Book plotting wallpaper for MLTF
Here it is. My efforts to work out timing/plotting for Magic Lost, Trouble Found. I used the backside of a piece of Christmas wrapping paper and a lot of post-it notes. I divided it up by chapters (as seen along the top), and divided the action timeline by day and night (as also indicated along the top). I had thought it was to work out some last-minute timing issues just before I started sending MLTF (then known as Thief of Souls) out to agents. Boy, was I wrong.
When I unfolded it this morning and took a closer look, I discovered that this was my very first plotline for the very first draft of the book that would eventually become MLTF. Some of the characters referenced on the post-it notes never got used, only some of the plot got used. And I hadn't come up with a lot of names yet. For example, I was using "GSS" as a placeholder for the Khrynsani. (GSS was the abbreviation for Goblin Secret Service). And "GSSv" was the placeholder for the "Goblin Secret Service Villain," who later became Sarad Nukpana.
This thing is like Raine's "birth certificate." ; ) How cool -- I'm definitely gonna hang onto it.
Coming up next week: "To read or not to read while you're writing", and "The final chapters of The Trouble With Demons -- Lisa plays connect the dots."
Have a great weekend!
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
12:42 PM
8 Comments:
Now I must forever after think of them as the Goblin Secret Service.
(my dog is wondering why I'm cackling madly over here)
It's always hilarious to go back and look at early outline-notes, and realize how much has changed just from that to first draft--you never remember changing so much, but there it is. From early notes to published version must be amazing.
Oh my goodness! That's humongous!!! But it's really cool to see :-P
"From early notes to published version must be amazing."
And a LOT of paper. ; )
It was cool to realize how old it was -- and how much the plot changed (and improved).
Oh, that's cool!
Very cool!
I use index cards, but maybe I should try post-it notes. That way I don't have to damage the walls with tacks. They're probably less likely to break things if I throw them too.
'Course, I don't do this until the Weed & Polish Phase of revision, because that's how it works best for me (at least right now). I learned the technique from SAVE THE CAT! by Blake Snyder, which Jacqueline Lichtenberg recommended to me.
Thanks Tia & Kimber An!
Yep, post-it notes work best for me. I can move them around a lot easier.
That's amazing, Lisa. I may have to give it a try, since I tend to scribble scenes on post-its anyway. Hold on to that treasure. Wouldn't that be an amazing show-and-tell item for a future workshop or writers conference panel? I know I'd be excited to have a look.
I'm definitely hanging on to it, Laurie. ; )
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home