Chugging Along, Singing a Song

May 2011: New scenes are popping up. The first two chapters are filling in nicely but I worry if I continue on this pace that Our Heroine will not arrive until after chapter five. It seems a bit late for me and I have some concern that I will be asked to move her debut to an earlier chapter. I can’t worry about that now. I must write the story as it unfolds.

I’m happy to see a few characters from The Suitor List reappear. I need to remember that some people, who have not read the first book, will see the characters as strangers. I hope for those who remember them, the story will feel richer by the return of these old acquaintances. 

Starting Book 4

April 2011: I’d begun the Duke’s book right after I submitted Muriel’s. I had a rough idea where the story started and what was 

to come next. The first chapter, after some considerable time had passed, had come together and I was moving on to chapter two.

After learning of the new word count I realized I needed to slow the pacing down and rethink the scenes. Chapter one has been pulled apart and new scenes added. Chapter two has the original chapter one scene and needs new scenes around it.

The good news is that it made me REALLY think about the Duke and his world. I found it inhabited with different characters. His children know of these people but they are not of THEIR world.

A real surprise is that I’ve discovered is that he has a friend. I’m sure Edward has many but I’d never seen them before now. I also have a feeling that they’re more integrated in the story than I anticipate. We will just have to see.

Book 3 Revisions Finished!

Mid March 2011: I found an extra 8,000 words, a few extra scenes, for Muriel’s book. I like the idea that I could liberally add to areas I thought could “use more.” 

I’m sending in the Revised manuscript and moving on to the Duke’s book with the new word count in mind. 

Book 3 – The Revisions

March 2011:  All work on Book 4 stops.  The revision letter for Book 3 arrives.  On top of that… this round will be electronically done.  I’m not afraid but I’ve never done this before.  The editor is being a doll and giving me some help on how “Track Changes” works. 

I’m not panicking.  I do take my time and move through the manuscript addressing the editor’s comments and making corrections. I truly value her “new pair of eyes” looking at my story and I believe this will make the book better.

And there is something new… the publisher has moved from the “old” way of calculating word count to using the “actual/digital” word count.  This makes my story 8,000 words short. This means I need a few more scenes.

Yeah, it’s gonna take a bit of work. I’ve only got a couple weeks.

It Doesn’t Take Long

Late February 2011: New scenes are popping up after playing with my storyboards these last few weeks.  Browsing through my character list for the first three books, I have a few who volunteer, with their previously unknown family members, who wish to participate in the Duke’s story.

Roll Call

Early February 2011: It’s time to revisit the long, very long, list of characters who have appeared in The Suitor List, Perfectly Flawed, and A Grand Deception.  

I wonder if there is anyone who would like to come forward and appear in Book 4?

Book 4 . . . still on page 1

Late January 2011: I’m working with the characters whom I wish to tell the story through.  I’ve sort of have my mind set on three.  

I know the main character’s story… sort of.  

Then there’s the “other” main character… she’s still a bit of a mystery to me.  So far she has remained silent. 











Then there’s the third character who comes alive to me in short scenes.  Maybe that’s where I should begin my writing.