It is official!
I just renamed the folder in my computer documents file. My master folder that holds all the research sites, timelines/calendars, synopses, reader surveys and, of course, the book chapters themselves has been renamed. It is no longer the Aurora Trilogy (original) or the Aurora Quadrilogy.
New official name: Aurora Quintology.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Aha! Moment
I had an "Aha!" moment tonight. You know, a bright idea, a "Why-didn't-I-think-of-this-before?" moment.
I have known for awhile that this book was getting longer and longer the more I wrote. No, it was not because I was actually putting the story on paper-Oops! I mean the laptop. It was because my adding characters and "fleshing out" the plot kept adding paragraphs and even whole chapters. It was really getting too long to be a successful young adult novel.
While working through my synopsis tonight, a realized that the book would be more manageable if I end it at the conclusion of Section Four instead of dragging it out another two sections. An effective ending just popped into my head. Fast on its heels, came a smoothly flowing "jumping off" scene for Book Two, which is tentatively named Aurora Recover.
This will leave me with a book approximately 300 to 350 printed pages in length. Much better.
So, am I trashing Sections Five and Six? Absolutely not! They are Sections Two and Four of Aurora Recover. The timeline (calendar) and synopsis for Aurora Rescue has already been adjusted and the new timeline and synopsis for Aurora Recover has been started.
The best part is this: instead of being a little over halfway finished with this novel, I am four-fifths of the way completed.
I have known for awhile that this book was getting longer and longer the more I wrote. No, it was not because I was actually putting the story on paper-Oops! I mean the laptop. It was because my adding characters and "fleshing out" the plot kept adding paragraphs and even whole chapters. It was really getting too long to be a successful young adult novel.
While working through my synopsis tonight, a realized that the book would be more manageable if I end it at the conclusion of Section Four instead of dragging it out another two sections. An effective ending just popped into my head. Fast on its heels, came a smoothly flowing "jumping off" scene for Book Two, which is tentatively named Aurora Recover.
This will leave me with a book approximately 300 to 350 printed pages in length. Much better.
So, am I trashing Sections Five and Six? Absolutely not! They are Sections Two and Four of Aurora Recover. The timeline (calendar) and synopsis for Aurora Rescue has already been adjusted and the new timeline and synopsis for Aurora Recover has been started.
The best part is this: instead of being a little over halfway finished with this novel, I am four-fifths of the way completed.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Where West Meets East
While working on the chapter of Aurora Rescue that I just finished, I realized that the chapter was going to appear before one of my favorite scenes: the one with Cy and the F.B.I. agent, Lee Hardin, in the internet cafe. The one where, in response to Agent Hardin asking Cy if he minds being called "Kid", Cy responds by asking Hardin if he minds being called "Cowboy".
However, both of these chapters have already taken place AFTER the chapter where Cy did his research on Lee Hardin, and already formed an adjusted opinion about the man as a result of his research.
So, in this chapter, as a teaser for the reader, Cy mentions something about Cowboy. Marty has no idea who he is talking about. As I am writing the scene, I decide to have her wondering if he is making fun of the owner of the touring agency with which she is supposed to be traveling back east.
For that to work, I realize that I need to flesh out the tour agency in previous chapters. Instead of being the generic no-name touring company it currently is, I will go back to add in West Tour Agency, with the motto for the tour Marty is taking to be, "Where West Meets East." Tour Guide: Mr. West, who looks the part by wearing western clothing.
For that to work without running into trademark issues, of course, it required me to go online to be sure there was not a West Tour Agency with that motto located in the general area where Marty lives.
Found none so far. Now for the revisions to past chapters so I can move forward.
However, both of these chapters have already taken place AFTER the chapter where Cy did his research on Lee Hardin, and already formed an adjusted opinion about the man as a result of his research.
So, in this chapter, as a teaser for the reader, Cy mentions something about Cowboy. Marty has no idea who he is talking about. As I am writing the scene, I decide to have her wondering if he is making fun of the owner of the touring agency with which she is supposed to be traveling back east.
For that to work, I realize that I need to flesh out the tour agency in previous chapters. Instead of being the generic no-name touring company it currently is, I will go back to add in West Tour Agency, with the motto for the tour Marty is taking to be, "Where West Meets East." Tour Guide: Mr. West, who looks the part by wearing western clothing.
For that to work without running into trademark issues, of course, it required me to go online to be sure there was not a West Tour Agency with that motto located in the general area where Marty lives.
Found none so far. Now for the revisions to past chapters so I can move forward.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Welcome Back #1 Granddaughter
SHE'S BACK!!!
#1 granddaughter has agreed to be one of my readers again. I am very happy she thinks she will have time to do this for me. She is a critical reader who pays attention to detail. She will be an asset in catching things I write that do not quite read right.
She is also starting a novel. From what she has told me of the plot, it sounds like a winner. I will be one of her readers, so I will be interested to see how her book develops.
I'M BACK!!!
I know this is the first post in awhile. Aurora Rescue went on break for the holidays, not long after my last post. But, I will be back to work starting this week.
#1 granddaughter has agreed to be one of my readers again. I am very happy she thinks she will have time to do this for me. She is a critical reader who pays attention to detail. She will be an asset in catching things I write that do not quite read right.
She is also starting a novel. From what she has told me of the plot, it sounds like a winner. I will be one of her readers, so I will be interested to see how her book develops.
I'M BACK!!!
I know this is the first post in awhile. Aurora Rescue went on break for the holidays, not long after my last post. But, I will be back to work starting this week.
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