Editing is hard enough as it is without trying to split a story. My biggest problem is that if I split, I'm afraid the focus is going to shift away from my main series characters to some important secondary characters.
At that point, I fear that one would expect the second novel to follow them futher, instead of allow for the main characters to shine in the forefront.
Sigh.
I knew about nanoedmo, but didn't really have the link or think about it in time to join. Thanks for the link.
That's a valid concern about the secondary characters, btw....but, how secondary are they?
That's a tough question because, while they're important to moving the plot along, and while they're in trouble and need help from the main characters and make the discovery that is the cause of my main characters being summoned, they cannot solve the problems raised by themselves. So, they're still a level down from being main characters, but they are VERY important as far as primary characters so.
At this point, I'm introducing characters that will ultimately be separated and will have their focus in other novels.
If they're engaging and interesting and fleshed out (which is how I imagine you'd write them from what I know of your writing), then it might be just fine!
My concern is that the reader would imprint on these characters and think the series was about them. I don't know.
If I split, I'll open with a scene about Lilli, my most important main character. There will be some scattered scenes throughout with her, but she wouldn't actually enter at the same location where the trouble is until the second novel.
Why don't you try it, and see?
I started splitting, but cutting huge chunks of pages and not knowing how it would turn out kinda freaked me. Made my brain hurt, too, cause this is a LOT of words to work with.
So, I went back to my primary file, cut in the scene that I want to use as a new opening, and I'm editing straight through from there to see what material is useless or can be tightened.
I bet you'll know pretty quickly whether it's going to work or not (though, I would say, you could almost consider splitting your book into three...would that work?)
Three definitely would NOT work because there aren't that many stand-alone plot threads.
I'd say go for it. If they're characters that your readers will connect with, do it. If worse comes to worse, you can always cut it later, right?
The problem, and the reason I'm trying to work through what I want to do ahead of time is that I don't write linear plots. I have multiple plot threads that are woven together to create the twists and turns involved in the plot. That makes it more difficult to separate the plots and also to change the story.
Probably why I haven't tackled this yet. I knew it would be difficult to do. :)
I think the characters are interesting. I just want to make sure that what I do is best for the entire series and not just to make finishing one novel easier.
I don't see a problem with that, but the best test will be what your beta-readers think...maybe just do what feels natural, and then deal with it once you've had someone read through it.
I think I'd have to cut it LOTS in order to get anyone to beta read.
It seems you're leaning towards adding to the secondary characters...so, go to it, if it seems right!
No, I'm not really going to add to them. They'll stay the same, even if I split the novel.
Great idea - just make sure you save anything you cut, huh?
I save EVERYTHING. Just rename the files.
How's it going?
It hurts my brain. I'd like to finish working on the first chapter tonight, but I don't know if that's going to happen.
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Date: 2006-03-19 05:16 am (UTC)At that point, I fear that one would expect the second novel to follow them futher, instead of allow for the main characters to shine in the forefront.
Sigh.
I knew about nanoedmo, but didn't really have the link or think about it in time to join. Thanks for the link.
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Date: 2006-03-19 05:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-19 05:54 am (UTC)That's a tough question because, while they're important to moving the plot along, and while they're in trouble and need help from the main characters and make the discovery that is the cause of my main characters being summoned, they cannot solve the problems raised by themselves. So, they're still a level down from being main characters, but they are VERY important as far as primary characters so.
At this point, I'm introducing characters that will ultimately be separated and will have their focus in other novels.
If they're engaging and interesting and fleshed out (which is how I imagine you'd write them from what I know of your writing), then it might be just fine!
My concern is that the reader would imprint on these characters and think the series was about them. I don't know.
If I split, I'll open with a scene about Lilli, my most important main character. There will be some scattered scenes throughout with her, but she wouldn't actually enter at the same location where the trouble is until the second novel.
Why don't you try it, and see?
I started splitting, but cutting huge chunks of pages and not knowing how it would turn out kinda freaked me. Made my brain hurt, too, cause this is a LOT of words to work with.
So, I went back to my primary file, cut in the scene that I want to use as a new opening, and I'm editing straight through from there to see what material is useless or can be tightened.
I bet you'll know pretty quickly whether it's going to work or not (though, I would say, you could almost consider splitting your book into three...would that work?)
Three definitely would NOT work because there aren't that many stand-alone plot threads.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-19 06:19 am (UTC)The problem, and the reason I'm trying to work through what I want to do ahead of time is that I don't write linear plots. I have multiple plot threads that are woven together to create the twists and turns involved in the plot. That makes it more difficult to separate the plots and also to change the story.
Probably why I haven't tackled this yet. I knew it would be difficult to do. :)
I think the characters are interesting. I just want to make sure that what I do is best for the entire series and not just to make finishing one novel easier.
I don't see a problem with that, but the best test will be what your beta-readers think...maybe just do what feels natural, and then deal with it once you've had someone read through it.
I think I'd have to cut it LOTS in order to get anyone to beta read.
It seems you're leaning towards adding to the secondary characters...so, go to it, if it seems right!
No, I'm not really going to add to them. They'll stay the same, even if I split the novel.
Great idea - just make sure you save anything you cut, huh?
I save EVERYTHING. Just rename the files.
How's it going?
It hurts my brain. I'd like to finish working on the first chapter tonight, but I don't know if that's going to happen.
Sigh.
How's your editing going?
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Date: 2006-03-19 06:22 am (UTC)I know you'll do GREAT!!!
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Date: 2006-03-19 04:37 pm (UTC)