I am determined to finish this edit in a week, and so, I’m up now, and I have a dizzying scene in my head, trying to weave in my ends (to use a knitting metaphor).
As you know, The Aldersgate is told in a multiple-POV. Every chapter, a different POV. This, of course, can’t last forever. I’m not as clever as George R. R. Martin, and I need to bring them together, and shift perspectives now and again within one chapter.
But boy, is this hard. I’m in the pre-climax. The chapter before the Big One, and all of these characters are coming together, and it’s like a thunderstorm; hot air, warm air, hail and rain. Toss in a gunfight between three factions with a fourth there for good measure, and you’ve made for one exciting little maesltrom.
I have geared bullets that bore holes into you, and keep boring, unless you get them out (and someone is currently working on getting said bullet out of someone elses’ thigh). I have blood and fear, I have betrayal and anger. I have a demon (of sorts) on the loose. I will not say more at the risk of being a total spoiler for those of you following along, but let’s say this… I’m juggling a lot of things. And some of them are knives, or fiery brands, or whatever dangerous things jugglers throw into the air. I started this chapter this morning, and I’m at the halfway point as we speak.
It’s 11:30, but I feel like I’ve got days of work before me if I ever want to get to sleep.
The Aldersgate Cycle 
January 26, 2009 at 4:52 am
So the Sibs…earlier in the story the Sibs and the Nithings seemed to be more like a fairy story to people, clearly not real but the stuff you tell children to behave. Now it’s more like they’re obviously real, even the queen acknowledges them. But then, why is everyone freaking out about the barrenness of women? Don’t they know that women aren’t barren, but just bearing a third type of child? Shouldn’t they be wondering what caused the shift that caused Sibs to be born? Why are the Nithings such a secret? This is actually the first time I’ve ever listened to a story rather than read it, so I may be missing things here and there. I do love the story like mad, though, and can’t wait for the rest.
Also, is there a map anywhere of Earena?
January 26, 2009 at 5:21 am
@tintri This is a good point, and an excellent example of where I need to go back in and flesh out a bit. When Cora and Emry learn the truth from Nesme, I originally had a very long, very in-depth discussion about what exactly goes down when a child is born as a Sib. I think I trimmed too much in an attempt to slim this draft…
The short of it is if you’re very high class or very low class you know what Sibs truly are. If you’re young and even Alderclass, you could likely live your life without knowing the truth. The truth is that women are not as barren as the Crown would like everyone to think, but rather they are covering up the growing number of Sibs. It’s all been very hush-hush.
Cora, who has been uninitiated into the mysteries of life and childbirth, has only heard these stories. Her parents might have known the truth, but parents don’t tell their children the shameful truth. Emry is aware that there were once slaves–just like in US history–and makes the connection that the slaves were likely Sibs.
One more little note, too. Many Sibs can “pass” as male or female. So some choose to live Above.
But this is a lot of information to cram into Nesme’s mouth while the fate of the world is being decided. Or so I felt. But thank you for this observation; it will definitely be rectified in the next draft and made clearer. I often skip some of the details that I find intriguing because I don’t think others will. I’m learning that I am sometimes very wrong on that account.
And a MAP. Yes. We need a map, but I am a sorry mapmaker. My husband has promised to help me.
Thanks again!
January 26, 2009 at 6:28 am
Awesome, thanks for clearing that up. Hmm…I wonder if Cora has any Sibs…
January 26, 2009 at 2:10 pm
@tintri Great! Having wrote most of that last night I forgot to mention that, as well the next Cora/Emry chapter will add some of those details back when Cora goes to visit hean. Currently I’m in the aftermath of this weekend’s writing, and recovering my characters. Phew! Look for the next chapter this week though!