This is a visual representation of how edits are going on A Knack for Metal and Bone. I was sailing along, expecting to have a competed draft by next week and then I hit this roadblock. This isn't to say that I have writer's block. Rather, it means that I hit an unexpected wall in my plot and for a while I couldn't see a way around it.
I’m not worried. Five years ago, I would have been, but now I know that plot roadblocks are a part of the process. And they can even be a good thing. While it’s fun to write an easy story, when a roadblock happens, it forces me to look at the plot from a different angle and find new and hopefully even more creative ways around it.
Yesterday, I spent most of the day pondering this problem. That’s a funny thing about writing—it can look a lot like sitting around doing nothing. But in fact, I was plotting like some evil wizard. At the end of the day, I felt like I hadn’t accomplished much, but today, I found the roadblock cleared away and the end of the road is in sight!
Okay, enough of the road construction metaphors. Here’s where the new manuscript stands:
In the last few weeks, I deleted about 6 chapters, added in at least 10 new ones and completely rewrote another dozen. I am about 6 chapters from the end now. The current manuscript bears little resemblance to the first draft I wrote last Christmas. I shouldn’t complain. First books in a new series take some time to work out the kinks. I wrote 4 completely different books in the Valkyrie Bestiary before I settled on Dragons Don’t Eat Meat. So 2 drafts of this one means I’m getting better at the whole process.
And while the edits are slow, I feel like I’m making real progress. I’m starting to love the characters and their quirks. And the side-kicks are fun. You know how I love a good side-kick. Rowan, the princess-turned-mechanic has a couple of “mech” creatures that she bonds with. Mech is a term in her world that means any manmade device that makes life easier. These are not electronic gadgets, but mechanical creations that work with an infusion of magic. All will be explained in the book, of course, but while you’re waiting for that, I wanted to introduce you to a few of these marvelous creations.
I’m not worried. Five years ago, I would have been, but now I know that plot roadblocks are a part of the process. And they can even be a good thing. While it’s fun to write an easy story, when a roadblock happens, it forces me to look at the plot from a different angle and find new and hopefully even more creative ways around it.
Yesterday, I spent most of the day pondering this problem. That’s a funny thing about writing—it can look a lot like sitting around doing nothing. But in fact, I was plotting like some evil wizard. At the end of the day, I felt like I hadn’t accomplished much, but today, I found the roadblock cleared away and the end of the road is in sight!
Okay, enough of the road construction metaphors. Here’s where the new manuscript stands:
In the last few weeks, I deleted about 6 chapters, added in at least 10 new ones and completely rewrote another dozen. I am about 6 chapters from the end now. The current manuscript bears little resemblance to the first draft I wrote last Christmas. I shouldn’t complain. First books in a new series take some time to work out the kinks. I wrote 4 completely different books in the Valkyrie Bestiary before I settled on Dragons Don’t Eat Meat. So 2 drafts of this one means I’m getting better at the whole process.
And while the edits are slow, I feel like I’m making real progress. I’m starting to love the characters and their quirks. And the side-kicks are fun. You know how I love a good side-kick. Rowan, the princess-turned-mechanic has a couple of “mech” creatures that she bonds with. Mech is a term in her world that means any manmade device that makes life easier. These are not electronic gadgets, but mechanical creations that work with an infusion of magic. All will be explained in the book, of course, but while you’re waiting for that, I wanted to introduce you to a few of these marvelous creations.
Meet Phalian
Phalian (short for Stymphalian), is a mech bird-mouse shifter and companion to Rowan, Princess of New Torwood City. The mech creature is mysteriously linked to Rowan’s prosthetic arm, allowing her to sense impressions from him when they are separated. Phalian can be very outspoken but his vocabulary is limited to SQUAWK, TWEET and SQUEAK. Rowan often relies on him to get into tight spaces when she repairs larger mech. He becomes a vital part of Ranger Squad 54 when Rowan joins the team.
Snippet #1: Commander Conall West meets Phalian for the first time.
As Conall approached the vehicle, a bird mech flew from the front seat, circled the cat once and perched on the roof.
“What in the hells is that?” He pointed.
The mech opened its beak as said, “SQUAWK!”
Rowan chirped a response and the bird hopped onto her shoulder.
“Pets aren’t allowed on this mission, Ranger.”
“He’s not a pet. Phalian more of a…an assistant. Trust me, Commander, you’ll be glad for his help when we’re stuck out there with a broken cat. He can get into the smallest space. Cuts repair time in half. I promise.”
He glared at her and she smiled sweetly back at him. That wasn’t how it was supposed to work. He was supposed to growl and she was supposed to cower.
She’s fierce, the wolf said in his mind.
Don’t start with me.
The wolf snorted and sneezed, a gesture that Conall had learned to interpret as laughter.
Rowan’s mech assistant suddenly shrank. Its wings retracted and a tail emerged. In seconds a mouse sat where the bird had been. It rubbed tiny metal paws against its nose then scampered down her shoulder and tucked itself into a pocket in the black sheath that covered her mech arm.
Conall blinked. The wolf was intrigued. Rowan watched him with an expression that said she dared him to comment.
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And let me know what you think of Phalian. You can reply right in the comments.
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