I am in an abusive relationship with the first few chapters of my WIP right now. We don't understand each other and we are both fighting to have things our own way. Unfortunately, my characters have taken the story's side so I am left a bit outnumbered.
It shouldn't be this hard. I know exactly where the story is going, I know what is going to happen, and everything else that I need to know, except where to start. And that is only a problem because this is book two in a continuing series and I can't decide what or even if I should recap from the first book. Personally, I HATE when books do that, as I never need a recap, and it's impossible to throw little bits of recap into a story without it sounding forced. Or that is to say, I've never read one that wasn't forced sounding. I know that is a personal preference, but I am having a hard time writing something that I think sounds fake and forced, even if it is in fact the correct way to do it.
There is also the issue of having too much information. When I researched how much recapping to do, the general consensus was to tell the reader what they need to know if they didn't read the first book. Problem is, that is WAY too much information! I'm seriously considering going Vampire Academy style and writing a recap of everything important that happened in book one as a prologue. That may seem like the easy way out, but I am banging my head against the wall here, and I can't take yet another fight today:
Characters: You are not seriously going to make us say this stuff, are you?
Me: I have to.
Characters: No you don't, this is stupid. People don't talk this way. They don't discuss past events like a highlight reel.
Me: Just do it, please. It's the way it's supposed to be.
Characters: Nope, not going to happen.
Me: I am in charge here, and you'll do as I say!
Characters: Screw you. No.
Haha! This is toooooo funny! I'm actually plotting a potential sequel to SPARK right now, and I'm having a HELL of a time. I have the first half figured out, but I just don't know where I want to go with it (kind of like having the car gassed and packed up, but not knowing where you're driving too). And now I have to worry about recapping?!? CRAP! I never even thought about that! Thanks, Marian ;-)
ReplyDeleteLol, loved this. The sequel for one of my books has been forcing itself into my dreams. I hadn't thought about how I would recapp the first book. I think I'll have it play out in dialogue scattered throughout the book, but since I haven't started the actual writing, I don't know if it'll work.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you. I hope the answer comes soon.
Angela - I'm most annoyed at myself because I have known from the beginning that this would be a four book series, so theoretically I should have had it figured out a while ago. :-/ Maybe, instead of a dedication in the second book, I'll use that page to say, "No recap, read first book." :)
ReplyDeleteAngie - Thanks! You are already a head of the game as you are thinking about it before you start writing! Kudos! :) Good luck to you too!
I get "screw you, no" from my characters a lot too. Little bastards don't seem to know how much they owe me!
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Haha! Yes! Show them who wears the pants! ;D
ReplyDelete