Have you every laid down a project you were working on, a book report, a puzzle, a scarf you were knitting, and when you went to pick it back up days, weeks, or months later and you kind of forgot where you left off? Or worse, you forgot how to do the thing you were doing? This is what happened to me when I revisited my book, The Sacrifice of One.
The Sacrifice of One takes place 12 years after The Faintly Beating Heart, but I actually wrote the rough draft for TSO (The Sacrifice of One) first. I thought I’d start the story there but it turned out that I needed to go further back a bit. While working on The Faintly Beating Heart, I tinkered and toyed with TSO trying to polish it up as I went, but it got set aside when I really put my focus on Knox Duffy’s story.
Now turning back to TSO, a lot has changed in my world and with my characters so the story needed a complete re-plot. So I spent a good part of September working through the story line and getting it tightened up. This requires copious amounts of post-its and sharpies for me. Also a lot of sitting around and thinking.
But plotting is one of my favorite parts of the story telling process, probably because I’m a little bit of a control freak. Okay fine I’m a HUGE control freak! Happy?
The Sacrifice of One tells the story of a 17-year-old girl, Camilla Crim, who’s stuck in a cold, dystopian society. Below is an excerpt from chapter one.
“I approach the gate as the mob of workers are funneled together so that only two of us can pass through the gate at a time. The guards are Warwick soldiers. Tight, black leather vests cover their middles, a red W stitched into the breast. It’s my turn. I step up to the threshold. The one soldier peers down at me with narrow eyes. Raising my arm, I flash the symbol that’s branded on my skin. He nods me his approval. I’ve just been granted access to the place that both sustains me and ensnares me.”
From The Sacrifice of One by Emily Fortney
If you’ve read The Faintly Beating Heart, you may be happy (or unhappy) to know that Knox makes an appearance in TSO. In fact Knox and Camilla have quite the interesting relationship.
Somewhat unfortunately, work on TSO will be paused next month as I participate in a different project. I say “somewhat unfortunately” because I’m sad to have to set TSO aside but I’m also excited to participate for the 4th year in Nanowrimo. Don’t know what Nanowrimo is? Don’t fret. It’s a fun challenge that happens every year during the month of November where writers from all of the world attempt to write a novel in 30 days. The goal is to write at least 50,000 words between November 1st and 30th. It’s tough but it’s a ton of fun.
So I’ll be pushing myself to complete 50,000 words again this year. I’ll be working on an entirely different novel which I got the idea for earlier this year. I’m excited to share with you a little about this book which I’ll do once I get started. I’ll also be sharing word count updates on Facebook and I’d love to have your cheering support! If you’re curious about Nanowrimo or think you might want to participate, you can check out their website HERE.
Until next time, let your friends know that The Faintly Beating Heart is now available and they can read it for FREE by signing up for my email newsletter!
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