Chapter Seventeen

It's been a few days now, trauma in the house (#dogslife).

However seventeen is progressing well. As I blogged about a few days back its decision time. Do I head for the hills or continue to amble around the foothills. I already know the answer but lets go through how I got to my decision. It may just be useful if you ever find yourself in the same situation.

So lets start with some background of the project I am currently working on.

Title: TBD
Method: Solo
Editor: Onboard

Basically the whole thing is a convoluted mess of who killed who and when they did it but at some point all of the characters need to be in one place at one time.

This is the crux of the end of the second act. So three act system in play here:

Act One: Set-up and character introductions.
Act Two: The main plots and subplots come into play.
Act Three: The twist.

Yes the above is pretty self explanatory but the problem is once you introduce the high point in act two its time to wrap up and aim for the end game.

So the question is, when is it the right time to head for the hills? Should the book be longer, is it too long already? How many words should it be?

The questions have plagued me throughout my writing career, I am sure it has yours too. So here are my responses. A chapter needs to be as long as it is to get the point across, yep cryptic but good advice. If you think its too long, then it is. Again if you think its too short then add some more detail in. On this last point, if you rush a scene because you're excited or you are bored then your ready will spot this a mile away. Remember to reward them for sticking with you in the book.

So here we go. I have headed for the hills. Yep, the end is now in sight, for this book at least (get out of jail free card being played right here). Plot points and end story is all charted out so there is no reason to delay other than to keep the reader guessing and after convulsions of this magnitude they need to be rewarded (there it is again).

All of this will be music to the editors ears as they have been wondering just where this one was going. In` short for a while back there I did not know but every meeting was filled with confidence and 'yes, it will all become clear'.

Not really a help guide more a way of you seeing my thought process.
My plot points are at the stage they should be wrapped up or fizzled out.
The characters have enough depth to them to make you love them or hate them.

In principle it is all downhill from here. Hopefully it will be one of those stories you all love to hate.
You know the ones I mean, the oh no I only have one hundred pages left. I do not want it to end. I hope the author writes a second one.

Don't forget to like if this helps, retweet or rip me off. I do not care just spread the word that writing is awesome and help all of those people who take it up as we all need someone to bounce ideas off.

www.leethomasrichards.co.uk