Pacing

Posted on September 8, 2024 by DebyFredericks

Over the summer, in addition to revising Cleodora Books 1 & 2, I read back through a couple of older novels from the 1990s. Mostly ones by Barbara Hambly, who was one of my must-buy authors in those days. I also read a couple of Martha Wells’ early novels. I’m struck by how different the pacing is from books written in the 2010s and ’20s.

Mostly, it’s that the plots extended farther than we write them now. I get to the 3/4 mark or so and think the story will start to wrap up. But then another complication is introduced and I find myself thinking, “this is taking too long.” It’s not that I think the authors were padding the stories to be paid per word. More like, readers had to get more story for our dollar?

Another thing we do differently now, at least in some cases, is the approach to love scenes. In these novels from the ’90s, the curtain is drawn between the reader and the lovers. We come back to them afterward. The effect, at least to me, is that their emotions are blunted. The lovers’ passion is more of a plot point than a dynamic part of the story.

This might sound like a complaint, and it isn’t, really. At the time these books came out, this was how a proper fantasy novel was written. And I think it connects to the intermittent grievance in SFF circles about “too much romance” in genre fiction. If you expect the romance to be just a plot point, then emphasizing it might be jarring.

But at the same time, I can see why so many readers went for urban fantasy toward the end of the ’90s. The sexy nature and the faster pacing would definitely attract (LoL) fans who wanted a more emotional reading experience.

Just an odd thought for your Sunday morning.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

Woman at Work, September 2024

Posted on September 1, 2024 by DebyFredericks

What’s Happening? We are just in the first week of school here. I’m in the thick of helping open the Resource Room, putting things on the walls, organizing files, and all of that.

What I’m Working On. I have an idea for a short story I’d like to write and just need to have the mental space (see above) to get started. In addition, I am working through the cover creation process for my next book. Cleodora, Book 1: Acorn Canyon should be coming out in November.

What’s Next? I need to start the final revision on Acorn Canyon (see above).

Where I’ll be. Just-A-Con, September 20-22, in Spokane WA. It’s a relaxacon — a free flowing SF convention with only a modest schedule so people can socialize more. My part is mostly to monitor a table for swapping books and games.

Fun and Games. In addition to Animal Crossing, I’m playing Landsnama, a strategy game based on historic Iceland. Not supper high energy, but definitely challenging.

It is Labor Day and I’m going to the lake!

Willow Lake, Part 2

Posted on August 25, 2024 by DebyFredericks

I did it! I completed the first draft revision of Willow Lake, the finale of Cleodora’s story. It came in at 42,600 words, a good length for middle grades.

There is still a part of the ending I’m not happy with. The antagonist faces a reckoning there, and I feel it lacks drama. I could re-write it, bringing it more to a climactic moment, like in movies, where the bad gal screams and their head blows up. Very dramatic! However, both of the novels have been very much NOT heads-exploding content. So it might be sort of the expected thing, but it wouldn’t match the story as a whole.

We’re planning a short trip this week. Perhaps I’ll print out those pages and take them with me. The drive time should give me a chance to ponder some possibilities.

Willow Lake

Posted on August 18, 2024 by DebyFredericks

Well, my husband gave his feedback on Acorn Canyon. It’s all positive, except I think he does not prefer cozy fantasy. He likes a darker plot with faster pacing. Even so, he asked when will the second one be ready to read? So I guess I’d better get on that!

That second book is Willow Lake. I am about 3/4 through the revisions on it. This book needs significantly more work. Currently I’m at a key scene that begins the race to the end. Two characters had to be taken out, and the scene is happening in a different place. It’s been tricky to make all the adjustments as I go along. I want to take my time and do it right, though.

I’m hoping to get through it before next week, when we’re going on a short trip. Don’t know if I’ll make it, but let’s find out!

First Read

Posted on August 11, 2024 by DebyFredericks

The second draft of Acorn Canyon was finished in the middle of last month. I passed it over to my husband, who always gets to do the first read. Not only is he widely read in SF and Fantasy, with a valuable perspective. He’s also very supportive and encourages me, rather than, say, suggesting that I might do the dusting more often.

It’s been interesting to get his reactions. He is one of those readers who always wants to predict what will happen, who the bad guys are, and so forth. His predictions are often quite accurate. That helps me know when I need more layers or a twist of some kind.

But with Acorn Canyon, he’s way off and it’s hilarious. Partly, I think, it’s because this is a middle grade book and he hardly ever reads in that age group. It’s also a cozy fantasy, which he doesn’t read as much, either. So he’s generally looking for more adult plot turns. He’s labeled a character as “evil” when nobody in a cozy fantasy is evil.

In addition, I moved a lot of boundaries in the world building. This is the story where there are no kings/nobility, no permanent warrior class, most of the locations don’t use money, and so forth. The plot structure also is quite different, since it is part 1 of 2. He can tell something is different, but I don’t think he’s sussed it all out yet.

It’s been really interesting to get his reactions. When he finishes, I look forward to hashing it all out with him.

Woman at Work, August 2024

Posted on August 4, 2024 by DebyFredericks

What’s Happening? In the last few weeks of my summer break, I’m focused a lot on home improvements. With the mortgage paid off, I’m now realizing how dingy out bathroom and kitchen are. We’ll see what comes of this.

What I’m Working On. I completed the first draft revision of Acorn Canyon, the first book of my Cleodora duet. It’s with my husband, who is always the first reader. That lets me work on first draft of the second book, Willow Lake.

What’s Next? I’m currently focused on prepping Cleodora, so right now I don’t have another writing project lined up.

Where I’ll be. A nearby bookshop is having a Local Author Day, and I’m getting my display ready for that. It’s August, so I’m especially concerned about having enough shade.

Fun and Games. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, I finished the main plot and am noodling around with side quests. Also continue to build my town in Animal Crossing. And there’s a jigsaw puzzle here and there.

I hope you are all staying cool enough through this long, hot summer!

Chosen

Posted on July 28, 2024 by DebyFredericks

Now that I took out the problematic subplot from Acorn Canyon, I need to reconfigure the ending. What was an important point to the over all plot, but then went into the subplot’s ending, now is the end point. Surprise!

But in a good way, though. As I go through this revision, one thing I’ve wondered about is whether Cleodora could be considered a Chosen One. You know the trope — a young man is “chosen by fate” or some other divine force, to carry out a dangerous mission. Often the youth is also given some sort of powers or abilities to help with said mission.

Early in the book, Cleodora saves one of the nature spirits that’s been injured. It becomes bonded to her, and in her culture they are now considered one being, a “druet.” Her mother and mentor were discussing whether this made her a “chosen one,” and they talked about what that meant for her future.

Chosen One isn’t a trope I’m really fond of. They’re over-done, and also often used in a sexist and ageist way. Other characters will ignore all sorts of qualified women and older people to follow the chosen one. However, I’m enjoying a chance to explore this trope a bit. Was Cleodora chosen, or did she choose? Will people allow a 13-year-old girl to lead, or tell her to sit and be quiet?

As I’ve mentioned before, this draft has been a lot about deepening character relationships. This is especially true with Navaire, her mentor and step-father, who is trying to protect her in a parental role. Where I’m revising now, Navaire told Cleodora to wait for the adults to lay a trap, but she used herself as bait instead. He’s upset. Yet he himself is a druet. When he was younger, would he have let anyone tell him not to follow his path?

It’s been fun to reflect on this and work through it toward the conclusion. For those of you who are writers, I hope you’re having fun challenges in your craft, too.

Figuring It Out

Posted on July 21, 2024 by DebyFredericks

By now I’m well into the second draft of Cleodora. The last major decision I have to make is whether this should be one book or two. This might be something I’ve talked about before. The manuscript right now is 81K words. If I want it for middle grades (grades 3-5), that is much too long. There’s a natural breaking point that could divide it into two 40K-word books. This would have a lot of advantages.

Kids at this age adore fantasies. They can’t get enough. The cozy approach is highly in demand as well. Youth librarians I talk to say that having things like an alternative economy and no warrior class are not the obstacle I thought. Exotic wardrobe would not be an issue.

Having two books would allow me to do it as a duology. I could prepare the first book for November, as originally planned, and the second for next May. I like to do two publications a year, so that fits my desired schedule. The second part also needs more work than the first, and I would have time to do that.

It would give me more flexibility on the title, as a “Cleodora and” would make more sense.

This is all pretty convincing, so why am I still dithering? At the YA level I can get more deeply into some of the motivations and reactions. In MG you keep it straightforward. I also can include some of the content in YA that I wouldn’t in MG. Specifically, there is a pregnancy and childbirth. That kind of thing can raise eyebrows, not in a good way.

Oh, who am I kidding? The story will flow without that subplot. Thanks, everyone, for helping me figure this out.

Middle grade it is!

And the Title is…

Posted on July 14, 2024 by DebyFredericks

Yes, the second draft revision is officially under way. Among the things I had to name and define was the title itself. Titles are crucial. A great title will make readers pick up my book and maybe read the description.

Creating the title is a bit like writing a synopsis. How can I distill the essence of this weird little book? It’s about a bright young girl who was abandoned, along with her mother, at their hereditary spirit shrine. The rest of the family claims the shrine is cursed. The fallout of their jealousy is a drought that grips the entire land of Tenebira. Cleodora is determined to carry out the spirits’ will and bring back the rain. But she’s just a kid.

I went through so many ideas and variations. Combing bookstore and library shelves to see what kind of titles they used at the younger end of YA. There are single word titles, titles that are place names, the ever-popular “thing of this and that” title. I wanted to use my main character’s name, but not in the typical “Cleodora and the Whatever” because that made it sound like the start of a series.

For now, I’m just calling it Cleodora. I’m not totally happy with that, but it’s enough to go on with. Yes, I know, I’m putting down another temporary name that I’ll have to fix later! Perhaps as I go through the revision, I’ll find a turn of phrase that sparks something for me.

Also, don’t forget! I’m taking part in the Smashwords summer sale. All my e-books are 50% off through the month of July. That’s the whole Minstrels of Skaythe series, among others. Wolfsinger also has some of their anthologies for 25% off. Help a lady out!

Nibbling

Posted on July 7, 2024 by DebyFredericks

New publication! I have a short story in the latest issue of The Lorelei Signal! It’s a cool one that was also in Aunt Anne’s Archive. Not only that, I’m taking part in the Smashwords summer sale. All my e-books are 50% off through the month of July.

That’s the good news. Back in mid-June, I had a medical procedure that knocked me for a loop. The results were good, no reason for concern about future medical issues. However, I haven’t felt like myself since. It’s been slow going to keep myself on task.

Despite the obstacles, I did manage to write one of the short stories I was planning to. I just did it in smaller bites. Now I need to check when that anthology opens, so I can put it on my calendar.

With that done, I’m nibbling at the edges of revisions on The Spirit Binder. We’ll start with easy bits first. In order to keep the plot going, I just slapped temporary names on some things. Now is when I try to find or create the final names.

I also had my characters dressed in kurta and pants, but I’ve realized those garments have an ethnic connection that isn’t reflected in the rest of the story. So pants are pretty universal, but I need to think of a different name for the kurta. “Shirt” doesn’t quite cover it.

Even though I’m not feeling great, now is the time for me to mull over those things and choose some alternatives. That’s about right for my energy level, honestly.

	N. E. White on Slow Going
	N. E. White on Woman at Work, March 2026
	N. E. White on How It Went
	DebyFredericks on Too Political, Redux
	basementjoyfully9a37… on Too Political, Redux

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of Deby Fredericks and Lucy D. Ford