Writing a story: simple vs complex
I chose a very simple story to write for my first book
I’m only on the second draft of my first book, but already my next story is tempting me. I think of it frequently, but noncommittally. I dance around it, approaching, retreating. I graze the leaves as I pass by my favourite tree, but I leave them on the branch.
I cannot wait to start working on it, to brainstorm, outline, make decisions. I am also terrified of it. The issue is…
I chose to write a simple story for my first book
In Russian, we use the word chamber from chamber music as an adjective. But whenever I try to find a synonym in English, I come up short. The Dark Twin (working title) is a chamber story; it’s contained, neat, meant for a small cast of characters. The stakes are high for them, but not for the rest of the world.
I did this on purpose. Not just because I love small stories (A Study in Drowning is a great example of what I consider a chamber story in the fantasy genre), but because I wanted to set myself up for success. I wanted to give myself a project I could finish, that I could do well.
I have three main and six supporting characters in TDT, plus one antagonist. That’s all, there are no other people there I have to develop or consider. Because of the low stakes in a sense of the world, and very personal stakes at that, I could write the whole book without spending months and months worldbuilding. I could write the story before I had to make all the worldbuilding decisions.
I am not sure I can write my next book well
My next story is big. It is complex. It will require a huge, overwhelming cast of characters, heavy worldbuilding, and constructed languages. It has heavy, complex themes that I do not fully understand myself.
It will be a hard story for me to write. I’m afraid it will be too difficult for me, and I will not be able to do it justice.
I will still write it, but I am low-key terrified.
At least I will be tackling it with some experience behind my belt.
At least I will know I can finish a book.
At least I will know just how much the first draft can suck and just how much work and art really happen in revision.
I am 31,909 words into the second draft of TDT. I hope to finish the book at 98k. It’s going well, albeit slowly. Most weeks, I think I’m crushing it. Draft one vs draft two is like night and day. I could send my second draft to beta readers, and I would not be embarrassed. That’s pretty cool. I’m proud of it.
Do you know any other small fantasy stories? With small cast of characters and personal rather than worldwide stakes?
Literary Hauntings
Never before this section title and illustration have been so fitting. I finished Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. The story is indeed haunting me. I don’t think I’ve been this invested in a universe/franchise since The Hunger Games. I went to look for fan fiction for the first time since I was 17?
I’m struggling to read anything else.
I did buy King of Scars yesterday, but I’m only on Chapter 1.
I dream about the Litjoy edition of Six of Crows because it has Bardugo’s annotations within the book. Aside from the box set being absolutely stunning, I just really want to read those annotations. But the only listing on eBay is going to USD$1150. But maybe one day.
Mundane Hauntings
We got our US visas approved the other day. I also booked our flights, rental car, Airbnb, and bought our travel insurance yesterday. It was the quickest, smoothest travel planning I’ve ever done. That being said, it’s only a 3-night trip.
We’re going to San Diego to a friend’s wedding in April, and besides the wedding events, my only desire is to stop by Barnes and Noble in LA. I’ve never been to the US, and so never been to B&N. I want to see what editions of my favourite books I can find. But only the covers we don’t have here in New Zealand, because I’ll always prefer to give my money to an indie bookshop.
We’re about to go see a string quartet of The Lord of the Rings music as an early Valentine’s Day celebration. I hope you all are having a lovely, lovely end to your week.
As always, thank you for reading!
Daria