I want to talk a bit about changes and pauses in my writing. I had hoped to release an episode weekly and I didn’t. The reason is quite simple: Something wasn’t right with the story. In hindsight, I wish I had discovered this glaring error much sooner than while I was in the thick of it, but we can’t always plan for these things.
I have since discovered what was wrong and made the necessary changes. But it has caused some complications to the story already written and to what is yet to come. I’m choosing to implement these changes from Episode 10 – forward, but for the first 9 episodes they will remain the same until I’ve finished Sleight of Hand and go back to do my “Red Pen Edit.”
The problem?
POV vs Main Character
I had it set in my head that my main character had to be Charisma (a name I am changing soon as well) and if I didn’t stick to that then the story just wouldn’t work. Well, it turns out, trying to force it wasn’t working. I created a world with far too many dynamic characters and what ended up happening is, Charisma became timid and quiet and very much “unseen” in the story where I had intended it to revolve around her. Her voice was lost.
The Solution?
Multiple POVs
I went back and realized that each episode was basically being told from the POV of a particular character in that episode, I just needed time to step back to not only realize that fact but to accept it.
So, I examined each episode and made some key decisions that should hopefully make the story flow much better, make more sense, and lift the burden I put upon myself that Charisma must be the main character. Sometimes, especially in epic fantasy (which is the genre I hope this will fall in, beside mystery).
To give you an example of how this will go moving forward, and a bit of a “first look” at the last episode of Part I, here is what the end result will likely be when the episodes are brought together into book form (coming Fall 2025):
By taking the character that is the main focal point of each episode and telling the story from their point of view, it will make for a far more interesting pacing, I think.
This is an opportunity for me to give you, the reader, a glimpse into the perspective of different people. It’s been done by many writers before me and I hope I do it right.
Where we are in the story?
If you remember, the story started with a strange man dropping dead in Charisma’s house. Her best friend and next door neighbor are now into it up to their neck, each with their own reasons for wanting to find out who he was, why he was on her doorstep, and most importantly, who killed him.
In episodes 6 through 9 we meet Jan, the owner of the oldest standing magicians shop in Wondermere. With Jan’s help they manage to get an invitation to perform magic for a chance to perform for the king in the colosseum. An opportunity only afforded to few. Their intention isn’t to perform at the colosseum, instead to retrieve a journal that was stolen from Felix’s flat.
This journal is believed to have been written by the stranger and belongs with the deck of cards that was given to Charisma by the stranger before he died.
What’s coming?
In short, another murder, as you can guess by the 12th episode of Part I, Another Dead Body. Who it is and why might answer one burning question but will create even more questions.
Part II begins May. I’m taking April as a small break from the serial but don’t worry, you’ll get two special short stories to tide you over while I’m gone…
Please do, share your thoughts on the last four episodes? I enjoy any criticisms you may have (positive or negative). Keep in mind you are getting raw, rough, and unedited episodes, hot off the presses!
