I finished my editing read-through of the first chapters of the novel-in-progress-that-I’ve-ignored-for-far-too-long this morning (that’s a working title). I made a lot of stylistic revisions and a very few story corrections, and I’m thrilled with the results so far. 14,000 words or 52 pages, which means I’m about 1/6 of the way through. All the major characters have been introduced, and several elements of conflict established. The framework for the story is in place, so now it’s a matter of setting them all in motion and seeing what happens.
A couple of years ago, I wrote a complete synopsis for the story, but I didn’t care for my idea of how things were going to play out then. I wrote the synopsis because I needed it for a submission package, but now I feel like I can step away from that forced impromptu outline and let the story grow more organically.
The book is set in Galveston, hence today’s subject line. I used to hear that Glen Campbell song a lot when I was young. I didn’t have any idea where Galveston was back then. The song doesn’t mention Texas, and while it talks about sea waves and beaches, it doesn’t mention that it’s an island. Little did I know back then that I’d end up spending over a third of my life (so far) living within a hundred miles of that place.
Close as it is, I’ve only been there a handful of times, so I’m planning a research trip down there this weekend, which is a four-day holiday for me. I’ll take my video camera, mount it on the dashboard of the car and talk as I drive, observing things that will make good local color for the book. Many of the characters are visitors to the island, so I’m looking for the outsider’s view for some parts, whereas other sections involve characters fairly familiar with the city.
As I did with my research trip to West Texas last fall, I’ll transfer the video to DVD and also save it on my computer so I can pull it up and look at certain sections if I need to refresh my mind about local geography.
I know where the next scene in the book will take place and I look forward to writing it, as it will give me another chance to delve into the primary character. Though this is a multiple viewpoint story, and each of the POV characters has important business to accomplish, my main guy is the locus of activity. Everything revolves around him in one way or another, and his revelations and discoveries will be the biggies.
I’m really excited about this story, though I fear that it falls under the category of “what people might expect from me” for various reasons! Can’t say more for now, but I’m sure you’ll know what I mean eventually. At least, I hope so.
