currently writing: chapter two (of six)
current page: 108
today’s wordcount: 693
current total: 29,097
Helen stands alone in the troll’s chamber, her gaze darting back and forth across the room, as she tries to take in the studious, archival nature of the place. She sees something, and feels herself drawn to it, and crosses the room in obedience. On the top of a chest alongside a book of bound parchments within vellum casing, is a box.
She reaches out and strokes the intricately carved surface. Whale bone. Standing alongside the chest she looks down at the box, and slips open the lid. Inside are similarly carved whale bone tablets – rune stones – a half dozen of them. She lifts one out and feels the pattern between her fingers. This is it – what Gunnlaugr was looking for – had talked about. Helen bites her lip and quickly drops it back into the box, flicks back the lid and grabs the whole box up. She swings her rucksack round and manages to stuff the box down the side and shoulder her back once more before the troll returns to the room.
So what’s the final word count you’re aiming for? And will you then revise or send it off to a publisher/agent?
The novel is to be six chapters of about equal length. I’m about a quarter of the way through, so I am looking at about 400pages and 120,000 words.
Sounds frighteningly long when I look at it like that, but elements of the story are supposed to echo/reflect the Icelandic sagas, so there will be some side stories reflecting other members of the family.
And yes, I will definitely revise, and redraft the book (at least once) before sending it to a publisher/agent.
I know that sci-fi/fantasy is not really your thing, but does it intrigue/interest you…?
At least I only have to come up with 80,000 words 😉
Fantasy as a genre isn’t really my main thing, although I like Angela Carter’s dystopian novels, for instance. But whatever the genre I can appreciate good writing and good story-telling. I’d definitely like to read more 🙂
I can appreciate good writing and good story-telling. I’d definitely like to read more
Ooh, does this mean you liked that little excerpt. Praise from a published poet! I’ll see what I can do about digging out a PDF of Chapter One if you like… 🙂
*scurries off to write more*
It’s hard to tell much about the story from short excerpts, but I’m definitely intrigued! Yes, I’d like to read Chapter One 🙂
Do you want to mail me your address and I’ll send it along? …sorry, I do have your address somewhere, but I can’t lay my mouse on it just at this moment!