Less Fairy, More Tale

It's been far too long, dear reader, since I've written. Not that I'm not writing--I've been working on editing the third book in my four-book series. But I have been woefully negligent with my social media. It's an offshoot of my mixed feelings about marketing.Therefore, I'm going to write one of my rare writing posts. I don't write them often because I hardly feel like an expert. However, I have learned a few things while working as an indie author.How to keep series notesNote taking is a skill that most people don’t master. Writers are notorious for jotting down a thought or an idea on a napkin, the corner of a menu, or on the myriad little notebooks that are half full with scribblings we can’t identify under penalty of death (which is what it feels like when you lose an idea). Think of all the amazing stories that go unwritten because the perfect sentence is now in the trash with a wad of gum stuck to it!While I don’t pretend to know everything about note-taking—I’ve been guilty of the lost gum-wad note—and I don’t assume this will work for everyone, here’s my guide to notes.

1. A series is a marathon, not a sprint

The same idea can be applied to a writing career, but that’s another post. What I mean by a marathon, is no one runs a marathon without a plan. I may write as a pantser, but I take notes like a planner (which is to say, after the fact). Each of my books has a dedicated notebook (yes, millennials use pen and paper) where I write the names of each of my characters in the inside cover. Lots of times I forget the name of a tertiary character or that a main character has a last name.

2. You have a life and so do all your characters

I have a great memory and I still forget at least ten things a day because I have a life outside of writing. It’s hard enough keeping all my stuff in order (and my daughter’s, and my dog’s) without having to memorize ten to twenty character’s lives! I have a separate notebook of just arcs, so I know where each of my characters have progressed by the end of each book, that way I don’t have to go back and remember if Periquito is still friends with Perensejo. I also include what they look like and a timeline.

3. Confused? You won’t be after this episode of Soap

Extra points for anyone who gets the reference! Essentially, it means I write a summary of how everyone ended their story in each book. This is separate than the arc journal because it connects how all the characters have related to one another. Character X might not have cliffhanger at the end of the book, but Character Y does and it will effect Character X.

4. Places are people, too

In my series, there are places that the characters visit frequently and they need to be described in each book, hopefully without repeating the exact words each time. I have a section of my arc notebook dedicated to buildings. I also include things like rules, special words, sayings in Spanish, and because I write about fantasy, any magical objects or spells.This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I think I've shared enough of my general insanity to be helpful instead of daunting. 

National Book Lovers' Day

Today is a day to think about how books affect us.

I’m a writer so I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I’m also a reader. Avid is the word I would use and sometimes obsessive is another phrase I’d tack on to my literary addiction. If you’re reading this, I assume you’re a reader, too. As such I’m sure you can relate to what I’m going to share with you.

Working on rewrites with book 2 in my series has brought about ideas for books 3, 4, and 5. At first I was over the moon that I now know the beginning middle and end of this series that has lived in my mind for so long. It’s become a very real place, this world I’ve created with characters I’ve come to see as old friends. I have glimpses of this world in my mind’s eye when I’m not writing and I’m struck by such a powerful urge to get back to my notebook and keep writing. However, I’ve also started feeling anxious about what happens next.

When I read a really good book, I invest not just time but emotions in the story. The characters become part of my day to day life and I wonder what they’re doing and what will happen to them. The phrase THE END becomes bittersweet and I miss those people I invited in to my consciousness. The same will happen, one day, when I finish this series. Years from now I will write that same phrase on a page and mean it. For the longest time I didn’t understand this sensation when I read, but now as a writer I know exactly what to call it. It’s loss and for a period of time, sometimes a few days sometimes a week or two, I grieve. I grieve by not picking up a new story and think about the events over and over again. I remember the sad bits, the parts when I couldn’t put the book down because I needed to know where I was leaving these friends before going to sleep, and I smile privately at some inside joke or moment of tenderness that I was allowed to witness.

I almost fear this with my own books. I know what will happen in book 5, but it hasn’t been written yet. So I can tell myself I have time. But the story continues to tell itself to me in quick snatches and long dreams insisting on being finished.

Just with the books I read, one day I’ll start to feel restless and unaccountable uncomfortable with my surroundings. I’ll tell myself it’s the weather or that the day to day hectic rush is getting to me. But I’ll realize I’m just missing my outlet—I’ll need a story. Only this time I’ll itch for a pen and I’ll meet a whole new batch of friends that I create despite knowing I’ll miss them terribly at some future date when I type the words…

THE END

That’s being a book lover. Enjoy the holiday!