From the Start

 Plotting a novel from the start is a very different experience than just setting out writing not knowing really what the destination is going to be. 

I didn't think I was getting anywhere, but comparing this photo to a previous one, it does show that the book is taking shape. There's not much for the second half of the book or the ending, but that's ok. 

I feel like this is the blurry outline of my novel and it will all become clearer as I add in the specifics. 

 I know my main character's main want: to go to school. 

I know my main character's flaw: she doesn't know enough, she lacks the knowledge to achieve her goal or even maintain the status quo. 

Knowing those two things, according to the plotting books and story writing guides, is the main part of writing the novel. Hopefully it'll all just fall into place from here on. 

In Other News... 

I'm reading Book 1 aloud and realising that it has a few problems in chapters 22 and 23 especially and I probably will cut out chapter 19 altogether as it doesn't add anything to the plot or the character development. The one or two bits of information that we might need in chapter 19 could easily be slipped into other chapters. 

The remaining chapters also feel a little thin. From chapter 19 to 25, I've felt like the writing could be richer, there could be more added to the chapters to make the world a little more sparkly and interesting. 

I'm working on it!