In parts One and Two of this newsletter trilogy about writing trilogies, I covered the preparatory phases, research and organizing. Now I'll get to the nitty-gritty, the actual sending ones and zeroes to the word processor.
When I'm actively working on a novel I tend to write from after breakfast until dinner, with time off for meals, snacks and photography outings. If I'm in the midst of a particularly intense scene I may write again after dinner for an hour or so. If I'm confronted with a difficult writing decision, like how will my character get out of the mess I created for her or him, I've been known to awaken at 3:00 AM and write until breakfast. When the muse visits I've learned never to turn her away!
I need to detour for a moment, because I'm certain that some, perhaps many of my readers have full-time jobs, kids, parenting care, and other responsibilities. That was me for most of my writing career.
Reality
If you are truly a writer, whether accomplished or aspiring, you bleed words when cut. You need to breathe, you need to eat, you need to write. Like many of you, I perhaps had an hour or two after my kids were asleep. I scribbled down illegible notes after a jog. When I was a single parent I'd carve out all day Saturday to write while my ex had the kids. I'm sure you know the routine. But here's the point. I wrote. Every day I tried to hone my skills.
Back to crafting a novel or trilogy. I can get very involved with my characters' lives. I often find myself simply observing them interacting and writing down what they say. I figure that is equivalent to a marathoner being "in the zone". It's one aspect of writing that I really enjoy. Other times getting 500 words written can be a real slog.
One amusing incident... When I was in the midst of writing The First Pharaoh, my wife suggested I take a break and take her to dinner. At the restaurant she noticed that I was preoccupied and couldn't even concentrate on the menu. When she asked what was wrong, I told her I was in the midst of writing a battle scene that King Narmer was leading and he was in extreme danger when we left home. She immediately called over the waiter and we headed home. Tip: try to have a significant other that "gets it".
The Final Push
Once I finish the first draft of a historical novel, there's more; checking it for accuracy, spelling and grammar, working up another couple of drafts, giving it to Beta readers to review, revising based on their comments, then revising again. I typically go through four or five drafts before even sending it out to an agent or self-publishing. For The First Pharaoh I went through seven drafts.
Once I enter the publishing arena, there are the editor's suggested revisions to argue over, cover art, checking galleys, and more.
I don't consider my writing done until I see my book arrive in the mail. Only then do I uncork that special bottle of red wine and celebrate.
A Last Word
You can see just how much effort goes into a work of historical fiction. Historical fiction writers strive to be as accurate as possible, while doing our best to make sure the work is engaging enough to carry the reader through a journey, what we call the story arc. That commitment involves far more research than a traditional novel might involve. But in the end, we want all our readers to love our work. Unrealistic? Perhaps. But it's what keeps us going.
Historical fiction readers also tend to be very much on the ball about the period they are reading. I’ve been called up short several times due to an inaccuracy here or there. Personally, I love that type of engagement. It keeps me on my toes.
Special Note: I also write contemporary fiction, but still keep to the same writing template and schedule. Just click here if you're interested in exploring my work.
I’d also welcome hearing from you abut your writing style, along with hard-won tips for our readers. Just leave a comment here.