I came very close to finishing the re-write on The Legend of Shallal on the weekend. I spent most of Sunday at the keyboard, leftover Halloween sucker in my mouth, madly revising, rewriting, and making it somewhat better.
Two chapters remain. I had every intention of getting them done today, but I needed to go out for a few things and then I needed my glasses adjusted. Twice.
Instead of working on the end I realized I needed a scene added earlier. The manscript has gone from about 53,000, to about 40,000, and is now around 47,000. It may not ever get to novel length, but if the story is told as a novella, then novella it'll stay.
I wanted it wrapped up so it can sit a spell. And because late last week I got another idea that is currently attempting to kick its way out of my head.
I've tried to mollify it by making notes. It's calmed the kicks a bit, but it'll break its way out soon.
Here are two from the The Legend of Shallal:
"She felt her guts ripped out as the land splintered. Her body twitched on the chamber floor and then all was black to her as the island disappeared under the waves and the waves gave way to a calm sea that twinkled in innocence in the sunlight."
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Our current bedtime story is Taras Bulba, by Nikolai Gogol (The Complete Tales of Nikolai Gogol, Vol. 2, The University of Chicago Press (1985).
I've wanted to read this since I first heard about it some 30 years ago.
Bulba is a fine figure of a Cossack. Passionate and intense. A true fighter. And frankly, the man is a complete butt. I'm glad we're reading it, and I hope by the end I can find some way to sympathize with him.
Two sentences:
"The pretty little hand of a Polish lady, smiling and sparkling, lay white as sugar on the railing. Illustrious nobles, rather stout, gazed at the scene with a dignified air."
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16 comments:
Novella length is just fine. Please don't let it sit too long, though, because the more lines I read the more impatient I am for more.
It can be very hard to sympathize with a Cossack -- a very harsh people, sometimes.
It sounds like the longer days are working for you in the writing area:)
Your writing sounds like poetry!
P.S. I LOVE the new photo! That little bird is sweet.
Thanks so much for your kind words and support, Messymimi.
Dawn, thank you.
Cheryl, thanks. I am quite taken with the house wren.
So glad you got in some good writing time! By the looks of those excerpts you had a good time and so will your reader!
I like your sentences! I'm interested, and novellas are great, too!
Very fine lines today. "... as the land splintered" is perfection.
Thanks, Clare.
David, what a wonderful compliment.
stupendous prose there toots! And I too love the house wren... love the shallow dof.. ;-)
Oh, those are great lines. I don't mind novellas at all.
Amy, good to have you here. Thanks re: writing and house wren.
Reb, thanks. I'm not sure about markets for novellas, but they seem to be what I write.
So, Leah, why not combine two or three novellas in one volume? Not sure how long a novella is vs. a short story but I love collections of short stories by an author. They're such cozy reads (that probably doesn't make any sense to anyone but me).
Hi Leah....
I never know if anyone will read my comment replies so I either email or comment on "their" previous post....as I am doing on yours. (Hope that is fine?)
The photo I took of the boardwalk was one that lives beside Elizabeth Lake in Lacombe. I frequently drive in to town just to walk by these 3 Lakes "in a row". It's beautiful!!
Cheryl, that's a very good idea. I just have to find a publisher that does it and wants me.
I always check for replies, Dawn, but this is good, too. I didn't know about the three lakes. Thanks.
Great lines, cousin!
(My internet provider seems to be having "issues", so I've been having trouble getting around the blogosphere, because my connection has been spotty!)
Thank you, df Bag Lady.
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