Monday, July 19, 2010

Monday Mulligan Stew


What do you do when you're half way through a manuscript and discover crucial geographical information that must be changed?

You change it!

That was my snafu last week. I finally found someone in the country I'm writing about who could help me with my book. Problem was I had some wrong misconceptions AND I didn't have current information about the geography of the country. I was using websites set up by the country and they tend to leave out some of the more current information. Like the vast forest fires burning up the rain forest. I'm waiting on verification from my source before I make changes. I don't know if I have to send my characters in a different direction with would be a matter of changing on a couple of chapters or if I'll leave them were they are and have to change all but the first chapter to accommodate the burned forests and the change of scenery and how the camp is set up.

The good news is I don't have to change the characters and their interaction it's just the setting around them, but that will impact a couple of scenes dramatically if I go that route. Only time will tell.

So you know what I'll be doing this week. What's on your agenda?

If you're a writer have you ever had to shift drastically mid-stream when a new bit of information arose?

5 comments:

Fedora said...

Ooh, wow--that's a biggie, Paty, but glad you caught that early enough to rework stuff! Just goes to show how much you writers have to think about in crafting a story! Nothing big on the agenda for us this week--some laundry and cleaning! The kids have a week home and are relaxing and enjoying it so far... we'll see how they're doing later in the week ;)

Paty Jager said...

Fedora, Have fun with the kids. I'm changing irrigation pipes in Princeton the first half of the week.

M Pax said...

Yup. Just did major changes to my ms this past month. And originally, it was set at Saturn / Titan. Well, the Cassini mission is still there constantly out-dating my setting. So, I moved to Neptue and Triton.

Sometimes I'll just make a note to go back and change something later.

It won't take you long to get it back on track, it sounds.

Lauri said...

Oh, goodness, that was a major change for your story. Have fun with it. I've had a few things pop up now and again that I've had to go back and change.

Have fun up in Princeton.

This week my focus is the wedding reception down here. (Sat.) And next Friday, the 30th is the c-section date for the arrival of my newest granddaughter!

Cheers!
Lauri

Paty Jager said...

Thanks Mary! Once I get all the info I need I'm ready to jump on it.

Lauri,
Fun things! Wedding reception and new grandbaby!