I have a new active WIP.
This is always big news around the blog because I’m forever in the middle of multiple projects, most of which you already know about. So when I have a brand new active WIP it’s always nice to be able to talk about it.
I’ve said before that my process is always WEIRD. The project seems to pull the process it wants out of me. Sometimes I write characters first, sometimes setting first, sometimes whole outlines come easily. Basically, my brain runs the show and I’m just here taking notes like a secretary with bad handwriting. So let’s talk about how this particular project seems to be going and where it came from.
I started, as I always do when searching for a new WIP, with the idea journal. I didn’t find anything on the first pass through the journal. I scribbled a few things just to get them out of my head and moved on. This happened two or three times. I just wasn’t feeling any of the projects.
Then I scribbled something that suddenly woke up my brain.
What if the chosen one was a grown a** adult?
Yes, it had the stars. Apparently I even keep things blog appropriate in my idea journal. Weird, I know. Don’t ask me why I’ll censor myself in my private notes but still mumble “WHAT IF FIRE POWERS???” in public.
I let my brain think on this idea for a day. Then I came back and made more notes. Most of these were CHARACTER notes. Who would this chosen one be? Why were they chosen? Why weren’t they chosen earlier? Things of that nature.
The story started to come to me so I grabbed a piece of actual paper (not the computer I had been using) and created a major story arc. I wrote down about seven major things I thought would happen in the story. I used words like “main character”, “the guy”, and “villain” for lack of any character development at this point. It was a solid story. It looked good. I liked it.
The only problem was, there was more in my brain.
So I made another major story arc underneath that one. Another 7 events were written down. I liked it. It looked good. But there was more.
So I made another one with another 7 story events.
Then I started doubting myself so I put it away for the day. I don’t like to work when my brain needs the time to work through those doubts. I spend the next day when I was between tasks at work thinking about what was bothering me. I haven’t written anything with a sequel since Kingdom of Fraun, which is to say it’s been a hot minute. I think I was having trouble wrapping my brain around the idea that this COULD be a trilogy. Was there really enough material here to fill three books?
Only one way to find out.
The next day I sat down and started on the brainstorming. This took DAYS. I wrote random scenes, I made character notes, I jotted down ideas for villains, I did some worldbuilding. I basically just let myself write anything and everything I could think of related to this idea. I have 2 pages on one document with a bunch of notes. I even attempted to start an outline there. But then I abandoned that in favor of trying a few sample scenes. That document ended up being a staggering 72 pages. It’s sample scenes that were sort of turning points, a way for my brain to figure out if this important scene was going to hit. That way I could use those notes to sort of sprinkle in other things later. I don’t think I’ve ever written that many sample scenes before outlining in my life. Like I said, my projects want what my projects want.
I did attempt an outline somewhere in the middle of this 72 pages. I got maybe 10 chapters into the outline before I abandoned it in favor of working on more of the major scenes.
Finally, I felt like I was able to sit down and outline after weeks of brainstorming on this idea. I had accepted that it would probably be a trilogy. I felt confident I had enough here for at least a solid story, but probably for three.
I started a document I called “Organized Brainstorming.” In it I pulled all the important information I had so far: character notes, major beats to hit in each book, setting notes, etc. Then I started a section called Book 1 Outline and just let it flow.
I have NO IDEA why this book decided to be the way it is … but this one decided on PARTS and Chapter Titles. Will they stay through the process? Who knows. It’s literally the first time I’ve EVER had parts on an outline. I think I’ve had chapter titles maybe one other time. But it flowed out of my brain like that so that’s what happened. The outline for book 1, which hit all my major milestones, is 40 chapters. Apparently my subconscious was like, “Let’s be organized for this one,” and I just went along with it.
Now I would’ve assumed my brain would let me start on the draft after that.
No, not for this project.
The next time I sat down to write, I started a new section called Book 2 Outline and just kept going. Another 40 chapters (yes, all with chapter titles and broken in PARTS again).
The next time I sat down, I did the same with Book 3. Admittedly, the bullet points for book 3 are more sparse than the other 2. Likely that’s because I’ll flush out more of this one as I move through the trilogy.
Basically, this proved to my brain that this idea DEFINITELY had enough content to be an entire trilogy. I had solid arcs through each book and through the series. I had something here.
I could feel myself being pulled toward reworking the outlines to drop in more details and sprinkling in more hints and things for what is to come in the trilogy. I didn’t want to do that. At this point, I wanted to start WRITING.
So, instead, I went back to the piece of paper I had the original arcs on and wrote down all the cool things I wanted to drop hints about. I figured I’d have the list and I could make sure I worked them all in as the series unraveled. This way, I told myself, I wouldn’t forget anything. It’s basically the writer version of a grocery list, except instead of “milk, eggs, bread,” it says “small conspiracy group, meet cute, and wants fire powers.”
In late July, I actually dove into writing the zero draft of book 1. I can’t say that I’ve worked on it every single day but I do have 15 chapters done (about 18,500 words). I’m aiming for closer to 1500 words per chapter but, obviously, I’m not quite hitting that yet. I am noticing that the chapters are a little longer now then they were in the beginning. I’ll have to decide if I’m going to keep it that way. I’m attempting to keep the chapters below 2000 words.
I turned my handwritten notes into a checklist and, in another color, I’m recording what chapter I’ve dropped each hint into. Some of them are already layered in multiple times, which is fun. This way future-me will be able to look back at a note that says “hint at this again” and be able to count that we’re already five hints in and tell past-me to chill.
I forgot how much I enjoyed writing a series. I know these characters will be around for three books so I’m enjoying not having to rush them through their growth. I’m going to be able to let them make mistakes.
So, did the “chosen one” line stay in?
Yeah, it did. Riley is an adult. She’s sassy and opinionated, she can be crass sometimes, and she’s unapologetically herself. But there’s also a big secret about who she is and what she’s capable of that has been kept from her until now. What she learns about herself will change everything … and not just for herself.
Alright, that’s the basics! I’m sorry for keeping some things to myself for now but I like to keep some surprises. Think of it like a TV show trailer that cuts right before the good stuff. Annoying, I know, but you’ll thank me later.
For now, here’s a quick aesthetic for you.
See you soon!
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