I've seen other people plotting using post it notes. I've tried this in the past, but I don't really have anywhere to store this sort of planning method.
I gave in, and did it anyway.
Here it is, all over my carpet. I did this in an effort to sort out the middle of my story and make sure that it connected to both the beginning and the end, as a mirror. I transcribed it into my plan and then had a new beat sheet.
I wanted the middle of my story to be magical. It had to awe and inspire, be enchanted and surprising. This is a brand new world after all. While I wanted it to be familiar, it also had to be strange and mysterious. It also had to bounce from highs to lows, carrying conflict and character development.
I tried to imagine being a child myself, and all the wonderful things I'd like to do if I was transported into an alien world. I watched and read all the children's literature I could get my hands on. I started to build a picture of what my characters could experience in this safe, alien world.
Until we get past the midpoint and of course, it isn't all safe. The hero goes on the attack. The antagonist plays more of a role in problems for the hero. And don't forget the character development.
Writing a novel is difficult!!
And yet, I can't put this book down. I know it can be saved. I know it's a story that needs to be told.
As of writing this blog post, the novel is back up to 23,000 words strong. By the time this blog post publishes, hopefully I'll be up to 30,000 words or more! Fingers crossed, it's all going well this time.
I will beat that middle nemesis and this novel will be brilliant.
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