Terry Madden, SFF Author
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Note to self: replace "Fred" with a cool Celtic name

9/10/2016

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I can't remember where I first heard about keeping a 'bible' to track changes when writing a novel. I know many writers use them, a notebook in which you log character sketches, plot skeletons, theme exploration and one of the most important things, the names of minor characters. I know that today many writers do this with software specially built for such things, but some of us are old, and old fashioned.

Over time, a hand-written bible can become a work of art. Notes made during breakfast or after you wake up from an amazingly powerful dream. Notes on changes written in a different color or highlighted with a particular color which has some mystical meaning that I no longer remember.  I thought it might be cool to share a few pages from my bible for "The Salamander's Smile," the sequel to my fantasy novel, "Three Wells of the Sea." I'm hoping some fans of Connor Quinn's might like to have a peek at his backstory as well as the first formations of the theme. I have not included anything that might tip readers off to the plot, only a few tidbits on character.

​I hope you enjoy it, and if you do, let me know. I'll post some more.

I like to use good old composition books. You might notice the title was originally "The Crooked Path" and has been changed. You might also notice I started these notes two years ago, September 2014.
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Here's just a bit of Connor's personal history. I usually interview them as well as note major events in their past. I needed to remind myself of where Connor came from. I also see I wrote this on my son's birthday. I have no idea what song I was listening to that got noted in the margin.
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This last page is an attempt to explore the themes that arc through all three novels. I am constantly trying to hone in what I want to say with a story without being heavy-handed. It usually takes two drafts of a novel before I discover what the themes might be. Sometimes, I have to narrow it down.
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And finally, to update those awaiting book two, I hope to have it in the hands of my beta readers in October. Then it's off for an edit, and away we go. Thanks for waiting. I hope it lives up to your expectations.
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