This is K.M. Island. and you are listening to the 378th episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast.

My Portal Fantasy work in progress Dreambreaker has ended up being by far the most complex plot I've ever written.

Mostly this is because there is a mystery at its heart and also because in writing its

outline I was learning all kinds of exciting things about

creating plot reveals, false enemies and allies, and other plot turning devices.

And I'm thrilled with how it's turned out, but there's definitely a ton of information in various

plot lines to keep track of.

Before I dive into the first draft leader this spring, I'm taking the time right now to go back over my

scene outline notes and make sure that not only does everything make sense but that

I've appropriately paid off every bit of

early foreshadowing and just as importantly planted early foreshadowing for

later payoffs.

After finishing it I felt this was the most complete outline I've ever written, but I've been

surprised how many loose ends and inconsistencies were hanging around.

So I'm really glad I've taken the time to do this extra step.

It will streamline both the first draft and later revisions to a large extent.

Or that's the plan anyway. In other news, I need your help. As I'm getting the

Creating Character Arts Workbook ready for a Fall publication this year.

I find myself with the dilemma of trying to figure out whether it would be more useful

to you in one or two volumes. To read the reasons for this and to vote in the poll, visit the

site at helping writers become authors.com. And now I hope you enjoyed this week's podcast entitled 9 and a half

tips for how to write opening and closing lines readers will love to quote.

...