Justicar Jhee and the Spectral Armada
A Justicar Jhee Mystery
A Justicar Jhee Mystery
During word sprints or speed writing, I often default to summary mode. Summary mode refers to when I write more like stage directions and in present tense. I picture the scene action clearly, but don’t want to get hung up on phrasing. Figuring out how to say it the “real way” will take too much time. While writing fast, summarizing is a blessing.
When I’m trying to make my word count, summary mode is a curse. Summary mode is faster, but also less words. I can snap myself out of it with a couple questions. What am I summarizing? Why not write it out so I can make my word count? If I summarize, I’m just going to have to think up another scene or write more to hit goal. This last is a good way to scare myself into writing a scene instead of summarizing even with time pressure.
Another signal for me to stop summary mode and write it out is when I’m practically writing it out anyway. I stop and force myself to write it out because: a) it’s more words; b) so it’s not a word shark lurking in wait for me during edits. I try never to summarize during the editing and revision phase.
Edits and revisions are having a marked effect on how I’m doing initial drafts of everything. If I have the time to fix it now, I do. However, I watch for signs I obsessed or bogged down, such as fiddling with punctuation or articles. If I find that happening, I summarize and move on my way.
Summary mode is also good for the tail end of a long scene or one I’ve obsessed over so long its halted forward progress. I sum up or throw in a quick and dirty description of what’s supposed to happen or how the scene ends and move on.
I am neck deep in a mega-sequence. Even after incorporating material from the new outline and snippets file, it’s requiring a fair amount of connective tissue. Dialogue fragments now require a whole scene. Summarized conversations need their information written out. Some bits can be montaged, but not all.
I replaced the placeholder name for another character who’s existed since the first draft. A few older characters still have their proper names pending, but I might get away with referring to them by their positions. The two new characters are also prime candidates for this. At least one original character was only referred to by their job title. Unlike other characters where I did this, they never had a proper name even a tongue in cheek one. (It made more sense when they were a minor character.) Dissimilar position names are proving easier to think up than proper names.
Not much changed. A few more setups snuck into the previous book for payoff here. In addition to working on Book 1 work, I attended another con. I did write a little more backstory.
Speaking of eliminating placeholder names, cross another one off the list. Though, I have yet to decide how large a role the character plays. Over the course of the draft, I waffled. However, their role in another character’s backstory became major.
Have a lovely day!