Novel Writing Tip: Change the Scenery to Enliven the Story

The beginning of a novel is probably the most difficult part of the novel to write. I stand by the advice to just push through it and worry about revising it only after you've finished the first draft. Even then, you might be doing multiple rewrites. The beginning is crucial, everyone knows this. But what do you do if you're attached to the beginning? You've cut out all the dead end plot threads, generated some action without compromising character development, but the beginning of your novel still reads slow. Here's a secret that I've stumbled upon: change the scenery.

Here's some examples of scenes that could use a change in scenery:

Are your characters having a discussion around a dinner table? Is important information being revealed at a business meeting--while clients sit around a rectangular table? Are lovers meeting up for breakfast--in a booth... with a table?

My point is that if your characters are ever sitting around a table having a discussion, change the scenery! Table scenes are boring, period. In my first book, Jeremy Chikalto and the Hazy Souls, I had my characters participate in a tense dialogue where crucial information was divulged while eating breakfast and sitting around a table. Everything that was being said, the character development, the main action, etc. was fine, but the scene was still dragging. Then it occurred to me to have the same characters have the same conversation at an equestrian race track. Magic. Suddenly, instead of using the syrup and pancakes to reflect the tension, I could have the interpersonal drama mirrored by horses racing around the track. I could give the horses clever names, so that when the horse race announcer interrupted the dialogue between the main characters, the background would count for something--in essence, the background wasn't just a background, but an interesting character.

Another setting that can get old fast is a bedroom, a kitchen, any ordinary, mundane setting. If your protagonist is simply hanging out with someone (which includes action that propels the story forward, of course), than you're better off with a fresh, exciting backdrop. In my second book, Jeremy Chikalto and Leviathan Island, I had a number of early conversations occur in the castle where my protagonist lives. While a castle is anything but ordinary, reading about two people sneaking off into a corridor, talking on a couch, or sitting in some chairs in the corner of a bedroom is boring, castle or no. With Leviathan Island, I simply plucked up my characters, and set them aboard a royal vessel--the Willow--where they fished and reflected on the existence of deep sea monsters, while discussing and strategizing their master plan. Problem solved.

So if you ever find yourself stuck with a slow read (an author's nightmare), try changing the scenery. You'll be amazed at how quickly and efficiently you've resolved the problem.

Hazy Souls Revision

I'm in the process of revising the first seven chapters of "Jeremy Chikalto and the Hazy Souls." Most of the feedback I've received indicates that the second half of the book reads pretty fast and most people enjoy the book from the moment Jeremy leaves his parent's castle. This is good, but I'm pretty sure that the first couple of chapters are the most important, in terms of capturing a potential reader's interest. Hopefully once I release the second edition, I can hook more readers. My goal is to make it read faster and also to include an action sequence or two.

Leviathan Island Final Cover Design!

Front Cover:

front cover book design

So there's my Jeremy model, looking rather Jeremy-like in his shades and patterned silk button-down. I would have loved some blondish highlights in his hair, and some waves (he has wavy hair).

Back Cover:

back cover book design

I tried to stick to my first book's design with a silhouette of the female protagonist, Maren, on the back cover.

Jeremy Chikalto and Leviathan Island Cover Art

Okay, so I *promise that my book will be released soon. I feel like I've been saying that for a while, but no, really this time. Babies happen, deadlines come and go. Here is a draft cover design for the book as proof that it's in its final stages. It still needs a little work, and we're debating whether the galaxy is necessary. See, our Jeremy model just has too much chest. Coupled with the leather jacket, we're afraid we might scare off potential male readers. The Hazy Souls series is meant to be read and enjoyed by women and men alike. So like I said, this is a rough draft cover design. I'll publish the final version in a bit.

I'm really excited about this book. Did I mention that?

rough draft book cover

First Draft of "Jeremy Chikalto and Leviathan Island" finished

I finished the first draft of my second novel, "Jeremy Chikalto and Leviathan Island" (Book II of The Hazy Souls). I'm hoping to have the second draft finished before Christmas. January is an important month for my novel because Spring semester doesn't start until January 22nd (I teach writing at Gloucester County College). January = writing/editing/rewriting every day! Not to mention I have to design my cover... and do internal formatting... and the back cover. Ahh! There's so much to do before the second baby arrives in March.

At the moment I'm doing a quick read-through and marking the scenes that drag. The beginning of the novel needs a complete rewrite, but I've seemed to hit the "zone" by the middle of the novel.  I'll have to elaborate on my descriptions to better create a sense of place and time. The action scenes need some build-up too.

I'll write again about my novel's progress in a couple of weeks. I'm trying to keep to a pretty strict schedule.

Starting a job as an Adjunct

I'll be teaching literature and composition this fall. I'm very excited, only I wish I had a little more time to prepare. It's difficult to find the time to thoroughly read through the material since I'm running after my daughter non-stop. Luckily, I've read most of the fiction and poetry already.

My novel, aahh! I'm almost finished the first draft of Book II, am about 80% done, but class preparation and teaching and grading is sure to curb my progress. And then there's my plans for baby number 2...

To date, I've sold about 200 copies of my book and I've received my first royalty check. My marketing efforts have been put on hold because I just have too much on my plate. I participated in a Christmas in July sales thing, and that was pretty successful. I'll vamp up the marketing after the release of the second book, for sure.

But for now, the baby is napping and so must I!

The Hunger Games as Inspiration

I just finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Wow, that book reads fast. I wanted to read The Hunger Games for a while now, and have already purchased the second book in the trilogy. I knew I wanted to read The Hunger Games right before I really threw myself behind my second Hazy Souls novel, because I've heard such good things about it and stand by the advice that you need to read something well-written right before you write.

One drawback for me is that The Hunger Games is written in first person. My book is written in third person. I love reading first person books, it's just a little more difficult to adapt my style and pacing alongside my inspiration. I definitely respect The Hunger Games' sense of action and the immediacy of what's going to happen next. It's a real page turner. I'm hoping that my next book will be a faster read, particularly in the beginning as that is a section I've struggled with in the first book. It was also nice to read about Peeta, a good-natured boy who I didn't find the least bit boring, because I want Jeremy's character to grow to be more compassionate.

I think The Hunger Games will help me with:
1.) creating haunting locations
2.) streamlining action sequences
3.) bringing out the best in Jeremy