The novella series has a new working name: CotFR. As I develop the storyline of the three books, the focus has changed to a different entity. I also have better titles for the first and third books. Book Two’s title isn’t clear yet, and it needs to fit with the other two. I also came up with a through-line yesterday while I was out for a walk. That through-line could be a blurb. I’ll share it once I’m sure it really fits.
Today I worked deep into story lines across the three books and developed character and plot arcs and threads. The arcs and thread identification for Book One are complete, and the resolve points for Book One noted. This is proving to be a method that works well for me. As I see the story coming together I learn who the characters are and what motivates them. It also shows me what the major plot points will be.
Only some of this character and plot development requires much worldbuilding. These are just people, in any world, acting and interacting. Still, there is some important worldbuilding. A few characters are heavily influenced by their natural environment. Others must maneuver unfamiliar cities or terrain.
I still have a lot of work to do on character backgrounds but I have a good idea of who each of the main characters are and what their main motivation is. I just need to translate them from my head to notes and deepen them.
The next step will be to use the MACE Quotient to make sure the main arcs are identified and aligned. Once I have that, I can dig into a deeper plot specific to Book One. Plotting a novella is more than a weekend’s work (for me) so I will be behind schedule. Maybe I can make that up with some good fast-drafting days.
Notes:
My three book arc and thread planner is 2,700 words to this point.
If you don’t know what MACE is: it’s an arc tracing method developed by Mary Robinette Kowal. I encourage you to read up on it here and here. This has been an invaluable tool for getting longer works to feel right wrapping up all the story lines of a book.
Kevin J. Fellows 