No, I’m not talking about James Bond, yet again. But I already mentioned Skyfall (which, I’ll probably have to re-name my book but it’s Skyfall to me, so for now, it’s staying that way…) so I thought I’d just go with it.
I haven’t had a chance to write anything because my summer classes are completely overwhelming me. I’m amazed at how much my professor expects us to get done each week and I don’t know how I would have handled three, so I’m glad I only ended up in one.
I did write a lot the other night, though. I was so proud of myself. Instead of typing it out like I usually do, I wrote it in my little blue notebook. Maybe I’m trying to channel Garth Nix… but no, I did not use a fountain pen. I actually really liked it, I’ve heard that actually writing out the first draft is best, because staring at a blank computer screen isn’t great for inspiration. I wasn’t concentrating on word count, I was just thinking about what I was writing and putting it down on the page.
I do need to type it all out so I know how long it actually is, though. And in case I somehow manage to lose the little blue notebook, which, knowing me, may happen. And then I would probably bawl my eyes out because the entirety of everything I’ve written in that book exists only there, and I’d lose all of those scenes forever because I don’t think I could re-create them as well as I first wrote them.
Anyway, getting back to the post title, I feel like the scope of the world of my book is getting out of control. At first, I assumed there would be three books. The first one I have all planned out, and the beginning, end, and various middle pieces are all written, I just need to fill in the holes. Except that recently, pieces that I thought were going to be part of the second book have been pushing their way into the first because I realize they make more sense there.
Then I realize everything that needs to happen and it’s just… outrageous. The number of characters that I have to deal with is equally daunting, but they’re all important to the plot. They even leave me room to write individual books about each of them because the story is so complex. I guess that’s good though, because I won’t be stuck, but it’s getting difficult for me to keep track of things in my brain. I wish there was an easier way to do it, but I really want to lay out every single scene in a row on the floor and look it over, and then be able to move the pieces like a jigsaw puzzle if necessary.
I can’t tell if it’s getting easier or harder to put the narrative together as I write more!
