My consistency continued today with how I wrote. I tend to get all my writing in a day done around the same time, which is a good thing. It means I have a schedule forming without my forced interference and anything natural is perfect.
Friday 9 March Progress Report (Previous Report)
Word Target: 2,500
Words Written: 2,511
- Overview
The difficulty of Earth Splitter these days lies in the fact I seem to be working with characters who never had much focus in Sea Spray, but that is what the whole Elder Ones series is about. Each book has a different series of focus characters that the reader needs to acquaint themselves with, but I retain the main story.
In a sense, I am doing a variation on the George R.R. Martin method of story telling by adopting the ensemble method, but making it my own with each book. At 160 pages in, it would feel weird to introduce a new focus character when I already have at least six already! As such, I am comfortable working with the characters I have and they will do a fantastic job carrying the entire story of Earth Splitter to a completion.
- What I Did Today
Today involved removing the curtain from Aeron Stonewall a little. I did this by utilising an action heavy sequence as the story device. It serves two distinct purposes.
- The sequence allows me to reveal why Aeron is the way he is, or at least a part of why he sees himself as nothing more than a killer.
- It shows the reader how brutal Aeron sees combat as it gives a prime look at it from his perspective without being inside his head. The reader does not see the bloodlust, but they can see from his actions what Aeron sees.
I had a different idea of where to write today, but when this sequence popped into my head, it felt perfect for the character and made him more than a near invincible knight. I justified why he is that way, which is more important as it shows depth that most people would claim is lacking in Aeron’s story.
- The Best Sample From Today
Today’s best writing comes direct from the action sequence and it shows how brutal Aeron can be with his legendary sword. I avert the gore and the brutality of the rest of the scene as I want the reader to feel that they are seeing this through Aeron’s eyes.
Aeron does not listen. The Foe Sword continues to sing its song of death even as the Masters of the Order beg for mercy. Pikes and swords lie shattered in hundreds of pieces. The lone weapon with any semblance of an edge left is the one Aeron holds. He cuts through another Master. Even as they die, the Masters refuse to show remorse. Many of them embrace the death Aeron brings upon them. In their mind, they created the perfect killer. Aeron might not notice the myriad of wounds on his arms and legs, but his former Masters do. Aeron seems to feel no pain and he sees nothing but blood in his eyes. He must right the wrong in the world.
A lot of what I wrote paints not only Aeron in a new light, but gives character to The Foe Sword. It fits one of the themes of the book and helps tie Aeron’s chapters with those focused on Juurynn and Auroch. By proxy, the sequence here is enough to show a reader Aeron’s reasoning for his cold and callous attitude.
- How Productive I Felt I Was
I took a risk this week by making an action heavy sequence, but I feel it paid off big time. I faced next to issue thinking of ideas and I weaved a seamless story into the context of the chapter, while retaining the integrity of the focus character. Aeron is unique among my characters and every time I write him, I relate to him more and more.
Utilising the technique I have all week, I kept pace with my standard writing time. My schedule continues to gel together as I push further into my year of writing. My standards do not slip for all the words I write. In fact, if today is any evidence, I am becoming more comfortable with using less and less dialogue to weave certain aspects of the story. Earth Splitter retains its difficulty in the style I write when I compare it to my other pieces, but that does not affect me. I embrace the challenge.
- What I Intend To Write Next Week
I laid the foundations of events to happen in the future of The Elder Ones this week, but I am far from complete in that regard. Next week will continue to focus on Aeron as he deals with both his inner demons and the enemy he sees in the Kingdom of the Throne of the North. I can also begin thinking of where to start the next chapter now, which I will start work on very soon.
Fenrir's Lair 
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