Felix and Catriona attend King George IV at Windsor
I am so happy to announce that the first draft of Lord Felix's Fate is now finished! Looking back through my writing diary (Yes, I do keep one - it sort of helps keep track of when and where I decide to change things - useful if you want to change your mind again about that passage you just deleted), I see that writing started properly on the 25th of May - so that's just over five months ago. That's a long time for me - I aim to get the main plot line down in three months.
Felix in serious mode
I know that I've said it before, but it is definitely more difficult for me to write when the main protagonist is male. Just trying to get into their heads is a real challenge for me. Now that the main plot is down, all I have to do now is make it a scintillating read that every romance-loving person will want to buy and then recommend to their friends. Simple - Yes? Well, No. Keeping the action moving whilst giving the reader sufficient information to understand and be entranced by the story is a fine balance if one is to avoid the great sins of becoming either boring with too much detail, or incomprehensible with too little.
Catriona at her coming out ball
I know I haven't put enough in the story from Catriona's point of view, but that's what rewrites are for, aren't they? And I need to add some more humour, of course. All that heart-wrenching angst that young lovers almost always let get in the way (apart from Rosamund?) does not immediately conjure up amusing scenes, but it's amazing what emerges in rewrites. Most scenes are amenable to some sort of injection of humour, no matter how serious (well, there are exceptions, of course, but I tend not to include many of those).
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| Belmaison Great Hall was a conglomeration of ideas planted by visits Burghley and Eastnor Castle. Belmaison itself is inspired by Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. It's a bit over the top, but then it's meant to be! |
As often happens, plot-lines and scenes change as you write, and some just emerge out of nowhere. These usually happen in order for the plot line to hold together cohesively. Often one of my visits to a stately home will nudge me towards a new idea. Sometimes it's something that I've been interested in for years (The Scottish elements in Lord Felix are an example of where I've drawn on an interest that goes back over thirty years). Scottish history is so fascinating and unbelievably different to that of its southern neighbour, England - it's a constant source of incredible ideas for plot lines. But I'm giving nothing else away!
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| So, precisely what is happening here on a Scottish mountainside in Autumn? Felix is dressed as if going to a formal event; Catriona looks like she has stepped out of a medieval novel, and who is the chap in the background? |
Can I finish Felix off for Christmas? At this moment in time, I am doubtful, but I live in hope. However, I think it is best to go for quality rather than speed, so New Year 2027 might be more realistic.
I will have a short break before I start rewriting. During that hiatus, however, I will not be idle. I have to update this blog - both the Characters page and 'The Brockworth Chronicle' page are in dire need of attention. In addition, I'm currently reformatting 'Lady Isabel's Inheritance' for a paperback edition. Yes,'The Brockworth Chronicles' will be available in print, though it might take a bit of time to get through formatting them all.
Finally, my thoughts are coming together nicely as to the plot of 'Lady Elizabeth's Enigma'. Like Rosamund, she's a bit unconventional - not only is she convinced that there is not a man on the planet that she believes she could love, but she has fallen foul of the good opinion of the ton, and her mother insists that she mends her ways or she will end up as a spinster. Reluctantly she tries to conform, but at heart she would be content to devote most of her time to her beloved horses, and let Society go hang. But when her plans for the 'Wolds' stud are threatened, Elizabeth has to tread carefully - the danger comes from a powerful duke, who seems to consider it his mission in life to thwart her at every turn.Personalities will clash!
Enough spoilers! Enjoy what sunshine November grants you!
Regards, Detta
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