The Mystic Marriage: Tormenting one's characters

[hrj]

Having finally created a combined file out of all the chapter-specific files, I find that Book 2 (i.e., The Mystic Marriage) is now around 29,000 words with 10 of the currently-outlined 33 chapters drafted. A couple of those chapters have significant place-holders, so the eventual size will be somewhat larger. And I have the vague feeling that I may need to insert another quartet of chapters at some point. (Since the chapters cycle through the four POVs, they can only increase or decrease in groups of 4.) At any rate, I think it's safe to say that I'm looking at a final product in the 100K word range. A bit shorter than Daughter of Mystery, but then I didn't need to do quite so much world-building in this one.

If it is fun to torment one's characters, I having a grand old time at the moment. Antuniet needs to be driven to the edge of a mental and physical breakdown in order to position her to make decisions and take actions that she normally wouldn't consider. Also in order to open up a chink of emotional vulnerability (apart from the economic and physical vulnerability that drive her to the edge) so that she's able to recognize, "Oh, this is what it feels like when someone who doesn't owe you a thing chooses to care about you." At the moment, however, she's at the "gibbering in a closet in the basement in the dark" stage. (Quite literally.)

I slipped a bit on the "write every day" thing during November -- rather ironic for my IWriSloMo pledge. I would dredge up some excuses except that there are no excuses, only choices. But it's a new month and I will re-commit. After all, it would be good to have MM complete by the time DoM manifests in physical form. I think I shall create a new tag, "Alpennia", in honor of the series. (Going back and adding it to past posts may take a while.)

Whoa. New posting interface. May have to explore this later.

Comments

[patoadam]

There are no excuses, only choices.

Words to live by.

I get 10,000 google hits, but I can't find the origin of the quote.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

I wasn't meaning to quote anything specific.

[xrian.livejournal.com]

Two thumbs up --looking forward to both manifestations.

I assume you did tell the publisher you were working on sequels?

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Oh yes.

[fisher-queen.livejournal.com]

I love messing with characters in the same way. It's sort of rewarding, in a way, since it helps me figure out how they think, and helps me really get to know them. Knowing that Guy, for example, is the type to break when he's forced to do things to people, and that Wil can withstand almost any kind of torment and pain unless he's actually brought it on himself, and such...it really gives me an in to their psyche and shows me what I need to do to make them grow, like you mentioned.