Cool technology

So I downloaded the iBooks App and got free copies of about 15 books I intended to read for reference. Everything from traditional classics like "The Odyssey" and "La Morte d'Arthur" to Epic Poems like "The Volsunga Saga", "Nibelungenlied" and "Kalevata".

I had built this reading list when reviewing my favorite authors and learning what their influences were. It seems most of what I enjoy reading derives from Norse and Icelandic Mythology!

Character Backstory

I've used the techniques I read recently to flush out back story for two main characters. Much of this writing will probably not see the published page, but its existence adds depth and continuity to the characters. With their history in mind, it's easier to divine "what would he do here". These characters are evolving on their own it seems.

Reference Material

I had been reading Joseph Campbell's "Hero with a Thousand Faces", but after the Hero's Journey section I can't pick it up without falling asleep. I'll get back to it later, but for now I've been reading "Character" chapters from some of my older texts, like "Story", "Fundamentals of Screenwriting", "Story Sense", "Making a Good Writer Great", etc. These are all from my screenwriting days, but I think the principals apply to this format.

Transcription

I transcribed some of my original notes from years ago. Many of these ideas have been in my head in some form all this time, but looking at these notes again has refreshed my memory.

The Muse

Throughout this project, when facing writer's block I play Luna Mortis to get going. The new Killswitch Engage should also prove rich in the motivation department! \m/

... Act II draft continues ...

Act II

I've begun piecing together previously written scenes into an Act II. Not a lot of cohesion yet but if I can keep moving forward it will become more apparent what works and what doesn't.

I also spent some time working on character back stories. It's nearly impossible to write characters without knowing who they are. Anyway, this opens up huge cans of worms from culture, to geography, to socio-political and religious implications. Maybe I'm over-thinking it, but I don't want stale characters.

Update

Seriously I have done some work since the last post, I swear! Progress has been slow due to a diversion outside the project... but I believe this was an endeavor worthy of the time spent.

I've made a little progress nonetheless. I've hashed out a possible first act, which I'm not crazy about. I may table that as an idea for another book or something. We'll see.

So far limited reviews of the short story have been positive.

Short

Took some time to revisit the first short. Did some rewriting and completed a second draft. It's about a dozen pages and is intended to stand alone for now, but it does take place in the same world and involves one of the characters from the main work. It may be incorporated into the book in some form, or at least alluded to. Other than that, I finished a preliminary Plot outline. In its present form I see there is much more work to be done before it's satisfactory.

Progress....

The milestone calendar is working pretty well. I've been writing every day since starting that approach. Also, using mass transit during the commute is allowing me to put time into the project that would have otherwise been spent driving.

New approach

In an effort to avoid distractions and procrastination, I've set a calendar full of milestones for the next month or so. After two days it's working OK, but time will tell. I have a first draft target of Mid-May.

Damn Distractions

I assume any author can attest to the constant distractions that get in the way of the effort. Today I was able to fight though that and get some good ideas down. So far I have a bunch of "scenes", but I am continuing to think of these in the context of a greater theme.

Btw, it's a pita to come up with good names for places and characters. So far everyone is a pronoun!

I began reading Hero with a Thousand Faces the other day. It's good material for getting in the right writing mindset.

Slow Progress

I've had some recent distractions keeping me from the project, but will be back at it soon enough.

Flushing out character

I've spent some time recently flushing out what might prove to be a main character. You know, coming up with compelling names is more challenging than it sounds!

Short Story Update

As expected, reviewing the short story revealed some flaws. The story is OK, but the flow could be dictated better and some description could be streamlined. Also, without the context of the novel I need to include some characterization that readers would otherwise already be privy to. I have set a short timetable to rework these facets.

Epic Session

I just had probably my best writing session of the project. I jammed for about four hours and finished up a first draft of this short story. I'll look at it with fresh eyes later and probably think it sucks but it's progress.

Sweet

Three followers! This is really taking off now! lol

Work continues on the short story... more on that later. I've been reading three books simultaneously, depending on what I'm in the mood for. For training I've started "Hero with a Thousand Faces", for classical reference "The Iliad", and for pure entertainment value I'm on book 2 of the Conan series. Each is providing some insight into writing style and story structure so I'm going to keep reading as much as writing.

Update

Haven't posted in a while but I have been working. I'm currently focusing on a short story, relevant to the overall topic, but something that can stand on its own. It's probable this may make its way into the final novel in some form.