Getting the Picture

Well I'm here to check in with everyone as to the progress of Spirit Hackers.  My preliminary writing has gone pretty well so far and I think I'll actually be able to begin writing within the next week or two.  I'm not setting an actual goal time because I want to be ready when the story tells me it's ready.

For now, here is what I have accomplished:

Basic - intermediate outline.  I have mapped out the key scenes of the book using a tool I'll speak of in another post.  By getting this map put together, I was able to set up the in-between chapters that will drive the story to the eventual climax.  I don't have it totally hammered out yet but I think the plot is probably 60-75% figured out.

Character development.  I already had my character names but I really needed to develop their whole biographies and also get their features and language sorted out.  So far I have some of the basics but I still need to get their motivations, backstories and also their distinctive language worked out.   A big plus was that today I worked on finding pictures online of people that I believe fit the images I have of my characters in my head.  I copied them all to my computer so I can more easily and accurately describe them as they go through the book.  This was a big breakthrough that happened today.

A plot that makes sense.  The last post I wrote that spoke of my plot highlighted the fact that I really needed to figure out where this story was going.  I came up with a basic story of what the characters will do, that delves a little deeper than the outline I posted in #1.

So that is what I have so far.  I really want to talk to you guys about the setup I am beginning to use for this book but it's not 100% ready yet.  I hope to also post more consistently this week, as I want to keep you guys up to date and also not let this place get stale.  I appreciate all your comments and visits here.  This is a part of what keeps me going.

I'll see you all real soon!