But having read them in reverse order I already knew more about Luke that's why I think I didn't notice till you mentioned it. I feel you should always learn more about a character as books progress it keeps you invested.
Another cool craft talk... thanks for the links, by the way. I had a lot of fun with David Morrell's talk. He's very entertaining. I used to be a pantser. I wrote 4 SF books without knowing where I was going. Needless to say the revisions were heavy! I started my PI stories the same way; I didn't know any better! But, but ... I tended to ramble, weave and wander, which is not good in a mystery. That foot needs to stay on the pedal! So now, I do a half-assed outline, 4-5 pages where I tell myself what the story is about (what Morrell would call: conversation with myself). I don't always stick to it. The story, the characters have their say in this, but I don't get stuck anymore, and that is a huge improvement. As to the subject of re-reading at the halfway mark... I used to reread from the beginning to get the impetus to push forward, that was in the pantser days, when I wasn't writing full-time. Now it's full speed ahead, re-reading yesterday's entry and moving on. If I get stuck, I write a short story to clean my mind. It works!
Yes - the thing about pantsing, is you need to expect a lot of revision. I am an underwriter, so a lot needs to be filled in on subsequent drafts, thought I will still wander.
If I do get stuck, I'll write a couple of lines that are the vaguest of outlines (hey, whatever works).
The idea of writing a short story as a cleanser is a great idea! I may try that.
But having read them in reverse order I already knew more about Luke that's why I think I didn't notice till you mentioned it. I feel you should always learn more about a character as books progress it keeps you invested.
Agreed - it was never meant to be a series. But in Luke 3, it's all about Luke's past.
But it's not backstory... it's still going forward.
My anticipation is cranked
An excellent peek behind the curtain you actually explained me what I felt about Surf City Acid Drop without my realizing it at the time.
About the "pants" nature of it - or the fact that it just kept moving forward.
Books like Bent Highway, Correction Line, and to a degree Samurai Bluegrass, are playing with structure.
The Luke books are more linear (or I think so.)
Thanks for reading!!
The forward direction and that there was much about Luke Fischer left unexplored at that point
A good friend of mine, a university prof, said to me... I want to know more about this guy.
Hmmm... okay.
Which was the only reason I wrote Manistique.
Another cool craft talk... thanks for the links, by the way. I had a lot of fun with David Morrell's talk. He's very entertaining. I used to be a pantser. I wrote 4 SF books without knowing where I was going. Needless to say the revisions were heavy! I started my PI stories the same way; I didn't know any better! But, but ... I tended to ramble, weave and wander, which is not good in a mystery. That foot needs to stay on the pedal! So now, I do a half-assed outline, 4-5 pages where I tell myself what the story is about (what Morrell would call: conversation with myself). I don't always stick to it. The story, the characters have their say in this, but I don't get stuck anymore, and that is a huge improvement. As to the subject of re-reading at the halfway mark... I used to reread from the beginning to get the impetus to push forward, that was in the pantser days, when I wasn't writing full-time. Now it's full speed ahead, re-reading yesterday's entry and moving on. If I get stuck, I write a short story to clean my mind. It works!
Yes - the thing about pantsing, is you need to expect a lot of revision. I am an underwriter, so a lot needs to be filled in on subsequent drafts, thought I will still wander.
If I do get stuck, I'll write a couple of lines that are the vaguest of outlines (hey, whatever works).
The idea of writing a short story as a cleanser is a great idea! I may try that.
Thanks Martine!