(<--Raven is concerned too.)We knew it was only a matter of time: I'm planning to revise "The Mark of Flight" yet again. I'm insane. The difference is, I'm revising by cutting out a lot and consolidating it into about three scenes with much more impact. Notecards will be involved.
So last year, when I rewrote 80% of the book, I spent a lot more time developing the castle and the world and Arianna's reaction to it and her place in it. I added in an element of the court not believing she was physically capable of being the next ruler of Rizellen, and planning to convince the queen to name Arianna's cousin the Heir Apparent instead. I really got to know a lot more about her, and a lot more about where she's coming from an why it's so crucial for her not only to get home, but to prove herself capable in ways even she doesn't believe yet.
Well, that's all going to remain...but as a background to the story. I want it to go underwater with the rest of the iceberg that is this huge and developed world.
Instead of going through five chapters of Arianna's tribulations at the castle, followed by her superficial re-education at the hands of Tashda, and disillusionment thanks to Bay...I'm starting in a slightly more exciting way. After the prologue, we find Arianna tied up in the bed of a wagon, wearing the clothing of a peasant girl, with all of her beautiful hair chopped off. Having backed out of running away with Tashda, she finds herself taken against her will, faith shattered. She's alone. She's terrified. More than anything, our beloved Princess Arianna is pissed off.
This cuts out about five chapters worth of build-up, some of which I might utilize in flashbacks (such as the painting of Alukale and various bits about Serinna, Jeyyson, and the court's mistrust of Tashda and lack of faith in Arianna). But this will allow me to skip Arianna's bratty, petty moments in the beginning and get straight to her very strong will and the fight to get home. This starts her in a much more sympathetic way without changing the fact that she's still going to have her "let them eat cake" moments, and probably cry a lot about her hair.
Well, that's the plan, anyway.
While I'm writing HELLHOUND, I'm only going to allow myself a little time to notecard and plan the changes to THE MARK OF FLIGHT. I need to get it out of my brain before I lose it, and also give my brain a day or two of rest from Helena, Jaesung, Howard, and the modern day. Yes, planning a different story constitutes a day of rest. I am insane. And I want to get published. That's how it goes.