Matthew S. Rotundo's Pixeltown

So remember last week’s exciting installment, when I mentioned that Dream Time on Petra Rising had become a bit more structured?  Yeah, about that . . .

Turns out that I had some more continuity issues to work on.  I had to go all the way back to the first volume in the series to pick up some key details that will factor into this latest installment.  That detour soon led to another, and I found myself re-rereading parts of Petra Released.  I’ve started a separate document just to keep track of pre-established data, complete with citations.  If nothing else, I suppose it might help me prepare for a career as a paralegal, should I be inclined that way.

Yeesh.  And I still have to work on the actual, you know, story.  So I suppose I should get back to that.

No updates for Write Club.

Onward.

Decent progress last week, in that I managed to get a pretty good handle on one of my subplots for Petra Rising.

And I find, now that I’m some weeks in, that my Dream Time has taken on a bit of a structure.  When I first start jotting notes for a new novel, they’re usually pretty random—bits of characterization, concepts, questions.  Now, I have a much better idea of what I need to focus on.  Barring any derailments—which could of course still happen—I figure I need to work on two other subplots, and then I’ll be ready to start drafting.

Understand, when I say “work on,” I don’t mean “have it all plotted out.”  All of these notes are basically just enough to get me started.  I still have very little idea how this thing will end.  So don’t worry, folks; I’m still a pantser, in case you were concerned.  Hope I’ve set your mind at ease.

No updates for Write Club.

And I’m out.

So here it is 2015, and—surprise!—I’m not ready to start Petra Rising yet.

What do you mean, you’re not surprised?

OK, fine.  Neither am I.

I have my inciting incident figured out, at least.  So that’s something.  But it’s not quite enough, not for a story with as many moving parts as this one has.

A few more weeks of Dream Time, then.  Maybe a month.  Then, words will roll.

I hope.

Hey, it’s a new year.  I can be hopeful, can’t I?

No updates for Write Club.

Forward.