Zelda 10: After A While, It Doesn’t Hurt At All
Feb222007
So I just cut James’s introductory scene stuff from 7,225 words to 2,816. Which was still three hundred words too many. Scylla’s scene was 2242, so it was already short, but I cut it to 1988 anyway because once you get cutting, it doesn’t hurt that much. That put the first chapter at right around 7252 words which is long, but then I transferred the scenes from Scrivener into Word, which made them look completely different, and went through it again and got it down to 6880. Really, once you get into the rhythm of it, it’s practically painless.
What I need is a first chapter that introduces Zelda and her conflict (which is reinforced in the Scylla POV scene) and James and his conflict, and get them in the same place, which is why the chapter ends with James pulling up to Rosemore. It would be even better if I could get him inside, but it’s just not working. Of course by the time I’m finished with the book, I may be able to cut another two thousand words out of the intro and get a scene in there at the end but I’m not counting on it.
And then tomorrow, I’ll go try to write the end scene since I have three or four versions of it. All I need is a good enough draft so that I know what I’m aiming for. And then I’ll go back to the mess in the middle and see what I can salvage. There’s some good stuff there, but I think it’s all first act stuff. Which means the first act is too long, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
And yes, I’m over the wingnut. Turns out burying yourself in work blocks wingnuts in the same way wingnuts block the work. Just depends on who you give the upper hand to. Or your frontal lobe.
And now, having gotten my first chapter done, I’m going back to the Fun Book for awhile. Because i deserve it.
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11 Comments to 'Zelda 10: After A While, It Doesn’t Hurt At All'
On February 22, 2007 at 10:42 pm liz said...
YAY!! glad to see that you’re back and feeling better, otherwise we may have had to take some drastic measures to make sure we got our Crusie!
On February 23, 2007 at 4:04 am Cassie said...
That snippet of Zelda’s point of view made me very, very curious to see James as he is now. Just sayin’.
On February 23, 2007 at 5:11 am downundergal said...
Yes, you do. Deserve away. And if we can have a little lookee at James when you think it’s ready I’m dying to read it.
On February 23, 2007 at 7:59 am Jennifer Talty said...
For some strange reason I enjoy cutting. There is someting very gratifying when I go through a manuscript and I can feel it getting better because of what I’m gettng rid of. Recently I gave myself permission to completely overwrite, which I’ve always done, but somewhere I started obessing over getting it right the first time. That’s just not possible.
glad you’re past the wingnut. I hate it when I let the outside forces affect what’s going on inside my head and I let that happen way to often.
On February 23, 2007 at 9:16 am Siberia said...
How DO you get past the negative so quickly? Good for you though, glad you’re back at it in full force. I definitely need to go buy another of your books, I feel the need, the need for snarky heroines. (my favorite thing about your books) Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
On February 23, 2007 at 9:35 am Jenny said...
Good people who say, “You owe anybody who acts like that nothing” plus work that I can’t walk away from. It took me twenty-four hours, but then it was over. Her insanity is not mine and I’m not going to make it mine.
And actually, in the clear light of day, it’s a no-brainer. The Clear Light of Day is a great leveler.
I have a friend who just got trashed on an industry list by somebody who is so clearly jealous, her post just drips with it. In twenty-four hours, my pal will be looking at that post and saying, “Hey, if I’m this much of a threat to this woman, clearly I’m doing something right with my career,” but right now we all just want to go in and dismantle this witch. We won’t because the clear light of day is coming right up.
On February 23, 2007 at 9:42 am McB said...
Congrats on a successful first chapter. I’m already panting to read this one!
I have a quote on my desk – I’ve long forgotten who said it which is sad – but the gist of it is that rude people are unhappy people. You might have to deal with them, but they must live with themselves. And that’s punishment enough.
On February 23, 2007 at 11:00 am roben said...
Glad you’re over the wingnut.
This rewriting exercise is a great help. I’m tackling a story I wrote last year and using your examples, noting where you’re pruning, we’re you’re replanting, or positioning a tree, or where you’re using ground cover. (Thought you’d enjoy the plant references, heh.)
I’m so excited, my enthusiasm for writing is back. I’d been questioning my abilities since before the holidays. Last night I almost fell asleep at the computer. So thank you again, a million times over, for sharing your expertise.
On February 23, 2007 at 11:48 am K.L. said...
Jenny,
just remember, if you need CBs with shovels, we will be right there. If the hole is dug deep enough, nobody will find the wingnut. Just saying.
On February 23, 2007 at 2:06 pm Diane said...
Hooray for the Fun Book!!
On February 23, 2007 at 11:22 pm Sheri said...
Wingnut… Hmmmm. I like that. Sorry that some wingnut thought they had to unload on you–that sucks. Why do some people feel that they have that right, to be nasty and draw you into their nastiness? I have never understood that. Bad enough THEY have to feel like that–why would they want to share? Glad you got back inside your head–much better place to be than out here with the wingnuts! Looking forward to meeting James.