Making Headway… about time!!!!!…

December 4, 2012 /

So I’m finishing up my day of writing and it’s 9:55PM!

This is good.

I’m finally writing stuff that I know I’m not going to delete.  I promise you, I’ve already deleted over 10,000 words from book 7. I’ve been struggling to WRITE this story but not THINK this story. It’s been working it’s way out in my brain the whole time.

Because it’s ALL HAPPENING in this book. The 7 sisters have graced the Earth. The tree in the Garden of Naught has grown (a spoiler from book 7) and we’ll know what their purpose and why they’ll need the Scepter of Gant. AND, so I had to/have to put all the components together. I had to get characters off the ground and running. You know what I mean????

Some people are back in this book. Well… not actual people. But Deanna and Freda and Aries to name three.

I needed to plant the sisters in the Earth and I think you’ll see why it’s important that you know all the sisters’ personalities to appreciate how difficult Clarity’s task is and will be. You’ll learn more about who Felix is and what his limitations are. All the sisters will be able to meet their mother on Earth… There’s a way this can happen and it’s in the Preface of this book, book 7.

I’m taking my time. Everyday building this story. I don’t want to overwrite it like MANY final books in a series are. But I can’t underwrite it.

Can I just say this….

I mean, I write a solid beginning, middle and ending of a story in each book. The characters start off with a want and in the end they get it. And then, in the denouement, I lead them to the next book–people are calling it a Cliffhanger though. BUT the main plot of that story has been resolved. In book 1, Parched, they recovered the scroll.  Book 2 is the exception, which is one reason why it’s free. It’s a way to get into the main story by familiarizing yourself with the world of Parched and for free! Zill learns who and what she is. She faces a danger. Meets her bond. And then off into the main story she goes! It’s a good deal I think. In Quenched, they make the journey and plant the leaf in Jari. In book four, The Fifth Sister, Glo and Finn save the town. In book 5, Ignite the learn they have to stop the Day of Creation and then stop it. In book 6, they find and recover the Scepter of Gant. So it’s not a STORY cliffhanger, it’s a DENOUEMENT cliffhanger. BIG difference. Because the STORY has a beginning, middle and ending.

But there’ll be no denouement cliffhanger in this book. Although, I do need to set their world. There will be the standard HEA (happily ever after) in their lives but you’ll feel the threat of the world they live in. It has something to do with that earthquake in book 6, which if you remember, occurred  before the sun went away. BUT, they have the Scepter of Gant, which will help them keep the peace.

And that’s all I’m saying!

So you see… It takes time to MAKE HEADWAY in a story. Especially if you want to write your best story–and that’s what I want to write. My best story.

Sighhh….

Time to study Itliano…

Today I started listening to Italian music. About a week ago I downloaded a part one and two of a song titled “Pazzo di lei” by Biagio Antonacci from Itunes. I didn’t know until today how beautiful his voice is and how passionate and sensual the song is. So, I downloaded six more songs by him. And I’m like, starting to understand some of the words. Man, learning a new language is very interesting. I mean, I’ve turned a corner, you know??? I mean, I can LEARN THIS LANGUAGE!!! I have a choice to make. Learn it. Be familiar with what I wasn’t familiar with or stick with what I know.  You know???

I don’t know…

It’s weird. If you’re not a reformed commitment phob, then you wouldn’t be able to empathize with what I’m saying… I have DEDICATED myself to learn this language. To not only learn it but speak it fluently. This means, I’m going to put the work in. Listen to the music. Watch the TV programs… I mean, I’ve already watch a number of Italian movies (film student here…). Oh, I can’t wait to watch Il Postino again! Maybe it’ll make more sense to me now! LOL!!!! Oh, Malena… That was tragic. Oh, the Italians.. LOL!

Alright…

Nightie Night…

Z

 

12 Comments

  • victoriawarren

    January 1, 2013 at 1:08 am

    Hey Z,
    2013 will be great for you. I am sure of it. You are packing A LOT into it. Thats ok though, you won’t be bored. It is totally ok to feel like a wandering spirit. I can relate to that, more than I would like to admit.
    I hope all of your writing goals are met. And that is not a completely selfish comment. Really. 🙂
    Hope your Christmas was good, and also hope your are having a great New Year celebration. I am here at work, working. And, well I have time to write you so its not too bad, right. lol
    Anyway, Happy New Year Z!
    Vic 🙂

    • Z.L Arkadie

      January 1, 2013 at 1:30 am

      Hey Vic,

      Just saw your message. Yep, the night owl is up and writing 🙂 Christmas was lovely; I hope yours was as well! Yep, tackling a lot this year but really the hardest period is the days between transitioning from one novel to the other–it’s like putting myself through mind torture. And I don’t know. I think I’m just looking for the perfect place for me. That’s my problem, I’m forever too picky–about EVERYTHING. Always looking for perfection but needing to learn that doesn’t exist… Don’t know when I’m going to accept that and stop looking (sighhhh…)

      However, may the New Year bring you continued peace and prosperity! Stay warm while at work! It’s supposed to be freezing cold out your way. And I shall formerly sing, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! In my mind there are streamers, and that thing you blow and the paper rolls out and it makes a “honk” sound. 🙂

      Take care, Vic!
      Z

    • victoriawarren

      January 1, 2013 at 10:21 pm

      ME TOO!! I am totally the night owl. I didn’t even get out of bed until 530PM today. Christmas was uneventful. Which is great!!

      I gotta say, I have so many Type A people in my life, they help me. because I am so NOT that way. I mean, that’s ok for some stuff, but letting it go has its own rewards. If something is perfect, how can it grow? You’ll get there. It sounds like you are in a serious transition in your life, and I’m not talking about the books and self torture. I mean you’re putting away things you needed as a younger person. I find that quite a bit lately in my own life, as you have figured out, I’m sure. Its good to realize them as they are happening. You do that. 🙂

      I hope your 2013 is filled with contentment in your personal life as well as your writing. BTW it is literally FREEZING!! 10 degrees tonight.  I keep saying to myself “Spring is coming.”

      Back to work for me and happy writing to you Z,
      Vic

  • Ray Cullen

    December 6, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Hi Z-!! I just downloaded MISTY BLACK-A BEGINNING onto my Kindle—& signed up for your blog/email notifications. Is “Misty” a NEW series? When do you think further parts of the continued story will be available?—-thanx——all the way from Australia—Cheers-Ray.

    • Z.L Arkadie

      December 6, 2012 at 9:59 pm

      Hi Ray, All the way from Australia! No, I actually finished Misty Black before Parched. I just got hooked on Parched and kept writing and writing it. Misty Black was derived from my MA Thesis project so I’ve been with the story for a long time. MB, The Beginning is just all back story really. Book 1 of the trilogy will start like 12 years later. But the series is definitely not as racy as Parched, it’s way more action oriented. I hope you like it! (Although I will say that Dutton Hardwick was never in all the other writings I have on MB so I’m going to have to figure out a way to fit him into the future :-)… Thanks for the comment, you asked some valid questions that others might want to know. So, I’m going to do a whole Misty Black story, conception, future update blog post or something soon 🙂 All the best to you! Z

  • victoriawarren

    December 6, 2012 at 8:46 pm

    I am so glad you are finally making headway, and I’m glad you are feeling better. So this is really exciting. Cant wait to read it! I always love reading about your writing process.
    Vic

    • Z.L Arkadie

      December 6, 2012 at 9:49 pm

      Thanks, Vic! Yeah… it is pretty exciting! And yeah, the writing process has a drama of its own… LOL! I can write a book about it! Hope all is well with you! Z

    • victoriawarren

      December 10, 2012 at 11:31 pm

      Hey, Z! All is…ok. But my life is a drama and you could make a book about that, but nobody wants to hear about it! LOL The book about writing a book though. Hmm… I can totally see that. Eh, so there isn’t a title. Oh well, it’ll probably come to you in a dream or something cool like that. 🙂 Hope your having a good week, and writing A LOT! I gotta say it would be so cool to have your career. Wake up and just do what ya do. I envy that. 🙂
      Talk to ya later, Vic

    • Z.L Arkadie

      December 11, 2012 at 1:05 am

      Hi Vic!

      Life IS drama! LOL! At least it can be. It’s so funny that you wrote this because I was just writing this post on being a solitary writer, and my often lonely job. I have to learn how to fill it back up with people and relationships. Anyway, have a good week as well! Keep warm out there in the Midwest…. Here’s to you finally getting to Hawaii! Take care! Z

    • Z.L Arkadie

      December 5, 2012 at 12:34 pm

      Thanks Marciaiello! 🙂 And thanks to my Italian classes, I know how to pronounce your name correctly! I bet it gets hacked a lot! LOL. It’s a beautiful name! Thanks again! Z

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