Today I expect to finish my EC novella, Only Human. I’m down to the happy ending part, wrapping up everything in the last chapter. Then I need to read it over, check for continuity, character arc, clarity, make sure the scenes have the oomph and impact they should have, all of which makes the happy ending satisfying and believable.
And then I can ship it off to Editor Suz in Oz and go back to Miss Lonely Hearts. Although I think I’ve resolved all the structural issues in that book now. Just finding the structure was a biggie. For the longest time, every time I worked on it I found myself unable to see the trees for the forest and pretty soon I was wondering lost in the woods. Now I can go back in with a map and a compass.
I keep referring back to Ansen Dibell’s Plot while putting this together because it deals with building to set pieces and echoes and other things I need to pull off to make this book work. If you don’t have Plot, it’s one of the most useful reference books I’ve ever stumbled onto in my life. Highly, highly recommend it.
But today it’s all about the happy ending. And then I get to read Untouched because B&N has delivered. 🙂
I checked out that Plot book — I do like the Elements books, though I’ve tried to have a moratorium on writing books since I don’t really use them I just like to have them around, LOL. Or, I use them, but sporadically and in pieces. I also have heard good things about McKee’s STORY, and I would probably benefit from reading these… maybe I should break down and make a purchase.
So glad you got Untouched — I’m starting The Gripping Beast today, too, so we’re reading buddies now, LOL.
Sam
Plot is an incredibly useful book. I love it. I haven’t picked up STORY, either, although I keep hearing good things about it.
Reading buddies, yep! But I bet I finish first. I’m fast. Enjoy the Vikings!
Congrats on finishing, Charli! So uhm whatcha working on next? 😀
Maya, I just typed the end and I’m sniffling like Joan Wilder in Romancing the Stone. Only Human is DONE!
Next up, Miss Lonely Hearts: The Great Rewrite. Cut out the stuff that doesn’t belong, write in the stuff that does. No problem. *insert hysterical laughter*