Volume 2 in the Sapphire Chronicles, “Sapphire Crucible” is edging slowly toward
being ready. The editor has it but I need to write a prologue.
That doesn’t sound so difficult when you consider how many words I have written
on this project. It actually is a challenge for me. Summing things
up in few words has never been my style. I much prefer to let my words
flow and shake out every idea in my crazy mind. My favorite band is
Genesis and I remember an interview years ago with their keyboard player, Tony
Banks. He was asked why they had so many long songs rather than more
radio-friendly short ones. He explained that writing a short song is much
harder than writing a long one. That sounded ridiculous. Surely
writing something short is easier than writing something long. He
explained that writing a long song allows you to work your idea to
completion. Writing a short song only allows you to touch on highlights of
the idea and therefore leaves you feeling incomplete. Between the
interviews I have been blessed with and the prologue for the next book, it has
been hard to take a 490 page novel and sum it up in a few pages. I have
been storyboarding the order and keep having to edit out parts to shorten its
length. It’s a good thing I use this process or else I would end up
writing the whole first book over again! It really is hard to write in
fewer words…at least for me. I have talked to some writers who say the
fewer words they have to write, the better. That simply amazes me.
What kind of writer doesn’t like to write as much? I can understand
wanting to finish a project for closure. The writing itself, however, is
one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Perhaps it is seen
as more of a job by others. That would make sense. If you view
something as work it automatically takes on a less appealing stature. My
wife laughed when I told her about the prologue. She told me, “Writing
things in few words really isn’t you.” She does know me best.
Nevertheless, if Genesis can write radio hits, I can write an effective
prologue. So those of you waiting for Book 2, be patient. It will be
coming. If you haven’t read Book 1, give it a read. Think of it as a
long prologue.
being ready. The editor has it but I need to write a prologue.
That doesn’t sound so difficult when you consider how many words I have written
on this project. It actually is a challenge for me. Summing things
up in few words has never been my style. I much prefer to let my words
flow and shake out every idea in my crazy mind. My favorite band is
Genesis and I remember an interview years ago with their keyboard player, Tony
Banks. He was asked why they had so many long songs rather than more
radio-friendly short ones. He explained that writing a short song is much
harder than writing a long one. That sounded ridiculous. Surely
writing something short is easier than writing something long. He
explained that writing a long song allows you to work your idea to
completion. Writing a short song only allows you to touch on highlights of
the idea and therefore leaves you feeling incomplete. Between the
interviews I have been blessed with and the prologue for the next book, it has
been hard to take a 490 page novel and sum it up in a few pages. I have
been storyboarding the order and keep having to edit out parts to shorten its
length. It’s a good thing I use this process or else I would end up
writing the whole first book over again! It really is hard to write in
fewer words…at least for me. I have talked to some writers who say the
fewer words they have to write, the better. That simply amazes me.
What kind of writer doesn’t like to write as much? I can understand
wanting to finish a project for closure. The writing itself, however, is
one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Perhaps it is seen
as more of a job by others. That would make sense. If you view
something as work it automatically takes on a less appealing stature. My
wife laughed when I told her about the prologue. She told me, “Writing
things in few words really isn’t you.” She does know me best.
Nevertheless, if Genesis can write radio hits, I can write an effective
prologue. So those of you waiting for Book 2, be patient. It will be
coming. If you haven’t read Book 1, give it a read. Think of it as a
long prologue.
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