James Barclay

Rups · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 45

Heh James

Just wondered, did you plan out all three books in depth, with a plot/event tree before writing the first book?

Or is it all off the cuff Wink

James · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject:

They aren't all planned out in depth but all are plotted and the key characters are known. Things are still subject to change as I go on because writing is an organic process (for ma anyway) but I have a clear idea of how the whole troilogy will pan out.
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'A human with a hand outstretched in friendship carries the fangs of a taipan in his palm.' A TaiGethen saying.

Rups · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 45

Heh James,

Fair enough chap.

I know some people who spend more time creating the path/event tree than actually writing the story...

When you were half way through, did you think of a new char/event and have to go back and insert it earlier in the book? This happened to me and in the end, I just should've started again I think.

Is it true that the first 20,000 words should be thrown away? I can't remember where I read this, but it could of been the legend himself, Mr David Gemmell.

James · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject:

I have only redrafted a book from scratch once and that was Once Walked With Gods as it happens.

So i'd say, no, only throw the first 20K away if they are pants...
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'A human with a hand outstretched in friendship carries the fangs of a taipan in his palm.' A TaiGethen saying.

Patrick Mahon · Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Aylesbury, UK

James, how is Book 2 going? I got the impression, from another message you posted on here a few weeks back, that you'd hit a snag? Is that resolved now? I rather hope so, as I'm very keen to see Book 2 come out asap! Very Happy

Patrick Mahon · Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Aylesbury, UK

James - this may be a stupid question, but is a map of Calaius available anywhere? The Raven books all include a map of Balaia, but I can't say that I've seen an equivalent map of the southern continent. Have you done one?

James · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:26 pm Post subject:

It isn't, Patrick. I only ever drew a rough, just enough to get me through the geography and timings and distance stuff. I didn't think it would interest anyone, it being almost all trees with just a temple or two and a couple of cities chucked in. Perhaps I was wrong.
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'A human with a hand outstretched in friendship carries the fangs of a taipan in his palm.' A TaiGethen saying.

Patrick Mahon · Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Posts: 15 Location: Aylesbury, UK

I'd love to see your map, if you were happy to share it here. Calaius may not have that many geographical features compared to the northern continent, but given how much story you've managed to pack in there in the last two books, it would be great to see the setting 'in the flesh' (or 'in the wood' perhaps?).

James · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject:

I'll see what I can do... could be a while though, not even sure where my rough is.
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'A human with a hand outstretched in friendship carries the fangs of a taipan in his palm.' A TaiGethen saying.