For various reasons, the only writing project to which I can devote any time at all right now is Lighthouse Boy (not the actual title), which got stuck in a particular spot because I just couldn’t figure out where to go with it. I tried one thing, and rejected it; then I tried another, and rejected that; then I tried still a third, and rejected that. And each rejection of a particular plot direction meant deleting at least several days’ work — a few thousand words, each time out. It sucked.
But, I finally got it figured out. The solution involved a bit of retconning and refitting earlier material to give one character a skill he hadn’t had before, and figuring out how to move the tale in a new direction entirely. The book’s backstory involves a fight for the throne — because all good stories have to involve a fight for the throne — but somehow, I got myself into the situation where every way forward involved bringing that war front and center, and that’s not what I want to do. At least, not yet. I want this book to be an adventure tale like Alexandre Dumas, not a wars-of-succession tale like George RR Martin.
But, at least I’m getting the length right, in the fine tradition of Dumas (but hopefully not quite so bad as Martin). Currently the book stands at a little over 100,000 words…and I figure I’m only now nearing the one-third mark. Wow, this is going to be a doorstop!
Onward and upward!
