Revision News--The Cracked Throne
Mar. 21st, 2006 01:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jpskewedthroneI just got off the phone with my editor regarding the revisions to The Cracked Throne, the sequel to The Skewed Throne. I was a little surprised at some of my editor's comments, but overall I think the revisions should go well. I didn't have anything that she suggested that made my gut twist and say "I won't do that." In fact, everything she suggested made sense. There are a few sticky points that I either don't know how to resolve just now and will have to think on, and a few that will require some changes in the plot and the placement of people (where they are when, what they knew when, etc) but for the most part I think I can handle them all and make the book better.
The biggest, general comment was that she didn't feel I was using the full power behind Varis to it's best effect. She felt I needed to increase her use of the magic and her reliance on the throne itself. This would of course increase the payback for using such power, but I promise there is much less vomiting in this book. I don't intend to increase that. *grin*
One of the big, big things that I need to change and figure out involves character motivation. And this is something I should have seen and figured out before I sent it to her. It's not a huge thing to fix (it only affects a few scenes at the end of the book) but I really should have thought about this earlier.
And again, she wants me to add more of the background history of the world, moreso than last time. This I think I can do effectively by working more with the powers she wants increased as well--kill two birds with one stone.
In the end, I'm happy with what needs to be done and the fact that I can do it. It will require some significant changes to the book--moreso than the revisions of The Skewed Throne--but it's also a more complicated book in alot of respects. So that's to be expected. As for when it will be released . . . that's still up in the air. The two options seem to be November (if I can get the revisions done in a reasonable time without feeling pressured) or February 07. Either month is good. She's going to see when the revisions would absolutely have to be in for the November release and get back to me. If I can do them by then without feeling rushed, then I'll push for the November release.
We also covered possible cover art concepts. The one we both agreed would be an obvious choice . . . we can't use because it would ruin the ending of the book. *sigh* So we came up with another concept that does almost exactly the same thing but leaves all the questions open. We're going to get the same artist that did the cover to The Skewed Throne, so I feel like I'm in good hands. And if he can pull off what we were thinking as a cover . . .
I find I'm getting excited about the revisions already. I want to jump right in, right now, but I think I'd better think on all that was said for a little bit first. Don't want to rush things.
But I'm grinning. Big time. Another book! It might actually happen!
The biggest, general comment was that she didn't feel I was using the full power behind Varis to it's best effect. She felt I needed to increase her use of the magic and her reliance on the throne itself. This would of course increase the payback for using such power, but I promise there is much less vomiting in this book. I don't intend to increase that. *grin*
One of the big, big things that I need to change and figure out involves character motivation. And this is something I should have seen and figured out before I sent it to her. It's not a huge thing to fix (it only affects a few scenes at the end of the book) but I really should have thought about this earlier.
And again, she wants me to add more of the background history of the world, moreso than last time. This I think I can do effectively by working more with the powers she wants increased as well--kill two birds with one stone.
In the end, I'm happy with what needs to be done and the fact that I can do it. It will require some significant changes to the book--moreso than the revisions of The Skewed Throne--but it's also a more complicated book in alot of respects. So that's to be expected. As for when it will be released . . . that's still up in the air. The two options seem to be November (if I can get the revisions done in a reasonable time without feeling pressured) or February 07. Either month is good. She's going to see when the revisions would absolutely have to be in for the November release and get back to me. If I can do them by then without feeling rushed, then I'll push for the November release.
We also covered possible cover art concepts. The one we both agreed would be an obvious choice . . . we can't use because it would ruin the ending of the book. *sigh* So we came up with another concept that does almost exactly the same thing but leaves all the questions open. We're going to get the same artist that did the cover to The Skewed Throne, so I feel like I'm in good hands. And if he can pull off what we were thinking as a cover . . .
I find I'm getting excited about the revisions already. I want to jump right in, right now, but I think I'd better think on all that was said for a little bit first. Don't want to rush things.
But I'm grinning. Big time. Another book! It might actually happen!
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Date: 2006-03-21 08:40 pm (UTC)Hmm . . . how do I handle revisions? I basically organize the proposed revisions, with notes about what I think might work as fixes, and then sit down with page one and work through the book front to back. That way if I make a change I can supposedly catch all the subsequent changes it requires after that. That's the theory anyway. I actually enjoy revisions to some extent, although there's the fear there that this is it, my last chance to make significant changes to the book. Once the revisions are in, only minor changes can be made. Plus, anything that you say is this point becomes law for book 3, so you can't fudge it or change it after this. Your stuck with it. A little fear involved there as well.
I'll try to update LJ as I work on where I am and what problems have arisen in the process. I've already got a tentative schedule worked out with my editor: I'll send whatever I have done (hopefully half of the book) a week before Norwescon so she can see them there. If we want the November release, the revisions will have to be done by mid-May. So the schedule is going to be tight.
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Date: 2006-03-21 09:51 pm (UTC)I didn't start that...well, OK, I did but...and then I couldn't help myself and...I really Was intending to talk revision. :-)
I thought the answer might be, 'Go through it front to back'.
Yes, the bit about the changes having to become law because of the next book IS a bit scary. It puts a lot more pressure on to make sure you get it right and that you can live with it forever. (Eek).
I'd enjoy hearing about your process and progress. It's interesting and helpful. Thanks.