Those Continuity & Consistency Blues
Last weekend (National Writers’ Forum, “Building Fantastic Worlds” masterclass, all that jazz 😉 ), I emphasised the importance of continuity and consistency when world-building — but of course the same exhortation holds true for every aspect of writing.
Even more so when you’re into the fourth and final novel of a four-book series and need to make sure all the small details from #1, through #2 and #3, line up.
Like not trying to re-introduce a character in the work-in-progress (The Wall Of Night #4 — working title The Chaos Gate) that you killed off in the first book (The Heir Of Night, WALL #1). Or even — wait for it — three or four characters: O-o!
That was all part of yesterday’s writing fun — and definitely led me to conclude that maybe I killed off a few too many redshirts in WALL #1… (This is also known as “the George RR Martin Effect”. )
Anyway, fortunately I was onto it early, since these characters are not intended to be revenants. 😀
Phew.
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If you would like to read a post on a related (including to “the George RR Martin Effect”) but more serious-in-tone topic, you could check out: