Time of the Season

I've been giving some thought the past few weeks to the overall structure of the book, and specifically how it should breakdown into releasable chunks of story. I know I mentioned that the plan was to release the new versions of chapters 1 through 4 into the wild, but after looking through the material I've found that the book does break down into more natural arcs, and I'm going to release the chapters on a revised plan. Once again showing the huge influence that television has had on me, I've broken the chapters down into Seasons.

Season One: Chapters 1-5.
Season Two: Chapters 6-13.
Season Three: Chapters 14-TBD.

So the next release will be 'All Fall Down'(working title), Season One, which is only one chapter further than originally planned. Chapter 5 is a better leave off spot than 4, and I really think Emma needs to be back in the story mix before I break off the story. It also allows me to flesh out the supporting cast a little more, too.

Season two comprises more chapters than the first season, but it's offset by the huge length of Chapter 2, so it kinda balances out. There's no doubt about where to cut off season two, since Chapter 13 ends on a huge double-barrelled cliffhanger ... and one of my favorite moments in the whole book.

I don't have the exact end of Season Three yet, only because I left off in the middle of Chapter 17. In looking through that chapter again, it's very long and a ton of things happen in it, causing me to think I might be better off breaking off the last part and making Chapter 18 out of it. In that part of the book I finally bring in Lindsey(Jacquie) as a new member of the work staff, I bring in Kelsie(Casey) as a third waitress at the Diner, and Kelly and Alyssa have a very important conversation that changes everything. The final scene of 17 was going to be a scene written from Alyssa's viewpoint, in the first person. But I now believe that it should stand as it's own chapter, and then Chapter 19 deals with the aftermath and such. So we'll say that I'm in the middle of Chapter 18 then.

When I do up the packet for release I'm looking at five bundles this time: one for mom and dad, one for Colleen, one for Guinevere and her book club, one for me, and another one that I might be sending out ... but that depends on the response I get back from a letter to one of my favorite teachers, which I haven't written yet. If I get a favorable response back from that letter I'm going to write a second letter offering to let her read what I have, but either way I'm feeling very positive about this book.

As far as the writing goes, Chapter 4 is in the can and I've already jumped headlong into Chapter 5. Give me another week or so and I'll start the publishing work.

Woo hoo.