I don't know if I'm being silly or pretentious, but I include in thinking about my writing such things as "themes" and "architecture." (There are probably technical terms for what I'm saying, but since I don't know them, I've made up my own terminology.)
I have three different viewpoint clusters in Tuskers III -- not just different viewpoint characters, but clusters of viewpoint characters separated by time and space from other clusters, but connected in the plot.
So when I have too many chapters with one cluster, it makes the book feel lopsided, somehow. In an architectural sense.
So I find myself looking for the other clusters to counter-balance that.
For instance, I have quite a few chapters in Tuskers III with new characters. I have a few chapters with older, main characters, and the biggest addition is a third cluster from the viewpoint of the Tuskers themselves.
I'm having no trouble with the first cluster, the new humans.
I've got a plan in mind for the second cluster, the former main characters. They'll come in strong at the end, where they belong.
The third clusters seems sparse. I feel like I need a couple more early chapters from the viewpoint of Napoleon, the main Tusker character.
But the story so far hasn't offered a reason for those chapters.
Nevertheless, I feel like the book is lacking chapters from that viewpoint. There has to be something I'm missing, otherwise the book would feel complete and it doesn't. It's lacking something -- a pleasing balance, if you will.
So today's task will be to come up with those counter-balancing chapters. I may spend most of the day thinking about it, before I write. The new chapters have to be legit. They can't just be chapters for chapters sake.
But because the architecture of the story demands it, I'm positive they are there.
I have three different viewpoint clusters in Tuskers III -- not just different viewpoint characters, but clusters of viewpoint characters separated by time and space from other clusters, but connected in the plot.
So when I have too many chapters with one cluster, it makes the book feel lopsided, somehow. In an architectural sense.
So I find myself looking for the other clusters to counter-balance that.
For instance, I have quite a few chapters in Tuskers III with new characters. I have a few chapters with older, main characters, and the biggest addition is a third cluster from the viewpoint of the Tuskers themselves.
I'm having no trouble with the first cluster, the new humans.
I've got a plan in mind for the second cluster, the former main characters. They'll come in strong at the end, where they belong.
The third clusters seems sparse. I feel like I need a couple more early chapters from the viewpoint of Napoleon, the main Tusker character.
But the story so far hasn't offered a reason for those chapters.
Nevertheless, I feel like the book is lacking chapters from that viewpoint. There has to be something I'm missing, otherwise the book would feel complete and it doesn't. It's lacking something -- a pleasing balance, if you will.
So today's task will be to come up with those counter-balancing chapters. I may spend most of the day thinking about it, before I write. The new chapters have to be legit. They can't just be chapters for chapters sake.
But because the architecture of the story demands it, I'm positive they are there.