I started a novel over a year ago, got halfway through, and then put it down. I couldn't go any further, because I just didn't know where to go. So, I went back to my last book, (#7) typed and edited it, now it's all pretty, and then I went on the the NEXT book,(#9) the one after the one I got half done with. So that story, I got half done, and then I had to stop, because some of the details I haven't completed in the OTHER book (#8).
Book #8 has a great concept, characters that are deep and interesting, a plot that is engaging... I picked it up after a year and typed it, thinking that I'd finish it if only it were fresh in my mind. I am now finished typing, and have a rough outline for the second half, but I'm still stuck.
It isn't writers' block, I don't think, because it isn't for lack of ideas that I am not finishing it. I'm actually feeling disconnected from the future events so much that it feels IMPOSSIBLE to get over this. My main character is the heir to a fallen kingdom, saved by a god from a horrible death, but he doesn't know why. His whole family is gone, the kingdom is controlled by power-hungry warlords, a cult that sets the laws, and the land itself is ruined, making the remaining population more desperate with every passing year. None of that is covered in the story, except as far as the history of this man and the kingdom. He is actually introduced as another identity he'd assumed when he'd left the destroyed kingdom, trying to collect himself and understand why he was still alive.
I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LONG.
Ok, so the whole first half is about introducing him to other characters, a few small challenges so we get to know who he is and what he's about, and basically the same for my other main character, who falls in love with him.
Ok, so near the end, the girl's grandfather discovers the identity of the main character, and this causes a lot of introspection, because he had no desire to ever return to his kingdom. So, at the end of the first half, (which is seriously, 300 typed pages, so it's not short) the Main character, and a favorite character of mine from Book #7 go off on their own to ask the god why he was spared. He finds out that it had nothing to do with his crown, in fact it had nothing to do with the kingdom at all, but because he was descended from a dragon, and historically, those of his bloodline were the only ones who could associate with the creatures.
OK FIRST HALF DONE.
My outline for the second half begins with a ship carrying the two men to a foreign land where they are supposed to locate this dragon for the god. I wanted to make the trip interesting, but my knowledge of all things seafaring, is basic at best, and research on the internet is SO hard for someone who doesn't know what they're talking about. SO they also have to interact with the warring sides of this other land, which I don't know how detailed to get with. Then they get the dragon and return home.
Then, he's pretty resigned that he's going to have to join those that still fight for the kingdom, and he heads there to begin raising an army and taking back one fort at a time (Is that even plausible?) My knowledge of medieval warfare is also seriously lacking. Like, I know about weapons and armor, I am an archer and fencer, but tactics I am clueless about. Are there any historical battles that anyone knows of that sound like this that I could read about? I'm just so stuck. I feel like this is my block, you know? I am just seriously lacking in confidence writing something I don't know about first-hand. Love and magic and witty dialogue I can do all day long, but this war thing is killing me. Has anyone else ever been there that might be able to offer some advice on how to get over this?
I have never run into this before. I'm desperately afraid of losing a reader's interest at the second half, hells, I've almost lost my own interest. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BE BRUTALLY HONEST.
Book #8 has a great concept, characters that are deep and interesting, a plot that is engaging... I picked it up after a year and typed it, thinking that I'd finish it if only it were fresh in my mind. I am now finished typing, and have a rough outline for the second half, but I'm still stuck.
It isn't writers' block, I don't think, because it isn't for lack of ideas that I am not finishing it. I'm actually feeling disconnected from the future events so much that it feels IMPOSSIBLE to get over this. My main character is the heir to a fallen kingdom, saved by a god from a horrible death, but he doesn't know why. His whole family is gone, the kingdom is controlled by power-hungry warlords, a cult that sets the laws, and the land itself is ruined, making the remaining population more desperate with every passing year. None of that is covered in the story, except as far as the history of this man and the kingdom. He is actually introduced as another identity he'd assumed when he'd left the destroyed kingdom, trying to collect himself and understand why he was still alive.
I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LONG.
Ok, so the whole first half is about introducing him to other characters, a few small challenges so we get to know who he is and what he's about, and basically the same for my other main character, who falls in love with him.
Ok, so near the end, the girl's grandfather discovers the identity of the main character, and this causes a lot of introspection, because he had no desire to ever return to his kingdom. So, at the end of the first half, (which is seriously, 300 typed pages, so it's not short) the Main character, and a favorite character of mine from Book #7 go off on their own to ask the god why he was spared. He finds out that it had nothing to do with his crown, in fact it had nothing to do with the kingdom at all, but because he was descended from a dragon, and historically, those of his bloodline were the only ones who could associate with the creatures.
OK FIRST HALF DONE.
My outline for the second half begins with a ship carrying the two men to a foreign land where they are supposed to locate this dragon for the god. I wanted to make the trip interesting, but my knowledge of all things seafaring, is basic at best, and research on the internet is SO hard for someone who doesn't know what they're talking about. SO they also have to interact with the warring sides of this other land, which I don't know how detailed to get with. Then they get the dragon and return home.
Then, he's pretty resigned that he's going to have to join those that still fight for the kingdom, and he heads there to begin raising an army and taking back one fort at a time (Is that even plausible?) My knowledge of medieval warfare is also seriously lacking. Like, I know about weapons and armor, I am an archer and fencer, but tactics I am clueless about. Are there any historical battles that anyone knows of that sound like this that I could read about? I'm just so stuck. I feel like this is my block, you know? I am just seriously lacking in confidence writing something I don't know about first-hand. Love and magic and witty dialogue I can do all day long, but this war thing is killing me. Has anyone else ever been there that might be able to offer some advice on how to get over this?
I have never run into this before. I'm desperately afraid of losing a reader's interest at the second half, hells, I've almost lost my own interest. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BE BRUTALLY HONEST.