I’m currently about 20,000 words into my next-but-one novel (Hope Is A Six Letter Word currently under proofing knife), and the research part of this has never been so enjoyable! This week I am mainly listening to mid-70s and early 80s rock music, so am submerged in Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull and Whitesnake, with various Soul and Goth music thrown in for good measure. And some Limp Bizkit. I’m also planning a writing trip out to Llangollen, Wrexham and Bala for research, and because I really like writing parts of a book in the actual locations. It just feels right. I’m quite excited, in case you hadn’t guessed.
The reason for the post is a totally new approach (for me) of constructing a book which I’m using this time. There are intertwined stories of five different people in Hush (working title), and originally these were going to be presented sequentially, almost as separate short stories telling parts of the same bigger narrative. But as I go through creating them (completed first drafts of two so far), I’m discovering that the stories are getting more and more intertwined, and as there’s more than one significant spoiler event, presenting the same events from different perspectives, one after another, is likely to kill a lot of the suspense for the later re-tellings. It’s a fascinating way of writing for me though, as a naturally ‘pantser’ style of author. This time, the first storyline I’m telling (Owen’s) is providing notes, events and quite specific planning details for the next person’s story, and all those that follow. April’s (protagonist 2) story has added even more detail to the interactions. When I get to Ziggy (protagonist number 5) I’ll have quite a defined framework I’ll need to write to, so it may feel more like editing and collating than my normal free-flowing writing process. I’m looking forward to that challenge.
There may be more than the usual amount of editing for this book as it emerges anyway, as there’s so many overlapping sequences, and to be frank I’m not yet sure whether the book will end up with these separate stories cutup and put into a more a more traditional linear, chronological narrative, but it’s a really enjoyable way to write at the mo.
As this is about process, I have another new challenge this time. A couple of physical locations are key, and while they’re all fictional events which occur, one setting is particularly important. I know the chance of the bestseller and subsequently film adaptation is (ahem) remote, but if the story did ever get to be well-known, it’s next to a commercial concern, which could increase trade for them, but of course they might not like what takes place in my book. That’s the nature of fiction in a public setting of course, but with those sensitivities in mind, I’m not sure whether I should use the actual name of the business, or give it an alternative identity? I can’t decide.
Bit of a stream of thought post this one, but as you’ll know if you read my other posts, I like to work through my writing process quite openly and honestly, and these are questions and emotions I’m going through right now. The picture, by the way, is of one of the key locations. The landscape, not the actual sheep. Though a sheep does appear so maybe I should add an extra chapter. The sheep’s-eye view? No? Fair enough.
Until next time, when I’ll return with some thoughts on marketing.
Stay safe
Kit