Progress on the book

[pegkerr]

I wrote 530 words in today's hour session. Worked up a rough outline yesterday.

(I had put the outline here, but a couple of hours later I took it down. Decided I might tinker with it further, and for now it feels right to keep it private).

Feeling a little troubled, and simultaneously amused with myself for being fretful. Six months ago, I would have been ecstatic to have a rough outline of a real book and several scenes written, and ideas for more and more welling up every day. Yet I look at the outline and feel dissatisfied. Reasons for dissatisfaction: I don't quite have a handle on either Jack or Solveig's voice yet. Well, I do, but they seem . . . bland to me. How to sharpen the focus? Am hesitating whether to tell the story from entirely Solveig's P-O-V. Or should I include some of Jack's, so I can include scenes between him and Rolf? Would that be too much spoiling? Also, I look at the outline, and I think is that all? I still have the feeling that there's something missing. I don't know if it's plot. Part of it is a deeper understanding of the magic of the book, other than the fact that it wells up from what Minnesota is.

Theme is shaping up in my mind a bit more reassuringly. Cycle of life (maiden-mother-crone), accepting the cycle rather than fighting it, permanence v. impermanence, heart of flesh v. heart of stone, coldness v. warmth.

Gotta dash to work.

Cheers,
Peg

Comments

[dejaspirit.livejournal.com]

I think the story would prbably flow better if told from Solveig's POV. Perhaps the scenes between Jack and Rolf could fit in, but I think it'd be really interesting to be completely inside of Solveig's head. Sounds wonderful, btw. :) Know how you feel about magical (although I'm not a real writer..LOL) my fanfiction is lacking something *sighs*. Perhaps when I've practiced on fanfiction enough I'll be able to begin something "real". Perhaps....

I am a Peg fangirl and Msscribe Fangirl

[(Anonymous)]

You should do this Msscribe! I love Hush so much I've read it twice (please hurry with more) and I read Peg's second book about a month ago. I can't wait until the next one. I LOVE YOU PEG!

Sarah
sarahkjames2003@yahoo.com

[pameladean]

I don't think we work in quite the same way, but I've found that if I know a theme, it will burst out variously throughout an inadequate conception of the plot or characters and fill things out nicely in the very writing. I am having to relearn this, it's been so long, and I agree that it's a daunting way to proceed.

Pamela

[dejaspirit.livejournal.com]

Um, this isn't by chance the author of that coming of age novel TAM LIN is it? Cuz if it is, I'm squeeing. :) And I never squee, because I'm not a fangirl. Dammit. Damn. Dammit to Hell.

Dionne (who has spent enough time lurking on Peg's LJ for the day!)

Pamela Dean

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm pleased to say that this is indeed the one and the same Pamela Dean. Pamela has been a good friend and a very kind mentor to me. We were in a Shakespeare-reading group together for years, and she commented on The Wild Swans in manuscript. In fact, it was an offhand comment she made that led directly to the double-plot structure of the book.

Apropos of nothing, she also makes damn good molasses gingerbread.

Cheers,
Peg

Re: Pamela Dean

[pameladean]

That was so delightful. "My book morphed! My book morphed!"

*waving to the fangirl* Fangirls are fine with me. I are one. Not of myself, that would be too droll. But I are.

And thank you for your kind remarks.

Pamela