Here I sit, on the floor, surrounded by gear wheels and springs,
sprockets and puppet heads, ratchets and screws.
For the past couple of weeks I've been taking the Sterkarm books apart and trying to figure out how they go. There are bits of Book Two: A Sterkarm Kiss lying around here somewhere. And one or two parts from Book One: The Sterkarm Handshake have rolled under the settee.
Mostly, though, the bits are from Book Three, which has a working title of A Sterkarm Embrace - but I'm still not sure whether to go with that or not.
My editor, Matrice Hussey, gave me a very detailed consideration of the book, and one of the points she made is that I had begun it very abruptly, at the point where Book Two ends.
Not everyone who picks up Book Three, she said, is going to have read the first two. Or, if they have, they might have forgotten them - so it makes sense to have a longer lead in, to set the scene, and fill in a little of the background. As most of the actions takes place in the 16th Century, it would be good to have an idea of what was going on in the 21st.
So I've pulling things apart and rewriting, with these points in mind. I think Matrice's advice is turning out to be very good - but lord, it's been nipping my head full sore.
I had an uncle who was notorious for taking apart watches and clocks, and then not being able to put them back together again. I feel his pain. Where does this bit go? Will that bit work if I force it in there?
This clockwork figure is almost working again, but I've lost its head. - Oh, now that delicate bit of wiring has snapped.
I keep telling myself I'm enjoying it. I like rewriting. I will sort it out. I will, I will...
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| The Sterkarm Handshake and A Sterkarm Kiss by Susan Price |
For the past couple of weeks I've been taking the Sterkarm books apart and trying to figure out how they go. There are bits of Book Two: A Sterkarm Kiss lying around here somewhere. And one or two parts from Book One: The Sterkarm Handshake have rolled under the settee.
Mostly, though, the bits are from Book Three, which has a working title of A Sterkarm Embrace - but I'm still not sure whether to go with that or not.
My editor, Matrice Hussey, gave me a very detailed consideration of the book, and one of the points she made is that I had begun it very abruptly, at the point where Book Two ends.
Not everyone who picks up Book Three, she said, is going to have read the first two. Or, if they have, they might have forgotten them - so it makes sense to have a longer lead in, to set the scene, and fill in a little of the background. As most of the actions takes place in the 16th Century, it would be good to have an idea of what was going on in the 21st.
So I've pulling things apart and rewriting, with these points in mind. I think Matrice's advice is turning out to be very good - but lord, it's been nipping my head full sore.
I had an uncle who was notorious for taking apart watches and clocks, and then not being able to put them back together again. I feel his pain. Where does this bit go? Will that bit work if I force it in there?
This clockwork figure is almost working again, but I've lost its head. - Oh, now that delicate bit of wiring has snapped.
I keep telling myself I'm enjoying it. I like rewriting. I will sort it out. I will, I will...
9 comments:
but which 16th century Scotland will it be with so many alternative timelines?
Mike B
Oh please don't add more cogs and springs to the problem with difficult questions like that!
Lots of sympathy - you'll do it for sure, and none of the seams will show at all, but oh, the getting there!
Of course you will! Because unlike bits of clocks, bits of plots put themselves back together in your mind, only in their own sweet time!
You'll get there and then we can wait agog for S4 ... just don't go killing off Cuddy again!
All I can do is wish you - and the several parts, cogs, springs & hair springs, gears, balances and the teeny tiny what-was-that-there-for bits - a sturdy and powerful re-assembly. Somehow. (And praise be for good editors!)
Thank you all - and having just recieved a very useful and enlightening critique of my 'Drovers' Dogs' story from SAS member and editor Ann Evans, I can only echo Penny: Praise be for good editors!
It'll be great. I like that title!
Could you put a page of "story so far" at the front explaining books 1 and 2 (along with details of where to get them!), then start the story where you felt you wanted to start it in the first place...?
Well, I could, Kath - but I think the rewriting I've done has improved the book, providing more character motivation and a solider foundation. I think,as so often, I had nagging little doubts about certain aspects of the book which I couldn't figure out myself because I was too close to it. A good editor helps you clarify those doubts and solve them.
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