So Book 2 of Frontier Magic (Title To Come) seems to be getting some momentum up at last. Possibly because I finally have a bit of shape for this volume, which looks just a bit novel-like.
Part of the difficulty, it seems in retrospect, has been that I’ve only ever written three-related-standalone-novels, not a three-volume novel. And Frontier Magic is a lot more like a three-volume novel (in my head, anyway) than it is like three standalones. And the worst part, for me, of any book is always the Miserable Middle. And this is Volume 2 of 3…what else would you call it?
It is, of course, turning out nothing like the plot outline said it would. This ought to be unsurprising, since I’ve never been able to follow a plot outline for even a couple of chapters, let alone a whole novel…and this is three novels, or the equivalent in word count. But I had hopes that this time, things would be different. (Was it Mark Twain who said that hope was the triumph of optimism over experience, or was it Ambrose Bierce?)
I am also going to have to figure out a better way to make sure I get my daily pages done than hauling my laptop to a restaurant for four or five hours a day. Doing this serves the purpose of avoiding the phone and assorted random household chores and getting some words down, but it’s playing merry Hob with my shoulders, my budget, and my waistline.
Congratulations! I’m so glad you’re coming along with book 2.
I don’t know about the household chores – though I’m very good at ignoring mine, I doubt it’s a skill I can teach (I’m just naturally lazy, I suppose 🙂 ); but why not pull the telephone chord for a specific amount of time? You’re not legally obligated to answer just because you’re at home. 🙂
LRK–There are reasons for not pulling the phone, ranging from having a lot of important family stuff going on to it being really inconvenient to have to pull all the phones in the house (there are five or six, and I can hear ALL of them from my office). At the coffee shop, only people who have my cell number can reach me, and since most of my friends are Luddites, that means that I’ll only get the real emergency calls. Of which there have been three in the past month…like I said, important family stuff.
The household chores, I can ignore most of the time, but as soon as I’m stuck on a tough scene, they become an irresistable form of cat-vacuuming. Plus, there are all the other distractions at home (hint: my “to read shelf” currently occupies two and a half full-sized bookcases). And of course, the Internet. The coffee shop has wi-fi, but it’s a lot easier to turn off on the laptop, or just not log on at all. At home, it’s always right there.
It’s probably as much a psychological thing as anything else, but it works. At least, it works for producing pages, though not, as I said, for budget control or waistline maintenance). I’m open to suggestions, but I warn you, I’ve probably tried most of the obvious ones already. Library doesn’t allow drinkables (which I find necessary; there’s always a glass of tea or soda or milk or something next to my keyboard); the park doesn’t have electricity, though it’s good for short bursts IF the weather cooperates).
I do appreciate the thought.
I was about to suggest a park, when I saw you beat me to the punch in your answer. 🙂 I hope whatever is up with your family isn’t anything bad. I know even good things can throw a person’s world into a spin-dive. I hope everything settles back to normal soon. I think normal tends to be way under-appreciated. Best wishes.
The park was my choice back when I was writing out of the house. But I wasn’t using a laptop, I was using a pda and folding keyboard. Much easier on the shoulders… I’m not sure about the comparative battery-life, but that was probably better also. As for weather, our park has a picnic shelter, so rain wasn’t an issue, but I did have to stop when it got cold enough to make my fingers stiff — something that, IIRC, is MUCH more of a problem in Minnesota than in southern Ohio.
I’m trying to think of other places I’ve gotten work done: Malls, Hotel lobbies, University student lounges… Wish I could be more helpful.
I just finished reading Thirteenth Child, and was delighted to hop online and find your blog. Of course, I needed to know right away if and when I could find Book Two. 😉 I’m happy to read that Book Two is coming along, despite the troubles of writing trilogies and Books-In-Three-Parts.
As far as places to work go, have you tried holing up at the local library, or a university library or something? Many libraries have study areas that are more comfortable than a coffee shop would be, and have the same advantages of being away from home and distractions. Most of you don’t have to be a member of to enter, as well. There is a nice library by my work that I am not a member of (I live in a different city), and sometimes if I need a reading break at work, I go over there and curl up in a comfy chair.
I hope your characters continue to cooperate with your plot, so we can read about them all the sooner! Best wishes!
Have you tried Barnes & Noble Booksellers? They don’t mind people coming in and sitting down (they provide chairs for the purpose) and they have a cafe area where your drink probably wouldn’t be a problem. I think they have wi-fi too. Is there a B&N in your area? And would you have to go incognita?
To Mrs. Wrede
I have just finsihed reading the first book in the Frontier Magic series and after reading it, I fell in love. I was delighted to see a comment from Tamora Pierce (my favorite author) on the back of your book and to learn that you are the author of The Enchanted Forest Chronicles series.(I have read that book several time and I still love it) As a fan, I implore you. Please finish the second installation of Frontier Magic soon!
I fell in love ewith the thirteenth child, and i think u have a great imagination and are very gifted in the career you chose to be in. As for a name of the second book, why not something that revolves around the story-line. it should be something that revolves around the main character (which i presume is still eff), and if you lead off from where you ended in the last book, maybe you should make the title revolve around whats going to happen next. it could be what eff is going to be (rationalist, magician, ect.), or maybe about what will be the main conflict in the story plot, but really, its up to you. i hope i helped.
Jessica – Thanks for the suggestions. They fit with some of the things I was thinking about, but I’m still just not satisfied with what I’ve come up with. Maybe by the time I finish the book, it’ll be clear what the title has to be. Anyway, thanks!
As a mom of 9, I really enjoyed this book. So did my kids. We’re all looking forward to book 2. As for finding a peaceful place to write, well I’m stumped. Around here peace is right before dawn or after 11pm.