That backstory has also grown because of the necessity for conflict, and has grown in much the same way as the ‘B’ plotline for Gridlinked. Let me just revisit that for a moment:
I submitted a sample and synopsis of Gridlinked to Macmillan at the end of 1999 and received a request for the whole book shortly afterwards, which I sent by email. At the time Gridlinked was 65,000 words long and I knew it was too short for present day publication requirements. I suggested, by email, that I could expand it – maybe put in more about the doings of the villains in the story. Meanwhile that email crossed one on the way back with a reader’s report from Simon Kavanagh (now an author’s agent): it’s too short and maybe I should expand the B plotline i.e. the story of the villains. I did as requested, expanding Gridlinked to 135,000 words in, I think, about two or three weeks. Peter Lavery at Macmillan expected a load of padded crap, what he got instead was Mr Crane (who wasn’t in the original version).
In Penny Royal I’ve been concentrating on a villain – someone who encountered Penny Royal during its time in the Graveyard. I’m finding the writing ridiculously easy (which is worrying) and am starting to contemplate the idea of introducing other characters like her (Isobel Satomi), who have experienced similar encounters with Penny Royal. I can’t really say much more than this … well, I can add that prador and hooders have joined the cast, along with second-child ship minds, shell people, a heavyworlder thug, Jebel U-cap Krong and Sylac (who some may remember from Gridlinked and Prador Moon).
I’d like to get back to work now, but again I’ve got a sty in my eye and feel like crap. Concentrating on a screen ain’t helping.
10 comments:
Any wasps?
Just asking.
There may be hornets. Who knows?
You have to go where the story takes you.
That cast of characters sounds great! Is that giant AI-dreadnought manufacturing station still in the mix?
Really enjoy your books!
"other characters like her (Isobel Satomi), who have experienced similar encounters with Penny Royal"
assumed anything it encountered ends up dead, stuck on the oil painting bodywall. forgot the survival in the The Gabble encounter.
would hornets make a good addition to a wall of bodies? too small an effect?
I’m finding the writing ridiculously easy (which is worrying)
I'm puzzled, why worrying?
btw: sty in the eye?
rub it with a gold ring, always works for me ;)
Exactly, Neil.
Rich, some of those characters are just in walk on and walk off roles and yes, Room 101 is involved - it was where Penny Royal was made.
Vaude, they don't all end up dead, though some of them would rather that were the case.
Chrish, I'll save that one for my next video clip if I may.
Golden eye ointment works, should be gone in a couple of days.
Is writing being easy the result of having loose ends from other stories, that have been inking away in your subconscious whilst you sleep..? Is it a worry or is it a boon?
Do you feel better for sharing? Has it become part of the creative process? It's a funny old thing is the mind.
I like to think my word-rate is due to years of self-discipline, but it could be because I'm becoming a waffly old fart.
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