{"id":250,"date":"2012-11-25T01:59:00","date_gmt":"2012-11-25T01:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bestfantasynovel.com\/2012\/11\/25\/update-on-nanowrimo-24-outlined-scene-to-draft\/"},"modified":"2012-11-25T01:59:00","modified_gmt":"2012-11-25T01:59:00","slug":"update-on-nanowrimo-24-outlined-scene-to-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/2012\/11\/25\/update-on-nanowrimo-24-outlined-scene-to-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Update on #NaNoWriMo 24 – Outlined Scene to Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is why Da Vinci never wanted to show his drafts to anyone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

I realized today why my Thanksgiving was so conflict free. My mom wasn’t there. She arrived today to make up for the lack of exciting family drama. Yay! (Just kidding, Mom, if you’re reading this…)\u00a0 Despite that, I’m going strong on my NaNo novel, and I’m more or less on schedule. (*snort*) <\/p>\n

I’ve built up the novel by accretion from the bones of an outline, creating richer and richer outlines as I go.
I promised a sample of moving from a Scene Outline to a Draft. Here it is:<\/p>\n

Scene Outline \/ Notes:<\/h3>\n

Chapter Five, Scene One:<\/b><\/p>\n

– Knight’s Lounge – Meet all the Big Players\u00a0<\/span>
– They summon Walida to ask her about the Key<\/span>
– She says they have a bigger problem; someone is has used the October Key<\/span>
– Tiffany says she knows who has the Key: Kenny Snow <\/span>
– Maybe Snow killed Walida?<\/span>
– Clare stands by her other theory, that it was Dorcas<\/span>
– Must do everything to safeguard the Key<\/span>
– Arkane looks right at Brandon<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s how it came out in the wash. Keep in mind that this an extremely rough draft, not the final version. However, I’ve gone ahead and used full sentences, quote marks and as much of the correct Voice as possible, even in the draft, on the off-chance that some of it is usable. Much, much rougher drafting is possible, but I’ve found that it’s not worth it to forgo quotation marks, for instance, because putting them in during revisions is a pain in the bahunkus.<\/p>\n

I chose this scene because it’s a Bridging Scene not a Juicy Scene. Juicy scenes are the ones you can’t wait to write. You might not even need notes on those, because you’ve already run them so many times in your head. Bridging Scenes are the sinews of the novel; they do important work, but they’re not as sexy in their own right. This makes them harder to do, but fatal to skip.<\/p>\n

Sorry for the length, but I wanted to include everything touched on in the notes, to show how the wordcount unfolded. Whether you read it or not, you can scan down and see how just a few notes were enough to keep me going for a full scene.<\/p>\n

Draft of Chapter 5, Scene 1:\u00a0\u00a0 <\/h3>\n

–> <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
SCENE 1 –<\/span><\/span><\/b> Earth; Cleargate High School; Lounge Room<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The secret lair of the mystics on campus turned out to be the locker lounge behind the Small Gym. The d\u00e9cor a stand of extra lockers, some cabinets, and four thrift-store reject couches arranged haphazardly around a shag rug. The place smelled like Channel Number 5 mixed with eau\u2019d\u2019sock, which wasn\u2019t surprising because the metal two doors in the back wall led to the Girls and Boys locker rooms respectively.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The room had magic however. Deep, old and strong. Also, one entire wall was lined with mirrors\u2026magic<\/i> mirrors.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Leth entered ahead of me, and then Myron. I could see Leth\u2019s ears and faint glow clearly in the mirror. Myron\u2019s reflection showed a faceless black silhouette.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Shit.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
I knew what the mirror would show if I entered that room. If I balked now, though, it would look suspicious in itself. My masque would never hold up\u2026.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
What about the Key?<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
The Key was to Dust what a wind tunnel was to a handy vac. It kicked magic ass. I didn\u2019t know how strong the spell on the mirror was, but maybe the Key\u2019s magic was stronger. It was my only shot. I clutched the Key in my pocket and murmured silently, Masque!<\/i> I stepped into the room, glancing at my reflection\u2026<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
For a moment, my skin shimmered and looked greenish, but then it was gone, and my human masque reflected back at me. Oh, hell<\/i>, yeah! I just hoped no one noticed the flicker.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Damian and Tiffany were already waiting, seated on opposite couches. In the mirror, Tiffany glowed, while Damian\u2026 had a black silhouette. He wasn\u2019t a ghost, though, so what did that mean? Tiffany didn\u2019t seem bothered by it, or at least, she didn\u2019t seem surprised<\/i> by it. As always, she acted jittery around Damian, as if he were a lap dog she expected to show signs of rabies any second now. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cThis is the Knight\u2019s Lounge,\u201d said Clare. \u201cIt\u2019s where the Knights of the Year used to hang out. This year\u2026 we\u2019re trying to get the Knights going again.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cThe Knights of the Year?\u201d I repeated. \u201cThat sounds really\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Clare crossed her arms and glared at me.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cFey,\u201d I concluded, grinning.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cAre you going to explain what that means?\u201d asked Leth. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll let the grown-ups do that,\u201d said Clare.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Two adults entered the lounge. One was the guidance counselor, Mr. Cambiel, and the other was Mr. Arkane.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
There was no doubt whatsoever that Arkane recognized me. He looked right at me, then at my human reflection in the mirror, and then at me again, with one eyebrow raised. I noticed that his reflection in the mirror looked human too\u2026except for his jet black eyes. He lowered dark sunglasses and smirked at me. Our little secret<\/i>, his expression seemed to say. We both bat for the other team<\/i>.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Mr. Cambiel noticed me, and a frown appeared on his brow. \u201cI don\u2019t remember seeing you here before, young man. Your name is\u2026.?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cBrandon,\u201d supplied Arkane smoothly. \u201cTransfer student.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
The two men exchanged a glance, Cambiel somewhat arch, as if issuing a challenge, and Arkane firm, as if answering it.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cSame with us,\u201d said Myron, including Leth in his lie.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Cambiel looked at Arkane, who shrugged.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWe are here to convene the Knights\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really just me,\u201d said Clare.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201c\u2026to discuss the murder of Wahida [lastname]. Was her spirit about to tell you anything?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWe were questioning her when she dashed off after her cat. Then her Door came, and poof, she was gone.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI will call her back,\u201d said Mr. Cambiel. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI thought your kind weren\u2019t supposed to do witchcraft?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cMy kind do not need<\/i> to do witchcraft.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat do you call this?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cA miracle.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
A glowing door appeared in the wall, and Wahida stepped out.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cCan you tell us who killed you?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cThat was useful,\u201d Damian remarked. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI have not been sent to tell you of my own killer,\u201d said Walida. \u201cBut to warn you of a much greater danger to all the planes of the Omniverse. The Key has been used.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
I jolted. Oh shit.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
But they spoke about it as though they had no clue I had it and I began to wonder if they meant some other key. Maybe there were hundreds of keys wandering around with the power to travel to different dimensional planes, create showers of candy and overpower magic mirrors.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI know who has the key,\u201d Tiffany said unexpectedly.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
I stiffened. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cKenny Snow.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
You could have smashed me with an anvil. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cHave you seen him?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cNo, be we know he\u2019s been seeking it. He must have succeeded.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cPerhaps,\u201d said Cambiel, taping the side of the chair. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cDid Snow kill Wahida?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWhy would he kill a Homecoming Queen aspirant?\u201d Clare asked. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cShe was also a witch. With her power\u2026 I must be frank. We were considering the possibility that she would be chosen to become a Knight.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cOh. Maybe my theory was wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat was your theory?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Clare explained about Dorcas and discussed her plan to draw Dorcas out by posing a Homecoming princess. I squirmed a bit when she came to the candy rain. Cambial shook his head disapprovingly. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWe discussed this when you became a Knight, Clare. You aren\u2019t supposed to use magic openly.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t use magic secretly. Blame Brandon.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
The adults didn\u2019t have any Wisdom Of The Old Ones to share with us, just nodded and murmured, \u201cCarry on.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
I thought I had escaped unscathed, but Arkane cornered me at the last minute.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
When no one else remained, he grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and shoved me up against the wall.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI thought better of you, Brandon,\u201d he hissed. \u201cWhen did you start working for Kenny Snow?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not!\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cHow\u2019d you get here, then?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cAre you using?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cUsing what, Mr. Arkane?\u201d I blinked at him innocently. <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
He snarled and let me go. \u201cYou may fool the humans, but you don\u2019t fool me. \u00a0You don\u2019t fool Cambiel either. He\u2019s more likely to kill you than I am.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cIs he a demon too?\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cOh, he\u2019s something much worse than a demon. He\u2019s an angel.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
No wonder Mr. Cambiel was such a stuffed shirt.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be watching you,\u201d Mr. Arkane added. \u201cOne misstep, I and will make you wish you never heard<\/i> of Earth.\u201d He glowered, but I must not have looked sufficiently terrified, because then he got nasty. \u201cAnd don\u2019t think you\u2019ll get out of that geometry quiz on Friday!\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is why Da Vinci never wanted to show his drafts to anyone. I realized today why my Thanksgiving was so conflict free. My mom wasn’t there. She arrived today to make up for the lack of exciting family drama. Yay! (Just kidding, Mom, if you’re reading this…)\u00a0 Despite that, I’m going strong on my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137,360,385,577,586],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drafts","category-nanowrimo-tips","category-outlining","category-writing","category-writing-scenes"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}