And thus I don't send my stories to lit mags anymore. THEY think THEY write the stories. And small wonder everything sounds alike these days. We gotta stick with OUR voice.
So wait, this is technically the first Declan Shaw, but would be the third published if you move forward? Benjamin Percy says the mark of a true writer is one who is willing to tear a manuscript into a million pieces and reconstruct it from just a few of the best scraps and a whole new vision. Actually, I said that - but he said something similar in a completely different way. Stakes. Ugh.
Actually there's even an earlier Declan Shaw book. I haven't looked at it in a very very long time and that's probably for the best, lol. It's like the old car in the back of the garage that might be used for parts! But it served its purpose. It helped me define the character. Yes, the book in submission with the publisher right now is chronologically taking place before Love You Till Tuesday (published last year) and before Catch Me on a Blue Day (out in September) - but "Blue Day" was written after "Tuesday". Confused? That's OK ... it doesn't matter anyway. I'm the only one who needs to have my character's bio in order in my head! I significantly rewrote the thing....
You said it, Martine. Jumping into starting a new book project is like a 'total-immersion experience.' So me too. And it feels like magic, doesn't it ( ;
I worry about any advice that essentially translates into "Make this book more like other books." That said, raising the stakes is something I'm continually conscious of. I'm always looking for ways to increase the peril or the consequences of failure. But it can go too far. Not every failure needs to result in death or have end-of-the-world consequences. I mean, not every protagonist needs to be James Bond, who is, after all, a totally unbelievable and unrelatable character.
What bugs me is when it’s taken literally. The stakes can be emotional, psychological… fears, imagined dangers. The idea that in crime fiction the hurt has to be literal is annoying. And it quickly gets repetitive, from book to book indeed.
Totally agree. My new character’s biggest fear isn’t so much death as having his human consciousness fragment among his 12 cats as they run off on their own, carrying pieces of his self with them.
And thus I don't send my stories to lit mags anymore. THEY think THEY write the stories. And small wonder everything sounds alike these days. We gotta stick with OUR voice.
So wait, this is technically the first Declan Shaw, but would be the third published if you move forward? Benjamin Percy says the mark of a true writer is one who is willing to tear a manuscript into a million pieces and reconstruct it from just a few of the best scraps and a whole new vision. Actually, I said that - but he said something similar in a completely different way. Stakes. Ugh.
Actually there's even an earlier Declan Shaw book. I haven't looked at it in a very very long time and that's probably for the best, lol. It's like the old car in the back of the garage that might be used for parts! But it served its purpose. It helped me define the character. Yes, the book in submission with the publisher right now is chronologically taking place before Love You Till Tuesday (published last year) and before Catch Me on a Blue Day (out in September) - but "Blue Day" was written after "Tuesday". Confused? That's OK ... it doesn't matter anyway. I'm the only one who needs to have my character's bio in order in my head! I significantly rewrote the thing....
You said it, Martine. Jumping into starting a new book project is like a 'total-immersion experience.' So me too. And it feels like magic, doesn't it ( ;
The ultimate out-of-body experience, and all natural!
Excellent post M.E. You covered a lot of ground. - Jim
Thank you for reading, Jim.
I worry about any advice that essentially translates into "Make this book more like other books." That said, raising the stakes is something I'm continually conscious of. I'm always looking for ways to increase the peril or the consequences of failure. But it can go too far. Not every failure needs to result in death or have end-of-the-world consequences. I mean, not every protagonist needs to be James Bond, who is, after all, a totally unbelievable and unrelatable character.
What bugs me is when it’s taken literally. The stakes can be emotional, psychological… fears, imagined dangers. The idea that in crime fiction the hurt has to be literal is annoying. And it quickly gets repetitive, from book to book indeed.
Totally agree. My new character’s biggest fear isn’t so much death as having his human consciousness fragment among his 12 cats as they run off on their own, carrying pieces of his self with them.
And I replied in the wrong place too, ahah.
My bad! I haven’t figured out social media yet.
"my husband... is my first reader and toughest critic" A spouse is really good but I have to watch what I write. Which is probably really good
Or you’ll get your knuckles rapped?
Ha! somethin like that
Oh my God. Stakes. If they're not in the hands of Buffy, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THEM.
I've gotten that comment. DREAD AND LOATHING.
Ahah, yes!
The idea that stakes can't be subtle drives me nuts. Maybe the MC is just motivated by curiousity. Why the hell not?
I’m with you all the way!
That is a very unique condition, lol. And as everybody knows, cats are hard to herd…. What a way to lose your mind…
Sorry—I put my reply in the wrong place. It’s where it should be now.