Wrote a chapter out of order today.
I was supposed to write Chapter 15 but once I finished I
realized that I skipped some things. Just little things like necessary scenes,
some story development, another red herring or two. You know, just more of the
plot. (grin)
This is probably due to the fact that I’m not very
focused on this novel right now. I need to be, I made a big deal that I would finish
it in 20 writing days. But I can see now that that will probably no happen. Too
many real life interruptions like cleaning our apartment (the last owner left a
lot of stuff that needed to be thrown out) and setting up our household.
But those are just excuses. I need to get back to this
cozy mystery. I’m enjoying it. Don’t know how it’s all going to come together,
but I’m having a blast figuring it out. I do know the ending I’m shooting
toward, I just need to take my time in getting there.
That was the problem with today’s chapter – I was rushing
ahead and realized that I needed some more story development first before I got
to this section. So Chapter 15 is now probably Chapter 17 since I feel there
are about 3,000 words I missed writing!
Happens all the time to writers, I imagine.
In fact, Hugo Award winner Kristine Kathryn Rusch says
that she writes many of her novels out of order. I can’t say for sure, but I
think she writes scenes and chapters and then ties them together in order once
the story takes shape or is completed. Heh, it works for her!
Rusch also writes novels to understand the backstory for
another novel she has in mind. In other words, she has a project she wants to
start but has to write a kind of prequel where she explores the characters’ motivations
and development before she can properly tell the novel she intended to write.
In a sense, that’s what Secrets & Scents is. I have in mind to write Ma Tutt’s Christmas Cookies, but that
novel involves Kelli & Jo’s bookstore and candle shop. So I need to write this
novel first in order to establish in my mind what that store is all about – and
what the “Big Mystery” is that definitely comes up in Christmas Cookies. (Those
mysterious notes and prophecies.)
You see, in this novel Ma does not know about Kelli’s
discovery of the envelopes (that serve as the writing device to tie all the
Candle Shop cozies together). Martia does, but not Ma. But for Ma to come
through and help Kelli & Jo in Christmas Cookies, the store owners will
have to tell her.
All that to say, I’m writing this novel so I can get to the
next.
And I’m going to go back and write a few chapters so I
can connect the story to the chapter I wrote today.
Writing’s a complicated process! Thanks for joining me on my journey!
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| Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay. Used by permission. |
Writing Tip: Don’t be afraid to write your story out of order.
Progress: Writing Secrets & Scents...
Introduction – Part 2: The Missing Novel
Day 1 - 3100 (Chps 1 & 2) - Total: 3,100 words
Day 2 - 3300 (Chps 3 & 4) - Total: 6,400 words
~*~
Here's a placeholder image for Secrets & Scents - A Kelli & Jo Candle Shop Mystery by yours truly. I'll be launching a Kickstarter Campaign in September, 2022, for cozy mystery fans to acquire their exclusive pre-release edition of my latest novel with a brand new, professionally designed cover. Watch for details.
In the meantime, if you become a Patreon Subscriber, you'll be able to read Secrets & Scents as I write it! New chapters of my WIP every week, plus a backlist novel a month and bonus short stories exclusive to patrons.
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Keep it clean and positive. (And sorry about the word verification, but the spmb*ts are out in full force!)