Wip 2

I have wip2, at about 55k, and am going back through turning narration into scenes. I am finding that by using a generalized narratio0n of events I can make the transition from pantzing to outlining a bit easier. It does mean more editing but I can live with that since the process of outlining is becoming easier. I was able to sit down and create a story board outline for wip3 from this experience.

The cork board in scrivener is allowing me to plot scenes with a sentence to paragraph of the events in that scene. This allows for the pantzing with in the scene itself with a general direction, while making the story logic of the whole easier to keep a grip on. And it provides a useful over view of the plot when pantzing a scene takes the plot off the original rails. Whether it is reordering the scenes, or or adjusting the scene descriptions, it is much easier to keep myself on track. This is also allowing me to track POV shifts, which I am using to give the reader a sense of knowing more of what is going on than the characters.

I just reread the hero at the mercy of the villain scene in wip2, and was struck by a comment my editor made. That I tend to go easy on the hero. So I reworked the scene a bit and turned it into out of the frying pan and into the fire. The hero manages to escape from a group of skeletons trying to use him as a perverse wishbone. When the villain sees the escape and kicks him into an open grave, then has the skeletons bury the hero. So he has to dig his way out with multiple dislocated joints.

During the speech in praise of the villain, I have the hero realize that the majority of his actions are fitting into the villain's plans instead of countering them. All the while bringing the villain closer to the McGuffin, and his goal. All of this leading up to a darker finish for wip2, where the hero realizes just how much he has helped the villain achieve his goal. Which sets up a twist in wip3 where the hero tries to fix the mistakes he has made. wip2 and 3 should be a single book, but that would make it too long and prevent this from being a trilogy.

I am letting wip1 sit while I work on the rest of the story. When I have wip 2 and 3 to the point I want to send them out to beta readers I will go back to wip 1 and put some final polishing on it. That should give plenty of time for me to see it with fresh eyes.