Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post

Nik · 3rd September 2007, 01:17 PM

Um, I wrote the first couple of chapters of Project Lorraine in a rush. IIRC, I got to #4 or #5, had a wonderful idea for the finale, reckoned it would top-out my 'probable' novelette as Chapter #10. I wrote those two crucial scenes, set them aside ready.

Then the main tale took on a life of its own. Phrases turned into paragraphs, paragraphs into pages, pages into chapters. One 'running gag' became two chapters. I wrote and I wrote and I wrote...

I managed to rein-in the tale before it ran out of steam. Well, yes, I lost my nerve. I could have written another 30k, but I was scared I'd fall off the wave and slump into 'Turgid'. Better to stop while 'gold'. Whatever...

I copy-pasted those two scenes, changed some names and had my finale-- now Chapter #30 !!

And, yes, I'd accidentally written my first novel, never mind the surreal style and the niche subject...

Okay, so I got lucky : In my unhappy experience, writing a good chapter out of sequence can kill the tale...

Sometimes it is a beacon of hope.
Often, it torpedoes my confidence-- Like fog clearing to reveal a vast, trackless Canyon ahead of weary explorers...

3rd September 2007, 01:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nik Speaker to Cats Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK: ENGLAND: Posts: 308	Project Lorraine... Um, I wrote the first couple of chapters of Project Lorraine in a rush. IIRC, I got to #4 or #5, had a wonderful idea for the finale, reckoned it would top-out my 'probable' novelette as Chapter #10. I wrote those two crucial scenes, set them aside ready. Then the main tale took on a life of its own. Phrases turned into paragraphs, paragraphs into pages, pages into chapters. One 'running gag' became two chapters. I wrote and I wrote and I wrote... I managed to rein-in the tale before it ran out of steam. Well, yes, I lost my nerve. I could have written another 30k, but I was scared I'd fall off the wave and slump into 'Turgid'. Better to stop while 'gold'. Whatever... I copy-pasted those two scenes, changed some names and had my finale-- now Chapter #30 !! And, yes, I'd accidentally written my first novel, never mind the surreal style and the niche subject... Okay, so I got lucky : In my unhappy experience, writing a good chapter out of sequence can kill the tale... Sometimes it is a beacon of hope. Often, it torpedoes my confidence-- Like fog clearing to reveal a vast, trackless Canyon ahead of weary explorers...