So
here’s what I want to do.
here’s what I want to do.
I
want to tell an epic story in an improbable way.
want to tell an epic story in an improbable way.
I
want to surprise, with characters and chapters and sub-plots and storylines.
want to surprise, with characters and chapters and sub-plots and storylines.
I
want you to think of THIS when I’m really talking about THAT.
want you to think of THIS when I’m really talking about THAT.
I
want to give it all away on the first page but require you to keep reading
until the very last one.
want to give it all away on the first page but require you to keep reading
until the very last one.
I
want the truth to be mysterious and hidden and hard to see, then to have it hit
you between the eyes and over the head when you’re finally done.
want the truth to be mysterious and hidden and hard to see, then to have it hit
you between the eyes and over the head when you’re finally done.
The
end is there—I can see it. I have a picture of it. Multiple pictures of it in
my office. I’ve been there and seen it with my own eyes. I know where I’m going
without a doubt.
end is there—I can see it. I have a picture of it. Multiple pictures of it in
my office. I’ve been there and seen it with my own eyes. I know where I’m going
without a doubt.
I
have the names on my board. Peggy Nelson, she’s one. Jeff Reichard, he’s
another. Quite a few, actually. So many. I have most figured out, most already
cast, most with their story arcs fully-formed.
have the names on my board. Peggy Nelson, she’s one. Jeff Reichard, he’s
another. Quite a few, actually. So many. I have most figured out, most already
cast, most with their story arcs fully-formed.
I’ve
begun numerous times but I keep struggling because I want to tell just enough.
Not too much and not too little.
begun numerous times but I keep struggling because I want to tell just enough.
Not too much and not too little.
I
want to keep readers interested. I don’t want them giving up after the first
section because lots more are coming.
want to keep readers interested. I don’t want them giving up after the first
section because lots more are coming.
I
want comparisons to The Stand and to Lost.
Of course. But I want mine to be totally
and completely different.
want comparisons to The Stand and to Lost.
Of course. But I want mine to be totally
and completely different.
In
both of those works, the endings left more to be desired. I say that noting
that those two works have truly helped to shape my creative journey, so I don’t
mean to rip them in any way.
both of those works, the endings left more to be desired. I say that noting
that those two works have truly helped to shape my creative journey, so I don’t
mean to rip them in any way.
My
ending is rock solid and I know exactly the meaning and the point. It won’t be
vague and I truly hope it won’t be a letdown.
ending is rock solid and I know exactly the meaning and the point. It won’t be
vague and I truly hope it won’t be a letdown.
The
goal isn’t to mess around with style or point-of-view. The goal is to move
ahead a massive story to the finish line. I want to create something big and
powerful and moving. I want to exhaust readers in a good way.
goal isn’t to mess around with style or point-of-view. The goal is to move
ahead a massive story to the finish line. I want to create something big and
powerful and moving. I want to exhaust readers in a good way.
The
pieces are all there, messy and broken. The trick is to create a beautiful
canvas with all the pieces in various places.
pieces are all there, messy and broken. The trick is to create a beautiful
canvas with all the pieces in various places.
That’s
what I’m hoping to do and what I’m currently working on right now.
what I’m hoping to do and what I’m currently working on right now.
We’ll
see what happens.
see what happens.
This sounds incredible, Travis! I hope it all works out the way you want it to, because I can't wait to read it! 🙂
Sounds totally awesome!!!!
happy to read an advance copy! always thinking of others 🙂