Rewrites

 I've just gotten to chapter two.

This is new to me. Having a detailed set of notes, but more than that, having notes that came from an outsider. So it took a week just to digest them and try to shape them into what I was actually going to do to the narrative. And get everything in order and compiled into a single file.

The first chapters are hard because first chapters are always hard. You are trying to simultaneously give the reader enough to understand what is going on, and give them some reason to care. You can't get to "Bob is in trouble and you like Bob," without explaining a little of what the trouble is and who Bob is. But every word you spend on the latter, is time in which the reader still doesn't care.

I've revised before, but usually on a larger structural scale. Even if that does require re-doing entire chapters because the way they were before didn't support the new vision. What I've never had is a chance to revisit those opening chapters with all the knowledge I gained through writing the rest of the book, and really pick and chose what to show the reader and in what order to entice them along.

Aiyla's lakeside stroll just got more urgent, and more dangerous. And she got a name.

Penny is getting slightly more backstory. The way I set up the first chapters to begin with, I was heavy on atmosphere but let the reader pick up on the clues about what was going on the same way Penny was. Now I've got more explanation. And I'm making her more active, too; on the surface, a passive filter, but inside, being analytical and smart. 

But it is slow going.

I'm also still adjusting from leaving my full-time job of the last ten years. Lots of paperwork to do. I've still got NDAs to sign and phone numbers to transfer. Adjusting to new schedules and also trying to figure out how to spend less on food. Finally getting around to re-arranging my place (didn't have the time or energy before) and making some appointments (like optometry) I was also putting off.

Plus, you know, three days in the hospital with an infected leg.

My latest Fiverrrrrr hire is starting to worry me. She promised me a dialogue. She's got a deadline of the 12th and she's had the materials in her hands since the 5th. I'm beginning to think "dialogue" is going to be her doing the whole thing at the last minute, and shooting me a final package with a "any questions?"

At least one of my prior artists is still around. She did good work, we got along fine, she's up to draw me a nice Clovis Point. For the dinkus.

***