Continuity
Aug. 22nd, 2012 09:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mmerriamIt is a bear sometimes.
My "Mage Duel on a Bus" novella has ground to halt. Not only am I unsure of the ending, but I need to work out the continuity of not only the novella, but where it fits and how it affects and is affected by all the other pieces in this setting.
oof dah...
I suppose this is the danger of writing stories using the same setting. You build a mythology and continuity and you have to live with it once you've published a piece. Or several pieces that are part of a larger whole. I've been writing and selling stories in my Magical Twin Cities setting since 2005. I've sold 13 short stories and one novel using this setting. I've written three yet-to-be-sold novels, outlined three more novels, and now have this novella as part of the setting. I have a lot invested in this Magical Twin Cities setting (Beloved Spouse says I need to come up with an actual name for this setting, something unique, descriptive, and recognizable).
There is a lot of continuity to deal with.
What's worse, if the Oklahoma rural fantasies I'm writing are part of this setting (right now they don't have any published characters in common, but do share a magical system), then it adds another seven short stories and one novella to the whole mess.
Not that I'm complaining. This is a great problem to have. But it is a problem, because I have to keep everything consistent with everything else and there are stories all up and down the setting's timeline. I suppose I need to create some kind of spreadsheet or wiki or something to help me keep track of everything (characters, timeline of events, changes to the setting, rules for magic, rules for monsters, etc) going on in this setting.
And all the other settings I've been writing stories for. Besides the Magical Twin Cities setting, there is the Oklahoma Rural Fantasy setting (seven short stories, one novella, and touched on lightly in two of the MTC unsold novels), the Space Opera setting (12 short stories), the Sword and Sorcery world (The Dolenbyd Cycle, with five short stories and a yet-to-be-sold novel), the Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction / Urban Fantasy setting (two novellas and three short stories) and the Gaslights and Grimoires Steampunk setting (two novellas).
As an aside: Yes, I count yet-to-be-sold novels, novellas, and other works as being part of the continuity. I am a firm believer that I will sell everything I write. Seriously. Yes, once I sell them they will come in for some serious rewrites which may change how they affect the overall continuity of the series, but rewrites after you've sold the novel are just part of the editorial process.
So, my fellow writers, readers, tech-geeks, and friends, how would you suggest I handle keeping track of…well…everything?
Originally posted at michaelmerriam.net. You can comment here or there.
My "Mage Duel on a Bus" novella has ground to halt. Not only am I unsure of the ending, but I need to work out the continuity of not only the novella, but where it fits and how it affects and is affected by all the other pieces in this setting.
oof dah...
I suppose this is the danger of writing stories using the same setting. You build a mythology and continuity and you have to live with it once you've published a piece. Or several pieces that are part of a larger whole. I've been writing and selling stories in my Magical Twin Cities setting since 2005. I've sold 13 short stories and one novel using this setting. I've written three yet-to-be-sold novels, outlined three more novels, and now have this novella as part of the setting. I have a lot invested in this Magical Twin Cities setting (Beloved Spouse says I need to come up with an actual name for this setting, something unique, descriptive, and recognizable).
There is a lot of continuity to deal with.
What's worse, if the Oklahoma rural fantasies I'm writing are part of this setting (right now they don't have any published characters in common, but do share a magical system), then it adds another seven short stories and one novella to the whole mess.
Not that I'm complaining. This is a great problem to have. But it is a problem, because I have to keep everything consistent with everything else and there are stories all up and down the setting's timeline. I suppose I need to create some kind of spreadsheet or wiki or something to help me keep track of everything (characters, timeline of events, changes to the setting, rules for magic, rules for monsters, etc) going on in this setting.
And all the other settings I've been writing stories for. Besides the Magical Twin Cities setting, there is the Oklahoma Rural Fantasy setting (seven short stories, one novella, and touched on lightly in two of the MTC unsold novels), the Space Opera setting (12 short stories), the Sword and Sorcery world (The Dolenbyd Cycle, with five short stories and a yet-to-be-sold novel), the Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction / Urban Fantasy setting (two novellas and three short stories) and the Gaslights and Grimoires Steampunk setting (two novellas).
As an aside: Yes, I count yet-to-be-sold novels, novellas, and other works as being part of the continuity. I am a firm believer that I will sell everything I write. Seriously. Yes, once I sell them they will come in for some serious rewrites which may change how they affect the overall continuity of the series, but rewrites after you've sold the novel are just part of the editorial process.
So, my fellow writers, readers, tech-geeks, and friends, how would you suggest I handle keeping track of…well…everything?
Originally posted at michaelmerriam.net. You can comment here or there.
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no subject
Date: 2012-08-23 05:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-08-23 05:47 pm (UTC)Timeline of events. Mostly the big ones, so I can remember what happened at what point in the timeline of the setting.
Supernatural add ons and major physical changes to the setting. For examples, adding phantom streetcars and what it means to the setting if I burn down Landmark Center.
Rules for magic. How it works, limitations, how it behaves, who uses it, etc
Rules for monsters. What they are, what they can and cannot due, how they fit in the setting, etc.
I am sure there are things I haven't even thought of yet.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-23 09:23 pm (UTC)Timeline could go in a different tab of the spreadsheet.
Other stuff seems like it could work reasonably well as lists, but maybe I am unnecessarily attached to lists and there are better ways.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-25 03:31 am (UTC)How I use it is to up load my map first and make it big. Then I can add details to locations by making the detail frames smaller. In this way you can keep your character lists, magical references and other important documents in linked locations throughout the canvas.
If that doesn't work for you, may I suggest a file box with large folders for each world, then tabbed folders to hold all the different kinds of information (characters, locations, monsters, magic, etc.)
In either case, setting up such a system is going to take some time and effort. Maintaining it will also be time and effort. But it will probably be a net benefit if it means that your continuity is easier to maintain.