The Nasty Part Begins

I'm not done doing my first edit, but me real editor (the incredible, sexy, and capable Joy Wandrey), starts editing next week. I'm on page 300 of 405 at this point, so it's not like I'll be two pages ahead of her, but my fear is having to go back and make major corrections early in the book after she's edited. I'm busy adding some much needed long term plot elements and polishing the continuity, so the likelyhood of having to re-edit early bits is essential.

One of the most interesting things I've done is adding a new (old) character to book 2. Most will remember Kadru, the somewhat mysterious Indian (not native american) woman who helped finance the Followers of the Avatar cult before earth's demise. She survives and comes to Bellatrix, mysteriously healed of her illness. Well she was not only healed, but given incredible longevity. She is still alive more than 100 years after earth. I've inserted a running sidestory that follows her and will ultimately be linked into the very end of the series. Everyone probably realized she was significant, as was Mindy obviously. But as this new book opens you will learn she is much more important than anyone thought before.

Now 3/4 of the way through the book I've reached the part that requires the most work. It doesn't end the way I want, so I'm having to make major changes. Both in the basic story structure, and how the "Chosen" develope as a galactic force to be reckoned with.

I've also abandoned my attempts to prune this below 180k works. It was a foly of the highest order. In fact Joy suggested "screw it, just write the damned thing", so that's what I'm doing. It looks like this one will be over 200k words. Some won't like that, but I guess it can't be helped. The story is demanding the space. The good/bad news is that means this will be a three book series.

1 - Avatar's Overture
2 - Avatar's Aria
3 - Avatar's Requiem

I've decided to dump Anthem as a title. It works, but it is just to ubiquitous. This is a very military book, obviously per the theme "anthem", but much more happens than military. Aria fits much better.

Aria - Term for a song either independent or part of a larger work.

This book takes place at the sunset of the Avatar Empire. Its rather like the moment the Visigoth's invaded Rome. The beginning of the end. This of course leads us to the meaning of Requiem as a title (not that I think it really needs describing).

Requiem (n.) A mass said or sung for the repose of a departed soul.
Requiem (n.) Any grand musical composition, performed in honor of a deceased person.
Requiem (n.) Rest; quiet; peace.

A lot of double meanings, but they obviously have a comon theme.

Kinda funny, but I'm not really a music fan. The theme just came to me after chosing Overture as the first one. I chose Overture purely because it was the opening shot, the beginning, almost a deal to be offered. I'm not even sure when the idea of using the other musical titles came to me, but it was a good piece of inspiration.

I often write cinematicaly. I will sit back while working on a scene and imagine it as a movie. I usually even have certain actors and actresses cast in my head. Anyway, as the scene plays out I then write what my mind imagines. Many people have told me my scenes are very cinematic in nature. Go fugure. Anyway, lately as I run scenes in that mess of grey noodles I call a brain I will have music playing. Often Tchaikovsky or Bethoven. I've felt a cool sci-fi story told to power classical can really make the hairs stand up on the back of your head. Check out the new Battlestar Galactica if you don't agree. I'm still waiting for that scene, probably the money shot in book three, that will be worthy of Carmina Burana.

Anyway, the muse call to me, and I must answer. If I don't write I'll be forced to use a power drill to get the words out!