No seriously. They are such a pain to write. How do you give proper attention to characters when you are stuck with scenes that require seven or more to be participating?! Ugh! This is the challenge I’ve been having with my writing. From my GM-Brain, I just want to follow the plot, but without meaning and character development, it’s worthless, and so many characters need to be addressed.
There are times I think back to books like “The Stand” where King created himself a cast of what? A dozen to follow? I mean how do you write the scene of the meeting of the Boulder Free Zone Committee without going insane or leaving someone out of the mix? He did it, and did it well. I feel like a fumbling poseur. Yes, yes… I know that is endemic among writers. Possibly a pandemic of impostor syndrome. Doesn’t change the fact I feel it.
At least I can say it’s moving forward though, despite getting ready to add an eighth member to the party. So what sounds more medieval for a group of travelers? Party, Band, Group, team? Blarg… do I just throw it in the mixmaster and hit frappe?
Plus how do you handle a secret romantic subplot in the midst of it? Lament lament lament. anyhooo… new chapter titles that are done… and not necessarily in order because I may have to rearrange some of them for better flow and suspense.
#? Placing a Bit in the Mouth of the Wild (will be moving)
31. Beyond the Bounds of Law
32. Planning the Coronation (may have to move)
33. Under a Lowering Sky
34. Like Sheep To Uncertain Pasture
35. The Last Farmhold
36. Where A Clandestine Rendezvous Occurs
37. Ascending For Primae
38. Brother Finn Risks His Neck (probable re-title)
39. Palliative Heat & An Ancient Terror (probable re-title)
On a positive note, the direction this part of the plot has come over the horizon, and weeks of contemplation, worry and irritation are now being put on the page. Unfortunately, it has revealed another issue that will have to wait till the second draft to address. More on that in a later post. I will be summoning my clutch of alpha readers, for a private discussion on the topic of culture and weighing authenticity versus modern fantasy sensibilities. Yes, the two are suddenly in conflict.
But if you would like to opine on the subject, I shall ask the hypothetical. If you were reading a historical fantasy book and came across an old custom that was socially distasteful in modern terms (compared to even as far back as Victorian terms) would you prefer the authenticity, or would you rather it be written around as too distracting. Mind you I’m not talking something totally reprehensible, but we’re talking moderate social taboos.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and more to come soon! Yes, actually soon. 😉
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