Thank you, J! It’s a bit of an obsession of mine to make every story feel full regardless of length, so I’m glad I was able to stick the landing with Langei!
To an extent. I'll usually pick a few points of contact with the story I love and then work out the inbetweens as I write. My favorite plotting tool by far is The Harmon Circle for that reason.
For this story in particular, I didn't know how it was gonna end. I wrote to just past the incident in the blizzard, then I took a pause. I storyboarded a ton of options -- the vilkolak kills Langei, Langei kills the vilkolak but dies of his wounds, he turns himself in and simply faces execution -- but I felt this version gave a redemption that was satisfying and thematically consistent.
So yeah... points of contact. Neil Gaiman calls them islands in the mist, like your story is you looking down at a misty valley with islands rearing up here and there. You can see the islands, but not the path. So I try and pin down my islands, but discovery write the path.
What a wonderful, rich tale!
Thanks you so much, Liz!
Well done. Nice use of shifting narrative distance. Intriguing
Thanks Bart, I appreciate it!
Fantastic atmosphere in this one. Love the imagery, love the clash of cultures. I think this is one of your best, Ian.
Thanks, Eric! It definitely felt like there were some resonances when writing this.
Excellent all around.
Thanks so much, Keith!
So good. I enjoyed this.
I think the greatest accomplishment here is the dynamic change within the main character. It’s 100% believable. I love him for it.
Thank you, J! It’s a bit of an obsession of mine to make every story feel full regardless of length, so I’m glad I was able to stick the landing with Langei!
Do you plan that as a writer? Before you start?
To an extent. I'll usually pick a few points of contact with the story I love and then work out the inbetweens as I write. My favorite plotting tool by far is The Harmon Circle for that reason.
For this story in particular, I didn't know how it was gonna end. I wrote to just past the incident in the blizzard, then I took a pause. I storyboarded a ton of options -- the vilkolak kills Langei, Langei kills the vilkolak but dies of his wounds, he turns himself in and simply faces execution -- but I felt this version gave a redemption that was satisfying and thematically consistent.
So yeah... points of contact. Neil Gaiman calls them islands in the mist, like your story is you looking down at a misty valley with islands rearing up here and there. You can see the islands, but not the path. So I try and pin down my islands, but discovery write the path.
What about you? What works for you?
I do something similar.
I start with an outline with major plot points then add minor points in between those—drilling down into whichever event inspires me at the time.
I think it was smart to storyboard out possible endings. That’s a strategy I plan to borrow.
And you mentioned the Harmon Circle. I have never heard of that before… and it makes so much sense! I love it!
Thanks for the well thought-out note. I learned something !