Over 24,000 words, not even half, and I’m wondering what else I can do? I think I need to spread the action out a few more days, at least. A new character showed up in the form of my daughter as pastor, writing to Bill, in response to some questions he asked her about Christianity. I also added other letters from a Buddhist, and someone practicing Islam. He sends letters out to people practicing various religions, and keeps all of them in his journal, where he keeps notes and quotes that ‘jump out at him’. I don’t know what I’ll do with that journal, but it feels pretty important. I guess I’ll have to keep writing to find out, won’t I?
At some point I need to stop and map out the scenes I’ve got so far. What’s going on? What’s the timeline? What happens first, then next, then next? That may help to see the whole roadmap laid out. It’s sort of the difference between seeing just the folded portion of the map showing you exactly where you are. Okay, Dilworth. But where’s Dilworth in conjunction with the rest of the region? Or country? Maybe I need to mentally unfold that whole map so I can see the WHOLE picture, not just the 5 mile stretch that I am currently traveling. Hmmm - index cards? One big sheet that I can leave spaces in between the action to add more later? I don’t know. Ideas, anyone? No? I’m still on my own? Sigh. It’s okay - I’ll figure it out. I always do. But just sometimes - sheesh. It gets confusing to learn as you go. Why didn’t I go to any novel writing workshops? Read more books? Join more forums? Do SOMETHING? But oh well. Live and learn. Live and learn. I know I’m living, but hopefully I’m learning, too.