So without really meaning to, I've finished another book. This one is
more a result of just writing everyday and reaching a conclusion than a
goal to write another book, if that makes sense. Just looked for an
interesting theme to explore and chipped away at it. It took twice as
long as normal and is shorter than usual, but it's a complete story.
Passed 50,000 words on "Eden's Return," which just goes to show that I should never worry about length. By the time I finish the second draft, I'll be beyond 60,000 words, which is fine.
I wanted this story to be shorter.
I have one chapter and the epilogue to go, which I think I can finish today.
There are plenty of concepts to explore here. I don't want the theme to overwhelm the story, but I'd like to add a little depth to it all. Just going to tinker with it, try to find ways to introduce the concepts.
FINISHED: It ended up at 52,400 words. I figure the rewrite will add about 15% as usual, so it may end up close to 70,000 words, which would be great. Anything above 60K would be fine.
Different than what I've done before. I like it, though I think it will need some strong rewriting. I want to delve into philosophy, though I'm not sure how I'm going to do that. That's my intent, at least.
I'm moving more and more into fantasy and science fiction, rather than horror or thrillers.
Not sure what to do next. I'd intended to rewrite and that's probably what I should do, rather than write another one. But...I never turn down ideas.
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4 comments:
I'm 4/5ths through.
I wonder if this story doesn't represent one of your major voices. I read it and think, this sounds like Jack London: fast reading, environment focused, character travails and turmoils, sequential and journey oriented.
I read maybe 1/2 last night, just kept reading.
You're missing some mystic revelation of the MC about 2/5ths of the way in, but the writing is pure and tuned in. You've gotten the temporal and physical character movement nailed.
You might allude to the girl being a women earlier on, so we get used to the idea faster (less distasteful in these PC days).
And I look forward to some story of yours where it doesn't take place in Eastern Oregon...
But, generally, I think this is your voice, this story and the writing rocks. This feels, truly, like a modern day Jack London.
That's very complimentary, Dave. I'll be interested to see what you think of the ending.
I think it's still a little rough. I'd like to play with some of the metaphysical ideas in it a bit more. I want to delineate the characters a bit more.
Let me know.
I rather like the continued mystery of what the Stasis is, what Artemis and even what Shani and her mother are. You might want to have your own, non-disclosed reasoning why and what these are, but keeping the secret lends a sense of continued mystique. (For instance, I'd expect that these bubbles have been placed all over the planet, preserving various unique ecosystems.)
In order for the ending to truly resonate as a retelling of Adam & Eve, you might want to draw that concept out a bit. The concept struck me only later as I contemplated the denouement and wondered if this was only the beginning of a series (which I can see you might extend).
There were numerous philosophical passages which rang true and gave the story a depth I've not read in your prior work -- getting old and waxing sentimental? Overall the story's theme evoked an elevated consciousness which came across as honest and poignant.
The Jack London comparison sticks. The sentence length, conservative descriptions and pacing all point to that style. Were you to expand on the reasoning and reflection on the why and how of the Stasis you'd be drifting into Heinlein'esque territory -- which wouldn't be a bad thing.
This is different for you, don't you think? I like it.
I put added emphasis on the "theme" this time, more than plot and characterization. I was interested in exploring the ideas without getting too specific. I was interested in "mood" as exemplified by the characters.
In the rewrite, I'm going to try to deepen the characterization a little bit; make one of the characters highly religious so he can put in some Biblical stuff, have another of the soldiers be highly educated and put in some bits about "Noble Savages."
As you say, I don't want to explain too much.
I'm glad you liked it.
Yeah, if I'm going to continue writing without making any money, I'd like to go my own way and explore different types of writing.
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