If You’re Not First, You’re Second
Posted by: WordVixen in novel writing, progress, updatesYou know how everyone says your first novel gets shoved under the bed, and the first chapter gets round filed before publishing (since chapter 2 is really chapter 1)?
Well… When I’m doing relatively mindless work, my thoughts usually turn toward my WIP. I finished my sewing project today, but part of the project didn’t use much brain power, and yes, my WIP popped into my head.
Only, instead of the book I’m currently working on, I began to think about the follow up novel (book one is about Z, book two is about E). More and more details just flowed into my head, making quite a nice story. Until it hit me.
Book two is book one. Dangit!
It makes perfect sense, and all the details work so much better with 1 as 2 and 2 as 1. Plus, the original #2 had a much punchier start and it may be easier to get my MS read when it’s ready for submission.
So, I decided I’ll take detailed notes on the former book #2. I’ll finish the first draft of the former #1 since I’m actually working on it. The whole thing has to be re-written anyway both to change it to 3rd person, and to fix the details with the whole switch of the order. And, with the switch, it may help liven up Z’s life. Here’s hoping!
On a side note: I totally rock. I just finished 2 bloomers, 2 chemises, 2 skirts, 4 muffin hats, a Christmas stocking, and 1 pouch. Aside from a little hand stitching around the holes for the drawstrings and actually threading the drawstring through, I’m FINISHED!
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Agreed. You DO totally rock!
CJ- Tank oo.
Wow, way to go on the sewing projects. I’m totally impressed. As I’ve been stuck on a knitted sweater since last fall (tricky sleeves) the idea of finishing anything is truly divine.
Which may be why I’m hitting my WIP with renewed intensity.
A little trivia: in my first novel, chapter seven was actually chapter one. Go figure.
This almost sound like one of those story problems at school.
If book one which used to be book two becomes a best seller and sells a million copies and book two which used to be book one sells twenty percent better how many copies of book two were sold?
Britta- Thanks! I always did the best story creation work in the shower, but I’m thinking it’ll be easier taking notes while pinning up fabric.
And that’s funny- I think one of the reasons I jump around projects so much is because everytime I hit a tough spot, I jump ship.
I’ve heard of such extreme chapter re-ordering, but never in regards to a specific book. Now I have to see!
Travis- It’s 2pm, and I just got up 2 hours ago. You’re not supposed to give me a headache this early.