribe … Continue reading