Though still early in the overall story, I’ve reached a point where I have to ask myself, “Just how big do you want this to be?” It’s an important question. I think with what I’ve already got going, if I just stick to the main plot and the smattering of subplots I’ve introduced, I’ve already got enough for a solid story here. And if I keep a tight reign on the subplots and don’t get too carried away with developing my characters with background information, or scenes, that while interesting may not be critical to the overall story arch, then this could end up being a nice quick read. BUT, is that what I want…and more importantly, is there a bigger, better story that could be told here? When I sat back and looked at it, I honestly felt like there was more to Ehlsewhere than I would ever be able to tell in a single book, but that I could tell the main story in one book. However, if I chose to do that, the most important things would be left out. What do I mean by that? Well, this story is going to be played out against the events surrounding the Prophesy of the Rendering. However, as key as those events are, the effects they have on the people living through them is really what the story is all about. And to get the full impact of that, I’m convinced I need to make this story both as deep and wide as the moment calls for–moment by moment and scene by scene. Chapter Eight was supposed to be about me committing to that ideal; about taking some of the key plot pieces and starting to build emotional weight around them, so that they’re not just facts to keep in mind, but matters that weigh on both the characters and the readers. Let’s take a look at how I thought it went…
Before we talk about the “deeper” aspects, let me acknowledge that the writing is choppy and sloppy. Okay, so I’ll definitely have to spend so time polishing it for readability. Now, as far as depth of story goes…I think I’d give myself a “good try” mark on that. Actually, I think I did a better job on the chapter where Begone/Shahdow found out he was abandoned at the stump than I did here when he finds out that he may have been “rescued” by way of the stump’s magic from some mysterious unknown peril in a faraway land. While I do like the plot mechanics involving the stump and the boy’s past, I fell like the emotional investment aspect fell a little flat and will have to reworked. Still, I think the chapter, as conceived, is salvageable with some good rewriting.
Take care until next time,
Mike
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