The Nobodies: I Think I’m Running Out of Things to Say
With office work, yard work and house work in full swing, I’m still editing at a snail’s pace as I work through The Nobodies’ various characters, so there isn’t much I can say about how it’s going at this point that I haven’t already mentioned. I mean, it’s going.
Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. I can’t just leave it at that and call it a day. This wouldn’t be much of an update if I did, right?
Well, alright. At the moment, I’m working on sections devoted to one of my favorite, and arguably the most fascinating, characters of the book. And while my focus during this process has been to reduce the word count from its staggering heights, I am loathing cutting these sections. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve cut when I felt it was needed. But for this character in particular, I’ve mostly added to the sections, particularly the “newer” ones, in order to ensure each firmly corresponds to the voice I’ve established for said character.
I think the pages are the most marked-up I’ve had.
Working through this character’s sections has also allowed me to read through the story’s beginning once again—my first opportunity to do so since wrapping the last act back in February. Given this chance, I’ve found several places where twisting one or two words on end, or simply rearranging a few sentences, creates a different feel for the narrative as a whole, especially when looked back upon.
For instance, in one early section, by replacing the words “small group” with “plan,” I’m able to change and twist more than one characters’ whole motivation, adding to the more fitting back story and further developing the threat perceived throughout the final act.
I know this is vague. I’m sure you’ll understand just why it has to be so. Don’t worry, when the time comes, I’ll share everything and anything with you. Just know for now that the book is getting better. Tighter. Leaner. And I’m remembering just why I fell in love with this story and why it’s been plaguing my thoughts for so many years.
Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. I can’t just leave it at that and call it a day. This wouldn’t be much of an update if I did, right?
Well, alright. At the moment, I’m working on sections devoted to one of my favorite, and arguably the most fascinating, characters of the book. And while my focus during this process has been to reduce the word count from its staggering heights, I am loathing cutting these sections. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve cut when I felt it was needed. But for this character in particular, I’ve mostly added to the sections, particularly the “newer” ones, in order to ensure each firmly corresponds to the voice I’ve established for said character.
I think the pages are the most marked-up I’ve had.
Working through this character’s sections has also allowed me to read through the story’s beginning once again—my first opportunity to do so since wrapping the last act back in February. Given this chance, I’ve found several places where twisting one or two words on end, or simply rearranging a few sentences, creates a different feel for the narrative as a whole, especially when looked back upon.
For instance, in one early section, by replacing the words “small group” with “plan,” I’m able to change and twist more than one characters’ whole motivation, adding to the more fitting back story and further developing the threat perceived throughout the final act.
I know this is vague. I’m sure you’ll understand just why it has to be so. Don’t worry, when the time comes, I’ll share everything and anything with you. Just know for now that the book is getting better. Tighter. Leaner. And I’m remembering just why I fell in love with this story and why it’s been plaguing my thoughts for so many years.
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