2006-06-12

Reconsidering...

Yes, reconsidering...

What? My current WiPs, specially The Goth.

Why? Because I am starting to see I can't enjoy writing down a certain detail level I --at least at the moment-- have to deal with writing novels for such lengthy periods of time. I tend to become wandering and disillusioned. I enjoy reading those kind of novels, but I'm no Gisbert Haefs of Gore Vidal to write them, and I can't seem to find the "right" way for me.

Solutions? Well, yeah, kind of.

I have to concentrate in shorter events. I have to be able to find the knob of the historical event and concentrate around it. Shorter means more focused, more character-driven, instead of event-driven, and where characters show the story, instead of me telling it to the readers.

This is easy --more or less-- to do for The Libyan, because it's mostly written, and the events left are "just" 18 months. Besides, the whole thing can be seen as a unique event with some small ramifications (the Spartan thread, and the siege years), but it's the Rebellion, the Greeks, and the Defeat, basically one biiiig jump, not lots of things happening... Therefore, I think I will concentrate on it and on doing a good rewrite, and then I'll evaluate my whole possibilities with The Goth. Because I find it fascinating, but there are so many fascinating things to tell about! And this is part of the problem, by telling I lose the showing...

As for Damned Linneage, it's conceived in a completely different way, and I think I will be able to follow it without so many problems.

In my last entry I suspected I had moved through a door, but instead of closing behind my back, I find an open, wide space in front of me, full with opportunities to become a better writer (who knows, maybe a good one in the future?) if I am bold enough to locate myself in the map...

Anyway, I'll appreciate your help and comments on this matter...

ΚΑΛΛΙΣΤΗ

1 comment:

xibalba said...

I was wondering when you would return to the Libyan. But I did like your musings on the creative process. I take it you had some sort of ephiniy of some kind. Well if it produces posts like the one below, its a good thing.

I agree that you might want to take a break from Alaric. I'm rather curious juust how did you solve the problem of the battle of Memphis, (i.e., the Persians relieving the beseiged forces in the White Castle.) Has I found out their are no details concerning this battle except that the Greeks / Egyptians, Libyans lost.

Oh and just how do you have Megabyzus trap the Egyptians and Greeks on Protopitis? I myself am partial to the idea he sent forces to block an escape back to Mareia before the battle of Memphis. Perhaps boldly through swampy terrain which no one would expect.

Just my thoughts.

Pierre