W&F talk

[breakfastofchampions]

I've edited about half of the extant chapters of the novel (prologue through chapter 6). Now I'm at the second Nelius part, and I suddenly realize that I need to write another Nelius chapter. Not just because I like writing Nelius chapters! I swear! It's a chapter I was going to write later anyway, but I suddenly realized I should really put it after chapter 9, since it is set immediately after events in that chapter. I think I was worried about making the Nelius part last too long, but it keeps taking on more and more importance in the narrative, so I am not going to fight it!

I've had people say to me before that editing/revising is not creative, but clearly those people have never revised a novel before.


For the purposes of this list, I named the two storylines "Nelius" and "Reian", even though there are other characters of equal importance, mainly because those two are counterparts.


Prologue: The Half-House (Nelius)

Part One: Reian

Chapter One: By the Southern Sea
Chapter Two: A Stranger in the Grass
Chapter Three: The Refugee
Chapter Four: Imbri's Giant
Chapter Five: The Gray Gods
Chapter Six: Tribal Law

Part Two: Nelius

Chapter Seven: The Needle
Chapter Eight: The Stone
Chapter Nine: The Power
Chapter Ten: The City

Part Three: Reian

Chapter Eleven: The Other Tale of Imbri
Chapter Twelve: The Boy Who Could Talk to Birds



Ha ha, and I'm sure there is limited interest in this, but I thought I'd try to identify some of the predominant themes in Wind & Foxes, for my own amusement. (Why yes, I am taking a break from editing, why do you ask?)



--Language barriers/communication (especially between disparate cultures). Reian is pretty much the embodiment of this theme.

--My usual destructive/transformative nature of love theme, blah blah I'm so predictable.

--Social/cultural change and the role of the individual therein, ha ha, I'm such a liberal.

--The questionable nature of the good/evil dichotomy. (Oh, I've never used this theme before.)

--Tradition vs. Change; and relatedly, the past's effect on the present.

--The importance of friendship, ugh I'm such a sap.

Comments

[ali-wildgoose.livejournal.com]

I approve heartily of ALL OF YOUR THEMES, and feel you have no reason to be self-conscious about any of them. The fact that you can balance them all in one narrative as well as you do is also v impressive, incidentally <3

I also have no issue at all with additional Nelius <#3

[foxysquid.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks! I'm glad you approve! Ha ha, I just like to make fun of myself. I try my best to balance them, so I'm pleased you think I succeed. Also, I really appreciate the support. <#3

Yeah, this means that after editing three more chapters, I get to write an all-new Nelius chapter, yaaaaay! A composition break in the midst of editing, so sweet.

[ali-wildgoose.livejournal.com]

NELIUS NEEDS YOU, ERIN

HE NEEDS YOU REAL BAD <3

(And W&F needs him! <#3 <#3 <#3 )

[foxysquid.livejournal.com]

OH GOD, YOU'RE RIGHT, HE DOES.

ALSO HE NEEDS HUGS. REIAN WILL GIVE HIM SOME.

<#3 <#3 <#3

Ha ha, I'll never have a proper villain, I always mess it up with LOOOOOVE. (Well, except for Bertrand, he's hardcore, if technically well-intentioned.)

[ali-wildgoose.livejournal.com]

PROPER VILLAINS ARE BORING

BOO ON THEM ALL

(....UNLESS THEY'RE REAL GAY, THEN SOMETIMES THEY'RE OKAY)

[armistice-day.livejournal.com]

Haha, your break from editing seems awfully interesting and fruitful to me!
I'm sort of in love with the list, actually - and the chapter names themselves!

There is nothing blah blah about your exploration of the destructive/transformative nature of love in your work! Um, you pinko. <3

The importance of friendship is the best theme ever. Seriously.
Also, Reian and Nelius - best counterparts ever.

Now to read an edited chapter! Oh boy! :D

[foxysquid.livejournal.com]

Why thank you, my dear! Ha ha, you know I bet Jack and Imbri would get on really well. Finally, a friend for Imbri who wouldn't die! Of course, this goes along with my stupid idea of Imbri being like the Doctor, oh god. *resists urge to draw Imbri hanging out with Jack*

I'm glad you like the list and the chapter names. Yeah, you know me, I'm a pinko queer!

The importance of friendship is some kind of grade school theme, but whatever, FRIENDS ARE AWESOME. Friendship > Romance!!! ;3

Hope you like the edited chapters, yay!

[redvelvetaddict.livejournal.com]

hahah oooomg
DRAW IMBRI HANGING OUT WITH JACK, YOU PINKO QUEER
OR I MAY BEAT YOU UP
Hahah okay I won't, I'm rather looking forward to more Nelly <3

The nature of good/evil, why noooo ;D
I LOVE ALL YOUR THEMES, they are not-so-secretly my favorite! which i suppose is why i adore your writing so.

[foxysquid.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha, OK I WILL DRAW IT. But I think I also have to draw Reian with them, because together, those three would be trouble! Which is good, of course. SO DON'T BEAT ME UP, PLEASE.

I'm glad I'm reading through/editing these chapters! I have a better understanding of the characters now, especially Nelius, so it's really helpful, and I feel good about changing things for the better. :3

Good and eeeeeeeevil. Ha ha, what are their natures, I guess that is my theme. And I'm glad you like my themes! Not to mention my writing, of course. <3 <3 <3 I try my best!