So I've just past the 80,000 word mark and I'm coming up to a decision point.
Do I:
- Release the story in several parts (probably three), releasing the first part soon?
- Complete the entire story then split it up into three parts for release?
- Create just one big story?
Most readers of fantasy are familiar with never ending saga's (GOT, Dune, Discworld, etc.) however my story has a definite ending, more like LOTR.
At present I'm just not sure, so I'll keep writing.
Methodology:
I was asked recently if I storyboard my novels. The simple answer is no.
I know the story, where it starts, what happens on the way, and where it ends. The rest comes to me as I write. I find it much more fun to discover the story as if I was a reader. Planning every detail leaves me cold.
One thing I have done is to create around 180 character names. Most I'll use, but a few are currently spare.
This is an example of how I write:
This short starts with a man and ends with an explosion. I don't know anything else until I start writing: I'm making this up as I go along - honestly :-)
Light from the station flashed between the carriages as the train passed, scattered like diamond facets through the rain.
He looked at his watch. Ten past midnight. It still wasn't time. But there was time to turn back. Time to take the short stroll to his car, close the door and leave this place. No-one would know, but thousands would die.
Why did he open that letter addressed to his dead wife, and why should he care? Is it truly bravery if nobody knows your name, or maybe that's the greatest sacrifice.
Twelve minutes past midnight and still the freight train is rolling past. Stacked double, with graffiti daubed, rusting containers it creaks and clatters over loose railings. The destination is Boston, but the last carriage?
Fourteen past and it's almost there. A single carriage with a single blue painted container. Conspicuous in its fresh gloss, the rain bounces off the dust free surface, and the station light scatters over the field.
Just a little nearer.
He fumbles in his back pocket and swipes to unlock the phone. Two is already set to speed-dial and all he needs to do is hit it.
"I'm sorry Martha, I should have believed you".
The key is pressed and there's no going back. A chain reaction is unleashed and in just ten seconds it would be done.
A flash first as the container top is blown off, followed by a boom that shakes the pillar where he's stood. Then the cargo ignites and an explosion of white sparks cascade from the truck like a roman candle.
The train continues until the sparking last carriage disappears from view. He tucks the phone back into his pocket and wipes the rain from his brow.
I'm no hero he thought, and walked slowly to his car.
That's just a bit of "making stuff up" and nothing to do with any story I'm writing.
If you'd like to suggest a topic (start and end) I'll have a go, as long as it isn't something stupid like: "starts with an election and ends with Donald Trump as president". It has to be credible!
