65: Structural Decisions
9/3/2013
I began collating Chapter Eight: Dissolutions a few days ago. Of course, I already had my outline, and a good idea of the changes to the outline, but as I systematically went through all my notes (always a major undertaking) Chapter Eight grew beyond what I ever imagined it would. My compiled notes for it alone are 28 pages. I won’t use everything in my notes… probably. But still, this could be a long chapter if I don’t plan it out economically.
I’ve got three major geographical phases, going from Ephrathah to the Dula, then to L’Norien. This is the first time I’m going to L’Norien in the story, so a lot of my notes are concerned with that. But there are subtle and not so subtle plot developments that are emerging as well: Diallo’s betrayal of Alena’s confidence, which is why he thinks she abandoned him. Kinjul’s visit to Ephrathah to collect Alena, without Diallo knowing it. Diallo scraping the eland hide, which turns out to be Kinjul’s bride-price for Alena. Siona leaving Ephrathah with Alena for L’Norien. Guma and Diallo leaving for L’Norien alone, with Tamal-Bakar-and Dougga following on foot behind. Having Pardos sighted in the region so all women and children are confined to the village canopy for a few days, which all the boys violate.
These are the major changes, but there are many other fine-tuning details to work in as well. Lots of decisions to make and figuring out how it all fits together in the best way. It should be good though, spanning a wide range of emotional and geographical landscapes. Lots of good imagery, and lots of opportunities for character development.
Now I’ve got to write out a new scene outline for it. Then I have to write it.
Present-Day Reflection
7/29/2026
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine how I could think of Dissolutions as a single chapter. It not only grew into being an entire quarter of the book – Part Four – but turned out to be the largest of the four parts. Or at least, it was when I finished it back then.
Book Two: Tears of Stone, still has a lot of editing to do. Several chapters have yet to be written and inserted to flesh things out. And even the basic structure is not set in Stone yet. I’m still considering the possibility of incorporating The Shadow Falls – which is already finished – as Part Four in that book, instead of Part One in the third book. If I do, then Part Two: Lost In the Darkness, and Part Two: The Wounded would be incorporated into one part (The Wounded). In which case there’d be Part One: The Kulu, Part Two: The Wounded, Part Three: Dissolutions, Part Four: The Shadow Falls.
This is still under consideration. I have to think about the story arc and how this effects the plot and theme structure for both Book Two and Book Three. It shouldn’t be possible to simply rearrange major elements of the structure in this way. If it is possible, then it speaks to an inconsistent – or nonexistent – premise for the entire book. Which is bad.
Why am I always struggling with premise issues?
